The Amulet Trials

by Willa Alders

  “Talking about me huh, you two?” Aralynn asked sitting down next to us.

  “Hey beautiful.” I smiled at her; Sam wrapped his arm around her and I shook my head. “Sam was just telling me you kissed his cheek. He’s trying I guess to make me jealous. I said it was alright because I was the one who ended up with you.” I said laughing as Sam started.

  “Yes you did and nice try Sam.” She said happily.

  “I had to I’ve only waited six years.” Sam said sarcastically shaking his head.

  “Yeah, yeah.” She said getting up and hitting his arm. “Talk to you later. Go find yourself a girl.” She smiled grabbing my hand as we walked off. “He’s my brother you know that right?”

  “Yeah, I know beautiful. No worries.” I smiled and laughed a bit as we headed to where everyone was dancing.

  We walked through some of the crowd, and joined in on where everyone was dancing. We ended right next to Avery and the girl we saw him kiss goodbye to this morning. I shook my head at the two dancing. Avery seemed as lost in her as was I with Aralynn but then he saw us and something changed. He winked at me which I knew meant that he was going to do something to probably out dance us. Aralynn grabbed my hand and I twirled her to the center and started dancing with her to the music.

  Sure enough someone kicked the music on higher, and Avery was out to prove a point. He was going to out dance us, he flashed an evil smile at me which I knew it was because he didn’t like me. I didn’t care I was down with it. I didn’t care to make it a competition or if we lost. I was just ok dancing with Aralynn. She started turning it up on me, and I was keeping up. She was competitive. I liked that about her she would fight. The better Avery and the girl got, the more she tried. Avery started groping the girl and practically doing her on the floor. He smiled at me because I knew that was the turning point. I was laughing in my mind because Avery would do anything to show me up and prove a point to Aralynn. Even if that meant getting too provocative as he was right now. I found it funny, because I had enough respect for her not too unless she decided to do it. If she didn’t then I wouldn’t cross any boundaries. She realized that we lost then.

  I looked down and a beer can rolled under his foot which I knew she had put there. I found it funny but I tried to act like I didn’t see her use an ability to do that. I just continued dancing. Avery stepped backwards and he tripped over it. She looked at me and we laughed a bit heading off the dance floor incase Avery decided to get mad and cause a scene.

  “That was insane, that he tripped over that. Thank god, because I didn’t want to make him look bad.” I said laughing and holding her hand as we headed up to the hill to the bluffs.

  “Yes that we are.” She said to me.

  We walked in silence for a bit. My mind was thinking that I’m glad we lost and she did that because it gave me time to be alone with her. This was what I wanted. I wanted to make every moment count, just in case when I told her my secret it ended us. Or in case my sister won. I wanted to take all these good memories with me. I hoped like crazy what we had together didn’t end though.

  It didn’t take too long to reach the top of the bluffs. It was a far walk but it seemed as if we covered it quickly. When we got to the top she looked off the side of the bluff down into the water. I wondered what she was thinking, so I walked up to her.

  “What’s wrong beautiful?” I asked coolly.

  “Nothing, well something there’s something I want to tell you.” She said turning to me.

  I learned in touching her arms softly. “What’s that beautiful?” I asked quietly with the suspicion she wanted to tell me her secret.

  “Well….” She started saying but she was interrupted when a bunch of kids came running up to the top of the bluffs screaming and yelling.

  She shook her head, and I could see the sadness in her eyes. We watched the kids they were starting to go at it and I knew there was a fight getting ready to break out. She sighed again and this time we both shook our heads. She looked down.

  “It can wait; I don’t want anyone up here.” She said sadly. “It’s just important.” She finished off.

  “I know beautiful. Come on.” I said smiling rubbing her arms and grabbing her hand as we headed away from the drunken teens.

  We walked down the hill slowly hand in hand. Our movements were equal. There was nothing more perfect than that. I could already tell that her mind was racing on something. It was probably the same thing my mind was racing about. Our secret we were keeping from one another. That was the only thing that could make us both quiet. She stopped me halfway down when the trees shadowed us. She turned toward me and I looked at her.

  “I love you.” She smiled sadly, and kissed my cheek.

  “I know this beautiful. I love you too. Is that what you wanted to tell me?” I asked quietly.

  “No, it’s not but I hope it will help.” She said but stopped because more kids came running up passing us.

  “Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter to me. I love you and you are mine.” I smiled leaning down and kissing her lips softly.

  I kissed her gently. I wrapped my arms around her back, and her arms went around my neck. I slipped a small bit of tongue in getting lost in kissing her. She was getting lost into it too. I couldn’t quit. We didn’t see the couple which was nice we were just enjoying the kiss. It was everything that was good with us. I knew then we had to tell each other, or at least I had to tell her because the secret of keeping who I was from her was becoming too much to hold in. I knew I had to tell her, because I needed forever with her now. Her hands lingered through my hair as I let myself get lost even more in kissing her.

  I didn’t want to stop but before we could go any further or before we could say anything to each other I heard Sam and Avery. They were coming up the hill, they came up on us rather quickly but I chose to continue kissing her that was until Avery snorted, and Sam was clapping. I mouthed I loved her, and then I couldn’t do anything because Avery got up in my face. We stopped completely then there was no way to ignore him now. I knew this; something was going to happen with Avery right now.

  “Dude, slow it down with my sister.” He yelled with his chest puffed out.

  “I can’t help it, she wanted it too or else I wouldn’t have done anything.” I shrugged which irritated him you could tell. “By the way you know she’s not four right?” I said casually back. I was messing with him now which I found hilarious.

  “I don’t care. I said slow it down.” Avery yelled louder ripping his shirt off, meaning he wanted to fight.

  “Well Avery I hate to tell you she’s a big girl we will do as we want. You just need to accept that. If you want me to fight you it’s not going to happen.” I smiled calmly at him.

  I didn’t get a chance to do anything or walk away because Avery punched me square in the face. I grabbed Aralynn’s hand as we started walking down the hill. I wasn’t going to fight him. I could see it in his eyes. Next thing I knew Avery hauled off punching me again in my face. I didn’t move, I just stood there realizing that he had an ability that I didn’t know about until now. He was able to move things like I could. His hand knocked me down, I smiled and welcomed it because if he wasn’t going to fight fair then neither was I. I wanted him to think he could get in a few hits at first, and think he had the upper hand. That was what I wanted and intended to let him do. Avery sucker punched me in my gut, and I could feel the strength radiating from his fist. I instantly fell to the ground as Avery smiled at me.

  I stood up slowly hoping Avery believed my defeated feeling. He did because he leaned over me as I hung my face low. I had plenty of practice doing that. I could feel him breathing as I watched his fist come down toward my face again. I moved slightly as he hit the ground. I spit out blood as Avery stood there a little confused on how I had moved so fast out from under him. That was all I needed. If he wanted this brawl I was going to make him regret it. I punched him square in his stomach. This time he fell to the ground. I was over top o
f him in seconds landing more punches to his face. I moved off him inviting him to get up. He stood up spitting out some blood now as he landed another punch to my face. I let him hit me some as I kicked him in his liver. He doubled over grabbing his side. I couldn’t tell if I had really hurt him or if he just wanted me to come forward so he could launch his own counter attack on me. Either way I had to approach him and play into his game if he was playing one. I came with an elbow cracking him right across the cheek. That dazed him and I was over this fight. I wanted him to know I was done. I spun around landing my foot into his stomach. Avery fell this time to the ground and I punched him once more then moved off him. I was done and I hoped he realized I wasn’t messing around anymore. I was over this. I shook my head as I walked back to Aralynn.

  “Sorry Sam, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I said as Aralynn grabbing my hand as we headed down the hill.

  “No problem man, you both are cool with me.” Sam said as we headed down the hill.

  We stopped once we got to my car, I touched my lip and it was bleeding a bit. Not I spit out some blood as I leaned up against my car moving my hair out of my face. The fight had gone better than what I hoped except I was still disappointed. I really hated fighting and I really didn’t want to fight Avery because I knew that it would put Aralynn in an awkward position later.

  “I’m sorry beautiful I’ve had enough of him walking all over you and me. He needed to be put in his place. I really hate fighting.” I said as my hair fell back down in my face.

  “It’s alright. Avery had it coming to him. It’s funny that he lost. He never loses a fight. You definitely wounded his ego if nothing else which could make him want to fight you again or it may make him back up. Either way I think it’s pretty awesome because I’ve never seen him lose let alone so bad before.” She laughed.

  “Yeah, well I’m ready for it either way. Bring it on.” I laughed. My phone vibrated as I pulled it out looked at it then and jammed it back in my pocket grunting. I knew what it meant.

  “What’s wrong?” She asked sweetly.

  I spit some blood out again. “Nothing beautiful other than my night just ended. I got a text from my sister saying get home now. I don’t want to make her any madder than what she already is. I am sorry beautiful you didn’t get to tell me what you wanted. I was hoping you could and I was hoping to spend some more time with you alone. Hopefully we will get the chance tomorrow maybe. I can’t wait for Saturday either. I got to go.” I said sadly kissing her cheek.

  “It’s ok. Please don’t let her hurt you.” She said concerned. I could see it written all over her face.

  “She can’t beautiful. Not as long as you wear that.” I said pointing to the necklace I gave her.

  “Ok, I won’t take it off.” She smiled at me standing up on her toes a bit as she leaned in kissing me again.

  “Love you beautiful. I have to go.” I said getting into my car. “I’ll text you if I can, see you tomorrow beautiful.” I watched her in my rearview mirror as I pulled through the party.

  I drove slowly home, the whole time Kilyn was blowing my phone up with text messages. I didn’t respond, I was thinking about Aralynn and telling her my secret and just trying to make it home. When I didn’t respond she started mind speaking to me. I tried to ignore her, as I winded the turns. I looked out the window and I saw the bears standing there at the top of the hill peering down watching. When they realized it they turned away and walked off.

  I mind-spoke finally back to Kilyn. I’m on my way. I said winding a few more curves and pulling into the house. I took my coat and my books that I had bought out of the car putting them under my arm as I walked into the house. I was on the lookout because I figured she would be lurking behind the corner somewhere. I didn’t see her in the kitchen, or living room. I headed toward my room and Carter was standing there. Great, I would have to deal with the stupid idiot himself. I started thinking make him move, move out of my way or stand still. I walked past him and he stood there.

  That was strange, I thought again walk to the kitchen, I thought. I passed Carter as I put my stuff down in my room. Sure enough I looked back out he was walking into the kitchen. Strange I thought again. I knew Carter was part human, but I didn’t know much more than that, other than he followed Kilyn around like a dog. This maybe meant he was attached to her. Oh well I didn’t know, didn’t want to know but it was strange that I was thinking for him to do something and he did it. That was definitely something different.

  I walked around my room and when I turned around, Kilyn was stepping out of the wall. I hated when she used that ability. She could be invisible so to speak and walk through walls. She had a habit of doing that quite often. I hoped the chant to cloak my mind worked. I stood there, not really sure what she was going to do. She ran toward me and threw me up against the wall digging her nails into my throat. She was littler than I was but she wasn’t stronger. That didn’t matter though, because she knew I wouldn’t hit her back. I had never ever hit a girl no matter how bad they deserved it and I never would. I would fight with Carter, but the two of them when he joined in it became impossible for me to win. So I was hoping she wouldn’t do anything or if she did the necklace that I gave Aralynn actually would keep me safe somehow.

  “Dear brother, you didn’t answer my texts or my mind-speak why?” She said calmly as she let go and whisked her fingers. My body flew into the wall.

  “I did, and hello you want me alive right?” I yelled as she charged at me.

  “Yes I do but you know better than to disobey me. You let Avery know.” She hissed grabbing my neck again.

  “Let Avery know what?” I choked out.

  “Don’t pretend like you don’t know. He went back into time. He was trying to figure us out. You sent him there.” She hissed digging her nails deeper.

  “No I didn’t. I want my life too much.” I choked out again.

  “Lies.” She hissed again.

  “No it’s not……..I…….want freedom…… I would do anything to get that.” I choked out again the whole time thinking not really. I would do anything for her to get my freedom and save Aralynn and defeat her. She bought it though; the chant must have worked because she let me go.

  I stood there grabbing at my neck rubbing at it, the pain wasn’t too bad. This was good. So far, the amulet seemed to work fine. The real test would be when she beat me with something which I’m sure would happen relatively soon. That would test the necklace’s power for sure.

  “Besides I wouldn’t tell Avery, look he busted my lip.” I said pointing to my lip which clearly was cut and swollen.

  “You’ve made your point. You are weak brother and to get your freedom you would do anything wouldn’t you? I’m hanging out with her tomorrow afternoon and then you are to be with her after that. I don’t want you home tomorrow night or Sam’s upcoming party night. Got that? The bears will show then the night of the party. You will weaken her and distract her just enough for me to do what I need to do. Got it?” She hissed as Carter came in.

  “Yeah.” I gritted my teeth.

  “What?” She yelled as Carter came up and grabbed my arms holding me back.

  “Yes ma’am.” I said I hated when she did that –enforcing her authority.

  “Good, good.” She said kneeing me in my crotch. I dropped a bit but Carter picked me up.

  I knew this wasn’t going to be good. I knew whatever she going to do would be very bad. Next thing I knew she sent a rod from nowhere into my stomach. Then she flung me through the window. I came flying back in with one twist of her hand and dropped to the ground. She must have had the whip because I felt something come down on my back and my legs and my backside. It stung but I didn’t scream. I never screamed when she did this because she wanted me too. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction knowing she got to me no matter how bad I wanted to scream.

  “Good we understand each other. Finish him off Carter.” She said leaving my room.

  Carter walked over and
kicked me in my face a few times. Each kick made my head spin. Once I was able to gain what was happening I stood up. I punched him back in his stomach and his face, and kicked him a few times. I slammed him into the shelf with my mind. Then I thought get out of my room and don’t come back. As if on cue he turned around and walked out. I slammed the door shut and locking it with my mind. To be extra sure Carter couldn’t get in I threw the bookshelf in front of it.

  I limped a little into the bathroom expecting to see my face battered dripping with blood and to see my back covered in my blood. I also expected to be sorer than what I was. My face had several bruises. I watched them disappear instantly. The only thing left was one small cut above my eye from one of Carter’s kicks. I undressed and looked at my back half. The cuts caused by the whip appeared to be dropped down to mere scrapes. That was strange; I guess the necklace did actually heal me quicker. With that I got in the shower hoping it would make me relax some more and figure out a way to convince Aralynn not to go with my sister tomorrow. If I didn’t hopefully I would figure out how to tell her before the bears attacked. One of the two had to happen.

  After I got showered, I got in my bed and texted Aralynn good night. I laid there that night, I didn’t sleep. After a few hours of being restless I went to my desk and got the books I had bought. I laid there flipping through the pages of through the mythology book. I couldn’t find the pages with the Abaddon or the Kintana. So I thought in my brain about I wanted the pages with the Abaddon and the Kintana. The book looked like it had wind blowing the pages because they flipped extremely quick turning to page 400. The title said the Good and Evil: Kintana vs. Abaddon. That was definitely what I wanted. I looked through the first couple pictures trying to read about the history of the Abaddon. What I gathered was they were around since creation and who knows how long that was.

  It started out by saying the Kintana and the Abaddon used to be one. The king and queen were married. The leaders’ man and wife both wanted good. They ruled successfully protecting their kind for years. Then one day the queen bore a child, and lost it. When she did both her and her counterpart went crazy. It consumed the king. The queen was able to recover and find good again, but the king wasn’t. He swore vengeance on anything good for taking his baby away. From then he got followers that agreed the queen had done this on purpose. He broke away from her, and created his own individual kingdom. The people of the kingdom and the king himself became possessed with evil. Evil bled through their veins, they sought out vengeance and power. So anything or anyone good who was powerful they went after, killing them and draining the good out of the creature.