None of us spoke for a long time. Kevin was reliving the memories of his past. Noah and I were thinking about everything we had just heard. It was weirder than I had expected. Protection spells, rituals, and sacrifices. I never thought I would see the day that these things would be a part of my own life. I was at a loss for words. I was not the only one. Noah, who always had something to say was also quiet.

"Why the videos?" I asked thinking about the SD card I found inside Mitchell's closet. Just thinking about all those people in red, gave me goosebumps.

"We expected what could happen, Naina. If something happened to us, we wanted to make sure that the pearl didn't fall into the wrong hands. We wanted you to understand what you were dealing with. So, we recorded a video at one of the meetings and audio to explain to you to keep the pearl safe." Kevin answered. Something happened and we dealt with it with the help of that video just like they predicted.

"So, what are we going to do? We can't hide like this forever." I asked. We had a life. We had to go to college after these holidays. Kevin couldn't hide like this forever. There had to be an end for this.

"There is one way," Kevin said, looking grave. "But it is very dangerous."

I knew whatever he was going to say would be very bad but if it was the only ticket out of this mess, I was willing to take it.

"Go on," Noah said with a determined expression on his face. Kevin was taken aback by our keenness but he answered.

"I recently found out there was one way to destroy that pearl." He said the words that were so soothing to my ears.

"That is dope. What is the problem then?" I asked.

"Well, we have to go into the cave to do that." Kevin blasted the truth. So, that was the catch. I got why he said it was dangerous. Destroying the pearl means, running into the clutches of the very people from whom we were trying to run away."What are we going to do exactly?" Noah asked which increased interest in his voice.

"There is a pit of hellfire in that cave, which always keeps burning. Hellfire is the only thing that can destroy this pearl." Kevin said gravely. Noah and I were silent. Hellfire. That was sinister even to listen. But if it was the only way, then we have got to try it, right?

"I'm in, Kevin," I said. "Whatever I have to do to help, I will."

Noah nodded beside me, his hand finding mine. He showed his support for me. Kevin's eyes glowed due to our agreement.

"It's fixed then." Kevin nodded. "Have you got the pearl, Naina?"

I nodded, looking at Noah.

"Man, have you got that chain I gave you?" Kevin asked Noah. "That chain should also be destroyed."

"Well, I don't have it here. But, I have it safely hidden somewhere in Boston." Noah said, looking very pleased with himself.

"We have to get it here, man," Kevin said. "The sooner, the better."

"I'll go get it now," Noah said, standing up.

"I'll go with you." I stood up. I didn't want him to get out of my sight. Something bad always happened when he was away and I wasn't looking forward to any more adventures any soon.

"Naina, stay here. They know you. I don't want you to get into trouble." Noah said softly. I shook my head no. He couldn't change my mind about this.

"Let her come with you, Noah," Kevin said. "I have to go spy on that cave and it would be better if she is with you than alone here."

I couldn't help but feel relieved. There was no question of me saying here alone

"And take the pearl with you," Kevin said. "The pearl couldn't be sensed easily if it was with non-magical people."

I nodded and stepped towards Kevin. I enveloped him in a friendly hug. He needed one after the story he had to relive earlier. I couldn't give him his Mitchell back. But I decided to do everything in my power to destroy Mitchell's killers and give him his normal life back. He deserved it. He seemed to be surprised by my sudden affection. That guy and I barely talked when Mitchell was alive. But after a moment, he gave in.

"Everything will be alright, Kevin," I said and pulled back.

Noah was smiling at me when I returned to his side, "Let's go."

***************

We were in Noah's car, driving towards our city, Boston. Noah was driving, his eyes focused on the road. The snowfall was brutal this year. There was no chance of being careless while driving on a road like this.

When he went to retrieve his car earlier which was parked near Carol's orphanage, I wanted to go and see her. But it would do her no good in addition to being focused on by those Satanists. So, I didn't say anything. We were now on the outskirts of Salem and I was relieved. This town had given me nothing but bad memories. I couldn't wait to get out of this sleepy town and get back into the hustle and bustle of Boston. You know the value of noise, only when you miss it.

While I was drowning in my thoughts, Noah was still concentrating on the road. I was dying to speak to him but there seemed to be no good time for it. When we were walking to his car, we were too alert for enemies to have romantic chitchat. Now, based on his expression, any distraction was out of the question. I looked at him looking so mature and serious. He was usually so childish and cheery, this expression looked almost comical on him. A strand of his hair was falling on his forehead. I wanted to smooth it back. But I couldn't do anything like that. Our boundaries were pretty much blurred after yesterday.

Wow, so much had happened yesterday. It seemed like years ago. I was thinking about the possibilities that would have happened if Mrs.Lewis had picked another day to kidnap me. But I couldn't make any speculations without knowing what he was thinking about us.

I turned my thoughts towards more immediate things like where we were going now. Where could Noah hide the chain? Which place was as safe as my mom's locker in India?

"Why are you looking so serious?" Noah asked his eyes still on the road.

"I...I am just thinking about stuff." I said glad he talked, at last.

"So, where are we going?" I asked. The silence was killing me.

"You'll see," he said no further. He loved to kill people with suspense. We traveled for some more time before the car stopped in front of a bank. Of course, a bank locker. That was as safe as a place could go to a city. Noah shut off the engine and we got out of the car. Without missing a beat, Noah sauntered towards the manager's chamber with me following him. The manager was a tall, balding man, his face almost squashed against his computer monitor. Noah knocked on the open door startling him. He looked up from the screen and looked at us.

"Mr.Carlson, welcome." The manager smiled a professional smile. "It's been long since you have visited the bank."

Noah and I stepped into the warm chamber. It felt so good to be in a room with a thermostat, unlike Kevin's cottage. Noah was all business with him. I had a feeling he came to this bank a lot.

"I'm here to retrieve the object in my locker," Noah said, not even bothering to take a seat. "We are in a hurry." He added.

The manager stood up from his seat immediately.

"Of course, Mr.Carlson." He said and asked us to follow him.

"Are you a drug lord in a disguise or what?" I asked in awe at the royal treatment he was receiving. "I've never seen a college student getting that treatment in a bank."

"Well, my dad was with me when I opened an account in this bank, and let's just say he is very influential." He said as though he was embarrassed about the fact.

The manager led us through a series of corridors fitted with cameras at every corner. Finally, we stopped in front of a large, circular, iron door with a digital keypad attached to the wall beside it. The manager punched in some code and removed his glasses. A laser beam shot out of the keypad and scanned his eyes. Then the door swung open with a loud groan, showing a dark passage. We stepped into the room and the lights were on as if on cue. I felt like I was in some Hollywood action movie.

The enormous room was filled with rows upon rows of lockers which were obviously filled with all types of valuable objects. We walked into the sixth row and Noah stopped in front of the locker number 666.

How apt, I thought.

"I'll wait at the entrance to give you some privacy." The manager took leave and walked towards the entrance.

"Here we go," Noah mumbled under his breath and punched in a code on the digital keypad. The small door opened silently. Noah put his hand inside the dark vault and pulled out a narrow plastic box that looked more like it contained a pencil than a powerful piece of jewelry.

"You certainly know how to do things in style," I smirked at him. He rolled his eyes and opened the box to reveal a beautiful platinum chain. I looked in awe. My hands involuntarily gripped the chain and took it out of the box. It was surprisingly light and beautiful. The design was simple yet intricate. There was a locket attached to the chain in the shape of a water drop with diamonds studded along the edges. There was a round space in the middle of the locket like it had to be filled with something and we knew all too well what that was.

"Wow," Noah and I said at the same time looking at each other. Noah gripped the other side of the chain. There was something about this chain like it was pulling us towards it. We both didn't want to let it go. That was definitely not a good sign. Our hands were running along the length of the chain-like we were in trance. With so much effort, I dropped the chain in its box like it might burn me in any second. Noah instantly closed the box and we both let out a loud sigh of relief. It felt like we just got rid of a heavyweight.

"It did the same thing to me when Kevin first gave it to me," Noah said, his eyes still on the box. It Seemed, like the chain, got its own set of powers. And unlike the pearl, it was displaying it.

"Let's get out of here," I said. Noah nodded in agreement.