“Hey!” Tyler barked. “Radishes are hot right now. Get on board.”
Emma put her necklace on. “Oh, this counts just fine. They’re amazing.”
“Thanks, man.” Tyler wrapped his around his wrist like a bracelet.
Opal did the same.
“So what’s next?” Logan asked. “Do we swear an oath or something?”
“We were going to listen to Emma butcher a classic movie.” Opal arched an eyebrow. “But an oath sounds good.” She put her hand out, and the others stacked theirs on top. Everyone inhaled, but no one said anything.
“Still got nothing,” Tyler said.
“One for all, and all for one?” Emma suggested.
Logan squinted. “I think that’s backward.”
Nico spoke in a quiet voice. “How about:We watch the Darkdeep, and watch out for each other.” When the others looked at him, he ducked his head. “Lame. Never mind.”
“No.” Opal smiled. “It’s great, Nico. Super lame, but also kind of perfect.”
They all said the words. Lifted their hands together.
“Okay,” Emma announced. “Movie time!”
She started fiddling with the portable projector she’dbrought. The movie flickered to life on a wall panel near the smashed one. Opal shivered again.We really have to fix that.
Emma began her dramatic voiceover. Tyler and Logan started mocking the horrible special effects. Opal noticed Nico was sitting close enough for their shoulders to touch. Was it on purpose? She couldn’t tell.
A glint of light caught her attention—the projector’s beam reflecting off the weird green jar on its pedestal. Opal glanced at the creature inside. It stared back with vacant, open eyes.So strange, Opal thought.I wonder what it was.
The creature blinked.
Opal gasped.
The Thing in a Jar smiled.
Come, Opal.
Come and see what I have for you.
