So, you're probably wondering what's going on right now.
Well… I've found myself in a bit of a situation.
After completely losing it over the fact that the pendant could actually talk—yeah, I might've screamed loud enough for the entire school to stare at me like I'd lost my mind—it suddenly went quiet. I thought maybe I was going crazy.
But then I got home, went straight to my room (because, you know, grounded and all)…
And now?
Now it's literally flying around my room like a kid seeing the world for the first time.
"So this is a room?" the pendant zipped to each corner, its chain flicking playfully as it yanked a dusty box out from under Iván's bed.
Iván stood frozen, not sure what to think.
First thought: Is there, like… magical law enforcement for this kind of thing?
Second thought: Holy shit. It's alive.
"Okay… what are you exactly?" Iván asked, watching as the pendant floated over to inspect something inside the box—
A Playboy magazine.
The gem pulsed with light and turned toward him.
"My master… is a perv."
"W–What?! Wait—I'm not a pervert!" Iván shouted, flustered.
"Then explain this," the pendant said, spinning the magazine in midair.
Iván snatched it out of the air. "I'm a teenager. This is perfectly normal!"
"Oh?" The gem pulsed, as if narrowing its nonexistent eyes in judgment.
Iván scowled. "Okay, listen—what even are you?"
"I don't know," the pendant replied, floating lazily in the air. "I woke up the moment a connection was forged between you and me. I can see your memories—that's how I know your language and how to speak it."
It paused, pulsing faintly. "Though… I'm starting to regret digging through them."
The pendant gave a dramatic shiver.
Iván's face flushed. "Okay! Let's just move on, yeah?"
He took a deep breath, trying to stay on track. "So… you don't know what you are?"
"I'm a spirit, of course," the pendant chimed proudly.
Although it floated right up into his face, the pendant said calmly, "The real pendant is in your heart."
Iván's eyes widened. "Wait—what?! It's in my chest?!"
"Yes, indeed," the pendant nodded. "What you're seeing now is just a projection—though I can become solid when needed. Lucky you, huh?"
Iván blinked, still trying to process that.
"Now," the pendant added, tilting playfully in the air, "you mentioned a party. I feel like tagging along."
"I didn't mention a party," Iván said, narrowing his eyes. "And hey—don't try to change the subject. What do you mean you're in my chest?"
The pendant's tone shifted, suddenly serious. "Within your heart, the real pendant rests. The only way to separate us now… is to tear it out."
Iván froze. "So… we're stuck together?"
"Exactly!" the pendant chirped, its playful tone returning. "Now can we please go to this party? I've been asleep for way too long, and I'm bored out of my mind!"
Iván placed a hand over his chest, trying to feel something—anything—different. But there was nothing. Just his heartbeat.
Still, the thought of something ancient and alive resting inside him… it was more than a little freaky.
Iván narrowed his eyes. "Man, get it together," he muttered to himself before looking up at the pendant. "I'm guessing you saw it in my memories—but just so you know, you got me grounded. That means I'm not allowed to leave."
"Oooh yes," the pendant chimed. "I remember that guy from the restroom. Shame I didn't freeze him… though, to be fair, he really looked like he needed to cool off."
The pendant let out a playful giggle.
Then a pendant floated over to the window, its gem glowing faintly blue. "It's a full moon tonight. Perfect."
With a flicker of light, the window eased open on its own.
"Come on now—let's go!" the pendant urged.
"Wait, did you not hear me?" Iván said. "I'm grounded."
"Oh, right. You called me Lune earlier," the pendant said, spinning midair. "I like that. You may call me Lune. As for your mother—the one who gave birth to you…"
Lune zipped around the room, pulling a pillow and blanket into place, forming a convincing body shape beneath the covers.
"There," Lune declared proudly. "You're asleep. Now—let's go!"
Iván couldn't believe he was actually sneaking out of the house—for the first time ever. And if his mom found out? Oh, he was 100% getting the belt.
Still, that didn't stop him.
He climbed out the window, rolled onto the grass with a muffled "Oof!", and glanced back toward the house.
Through the window, he saw his mom watching TV, completely unaware.
Without wasting another second, he dashed off into the night.
"So, Lune," Iván asked as they neared the party, "what exactly can you do?"
"Plenty of foolish things," the pendant replied. "For starters—I can sense danger. And right now, if you don't want to die… run."
"Wait, what?" Iván stopped in his tracks, eyes scanning the dim street.
The streetlights above flickered eerily. Then, at the far end of the road, something shifted—low to the ground, darting between parked cars.
Iván took a step back and froze.
The thing was fast—low to the ground, clawed, and monstrous, charging straight at him like a blur of shadows.
"You're really stupid," Lune muttered, appearing in front of him.
In an instant, the pendant released a brilliant flash of light. The creature shrieked and vanished in a puff of smoke.
"I said run, didn't I?" Lune scolded.
"What the hell was that?!" Iván shouted, heart pounding.
"An evil spirit," Lune replied, floating calmly. "They can't usually interact with the living… but a few mortals can see them. And if you can see them—well, you'd better hope they don't get to you first."
"Wait—evil spirits? Like demons and stuff?" Iván asked, wide-eyed.
"Mmm, based on your mind, your description of demons is pretty accurate," Lune replied. "But lucky for you, these things hate the light."
"I need to lie down," Iván muttered, plopping onto the concrete with a groan.
"Oh look, the party's over there," Lune said, floating ahead. "Come on, stop having a midlife crisis and get moving."
Iván grumbled and slowly got to his feet.
"Wait—they might see you," he whispered.
"Don't be silly," Lune giggled. "Only you can see me right now."
With that, it zipped off into the house, weaving through the crowd of partying teenagers.
And there she goes… Wait, is it even a she? The voice sounds like one… whatever.
Then there was that thing—an evil spirit. Honestly, at this point, Iván wasn't even surprised anymore.
"What's next?" he muttered to himself. "A werewolf, like in the movies?" He let out a dry laugh.
That's when he noticed Allison. She looked upset—clearly, Scott had ditched her.
"Well, that's fucked up," Iván thought as he made his way over to her.
"Hey, Allison. That fool leaves you hanging?"
"Yeah, that asshole," she said, arms crossed. Then she looked him over. "You look like crap. Also… didn't you break Jackson's wrist?"
Iván rubbed his hand and glanced toward the house, spotting Lune dancing inside. Isn't it supposed to be some kind of ancient relic? he thought. Why is it acting like a hyper little kid?
"Yeah, I did," Iván admitted. "But in my defense, he started it—and breaking his wrist wasn't exactly on purpose. I just… didn't know my own strength."
He shifted slightly, then added, "Hey, want me to walk you home?"
Just then, Stiles burst out of the house, looking around frantically. "Huh? Hey, where did Scott go?"
Allison crossed her arms and glared. "Tell that asshole he better have a damn good explanation for ditching me."
She turned back to Iván. "So… you said you offered to walk me home?"
Iván nodded, but something tugged at the back of his mind. He glanced around, eyes narrowing toward the empty street—it felt like someone was watching him.
Without realizing it, Lune reappeared, the pendant reforming around his neck, without anyone noticing.
"Someone was watching you," it whispered in his mind, "but don't worry. I don't sense any ill intentions.