Sealed Coin

5 people were sitting on a dining table in a spacious hall. 2 men, 2 women & one small boy were eating dinner & discussing about the recent trip the parents had taken. “Well this place is really quite & it was a relief from the usual noise that we hear in the city. Suresh also bought some local antiques from the place.” one of the women said. “Asha insisted that we buy some of them as they looked very beautiful. The best thing is, they were cheap!” Suresh said. “Why don’t you show Rakesh & Reema the antiques we bought?” Asha asked. “Oh yes give me a moment.” Suresh got up & went to his room to get the antiques. “How much did Vijay enjoy the place?” Rakesh asked. “He enjoyed a lot. He played with the local kids too.” Asha said. “The food was also good Uncle!” Vijay said excitedly.

Suresh returned from his room with 3 antiques – a well-designed pot, a painting and a coin. “Wow, these are some nice antiques you have.” Reema said, while looking at the antique pot. “What does this painting depict?” Rakesh asked. “Even I don’t know. But you should really what the shopkeeper told me while giving me this coin.” Suresh said while holding the coin up. Rakesh observed it closely and saw that there was a red thread tied on the coin. “Why is a thread tied to the coin?” Rakesh asked. “You see, the shopkeeper told me that these coins come from some ancient tribe. They store souls of warriors in these coins. And the thread is tied to make sure that the soul doesn’t come out of it!” Suresh said. “What rubbish!” Rakesh exclaimed. “Isn’t it? I didn’t believe his story either. But I liked the design on the coin & the thread kind of gives it a good look.” Suresh said. “Why not open the thread then?”  Rakesh asked. “No, I wouldn’t do that. Besides its best if we let things be.” Suresh said.

The next morning, Vijay was playing in Suresh’s room, while Suresh & Asha were busy reading newspapers & magazines. Vijay soon noticed the coin kept in the showcase cupboard in Suresh’s room. He takes the coin and looks at it & its design carefully. Vijay then thinks of removing the thread from the coin. At first he hesitates. Then slowly he removes the thread from the coin. He looks around. Nothing happens. But Vijay gets a strange feeling, a negative vibe, as if something is surrounding him. Then he looks at the coin. For moment he only sees the design on the coin. And then, eyes open; looking at Vijay with a red gaze.