A Moment of Hesitation

April 12th

I sat the rock on my nightstand. It did nothing. I tried to think really hard. It did nothing. I put it in water. It did nothing. Whatever I did, nothing happened. At the moment, my mom walked into my room. "Robert? Karen is here. She's staying for dinner." Karen ran under my mom and walked up to me. Mom left the room to make her famous meatloaf. Karen shut the door behind her.
"Hey, I heard about your grandfather. I'm really sorry." She admitted. "It's no problem. All he said to me was that my grandmother is now the head of the family, and he gave me this." I handed her the rock as I explained. "Wow. This is so cool! ... What is it?" She asked. "I dunno. I've yet to find out." My birthday is coming up for when I turn 14. Once you turn 14, you are free to go wherever you want. I would. Whoever made that rule back when must've lived in a better place, because now there are a lot more people who are "bad." 
"Maybe we should gather everyone? Go on a hunt to ask what is the purpose." She suggested. Without thinking, I blurted, "Do you want to go with me?" There was a moment of hesitation, but my answer was in my favor. "Probably yes." She said. "My birthday is coming up soon also. We have to wait for everyone though." 
So it was official. Me, Karen, and my three other friends should agree to come. All I have to do now is actually talk to everyone about it.
And the first I should ask is Grandma.
 

Take The Rock

April 5th

I stood and stared at busy, room, expressionless. Not comprehending whatever was going on.

My grandfather laid quietly, beeping as he wore a mask. He was in the hospital bed. He had asked to see everyone in private for his final words for each other. 
There was deep silence. I had never really bonded with him, but I felt close with him. "Robert. Come here." He said, voice shaking. "Even though I usually lead the family, I want your Grandmother in charge, okay?" I nodded, wanting to hear more.
 "I also want to give you this." He handed me a red rock.
What the hell? A red rock? I pretended to be interested. "It may not look like something cool, but I need you to guard this with your life."
 Whether it was expensive or rare or just a family heirloom given to the youngest, I'm a man for my word and took the rock. We stared at each other for a moment. I focused into his eyes to see his pupils widen. He grabbed his chest and started coughing.

I ran outside and got a nurse who eventually got a doctor. I got out of the room and sat down. I knew this would be it. In a flash, he just disappeared from us. My grandfather had died without telling me what the rock was even for.