Katie felt as if her lungs were about to explode. She had been running at a full sprint for the last 10 minutes in an effort to put as much distance between her and Lisa. Finally she stopped, her muscles ached and her lungs burned as she gasped for air. "What the hell just happened!" She exclaimed.
As she sat on a bench she began to examine her surroundings. She appeared to be on the local college campus. Fortunately their didn't seem to be many people around, it was only noon and most of the students on campus appeared to still be in their rooms or eating a late breakfast. Katie sighed with relief. "Thank God this school likes to party," she whispered. "Really don't feel like running into anyone right now."
A new problem now presented itself to Katie. She had no idea how to get back to the mall or even where she was exactly. She quietly cursed herself for being so careless with Josh and letting her lead her back here. Quickly she reached into her pocket and produced her cellphone. Hopefully Mary Elise and the others would be able to find her and pick he up.
After a few rings, Mary Elise answered. "Hello Katie? Is that you!?"
Katie paused, Mary Elise seemed concerned, more so than she would of expected. "Yeah its me," she answered. "Mary I'm in trouble I could really use a ride."
Katie explained what had happened. How her and Josh had taken a walk and ended up at his sisters shop. How she had met Lisa who not only possessed magic but even activated the Ring of Age and finally how she had fled to the college and wasn't sure how to get home. "That's a crazy story," Mary commented. "I'm sure we can come get you. Is everything else ok? Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine," Katie answered. "Just a little shaken up. Why?"
Now it was Mary Elise's turn to pause. "Katie," she started. "There's something I need to tell you. We, we found out who made the ring. He says that it might be affecting you somehow."
Katie listened intently as Mary told the story of meeting Merlin. How he had made the ring and knew about everything that had happened in the months since she had first used it. She also mentioned how it could be affecting Katie. Katie's eyes bulged. "What do you mean?" She exclaimed. "Well," Mary stated. "It seems like you might be growing up a bit to fast. Have you done anything, impulsive?"
Katie lifted her shirt slightly and stared at her new navel ring. "Crap," she thought. "Marys going to freak."
Cursing herself silently Katie answered. "Um kind of."
"Merlin thought this might happen," Mary stated solemnly. "Listen we can come get you. It shouldn't take too long. Are you safe."
Katie glanced around cautiously at the spacious campus. "I think so," she stated. Katie then glanced down at the ring attached to her belly button. Oddly it was still glowing as if it was still active. "There might be a problem with the ring though, I'm not sure."
"What do you mean?" Mary asked gravely. Katie shook her head. " I'm not sure, it's still glowing. I haven't been affected I can tell that cause my clothes still fit but it's glowing. Is everyone okay by you?"
"Yea everyone is okay here," Mary answered. " Maybe it's just an after effect of someone trying to take the ring, like Tricia did."
Katie stared down at the ring. This wasn't like what happened with Tricia, it was different and she knew that instinctively. Katie looked at a couple of college girls sunning themselves in the park. They looked around 19 or 20. As Katie watched them she noticed something. They didn't appear to be in college anymore, in fact they looked like high school students, 16 at best!
"Oh no," she whispered. " Mary, the ring it's effecting people here without me doing anything. And in a huge area!"
"What!" Mary cried. " what do you mean?"
Katie stared at the two blond girls across the park who had confused looks on there faces as they adjusted they loose bikini tops. They were continueing to grow younger, now barely old enough to be in high school. "I don't know, it's like I'm radioactive or something." She exclaimed. "Anyone within a 50 foot radius seems to be affected and I can't stop it!"
"Ok Katie," Mary stated. "Stay calm and try to control it. We'll talk with Merlin and see if we can figure this out. Until then stay safe and stay away from people. We'll see you soon."
Katie said goodbye to her sister and glanced around. The two girls in the park were now preteens trying to adjust they're loose clothes. Katie needed to figure this out quickly before someone discovered her.