"What kind of spell is this?" asked Daniel.
"This spell?" said Jack. "Well, it takes an object or living creature, and makes it smaller. It's useful for large parties, or so I've heard."
Daniel had a sudden feeling that magic was indeed for real. "Okay, I believe you. Magic does exist. You don't need to shrink me."
"What, and lose a chance to test this spell? I wouldn't do that myself. Don't run, or it will be harder for you." Jack pointed at Daniel, and muttered something incomprehensible under his breath.
Daniel felt strange, as if water was rushing around his body, but he couldn't see anything. He started to run towards the door, but Jack stepped in his way.
"Daniel, it's too late. I've put the spell on you. Running away won't make any difference now."
Daniel looked around, and saw that everything was starting to grow around him. He then corrected himself, realising that he was shrinking. Daniel had been the same height as Jack when he came into the room, but now he was only as tall as Jack's neck. "Okay, your spell works! Can you stop it now?"
Jack shook his head. "The spell has to take full effect before I can reverse it," he said. "I'm not powerful enough to stop it midway."
Daniel was glad his clothes were shrinking with him, because if they weren't, he would be stuck in them right now. He had brought a suitcase into the room with him, and now he was slightly shorter than that. "How small will I get before it stops?" he asked. "Waist height?"
Jack, smiling, said. "No, Daniel. I said the spell so that you would shrink down to 8 centimetres in height."
"What?" cried Daniel. He was shorter than the chair Bill had been sitting on now.
Jack reached down and grabbed Daniel. Daniel struggled, but at his size, he couldn't resist Jack's strength. Jack put Daniel onto a desk.
"This was going to be your desk," said Jack, "so I thought you might like to get used to it."
Daniel was shrinking rapidly now, and had to walk for a few seconds to reach the edge of the desk. He gasped, looking down. As he did so, the shrinking ceased.
Jack looked down at Daniel, now 8 centimetres tall, not even the height of a new pencil. "Well, the spell worked. Do you feel any different?"
"I feel dizzy," said Daniel. "Now will you change me back?"
Jack shook his head. "No. I think I shall leave you like this for a while," he said. "The spell just might have side effects after the shrinking. Besides, it's always fun to 'play' with the new people." Jack picked up Daniel and dropped him into a wet glass which had been lying on the table. Jack then put the glass inside Daniel's suitcase.
Jack turned towards the door, and began to walk out. "Thanks for helping me," he called to Daniel. "Who knows? I might change you back in a few weeks..."
As soon as Jack left, Daniel tried to climb out of the cup, but the sides were wet, and he kept sliding down. He might have to wait a while to get out of here.