Among everything you had been through in your line of work, this was perhaps the worse. After all while you had been trapped, threatened, maybe at risk or being altered not once had anything come this close yet Christine’s job had in the space of a single item and a few days gotten you changed and trapped, maybe forever.
“So Christine? How’s the bottle?” one of the tailed women somehow asked in your mind. “Ah... telepathies huh? Well at least one of you” You mentally responded. “Well between us Genies post awakening we usually are Christine” another of the tailed women assured. It was from those two you realized something “Are you under the impression I’m Christine Atwell?” You asked. “But of course. The guide lamp you came with was sent out to you, name and all” a third tailed woman- no you realized you needed names for them. “May I inquire over your names?” you asked.
“Andrea” the red tailed woman answered.
“Maria” the first telepath answered.
“Laura” was the second’s answer.
“Joan” was the third’s “Others are waiting to meet you Christine”
“Yeah... who among you can read English; I’m not racist or xenophobic. Just we are in India” you request. “As it happens all of us and I’ll do so Christine” Laura accepted “Just need to know what to read”. “One of a selection of business cards surely now littering the floor where the remains of my jacket ended up. Matters not which” you assured.
“I must say Andrea she’s very resistant to her destiny” Joan then noted. “I can still hear you in my mind here” You protest. “I’m still getting the basics down. I awoke 4 years ago” Joan confessed. “GIRLS WE MAY HAVE AN ISSUE” Laura suddenly called verbally “we need to get her out”. This sounded like a hope spot to you.
“*gasping* so you’ll undo this” you inquired after Andrea got you out. “OK Laura? What’s the matter?” Andrea asked before noticing “Ah right Christine. We need to get you-”. “She’s not Christine” Laura interrupted. “What?” Andrea suddenly questioned. “These cards say she’s one Marcia Caldwell; Private Investigator” Laura continued while hold one of the cards she had gathered. “It’s true. Christine Atwell hired me in investigate the lamp’s origins and find out why it was sent to her” You followed formally.
“And you didn’t question the direction clouds?” Maria questioned. “Not outright stated but I specialize in mystic cases” you assured “But to be honest you’ve come out best at trapping me”. “So you’re not one destined for genie duty?” Andrea pondered. “Oh so that’s what you all are” You realize. “Just one thing for it now” Joan then started: