I tried to just move along casually, but Darren wouldn't leave me alone. He started prattling on about his Math homework, so at least he wasn't focusing on the
strange dog I was carrying, or that pile of clothes we left behind.
But I guess his mind didn't stray that far from the previous subject, because three blocks later, he pointed at the ring on my finger. "Hey, is that a mood ring?" he
asked.
"No, uh, it's uh, my class ring." Ouch. It was a stupid explanation, but I guess it worked, because he changed the subject again.
A few blocks later, Darren said, "Y'know, your dog doesn't seem to like you."
"Tell me about it." I grumbled.
"Could I carry her? I'm good with dogs."
Aw, why not. "Sure, here." I stretched out both arms to hand him Von Hauser...
...But instead, he snatched the ring from my finger! Before I could react, he quickly shouted his first wish: "I wish Joe was a puppy!"
It was the weirdest sensation. I knew I was really shrinking, but watching as I fell into my clothes, it was more like it my clothes were growing! I crawled out of the
pile, and looked around. Darren loomed over me, smiling. Von Hauser sat nearby, looking no happier than before.
I tried to move towards him, figuring I'd bite him, but I tripped over my own feet! I suddenly realized I was a really tiny puppy! Probably less than a month old! I
couldn't get my bearings at all!
"Nice puppy." I heard Darren say, and then he was gone.