...a very attractive dark-haired girl. I had never seen her before in my life. A few seconds of her shrieking allowed me to regain focus on the effects of my wish. I thought as quickly as I could and wished for her to be fully clothed again and for no one to remember that she had just been naked.
The girl's clothes suddenly reappeared on her body. Other people who had turned to look and or gawk at her ceased to do so and resumed whatever path they were on prior to my wish. The girl was able to regain her composure after she glanced up and down the street and was certain that no one paid her any extra attention.
I felt guilty about what I did. If I had thought the wish would be granted, I would not have been so reckless. I wanted to make amends. I quickly took a seat on the bus bench in front of me and made a wish that the girl would cross the street and sit next to me. As I sat down I saw that she did as I wished. A few seconds later she sat down next to me. She didn't say anything to me and appeared slightly confused as to why she was on the bench at all. Not knowing what else to say, I muttered, "Sorry 'bout that."
Her head snapped to look at me. "What?" she asked.
I turned to look back at her. "I said I'm sorry about what just happened. I, uh...I think I made you naked."
"Oh my god!" she wailed. "How did that happen?" she demanded. She had a look of extreme anger spread across her face. I made a wish to myself that she would calm down and accept my apology. Immediately her expression softened. "Apology accepted," she said, "but answer my question!"
I didn't want to reveal the ring to this stranger. "I wish you would understand that I can't tell you. I'll just say that I was given a gift just now, and that's what caused...that," I said as I was still uncomfortable saying exactly what I did.
"OK," she said. "Please don't do something like that again."
She stood up to leave. "Wait," I said. "What's your name?"
"Carrie," she replied. "What about yours?" she asked.
"My name is Joe," I said. "Pleased to meet you."
She scoffed. "I'd be lying if I said the same thing," she said.
"Yea, I can understand," I said. "Look, I'd like to make amends, Carrie."
"How?" she asked.
That was a good question. I thought to myself for a moment. Then I had an idea. I made another silent wish that she would answer my next question in full detail and not wonder why she did so. "If you could have any wish granted, what would it be?"
"Oh, god," she said. "That's easy. I've always been fascinated by things like dark magic and goth stuff and...evil kind of stuff, some might call it. I've always wondered what it would feel like to be a succubus. Do you know what I mean?"
"I think so," I answered. "But I've seen different interpretations. What's yours?"
"The one that's kind of like a female devil," she answered. She proceeded to describe further what she had in mind. "The one with the huge wings and the claws and fangs and kind of whitish skin and...naked, and with really big boobs. Oh, and the forked tail," she added.
That was a pretty vivid description, I thought to myself. To grant such a wish would require a lot of other considerations, which I didn't feel I could make right now.
"Well, I don't want to keep you, Carrie," I said. "But I hope to meet you again under friendlier circumstances."
"We'll see," she said with a noticeable lack of emotion. "It is a small town." With that she turned around and walked away. I kept my eyes on her for a few seconds, but darted them away when I saw her head swivel to the side.
She was definitely very pretty. Her hair was black, or maybe just a very dark brown. It went down past her shoulder blades. She had a curvy figure and appeared to be in shape, though not muscular. I couldn't really try to guess at any other measurements, since I just didn't have that kind of practiced eye.
I got off the bench and turned to walk away in the opposite direction. What else could I do with this ring, I wondered.