Mike stood there unsure of what to do. The store was gone, having disappeared as magically as the ring had worked. That's when he felt something rub his leg. He looked down to find a large boa constrictor at his feet. Was it Emily? Sure enough, there was a metal band around the snake just behind its head, just like the ring that had started on Emily's finger. The snake slowly climbed up Mike's leg and torso, gently wrapping around his body but not constricting him. The snake's head was in front of his own.
"Oh, Emily. What are we going to do now?" Mike wondered aloud.
The snake put its head on Mike's shoulder and squeezed slightly. It was a gentle squeeze, like a hug.
"Can you understand me?" Mike asked.
The Emily lifted her head off Mike's shoulder then nodded.
"Can you speak? Can you concentrate enough to change back?"
Emily shook her head no.
Trapped as a snake, but at least some of her mind remained. That was a good thing, right? Mike hoped it meant he still had a chance. But what to do? Standing in front of an empty store wasn't going to accomplish anything.
"Lets try to figure things out at home" Mike said. Emily nodded and uncoiled from around him, slithering over to the truck. Before she could slither back into the bed of the truck, Mike opened the passenger door for her. She seemed momentarily confused then slid into the passenger seat.
Mike got into the drivers seat and headed home. Emily slithered up next to him and put her head on his lap.
---
Back at home, Mike sat on the couch. He remembered earlier that day he had made out with Emily in the beginnings of her snake form, before the change had gone out of control. If only she had been able to stay a naga! Emily curled up in his lap and he pet her has he thought out loud.
"It's a magical change, so there's nothing medicine can do. Not that they'd believe me. Maybe I can find the shop's new location? It must have gone somewhere. Maybe I can find it on the internet?"
Mike continued to pet Emily when he realized something else he'd forgotten. When Emily's changes began, she'd handed him the second ring and he'd stuck it in his pocket. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. He looked at it and looked at Emily. If Emily couldn't regain her human form maybe he should join Emily as a snake?