Jim raced toward the Spells R’ Us store. Already, he was out of breath from running on his little toddler legs. Besides being weaker now that he was younger, everything around him seemed much bigger too, meaning that he seemed to have a much longer distance to travel now. It was exhausting work. Thankfully, Judy had caused so much commotion that he was able to slip away unnoticed. Even now, running through the mall looking like a little toddler girl, no one was paying much attention to him. They were all too distracted by the spectacle of the transformed people.
Jim rounded a corner and there it was, the store, just as he remembered it from this morning, and standing outside of it was the wizard, who now wore a tattered old bathrobe. Jim was shocked to see that he appeared to be closing up shop, even though it was only the middle of the day.
“Wait,” he squeaked. “Mister, hey wait. Help me.” Jim cried out to him as he waved his arms and ran towards the wizard.
The wizard stopped sliding shut a pair of steel trellis doors and looked down at the toddler below him. “Well, well, if it isn’t Jim,” he said. “It appears that you’ve gotten some use out of the balloon since we last met. I’m always pleased to see my merchandize being put to use--makes the job worth while.”
“P-please,” said Jim, feeling nervous now that he was looking up at the wizard. Jim felt so small next to him. “I need you to turn me back to normal. I don’t have the balloon anymore. My sister took it from me.”
“That’s unfortunate,” said the wizard noncommittally.
“Can you help me?”
“Well, I can. I’m sure there’s something in the store that could set you right.”
“Really?” said Jim feeling relieved that he might be saved at last. “Thank you.”
“Uh, but, there’s one problem…”