Nate dashed from the store and through the mall, running as fast as his four legs would carry him. He heard various mall goers remark as he ran by, saying things like "How did a dog get in here?" or "Why is it wearing clothes?"
He ran out the automatic doors and across the parking lot. Nate stopped as he reached the end of the parking lot. He looked back, panting hard. He paused and realized he was actually panting. This is so cool, he thought. He then realized he left his shoes back in the store. He couldn't exactly go back for them now. Nate shrugged it off, considering it a small price to pay for the ability to turn into a dog whenever he wanted.
* * *
"Now then, what to do with you?" asked Genie.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know that was your friend, please!" pleaded the Storekeeper.
"Well, I suppose that is fair. You were in the back when he transformed. Since you apologized, I don't feel I can transform you into anything." said Genie, disappointed.
"Really? You can transform people?" asked the Storekeeper.
"Yes, I can, if they wish for it." replied Genie, "Or deserve it. Do you wish for it?"
"I think so, but I'm not sure what to wish for," replied the Storekeeper.
"Very well, I will go now," replied Genie, leaving the store. "Just be careful what you wish for. You only get one."
And with that, she was gone on to her next target.
* * *
Nate saw the crosswalk change and crossed the intersection. He then ran down the road towards his house. He should have the house to himself. His parents had divorced a few years prior and he lived with his Mom and his brother Chris. It was summer break from school and the neighborhood was deserted, most kids either at daycare or inside playing and the parents were at work. Chris was at a friend's house today and should still be there.
He ran over to his yard and walked up to his front door. The door was locked and he was without opposable thumbs. Getting in was going to be a problem.
"Puppy!" cried out a voice from behind Nate. He knew immediately who it was, his friend Anna. Anna was an avid dog lover and was Nate's same age. "Why are you wearing people clothes?"
Nate decided to tell Anna. "Because I used to be people."
Anna stepped back. "What the hell?"
"Anna, it's me Nate."
"How...HOW?!" said Anna.
"Sometimes I can turn into a dog. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't think you'd believe me."
"This is so COOL!" she exclaimed. "Can you turn back?"
"In an hour or so I will, yeah," replied Nate. "If you fish my keys out of my pocket there, we can go inside."
Anna pulled Nate's house key out of his pocket, unlocked the door and they both went inside. Nate and Anna went into Nate's room and talked for awhile. Nate explained the whole thing, the woman he met in the store at the mall and how she turned him into a dog. He left out the part about the ring, thinking it would just be a bit too much.
As he was explaining this, Chris came home. Chris was a couple of years younger than Nate and while the two loved each other, they also had a bit of sibling rivalry.
Neither Anna nor Nate heard him come in. Chris quietly walked down the hallway, listening to Anna and Nate talk. He listened intently as he heard Nate describe turning into a dog in the mall and running home. He thought he was lying until he looked through the partially open door and saw a dog sitting on his brother's bed, talking like his brother. Shocked, Chris slowly backed away from the door and went to his own room.
After an hour or so, Nate began to turn back to human. Anna watched in shock as the white and black fur slowly disappeared into thin air as the dog reformed back into human proportions.
"Oh my god, that was cool," said Anna.
"Thanks, I think," replied Nate.
Anna glanced at Nate's alarm clock, showing it was 4:45. "I gotta go, my parents are going to be home soon."
"Ok," replied Nate.
Anna stopped at the door and turned back. "If you want to ever go play fetch or something in the park let me know."
"Umm...I will," replied Nate. Anna walked out and he heard her go downstairs and out the front door. Nate unloaded his pockets of his wallet, cell phone and the magic ring, setting them on top of the bookshelf by the door. He then left the room and went downstairs to clean up a bit before his mom got home.
After Nate went downstairs, Chris came into his room and looked around, seeing no sight of the dog. He then saw the ring on top of the shelf. He picked it up and examined it. The ring started to glow again. Chris smiled to himself. It was going to be an interesting dinner.