Katie rushed to the magic shop with Mary in hot pursuit. As the two women entered the store Merlin greeted them with a smile. "Katie so glad you could come," he said. "Please sit down." Cautiously Mary and Katie walked towards the the counter where Merlin had magically created two comfortable chairs for the girls to sit down on.
"Mr. Merlin," Katie said cautiously. "What can you tell me about the ring."
"I'm glad you asked," he said cheerfully. "I'm sure Mary told you about what's happening to them and that I've agreed to change them all into children. When this happens they will receive guardians very similar to what you did for Samantha when you gave her her childhood back."
"What about Judy, Kellie, Jake, and Josh are they going to affected as well?" Katie asked.
"Kellie and Judy will be fine," Merlin answered. "When you change back they will return to their original ages. The ring has a fail safe so you won't lose your guardians. You can age them whenever you want though, just like you did last night. The results will be the same though, they will notice their regression unless your concentrate."
Katie and Mary nodded in response. "I guess that explains why they knew they were getting younger last night." Mary said. "Do they know they were adults right now?"
"No," Merlin answered. "When Katie mentally regressed them it surpressed their adult personalities. If they stay as children though eventually they will remember being adults. Before you ask the effect usually reverses itself after a couple of days. When they become adults again they won't remember being children so you won't have to worry about them knowing about the ring."
"Okay," Mary said. "Well at least we know Kellie and Judy will be okay but what about us?"
"Give me a sec Mary," Katie exclaimed. "I need to ask about Josh."
Mary gave Katie a curious look. "Why do you need to ask about Josh," she asked. "Katie did you use the ring on Josh? I told you not to use the ring, why would you do that."
Katie lookedd at the floor. She was angry at herself for not heeding Mary's advise and annoyed that she was talking to her like her mom instead of her sister. "I used the ring to wipe his memory," she said. "I showed him the power of the ring. Needless to say he got a little weirded out about it. I need to know if the ring will effect him too. I.....I really care about him."
Merlin rubbed his chin and gazed at the blonde woman in front of him. "Katie," he said. "I can keep the ring from effecting hi if you want, otherwise he too will become a child again. If that happens he'll go back to the home he grew up in and live his life over again. Hopefully you two will meet up again but I can't make any guarantees."
"I'm going to have to think that over," Katie said. "Thank you."
"Wait," Mary said. "What about us. What's going to happen to us."
Katie looked towards Mary and saw the concern on her face. "Sorry Mary," she said. "I have a lot on my mind. I dint mean to forget to ask. Merlinwhats going to happen with my friends?"
Merlinpaused and looked at the two sisters in front of him. "That I'm not sure of," he said. "When I perform the spell all of you will become children again. Katie will retain her memories but I'm not sure if the rest of you. As far as what age you will all be when it's all over it could be anywhere between five and fifth teen."
Katie and Mary thanked Merlin and exited the store. They were able to answer some of there questions but many still remained as they slowly walked back towards the bar to meet up with their friends.