Katie tried her hardest to concentrate, but the power of the ring was folding around her. Their house, everything in it began to vanish around her, the pictures of herself and her mother fading to nothingness. Then, Katie too faded. She scrunched her eyes, trying with all her might to wish herself back, but it was too late. The darkness surrounded her and she found herself adrift in the seas of time.
It felt like an eternity to the young girl....and yet it also felt like mere moments. But suddenly she was aware, conscious once more. She saw though now with eyes, but with being. She was in a strange shop, and an old man was sitting in front of her at a counter.
"Ah, I was wondering when you would arrive, Katie." he said.
"You know who I am?" She wanted to ask, but no voice came to her.
"I know who you are, and I know what you are thinking. You came into possession of my Ring of age, but unfortunetly you used it for one wrong wish, and accidentally caused yourself to be wished from existence."
"What? No! Please! I didn't mean it, it was an honest mistake!"
He shook his head, "I know it was, but theres nothing I can do about it now. Your mother, Kelly, was taken beyond the point of magic. I found you just in the knick of time to save you. As it is, the Ring is back in my possession." He held it aloft, the small circle of ring caressed in his fingers. "My name is Merlin, and I sold this to your friend who you took it from by accident. So far, I've been fairly impressed by your use of the wishes. Now however, this ring is beyond your grasp at least unless you are brought back to life. I can do that, of course, but you will no longer be exactly as you once were, dear child. Your life as Katie, is over."
Katie felt a wave of sadness realizing this. "What about mom, what about the other girls?"
"Your mother is lost to time, her essence likely reborn in a new lifetime. As to the other girls, I found them homes and family given their new ages. They will be happy, and perhaps one day you might meet them again. Now however, I wish to give you a choice. I can return you to life as anything your heart desired, but in return, I would ask you to become my apprentice here. Or I can allow your spirit to fade and be reborn. It is your choice."
Katie listened to him, feeling the remorse within her heart. The old man smiled, "There is no need to be sad. You will be taken care of yourself. Take your time to think, peruse the shop if you want, but just understand you cant become something unless you have a physical body."