Chapter 6: A Not-So-Joyful Wish

On their way home from the university, David told Kristine about still another vision he had. "I saw a couple of little children, one a boy and the other a girl, and their mothers, receive through an inexplicable discount some toys they wanted to get from a Toys 'R Us store. The joy in the scene was ecstatic."

Kristine shook her head. "You must be having the time of your life getting all thee wonderful sights in your mind, David."

"No, not really," said David, "In fact, the more it happens, the more I get the feeling that I was right when I said that we're all in deep trouble. I'm almost convinced that these djinn are for real, after all, and if there's a good one sending me visions of the joy of others, then surely there's an evil one out and about too, sending you visions of pain and fear."

"As crazy as that sounds," said Kristine, "I'm beginning to agree with you."

Inside the Toys 'R Us store, the djinn named Nathaniel was a little surprised to find that the store was largely empty of customers. He expected the store to be hopping with them after seeing those funny little fools walking out with their mothers and their new toys. As he probed the store for that troubled person, however, he soon found him. A cashier at one end of the store, the one for the express line, looked dejected, like there was something wrong with him. Grinning with anticipation, the djinn strode towards him.

"Good day, my good man," he said smoothly.

The cashier looked up and frowned at him.

"Who the hell are you?" he wanted to know, "Look, if you have nothing you want to buy, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Some lady who looked like she did a big favor for a couple of kids already came in here and walked out while buying nothing, and I'm not in the mood to chat with more people who waste my time."

The djinn took special interest at this. So, he thought quietly, perhaps that woman with the strong will was a djiniri after all! Damn! I was so close! I'll have to teach her a lesson next time I catch up to her. "Oh, but to me, it looks like your time was already being wasted before she even came here," he said aloud to the cashier, "Tell me, what exactly is your problem today?"

The cashier sighed. "My job is becoming a dead end, that's what," he moaned. "Business had been slow the last several days, with fewer people coming here to spend their hard-earned cash. And most of those that do come in use their credit cards to buy stuff at the other checker counters. And even when someone does come to my counter to buy a few things, it's always cheap and discounted junk that they purchase. Why, those cheerful people who were in here just a few minutes ago got a free discount for some toys they so badly wanted, and now, I have even less money to spend on my own living!"

"I see," said the djinn, "So, you are a man who wants to make a good, rich living of his own then."

"Basically, yeah," said the cashier.

"You know what?" the djinn said, "I can make that desire come true. All you have to do is wish for it."

"Oh, great," said the cashier, rolling his eyes in disgust, "Another fucking guy who wants to 'help' people in need free of charge!"

"Not quite free," said the djinn, "If you make this wish, I require your soul in return."

"My soul?" the cashier exclaimed.

"Yes," said the djinn, "But don't you think it's worth it, if you get some more attention from the kiddies and get some more money for yourself? I am just as much a friend to the needy as that other woman, and I can give you what you want, if you wish for it. Now make your choice. Do you want to have the kiddies in this neighborhood to come in here, beg for as many expensive toys as possible and shower you with money?"

The cashier thought about it for a moment. Then, he said the words he would regret for a long time, possibly the rest of his existence.

"As a matter of fact, yes, I do."

The djinn gave another evil grin. "As you wish."

Suddenly, the doors to the store burst open. The cashier stared in surprise as dozens of kids, all of them teenagers, ran into the store and started to grab the most expensive toys, games, and videos of all kinds. The other employees backed away in surprise and alarm. Then, to everyone's further surprise, all the kids ganged up on the express aisle where the cashier who made the fatal wish was working. They began to throw money at him and tossed their toys all over the counter.

"Hey, will you kids calm down?" he demanded nervously, "One at a time. One at a time! And there are other aisles too, you know!"

But the kids ignored him. They continued to demand their toys to be checked out so they could play with them. The cashier was starting to feel like he had bit off more than he could chew.

"Stop it now, you little brats!" he yelled, "STOP IT, I SAY!"

Then, without warning, a few of the biggest kids actually leaped over the checker counter and tackled the cashier! He fell to the floor and struggled in vain to push them off of him.

"What do you little bastards think you're doing!?" he screamed.

Then the kids started to hit and kick him. It hurt like crazy, and every attempt to stop or dodge a punch or a kick hopelessly failed. He didn't notice that a cashier on the other end of the store was frantically pushing the security button under her checker counter, but it wouldn't matter anyway. Just as he thought he could take no more, one boy who had the air of a big bully produced a set of brass knuckles, put them on his right hand and proceeded to pound the cashier in the chest, hard. He received many bruises, and some of his rib bones started to crack. He writhed and cried out in anguish, until at last, the boy with the brass knuckles aimed a fast punch at his head, cracking his skull and making him bleed. The cashier stopped struggling and flopped on the floor, dead.

Suddenly the kids seemed to break out of their trance. They looked at what they had just done and stammered with fear and guilt. All the employees had retreated to the back of the store, taking cover from the formerly insane teenagers. The boy with the brass knuckles stared at the blood on them and said, "Oh no, what have I done? This can't be happening!" That got a chorus of agreement from the other kids.

It was at about this moment that the security and the police burst into the store. Upon seeing the kids crowded around the cashier's corpse, some of them with blood on their hands and shoes, the same sergeant from the previous incident with the killer bum ordered his men to subdue and arrest them all. Soon, all the kids were in handcuffs and being led to a few paddy wagons. The kid with the brass knuckles who had delivered the fatal blow protested all the way, but the cops treated him the most roughly of all, beating him in the belly with their nightsticks before loading him into a squad car.

The sergeant was not pleased to see that none of the kids' parents were anywhere nearby, but he was even less pleased to see another crime scene where the killers claimed that something was controlling them besides their own willpower. While the other officers tried to clear up the situation with the other employees and customers, looking for witnesses, the sergeant ordered one of his other officers to put out an APB for a strange woman matching the description of the person the bum had described to them, who claimed she could grant wishes. It sounded silly, of course, but he was certain that whoever she was, she was the one causing trouble in the city, and he intended to put a stop to this.

He recalled an earlier crime as well, when a couple of distressed siblings had reported that they found their best friend dead and in a mangled mess on the ground outside her gemology lab. He doubted if either of those young people bore any responsibility for these crimes, but he would still have to keep an eye on them. They told him their names were David and Kristine Daniel. That would be easy for him to remember. He just had to find out the mystery woman's name now.

Unfortunately, he didn't know that the true party responsible for the cashier and Rachel's deaths was standing not too far away in a business suit, a man, not a woman, smiling with delight at the scene of carnage before him.

The djinn, of course, was glad to have another soul for his wretched gem. He could feel his power grow stronger as the wishes people asked him for granted him greater dominion over the world he so wanted to rule with his brethren. Apparently, though, that djiniri was gaining power through her own wishes she granted, and he could sense her sapphire at a slightly stronger power level than his. Evidently, she had gathered more power from wishes so far than he had. He had to catch up, and fast.

Which reminded him, the longer he stood here and stared at this scene, the more time his adversary would have to put distance between them, and the more time would be wasted before he could grant his Waker her three wishes. So with an effort, he turned away from the toy store and continued his quest to open the evil portal and fulfill the prophecy.

Kristine could feel the death of the cashier like a sledgehammer this time. She gasped as the kids beat him up, and then screamed as he was killed by a hit to the head.

She and David were almost home, but David still was alarmed at his sister's pain. "Krissy?" he shouted as she dropped to the ground. "Krissy! What happened? Are you all right?"

Kristine slowly stood up and shook her head. "I think I'm getting very envious of you, brother," she said bitterly, "You get all the heavenly visions, and I get all the hellish ones."

"You saw another person die?" David pressed her.

"Yes," she said, "A cashier in a store. Possibly the same one you mentioned to me. Some big kids threw things at him, then they leaped over the checker counter and assaulted him, and then, one of them killed him with brass knuckles!"

"This is really getting out of hand," David said.

"I'm beginning to think we should confess to dad what we did," said Kristine. "He's going to suspect it sooner or later. You remember that at our last dinner together he said that they finally opened those gold boxes but found nothing inside them?"

"Yeah," said David, "He was really disappointed, and so was Michael the curator. The boxes are up for display in the museum, but without the treasures inside, they're worth a lot less."

"Not that it'd do a lot of good," admitted Kristine, "They probably would've awoken the djinn too, and the situation could possibly have been a lot worse."

"True," said David, "But as much as I hate to say this, I still don't think it's time yet to tell dad what we did. If he finds out about it, not only will he punish us, but he'll probably fall into a state of depression as well. And think what would happen if he wished to come out of that slump around one of the djinn!"

"I'm beginning to doubt the possibility of a bright future for the world," Kristine said unhappily.

"Please don't talk like that, Krissy!" insisted David, "The world isn't lost yet. We're still here, and so is dad, and you seem to have forgotten that there might be a way to stop these djinn from doing their duty."

Kristine nodded. "You're right, I'm sorry David," she said, her head down. "What's the next step to what we do?"

David thought about it. "I'm not sure yet. I don't know whether we should try to track down those djinn or if we should let them come to us. Let's not think about that tonight unless we absolutely have to. I'm sure the morning will present us with some more answers."

That night, neither sibling slept entirely fitfully. David had strange dreams about the beautiful woman again, calling to him, insisting that she needed him for important business. Meanwhile, Kristine was haunted by moderately scary nightmares about the ugly monster taunting her and promising to find her. Once, she screamed in her sleep. Her father and brother both woke up and checked on her.

"What's the matter, Krissy?" asked Howard, concerned.

Kristine wiped sweat from her brow. "Oh, it's nothing, dad," she said, "Just a weird dream."

David wasn't pleased to hear this. Howard just said, "Well, if it bothers you again, just get some water or a cold glass of milk and stay up for a little while. You'd be surprised how effective it can be at making the bad dreams go away, you know."

"Okay dad," agreed Kristine.

"That's my big girl," said Howard. To David's surprise, their father didn't go back to bed himself, but went to the kitchen for a cup of tea. He looked at Kristine. She said to her brother, "We both know that no amount of water, milk or awake time will take away my nightmares." It was not a question.

David nodded. "Listen," he whispered, "As long as he isn't going straight back to bed, I'd like to talk to dad a little about the Persian and Muslim stuff we were discussing."

"You're not going to tell him about our problems yet, are you?" she said in fear.

"Of course not," David said, "We already agreed that we wouldn't tell him quite yet. I won't tell him unless he turns the conversation into a loophole from which I can't get out of unless I tell him."

Kristine didn't look too hopeful. "Well, good luck, David," she said.

"Thanks, sis," he replied.

After Kristine was fast asleep again, David went to the kitchen where his father had just poured the tea into a cup. "Oh, hello, David," he said. Funny, he didn't seem to be too surprised that David had come out to visit him. "Do you want anything? Some tea, like I'm having? Or coffee, or milk perhaps?"

David shook his head. "No, no thanks," he said, "I wasn't really thirsty at the moment."

"Oh, okay," Howard said. "Then how about something to eat? Like some coffee cake? Or a donut? Or maybe some cookies?"

David shook his head again. "No, not right now," he said, "I'm not hungry, either."

"Okay, fine," said Howard cheerfully. "Listen, I'm having trouble sleeping, too. Why don't we take a seat out on the deck in the back of the house and have a little talk?"

"That's an interesting coincidence," David said, "because I wanted to talk to you a little, too."

"Oh, do you?" said Howard, "Well, that is good. Let's go, then. No time like the present."

Out on the deck in the back, they sat down in deck chairs David's mother had once bought for the family years ago. "So," said Howard, "What did you want to discuss?"

David took a deep breath. "Well, dad, you remember those Persian and Islamic issues we discussed at the dinner table last night, right?"

"What?" said Howard absent-mindedly. "Oh, yes, of course, I do remember."

"Well, Dr. Marcus Jones told us about how the ancient Arabs believed in all-powerful spirits called the djinn that could grant wishes," started David, "And they fell into classifications of good, evil, and neutral, as well. Tell me, I know archaeology is more your field of expertise than mythology or theology, but do you think there's any possibility that the legends are true?"

"Well, I for one am certain that they are true," said Howard confidently. "Surely, this is an age of science and reason, highly influenced by the Enlightenment, but that doesn't entirely cancel out the possibility that the supernatural and the spiritual can be for real."

"Well, I never knew you were such a believer, dad," said David. "Wait a minute," he suddenly realized something, "At dinner, you said that you don't know a great deal about the supernatural stuff of the Muslims and the Persians. How can you be so confident that they're real, even if they are?"

Howard smiled pleasantly. "I have lived it, in a manner of speaking, of course," he said, "I like to believe that the djinn are like supernatural public servants for the human race. Everybody wishes for something at some point in their life. Why else do you think you make a wish at your birthday party?"

"Well, yes," said David uncertainly, "but-"

"There's no need to worry about it, son," Howard interrupted. "Now, would you like to have some orange juice, or that milk I mentioned earlier? Or maybe you would like an extra cushion for your chair?"

"No really, dad, I don't need anything right now. Hold on…" David said, suddenly becoming suspicious, "…Why do you keep offering me things? You're generous, dad, but you're never this generous."

"I just want to make you feel good," said Howard, putting a hand on David's hand in a strange way. It was as if his father was becoming attracted to him. "Tell me, how are your spectacles feeling today?"

David blinked. "They're called glasses, dad."

"Oh, yes, of course, what was I thinking?" Howard chided himself, "I know you need them to make your nice eyes see better, but don't you think they get terribly uncomfortable sometimes? Wouldn't you wish you didn't need them?"

David was getting really on edge now. The mention of the word "wish" especially disturbed him. "Excuse me," he said half-honestly, "I need to check on Krissy." He got up and started to leave the deck. Suddenly, he heard a woman's voice from behind him intone, "Don't go!"

Startled out of his wits, he turned around and saw a stunningly attractive woman standing in his dad's place! She was wearing a dark blue jacket with a hood, which was pulled down, gray tennis shoes, black slacks, and a blue shirt. Her hair was shockingly black, her eyes seemed to be dark brown, penetrating but friendly, and her skin was pale, but not deathly pale.

"Please," she said with a smile, "I did not mean to sound stern."

David wasn't sure how to react. He had a sneaking feeling this was the djiniri whom he woke up, and he was petrified with fear and loathing. Here was one of the supernatural beings that were playing a part in the mayhem around town. But as he looked at her, he could feel no menace or malice in her eyes or heart, and it seemed as if she was interested in him somehow. But the first thing he finally said was, "Where's my dad? And how did you find me?"

"Relax, boy," said the djiniri, "He is alive and well in his bedroom. I unintentionally woke him when I came into the house, and he, thinking that I was a dream, wished he could go back to sleep and forget the dream. So I granted his wish. It will be a while yet before he wakes up. As for how I found you, I went to your university and asked a few people for directions, stating that I was a friend in need of some desperate help. Sadly, none of them wanted to wish for anything, but then, not everyone wants to wish for something at the same time."

"Who are you calling boy, djiniri?!" David snapped. "I'm twenty-three years old!"

"That is nothing compared to my age, mortal," she said. "But time is of the essence, and we have no time to waste on idle chatter. I assume you know by now who the djinn are and what we are capable of?"

"I have some idea of it, yeah," said David. "But why should I trust you? You and that other interloping djinn have been causing problems all around the city for the past two days! Despite what my visions showed me, I'd be willing to bet you played a part in killing my best friend Rachel!"

"I had nothing to do with Rachel's death," she said flatly, "The other djinn most likely did that. And I do not murder people and steal their souls or their faces like the evil ones do."

"I swear, if you are lying, bitch," David growled quietly, "I'll kill you myself along with that other bastard!"

A bright blue light flashed for a second. David shaded his eyes. When the light faded, he found the djiniri's face right up against his. "How dare you insult a holy djiniri so!" she said with righteous anger. David flinched in a panic. Then she backed a few steps away from him, and he could see that she had changed. Her black hair was longer than before, her eyes were even more penetrating, she wore a translucent blue dress, and her pale skin shone like Heaven's light. David gaped in shock. For a moment, he was unaware that he was staring at the lovely body beneath the dress, but when he was aware of it, he blushed and begged her pardon.

"Yes, David Daniel," she said with a voice that seemed to echo, "Behold, my true countenance."

"My God," he said despite himself, "You're beautiful."

"And you are very obstinate for one who awakes a hallowed djiniri," she replied, "Although I cannot deny that you would be seen as attractive to many females of your race."

He blushed again. "Uh, maybe," he stammered.

"Now, let's do this now, and do it right," she said, "I am Victoria East, and I want you to make your three wishes for me."

David looked fearful. Victoria perceived this and said, "I rarely grant wishes that cause harm or disgrace to the wisher, Waker, and even when I do, 'tis more the wisher's fault than my own. Perhaps you have already heard about the wishes I granted for your friend while she was alive but hurt? The wish I granted for a malignant homeless person who preferred vengeance to salvation? The two children and their mothers who wanted some toys from Toys 'R Us? Surely, there is something you want, also."

"Three wishes, for me?" David inquired, "Anything? Does that include good things that don't bite back at you?"

"Anything," Victoria said, "You wish it, I grant it. Think about it. A journey of monotheistic spiritual enlightenment. A trip to Munich, Germany, or perhaps to Paris, France. You name it. But I warn you, wishes, especially selfish ones, usually come with a price. And that price could have major repercussions on you, or someone you care about. But I do not steal and torture souls, like the evil djinn."

David still looked uncertain. "What sort of wishes do you recommend?"

"I encourage wishes of generosity and selflessness the most, but I can grant any other wish, too," Victoria said, "I'll tell you what. Sometimes a djiniri can offer her Waker one 'free' wish, a sample of my power and might, with no negative effects whatsoever."

"All right then," David said, "I'll make that free wish."

"Good," said Victoria.

"I wish to be certain that I can trust you," said David, "I wish for you to show me through your powers what you are, and then bring both of us back here to this house, safe and sound."

"Very well then," said the djiniri, and she held up the sapphire. It glowed freely.

"You took the sapphire," David exclaimed, "Where's the opal?"

"I never saw an opal," admitted the djiniri, "But my opponent most likely has it if there was one."

David looked with interest at the jewel. "What are you doing, exactly?"

The djiniri looked at him as if from a distance. "Granting your free wish, of course."

Then David's world blacked out for a second, and what he encountered next shocked him more than anything else he had seen in his life.