Chapter Eight

A few days later, Tony Jr. was walking downtown.

"STEP AWAY FROM THE EDGE! WE CAN HELP YOU! THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER!" a male voice commanded through a bullhorn.

Tony Jr. looked across the street. A man was standing on the roof of a nearby office building, his feet perched over the edge of the roof. A crowd of people - along with several police cruisers - had gathered in front of the office building.

He's trying to kill himself, Tony Jr. thought. He then commanded mentally, Eye of Selos, come to me.

Just as soon as the thought formed in his mind, the Eye appeared in the palm of his hand, its single pale green eye wide open.

"That man on the roof … is trying to kill himself," said Tony Jr. softly to the Eye. "He needs help. He's not in his right mind."

All at once, the suicidal man on the roof found himself enshrouded in mist.

Hear me, a deep male voice said to the man telepathically.

The suicidal man looked around. "Who are you?"he asked.

My name is not important, the voice replied. What you are doing … is not the answer.

The suicidal man tried to speak, but found that he could not. His jaw hung open, agape. His eyes glazed over.

Your mind … your body … are now in a deep sleep, said the voice telepathically. Your cares, your concerns, your worries … none of that matters now.

The outside world ... this building ... is now fading into the mist. All that matters to you now … is the sound of my voice.

"What is he doing?" a police officer standing on the ground wondered as the entranced suicidal man stood on the edge of the roof.

Step away from the edge now, said the voice to the suicidal man. Go to the police. This is not the answer.

The suicidal man swayed over the edge of the roof. The crowd gasped as he fell over the edge of the building.

The suicidal man disappeared in mid-air and reappeared on the sidewalk in front of the building, standing up.

What the ... ? the suicidal man thought as took in his surroundings. I'm on the ground! He was then swarmed by four police officers. The officers handcuffed him behind his back and whisked him away to a waiting ambulance.

Tony Jr. smiled. Thank you, Selos, he thought.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you yesterday," said Tony Jr. a few blocks away. "I hope that you can forgive me."

You are wise beyond your years. said Selos telepathically.

"I'm scared," said Tony Jr. "This is new to me."

You will make an excellent student. I have faith in you. said Selos. Your mother has taught you well.

Tony Jr. disappeared ...

... And reappeared on the island where Major Nelson first found Jeannie.

Oh no, Tony Jr. thought as The Blue Jinn came striding towards him.

"GIVE ME THE EYE!" The Blue Jinn bellowed.

"I don't have it!" Tony Jr. cried as he showed The Blue Jinn his bare hands. "And if I did, I wouldn't give it to YOU!"

"WHAT?" The Blue Jinn roared.

"I told you this was a mistake," said Jeannie II as she stood off to one side.

"Will you SHUT up?" The Blue Jinn barked at Jeannie II.

"There's more to it than the Eye," said Tony Jr. "Selos doesn't like you. You're not worthy."

"We are talking about a DEAD man!" The Blue Jinn exclaimed.

"He's not dead," Tony Jr. retorted.

"What do you MEAN he is not dead?" The Blue Jinn snapped. "He has been dead for millennia!"

"He's not dead," said Tony Jr. "I've met him."

"Step away from from my son!" said a female voice.

The Blue Jinn turned around. Jeannie was standing behind him, her arms folded across her chest in a fighting posture.

"I will leave you to deal with my sister," said Jeannie II. With that, she folded her arms across her chest, blinked, and disappeared.

"Leave us," The Blue jinn growled as he strode towards Jeannie.

Jeannie blinked. The Blue Jinn was now encased in amber.

Jeannie blinked again. The Blue Jinn disappeared.

"Are you all right?" Jeannie asked.

Tony Jr. nodded ... Yes.

"That, dear Anthony, is how one deals with a genie who is behaving badly," said Jeannie. "Encase them in amber and send them back to Haji."

THE END