Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. Title: The Wish Wielder Episode 1 Email: gal tablette @ g mail dot com The Wish Wielder --------------- Episode 1 -------- Most people live their entire life, seeing only what lies on the surface. They go about working, playing, and, well, just living. That's the way it was for me. I didn't give much thought to anything really. I was always a little self-absorbed and kept to myself. I saw things the way they were or, so I thought. My name is Melinda Reed and I'm 16 years old. I've had one boyfriend, but that only lasted a few weeks. I -(TM)d worked the counter at Burger Palace since I was 15, trying to smile at all the creepy men, and some creepy women, gawking at me while ordering the day's special. I was a Brownie, a Junior and a Cadette. But by the time I started High School, I decided I wasn't a club kind of girl, I was way too cool for that. Besides, it was my mom who wanted me in the Scouts, maybe she should have joined and left me out of it. Most of the Troupe Leaders creep-ed me out anyway, always checking me out, just like those creeps ordering burger specials. My family was barely tolerable, and usually embarrassed me. My dad sold insurance and my mom was a checker at Grocery Paradise, whatever that -(TM)s supposed to mean, but rows of stacked boxes and cans of food isn't my idea of paradise! And my little sister, well, she's 14, and pretty much a pain in the ass. We were close for a while, but now she just annoys me with questions about boys and sex, like I was some expert. I pretty much stopped participating in family life after I starting having my periods. That was my life. Boring and uneventful. I had little ambition, and generally didn't give a shit. But when you least expect it, something happens that changes everything, I died... Yep, while riding my bike to work at Burger Palace, some asshole driving home hit me. And that's where my story really begins. People talk about an afterlife, but nobody can prove there is one. I'd never given it a second thought. I mean, who cares anyway. It's not like knowing would change anything. Well there I stood, looking down at a bent up bike, and me, face down in the bike lane. There was a frantic man on his cell phone talking to 911, and me, lying there motionless. Talk about your out-of-body experience, right! That's when I met Sam. I heard him call my name, and turned to see who it was. Sitting at the bus stop was a man, sitting there completely relaxed, and seemingly unconcerned about what was going on and said... "How are you doing there dead girl?" "What?", I asked, trying to piece things together. "I can't be dead.", I said, as much a question, as a statement. "Sorry, but you're dead." He said, with a sympathetic look. "But I don't want to die!" I said, while processing my situation. "Most people don't." He said, then added... "Come sit down, it's time to talk." I stared at him for a moment, then noticed all the surrounding activity. People were looking at me lying there, with a paramedic trying desperately to revive me. That's when it really started to sink in. I stepped to the bench and sat down. I felt dizzy and confused. I looked at him and asked... "Are you an Angel?" "No, Angel's don't have time for things like this." He answered. "So what are you, a Grim Reaper or something?" I asked. "No, they -(TM)re here to help the dead find their lights, but that's not where you're going." He said. "What, you asshole, you're sending me to hell?" I angrily said! "Calm down, there are different plans for you little one. My name is Sam, and I'm what you call, a Wish Wielder." I raised an eyebrow questionably and asked? "Does that mean I get a wish? Well, I want my life back!" He chuckled and said... "No little one, you are going to be a Wish Wielder." "What does that mean?" I blurted out. "Well, it means you'll be granting wishes, and making people's wishes and dreams come true." "But I don't know anything about that, I'm only 16, I don't know anything at all. How am I supposed to do that?" I said, even more confused than ever. "You don't have to know anything. I'll be handing out your assignments, all you have to do is listen to me, and do what I say." "But, why me?" I said. "Well little one, think back, remember every time you looked at someone with disgust, just because they smiled at you. Or you made an unkind remark, because you didn't like someone. Things like that add up. It effects people's lives, gives them inferiority complexes. I -(TM)m sure you know what I mean. So tag, you're it." "What, I'm not responsible for what people think!" I shot back! "Well, you are now little one." Sam said. "You mean I died because I hurt someone's feelings?" That sucks. "No, not at all, the guy who hit you was texting." I sat and closed my eyes, absorbing what Sam was saying. When I looked back onto the street, nobody was there. I was gone, everybody was gone, it was just Sam and Me, sitting on the bench. I said... "Hey, where did I go?" Sam looked onto the street, then back to me and said... "The accident? That was two weeks ago little one." My jaw dropped, I was shocked and asked... "So, am I like a ghost or what?" "You were, but now your one of us. You've got a new undead body. Come on, let's take a walk." He said, and we got up and walked toward town. While we walked down the street I asked him... "But if I -(TM)m alive again, can't I just go home?" "No, you don't have a family anymore. And they think Melinda Reed is dead. Besides, look at this." He stopped, and pointed to our reflections in a pane of glass. I looked at our reflections, what the hell, I didn't look like myself. My hair was almost the same, but my face was different. I didn't recognize myself at all. And when I looked at Sam's reflection, he looked different too. Then Sam said... "That's what we look like to the living. We can't have people recognizing us walking around. They couldn't handle it. And if you think you can convince any of your old family or friends this new look is really you. There will be hell to pay. Believe me, you don't want that." "So I'm supposed to be this new person all of a sudden?" I asked. "You'll get used to it. Ah, here we are, let's go in here and sit down." Sam held the door open, and I stepped into the Dine-In coffee shop. I've eaten here quite a few times with my parents and little sister. It's your typical 24-hr mom-and-pop diner. Not exactly the place to have a fancy dinner or a date, but one of the few places to eat downtown. Sam walked to a corner booth and sat down, and I sat across from him. I have so many questions that I needed answers to. Like, how does it work. I asked... "So, how does this work, I mean, how do I know who, or what someone's wish is?" Sam began... "Well it's simple, I give you a name, location and specific time. You just have to be there, and when you see the person, you touch them, and their wish will be revealed." I snapped back... "That's ridiculous, revealed how? Are they going to tell me their wish just because I touched someone?" "No smart ass, it will come to you, like a memory, or a daydream, sometimes it -(TM)s just a wish, sometimes there's more. And sometimes, it's blatantly specific." He said. The waitress walked up asking what we'd like. Sam ordered a grilled cheese sandwich. I didn't want anything, food was the last thing on my mind right now, so I just asked for water. But while she was standing next to me, I reached out and touched her arm. I didn't have a memory flash, or daydream, or epiphany, or anything else. As she walked away I said... "I touched her arm, and nothing. I don't think this works." "Of course not. It only works on the person you're assigned. And I haven't assigned you anyone yet." Sam explained. I spent some time absorbing everything Sam said. Then a woman walked to our booth and sat down next to Sam. She looked about 25 years old, and pretty for someone as old as she is. As soon as she settled into the seat, Sam said... "Melinda, this is Lisa, she's a Wish Wielder just like us. Lisa, meet Melinda, our newest Wielder. She died two weeks ago." Lisa put her hand out to shake, and said... "Pleased to meet you Melinda." I shook her hand, and said... "Nice meeting you." Sam looking at Lisa, and asked... "How'd your wish go?" "Good." She answered. Then Sam grabbed a napkin, pulled out a small pocket calendar and began scribbling something down on the napkin. Lisa looked across the table at me and asked... "So Melinda, how'd you die?" I was a little surprised at how casually she asked. I just looked at her, and she kept looking back, waiting for an answer. I finally said... "Hit by a car while riding my bike to work. What about you?" "Well, I was killed in a train wreck back in 1946." "What, you mean you've been doing this for almost 80 years?" I bent over, and rest my forehead on the table. This is crazy I thought to myself. "Yep, hey Sam, when did you die?" Lisa asked him. He was busy writing things down on napkins, and without looking up, said... "Um, 1917." "You're kidding, you're saying that you've been doing this for like a hundred years?" I asked. "Yeah, why?" He said. "Well, because that's a long time!" I blurted out. Sam looked up at me and shrugged, as if saying, yeah. so what. Lisa looked over at Sam and said... "So Sam, is that why you don't like to drive. No horse pulling it?" Sam looked at Lisa, smirked, and dropped a napkin in front of her, and another one in front of me. Then said... "Here's another one for you, and Melinda, you're ready to grant a wish aren't you?" "No, I'm not ready, I don't even know how to do it." I responded. "You'll figure it out. Everyone does. Hey Lisa, let the little one tag along, just to see how it works." Sam said. Lisa looked at her napkin and said... "This is in half an hour, I don't have time to eat. Ok, come on Melinda, hey, can I call you Mel?" We scooted out of the booth, and I said... "Yeah, I guess so." I followed Lisa out of the diner and down the street. As we walked she asked... "Where's your wish Mel?" I looked at my napkin and read... R Harris 793 Main St. 7:10 pm "What the hell, is that all we get?" "Yep that's it." Lisa replied. "How the hell am I supposed to find someone with just that?" "Sometimes it's not easy, but you'll figure it out." She said. "I don't know, it doesn't seem like enough. So, where are we going?" "Just over on 1st street. Rick's Bar." She said. "I can't go in a bar, they'll card me. Besides, I don't even have a driver's license." "Don't worry about that Mel, you're a Wish Wielder now, people accept you, and don't ask questions." "Yeah but I still don't look 21." "You worry too much. Relax." She said. We got to Rick's and walked inside. She looked around at everyone, then walked to a small table. I followed her and we sat down. A waitress walked over to the table and asked what we wanted to drink. Lisa looked at me and asked... "What about a Martini, what do you say Mel?" I was waiting to be carded, but the waitress just looked at me expecting a reply. I leaned across the table and whispered to Lisa... "I don't have any money!" "I'll cover you this time." Then she looked up at the waitress and said. "Two Martinis." "Ok, I'll be right back." The waitress said, and walked off. "Wow, I've never had a Martini before." I said. "Well, you need a little something to take the edge off." She has no idea how right she is. I'm completely out of my element here, and hell, I don't even have an element to be out of. I asked Lisa... "So how do you know who it is?" She leaned across the table, and looking toward the bar said... "See that man wearing the blue shirt. He keeps looking over here at me. So it could be him. But we have 2 more minutes. I'm looking for a T Bailey." The waitress came back and put our Martinis down. Then said... "These are compliments of the man at the end of the bar." I was a little shocked. I've never had a total stranger buy me a drink in a bar, hell, I've never even had a drink in a bar, or anywhere else for that matter. Lisa waved to the man at the end of the bar, he was looking at us, and lifted his glass. Lisa lifted hers, and did a little air toast to him, then we both took a sip. "Oh shit, that's strong." I blurted out. Lisa laughed and said... "Haven't you ever sneaked a drink Mel?" "Just beer, and some wine one time." Lisa tipped her head toward the bar, and when I looked, the man who had just bought us drinks was walking toward us. I felt nervous, and frankly, a little scared. When he got to the table, Lisa spoke up saying... "Thanks for the drinks." "You're welcome." He said. I noticed Lisa looking at her watch, then her napkin and said... "Haven't we met before, is your name Bailey, was it Tom or Tim. I can't remember." "Tom, yes, but I don't remember your name, where did we meet?" He asked. "I don't remember where it was, but I'm good with names." While she spoke, she reached out, and put her hand on his arm, just briefly, and he may not have noticed it. As he stood by the table looking at her, he smiled, saying... "Lucky for me that I stopped on my way home, or I wouldn't have met you two lovely ladies." "So Tom, what are you doing this evening?" Lisa said. "I don't have any plans at all." He replied. "Well, my friend here has an appointment in a little while, and I'm going to need another drinking partner." Lisa said. "Well I'm sure I can fill in for her, I wouldn't want you sitting all alone." He said. "That would be great, why don't you go get your drink while my friend finishes her drink and leaves." Lisa said. As he walked off, Lisa leaned across the table and whispered. "He's 41, he and his wife split up last year, and he hasn't been with a woman since. He wants to get laid tonight more than anything." "Wow, so what are you going to do?" I asked. "Tom Bailey is getting lucky tonight." She said. "You're kidding, right?" I asked. "That's his wish." She whispered back. I couldn't believe what she was saying. Hell, she just met this guy 2 minutes ago, and she's going to go to bed with him just like that! Then she said... "Hey get out of here Mel, he's coming back, besides, you've got your own wish to tend to. Oh, and don't use your real name, people think you -(TM)re dead." "Uh, yeah, ok." I said as I got up. "See you later, have fun." Lisa said all bubbly, as if everything was perfectly normal. As the guy approached the table he said... "Hey, sorry you have to go, if you finish up early, come on back and join us." I almost laughed aloud, and said... "No, probably not Tom. Lisa I'll see you later." I walked away and Tom sat down. I left the bar and stood on the sidewalk outside. I looked at my watch and saw I had 27 minutes to get to the address on my napkin. I started walking toward Main Street, with my heart racing. After what just happened with Lisa, and what she's planning with Tom, I knew I couldn -(TM)t do anything like that. I came around the corner to Main Street and looked at the first address. 902, so it's up the street. The houses were nice, and the sun was just going down. I got to the address, and saw a man sitting on his porch. Oh shit, he's ancient, and he -(TM)s looking at me. I stopped, and took a deep breath, then looked at my napkin again to confirm. I crossed the street, and at the end of his driveway paused. He was still looking at me, probably wondering what I was doing. I decided to play it by ear, and walked up to the porch. When I got there, I was sitting in a rocking chair, and said... "Are you lost young lady?" I looked into his eyes, and walked closer to him. Thinking quickly, I said... "I was looking for my friends house, and I thought it was this one, her name is Sarah." "There's no Sarah here. What's her last name. I know everyone around here." Again I had to think fast, plus I'm getting completely creep-ed out with this man. "Um, her last name is Smith." "Oh, there's some Smith's over on the next street. But I don't think there -(TM)s a young girl living there." I look at my watch and it's 7:10, so I have to think fast again. I let my napkin fall onto the porch, and quickly bent down to get it. As I picked it up, I slid my hand across his shoe. I immediately feel a rush, and pick up the napkin, then stood back up. Everything moved in slow motion for a moment as my adrenaline spiked. Then everything was perfectly clear, as if seeing it all over again. This man, Robert Harris, age 62, had come into Burger Palace 3 months ago. I had taken his order and noticed something strange about how he looked at me. Not being able to read minds, I only saw some creepy old man gawking at me. I returned his look with a smirk, and said, in a rather abrupt way, 'pick it up down there'. The man gave me a sad look, and slowly walked down the counter. I completely ignored him, even though I knew he had something he wanted to say. Know, I know exactly what he had thought. He had come in to get the burger special, he saw several of us standing behind the counter, but he came straight to me. His children live far away, and I reminded him of the granddaughter he hadn't seen in years when he looked at me that day. It had made him happy, but I ruined his pleasant memory, and turned it into something really sad, when all he wanted was a smile. His wish now is the same as it was then. Nothing but smile and a hug, and a kind word from a girl who reminded him of the granddaughter he misses so much. I felt as sad as he had that day 3 months ago. My eyes began to water, and I asked him... "Mr Harris, may I sit with you and rest for a few minutes before I go?" His face lite up and he smiled. There was that look I had seen 3 months ago in my vision. Happiness and joy. "Yes, please sit down and rest. You know, you remind me of my granddaughter." I sat down and said... "Really, what's her name?" "Molly, her name is Molly. They moved away, and I haven't seen her for two years. She's about your age too." "Well she sounds pretty, I'm sure you miss her." "I miss her so much." I sat and talked with him till it was dark. It reminded me of the times I talked with my own grandfather. And sadly I hadn't seen him for a long time before I died. I felt sad for my own grandfather, and Molly's grandfather. After I stood up to go, the time had come, and I asked... "Can I we have a hug." The smile on his face made me happy. He stood and smiled, then I gave him a big hug. I held him long enough to know it was heartfelt, and not some get it over with, obligatory hug. I felt his hand pat my back, and heard a sigh of happiness. Then I felt it deep within me, wish granted. A moment later, we broke the hug. He looked at me, and I saw a twinkle in his eye that wasn't there when I arrived. As I stepped off the porch, he said... "Thank you for visiting, and the hug. You be careful going home in the dark." "I will, and I'm glad we talked." Then I added... "Goodnight Grandpa." I knew it was exactly what he wanted to hear. He was beaming with happiness as I walked down his driveway and down the street. I turned the corner, and he was still standing on the porch watching me. I walked back to the Dine-In. I saw Sam sitting in the same booth, and walked over to sit down. He looked at me, and asked... "Well, did you do it?" "I did." "Are you ok?" "Yeah, I am. It wasn't what I expected." "It never is little one, it's different every time", he said. Lisa walked in and sat down next to Sam. She looked the same, she either didn't go with Tom or cleans up quick. "Did you do the deed?" Sam asked, looking at Lisa. I looked at her, waiting to see what she said... "Yep, just a quick blow job and a fast fuck. He didn't last 15 minutes." "Shit!" I said aloud. "Well, some guys don't last long." Sam said, chuckling... I couldn't believe what I heard. Then the waitress walked up and asked... "Are either of you going to order?" "Yes, I want the chefs salad and a diet coke." Lisa said. Then the waitress looked at me and asked... "Do you want something?" I looked up at her, then to Sam, and said in my most humble and needy voice... "Yes, but I don't have any money." Sam looked at the waitress and said. I'll buy her dinner tonight. I said... "Really? In that case, I'll have the ham and cheese sandwich, and french fries... thank you, Sam." The waitress left and Lisa said... "If you want to eat, you'll have to get a job, or do what I do." I looked at Sam and asked... "Don't we get paid?" "No, we offer a public service. We don't get paid." "You're kidding, we don't even get minimum wage?" "Nope, get a job if you want to eat." He said. "Where am I going to find a job?" "I hear Burger Palace has an opening." Sam jokingly said. "You're kidding, so even dead, I'm back on the counter at Burger Palace?" I said. "Well, just part-time, you already have a full time job as a Wish Wielder." Sam said. "This sucks." I blurted. The waitress brought our food, and Lisa and I ate quietly. Sam wanted to go, so Lisa let him scoot out, then he said... "Ok, meet you two back here at 9am." "Hey where am I supposed to sleep?" I asked. "I don't know, wherever you want. Why don't you sleep at Lisa's till you get your own place. You don't mind do you Lisa." Sam asked. "I don't mind, she can sleep on the couch." Lisa offered. "Ok, I'm out of here, see you both in the morning." Sam said. Lisa and I sat eating our dinner. When we finished, we left for Lisa's, just a few blocks away. It only took a few minutes to get to her apartment. I'd been thinking about having to get a job, so after we got there, I asked... "What do you do? Where do you work?" "Oh, here and there. Mostly there, or a hotel. I'm a prostitute, you know, a call-girl, hooker, or whatever want to call it. But it all means the same thing." "You're kidding right. I can't do that." I said. "Well, there's always Burger Palace." "Fuck, I hate that place. But I'll go talk to them tomorrow. At least I know the manager." "See, you're looking on the bright side already." She said. I sat on the couch while she got me a pillow and blanket. I was thinking about Lisa's wish. So when she came back I asked her... "Hey Lisa, how many wishes want sex?" "Ah, most I'd say. Not all of them though. But mostly yes, sex." "I don't think I can do it. I mean, well I never have." "Mel, are you a virgin?" "Well, yes." I said, blushing. "Good for you, but, I couldn't imagine being a virgin forever." "I don't think it'll be forever." I said. "Oh you think not, follow me." I followed her into the kitchen where she reached into a drawer and grabbed a knife, then cut her own finger. I panicked, but when she held her finger up, I watched the cut close up. It only took a moment before it was completely healed, like magic. Then she said... "Your hymen will do the same thing Mel." "That's all I need." I said. "Oh it's even worse than you know, do you know how many men wish they could fuck a virgin? And you'll be a 16-year-old virgin forever Mel." "Oh fuck!" End of Episode 1 ----------------------------- Players in order of appearance. Melinda Reed 16 Wish Wielder. Sam Mitchell 52 Head Wielder. Lisa Brown 27 Wish Wielder.