Wish For Me (Destiny Jinn Series Book 1) by Yumoyori Wilson (14)

"This house… someone lives here?"

Cole had magically teleported us to place that was just up the street from my old home. I assumed the people who lived there were travellers and only came by once in a while to do house maintenance and keep the place livable.

I only asked if someone still lived here because I hadn't seen anyone come by in a few years. Snix loved stalking the property, and sometimes she'd take a cookie from my plate whenever I ate some with my tea and off she'd go to eat it around here.

"Yes. Our Wisher lives here."

I frowned but nodded, following Cole up the stairs to the entrance of the home. Being Jinns meant we didn't need to knock.

Actually, we just needed to waltz right in. Since we were in Jinn form, it was like being a ghost and having no boundaries. It was a bit hard to explain, but when we wanted to be physically "real," we could be like when we'd been in the car, but for now, it made more sense to be in our ghost-like form.

We made our way down the hall of the first floor and then into the basement. Rainbow was still in my left hand chilling as she looked around.

The basement was gloomy and dimly lit, needing a few light bulbs to lighten up the place, but what caught my eye was the medical bed in the corner of the room near a window.

As we approached, I realized someone was sitting in the white sheeted bed. From first glance, it looked like they had been hooked up to a bunch of machines and IV's, but now all those were pushed to the side and the frail person sat staring out the window.

The girl looked to be around fifteen, and from her pale skin, weak appearance, and slightly bluish lips, I had a sinking feeling that she was dying.

When we reached her bed, she slowly turned our way and smiled. "Guess my 90 Days are up. Hello." She glanced in Cole's direction first before looking my way. "Wow. You have unicorn hair." Her dull blue eyes lit up just slightly as they trailed down my appearance. "And you have a kitty!"

"Meow." Rainbow wiggled out of my hand and dropped to the floor. 

She ran over to the bed and hopped onto it, approaching the girl with caution. The girl let out a weak giggle and reached out to stroke Rainbow who sat down and began to purr quietly.

"She can see me?" I asked Cole.

He looked a bit surprised as well, but he nodded. "Her time is close. When you're close to judgment, the line between realms thins. It's the reason why some people can see their past family members come to take them before death."

She's dying...

"Meow." 

We turned our heads to our left and my eyes widened at the familiar cat who squeezed through the little window and dropped to the floor. 

"Snix!" I exclaimed, and she raced over to me. I knelt down and began to pet her, realizing I had a physical form again. She purred happily, and I picked her up to give her a tight hug. "I missed you buddy. Thank you for all you did." 

"Meow." Snix snuggled against me. 

"Ah. She's yours?" 

I looked up to the girl who smiled brightly while still petting Rainbow who was staring at me. 

"She was," I replied with a sad smile. "Things happened and I couldn't go home anymore."

"Snix, huh. I call her Cotton because her fur is so soft and white. She used to bring me cookies and keep me company when I had bad days."

I frowned and walked to the bed to place Snix onto the end of it. Rainbow moved away and ran over to where I'd placed Snix, reaching out with her front paws for me to pick her up. I smiled and scooped her up, holding her to my chest after placing a quick kiss on her little head.

"I always wondered where she'd take the cookies," I commented.

"Do you make them?" she asked.

"I did. It was fun and a good time waster," I admitted.

The little girl nodded. "Maybe one day you can make them again? I'd love to have one… not now, but maybe in the next life."

I glanced at Cole with sad eyes, but he nodded, his gesture telling me that this was it for the girl. Couldn't she wish to live longer?

"Can ask you your name?" 

"Olivia!" she replied. 

"How old are you?" 

"Sixteen at midnight." She glanced at the clock that was on the wall, spider webs and dust tainting the black surface. It was five minutes to midnight. "I'm waiting it out. Just five more minutes." She smiled, looking content as she continued to pet Snix. 

Cole moved to stand next to me, his eyes moving from the clock to Olivia. "Which Jinn came by here three months ago?"

"Ah. It was the really funny one. Um… Jeremy? Jere...miah? He said his new friend with orange hair and blue eyes was supposed to come, but he was comforting a girl in need, so he came by instead."

Luke.

I knew the girl Jeremiah had been referring to was me, and seeing as time frames had been completely different, it most likely had been when the guys had first arrived by my sudden summoning.

"Yes. Luke was helping me. Jeremiah granted your wish?" I asked.

"Yes. He did. I got a 90-day trial and now I'm ready," Olivia replied.

"Can I ask what you wished for?" I inquired. Cole didn't look like he minded me asking, and I was genuinely curious to see what she'd requested.

She looked so calm and a little happy with whatever decision she’d made, leaving me to wonder what her life was about to be like once we finalized her wished.

"I wished to see what would happen if I died."

My heart dropped at her words, and she glanced my way with a sweet smile.

"Hehe. Jeremiah had a similar look too." She looked down at Snix and sighed.

"I'm tired. More importantly, I feel bad for my family. My parents aren't here because they're both working 2 jobs to pay for the medical bills. I'm old enough to handle myself, not like I can move much, to begin with. I can make it to the washroom and last long enough to warm up a frozen meal for the day before I feel fatigued. Someone comes by once a week… sometimes it's only once in two weeks since my parents can't afford the service. Really depends on their work schedules."

She looked up and quirked her lips in a small smile. "There's this boy who comes by every summer. Though, he couldn't come by this year. His parents don't really like me much. I'm a waste of space." She giggled, and my heart ached for her. I could tell from her blue eyes that there was more to this boy. She liked him, and because of her debilitating illness, she couldn't enjoy being around him.

"He said he'd take care of Cotton if I passed away. He really likes her," she whispered and continued. "I wished to see what life would be like after I died because my disease is the slow kind. One that makes me useless but won't kill me until years to come. I realized that the longer I live, the longer my family will have to slave away trying to take care of me. My life is really boring. I can't go out… no one really knows I live here. My mom did text me saying there was a fire down the street and a house burned down. It makes me realize a fire could break out and no one would come to save me. I'd die here."

I gulped and hid my free hand behind my back to hide the slight tremble. I felt a hand slip into mine and I glanced at Cole, whose eyes remained on Olivia as she continued to speak.

"As much as death seemed like a good option, I wanted to make sure everyone would be okay. Like… would Mom and Dad be happy or sad? Would the boy be sad to see me gone? What would happen? I decided it was the better wish than seeing my future. I already know what I'll become because that's exactly what I am now. A burden."

"Olivia..." I whispered.

She smiled happily and shrugged. "That's what I am. I'm not going to lie or ignore it. If I didn't exist anymore, it would lift the burden from my parents' shoulders and that's what I needed to see with my own eyes."

She looked at the clock that was one minute to twelve.

"When I died… it was hard. That type of pain… watching them lay your body into the ground and mourn you is difficult. I think it was harder to see all the people who came to my funeral. Relatives who never once came down to see me or my family were there, crying away as if they knew me. Friends who stopped coming to see me were there, crying how they wished they could talk to me again, but they never texted me. So many people mourned me, but they were absent when I needed them while living."

I understood every single word, feeling the emotions from before well up inside of me as a tear rolled down my cheek.

"I get it," I whispered, and she met my eyes.

Something clicked between us, and she nodded. "You do," she said with affirmation. "When I got to watch how the next eleven weeks went by, I was surprised. My parents were able to get money from the donations made for my funeral, and after I was buried, they were able to go down to one job each. They took a month off with their current jobs, sold this place, and got to buy a nice cozy home. Even the boy had a happy ending."

She paused, and I noticed a tear roll down her cheek. 

"He took Cotton, just like he promised. He was sad to see me go. He still cries quietly before he sleeps, but it's once in a while now. He's dating a beautiful girl. She's so full of life and when his eyes meet hers… sparks light up. Overall, he's happy. Cotton is happy. My parents are happy. That's all I want. For the people I love to move on and be happy when I'm gone. Right now, no one is happy because they're worried about me. At least now, I can change that."

She looked at me once more. "I'm guessing you're not alive anymore, huh?"

"Um… something like that," I replied.

She nodded. "Seeing as you know Cotton and how she reacted makes sense. You were her owner and I guess now you grant wishes?"

"Yes. I'm doing a trial run," I admitted.

She nodded again and closed her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks. "It's thanks to you guys I'm finally able to be free from this bed. My family can be happy again and smile. I know they love me, but I know the longer I live, the more tainted that love will become due to my illness and those who speak ill of my condition. My parents deserve better. That boy deserves more. Having my wish come true will solve everything. And at least I can finally enjoy some much need rest. No more pain, or needles, or warmed up tray of food. I'm ready for judgment and, hopefully, I'll get to see the kinder side of life after death."

She looked back at the clock and lifted her hands to clap. "It's my birthday! Happy sweet sixteen to me!"

"Happy birthday, Olivia," I said softly, and she beamed at my words.

"I think I'm ready now."

I glanced at Cole who'd been really quiet, and he glanced over at the little kitchen area. "Destiny, you think you could make a batch of cookies? We don't want Olivia being hungry on her way."

I blinked a few times and a broad smile formed on my lips as I nodded. "If you can get me the ingredients, I could make something," I assured him.

"Will we have time?" Olivia asked.

"I'll speed the baking process," Cole assured her.

"Yes! I'd be so happy to have those cookies nice and warm. Cotton tried but having dirt on your cookies tastes a little weird," she shyly admitted.

I nodded and moved to the kitchen with Cole. I did my best not to be affected, to just focus on the task and not get so emotional, but by the time I'd placed the last cookie on the baking sheet and watched Cole put it in the oven for me, I couldn't hold back any more tears.

Moving away from Olivia's sight, I went to the corner and cried as quietly as I could. Cole walked over and gave me a comforting hug.

I could see why Fantasia had wanted this for me. She wanted me to see the dramatic difference a wish could do to the Wisher and the people around them. A wish could change many people's lives, and it could either turn out great or morph into a nightmare in the long run.

After I had a good cry and Cole used magic to speed up the baking process, I put some on a plate and Cole created a little clear star designed container to put the remaining cookies in.

Tying a gold bow around the top, we brought the cookies over to Olivia, whose eyes lit up.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Olivia. Happy birthday to you." I sang quietly as Cole offered the plate of cookies.

"Thank you! This is the best birthday ever. It's the first one in years that I haven't been alone!" Olivia exclaimed. Rainbow and Snix moved off her lap as Cole lowered the plate. We watched her begin to nibble on the warm oatmeal cookies, and she sighed. "So good."

"We made some extra ones, so you can take it along with you," I whispered, placing the bag of cookies next to her.

Her smile was so wide that it made her whole face light up with joy. "Thank you! I hope to share it with Grandma and Grandpa. They were always supportive of me when I was smaller."

We nodded and watched her eat all the cookies and she sighed. "Now, I'm ready." Moving the plate from her lap, she cradled the cookies onto her lap before she said goodbye to Snix. "See ya, Cotton. Ron will take good care of you."

She then looked at me. "Can I know your name?"

"Destiny," I replied.

She looked to Cole who introduced himself. "Cole."

"Destiny and Cole. Thank you for making my final time here fun. If I got a chance to grant wishes, I'd want to be just like you guys. I'd grant wishes and spread happiness and love." She yawned then, her eyes beginning to droop.

I looked at Cole who nodded to me, signaling it was time for her to go.

"Thank you, Olivia. I think I know what I need to do. Make sure you hug your grandparents nice and tight. They'll love the cookies," I whispered.

"Yes… I'll bring the bag of cookies and we'll eat them… together," she replied weakly. "I think… I'm going to sleep now."

"Okay, Olivia. You sleep well, okay?"

"I will, Destiny. Thank you… and Cole, and Jeremiah… and Cotton… thanks everyone… who… loved me."

Her eyes came to a close as her lips curled up into a smile one more time. One last tear left her eyes, and Cole took a deep breath.

"May Olivia Hart's wish be granted, and shall her soul move forward to be judged. I, Cole the Vengeance, grant her request."

My body shivered at his words, but I felt the magic in them. I knew from one glance that Olivia was gone, her lips now blue and her skin already losing color.

"Her parents will be here shortly. We have to go," Cole whispered.

I nodded but waited. I didn't want to leave her alone until her parents really did arrive.

"Olivia?" A soft voice called out from upstairs. 

Cole's hand slid into mine, and I noticed he had Rainbow in his free hand. I glanced at Snix, who sat next to Olivia, and I smiled.

"Live a new life, Snix. Thanks for everything," I whispered.

"Meow," Snix replied and, with a blink, we were outside and in front of my old house. There weren’t any police cars or investigators. It was just the land where my home used to be.

Cole moved back, giving me space as he continued to hold Rainbow in his hand.

"That is an example of what a good wish can do to someone's life. To some, it may appear sad or a bad ending, but to Olivia, it was the best choice to make for everyone, which included herself."

I nodded and looked into his galaxy eyes as he continued.

"The choice is yours, Destiny, but my word still stands. Whatever you decide… I'll follow. I won't say being a Jinn is easy. It will be hard work, it’ll take time and patience, and it will test some limits. But, with all the challenges, it’s sometimes rewarding to change someone's life for the better, and I believe this world needs Destiny Jinn the Merciful."

"Meow!" Rainbow added.

"And Rainbow will tag along," Cole confirmed, giving me his new signature 2cm smile.

I glanced up at the sky that was full of stars and took a deep breath. I already knew my answer, and though I'd tried to ignore it when I'd witnessed everything Phillip had wanted to do and had done, in my heart, my choice hadn't changed.

Lowering my head, I looked Cole dead in the eye and answered.

"Seeing the good and bad side of wishing was hard. It was difficult to see the drastic differences, and I thought I wouldn't be able to handle it. However, I want to try. I won't be perfect, and I don't know when I'll be confident enough to complete wishes on my own, but I want to try. I want to learn more about Fantasia and what the life of a Jinn has to offer. I also want to know more about you guys, and be mentored by you, Cole. I want to make Mother proud and continue to see Cedrick's admirable eyes and proud expression for the things I do well at. Even though a bad wish brought me to this moment, I'm glad it did."

I took a few steps forward until Cole and I were face to face.

"Destiny Jinn the Merciful. That is the name I'll go by from this day forward, and I hope to learn and grow as I work towards being a Jinn that spreads love and kindness across the world while granting wishes."

Cole nodded his head and, leaning down, he pressed those lips against my forehead, making me blush as my heart skipped a beat.

He pulled back and, with confidence, whispered,"Welcome to the world of Fantasia, Destiny. As of today, your journey as a Jinn will begin. As your mentor, I'll make sure you aim to become the merciful, loving Jinn you yearn to become."