"Wake up dear." A familiar voice roused the unconscious girl. "You'll be okay… My legs are getting numb."
'Oh…right. Some bastard hit me with a stick. My head hurts,' Alyss thought. Her eyes fluttered open. She lay in a familiar position with her head resting in Kyle's lap. "Welcome back sweet doll." He grinned at her and twirled her hair around his finger. Her memories of recent events were restored. She lifted herself off of him and plopped onto the grass around them.
"Guess what?" He got up suddenly making petals from nearby flowers fall. "The only world left is your own. Have you thought about your wish yet?"
Her jobs were getting increasingly difficult and long. She was supposed to complete tasks to make people happy as simple as giving a back massage to an old woman or do something outrageous that no one else would never bother to do like giving Santa a present. She didn't know if she would fail and die like the previous owner or succeed and have her wish granted by the magic of the box. Every time she completed a task, the light of the box in the dark room would become brighter eventually bringing light to the whole room. Every time she completed a task, Kyle's curse would slowly weaken and eventually break. The last bond holding that curse together broke. Silver dust sparkled in the air where Kyle should have been before disappearing. She watched a figure walk closer to her. "Thank you." Kyle's voice spoke to her. "Are you surprised?"
"You're a human," she whispered.
"Now that you broke the curse, the wish will work without the Ripple Effect." Kyle smiled. He still had the purple hair that he frequently had. He had blue eyes and hands instead of claws. "I can help you with this last mission since I'm temporarily human."
"Temporarily?" Alyss was still in shock.
"Yeah. I have to make sure you complete this mission so I am no longer cursed."
"What did you do to get cursed?" They began walking towards the room that would lead them to their next destination. He reddened at the question.
"I—I'll tell you another day?"
They peered at the mission written on the parchment. It began with the lines of 'Buy a balloon and give it to a child wearing blue.' The materials needed were all in a purse. Alyss started with a cookie and ended with a gun…a water gun. To her surprise, the tasks were particularly easy but more specific than the previous missions. She returned to the room where the box decided the next mission. She saw her companion waiting in a chair holding the box with engravings. Kyle held her hand and sealed the box onto the stand. The lights flickered. They heard a lock click and strode to that door. Their new lives awaited them.
"So you're telling me that you went on this crazy adventure and you expect me to believe you?" Nate queried with his lips touching his straw. "Without me of all people…"
"Yes. I am." Alyss replied.
"If you're going onto another one of those adventures with Kyle, tell me beforehand so I can call my boy toy." There was a pregnant pause before both burst out in laughter. Alyss knew that it was possible for him to hook up with another male. She giggled at the thought of him hooking up with the flamboyant Kyle. Nate stared a map hung in his room. It bore the words "I promise to take Alyss to every state in the US whether or not we're on a tour." Only twelve states were left unmarked. He tried to grab her from behind and was unable to catch her. "You never told me what you wished for."
She curled her lips in a half-smile. "I'll give you three guesses."