Karyn was curled into a ball and silently rocked back and forth on her couch. She had failed; the Genie knew her Master wouldn't be so open with her next wish. Her Master would get whatever she desired. But the realization came to Karyn that Sarah didn't really matter. Sarah was part of a life that Karyn no longer lived. The fued between the two women would end the moment Karyn's Master uttered that third and final wish. After that, Sarah would be the only connection between Karyn's old and new lives. Of all the other people in Karyn's old life, Jon was only the only other person who could also become a part of her new life. But Karyn had a good feeling that he never would.
It was at that moment, Karyn had a premonition. A feeling that someone was attempting to come into her space. The genie stood up and removed her couch from the lamp. A blink of light later, and Jon was suddenly inside Karyn's home, wishing stone in his right hand.
"Get out of my lamp." Karyn seethed. "I don't want you here." Jon was taken aback.
"Karyn, it's me. Jon, remember. We've been best friends since --"
"I know who you are!" Karyn snapped, "But you don't belong here. This is my lamp and I want you out of it."
"Kary, I'm so sorry for turning you into a Genie, but you have to believe it was an honest mistake. I had everything planned out. We would have developed the perfect wishing system."
"This --" Karyn indicated to her lamp, "-- isn't the problem Jon. The problem is that you made me a Genie, and never let me out again. The problem is that you were so careless that Sarah McMillian is now my Master. The problem is that you never told me what your 'perfect system' was. Hell, I bet the problem is that you haven't yet created the 'perfect system.'"
"Wait, Sarah! How did Sarah get your lamp?"
"I don't know Jon. My lamp doesn't have windows." Karyn said, "So, how about you tell me how Sarah got my lamp. But before you do, how about telling me why you turned me into a Genie and telling me why you forgot about me for a week." Karyn waved her hand and created a throne-like chair for herself.
Jon sighed. "I should have told you this a long time ago. . ."
