The Last Genie: A Novella

Chapter 17

As Ithel pulled onto the highway, he tried to tell himself that he was happy that Grace made her last wish, and he was now free. But, he wasn't. He regretted yelling at Grace. She hadn't done anything wrong. Kari had. It was her plan or actually it could've been Brandon's, but she went along with it. And, she was Grace's best friend. How could she do something that would put her friend in danger? And, how did she think her plan was going to work? Was she going to knock him and Grace out of the way or was she going to just shout and hoped they jumped in time? It was just a stupid and dangerous plan.

From his experience, the best, or I should probably say most effective, way to save a genie's life was to lock them in a room or cell without food or water, and then right before they'd died, give them some water, easy peasy. The Romans would throw them up on a cross in the burning sun instead of putting them in a cell, which was also extremely effective.

Anyways, Ithel saw a sign for gas stations ahead and remembered his money and clothes were back at Grace's apartment.

Initially he thought, "Whatever I'm free now. I can get more money and more clothes." But, the more he thought about it, he told himself that he really did need his money, and it couldn't hurt to apologize to Grace, so he turned around.

After knocking on Grace's door, much to his surprise, Kari opened it. He had been mentally rehearsing his apology to Grace, so even though he was still furious with Kari for what she had done, he just said, "Is Grace here?"

"No," said Kari despondently. "I don't know where she is."

Ithel had not planned for this, so after a moment, he asked, "Are my bags here?"

"I don't know."

"Can I look?"

Kari said, "Fine," and stepped out of the doorway.

Ithel quickly grabbed his bags from next to the couch and walked back towards the door.

As he got next to Kari, she said, "I didn't think anyone would get hurt."

A quick rush of fury roared over him, so he stopped to give her a serious tongue lashing, but then, he saw the pain in her face, and his fury melted away.

Their eyes locked, and she said softly and sadly, "I was doing it to help her."

Ithel had absolutely no idea what to say, so he just left.

As he walked to his RV, Ithel tried to figureout what to do next. He had his money and his clothes, so he could just leave.And, he thought he should leave. He knew that getting away from Grace was thebest thing he could do for her and him, but he just couldn't. He had to see heragain, but how? He knew he could wait outside her office, but it was Friday. Hethought about following Kari around, but then he decided that his best optionwas just to watch her apartment and hope she showed up.