Jeremy and the Transaction!

Luminara didn’t waste time as she glided between the other shoppers, forcing Jeremy to hurry along just to keep her in sight. Where’d the cat go? And how is she able to walk around so confidently? Jeremy had heard of mind over matter and project what you want to receive. But this felt different.

Luminara didn’t need to put on airs. She was amazing! Yet Jeremy couldn’t help feeling sorry for her as they went deeper into the Bizzaro Magica. The streets twisted and turned, making Jeremy wish he had a map. He couldn’t risk getting lost in this place. He was sure he’d never see his home again.

But I can’t think about that right now. Luminara is starting to slow down, and she needs help. Jeremy wasn’t sure what he could do. He knew enough about dying planets to know that a collapsed core is the same as a fried brain. Once that point is reached, nothing can be done. But he still wanted to try.

Luminara stopped outside a sky-blue tent with hearts decorating the sides as she turned to him. The cat was at her feet, licking its paws as Jeremy finally reached them and sighed. “Wow, that was… intense. I thought you said this was your first time here. How did you know where to go?”

Luminara shrugged. “This is the place that can grant my wish. I felt it call to me. Is it not the same for you?”

“Um… I don’t think so?” I’ve followed the cat, who led me to Luminara. But it sounds like that isn’t how things usually go. Is it because I’m looking for the truth, and that’s something that can’t be bought, right? Does this mean my wish is granted once I’ve seen Luminara get her wish?

He hoped not. This place was so fascinating, and Luminara… Was staring at the tent longingly. “This is it.”

“Are you going in there?”

“Huh?” Jeremy blushed. Why did I say that? Of course, she is. Why else would she be here?

“Sorry, I… I just meant… How do you know this is the place? You said it called to you. Can you explain it a little better?”

The cat scoffed. “Some things can only be experienced, boy. You mustn’t lose sight of the important things.” It looked at Luminara and gently rubbed against her legs. “Go on, miss. There’s no need to worry anymore. You already have what you need to get your wish.”

But will she be happy? She’s dying, yet she wants to meet her soulmate instead of trying to save herself? Is it because she’s not human and doesn’t think like one? Jeremy shook his head, not missing the cat’s glare as Luminara parted the curtains and stepped into the tent. Jeremy took a deep breath as he moved to follow but had to jump back when the cat hissed.

“What? I was just asking some questions. What’s wrong with that?”

“Luminara was kind enough to indulge your curiosity and permit you to watch her transaction. Yet you have the gall to question her resolve?”

Jeremy rubbed the back of his neck. “I didn’t”-

“Listen, boy. I know you like to get to the bottom of things. But some questions shouldn’t be thought of and never mind asked. Luminara has already made her peace with her situation. She doesn’t need your pity. What you need to do is observe and be respectful. Are we clear?”

“I… yeah. We’re clear.” But how did it know what I was thinking?

The cat’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Allow me to introduce you to one of my favorite Earth sayings. Curiosity killed the cat, but it can just as easily kill a teenage boy.”

“That’s not how that works.”

“Are you sure?” Jeremy wanted to argue, but a sudden breeze cut through his clothes, chilling him to the bone and forcing him to hurry inside. He wasn’t surprised to see the cat sitting on a glass counter with several heart-shaped bottles on display. Luminara was too preoccupied with the merchant to notice anything else, and Jeremy didn’t blame her.

Is that supposed to be a stuffed teddy bear or a rabbit? The merchant was at least eight feet tall, with dark green fur resembling moss, and its ears were like two twenty-foot-long ovals flickering and flapping around its body. Jeremy couldn’t see its eyes, but he could feel the weight of its gaze.

“Ah, another customer. One moment, young man. I’m the only one running this tent, and I must finish with this customer first.”

“Um, actually”-

“He’s the observer we told you apart, Fredrikck. Please, pay him no mind.” The cat smoothly interjected as I stepped closer to get a better view. This furball is starting to get on my nerves. But I’m not about to spoil things for Luminara.

Fredrikck nodded and waved a paw at the surrounding bare walls. “Be welcome, regardless. I’ll gladly answer any questions you have with Luminara’s permission.”

“Thank you.” Jeremy watched as Fredrikck pulled a tiny glass vial resembling a test tube and presented it to Luminara.

“This, my dear. Is the strongest soul caller I possess. Not only will you find your destined soulmate, but it also doubles as a magnet for souls once you drink this. Your soul will seek the other’s out in every lifetime from the moment you are born. It pains me that this will be our only meeting in this life. But I will pray for your happiness in the next.”

“Thank you, kind sir.” Luminara took the bottle in shaking hands and smiled at Jeremy. “See how easy this is? You must find the merchant that will make your wish come true, Jeremy. Your heart will guide you if you listen.”

“Thanks for the advice, but… have you…” How do I phrase it? “Already paid for it?”

No one moved for several minutes before the cat sighed. “Not every payment is made with money, boy. But the transaction is complete all the same… Would you like some privacy, Luminara?”

She shook her head and grabbed Jeremy’s hand. “Come outside with me. I was warned that the effects can be… intense in a confined place.”

This counts as confined? But Jeremy was already following her into the street and towards a park with various benches and chairs. This could be a food court if it had tables. Luminara dashed to a metal stool with a pink cushion before opening the vial. “I want to thank you for coming with me, Jeremy. I know you have your wish to pursue.”

“You don’t need to thank me. I love investigating things like this… Not that you’re a thing. I mean. This is your life, and… I’m just going to eat my foot now, okay?”

Luminara giggled and stared at him with a small smile. “If you truly wish to, but I’m fairly certain you’ll regret eating your own body… Unless that’s a common thing on your world?”

“Pretty much. The average person consumes about two thousand feet a year. But there have been cases where the number has reached ten thousand.”

Luminara laughed, almost dropping her vial as she shook her head. “Your world must be very blessed to have such amusing people living on her. I shall miss you, Jeremy. I hope you’re happy once you obtain your wish.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I’ve read countless stories where people screw up their wishes, but the Bizzaro Magica isn’t one of them. Luminara came here to find her soulmate, and she’s about to do so. I asked to know the truth about this place and learned enough to make several posts. There’s no way I won’t be happy when this is over!

Yet Jeremy couldn’t bring himself to say it as Luminara downed the vial in a single gulp. He waited to see if she would choke, but she only shivered as her eyes glowed an eye-catching purple and sighed. “I can feel them. They’re close!”

Jeremy smiled, but he wasn’t happy. “I won’t keep you. Thank you for answering my questions, Luminara. I had a great time today.”

She nodded, but he could see she wasn’t paying attention. Her eyes followed a trail he couldn’t see, and his heart lurched as she walked away. I hope you find what you’re looking for. No one should have to go through this alone. Jeremy wasn’t sure how long he stood there before he felt the cat rubbed against his legs.

“She’s gone.”

“She is,” the cat agreed. “But she was happy. And that’s all that matters, isn’t it?”

Jeremy nodded. “I still don’t understand it. This place grants wishes. Why didn’t she ask to live and then find her soulmate? She could have spent the rest of her life with them!”

“She did spend the rest of her life with them. And her reasons were her own. Come along. It’s time to grant your wish.”