Jeremy and...

It shouldn’t have been a hard choice. Not for him. Jeremy thrived on tracking things down. It’s what he lived for, or, rather, it’s what he wanted to live for. He was still in high school, and the money he made from his posts wouldn’t cover any bills. But it was money he earned doing something he loved.

And now I have a chance to spend the rest of my life doing what I love. How many people get to have that chance? Too few. Jeremy didn’t need to do much to know the world was a messed-up place. No one would deny that, and it looked like a bunch of other worlds were the same way. How many come here because they can’t get their wishes granted on their own? I’m sure living here will pose some problems. There’s no way it won’t…

Jeremy sighed and looked at the cat. It was staring at him. Has it ever just stared at me? He couldn’t remember. “Can I check in on my folks? You told Luminara the Bizzaro Magica would give her all the time she needed.”

“The Bizzaro Magica provides whatever the customer needs. However, that becomes limited once you leave. The Bizzaro Magica needs to relocate in two Earth hours. Do you understand?”

“I do.” Two hours to make a choice that will change my life forever. It shouldn’t exist. Yet, it did. And the cat nodded.

“Very good. I’ll escort you to the entrance and await your return.”

“Do you want me to?” I didn’t think the cat liked me.

“My wishes aren’t important. I’m not the customer. Come along, boy. You don’t have time to waste.”

The cat darted away without waiting, and Jeremy hurried to keep up. That wasn’t an answer. The cat has been with me since I found the wall. But I don’t know anything about it. He wasn’t given a chance to say anything as they crossed the border. Jeremy blinked, rubbing his now-watering eyes as the cat climbed up the grandfather clock and looked down at him.

“That’s a normal reaction, boy. Don’t let it worry you.”

“Thanks for the warning…” Why does everything look… dull?

The cat shrugged. “It slipped my mind. You’d better hurry along, boy. And if you decide to come back…” It trailed off, but Jeremy wasn’t willing to let the conversation end there.

When will I have a chance to talk to a cat if I stay? “Go on. Are there any rules I should know about?”

“No, but you might want to consider packing lightly. The Bizzaro Magica and Oddities will provide whatever you need to fulfill your wish. But there are no restrictions on what you can bring. Should you choose to stay.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Safe travels, Jeremy. I shall wait to see what your wish becomes.”

Jeremy nodded and walked away.

Jeremy checked his watch and chuckled. I’ve only been gone for a couple of hours, but it feels like years. His house was the same. The same crooked white fence leaning over where one of the neighbor’s dogs tried to jump over but got stuck between the middle and top beams. The porch needed to be swept, but Jeremy knew it would look like that two seconds after being swept.

Maybe there’s a spell on it? The thought should have made him laugh, but Jeremy listened to the clunking rattle of his footsteps instead. He checked the door, found it locked, and fished his key out of his pocket with a flourish.

“I’m home,” he called, but no one replied. Dad had the day off. He’s probably fishing while Mom buys dinner. It was an ordinary day. Jeremy climbed the stairs and found his room the way he left it. His bed was made; it could have been neater, but it was made. His desk was covered with the research he’d done on the Bizzaro Magica.

There are only a few sheets. The story is too safe to gain a following among those looking for a feel-good story. And yet it was true. Jeremy turned on his computer and checked his e-mail. Nothing but spam. At least the haters are leaving me alone. It was a small relief that would become insignificant even if he didn’t go.

“Let’s be practical about this. I’m living in something that only happens in movies or games… I’m being given a chance to live in another world. What are the pros?” He opened a Note Doc and began typing.

Pros to leaving.

See things no one else can for free!

Meet people like Luminara and help them!

Cons for leaving.

Risk of never seeing friends and family again.

Jeremy sighed. “There’s also the fact I don’t have to die. Eat your heart out, Truck-kun!”

No one laughed at his joke. I do have some books I want to read. Did I order anything recently? If I cancel it, will my parents use the money or wait for me to come back? “Even if I stay. I can still keep doing what I love. Haters are everywhere, and keeping quiet is a boring way to live.”

But why should I settle for the mundane when I can have the amazing? “What else is stopping me?”

Jeremy looked out the window and frowned. It’s the same view I’ve seen since I was a kid. I never considered moving somewhere exotic. “But that’s not the problem.”

Jeremy went to the kitchen and filled a glass—the same one he must’ve drank from millions of times—with water. He didn’t drink. He stared. Mom was so excited when I bought that filter for the tap. The water looks the same, but I have to admit it does taste different. Not better. Just different.

“It’s the same with the world. The Bizzaro Magica was filled with bright colors. I thought I knew what colors were supposed to look like, but now everything looks dull… And that’s not bad, but…” He groaned and poured the water down the drain. “I’m like water. I can be anything I want… and I’m wasting time.”

He ran back to his computer and opened a new doc. It took him twenty minutes to begin typing, but he was grinning at the end.

Dear Mom and Dad,

You’re going to think I’m crazy, and maybe I am, but I’ve been given a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do something amazing. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. I don’t know if I’ll be able to contact you. I’m sorry for leaving without saying goodbye. You’ve put up with my hobbies and encouraged me whenever I needed it. I love you both!

See you later,

Jeremy.

“I’m not saying goodbye,” he promised as he printed the letter. “The Bizzaro Magica is all about granting wishes, and I wish to see my parents again. I will come back.”

He refused to believe otherwise. Jeremy froze as he tried to think of the best place for his letter. I don’t want to ruin their mood, but I don’t want them to stay up all night, either. He quickly ruled out the kitchen and placed it on the coffee table in his father’s self-proclaimed “man cave.” Maybe I’ll have a real one someday. This looks like a living room to me.

It was the room he learned to write in. Jeremy’s family had lived in this house since before he was born. There wasn’t a room that Jeremy hadn’t reached a milestone. He knew the story behind most of the scratches and dents… And he also knew there would be a time when he’d say goodbye.

“But that’s not today. I’m taking a vacation—a really long one—but this will always be my home.” Jeremy went upstairs and packed his backpack full of his favorite clothes and a couple of other things to remind him of home before taking a slow tour of his house. Sorry for leaving things a little messy. I’ll make it up to you when I get back.

Jeremy walked outside, locked the door, and placed the key in his backpack. No one would think anything was wrong if they saw him. Jeremy often went to odd places with his backpack, just in case he had to spend the night investigating a story. The was no different.

The cat blinked, tongue outstretched to wash a paw as Jeremy entered the alley. “Don’t mind me. I know I’m early.”

“That’s… one way of putting it. I see you’ve chosen to take my advice.”

“It was good advice,” Jeremy grinned as he leaned against the grandfather clock. I wish I had more advice like it.”

“You might get that.” The cat hopped onto Jeremy’s shoulder, making him jump and reach for it instinctively. “You might get that and more, Jeremy.”

“I’ll look forward to it. But I was being serious. You don’t need to bring me back right away.”

The cat shrugged. “If that’s what you wish.”