Deal's Worth

Chapter 6: Slice of Home

Chapter 6: Slice of Home

Jeff's wind magic sent Yogi spinning through the air in a dizzying spiral as they neared their destination. When they finally touched down, it was before a rustic one-story house that radiated warmth despite its modest appearance. The structure featured a garage, basement, and attic, with a shed standing sentinel in the backyard. Its cabin-like aesthetic spoke of comfort rather than grandeur. A lake glimmered just minutes away through the trees.

The afternoon sun blazed overhead in a cloudless sky, Yogi settling down as he tried to regain his equilibrium. It was 1:47 PM.

"Welcome to my house," Jeff announced, gesturing broadly. "Home to my family. Just me, Alicia, and Biscuit live here. Biscuit's a dog, but he's family too."

Yogi steadied himself, still recovering from the chaotic journey. "That was the craziest lift I've ever gotten..."

Jeff unlocked the door and pushed it open. Immediately, a young yellow Australian shepherd bounded toward them, jumping and twisting with unbridled excitement. Beyond the dog, Alicia sat on the couch, completely absorbed in whatever was playing on the television. The interior embraced them with warm colors and a cozy atmosphere that made the space feel lived-in and loved.

Alicia wore blue jeans and a hoodie over a tank top, her wedding ring catching the light as she gestured at the screen. At five-foot-seven with a pale, sun-kissed complexion, she carried her Cuban and white heritage in the hazel of her eyes and the dark waves of her brunette hair.
Jeff stood six feet tall, his light-brown skin reflecting his Chilean and Black American mix. Dark brown eyes surveyed the scene as he entered, his very dark brown hair braided into cornrows that stopped mid-neck. He wore baggy black jeans and a hoodie over a tank top, a white gold chain with a cross resting against his chest alongside two rings—one of them his wedding band.

Two of his tattoos that magically glowed faintly in darkness. A halo glowing faintly on the back of his neck. Glowing faintly on his right side, a yellow smiley face outline bore a single red teardrop beneath its left eye. On his left forearm, black runic symbols, but not a magical ink tattoo. The magic ink responded to his power—whenever Jeff channeled magic through his body for his more intense attacks, the corresponding tattoos would illuminate, their glow intensifying with the amount of energy he gathered.

Yogi, short and bald with a well-maintained beard, and blind.

"Jeff, look what's going on TV," the dog said—said—with clarity too.

"Jeff, a guy wished for a non-stop broadcast on every TV screen on Earth for the entire day," Alicia explained excitedly, not looking away from the screen. "It's showing a bird's-eye view of wherever he goes. He was exploring this incredible canyon, and nobody knew there was a dragon there—not even him. But then he picked a fight with this massive monster. There are smartphone notifications going crazy about it, and there's a reward—some of the best magic crystals with incredible powers, magical weapons, and magical armor—to anyone who defeats it. And get this: he said he has one more wish left."

Jeff's response came rapid-fire. "Well, I just happen to have two wishes left."

"No way!" Alicia whipped around to face him, shock written across her features. "You found another genie?!"

"You promised you'd wish to make me human!" The dog's excitement exceeded even Alicia's, his whole body vibrating with anticipation.

"Alright, Biscuit, you've wanted this for a long time." Jeff spoke quickly, reassuring the shepherd as he rushed through his words. "I won't break my promise."

He gestured to Yogi while frantically emptying his pockets, pulling out the dice piece that had started this whole chain of events. "By the way, this is the genie Yogi. He was summoned through this dice piece I found in a forest area. Yogi, Alicia. Alicia, Yogi. Yogi, Biscuit. Biscuit, Yogi."