CHAPTER FOUR

Like any other 14-year-old that wants to disappear, I kept running as fast as I could. I ran past the houses and then started heading toward the bushes. Suddenly I tripped on something and fell...

I began rolling downhill, I couldn't see anything. Everything was just happening so fast. I landed hard on my back.

I felt some warm fluid pouring down my face.

It was blood...

Turns out I had hit my head with some rock. I have seen many bad days but this is the worst so far.

I leaped on my feet. "Where I'm I? What is this place?" I asked myself calmly.

It's true, I should have been scared at this point and cried to my mama like any normal kid.

But I'm not normal.

This place just looks like no one had been here for years. I spotted a well and then started walking towards it.

The well looked so ancient and plain. It was made out of red bricks but it looked quite strong.

Quite surprisingly, there was pure and clean water in it. Filled it was to the tippy top. Fascinating huh?

People around me always called me crazy, but I never believed them until that day. Foolish I was, that I decided to wash my face with it.

Yup, you heard right I'm totally nuts. Find a spooky well then put your hands in it? Like who does that? Only CHESTER LUIS that's for sure.

This was the moment that changed my entire life.

"Hey! Don't put your filthy hands in me." A voice said out of nowhere.

I immediately lost my balance and fell to the floor. Confused and finally scared I managed to say. "Who...who said that?"

"I did!"

"What?" My body began trembling. My heart was pounding so fast and my head was unable to process what was happening around me.

"I'm the one speaking. The well? Get up."

I stood up and saw my reflection in the water, it winked at me. Gah!

"So I'm talking to myself, with myself, and by myself? I must have hit my head pretty hard."

I passed out...

I woke up only to find myself in the same spot. "So it wasn't a dream."

"Of course not young master."

I stood up and looked into the well, my reflection was still there talking to me.

"That's it! I've finally lost it, I didn't think I would lose it until I was at least 20."

"You've not lost it, young master."

"Then a logical way to explain this please?" Look at me still fucking talking to my reflection. I'm totally crazy.

Fuck!

I know I know...mama said no cussing but it's necessary. Plus it makes me feel cool.

"I'm ancient SUKANI the wishing well. I take the form of whatever looks into me. You found me so I grant you five wishes." The well explained.

I burst into laughter now it makes sense someone is pranking me.

"Five...five wishes huh? Come on out now Creston. Game over...well played."

"I'm no Creston, and what's a prank?"

"You grant five wishes? Not three like normal jinnies do. Be a rabbit's uncle, Creston you're really stupid." I laughed.

"I'm no Jinny. I'm a wishing well."

"Prove it!"

"Make a wish, young master."

I looked around with nothing in mind. "I wish to become a rock."

"Done!"

I looked at myself, nothing happened I was about to laugh then I froze. I couldn't move, I could feel my heart rate decreasing, my skin hardening, I was growing bigger and yes I was really turning to rock.

"Hey! SUKANI I take it back. I take it back. Turn me back.

"I'm afraid I can't do that young master," Sukani replied.

"What! So I'm gonna be stuck as a rock forever?"

"Make another wish."

"OKAY, I WISH TO BE A BOY AGAIN!"

I felt the same thing again and there I was back to my handsome self again.

That was totally crazy, right? I could just wish for anything and poof! I get it.

Beware RED'S FIELD JUNIOR HIGH

cuz here comes the new and improved chessman.

I cleared my throat. "For my first wish sukani..."

"Woah their young master you mean the third wish."

Whatever! Three wishes would do. It's not every day you stumble into a wishing well. God! It felt good.

"So are there any rules?" I asked.

"No wishes about love, none about wars that's your own problem and you can't wish for more wishes.

I gave it a quick thought. My heart was busy doing flip-flops. Like what do I wish for? Money? Fame? Girls? Yah girls. Don't give me that look, I'm a guy. It's not about being 14 or whatever I gotta think about girls.

Girls are heaven.

But in this situation, even though removing girls from the list feels like 373 punches in the gut... I had to.

What to do...so like girls always say sisters before misters and books before boys. Money before love and Fame before...yeah, I don't know that one... I made up my mind.

"Sukani my good man, I wish I became the coolest and most popular kid in school."

"Done!"

I felt that same feeling over again. The drowsiness, the throwing up, the darkness. Everything kept going in reverse...