The Cursed Genie

CHRISTOPHER

For the past decade, I had stayed dormant in the lamp without any activity. It was the longest break I’ve ever had from greedy people seeking me out. When I was finally summoned last night, it had taken me a lot longer than usual to wake up and materialize outside of the lamp.

My eyes had immediately landed on the only person present in the room, but she was already in a deep slumber. Despite that, I felt an immediate connection, like we were attached by a string—it pulled me to her like I was a puppet.

After being frozen in the lamp for that long, I was sluggish in my present state. I lay down next to her and rested. A few hours later, something soft pressed against my lips. The simple kiss ignited dormant feelings within me—like she had turned on all the off switches—and made me feel alive.

Something I haven’t felt in a very long time.

I maneuvered the situation to my advantage and got her to use her first wish pretty quickly.

And now, she even apologized for something so small and insignificant that it touched me more than I was willing to admit. Then she asked for my name. Again, something no one had bothered with.

Fuck, I’m so overwhelmed with emotions, I don’t even know how to feel.

After two millennia of watching people selfishly wish for their own gains, I was desensitized to it all. I had become bitter and cynical.

And today, for the first time in two thousand years, I felt alive.

I felt seen.

I felt heard.

And… I had hope.

All the things I thought had been dead and buried long ago.

My new master had surprised me in many ways.

She was the first master I’d had to not rush into self-satisfaction. She was also the first to not want the same things everyone else did. And she treated me like a person, not just a thing to be used.

“What about you? How did you get into the business of granting wishes?” she asked cheerfully, clearly trying to keep the conversation light and fun.

My easygoing demeanor suddenly changed. “I didn’t. I was cursed,” I answered without thinking.

Shit. Why did I say that? It was not an easy topic for me to share, and I didn’t want her to know about it.

“Oh.” Her features darkened with shock, and I could tell she regretted the question. “I…I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I laughed and straightened to my full six feet and two inches in height. “You didn’t know. It’s so long ago, I can barely recall what happened.”

I lied. I remembered it like it was yesterday. The betrayal, the physical and emotional pain, the shock, the bitterness, the resentment, the hatred. I remembered it all. And I was reminded of it every time I was summoned by a new master.

My emotions must’ve shown on my face, because her frown deepened. “Can you tell me about the curse?”

“No. I don’t want to bore you with the details.” I waved my hand dismissively.

“Please!” She shot up from her seat. “I would like to know. Please tell me.”

My eyes widened at her sudden outburst.

Does she care or is she simply curious?

No. It doesn’t matter.

“Weren’t you about to go for a run?” I raised an eyebrow as I steered her away from the personal topic. “I don’t want to keep you.”

Her eyes abruptly raked down her body, as if remembering what she was supposed to do. “Um… I can run later.” Her gaze drifted back to mine. “After you tell me.”

I made excuses. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you at a more convenient time.”

Without waiting for her response, I dove back into the lamp—my home, my sanctuary, and my prison. I didn’t know why I ran away. I had never been one to run away from anything.

However, this time, I had felt the need to.

Maybe because I was starting to get attached? And I didn’t want her to know too much about me. I didn’t want her pity or sympathy.

And I certainly didn’t want to make this difficult. Once everything was said and done and she made her last two wishes, we would go our separate ways, and I would finally be free from the curse.

And guilt be damned. I will not feel bad for gaining my freedom after all these years…even if a sacrifice has to be made.

I told myself to keep my distance after the heated kiss— to treat her like all my previous masters. But for some reason, I couldn’t help but tease her whenever I saw her. It was as though she had the words tease me written on her forehead. I enjoyed pushing buttons just to see her animated reaction and learning a different side of her each time.

VERITY

He disappeared before I could protest, like he couldn’t wait to get away from me.

Pins pricked my heart and I rubbed my chest.

What’s wrong with me?

Once I went outside and my legs started moving, my mood became a little bit brighter. The sun burned my face, arms, and legs, but the breeze made the scorching summer heat more bearable. The shade provided by the surrounding trees helped as well.

I enjoyed running on the sidewalk around my neighborhood. All the houses had some type of flowers planted around them. And most of the front yards were filled with freshly cut green grass, while one or two still needed to be mowed. One of them belonged to an old couple who would hire some kid to do that for them.

As my heart pounded from the physical exertion, my mind kept replaying what Christopher said. My brain wouldn’t stop asking questions.

Was he human before?

How was he cursed?

Who cursed him and why?

Is there a way to break the curse? If there was, he would’ve broken it by now, right?

“Whoa! Watch out!” someone yelled, but it was too late.

A cyclist collided with me, and my body went down hard.

“Fuck. I’m so sorry.” A young guy around my age scrambled away from his bike to help me up. “I should’ve slowed down. I thought you saw me coming.”

I winced as I tried to stand with the support of his hands. “No. I’m the one who should be sorry. I was too lost in thought and didn’t get out of the way in time.”

I should’ve known better. I mentally scolded myself for causing this situation with my carelessness and overthinking.

Who runs into a bike? Only me.

I eyed his fancy bicycle on the ground a few feet away. Luckily, it looked unharmed, or I would’ve felt obligated to pay for the damage. I dragged my gaze back to him and scanned his helmet down to his—“Oh, my gosh, you’re bleeding!”

He twisted his arm and checked his elbow. “Oh, it’s just a scratch. Don’t worry about it. You’re worse off than me,” he noted, seeing how I was hugging my sides and could barely stand straight. “Do you want me to take you to the urgent care or the E.R.?”

“No. I’m fine. Thank you.” The adrenaline continued to pump through my veins, masking most of the aches and pain. Besides, the medical care expense would be hefty for such minor scratches.

“Are you sure?” he asked, still holding me up.

I nodded and laughed at his offer.

“What’s so funny?” His lips cracked into a smile—and he looked kind of cute.

“I just thought it was silly how you offered to take me to the hospital on your bike.” It didn’t even have a back seat.

He laughed. “No. I live around here so I would take you in my car.”

“I see.” Now who was the silly one?

“Here.” He took out his phone from his cycling shorts. “Give me your number and I’ll check up on you in a few days to make sure you’re okay.”

I quickly shook my head and smiled. “No. That won’t be necessary. I’m fine. Really.”

“Come on. It’s a good excuse to get your number.” He tried to win me over with a big grin.

“Oh, all right.” I guessed it couldn’t hurt, so I gave it to him.

“I’m Kevin, by the way,” he said as he typed my number.

I gave an automatic response. “Verity. Nice to meet you.”

After our exchange, he insisted on walking me home. He seemed like a good guy and was really easy to talk to. Once we made it back and said our goodbyes, I went inside to take a shower.

I slowly lifted the hem of my tank top in front of the bathroom mirror to assess the damage. Besides the little scratches on my arms and legs, there was a noticeable bruise on my left ribs.

My left hand held up the hem while my right fingers pressed gently on the spot under my breast.

I inhaled sharply at the pain. “This is going to look ugly tomorrow,” I mumbled to myself.

Gingerly, I took off my clothes, got in the tub, and turned on the water. Nothing a hot shower couldn’t cure.

Warm droplets hit my skin and a sigh of contentment left my lips. I started humming “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Meghan Trainor and John Legend, since it was stuck in my head.

I stood under the rain with my eyes closed and allowed it to soak my sore body. I blindly searched for the shampoo bottle in front of me with my fingers, but they brushed against something fuzzy instead.

My eyes snapped open and the first thing I saw was a huge black spider staring me in the face.

“Ahhhh!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. “Ahhhh!” I whipped my head back and forth, not knowing what to do.

Where the hell did it come from? It wasn’t there minutes ago.

“Uh…uh…” I searched frantically with flailing arms as it started moving—quite fast. “Crap!” Panic set in and I yelled, “Christopher! Chris—”

He instantly materialized inside the bathroom; the top half of his body peeked through the shower curtain like a solid hologram.

“What’s wro—?” He scanned my exposed body.

“Spider! Spider!” I shouted while pointing at the scary creature. My fear outweighed my naked embarrassment.

His gaze followed my finger. “This tiny little guy?”

Size was relative when terror was afoot.

“Get it!” I raised my voice higher while my feet shuffled crazily. He grabbed a tissue and squished the bug with it.

I exhaled loudly as my hand went to my chest. “Thank you.”

“Anything else I can help with?” A mischievous smile graced his lips while his eyes openly stared at me with interest.

“No! Now get out!” I screamed again.

He immediately vanished without a trace, but his chuckles lingered like an annoying echo.