Unforgettable Melody - S01 E07

Story 1 week ago

Unforgettable Melody - S01 E07

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 7

"Of course, master" Her face softened with a smile.

They conversed for some time. The genie first confirmed for Mike that she was, in fact, created to be a subservient creature incapable of disobeying her master. Additionally, she explained that, as her master, she is considered his property to be dealt with as he wished. Anything about her that displeased him could be punished with isolation, beatings, torture, or even her destruction. All were within Mike's rights.

She also confirmed that her powers could be used for anything of an erotic or sexual nature, including actions considered illegal under modern law, without any consequences. Her powers could even be used to commit unspeakable acts of pain on innocents, all with the full support and encouragement from her, since she only desires what her master desires.

Mike then explained his religious background, and his apprehension to participating in any sort of enslavement, knowing full well the likely consequences when his time finally came. Seeking to comfort him, she explained that her servitude to him was thrust upon him and that, since he had no choice in the matter, the sin of her enslavement was not his burden to bear. Hearing this brought Mike to one of the most important questions he had in his mind.

"Genie, is it possible for me to free you, and, if so, how would that play out?"

She smiled sadly. "Master, you are exceedingly kind to ask such a thing. You are allowed to wish for my freedom. However, in doing so, you would merely be freeing me from my servitude to you. I do not have the power to grant a wish from you, or any master, that I no longer be bound as a servant genie altogether.

"If you were to wish for my freedom from you, I would return to my vessel, whereupon the next person to open it would become my new master. While I do not fully know the nature of my vessel, it is clear to me that, in solving the puzzle last night, you disabled some sort of magical security system that was preventing the locket from opening. As I no longer detect any magical energy from any part of my vessel, I can only hypothesize that the next person to obtain the locket would have no difficulty opening it by hand."

Hearing her explanation, Mike now knew full well that there was no easy answer to his dilemma. On the one hand, he could take custody of this girl, treating as humanely as possible, but in doing so ran the risk of what would happen to him once his number was up. Conversely, he could wish her free, clearing himself from this entire situation. However, if someone without the "outstanding moral fiber" Mike apparently possessed then claimed her, he could be condemning her to a life pain, not to mention the countless people that could be hurt by such a person gaining control of her powers. He knew he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he allowed that to happen.

After pondering for a few minutes, Mike finally believed he had formulated the best possible solution. Taking a deep breath, he made a wish.

"Genie, I will never view you as a slave. I know that your very nature makes you completely obedient to me, but if you truly are bound to me for life, as you say you are, then the only capacity I want you to serve me in is as an equal partner. To that end, I wish for you to have as much free will as it is possible for you to have. I wish for you to be able to enjoy everything this world has to offer you, not because I allow you to experience it, but because you deserve to experience it. Is this a wish that you can grant?"

She closed her eyes for a moment, before nodding. Tingle. Flash.

"It's done, master." Unable to hold back any longer, tears began streaming down her face.

"What's wrong? Are you ok?"

She nodded. "Master, I am wonderful. Genie servants are never supposed to expect or even hope for any kindness or consideration from their masters. It goes against our purpose of servitude. That you would use your first wish to grant me free will, it is the greatest gift I could ever imagine." She lunged forward, gripping Mike in a tight hug. "Thank you," she whispered.

Gently rubbing her back, Mike couldn't resist the call of his sarcastic wit returning to him. "It's not that big a deal. Technically, it was my second wish," he said with a smartass grin.

At first, he wasn't sure if she understood the humor. However, with a slight snort, she burst out into a full on giggle fit. "That's true I suppose!" Her laugh was intoxicating to Mike, so pure and full of life. He knew immediately that he would never get tired of trying to make her laugh.

Glancing at the clock, Mike was shocked at what time it was. "Wow! 11:15 already? No wonder I'm starving." He stood and

motioned for the girl to follow him. "Would you like something to eat? You must be hungry, if you've been sitting there all night, waiting for me to wake up." Mike slipped on a pair of gym shorts and his orange Auburn University t-shirt.

She smiled. "Sure. I don't require food to exist, but it certainly helps In keeping my energy up. Plus, it's an experience I'd love to have, having never eaten before." She gasped momentarily. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have said something so forward..."

Mike placed his finger over her lips, silencing her. "No apologies. That was a very good thing you said. That's the free will I wished for you to have beginning to shine through. Embrace it, don't fight it."

She smiled. "I'll try. This is just such a big adjustment for me. It will take some time.".

"I understand," Mike replied, making his way into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, he asked her, "is leftover pizza ok?"

"Sure, I've never eaten before, but my powers do give me a basic concept of the modern world and the things in it. Pizza is baked cheese and tomato sauce on a bread-like crust, right?"

"You got it." Mike placed four slices on a plate and stuck it in the microwave. As their food warmed up, he turned to the girl. "I've got to apologize. I just now realized that I haven't even asked your name until now. I assume your name isn't genie, is it?

She giggled. You can call me anything you wish, but no, genie is not my name. That would be like me calling you human."

Mike immediately understood. "That makes sense. You aren't the Hulk after all."

"Hulk?" Her eyes narrowed. Tingle. "Oh, right. PUNY HUMAN!!!" She raised her arms above her head doing her best Hulk impersonation. As Mike laughed at the spot on impression, she continued, "as far as my name is concerned, I don't have one yet. The privilege of naming me is yours alone."

Wow, ok. Let me think..."

Mike had never named anything before, except a goldfish while he was in kindergarten. He ran through a few names in his head. Let's see... Sarah? Nah, too boring. Hope? Nice name, but... she doesn't really look like a Hope. As he continued trying to think of the perfect name, the microwave signaled that the pizza was ready. As he pulled the food out and separated it onto two plates, he absentmindedly started whistling, as he often did when some tune was stuck in his head. He froze halfway through as he finally realized the perfect name.