Page 3 of Genie's Boy
I couldn’t understand this connection I had to him or why. There were things that just couldn’t be explained, but I can assure you the fates had their reasons for them, and they were not to be questioned.
I’d protected him since his parents’ arrest and subsequent deaths by order of our demented ruler. Publicly humiliated and beheaded as an example of what would happen to those who broke his precious rules. All for stealing a loaf of bread to feed their hungry family. To this day, Raj still lived in the single room his family inhabited, with no idea that I’d long since ensured he’d never be removed from it and would always have a roof over his head and food on his table. Amazing what humans would do for a few coins. The owner of the building didn’t so much as bat a lash when I offered to buy it from him. So many secrets I’d kept, waiting for the right time to tell Raj.
But would that day ever come?
Hope was all I had and the notion that with my truth, forever wouldn’t be spent alone. Raj would be there.
Later that night, as I sat inside the small room I wished to whisk Raj away from, I found comfort in his light snores. To curl up beside him and hold him in my arms would be a dream come true. How elegant he’d look amongst the fine luxurious linens that adorned my bed. I’d run my fingers through his hair and lull him to sleep after a hearty round of lovemaking. Dress him in delicate fabrics and decorate his body with my collection of precious jewels. I had the perfect ruby for his navel. The visual was so clear, so perfect. With each passing moment it became harder to ignore my desire for this boy.
When he was young, I’d watch him play and thought nothing of it. I’d only believed my role in his life was to keep a watchful eye, as I did all through his schooling years. But as he grew into a man, that’s when the tides changed. The realization I was meant as more than a protector solidified that. No longer did the playful youth enjoying a game of stickball stand before me, but the handsome man I yearned to build a life with. The one I’d unsuspectingly slipped money, food, clothing, and supplies to. The very man who lay in the bed sound asleep before me.
“Sleep well, sweet boy. For I will return,” I whispered, and with the thought of home, I disappeared just as the sun rose and returned to my eternal tomb to begin a new day.
Over the centuries I’d collected precious artifacts, rugs, textiles, gold, you name it, and kept it safe within the never-ending confines of my lamp. Given it was a magical place, there was no beginning nor end to it. It went on infinitely. The areas I most utilized were decorated to my tastes, though it still never felt like a home. Only a place to rest my head between calls from greedy masters. The one I was currently ruled by was a demonic brat. One wish remained firmly in his grasp, yet every time he beckoned me to his side, I held my breath. And when he refused to use it, it took all I had to bite my tongue and not lash out. It would do no good anyway and then he’d know where I stood with that issue and use it against me.
He tormented the villagers, driven by greed and his lust for shiny objects, mainly gold. His demand for a ridiculous amount of tidings to be paid by the villagers infuriated me. As though he needed the money. His family had amassed a wealth they were undeserving of. Meanwhile, our people starved or were killed for doing their best to survive, just as Raj’s parents had been.
Too bad I couldn’t grant myself wishes or I’d rid the world of all the evil bastards such as him.
My hands were tied, and I hated it. Had I been free of the Maharajah’s grasp, things would be different. Well, at least until the next slimy bastard stumbled upon my lampor I was awarded freedom. Like that day would ever come.Forever.I was enslaved to this tomb, destined to be alone unless I found a way for Raj to join me. Only one way came to mind, but would Raj be willing to accept it and relinquish his freedom by joining me in eternal servitude?
This wasn’t a decision or an act to force upon him. If I did, he’d only grow to hate me over time. I’d have to earn his trust and love and show him a glimpse of the life we could have together. Minus the iron shackles that led mine. Then and only then would he grasp the magnitude of what the choice to be with me entailed.
Eternal life.
In the beginning, maintaining a human form was tiresome. As with anything, time erased that, though I preferred my natural form while away from prying eyes. A green whisp, barely visible to human eyes, massive forearms adorned with gold shackles around each wrist. A visible sign of my enslavement. Sure, I had a touch of freedom and could use magic for things outside of my master’s wishes, though I could not harm him in any way.
Much to my dismay.
Helping others, righting wrongs, things of that sort that didn’t involve my current owner, I could manage. All of which I learned over time, through trial and error as I tested the magical limits within me. Granting a master eternallife, bringing back another who’d died, or taking a life were hard limits and ones I didn’t regret having bestowed upon me. While those who controlled the lamp considered the three wishes they were granted as wins, they neglected to realize a balance was necessary with each. If they were given infinite money per a single wish, something else was taken from them, whether it be a tangible item or a living, breathing entity. I didn’t control any of that, the fates did. Things at the time they’d think nothing of asking for, unable to see past what they craved, only to be haunted by what was lost in the end. Or driven mad with greed. Not sure which was the lesser of two evils, though I’d seen it happen far too many times.
Selfish. That’s what their wishes were, and it saddened me to see that. I’d say it had worsened over the years, but that would be a lie. Greed had been prevalent since the beginning of time. As we evolved, so did desire and a general lack of care for fellow humans. My hope for humanity rapidly dwindled, and though I was trapped here and had to watch it all unfold, there were times I begged whoever listened to my silent pleas to grant my wish to end it all.
Fear enslaved the soul and drove men to madness.
As did solitary confinement.
Not long after the Maharajah and his family finished their morning meal, I was summoned to his side. Goodthing my existence wasn’t hinged on rest as it was for humans. Sleep and food weren’t anything I required to survive.
No rest for the wicked they say.
Which was how I considered myself, given I was forced to grant undeserving wishes when so many others cried for help. Real help, real need, yet this was the life chosen for me.
“Yes, my Master?” I addressed him as I appeared.
His hand firmly gripped my lamp and I wished with all my might he’d make his final wish so I could be done with him. Many tried to force me to grant them another set of wishes, using their last to ask for more. Never would that happen. At that point they lost their last wish and the lamp was returned to me, and my time served whilst under their thumb came to an end. Each time I hid the lamp in the deepest, darkest of places I could find. I’d be free for centuries until the next hunter located it. With the increasing population on earth, safe places to hide it were fewer and farther between.
Somehow, it’d even disappeared from a private residence I owned hidden and tucked away from other humans.
“Genie. How was your walk amongst the commoners yesterday?” The weight his question held wasn’t missed by me. His true ask was had I seen anything worth taking.More treasure to add to his trove. “Anything new to add to the collection?”
A barely contained snarl nearly escaped. “No. You’ve all but bled them dry.” While in his presence, my wicked tongue was meant to be controlled, though I’d long since lost the ability to care for his worthless rules.
“How dare you speak to me in that insolent tone. I’ll have you…”
“You’ll have me what, Master?” There was nothing he could do to me. I couldn’t be killed or harmed in any way. Yet I was held at bay when it came to doing the same to whomever had control of the lamp and was forced to appear when beckoned. Such a pity.
“You’re of no use to me. Be on your way.”
