Kyle looks uneasy, but doesn't protest. His sister, meanwhile, reads his expression, rolls her eyes, and shoves him into the cabin. Knowing her, it's probably just because she knows he doesn't want to, but you're all inside now.
"Well, it's good to meet you three," says the woman. "My name is Vivienne, and I live out here. I'm a witch, you see, and for various reasons I can't really leave. So it's always nice to have visitors!"
"I'm--" you start, but Vivienne doesn't let you finish.
"Tim Leary, I know. And your friends are Kyle and Danielle Madison. One of my security spells tells me any time anyone gets close, and who they are."
At this revelation, Kyle starts to take a step back, but Danielle elbows him in the ribs, and he stops moving. Danielle herself steps forward. "Right, so...if you're a witch, what kind of magic can you do?"
"Well for starters, all the trees outside are grey," Vivienne replies. "But, if that's not enough to satisfy you...y'know, you seem pretty brazen. Why don't we make a bet? I'm not a perfect witch, by any means, so have me do something. If I can't do it, I'll do one thing for you, no matter what it is. Well, aside from the fact that I can't go anywhere the trees aren't grey. But if I win, you guys are going to play a little game with me. How's that sound?"
To you, it sounds rigged. There wasn't a lot you could force on the witch if she couldn't leave this one small section of the woods, and you had no idea what this 'game' of hers would entail. But you didn't get to answer. Danielle answered.
"Deal. My challenge is for you to give me your magic."
You had to admit, it was a clever plan. Vivienne clicked her fingers, and was covered by a golden aura, one that soon separated from her, coalescing into an orb as it floated leisurely over to Danielle, and permeated through her. Danielle's eyes widened.
"Oh god...oh my god I can feel it! This is the coolest thing in the world!" She pointed a finger at Kyle, and in a puff of smoke, he'd turned into a frog. "This is awesome!"
"Oh, what the hell!" Kyle complained. You were as surprised as he was to hear him speak, but Danielle merely grinned slyly.
"Oops, forgot to take away your power of speech. And, presto!" She pointed at her brother once more, and he croaked.
"Alright, Danielle, that's enough," you say, stepping between her and Kyle. You only hope she likes you a little more than her brother, though you've always gotten the impression she does.
"Aww, but Tim, I've always wanted a pet frog!" says Danielle, giving you what you can only describe as malicious puppy-dog eyes. It's very concerning.
"You don't seriously want to explain to your parents where Kyle went, do you?" you challenge her. Danielle sighs.
"Okay, okay, fine. I guess you're right." She snaps her fingers, and once more Kyle is back to normal.
"Thank you..." he whispers in your ear.
"Alright!" says Danielle. "Well, Vivienne, it was nice meeting you, but if I have your powers, I don't think I need anything else. So...bye!"
As Danielle turns and starts walking towards the door, you notice gold sparkles, not unlike glitter, drifting off her shoulders. Your eyes trace the sparkles back towards Vivienne, who's now smirking, and you feel a pit in your stomach.
"Actually, I believe you three kids owe me a game," Vivienne says. "And by the way, you don't have my powers any more."
"...Excuse me?" says Danielle, turning around again. "Wasn't that the deal?"
"I gave them to you, you saw that yourself," Vivienne says. "But the spell I used to transfer my magic to you was temporary. It wears off after three casts, you see."
Danielle grits her teeth at this revelation. "You lying cheat!"
"Oh no, not at all," Vivienne replies. "I did exactly what you asked for. Just be grateful I didn't steal your body and use it as a way to leave the woods. That would have been a real monkey's paw move. Although, that does give me an idea for our game..."
"Oh god no, I'm leaving!" says Kyle. You grab him by the arm.
"I think that would be a bad idea," you say. You and Kyle might not have agreed to the terms, but you have a sinking suspicion you're bound to them all the same.
"Good call, Tim," says Vivienne, and snaps her fingers once again. A powerful wind passes through the cabin, and next thing you know, you're standing behind...yourself? Looking down, you find yourself to be translucent - she must have pulled your spirit out of your body! To your left, Kyle is in a similar situation, and Danielle is the same to your right.
"The rules of the game are as follows," says Vivienne. "I've separated all three of you from your bodies. Each of you pick a new one, keep it for two days, and then come back. At that point, you'll pick a different body. The game ends, by the way, when any of you pick the same body three times total. Now, let's have the choosing order be...alphabetically."
Danielle takes a step forward, towards her own body, but some kind of barrier pushes her back. "Hey!"
"Sorry, should've been more specific. That one's on me. Alphabetically by last name. Danielle, that means you get second pick. Tim goes first."
You swallow, and step forward. You look at your own body to start. Vivienne did say to pick a "new" one, but you don't feel repelled from it in any way. You could probably take it if you wanted.
Then there's Kyle, to your left. More athletic than you, for sure. You're not sure about his life as a whole, though he is your best friend, but his body would almost certainly be an upgrade from yours.
To your right...Danielle. You admit, she's cute, but you're not sure you want to be her. Especially seeing as she gets second pick, which she would probably use to get back at you. She likes you well enough, you're sure, but she's still pretty vindictive when it comes to it.
Part of you wonders what would happen if you just...tried to leave. Maybe you could go back to town. You're not sure whether you could just take whatever body you wanted if you were to do that, but even if you can't, there might still be fun ghost things to do around town. Or maybe not. It's a risk, but the thought crosses your mind.
Actually, though, thinking of risks, there's one very dangerous prospect that enters your mind. What if you tried to take Vivienne's body? Would you get her powers? What would happen to her spirit? You can't believe she'd make an oversight like that, and you have no idea how she'd react, but it might just be enough of a wild-card move to work. She certainly seems to expect you to follow her rules.
Either way, she won't let Danielle pick until you've done something. Even if your choice is not to choose, you have to make it.
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