The appearance of the worm was entirely unexpected, and Amanda's reaction hinted that she shared my discomfort with worms. Curiously, I leaned closer to the barrel, immersing my face among the bobbing apples, observing the worm, surfing the ripples of the water to another apple. Withdrawing, I had a clear thought in mind.

"I don't know about you, but I like my apples without the worms."

Amanda, with a playful smile, picked up the apple close to the adventurous worm. "We should stand against these worms, protecting the good apples in the barrel."

Suddenly, I found myself submerged in the water, undergoing a transformation in an instant. My ears grew longer, and my legs merged into one, bestowing upon me the ability to glide through the water with unparalleled swiftness. I became stronger and more agile in the form of a merboy.

A trident materialized, skewering a colossal apple that rested at the bottom of the barrel, illuminating the aquatic realm around us. A blonde mermaid approached, gently touching my shoulder before taking my hand. Our fingers interlocked effortlessly, captivating me with her enchanting smile. A surge of vitality flooded through me, fueled by the glimpse of a noble spirit shining from her eyes.

As we stood, the giant apple beneath us suddenly cracked open, revealing a massive worm that eyed us with a menacing gaze before charging in our direction.

"We need to split up, Amanda. We have to make it to the trident lodged in the giant apple."

swimming in opposite directions, Amanda drew the attention of the giant worm, leading it away from me. I surged towards the trident, hoping to wield it against our formidable adversary. As soon as my fingers brushed against the weapon, an array of smaller worms burst forth from the apple. With a quick flick of my tail, I scattered the smaller worms, then seized the gleaming trident, just as the giant worm loomed dangerously close to Amanda. In a desperate move, the worm snapped at Amanda, managing to snatch the teddy bear from her hand.

"No! it grabbed my stuffy!"

As the giant worm prepared for another attack, its mouth agape revealing a terrifying array of teeth aimed directly at Amanda, I propelled myself forward with all my might, driving the trident beneath its head with forceful determination.

Just as the battle reached its climax, reality intruded. "Amanda! Five minutes until your next treatment," the nurse said, abruptly halting our fantastical underwater quest.

"That was incredibly fun. I hope we get to do it again." Amanda said.

Then, in an unexpected gesture of affection, Amanda leaned in and hugged me tightly. "Do you feel it too? This... sensation inside?" She gently took my hand and placed it over her stomach.

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"I do. I can't explain the feeling. It only happens whenever I'm with you."

The nurse approached, resting her hand on Amanda's shoulder. "Are we ready?"

"Will I see you again today?" I asked, sharing a hopeful note in my voice. Amanda leaned in once more, leaving a gentle kiss on my cheek. It was the first time I felt the soft touch of a girl's lips.

"I wouldn't miss it for anything in this world."

I was aware of my father approaching, yet I couldn't bring myself to look away from her. "I saw that," my father said, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "Seems like we'll need to have that talk about girls soon."

"Sure, Dad."

As Amanda faded into the distance, Jonah and Ashley came to join me. Jonah sported a pirate hat, sparking memories of the pirate boy toy back at my house. "So, how did it go?" Ashley asked.

"It went well, thanks," I said, shifting my gaze towards Jonah. "I hope you're feeling better Jonah. Last night was pretty rough."

"Are you kidding? I'm incredibly excited about all these games! Let's try the roulette one next!"

We dove into the festival activities, trying out almost every game we came across. Even amidst the fun and laughter shared with my friends, my mind continually wandered back to her, lingering on the moments we shared.

As day turned into night, we made our way back to our room, my mind still captivated by the time I shared with Amanda. Ashley and Jonah came over to my bed, taking a seat next to me, joining in reflection.

"I had hoped she would have more time to spend at the festival with me, but she never came back. I just wish there was something I could do for her, to maybe give us a little more time together."

"But you do have a way to help her. You have The Godmother's Pen. From my point of view, that gives you the ability to make a significant difference in her life," Jonah said.

"I am going to ask her tomorrow."

"But what about the consequences? What happens if you wish for more time for her?" Ashley asked.

Jonah jumped into the conversation, "Phrase the question like this: If you had the chance to make a wish, what would you wish for? Do you think she'd accept that idea?"

At that moment, The Godmother materialized before us. Ashley, moving from her spot by my bed, embraced The Godmother in a warm hug, welcoming her presence amidst our conversation.

"That was quite the hug, Ashley. I'm pleased to see you've changed your mind about me."

"I had my doubts before, now, you are my favorite."

Jonah glanced around, puzzled, as he observed Ashley hugging what seemed to him like thin air. "She's here, isn't she?"

I nodded, staring at The Godmother.

"I'm here to caution you about the use of the pen. Everyone has their allotted time in this world, and attempting to use the pen to circumvent death could lead to grave consequences."

"So, I can't use the pen to grant Amanda more time?" I asked.

"Time is something we all are destined to lose. How you spend it throughout your life is beyond the pen's influence. Amanda's time is drawing near its end. She has come to terms with her fate, and her soul is prepared for departure. Attempting to change this natural progression could result in more sorrow than joy. Bear in mind, Samuel, that there must be equilibrium in all things."

As soon as The Godmother concluded her message, she disappeared from my sight.

"What did she say, Sam?" Jonah asked.

"Nothing important."

"We should let Amanda decide if she wants the wish or not. I'm going to sleep; you guys should do the same." Ashley said.

I paused to consider The Godmother's warning. Recognizing the dangers of tampering with time, I realized there must be another approach. Initially, when I received the pen, there was only one rule I needed to follow. Yet, what if Amanda's desire is to spend more time with me? Shouldn't her wishes influence the drafting of any wish? For the moment, I opted to conceal the pen, yielding to the exhaustion that enveloped my body.