Wishing You Well

I remember one day suddenly waking up from endless darkness, not knowing anything about the world. 

I didn’t know who or what I am, I didn’t know how or why I came to be, and I didn’t know what purpose I had in this strange world. 

All I could do was stay where I was, and observe everyday as strange creatures passed by. 

As time passed I started to learn. I learned that the strange creatures who pass by me are called “humans.” I learned that the place I was in was a “village.” But most importantly, I learned that I, according to the humans, was a “wishing well.” 

However, I didn’t really like that. I didn’t like the “humans,” or the “village,” but above all I didn’t like being a “wishing well.” 

Because I was a “wishing well,” those humans would throw little pieces of metal -- “coins,” as they were called -- into me, in order to make a wish that I’m supposed to make come true. However, I don’t know how to make those wishes come true, and to be honest, getting coins thrown into me really hurts. 

So everyday I suffered through the pain of getting coins thrown into me everyday and hearing stupid wishes that I wouldn’t grant even if I could. I almost wanted to kill myself several times, but I couldn’t figure out how. I was overwhelmed by the endless cycle of pointless suffering. 

And then you showed up. 

The six-year-old brat, like a rude barbarian, barged into my little world and rescued me from my loneliness by accidentally tripping and falling into me. 

So totally uncool. 

But despite how scared you were, despite how painful for me to have a full human child fall into me, that was still the most memorable day of my life. 

You annoying brat. 

You curled up and cried from fear at first, but by nightfall you had calmed down, and you began to talk to me like no other humans had done. You told me about your feelings, how you were scared and lonely at first, but felt somehow peaceful and calm later. You told me about your life, about your stupid little worries, and how this life-threatening experience gave you a new perspective on those things. 

Even inside of me, where it was cold, dark, musky, wet, and lonely, you didn’t break down. You were so brave, and even though your talk got a little annoying at times, I enjoyed your company. 

Deep down I longed that you would stay here with me, forever. But I knew that you wouldn’t like that. 

So I made my first wish: 

“I wish that this brat would be rescued by daybreak.” 

By some miracle, my wish was granted. You were saved, and I was once again left alone. 

But you didn’t forget about me. Ever since that day, you started to come and hang out around me. Setting on me, telling me about your day, asking me for advice (even though you know I can’t answer), and even running or jumping on me. You even peed in me once! God I still find that unbelievably disgusting. 

And of course, I knew about all the wishes you made, all the secrets you had. I knew about which girls you liked, which new game you wanted to have, which new super powers you wanted to have… 

It did hurt just as much when you throw coins in, but I’m fine with it. After all, that first wish you made just after you were rescued? It was the first time anyone has made a wish for me. 

But… as time passed on, your visits became less frequent. When you did come, you lacked the same vitality and optimism. Your wishes became more grounded in reality. No more girls or games or super powers, only homework, and tests, and universities. 

Until eventually, you moved away. For university, I heard. 

At first I was happy for you. I was happy that you got into the program you wanted, that you get to pursue your dreams, and that you will lead a good life. But as time passed on, my loneliness and emptiness began to eat away at me. I started longing for your company again, until one day I finally made my second wish. This time, something a lot more selfish: 

“I wish to see that brat again.” 

And by some miracle, my wish was granted again, but not in the way I expected. 

You jumped inside me again, but this time, willingly and without hesitation. You were attempting suicide. 

I was so, so scared then. Scared that I might lose you forever, but even more so, scared that I may be the cause. 

Luckily, I was able to control the water inside me ever so slightly by this point, and I cushioned your fall just enough to save you. 

After waking up, you told me about everything. How you failed at your program, how you were bullied, and how you were dumped. You told me that the suicide was an irrational decision in the heat of the moment, but now that you’ve jumped, you might as well use the peace and calmness I provided you. 

You talked and talked for hours, and this time a lot less annoyingly. I wanted to comfort you, but I couldn’t talk. So I made my third wish: 

“I wish that I could touch this brat. I wish that I could talk to him, that I could comfort him with my own words. I wish… that I could love him.” 

And miraculously, my third wish was granted once again. My consciousness took form as a human girl, and I was able to interact with you. I called some people over to rescue you, and we soon became friends. 

Those were the happiest days of my life. 

I could tell that you developed feelings for me that went beyond friendship, and to be honest, I did the same. However, I couldn’t act on those feelings, nor respond to yours, because I knew that I was temporary. 

My wishes did cost a price. 

It wasn’t as noticeable at first, but by the third time I had confirmed it. Everytime I made a wish, my consciousness would fade a bit. 

Soon, too soon, you had to leave once again, and we bid our farewells. It was a sad moment, but I’m already more than satisfied. 

I returned to my wishing well body, and wished you a successful and happy life. Soon, I began hearing about how great you were doing after you became an artist. I heard that you made an impressive amount of money for such an unstable job. I heard that you gained lifelong friendships that people envied. I heard that you even managed to get famous somehow. 

But I also heard that you never married, or even dated anyone. I could only guess the reason. 

And if my guess was accurate, and I’ve always been good at guessing, then I would hate myself for ruining your future due to my own selfishness. A selfishness that didn’t even pay off. 

You see, due to the scale of my third wish, by this point I was no longer able to maintain consciousness twenty-four seven. The best I could manage was that everytime you came by the town for whatever reason, I always tried to sneak a glance or two. 

My god have you grown. 

But… It will all end soon. 

After all these years, I’ve realized that my existence is based on belief. If people stop believing in me, if people stop throwing coins into me and making wishes, if people abandon me, I will cease to exist. 

And… the news had just come down. They are reconstructing the town, and I’ll probably be abandoned. 

I… won’t be able to go on. 

But… 

Maybe that’s a good thing. 

After all, how lonely would it be if I existed but no one was around? 

It’s just… a bit of a shame that I couldn’t see your life through to the end. 

I remember when you were still very young, and asked me if I was going to be with you forever. You couldn’t hear me, but I said “yes, I will.” 

Guess I’ll have to be a sucky deal-breaker who can’t keep a promise. 

In the days to come, please live happily without me. Find someone else that you can rely on, someone else that gives you peace and calmness, someone else who you can go to when you’re down. 

And… please don’t jump into wells again. Nor pee into them. 

If you do, I’ll come back to haunt you. 

Now… I heard that humans sometimes make “final wishes” before they die. So here are mine: 

I wish you a loving wife, who would support you through your hard time just as I did. 

I wish you adorable kids, who would be just as brave as you were back then, but a lot less reckless. 

I wish you joy. 

I wish you fortune. 

I wish you stableness. 

I wish you peace. 

I wish you love. 

I wish you…  and her…  whoever she ends up being… or him, I don’t judge… a happy ever after. 

I wish that… you would forget about me. Forget all the happy memories that now only act as sorrow. Forget all the emotions you gave me, because as much as I cherish them, they should be given to those around you. Forget what could have been, because it never really could have been. Forget, and forgive, my little selfish mistake, which only caused both of us suffering in the end. 

Forget about me, so that you can let her give you happiness. Forget about me, so that you can give her your 100%. Forget about me, so that you and her can lead a good life without any memories to pull you back. Forget about me, so you can live without regret. 

The news just came down. They are reconstructing the town, and I’ll probably be abandoned. 

I won’t be able to go on. 

But don’t worry, I’ll always be your Wishing Well. 

I remember when you were still very young, and asked me if I was going to be with you forever. You couldn’t hear me, but I said “yes, I will.” 

Even when I’m gone, I’ll keep my promise. 

When you’re sad or lonely, when you’re facing obstacles, when you feel like you need me… I’ll always be there… somewhere… 

Wishing you well.