Simple Movements

Chapter 9

-Godmother-

"...of course I do"

The alleyway was littered with the aftermath of a failed chase, garbage cans and debris scattered at Riku's feet as he stood with his back to a wall and face etched with a look of guilt. Pocahontas was hunched low on the ground, face in her hands and tears that were nowhere near stopping. Her sobs were quiet, yet they clearly conveyed the pained emotions coursing through her. Riku couldn't offer her any words that would remedy the situation. After all, it was his fault her necklace was stolen in the first place.

"We should head back," Riku said kicking a piece of trash. "It's getting dark."

Pocahontas didn't answer right away but got back to her feet. She sniffled slightly and wiped away at her eyes. "But we haven't found anything out."

"It doesn't matter. At this point, we're walking blind. I don't know what to expect once night comes around."

She held onto her shoulders and shook her head. "We didn't come all this way to turn back around."

Riku could see she was trying to keep strong despite what had happened, and it was only making him feel worse. "I'm really sorry."

"It's okay…I'll get over it."

The necklace was the last memento left to Pocahontas by her mother. A family heirloom past among the women of her family, it was an ancient treasure that with the fall of her royal title meant little, but the sentimental value was unfathomable. She wore it every day in memory of her mother, a kind and gentle woman that had lost her life much too early on. Pocahontas remembered very little about her, but the memories and warmth it brought was soothing. She knew it was caressed and infused with her mother's love.

"Come on, let's get out of this alley," he said extending a hand.

There was a loud ruckus when they made their way back to the merchant street. Pocahontas stayed close to Riku as they walked through the crowds, the multitude of conversations and whispers blending into a chaotic jumble.

"Did you hear?"

"What happened?"

"There was an explosion? What caused it?"

"Behind the walls? Are you sure?"

"The police and government are all up in arms. Nothing like it has happened before."

"Serves them right, a little suffering won't hurt them."

"They died? Who was it?"

"Riku, what's going on?" Pocahontas asked with her voice elevating to a state of worry.

"I don't know. You have your phone though, if something happened it should be on the news."

Pocahontas slipped a hand into her jeans pocket and retrieved her cell phone. They both looked at the screen as she pulled up a national news site bombarded with images of fire and smoke filling the skies.

"Two dead in a mysterious car crash within the walls. Police officials are not disclosing any information, but from the clear fact that members from The Council office of Destiny Islands were present moments after the scene, it is speculated those dead had ties to the organization. We will be bringing the latest information as it becomes available. This is the first time such a tragedy has occurred in Destiny Islands, let alone within the walls."

Riku felt the tips of his fingers growing numb. He continued reading over whatever he could on the cell screen before taking a step back. Pocahontas placed a hand on his arm.

"Are you okay?"

"Don't you think it's odd? Two Council officials dead?"

"You're not thinking-"

"The Scripture Readers that talked to me at school."

She placed her phone back in her pocket. "Come on Riku, we don't know anything at all."

He could feel the prickling sensation in his fingertips carrying upwards. "I know, I know, but I'm getting this really bad gut feeling about it."

"I'm sure it's nothing. There's no reason to stress out about it."

Her presence calmed him, yet there was that nagging feeling still bubbling in the pit of his stomach. It was dark already and they weren't a single step closer to finding out about anything pertaining to Sora. Riku's frustration was growing for having nothing to show for their travels and for the loss of Pocahontas' necklace. He eyed the long merchant street, the crowds still abuzz with the news that was surely traveling all over the capital island. With night, every breath he took felt icy.

"Let's go home Pocahontas, we can't do anything else today."

A shadow walked past Riku, a whisper being fed into his ear.

"Watch yourself, there's been someone following you."

"Did you see that?"

She furrowed her brow slightly. "I didn't catch it did that person say something to you?"

"He said someone was following us."

Pocahontas gripped Riku's arm that much tighter. "Oh god, what now?"

He didn't give it a second thought and began a brisk walk. They worked their way back through the paths they had taken earlier in the day, carefully watching over their shoulders any time they heard the faintest of sounds. There was little light that offered them guidance and so they stumbled every so often as they traveled. They went past the same broken down houses, the empty lots now housing open barrels with burning fires, several sets of people gathered around them basking in the heat it provided.

"I can't imagine waking up every day to this," she said taking a flight of stairs into an elevated street, "Sora must be strong to be able to deal with this uncertainty."

"It's why he was the way he was when I met him. He was harsh and cold. Every word out of his mouth was laced with this…anger. At first, I thought he was just some punk, but then I realized while he was eating that night…maybe it was his way of coping."

Pocahontas smiled when the metal fence separating the outskirts came into view. "You wouldn't know he was anything like that now. The Sora you introduced me to is kind. He cares about you. I'm sure what you and your family have done for him is the first act of kindness he's experienced. Part of me doesn't blame him for what he did to himself. If I were him, I wouldn't want to remember something like this if it was an aspect of my everyday life. It'd be too painful."

They stopped before the massive chain fence. "But you wouldn't be 'you' anymore."

Pocahontas stood in front of Riku. "If you didn't have your three wishes, would you be any different than the person you are now? You've lived your life having them, yet you've never felt superior because of them. It didn't change you. I can't say the same for anybody else. You'd be Riku with or without those wishes."

The numbing sensation in his fingers coursed throughout him, every hair on his body suddenly prickling. He felt a set of eyes, carefully turning to find the owner hiding in the shadows. He placed a protective arm in front of Pocahontas.

"Who's there?"

The figure stepped out from hiding, his attire elegant and face hidden behind a white mask. Riku immediately recognized the distinct dark green color of the man's uniform. He remained where he was, still in a protective stance and waiting for an answer to his question. The man held out a gloved hand and made a circular motion.

"I mean you no harm, but I have to take precautions."

Green threads shot from his hand, encircling Riku and Pocahontas and swirling upwards in a vortex. The threads solidified into a glowing chain and snaked its way behind Riku and Pocahontas. They latched themselves to the orbs on their necks before disappearing. The two friends had no idea what was going on.

"What did you do? Who are you?

The man retracted his hand and slid it over his face, the mask dissolving. "I'm an officer of The Council."

"I could tell that much, just what the hell is going on?"

Pocahontas slid her fingers over the orb on her neck and was alarmed when she felt its surface cold as ice. "Riku, my orb…"

"I couldn't risk you using your wishes, so I temporarily silenced them."

Riku's eyes went wide. "You silenced them? What does that even mean?"

The man had olive colored skin and jet black hair. "By The Council's blessing, I am given authority to prevent citizens from using their wishes. It's the power given to those that enforce The Council's orders. My name is Aladdin, a Wish Enforcer. I was sent out upon the death of the two Scripture Readers you've already met."

Riku's gut feeling was right. "So it was them that died. What exactly do I have to do with all of this? First those two come to my school asking weird questions, and now this?"

Aladdin produced a book from his green blazer and flipped it open. "Before they died, Scripture Reader Eric entered his report into the Lexicon, a network that connects directly to The Council. This is used when crucial information is needed to be sent and it can't wait to be transmitted via a Scripture Readers computer system at headquarters. From the report, it was established that a certain individual you have been housing in your home, is the root of a strange spike in the wishing flow of Destiny Islands."

Riku swallowed, "Sora…"

The olive skinned man nodded. "That is the name given in the report. Due to the circumstances surrounding this matter, anybody in connection to him has been asked to comply as we investigate it further. And so, my reasoning for being here is to escort you to our branch of The Council's office."

He reached behind his neck and felt the cold feeling Pocahontas had mentioned. Were all these precautions necessary? What exactly did Sora do? All of these things that were happening, none of it made sense. Riku was simply trying to help him out, but he was sinking further and further into something that went beyond his understanding. He stood there unknowing of just how complicated everything was about to become.

"Your family members are waiting. They have already been picked up by other officials."

That's when Riku felt his insides churning. "This is ridiculous."

"Riku, don't," Pocahontas whispered tugging on Riku.

"Just who do you think you are?"

Aladdin sensed Riku's anger and waved his hand over his face again, the white mask reappearing. "You are in no position to argue or resist. By The Council's orders, you must comply."

"Bullshit!" Riku spat out, "You leave my parents alone, if you have some kind of problem with me then leave them out of it!"

"That can't be done. As I stated, anyone with connections to the individual Sora is to surrender to us."

He could feel Pocahontas shaking at his side, her eyes clearly conveying the fear that was rising within them both. Riku ran his finger along his wishing orbs, but the heat wasn't there.

"Damn it…"

Aladdin performed another circular motion with his hand. "By The Council's authority, Genie of the Lamp, bind them!"

A streak of light flashed behind him as a massive form took shape bearing blue skin and shackled with golden bracelets. The hulking, muscular man lunged forward, forcing Riku to throw himself over Pocahontas' smaller figure.

"Bibbidi, bobiddi, boo!"

A frenzy of vines erupted from the ground, ensnaring the Genie mid-flight. He struggled with the organic chains holding him. Riku had his eyes closed, but Pocahontas looked beyond his protective embrace to see a woman in robes. She held a sparkling, thin white wand in her grasp, her arms flailing in a rhythmic motion as if orchestrating the struggle between the vines and the Genie. Riku looked back, witnessing the strange spectacle.

"Genie, break free and bind that woman!"

Riku felt something tugging at his pant leg and when he looked down he was surprised to see the little thief that had taken Pocahontas' necklace.

"What are you doing-"

"Shut up and follow me, she'll keep him busy."

"Give me back my mother's necklace!" Pocahontas belted out reaching for the little girl.

Lilo stuck her tongue out, "Just follow me!"

"Why should we trust you?"

Lilo shook her head. "If you haven't noticed, Godmother is risking herself for you guys. If you won't trust me, then trust her."

Riku and Pocahontas looked at one another, silently agreeing. They sped off with Lilo out in front, leaving behind the elderly woman to fend off the Wish Enforcer. Aladdin saw them running off, but was unable to focus his attention on the group when he was trying to free Genie from Godmother's constricting vines.

"How dare you interfere with The Council's orders!"

Godmother twirled on her feet, elevating her wand. "Not much of a challenge, are you the best they have to offer?"

Aladdin was gritting his teeth. "Don't push me."

He slammed a fist to his chest, producing a rippling white light. From it, he began pulling out the hilt of a scimitar. Aladdin let out a yell, unsheathing the dangerous looking sword before barreling forward and slicing away at the vines. Godmother fell back, summoning another set of vines that created a wall between them.

"Salagadoola mechicka boola!"

The wall of vines came crashing down like a tidal wave. Aladdin couldn't stop the onslaught and disappeared before the enormity of Godmother's power.

"Put em' together and what have you got…"

Her vines disappeared, a passed out Aladdin lying sprawled out on the ground. Godmother carefully walked up to him and stood with her wand at his eye level. She sighed, looking upwards as she pulled a cigarette from within her robes of periwinkle blue. Godmother placed it between her lips and with the sparkling tip of her wand, lit the end. She twirled her wand, taking in an intake of smoke.

"I'm sorry my boy, but you're a thousand years too young to go one on one with this old bag of bones."

Riku didn't know how he had managed to keep up with Lilo earlier that day as she was leaps and bounds ahead of them. They were once again in the depths of the outskirts, their pursuer nowhere to be seen and allowing them a much needed sigh of relief. Pocahontas was dragging behind, and Lilo was taking every chance to tease her.

"Don't you want that necklace back? You'll never get it at this rate."

Pocahontas flared her nostrils, eyes veering at the little girl. "You little brat."

They eventually reached a small broken down house, the front door ajar and a fire crackling in the stove. Lilo skittered right up to it and held out her hands.

"Dinner will be ready soon, so warm up while the fire is still going."

Riku looked around the small space but found nothing of particular interest. A few pans hung overhead, a faulty sink faucet dripping away in a pitter patter in an odd harmony with the crackling of the stove fire. Lilo sat down and was busily combing her doll's hair. Riku noticed Pocahontas' necklace hanging around the doll's baggy neck.

"Will you give the necklace back?"

He heard Lilo do a 'hmph' before repeating his demand. "Please, will you give it back? It's very important to Pocahontas."

Lilo undid the clasp and held it behind her. Pocahontas didn't waste a second and scooped the precious shell necklace into her hands. She held it to her chest, a tear falling from her eyes before being dabbed away. Riku inched closer and allowed the fire to seep into his skin. Pocahontas was a bit more hesitant and stood back, cradling her treasure.

"Who was that back there?" he asked

"That's Godmother."

He flicked a strand of silver away from his face. "Has she always been able to do that?"

She looked up from her seat, smiling at Riku. "It's cool, isn't it? Godmother is really strong."

"But what is it?"

"Magic."

Lilo and Riku looked to Pocahontas, the raven haired woman now donning her necklace. "She was using magic."

"How do you know that?" he replied with an arched brow.

"I don't," she said shaking her head, "But how else do you explain what just happened? Her and that Wish Enforcer, they were using magic."

Lilo nodded, giving Pocahontas a thumbs up. "You should see what she does with the mice around here."

Riku felt the back of his neck and to his relief the warmth in the orbs had returned. If he had to guess, this Godmother had managed to fend him off if it meant the restriction was removed. He motioned for Pocahontas to check and she too felt the warmth at the base of her neck. Lilo's cheerful face weakened slightly, her eyes watching the glittering green orbs.

"Alright! Who's ready for dinner?"

The voice came booming through the small house, alarming Riku for a moment. The elderly woman came waltzing in, removing her robes and quickly carrying herself over to the kitchen. A series of clinks could be heard as she brought out chipped plates and different sized forks from a cabinet.

"I'm glad we made it back in time, the fish should be just about done."

She came over to the stove area, a cigarette still dangling from her lip. "Lilo go grab the cups from the counter while I set up the plates."

Lilo scurried away, disappearing into the kitchen and leaving Riku and Pocahontas to watch as Godmother set up a table with a missing leg. They were watching in odd fascination, this elderly woman who only moments ago was performing something they had never seen before. Just what was she and where did things go from here? Godmother wasn't oblivious to the stares and cocked an eye at them.

"What? Is there something on my face?"

Riku blinked. "No, nothing."

"Then what's with the look? Is this how you treat someone that is offering you dinner?"

He scratched the back of his head, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean any offense."

"Good, now sit down."

Lilo came scrambling back and nearly dropping the collected handful of cups. Riku and Pocahontas carefully sat down next to one another as Godmother began plating the fish that had been cooking. Riku looked over the table, realizing that there was an extra plate. Godmother and Lilo sat down, clasped their hands together and closed their eyes.

"We give thanks for the food provided to us this day, may the souls of those that have passed continue to protect us as we continue into tomorrow."

Godmother sighed, lighting up another cigarette and turning her head away to blow a stream of smoke.

"Room for one more?"

Riku looked up from his plate to find Sora standing at the door. He felt his chest swelling, his breath hitching in his throat. But the eyes that looked back at him, the kind eyes he had seen for the past few weeks, they were different yet again. Sora craned his neck, raising a brow at Riku.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

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