A Wish for You

Chapter sixteen: knowing what I know now

After Asha and Astra arrived at the kingdom with Valentino, they heard the trumpets along with a crowd of anxious citizens standing near the stage watching guards hang freshly painted Wanted posters.

Yes posters of Asha and Astra, At that moment, Asha and Astra were slipping through the crowd disguised in cloaks, Valentino trotted by Asha's feet, hidden from view, every now and then, Astra put his hand on Asha’s shoulders to reassure her.

Valentino tried to comfort Asha and Astra, too. “You know, all of this is just a bump on the road.” He said. “A gigantically humongous bump in the road.”

“Thank you.” Said Asha. “We have to find Dahlia and the others.”

Onstage, a guard stood over the three townspeople whose wishes had been destroyed. They sat grief-stricken, their shoulders slumped. “Look at these poor people!” Declared the guard. “Asha and the star stole and destroyed their wishes! She must pay!”

The crowd erupted with surprise.

“Asha?” A girl in Asha's age.

“Is that true?” A man said.

“She seemed so sweet.” A woman said.

Suddenly, Asha and Astra spotted the teens standing near the stage, they looked just as bewildered as the rest of the crowd.

“They say her family’s gone missing.” Safi said.

“I bet Astra killed them and took Asha.” Offered Gabo reveling in the drama of the moment.

Astra's throat tightened. How could Gabo think such awful things?

But Dahlia looked skeptical. “This whole thing feels wrong.” She murmured.

Just as Asha approached the teens, a streak of green magic shot out from the curtains at the back of the stage, the streak morphed into a pair of sinister hands, poised to grab the townspeople below, As the citizens cowered in fright, Magnifico swaggered onto the stage, he waved his new staff, sucking the green magic back inside.

Magnifico gave a cruel laugh. “Ha! Your faces! It's okay, you’re okay, it's just a play on light!”

Relieved, the crowd began to clap and cheer.

Behind Magnifico, Queen Amaya and Lord Alzir stepped cautiously onstage and took their seats, Asha saw the queen’s furrowed brow and trembling hands, Astra noticed, too, then they heard a mouse chatting underfoot.

Asha and Astra exchanged a look, somehow, Astra knew just what Asha was thinking, as Astra set off to enlist the mouse’s help, Asha whisperer. “Discreetly!” She held a finger to her lips.

Onstage, Magnifico revealed I'm the spotlight. “You are all probably wondering why you are here.” He said. “Yes, there’s savage teenagers running around destroying wishes, but guess who bravely came forward and identified her?”

As the curtains parted again, a burly, ginger-haired boy stepped out, Asha sucked in her breath.

“Give a big cheer for Simon O’Donoghue!” Announced the king.

Dahlia and the others gasped.

“Simon, why.” Asha said, how could her friend betray her like that.

While the astonished crowd began to clap, Simon shielded his eyes from the bright lights, we walked slowly towards Magnifico as if afraid to get too close.

“Believe me, I am surprised as you are,” Said the king, quieting the crowd, he put his arm around Simon. “I know, our sleepy little Simon here. No need to be nervous, Simon, be proud! Show us your joy!”