The Fallen Goddess

Keep Moving

Walkerton, Indiana...

Valparaiso, Indiana...

Ottawa, Illinois...

Galesburg, Illinois...

Lancaster, Missouri...

City after city, state after state. We keep going and going and going. Sometimes we use cars, and, though I don't like it, sometimes Koreena transports us to a different city.

I've been able to convince her that she is not yet strong enough to travel far distances, but she still insists that short distances will be okay.

It's been a few days since we made up, and we've definitely been warmer towards each other, but it's also a little awkward; it seems that every time we forgive each other, something else screws it up, and I think we're both worried that will happen again.

In Lancaster, Missouri, I find another lawn job, which neither of us has seen in a while due to our constant moving around.

The people want their back yard cleaned and mowed, and when I ask, they say that they will provide the tools. I set out to work, and once I finish an am paid, I go back to where Koreena was waiting.

We begin to walk along the sidewalk, looking for a good hotel as it is late in the day. As we walk and search, Koreena suddenly sighs frustratedly and stops moving.

"I wish I had my full powers!" She exclaims unexpectedly. "We've only managed to hit, what, three states? Three states in five days! If I had my normal abilities, we would be in China already and at the River."

"We just have to keep moving," I respond. "No one has caught up with us yet, and surprisingly, no one has recognized us. Even if it is a bit slow, this process clearly works, so we just have to keep going until we make it to California."

"It's not quite fast enough, though, is it?" Questions a smug sounding voice from behind us.

All I can think is how tired I am of hearing unknown voices from behind.

I turn around, exasperated, expecting to see some random police officer holding us at gun point. But it's not.

He just looks like a normal dude, staring at us as if he knows something we don't.

"Can I help you?" I question with polite words but lacking a polite tone.

"No, but Koreena can," he responds.

And it clicks. I groan loudly.

"One of your brothers?" I ask Koreena. She nods.

"Let go of your little boy toy, Koreena, and just come with me. Everything will be much easier that way," her brother says.

"I don't think so. I've always been stronger than you, and even in this state, I could take you," Koreena spits.

Her brother, who was standing in front of us, suddenly runs as fast as lightning, almost like the Flash, to Koreena's side. He puts his hand on her shoulder.

"Leave him. Believe me, I don't want to do this to either of you, but I have no choice with you, Koreena. Just come with me and Blake can be spared."

There is a pause in which guilt and pain and anxiety hangs in the air like a thick fog. Looking from Koreena to her brother, I suddenly see an opportunity.

Just as Koreena is about to say "okay" I say, "Koreena, tell him that you don't understand! Beg him for forgiveness! He'll listen!

Or least, I assume he will based on what I've seen so far.