Game Over?

The Scream for Help

Game Over?

Chapter Five: The Scream for Help

"Sometimes, you find help in those who you least expect it. But beware, you may also find danger."

Riley had gotten down to the Guild's main floor just as Chatot was bidding Loudred goodnight. The black haired man looked him over before smiling. "So, you managed to make it back without killing each other."

"Yeah," Riley told him and made his way past Chatot. "Bumps and scratches, maybe, but at least we're still alive." I also almost, y'know, died because of that damn Loudred but hey. Whatever, whatever. It's water under the bridge. Dark, murky water under a dirty, broken bridge.

Chatot was about to ask Riley more but the boy disappeared around the corner.

"Oh, I wanted to tell him about the little Anorith they'd found. Oh, well."

XxXxX

Shin's ear twitched. He could hear Riley sighing as the boy tapped his foot on the floor repeatedly. He was nervous. He should be, Shin thought. I'm a force to be reckoned with. He paused, listening to Riley for a bit longer. Okay, maybe I'm not. But he should still be nervous.

The golden eyed boy glanced at Nori, who was sleeping on Riley's bed, checking to see that he wasn't awake. He wasn't, which Shin appreciated very much.

"You can come in, y'know. Your tapping and sighing is getting annoying."

Riley flinched. He didn't say anything as he peeked his head through the door. Carefully, he walked towards Shin and sat on the floor right in between Nori and his friend. Riley never looked up to meet Shin's gaze.

Shin sat up and rested his chin in his hand, staring at Riley's hair covered face. "I'm not mad, if that's what you're thinking. I just want you to stop being stupid." The blue haired teen felt his lips curve upwards slightly. Riley glanced up. He was biting his lip. Shin almost smiled at how vulnerable Riley looked. It was actually kind of cute. "Did you get mad?"

The black haired boy nodded, ears twitching. "Yeah. But Jasmine Town wasn't--I never want to go there again." With Loudred.

"What happened?"

"Nothing. I just got, uh... There were Ghost type Pokemon everywhere." As if he was going to tell Shin about his experience in the water. He was like a walking nature freak. Or was it freak of nature? 'Cause he does freak around nature...

His golden eyed friend grinned. "Was that a stutter I heard? Are you scared of Ghost Pokemon?"

Riley shook his head, flushing lightly. "Uh-uh. Nope, no waaaaay."

"Ha! I knew you were afraid of something!" Shin exclaimed. His excitement woke up Nori and the silver skinned child blinked up at his (stand in) parents.

"Mommy home?" he said, blinking the sleep from his eyes. Riley leaned back so that he could look at Nori. He smiled. The Riolu then felt as though he'd been slapped; he couldn't believe how fast this kid was growing on him. He knew they couldn't take care of him forever, but having the boy around made him feel like he had a family. He didn't care if Nori called him 'mommy' or 'daddy'. Although, he would much rather be called 'daddy'.

"Yeah, I'm back. Sorry for scaring you at dinner."

Nori blinked dully at him. "Hm?"

"Nevermind. Let's go back to sleep."

"Okay, but I wanna sleep next to Mommy."

Shin was too busy paying attention to Nori to see how happy Riley was to have Nori excited to see him. Although, he knew this little kid wouldn't be here that long, he let himself enjoy the moment. He felt like he had something like a family right now. And that was pretty awesome.