Pokémon: Out of the Woods | A Galar, Unova & Sinnoh Fanfiction

Chapter 37: The Likeness

When night fell in the Orrean desert, there was a faint chorus that could be calming or unsettling, depending on how travellers felt: the rush of shifting sands, the rattle of the arms of Maractus as they were gently nudged by the night wind and the occasional cries of prey captured by Pokémon that hunted through the night, like Sandile. Those Pokémon themselves moved silently.

In the hearts of desert settlements like Quartz Town, there were the added sounds of occasional rumbling wheels, crying babies and barking Poochyena. The suburbs were usually silent because the houses were so far apart.

Jamie hated people, but he also came to hate absolute silence. The house he bought was in a central, well-populated area. That didn't mean the slightest noises wouldn't wake him up. That night, there wasn't only a barking Poochyena, but a hooting Rowlet belonging to a neighbour's child who thought Perry was the coolest Trainer ever. The Poochyena woke Jamie. The Rowlet kept him awake.

Raidne remained fast asleep after her husband disappeared from their bed. Her paranoia was as severe as his, but she felt so safe with him that as long as they were together, it didn't bother her. He heard Nick crying in one of the spare rooms. Whether he was also woken by the Poochyena or another nightmare, Jamie had no idea, but Galatea's gentle singing eventually sent him back to sleep. Delphina was actually snoring. She was exhausted after two consecutive 12-hour shifts thanks to a resignation. The new job of a Pokémon Ranger was highly desirable thanks to the Orre League's promotion, but it was much more difficult than people expected. That wasn't the first resignation and it wouldn't be the last.

The door to Amber and Trip's room was open, although Leon was still snoring. He joined Abbey when she came to help Jamie mark papers over the summer break. She was already in the study. Her elderly Cinderace, whose walking stick leaned against the desk, stared glumly at the piles of papers that never seemed to shrink. It cheered up a little when Jamie released his Flareon. Those two got on well.

Abbey didn't ask why Jamie was awake. She only passed him the next paper. He appreciated that. The stereo was switched on, playing Alfie's live covers that Abbey recorded, but it was barely audible beneath the Rowlet's incessant hooting and the wind that began to rattle the window shutters. Even Victor missed Alfie. He used to play bass in his band. The recordings were tinny and, at times, only screaming fans were audible or Victor's microphone was too loud, but Abbey seemed to prefer those to the official albums.

Jamie's phone rang. It was always set to 'do not disturb,' but there were four exceptions: Raidne, Heather, Perry and Delphina. Perry had never called. Raidne and Delphina rarely had any reason to, since they all lived together. Heather called her dad to chat, or to update him since she arrived in Galar, but it was always at a convenient time in Orre. She never called when it was the middle of the night there. Jamie and even Abbey knew before he answered that something was wrong.

'What's up?'

'I...'

Heather usually spoke confidently and clearly. Her voice was barely audible then. Abbey switched the stereo off.

'I didn't want to worry you, but...'

'What happened?'

Someone was there with Heather. They asked if she would have preferred them to explain.

'I want to hear it from Garnet. Who are you?'

'I'm Vega Mahpiya Chihiro, Turffield's Gym Leader. I was patrolling the Wild Area and found her looking quite off-colour. I've already rung the International Police.'

'What happened, Garnet?'

'You can call me Heather, Dad... she knows. She's a good guy.'

It took a while for Heather to collect and arrange her thoughts, but gradually, she told Jamie everything that happened. He waited until she stopped speaking to comment.