Close The Door

Chapter 15- Compromised Security

All eyes are on Mallow, who is panicking while Lana recoiled in absolute disgust. 'No she didn't,' is all I could think about. The previously happy crowd was now facing her in dead silence. She gulps, sweating. Ash looks at me confused, and Chloe does as well, shocked. I don't know what to say, I don't know what to do. All I can think about is her safety. 'Run.'

Mallow stands up, slowly backing away before running through the shrubbery. Ash calls out to her, while Kiawe goes up to Lana, confused as to what was happening. In a flash, she's gone. My heart races because she mistakenly put herself in jeopardy. Chloe comes up. "Goh, did you know what that was all about?" She asks. I shake my head. I walk towards Lana, who is sobbing in Kiawe's arms.

"Lana, what happened?" I asked. She turns to face me in an instant. "You're girlfriend kissed me!" She shouted, and the world stopped. Suddenly, everyone in the crowd stood up and went out to look for her. It took all my strength to not lose my cool, but I couldn't bear it. "Do you understand what you've done?" Dawn interrupted, speaking on my behalf. Kiawe and Sophocles face Lana, while she looks down at herself, horrified with her decision. She had unknowingly placed a target on her friend.

I run out the door, with Ash and Chloe following close behind me. Everything didn't matter anymore. All I care about now is for Mallow to be safe. There are many places she could've gone to, but one wrong turn and everything was over. "Goh, please," Chloe tries comforting me, but something inside me had snapped. I had enough.

"NO, I WILL NOT CALM DOWN. MALLOW IS OUT THERE, IN DANGER, BECAUSE A STUPID BITCH COULDN'T KEEP HER MOUTH SHUT!" I shouted, instantly regretting the name I called Lana. Ash's face turned white, and Chloe began sobbing. I ran away from them, despite them calling out my name. This time, I wasn't followed. I was completely alone. As I'm running, I'm sending texts to Mallow's phone, hoping she's somewhere secure.

Turn off your phone if you see this. They can track you down.—-

Suddenly, my phone vibrates, and in the same red, scary font from last time's message, I looked like I could cry at any moment. 

'MALLOW, FEMALE, GREEN HAIR, GREEN EYES, ABOUT 5'1", LAST SEEN NEAR THE TEAM ROCKET FRATERNITY.' 

My heart sank, as the target had pretty much reached all of Galar, no, all of the world. Her parents could find out about it. She might not die, but it's still gonna be traumatizing for her. I continue running, thinking of the first place she could possibly be in.

I check near the coffee shop we went to, but was nowhere to be found. The alleyways were empty and the dumpsters were filled strictly with garbage, in case she thought of hiding there. I leave the area. My phone is vibrating from a phone call, but I don't recognize the number. I answer it. "Did you know?" The voice said, sounding raspy and gruff. It was Kiawe.

"So what if I fucking did? I promised I would protect her," I retort. "Don't fucking talk to me that way, it was a simple question," he says angrily, but I don't care to use foul language if it meant I could express how I truly felt. "I don't give two shits, I wouldn't be like this if it weren't for Lana freaking out," I shouted and hung up. He called back until I decided to power my phone off. 'Less distractions,' I think to myself before continuing the search.

My only other option is below Hammerlocke. There were massive amounts of land underneath, but how to get there was tough, since the entire city was basically under lockdown. The industrial elevators were disabled and no one could leave or come in. I had to find another way down there. I scan the area and find a set of stairs that were heavily guarded. I would need a diversion, but didn't know how to proceed. I knew what I could do, but I wouldn't let myself do it. 'Oh well, it has to be done. I'm so sorry Mallow."