Captured

Tricky Traveling

"I am so dead. I am so dead," Torri muttered for about the thousandth time. She glared at the dirt road beneath her feet like she was trying to pave it with her eyes.

"Stop worrying about it," I reassured her. "We'll be fine! As soon as we meet up with Professor Birch we'll be in good hands, and neither of our parents can get mad at you."

"I was specifically instructed to keep you two in Littleroot Town," she deadpanned. "We are in an entirely different region."

"It's no big deal! Kanto is one of the safest regions nowadays, from what I've heard anyhow," Sapphire chimed in, significantly more cheerful than either of us.

Don't get me wrong, I was as enthusiastic as she was for our little adventure, but Torri's determination to be a wet blanket was getting on my nerves.

"Come on. We're almost at Oak's house! We'll find Sapphire's dad, get your little problem fixed, and we'll all be home before anyone even realizes we left."

"I bet we can get Dad ta pretend it was his idea!"

"If we actually find him first." Torri hesitated, studying the thick trees around the path with a crease between her brows. The sky, although partially visible, had been slowly darkening over the last little while.

She opened her mouth to speak, but I beat her to it.

"If you ask 'Are you sure this is the right way?' one more time, I will redecorate you entire house."

She mock gasped in shock. "Not my entire house!"

"I'm serious, Torri," I protested as Sapphire broke started giggling. "Stop doubting me! Have I ever led you astray?"

She and Sapphire exchanged one of those frustrating looks that girls give each other all the time.

"That's not fair," I protested. "You two always gang up on me!"

"Actually, this time you got directions from other people," Torri said. "It's them I'm doubting, not you."

"Oh, perfect. That's so much better."

"You really are worryin' too much," Sapphire said. "There's only one Professor Oak, right? And that guy at the PokeMart seemed ta know what he was talkin' 'bout."

"'Oak? Purdy sure ther's an Oak up at Ver-idian City,'" I quoted, not quite exaggerating the backwoods accent.

"The likeness is uncanny," Torri deadpanned, while Sapphire yet again lost herself in giggles.

"That guy was a little sketchy, I admit, but that wasn't the only person we've asked for directions," I said. "Most of them seem to agree he's up in Viridian City, near the gym."

"Maybe he works with the Gym Leader for research," Torri mused.

"Hey! I'm pretty sure thatsa house up ahead!" Sapphire was already halfway up the trail, somehow.

"Wow, she is *fast*," Torri said. We both quickened our pace to catch up. 

A small yellowish house became just visible through the thick wall of trees.

"You're 100% sure Birch is at Oak's house, right?" Torri muttered.

"Yes, Torri. No need to stress about it." I grinned at her confidently. "It'll all work out! Just you wait."

"Sorry, sorry. I don't mean to worry all the time, but my brain tends to focus on worst-case-scenarios."

"It's okay to live spontaneously a little every once in a while, y'know? Let loose."