Light in the Dark

CHAPTER 6: Escape

The funny thing about dead bodies is that even though they look like the one you love, you can tell it's not them anymore.  You can tell that they are not here anymore.  As I stared at the kindergartner's body, I felt numb.  Now, this may be because I was still drenching wet from the storm that came out of no where.  However it probably had more to do with not knowing what to do now.  For some reason I could not cry, I knew I should, that's what you're supposed to do when someone dies, right? 

Lost in thought, I did not hear the pair of footsteps approach me.

"Did I not warn you, dumb child." A familiar voice said behind me.  I did not turn, I already knew who it was.  I did not respond.  A forceful hand grabbed the underside of my arm and wrenched me to my feet.  "Steven."  said Maxi, forcing my weight onto  a stranger.  I did not bother to look, my eyes were locked on the pink haired boy's lifeless body.  

"What are we going to do? She said.." The stranger huffed, struggling to keep me right side up as I was not being very cooperative at the moment. 

"Nevermind that." Maxi snapped. "We were tardy to the scene and there is nothing we could do about it but take care of the mess and continue as planned."  As he said this he grabbed a pokeball from his belt and through it into the air.  When he caught it again a large pokemon stood in front of us waiting a demand: Camerupt. 

Maxie squatted next to the body and patted it down.  Finding nothing, he took out a knife and grabbed a scruff of pink hair from the back of his head.

"What are you..." I choked out as he cut a small chunk of hair off of the child.  After he did this he stood and turned away.  With that, and an utter from his lips, the world caught on fire.  

Have you ever been suffering so much, that you can't make any noise no matter how hard you try? Your throat dries up and suddenly you forget how how words, or any sounds are formed.  There is only pain, demanding to be felt.  My eyes burned as the stranger picked me up in his arms and began walking away from the blaze.  All I could do was stare as all that was left of my brother burned behind me. My heart reached out to the fire, to the relief from the pain.

Not again. This is... I can't. please.. Not again.

Fat, hot tears rolled down my face, blurring my vision.  

"You're gonna be okay now." My stranger assured me. "Yeah, everything is fucked up now, but you know what? Somehow it always will be, but you're going to be okay." 

"You're wrong." I choked through the pain, tearing my eyes away from the flame and burying them in his shoulder. "What am I supposed to do now? I've lost everything."

The man chuckled. "Well, despite what it looks like, you seem to have a working body.  A head on your shoulders, both arms, both legs.  So get up walk, move forward. Maybe later though."

"I hate to interrupt your conversation," Maxie barked sarcastically, "however, now it is time to be quiet as I believe our pursuers have caught up to us."  The two men pressed themselves against against a wall.  Having no idea where we were, and particularly not caring, I buried my face into my strangers neck.  He smelled like an oran berry. 

"It appears one of us must make a stand. Take the girl to the ship, I will be close behind." Maxie directed. Steven hesitated.

"Are you sure? They seemed higher than gym leader level." 

"Do not underestimate me. Get her to the ship. Now. I will take care of this." Maxie said as he walked away in the direction of the impending threat. 

The stranger set me down against the wall, holding my shoulders so I would not fall.  I got my first good look at him. He had jade hair and liquid blue eyes with an angular face.  He was dressed rather nicely for the occasion in a suit and a weird red tie that I could not remember was called. 

"Can you hold yourself up?" He asked. I nodded. "Good, because I'm going to need you to be more than a ragdoll for a little bit." He reached into his jacket at pulled out a pokeball. " Do you trust me?" He grinned curiously as he grew the ball from pocket size to actual size. I nodded once more. He looked at my for a moment then smiled. "Let's see if that stays the same after this." Throwing the ball into the air, a giant Metagross appeared before us. "Stand up Ember." The stranger demanded, holding out his hand. 

Taking his hand I asked, " How do you know that?" 

"Know what?" He said pulling me up.

"My name." I choked.

"Another time. Maybe when we aren't in immediate danger."

"Can I know something else then?" I whispered quietly, standing on my own for the first time in what seemed like forever.  My knees buckled beneath me and I began to make my decent to the earth. 

Quickly grabbing me, and pulling me into his arms he responded, "And what exactly might that be?"

"What is... name?" I stuttered as his face was very close to mine, I blushed.

"Steven." He said, somehow getting us both sitting on top of the giant steel type. " Now hang on, Ember."

And with that, we flew away into the night.