Whisper

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

142 hours remaining

(Amalric's POV)

Dad had tied Uncle Chili to a cave pillar and had left to go get us dinner. Dad had asked me to keep a watch on Chili until he got back. He had even given me chili's Pokeballs to watch. Simisear refused to go into his Pokeball and instead sat by Uncle's side. His other Pokémon was a complete mystery and I dare not release it in case it was dangerous.

I petted Purrloin, who was curled in my lap, as I studied my uncle. His face twitched and I sat up straight on full alert.

He moaned and shivered. Then he tried to move his arms. When he realized he couldn't, his eyes snapped open and his head whipped around in confusion. His eyes landed on me.

His pupils shrunk and his eyes widened in shock. "C-Cilan!? That can't be! You're...you're dead!"

I calmly watched as he freaked out for a little bit. Then, he looked into my eyes. "...You're not Cilan..."

I rolled my eyes. Brilliant deduction, genius.

"What tipped you off? The fact that I'm darker than him, or was it my hair? Maybe it was that my eyes aren't green? Or perhaps it was the obvious fact that he should be in his thirties now and I'm A FREAKING KID!?"

Chili's red eyes blazed with anger. I knew all about Mom and Dad's past and escape. They had sat me down the day after my tenth birthday and told me everything. They told me that I'd be a man soon enough and they needed me to know just in case. I'm not sure what might happen but I agreed.

"How can you look so much like him?" He growled, before realizing and blurting out, "A-and how do you know who I'm talking about!?"

I snorted in exasperation. "Cilan isn't dead, and I'm his son." I smirked at his flabbergasted face. "So, Uncle Chili, do I have any cousins?"

Chili shook his head. "D-don't call me that. You're not Cilan's son...Cilan is dead...the police pronounced him dea-" I interrupted sharply. "They didn't find the body, did they?"

Chili was silent for a while. "...No..."

I snapped my fingers. "There ya go. You know why they never found his body? Because he's not dead!"

Chili had nothing more to say. His Simisear put his head on Chili's shoulder. Chili leaned into Simisear's ear and opened his mouth, but before he said anything I spoke up. "Uh-uh. Dad already made Simisear there promise not to listen to you in exchange for us feeding you and giving you shelter." Simisear nodded glumly.

Chili shot me the evil eye and looked at his feet. We stayed like this for a while.

Uncle looked back up at me. "So...I have a nephew?" This startled me, I wasn't expecting small talk. Especially not from him.

"Uh, yeah..." I mumbled. I immediately began hating Chili and Cress after Dad told me what they did to him. I hadn't met them, but I hated them. I was right to hate them...

Wasn't I?

Chili tossed me an awkward smile. "May I know the name of my nephew?"

I scratched my head. What is he trying to pull? Is this some kind of trap or trick? Should I tell him?

I stayed silent and Chili sighed and tipped his head back, resting it on the stone pillar. It was quiet in the room for once, until I broke it.

"Amalric..." Chili looked at me quizzically. "Amalric is my name." Chili smiled. "Well, Amalric, I'd shake your hand but..." He looked behind him and laughed. "As you can see, I'm sort of tied up at the moment."

I couldn't help but smile at his joke. I don't get it. I thought Chili was supposed to be a jerk.

That's when Amaria decided to walk in. Purrloin jumped from my lap and stood beside her. Chili looked at Amaria curiously. Ria turned to me and announced, "Ama, Daddy's back with dinner." She then turned to our uncle. "Are you hungry Uncle Chili?"

Chili's stomach growled in response but he ignored it. "I-I have a niece too?" Ria nodded and placed a hand on her chest. "I'm Amaria and this," She swung her hand towards Purrloin. "Is our Purrloin."

Purrloin purred. Dad had brought her home as a baby a few years ago and we had adopted her. Dad doesn't exactly like Purrloins, I haven't the foggiest idea why not, but he said he found her in a small rock crevice. She was shielded but she was still cold. He was going to leave her be but something called out to him, he said,

'It just felt like I was supposed to take her.' So he did and Amaria and I got our Pokémon.

Dad also says that Purrloins are supposed to look devilish and manipulative, but our Purrloin had more of an open-eyed innocence.

Dad joined us, glaring daggers at Chili. Was that a flicker of fear in his eyes?

Chili gasped and looked his brother over. "Cilan?" Dad just continued his slit-eyed stare.

Chili coughed awkwardly. "Amalric and Amaria are both very beautiful children." I furrowed my brow. I wasn't sure how I felt about being called beautiful.

Dad addressed us. "Kids, go eat." I nodded and grabbed Ria's hand, pulling her into the tunnel. I stopped behind a small outcrop of stone and held my hand over Amaria's mouth. I stomped my feet lighter and lighter, making dad believe we were gone.

Then, we listened.