Spooky

Chapter 11

{Author's Note: Hey hi hello, sorry it's been a while, but midterms (+ the preparation leading up to them) took up all my time, jesus christ. I've been so ridiculously busy this year and it's irritating...
Attached image has absolutely no relevance but I doodled it a while ago because I was really stressed out and I think it's rather cute so there you go.}

-Shadow's POV-

Tires screech across the pavement as Scourge turns another corner way too sharply, and I let out a cheerful whoop, arms wrapped firmly around his chest. We've been just driving around the city for about thirty minutes, hitting random PokéStops, annoying old people, and just generally enjoying ourselves. Way more fun than sitting in class could ever be, I think gleefully as I turn my head to my left, watching all the buildings whizz past in a blur; Scourge chuckles appreciatively, turning another corner, then gradually coming to a stop somewhere. I lift my head and let go, brushing errant fur out of my mouth, curious. "Hey, where are we?" I ask, leaning over his shoulder slightly in an attempt to look at him.

Scourge answers my question with another question, twisting to look at me as he kills the engine and flips the kickstand into place. "You hungry?"

Blinking, I frown. "Sort of... but what if someone we know sees us? Or, rather, someone who knows we should be in school."

He grins. "Nah, don't worry. These people won't know or care—they know me."

"Why is that not comforting," I reply in flat monotone as he gets off the bike. He laughs, jamming his hands in his pockets, and I follow him, looking around. This part of town is older, well-worn. Red bricks crumble slightly under the weight of time and countless spring rains, the pavement is cracked—though it's not like a minefield, where you're not sure if your next step will end with you flat on your ass—from harsh relentless summer suns, and everything seems so sleepy. This place has lived a long life, and it's still kicking, yet with a relaxed vibe. An I've survived worse, this is no big deal vibe. It's strangely comforting, because even as we start walking down a darker alleyway, a summery reddish glow pervades, as if it's emanating from the building walls themselves. It's probably only a bit past noon, and the sun is directly overhead; strange shadows are cast by rusting fire escapes and laundry hanging from clotheslines several stories above. I look up. A complex tangle of metal, bright fabrics and thin ropes connect the two buildings beside us, keeping the sunlight from being too harsh. This place looks vaguely like a neighborhood, so why are we here? "Scourge, seriously," I hustle to catch up, falling into step beside him, "where are we?"

"Relax," he answers with an irritating calm. "There's a really neat little coffee shop a little ways ahead. Figured we might as well drop by since we're here already."

"Ah," I reply, shoving my hands in my jacket pocket too. He walks confidently forward, and I trail along behind him, eying our surroundings all the while. I've never actually skipped school before, to be honest, so I don't exactly...know how this works. I'm not even sure what would happen if we got caught. Suspension, most likely, detention, or maybe even getting expelled, I don't know. It won't be good, that's for sure, but as I glance over at Scourge, I decide it isn't important to me. I have nigh-on-perfect grades, a good track record, et cetera, et cetera; they won't kick me out, even though I'm here with Scourge of all people. Who would have imagined the two of us hanging out? Who could've thought we'd ever be friends? I'll admit, he was pretty annoying at first, honestly, and for a while I figured he just wanted to use me—I'm still scared of that, but no more so than I am of anyone else I know pulling the same shit—but anyways, he seems...pretty cool, actually. A little scrambled, maybe even a little damaged, but aren't we all, in one way or another?