Lost

Chapter 17

- 12:35pm: some forest-

We'd been walking forever, three weeks I think. I started wondering if we were lost or if we were off track.
"I'm hungry..." I mumbled softly to myself.
My paws were hurting so much that I couldn't feel them, all I could feel was numbness and the occasional slight pang of pain now and then.
We all were tired.
I grunted, suddenly, I closed my eyes for a second.
Fump!
I heard a gasp or two when my face hit the grassy floor.
"Eevee!" Jake called, racing past someone the others behind us to reach me. Everyone stopped it seemed.
"Is she okay?" I heard Grace ask, her icy presence calming me down. It was hot out here, I didn't understand how Grace could stand this heat.
"Come on kid, get up." Jess told me, nudging me with her muzzle.
"I can't.." I replied to their calls, the words slipping out of my mouth like sand. I tried to get up, but it felt like a force was holding me down; but nothing was above me.
"What's the holdup?" Shadow asked, stepping forward, Isabelle by his side.
"Eevee fainted a think." Jake whimpered, sniffing me over.
"No, she just passed out. Exhaustion." Genevieve corrected.
"Is she-" Jake asked, but Genevieve interrupted.
"She'll be fine. She just needs a lot of rest." Genevieve looked at Shadow.
"Then what do you propose we do? I don't want to slow our pace but.." Shadow trailed off, but stoped then looked at Genevieve, at this point at least my face wasn't on the floor anymore.
"I see. Very well then. Attention everyone! We are to rest here tonight." Shadow turned to everyone else, I heard sighs of relief at the sound of the news.
"Thank goodness! My paws are killing me!" Rose perked up.
"Let's begin setting up camp then. Isabelle, how long till sunset?" Shadow asked, turning towards her.
Isabelle looked at the sun, then at Shadow.
"I say about six hours." Isabelle responded.
I didn't understand what she meant exactly, but it seemed that Shadow did.
"Okay, then we should start gathering supplies, then we need to start building beds for us." Shadow nodded in thanks, turning to us next.
"Alright. Grace and Jess, you both will be gathering materials that we mighty needs for our beds. Steer at the north side of the forest." Shadow signaled towards the trees in front of the group.
"You got it boss!" Jess and Grace said in unison before running in the forest.
"Matt, you will accompany Rose on the west side of the forest to gather food for tonight, you might as well get extra for the journey ahead tomorrow." Shadow told the pair.
"Got it." Matt nodded respectfully bounding off into the forest, Rose behind him.
"Matt wait for me! You don't want to be  wandering around without adult supervision!" I heard Rose call from behind.
"ROSE!!" Matt shouted in frustration.
"As for you Isabelle, you will come with me. We'll start gathering herbs for tomorrow's journey." Shadow started walking toward the forest.
"Hold on Shadow, shouldn't that be my job? You couldn't tell the difference between a pecha and a mago berry even if you tried." Genevieve teased, walking towards the pair.
" You're right Genevieve, I apologize. You, Isabelle and Jake will look for herbs and berries in the west side." Shadow corrected.
"But Shadow, wouldn't it be better if you come with us? Jake can watch Eevee alone." Isabelle suggested.
I tensed up, although Jake was strong enough to fend for himself, the thought just bothered me, I don't know if it was the dream I had a while ago. But I didn't want to be alone with him.
"Isabelle, we don't know what lurks in this forest. It's best if at least one of us stays behind." Shadow responded, Jake looked disappointed, a glimmer of anger in his eyes.
"As you wish. Let's go" Isabelle growled, turning with Jake and Genevieve and walking into the forest.
"Are you sure you can watch me alone?" I asked him.
"Alone? Eevee you haven't forgotten have you? Teddiursa's here as well." Shadow reminded, at the mention of his name, Teddiursa ran over here.
"Something you guys need?" He asked, tilting his head.
"No, but thanks for the offer." Shadow happily responded.
"Sorry, I was spacing out, there are so many smells here! So much food! Berries! I-" Teddiursa stopped, sniffing the air.
"What is it?" I ask him.
"I smell something, be right back." Teddiursa bounded into the forest.
"Wait! Teddiursa!" Shadow cried. But Teddiursa had already ran off.
"Eevee stay here. I'll be back before you know it." Shadow told me.
"Don't move." He strictly told me.
"Yes.. sir." I responded, watching Shadow follow Teddiursa into the woods.

-1:59pm: some forest-

I woke up for my nap, stretching to see that no one had returned, not even Shadow.
I sighed, I hated being alone.
My ears perked up at the sound of shouting.
I squinted my eyes to see a Pokémon running towards me.
"Huh?" I said, looking closer to see a Buneary.
Looking closer, she was crying.
I got up, I felt better, but I still felt that I couldn't run.
I watched as she approached me, her eyes filled with tears.
She collapsed, I gasped and slowly padded towards her, looking at her ears, her face buried in her paws, her legs were bruised.
"Are you okay?" I asked in a soothing tone.
The Buneary sniffed and looked at me.
"No.. I'm not..." She wept.
"What happened? Why were you running? You look hurt." I asked, concerned for this stranger.
"He.. he was.." She stopped, I gasped as more tears fell down her face.
I nuzzled her, she cried then pulled me close for a hug, I accepted it.
'Poor thing..'
Buneary squeaked, and moved behind me.
" I hear him! He's followed me!" She told me.
I shook my fur and stood in a protective stance, protecting Buneary.
A wild Growlithe jumped out of the bushes.
I growled, lashing my tail. Growlithe barked, "Out of my way."
"No." I growled in response. Growlithe howled in response, then leaped toward me, claws unsheathed.
My tail glowed that familiar silver color, then switched it towards the Growlithe, knocking her back, but it didn't seem to do anything damage wise. Growlithe inhaled then breathes out a burst of flame. I shouted as the flames pushed me back.
"Nice try." The Growlithe snickered, walking towards the Buneary.
"Your coming with me." Growlithe smiled devilishly.
"NO!" I heard a shout.
I flinched as a bright blinding light shift past me and hit the Growlithe.
I turned to see Jess. Finally
Jess ran toward me, Grace following her, racing toward the Buneary.
"Back off." Grace growled, her voice cold. The Growlithe laughed, and stood his ground.
"She said..back off!" I heard, Matt
jumped in front of Grace, absorbing the  Growlithe's fire attack.
Growlithe huffed angrily, looking that he was out numbered.
"She's not worth it anyways. I'll come back." He growled, before running off.
Grace turned towards Matt, "What did you think you're doing?" Grace hissed at him.
"I tried to protect you. I know you hate the heat." Matt responded.
"You're right Matt, I do hate the heat. I also hate you." Grace grunted, turning away.
"You don't mean it." Matt rolled his eyes, as if he was used to this.
Grace didn't respond, Matt smiled in response.
"Let's just start setting things up." Rose sighed.
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AN: Hey guys! I accidentally published it early, so you might see or not. Anyways, thanks for staying tuned!