The Campagna Adventures

Chapter 26-Secrets and Auras

Phil woke to the sounds of Fletchling chirping through the trees of the city.  The Aura Guardian stretched before rolling out of bed.  He quickly went through the morning routine, brushing his teeth and hair, putting deodorant on, usual stuff.  The teen then went back to the main room to get dressed, but stopped when he heard a knock.

"Who is it?"

"It is Racheal."

"Give me a second.  I've only got boxers on right now."

"Oh," Racheal said.  Phil could practically hear her blushing.

The teenager quickly slipped into jeans and a white t-shirt.  Then he opened the door.

"Good morning Racheal."

"Good morning, I just wanted to ask what you were going to be up to today."

"Nothing much, I want to give the team a day off before challenging the Gym.  We have to be at our full strength before such a challenge." 

"Sounds like a good plan."

"I thought I might go downtown.  Want to come with me?"

"I do not know."

"It'll be fun."

"Alright, I could use some R 'n R."

Phil and Racheal left the hotel and walked to the nice shopping district.  The streets were pretty crowded, so only George and Bellezza were out.  The others were either likely to get stepped on or just too large.  Phil smiled a bit as he thought about how Craig would have probably tripped and taken out one of the market stalls.  The Aura Guardian missed the Cranidos, but he was glad his Pokemon was happy.  Phil spotted a crowed poffin store, he recognized it as a very well known place that had extremely high quality yet affordable products, and decided he was going to get some for the Pokemon.

"Racheal, I am going to go buy some poffins.  It is really crowded in there, so it would probably be best if you stay out here."

"Okay, that sounds like a plan."

"George, keep Racheal safe while I'm inside."

"I thought you thought I could take care of myself?  Is that not why I am taking lessons from you?"

"I know you can take care of yourself, George is just going to help keep my mind at ease."

Racheal blushed a bit as Phil turned and walked inside.  The girl stood there, before she leaned against a building to wait.  George watched her for a minute before turning to watch the crowd, confident his charge was safe.  However, he was wrong, Racheal felt a hand cover her mouth and wrap around her neck, before she was yanked into a dark alley.

"You scream, and you die," a deep, menacing voice coldly told her.

The teenage girl nodded and the hand was removed from her mouth.  Her captor whirled her around to face him, and his gun.

"My, what a beauty, our contractor will be very pleased."

Racheal felt bile rise in her throat in horror as she realized the man's intent.  Her captor snapped his fingers and two other hooligans stepped out of the shadows, one carrying rope and one a piece of cloth and duct-tape.  One of the two criminals jerked her arms behind her back and began tying them tightly at the wrist.  The other shoved the foul smelling wad of material into her mouth, and secured it with a piece of duct-tape.

The largest man, duct-tape man, then tossed Racheal over his shoulder and went to leave the dark alley.  Suddenly, there were two bright flashes of light and Racheal could see Bellezza blocking the alley from behind the small gang.  The teen girl managed to glance around her captors to see George standing in a fighting stance, his sharp blade extended.