Linger in Silence (a Pokémon-based fan fiction)

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The stillness was interrupted as a lone boy walked along the empty streets of his small hometown. He was moving quickly, his footsteps the only sound to break silence as he was guided by nothing but the light of the night sky above. He held himself close and kept glancing over his shoulder, as if to make sure he wasn't being followed. The neighborhood he had grown up with as a child seemed unfamiliar and off-putting. The small surrounding houses all had chipped paint with dirty windows and overgrown yards. In fact, the whole town seemed bleak now.

At last, he spotted an unkempt white house, similar to the rest, but he recognized it immediately. He stumbled toward it, feeling like he was about to collapse. He heaved himself up the steps and eagerly tried to open the door, but it was locked. In a panicked manner, he relentlessly banged his fist against the door without pausing.

After a few minutes, a woman's voice began speaking from behind the door, sounding fearful and agitated. "I don't know who you are or what you want, but if you don't leave me alone right now, I'm calling the police!"

"Please..." the boy whimpered hoarsely. "Mom..."

Reluctantly, the door peeked open before revealing a woman in her mid-thirties wearing a green v-neck t-shirt, striped pajama shorts, and slippers. She was slightly chubby with her messy brown hair pulled up in a frizzy bun. She stared at the boy, wide-eyed and blinked in disbelief, as if she knew the person in front of her but could barely recognize him. She opened her mouth slowly, "Oh my God. J-Jamie?"

He half-fell into his mother, who lurched back in shock by the fact he had now grown a few inches taller than her since he left. He embraced her tightly as he broke down into shaky sobs. She instinctively wrapped her arms around him protectively as motherly instinct overtook her. After he was able to collect himself, she took him, looking straight into his bloodshot eyes. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming? Why did you show up this late? Sweetie, why are you crying?"

Jamie couldn't respond. His breathing came in shallow gasps and tears streamed down his cheeks uncontrollably.

She sighed deeply, holding him close. "My poor baby, you must be exhausted. I'll get your bed ready. Is it okay if you sleep on the couch tonight?"

Jamie nodded, stepping into the house. He threw his bag off his shoulder and kicked off his shoes in the entryway. His mom shut the front door and walked him through the house, holding onto his side to keep him from stumbling. They crossed the kitchen into the living room. The familiar surroundings never felt more comforting.

Jamie immediately laid on the couch as his mother went to the square chest beside the fireplace and lifted the lid. She took out a soft fabric blanket and putting the blanket over him, making sure he was covered and tucked in. She went and got a pillow from her own bedroom and put it under his head.

"Are you comfortable enough. Do you need anything?" his mother asked.

He sniffed and shook his head.

She leaned in to kiss his forehead and brushed the tears from his cheek. "Sweet dreams, Jamie. We'll talk in the morning." She turned off the light, leaving him to stay up and ponder.