Linger in Silence (a Pokémon-based fan fiction)

Gift

January

Jamie was washing dishes and stacking them as Jacque helped put them away when they heard a knock at the door.

Jamie looked up, on edge. "Who's that?"

"I think the mail's here," said Jacque.

It took their mother a minute to check when they heard a gasp. "Jamie, come quick!" she called. "It's Noel!"

"What?" He quickly stacked the plate he was holding and sped over with Jacque not far behind him. His mother stood in the hallway holding a small box. He studied the package, which read: "To Jamie. From Noel".

"I'll be damned."

                "Jamie, language!" His mother scolded.

         He ignored her and excitedly brought the little box into his bedroom. He hastily set it on the floor and took out some sharp scissors from his desk drawer.

"What is it? What is it?" Jacque asked excitedly, letting herself in.

"I haven't opened it yet. Geez."

She sat down beside him, rolling on her knees forward and back as he keenly cut through the tape. He opened the box and what he saw made his heart sink to his stomach. Inside was a familiar hard, shiny ball with the top half colored red and the bottom white, sitting on top of a pillowy cushion. Next to the object was a folded piece of paper.

Jacque squealed with excitement. "Wow! Is that a Poké Ball?! Is there a Pokémon in it? I'm jealous you get one! If I was bigger, I could have one too! I want to see it right now!"

"Hold on, let me read this," he said, picking up the card. He unfolded it and immediately noticed the handwriting. It was neat and formal, but he wasn't surprised she wrote it. He read aloud, "Dear Jamie. You have no idea how much it means to me to hear from you. I miss you, too, and I wish I could come and visit if I could afford the trip. I'm currently enrolled in the Hoenn University of Science and Research. It's sure a sh . . . crap-load of work, but I know it will be worth it. I'm really sorry you've been put through a lot of stress, so I sent you a Pokémon from here that to help cheer you up. I hope you like it. I caught it specifically for you because the first time I saw it, I knew it would make a great little companion. Sorry to spoil the surprise, but it's a dark-type Pokémon called a Poochyena. It bites, so be careful, but when they grow to trust you, they're very loyal. I also sent you a journal so you can always have somewhere to write your thoughts. Say hello to Mom and Jacque for me. I hope you feel better soon and remember that you're not going through this alone. Much love, Noel."

Jamie sat with what he read. He felt a heaviness in his chest like he was about to start crying, but his eyes remained dry.

        "That was really sweet," said Jamie's mom, who stood in the doorway. "I love all of you so much."

"Now can you open it?" Jacque pleaded. "I can't wait to see the Pokémon! I hope it's really cute!"

        "Now hold on, are you sure that's safe?" Their mother cautioned.

"It should be fine as long as you keep a distance and don't do anything startling." Jamie reluctantly picked up the Poké Ball from its soft cushion and studied the exterior for a minute. He didn't want a Pokémon. In fact, one reason he came home was to distance himself from them as much as possible. Nonetheless, it was a gift from Noel.

"What are you waiting for? I want to see what it looks like!" Jacque urged impatiently.

"Ok, ok!" Jamie said. He took a deep breath, putting his thumb on the button in the middle center. "Stand back," he said. Jamie pushed down, then released.

A white flash escaped from the ball upon being unlocked. The light materialized into a small, furry, four-legged shape in front of them.

When the glow died down, a creature with ruffled grey fur stood there. The fur on it's face and throat was black and resembled the shape of a star. It had a black underbelly and paws as well and bristly fur near it's tail. It's huge lower fangs were exposed and it had a tuft of fur on its head.

It's large narrowed red eyes slowly peeked open as it looked around at its new surroundings. It eventually looked up to meet the humans in front of it. Jamie could see confusion and agitation in it's expression.

Jacque crouched over the Poochyena. "Hi. I'm Jacque. Do you wanna be friends?"

She reached out her hand to pet it, but before Jamie or their mother could warn her, the Poochyena chomped down on her fingers. She cried out in pain and surprise. Jamie immediately held onto the Pokémon's upper and lower jaw to pry them apart. Jacque pulled her fingers out of its mouth and sucked on them, bawling uncontrollably. Once Jamie let go of the Poochyena's mouth, it dove under the bed.

"Let me see, Jacque," their mother said. She took her fingers out of her mouth and showed her mother. There was some red showing behind pulled-back skin but luckily, the wound didn't look too bad.

"C'mon, let's get it bandaged up," she said. "Jamie, keep an eye on that thing. Make sure it doesn't cause any more trouble."

Jamie turned around and saw two red eyes glaring at him from under the bed. He stepped toward it and it started to growl lowly. He sat down crossed-legged in front of the creature. It's snarling didn't stop and Jamie had no choice but to listen to Jacque's cries from the bathroom.