Origin Story: Part 1 - Haunted by the Truth

CH14: Revenge or Forgiveness

It didn't take you long to notice that the other Rockets seemed to shy away from Rickie, as if he were a dirty splotch on an otherwise colorful clothe. Even the current agent in charge of this mission, and the cargo ship in general, Lina, barely gave Rickie a glance, and only questioned him when she realized you were contently following him around, like a little duckling. Yet, when Rickie gave his usual, stern response, she quickly turned away, not even giving you two a second thought.

The fear was there, but you honestly didn't understand why.

Rickie... or rather Cedric, was the founder of the Goldie Boys gang in Goldenrod City. A boys only gang... until you showed up and muddled it all up. You still wonder if that little group is still there, wreaking havoc on the citizens of Goldenrod. It's not like they did anything major, and there was always a good reason for their antics, but... first... Marko is here. Now Rickie? And now... you find out Frank had died, at some point...

You wonder who else died when your back was turned.

The two of you sat in silence in the cafeteria, and you noticed with a few sideways glances that other groups of people had sat way from the two of you, making a wide berth away from the table... or rather Rickie. "So... Rickie," you began, your eyes glancing at your food before turning back to the much older boy, more likely a young man now, sitting across from you at the table, "why is everyone afraid of you?"

"Afraid?... Always the perceptive one," he smiled meekly at you, but continued to eat his food as if you hadn't asked him the question, and you gave him a pout, going back to picking at your food, not feeling entirely hungry, right now. "... I'm an assassin for hire," he admitted, your eyes staring at him with wide eyes as he sighed and looked away from your overwhelming gaze. "Don't... judge me kid. I need to make a living, 'kay?"

"Yeah, but... killing people for no reason? –"

"There are reasons, but I just don't question why –"

"Killing anything for any reason is a horrible thought –"

"And I should care?" he huffed, picking up his cup of coffee and taking a deep gulp, enjoying the bitter taste before turning his attention back to you. "You don't know me –"

"I thought I did. Perhaps I assumed too much from you," you huffed, turning away and glaring across the room, at a nearby dirty wall, but after a moment you sighed and slowly turned back to the man who was currently eating his food, a pout forming on your face, causing him to glance over at you. "I-I mean... just... considering I have been chased across the Johto region by a bunch of assassins, why shouldn't I be weary of the idea of one of my friends being one? I mean... don't you lose a piece of yourself every time you kill someone?" you couldn't help but ask, slowly looking away from the man as he began to glare over at you, a thoughtful look on your face as you continued somberly. "Honestly... revenge sounds very sweet, but whenever I think about ending another life I get sick to my stomach."

"I'm surviving, Vi. The pay is high, and no one wants to do it. Do you gripe over garbage men or morticians? –"

"Of course not... If I were to ask you to teach me –"

"Hell no," he huffed, your head slowly turning to see his eyes glaring into your own. "Look, you're a good kid. Don't dirty your hands because of a bunch of misfit idiots –"

"I'm alone too, now. Heck, any real hope I have right now is miniscule. At any moment, someone could come right through those doors and try to kill me," you grumbled, glaring back at him before your eyes somber, and he could see the worry and frustration flashing in your bright blue eyes. "... Can I be honest?"

"Yeah? Of course kid –"

"I'm scared shitless. I'm not just afraid of dying, but... what if someone else dies because of me?" you couldn't help but say, your eyes staring to tear up as you quickly looked away from him, intent on making sure he doesn't see you cry like a little baby. "I think, honestly... if other people have to die just so I can stay live, then my life isn't worth having at all. I-if I can't just live on my own and be able to defend myself, how in the world can I save other people? I'm just another weak little brat who is a burden to others... I get you don't care," you huffed, though you had purposely avoided staring back at him as you slumped your cheek into your hand and stared tiredly at the nearby blank wall. "You think about yourself and no one else. You just care about keeping yourself alive... That's why... no matter if you think I'm any good at this thief stuff or not, I-I cannot keep it up. I'm just going to be another casualty, another dumb idiot who throws themselves into a situation and ends up dead.