Light in the Dark

CHAPTER 1: Eyes

   CHAPTER 1: Eyes

   I stared at the ground as I made my way home through a park.  my hair caught a slight breeze and blocked my sight for a moment. I sighed and brushed it away looking up. There were two children and a growlith chasing each other through the park. Smiles consumed the children's faces and barks of happiness came from the small pokemon. A shadow of a smile brushed my lips, but I quickly wiped it away and returned my gaze to my feet.
   I live in the world of pokemon in the city of Lilycove in Hoenn. I am 16 years old and in my second year of highschool. My dream is to see the world and learn all I can about pokemon, maybe even assist in the reasearch or recieve a pokedex if I ever become a good enough trainer. But, that probably won't ever happen. My sad reality.
   I exited the park and walked down the alley leading to my apartment building. I stopped a block away, standing a few meters away from where my building came into view. I slung my backpack to my sholde and opened it. there was almost nothing in the bag aside from my running shoes, money shattered aimlessly across the bottom and my secret. it was still there, a sigh of relief and nervousness escaped my lips. I closed the bag and looked around. It felt as if someone was there, watching.  I did a 360 scan of my surroundings, aside from a spare wingul flying overhead I was seemingly alone.
    I approached the front door and sighed, my last alone moment of the evening, I guessed. Unlocking and opening the door I entered and slipped off my shoes. it was quiet, too quiet. I checked my watch, it was already 5 O'clock. Had he already left for the night?  I tossed my backpack into the doorway leading to my room and made my way to the kitchen. Maybe I would get some alone time after all.
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    As I was finishing the last of preparing a dinner of fried rice, there was a knock at the door. Wiping my hands I walked over to the door to answer it. An older woman wearing a loose orange dress that made her look slightly resemble a pumpkin with her brown and green hat stood there holding the hand to a pink haired boy.
"Hello Mrs. Vine, how was he today?" Wearing a fake smile that I hoped looked convincing than it felt. I reached my hand out, taking the boy's hand from the pumpkin of a woman standing before me.
"Quiet as ever, only said about 10 words today." she looked down at the boy with a displeasing look.
"Well thank you for caring for him. Your payday is at the end of the week then?" I asked, wanting to change the subject.
"Yes," she said as she wiped her hands on the skirt of her dress, pursing her lips as she did.
"Well we shall see you at the beginning of the week then." I said tilting my head slightly and tried making my smile more convincing. This seemed to be enough for her. "Say good-bye Ruki." I mumbled under my breath aw the impatient woman looked down at him.
"Good night miss, have a good day." The boy said removing his thumb from his mouth only to speak, he did not meat the eyes of Mrs. Vine.
With that I said a final good-bye as she turned on her heel after nodding and closed the door.
"What was that Ruki?" I asked crouching down to his level not hiding the agrivation in my voice. Ruki shrugged. "I thought we talked about speaking with others."
"We did." He said, removing his thumb once more and swinging his arms by his sides. " I just don't see why I need to talk with people who have nothing to say." I stared at him blankly, sometimes he made it hard to remember that he was only five.
"Ruki, it doesn't matter.  It's called being nice.  Why can't you talk to Mrs. Vine like you talk to me?" I asked placing my hand on the side of his neck.
"Because Emi, you sound nicer." A small smile formed on his lips. " I bet you look nicer too." He added, winking his left eye from under the long hair that hid his faded blue eyes. I smiled a genuine smile and ruffled his hair.
"Come on weirdo, dinner is ready." I said standing and taking his hand.  With the the remaining signs of happiness still traced across my lips I led my blind younger brother to the kitchen.