Lost in Reality [pokémon Ranger Fanfiction]

Chapter 6

Light dripped into Kate's room, burning away the shadows that blanketed the walls. Gentle sunbeams kissed Kate's face and ushered her back to our world. Her eyes carefully peel open to stare at the ceiling fan. The metal beam supporting fifty pounds with ease as the paddles spun slowly to shatter the dark and light.

"No nightmares," she said, a small smile pulling ear to ear. Her blue eyes reflected the light as small beads of tears swelled. Kate flipped over to Keith's side of the bed with a choked but high voice, "Keith. I didn't have any nightmares last night-- Keith... And you're gone." 

Kate stared tiredly at the empty sheets beside her. The alarm on the end table across from her read 12 pm. Keith must have already left for work. He had only waited up for her yesterday since she had a therapist appointment. With a hefty sigh, Kate pushes her face into the collection of white pillows. Starly beside her head fluttered awake. The bird pokémon ruffled their feathers at the sudden commotion of their partner.

She tossed and turned for a maybe a half an hour, and being pecked at before she finally dragged herself up.

Rolling out of bed, the air felt stagnant against her skin. Unsettled dust drifting through the window lights as Kate made her way to the kitchen. Shuffling, shuffling to find a small note waiting for her on the counter.

Her smile just grew, believing it was a little love note. It would've been such a cheesy thing to do. But it still burned Kate's cheeks as she imagined his arrogant phrasing and professing of love. 

However, her expression fractured as she read over the note. The small paper shook in her hand as she stumbled backward. Kate quickly clutched the counter as she slid down. Her fingers let the note go as she clawed at her hair. Her body was already rocking.

Starly panicked as her partner collapsed. She chirped and chirped, fluttering her wings about from the counter.

"Starly, phone," Kate cracks, "Bring my phone." Her breath shambled in her lungs as the tears returned. The pokémon quickly flew out, returning within seconds. A smartphone clutched in its talons.

Kate took it and quickly opened up her contacts. She called Keith. Called him again. One more time. He's gonna pick up maybe on this next time.

Each voicemail she left, the more hysteria filled her voice.

Finally, her shoulders sunk. Her eyes emptily stared down at her ringing phone. She knew there would be no answer. So she hung up on her own. But she needs someone. Anyone.

She slides easily to the person. A cheery voice picking up within seconds, "Kate? Sweetie! How are you?"

"Rhythmi!" Kate cried. Her choked sobs blocking each word she tried to mumble out.

"Woah, Woah! Slow down, hun! Kate, Kate tell me what's wrong?"

Kate took a breath. The air felt like a rock dropping her lungs as she said, "He's gone. Keith... He left."

Silence filled the other line. Kate could make out a few scrambled noises as if things were being moved around. A horn blared in the background as screeching tires made Kate wince. "Shit... I'll be there soon, Kate. I'm in my car now and on my way."

 ***

"My darling Kate,

Before I write any more, I want you to know how much I love you. I love you so, so, much that it could fill an entire ocean, and there'd still be love spilling over. But this love-- it hurts. So much that it's killing me.

  It's killing me to watch you fade away, my love.

It seems as if every day, you walk farther and farther away as we sit right next to each other. It's like you're a ghost. And I don't know what to do. I'd give the world to make you smile, darling. But I'm not even sure the world is enough. Is anything enough to keep the nightmares at bay? To keep the shadows away?