A Natural Occurrence [Pokemon]

Chapter 6: Open Road

Chapter 6: Open Road

 

I’d always liked an open road. Or at least, the thought of an open road. My life being as it was, I didn’t get to travel much. Now, however, the thought of an open road wasn’t very appealing, especially since it seemed to stretch on forever.

Spike yawned as he trotted along beside me, and it must have been contagious, because a yawn was forced of me, too. We’d been following the road since early that morning, with not a single sign of another human being – or food – and it was starting to take its toll.

The disaster that Solace had sensed the day before had never arrived. Or, if it did, it was not in our immediate vicinity, because we didn’t spot anything out of the ordinary. We’d slept under a tree overnight, and then set off along the road in the morning.

I’d decided our destination was Aquacorde Town. It was the nearest settlement in the direction we were going, east. Hopefully, we’d find food there, because we had not eaten anything for at least a day. We’d seen berries growing on various plants along the way, but I didn’t trust my insufficient knowledge of berries enough to not get poisoned.

The other reason to head to Aquacorde Town was to get help, to tell someone what had become of my home. Then the local authorities would send people to check it out, clean up, and maybe someone would take care of me. One could only hope.

At first, the walk had been rather pleasant. The scenery was lovely, the air was fresh, and so on. But when your stomach starts to growl every twenty seconds, you lose your hunger for the great outdoors and start focusing on something more important; namely, sustenance.

Spike insisted on carrying me every now and then, and after I got over the initial guilt of having my Pokémon lift me, I was happy to oblige. I think he wanted to do it because he knew the sadness I must be feeling. It was his way of helping me through it. He was a tough Pokémon, though, I’d give him that. He never complained once while he carried me; it was only when we were both walking that he yawned and sighed when his stomach growled.

I’d returned Solace to her pokéball before we’d even started the long walk. She needed rest, after experiencing whatever it was she went through when she foresaw a disaster.

Eventually, I decided it was our time for a rest. As soon as I said so, Spike let his legs slip out from under him and he flopped on to the ground right where he stood. He closed his eyes and sighed. I slowly moved to the grass on the side of the road and followed his example, sprawling out to rest my tired body.

After a few minutes, I let Solace out of her pokéball to see how she was doing. Almost as soon as the red light flashed and she appeared before me, my Absol started prancing around in the grass. I was glad at least one of us had energy.

After completing seven circles around me, Solace seemed to realize I was sprawled on the ground. Her head tilted to one side and she came over to me. She nudged my face with the flat side of her horn.

“I’m ok, Solace,” I sighed. “Just tired, that’s all.”