Living in the Shadows

PART 5: CHAPTER 1 THE POKEMON WORLD

*Originally titled: "Waking Up"*

(Jenna)

My body was on fire. My head was heavy. And I was trying my hardest to wake up.

The last thing I remembered was. . . . My friends, my family, and myself getting sucked into the vortex and then losing my grip on Jack's hand.

Jenna, you have to wake up! Cresselia shouted in my head.

My body was in too much pain for her shouts to affect me. I'm trying, Cresselia. But my body hurts too much. I can't even move.

Keep trying! Open your eyes!

Why? What do you sense?

Just then my body hit freezing cold water.

That!

The shock of the cold was both hurtful and soothing, but my body was still in pain. I gasped and swallowed a mouthful of saltwater. Ironically, it helped me regain my senses. Zorua was still in my arms as I frantically kicked to the surface despite the pain.

"You OK, Zorua?" I asked after gasping for air.

"Yes, I'm fine." She said after coughing a little.

Swim, Jenna! Swim! Cresselia screamed in a panic.

I pressed my free hand to my head as Cresselia screamed those words. Why? I asked when the pain in my head subsided.

Because in about two minutes your body will become lethargic as you start to change and then you'll sink like a stone! She said loudly but without pain following this time.

I looked at Zorua in a panic.

"I heard!" she shouted with a fearful expression. "Swim for your life!" She swam out of my arms and we began searching for land. "There!" She yelled, leading me to the left.

Cresselia's warning proved true as I started to slow down. My legs were barely moving and my arms were getting heavier, even my eyelids started to droop. I shook my head to wake myself up but it didn't do any good.

"Jenna! Wake up!"

I don't know if that was Cresselia or Zorua screaming, or both, but with one last surge of strength I swam for all I was worth; my muscles screaming in agony. When we reached the shallow waters Zorua transformed into Kevin's Braixen and put my arm around her shoulders as she half dragged, half carried me to shore.

My eyes were barely open when I told her I could stand. She let go of me and transformed back into herself. That was when my legs gave out. I put my arms out to break my fall, but even they gave out and I fell over. Too exhausted to turn on my back. Too tired to keep my eyes open.

And in far too much pain to scream in agony.

I don't know how long I was unconscious, but when I opened my eyes a little it was still night out. The pain was finally gone but my body felt numb and very heavy. I saw Zorua lying unconscious a ways away from me. She appeared to have run for help but collapsed from exhaustion.

I tried to move my arm out to her, but I was completely paralyzed. Cresselia? Are you there? I asked worriedly.

I'm here, Jenna.

What's going on? Why can't I move?

Because your body is still changing. You haven't been unconscious for long; only four or five minutes.