Kukui's Curse

Chapter Four-The First Victim

"Kukui," Hala bellowed, and the man jumped with a gasp.

"Yeah," he drowsily called out, letting go of the pillow and the Clefairy doll that was on Lillie's bed. "What's up?"

"Wake up," the man hurriedly warned, undoubtedly worried.

"What's going on? What time is it?"

"I've received news that there has been a slaying," Hala murmured, audibly choked up. Kukui swallowed dryly and shook his head to wake himself up. He whipped his shoulder-length, straight hair into his usual low bun and he rushed down the ladder, grabbing his hat and his glasses before leaving with the large man.

"Did Lillie turn up?"

"No," Hala bluntly mumbled, holding the man's arm tight as they rushed through the town. People followed the kahuna and mumbled worriedly from all around, eyeing him and Kukui. On his way, he grabbed Hau by the shoulder, and Kukui held Moon's shoulder softly as he ushered her through the town. The kids were still in their pajamas and trying to rub the sleep from their eyes.

"Professor, I'm still scared about Lillie. You don't think she's... She's..."

"You don't think she's the person that got killed, do you, Kukui?"

"Hau," Moon scolded in a whisper. Kukui shook his head briskly, choking down a hard swallow. His face felt numb with fear as they approached the platform in the center of Iki Town, where something lied under a white sheet.

"Professor, will you please come with me to investigate the scene and help me identify the creature?"

"Yeah," Kukui whispered, and he shakily walked with the kahuna to the podium steps.

One step... Two steps... Three steps...

Every time the stairs lightly groaned under his feet, he felt more fear flush his veins with an icy coldness. Lillie, he thought, please be safe and come home. I'll do anything to have you with me again. He slowly reached down and grabbed the blanket with trembling hands, and he slowly pulled the sheet away. It was not Lillie, but rather an unfortunate dartrix whose face was half destroyed down to the bone. Its left-wing was gone, and the beak had been snapped in half.

Hala gasped.

Kukui stumbled away from it.

Moon gagged.

"Professor, what could've made these cuts?"

"I don't know," he quickly admitted, shaking his head. "I don't think anything lives around here with a bite that strong, uncle." He used his finger to show around the beak's break. "See that? The Pokémon had two hands or paws."

"An Abra, perhaps?"

"Maybe, can't tell yet."

"What about a Rockruff," a lady questioned.

"No, it's too small."

"A Meowth?"

"Litten?"

"Ratatta?"

Kukui's head began to spin as the voices of every citizen of Melemele spoke up at once, and he looked around worriedly.

"Uh," he finally started, and everyone quieted down. "Well, um..."

"Maybe it was that kid's Lunala," some lady shouted, pointing at Moon.

"No, it's not a carnivore," Kukui groaned as everyone began to shout and yell again. "Shut up! Everyone!" The quiet returned and he squeezed his eyes shut, took a deep breath, and sighed it out through his nose. "I. Don't. Know. Got it? But I'm going to figure it out, so don't worry! Okay? It'll all be solved by tonight at the latest."