Vanish

Chapter 14

When May wrapped her arms around him and began to cry, Drew really didn't know what to do. He hesitantly held her in his arms and let her stay there.

"He's alright, he's alright," May cried happily. Suddenly realizing what she was doing, she stepped back and sweat dropped. "Oh... I'm sorry, Drew."

"It's...okay..."

Nurse Joy then came out of the back once again, smiling.

"When can he come out, Nurse Joy?" May asked coming up to her.

"In a few hours. I'm just here to tell you that there's someone calling for you, Max, Brock, and Misty. The phone is in the room at the end of the hall." And Nurse Joy left again.

Misty instantly began trotting down the hall, Brock, Max, and May following. They saw the screen, which was showing a familiar raven-haired boy.

Misty let out a burst of anger. "Ash Ketchum, where have you been! You think you can just sneak away, scot-free?"

"So you did notice I was gone," Ash said softly, looking down at the ground.

"Damn straight! You can't just run off! Especially right after your pokémon injured your friend's pokémon almost to death!"

Ash flinched back, bowing his head lower, and asked, "Then Beautifly is okay...?"

"Yes," May said quickly and happily.

"I'm so sorry, May. This is all my fault. I...I can't put it into words about how much I screwed up, but... I'm really glad Beautifly is okay... I only really called to-to just let you know that...that I'm okay, and you don't have to worry that I'm 'missing'."

"You think we were worried about you when May's pokémon was in a life-threatening situation!" Misty shouted.

"...I know, I know... I really shouldn't have... I mean... No, I knew you weren't going to worry about me... I'm sorry... I'm sorry for everything... I'm sorry for existing..."

Max pushed his way through the others. "I don't get you, Ash. I know you lost Pikachu, and I know you're upset about it, but you're acting like a completely different person. The Ash I knew would just be determined to get Pikachu back, and not waste his time being depressed."

"And it's not your fault for what happened to Beautifly," May added.

Ash looked up. "You don't understand, you guys. You don't. And Max, I am determined to get Pikachu back. I'm not depressed. I'm not wasting my time. It is my fault about what happened to Beautifly. I'm sorry for wasting your time, though." His eyebrows creased. "I really shouldn't have gotten you guys screwed into this, so don't try to find me..." He hung up.

"Misty," Brock started. "Why did you yell at him! You're just making him more upset, you know! I know you've got an uncontrollable temper, but come on."

Misty glared at him. "My temper is perfectly fine, thank you. But since you asked..." She whacked him upside the head.

May sighed and led the others out of the back room. "I'm sorry, everyone, but Ash can be a pain in the ass sometimes. He frustrates me."

"Really?" Misty asked sarcastically. "He can be so stupid!"

"Oh, so it was Cinders on the phone. What'd he have to say?" asked Drew.

Misty set her jaw. "Nothing much."

"Would have expected as much. The kid is clearly...insecure," Drew replied, choosing his words carefully. He shrugged. "I don't know why you hang out with him."

Brock shook his head. "I really thought you'd help, Mist. I thought Ash would listen to you. If this chaos goes on for much longer, it'll be time to call in the real guns..."