Asphyxia [PWA July Contest Winner]

Asphyxia

The summer had been extraordinarily hot yet again. Cynthia and Dawn were on the beach in full swimsuits, laying out on towels. Dawn lazed about, eyes closed as her Buneary and Pachirisu chased each other about in the sand. Somehow, despite the resonance of the Pokémon noises, Cynthia read a magazine she'd been given somewhere. It seemed as though Lake Valor Resort had been named one of the top three travel destinations in Sinnoh. She looked up at the people on the beach; perhaps the article was true. She fanned herself with the magazine, skin hot from the sun.

"I don't get how it's stayed so hot through the year," Cynthia remarked.

Dawn chuckled. "It's probably from all the coal they're burning in Oreburgh. Global warming, you know?"

"At least it makes the beaches popular," said Cynthia. "Nobody to bother me in the library."

"You and your books," said Dawn. "I wish I got to sit there and be lazy. Instead I have to deal with gym leaders. The amount of time Volkner spends complaining about the Sunnyshore crowds is extraordinary."

"Hey," Cynthia protested, "I'll have you know that the last book I read was a very interesting one about the festivals of the Solaceo tribe. But, go on ahead madam, tell me what boring old Volkner was upset about."

"He's just upset that he can't spend time with his girlfriend," Dawn laughed. "Especially not with the tournament being hosted on the beach this weekend."

The ex-champion rolled her eyes. "You'd think they'd figure it out by now, but apparently her coming across the ocean for him isn't enough to make him realize. Someone ought to just lock them in a room together."

Dawn opened her mouth to speak, but the ringing of Cynthia's Pokégear cut her off. She looked at the screen and saw that the Veilstone City Police Department was calling. She bit her lip. It had been a while since she'd had a day off and she didn't want to take it.

"Cynthia speaking," she said, trying to bite back the hot disdain.

"Hello, this is Officer Kit," he said, to which Cynthia rolled her eyes. Of course it was him.

Officer Kit had been a pain in Cynthia's rear ever since she'd lost the championship title to Dawn. He'd constantly been asking her to consult on Veilstone Police Department business, because apparently she was free now that she didn't have to take challengers. Her jobs with the police department had included everything from tracking down and apprehending criminals, to providing expertise on routine investigations. It seemed as though she couldn't get a day off, sometimes and if she actually applied to be an officer she doubted she would be turned down, at this rate.

"So," she said, "what can I do today for you all?"

He sounded more panicked than normal. "How close are you to Route 214?"

"I'm at Valor Lakefront so I can be there in fifteen to twenty minutes, why?" Cynthia asked.

The officer finished. "Something very, very strange has happened."

The abrupt click of the receiver jarred Cynthia who reeled back, glancing at her phone. Dawn seemed to notice this movement, sitting up as Cynthia put on a shirt and shorts. Her face read full of confusion. Cynthia began to stuff her beach things in a bag as the champion gave her another expectant look. Something about the phone call stirred Cynthia's panic.

"Are you seriously going now?" Dawn said. "It's probably just another routine investigation."

Cynthia shook her head. "I don't think so. I'm going. Besides, it's only on Route 214 so if I need to tell him that I'm going back to the beach, I will."