My breath comes on in short, raggedy puffs as I peer around the corner of the building. People mill around the sidewalks. Hopefully, none of them have noticed me here. But them, I'm not too worried about. It's the HCP I have to watch out for. I scan every face in the crowd, keeping an eye out for those damned blue and red uniforms. Sure enough, I soon see the very person I was running from earlier. I couldn't forget those soul-staring gray eyes if I died. But even though every instinct is telling me to run, I can't let them see me. My heart pounds in my chest as I pray to not be found. After a few moments of silence, a few shouts ring over the crowd, then heavy footsteps hurrying past my dark hiding place. Before long, they are gone, leaving me alone. Had it not been late at night, I probably would have been found.

I'm finally able to let out that breath I didn't realize I was holding in. Almost immediately, I fall to my knees, the adrenaline that fueled my earlier running all but nonexistent. It takes forever, but once I recover, I pull my hood up over my head, just in case anyone bothered to look down this alley. Reaching into my pocket, I take out the piece of bread I had managed to buy before being chased here. The empty space it leaves in my pocket is just a cold reminder that I may have to resort to stealing again. Taking a bite of the annoyingly stale bread, I can't help but wonder how it came to this. Three months ago, I never would have guessed that I'd be living off the streets like this. I never would have imagined that I'd be like this.

I'm jolted back out of my thoughts, awoken by a familiar voice. "Finish that bread already," that voice ordered. "We have to keep moving" Though annoyed, I scarf down the last bite of bread. I can't believe I got distracted again! You'd think I'd have learned by now. I get back to my feet and dart back into the street, already blending into the crowd. Arc is annoying, but I have to admit, he gets me moving. Once on the sidewalk, late-night commuters jostle my comparitively smaller frame. I hate trying to walk through this city, but it's better than being loaded into the back of a truck for an alternative. Through the gaps between people, I catch glimpses of HCP goons. I can't believe they're still on the move, probably still looking for me. Please let them be after someone else now. Every time one looks in my direction, I unconsciously lower my head, pulling my cloak tighter around me. I can't believe how paranoid I am now.

After what seems like an eternity, I finally reach a side street leading out of the city. I push my way through the crowd, determined to keep myself from being swept away with them any longer. I ignore the annoyed glares as I break free, eventually passing through the city gate. The familiar, comfortable sight of the forest soon greets me, quickly enveloping my form in its darkness. Before long, the bright lights of Sena City are far behind me, their glow no longer illuminating anything.

I slow to a walk now that the danger has passed. The sounds of various nocturnal Pokémon reach my ears, giving a strange sense of calm. It's certainly less nerve-wracking than the constant fear of being discovered that exists in the cities. Once I'm sure I'm far enough away from the city, I finally talk again. "I guess you were right about not heading into Sena City," I moaned. "It really wasn't worth it."

Arc chuckled, obviously gloating about being right. "See?" he gloated. "I'm always right about this stuff. You should listen to me more often."

"I wish I could shut you up sometimes."

"That might be a little hard considering we share-" A surge of terror fills my mind the moment he pauses. Something's not right. I hear the rustling in the bushes soon after.

"Crap! Hide!" I silently curse myself for talking so loud. Anyone nearby was bound to hear it. There's no doubt in my mind that it's the HCP. I was just plain dumb to think they would simply stop looking for me. A quick look over the area confirms there aren't any places to hide. Even the trees are too short to hide in effectively. I have to fight. I crouch behind a tree, eying the bushes. It sounds like whoever it is seems to be having some trouble getting through. Lucky for me, that just means they'll be less prepared.

In the next few seconds, I see a bit of red cloth come through the bushes. It's definitely them. The moment the person is through the bush, I leap on him, ready to simply knock him out. He's on the ground after a short struggle, although he's clipped me with a punch or two. I get ready to punch him hard enough to knock him unconscious, but then something catches my eye. He's not wearing a HCP uniform. In fact, it's just a red jacket. He even looks way too young to be with them in the first place. Did I just try to beat up some random person?

"Hey!" he yells. "What was that for?" The boy stands up, pushing me from him. I hurriedly pull my hood back on, hoping he hadn't seen my face. It turns out he was in fact a teenager a few years older than me, as far as I can tell. He stands a bit taller than me, and looks a little more muscular as well. I'm briefly reminded of my own apparent inability to grow huge muscles and feel a pang a jealousy. He wouldn't be too much of a problem if it came to fighting him, though. "What the heck are you doing? You can't just attack people like that!"

Arc's voice echoes, a sense of urgency flooding my head. "What are you doing?" he urged. "Run already!"

"Well, um..." I stuttered. "You see... I thought..." I rack my brain for an excuse, but nothing's coming. The guy looks pretty pissed for the five seconds it takes for me to come up with something. "I was training for a wrestling match and you looked like a good opponent!" Well, I never said it was a good excuse.

The teen didn't seem to believe me. He crossed his arms, a dubious look on his face. "Really?" he snorted. "In the middle of the night? Sure you were." I took a step back, knowing I'll have to run soon. I just need a good chance. Unfortunately, he notices this and takes a step toward me. "Why are you so jumpy? It's like you're hiding something." Now I really hope he can't make out my face in the dim moonlight. Fear is the dominant emotion now, and it's really showing in my expression. I feel a bead of sweat roll down my cheek. My heart is beating faster than an arcanine's. Time to run. I turn on my heels, ready to break out into a full sprint. But the guy had already reached out to grab me. I'm too slow, and his cold hand grips my wrist. He almost immediately pulls away with a loud yelp of pain, but it was enough to throw me off-balance. I fall to the ground, my hood falling down in the process. I look up at him, wide-eyed, my every feature highlighted in even the little light that shines through the trees. The teen stares at me, his expression one of disbelief. He's far over the actual shock I just gave him.

"Busted..." Arc whispered.

And I may have forgotten to mention this. I'm exactly what society fears and hates. What the HCP hunt down and capture. Every human being is taught that we have to be destroyed.

"My name is Raiden Quinn. I'm a hybrid."