Chapter 1-The Not-So-Abandoned Mansion
The streets of LaRousse City were darkening and I still had no lead as to where my brother could be. It's been three days and he still hasn't been found, and with all the police and detectives searching day and night for many missing people, I felt it was my responsibility to find Max no matter what happened to me. I should've thought more about where I would stay at while I searched. But of course, I had been too hasty in my decisions. Now I was left wondering the streets wearing a red low-cut shirt and black jeans, with a black jacket and red bandana as my only source of warmth as I searched of a place to stay.
The hot glances of men observing me made a panic jerk each molecule of my body. I turned the corner as quickly as I could and came to find a high cement wall tracing the perimeter of a seemingly abandoned mansion. My eyes studied the large cursive "H" engraved on the metal gate.
"The wall's sorta high," I whispered to no one in particular, "but I think I can manage to get over it…" I braced my legs, and jumped up. My hands grasped the edge of the wall and hoisted my body up over it. I let out a grunt as I landed on the other side of the barrier. 'Yes, made it!' I cheered silently scanning my surroundings while I walked up to the large red double doors of the pale blue-grey mansion. Pulling on the bronze handles, the doors eased open with a light swoosh of cool air caressing my face. I scanned the enormous entry. Roses were lined along the short hallway that opened into a large room. The house had a large marble staircase that added an elegant touch, while at the same time, reminded of the Titanic's ballroom. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, marking the center of the area. I took a step inside, transfixed by the golden hue of the tiles.
Once I looked up, my gaze met that of an innocent faced young girl with bright green eyes shining curiously under the bangs of sunshine yellow hair. Her tiny hands were hidden in the pockets of her light blue overalls with a rosy pink shirt peeking out. Complete with wavy pigtails, she had a cute little girl charm about her.
"Hi!" She exclaimed. Her lips curled up into a smile, revealing perfect white teeth. "I'm Hannah! What's your name?" I was caught completely off guard at how she could be so relaxed by my appearance in the large house.
"Um…I'm May" I managed words to come out of my parched mouth. Once I was eye level with her, she made the transition from curiosity to realization.
"Oh!" Hannah cheered, "You're May? Big brother talks about you a lot. I'll go get him now!" With that, Hannah stumbled up the massive staircase in a mess of legs. Her blonde hair disappeared into the darkness of the left hall making the loneliness lurch to clog my throat. Who knew that a simple conversation with a child could make me miss my little brother so much? I took some time to take in the rest of the house and let my mind wonder.
Noticing of the pictures hanging along the short hallway at the entrance, I decided to investigate the residents of this household:
One contained an image of a lovely couple, obviously the parents of the house. The tall, strict yet kind looking brunette man wearing a black suit with a purple tie, had deep, amber flecked eyes gave way to wrinkles indicating that he was very happy. Next to him stood a lanky, beautiful woman with waist length green hair and eyes to match. She wore a purple gown that complemented the slender curves of her body. She reminded me of someone, even thought I couldn't quiet place my finger on it.
Next to the couple's picture was a picture of two girls- a bit older than I-posed arm in arm. The girl long curly red hair had to be 20 at the most. Her eyes lit bright amber color and almost wolf like. She wore a white peasant blouse with brown pants and white gladiator sandals. The other had bright icy blue hair, cut short and feathery. She had beautiful, deep brown doe-eyes. She wore a white off the shoulder, sweater dress with caribou skin boots. Her smile was chillingly beautiful like the sweet feeling before a storm.
I continued to the next picture, this one of a girl and a boy. The girl had plain straight brown hair and intelligent green eyes. She wore a brick red t-shirt and dark blue jeans with black flats. Her face was completely stained with innocence, as if she was an angel. The boy had a totally different look. The same old challenging green eyes stared back at me. Smirk and all, it was the one and only, Drew Hayden. I let out my breath in a raspy sigh. Could that have been the "big brother" Hannah was talking about?
Eager to rid myself of my spreading blush, my eyes flicked to the next photograph. Two boys and a pair of twin girls stood in a never ending pose of linked arms. The oldest of the group had a red shirt with grayish black skinny jeans on. Navy blue bangs hid most of his eyes, but you could still see the sad whispers in the glazed greenness of them. I felt as if I was looking at an injured puppy.
The next had on a white button up shirt and black jeans rocky grey hair that spiked up. His green eyes held a strong, challenging glare. Strange that through all of the similar green pools, they each held a different personality. You could tell that he wouldn't take a joke lightly.
After him was a pair of hugging twins, one had midnight purple hair in tight curls and content green eyes, and was wearing a purple dress with a black floral and vine design on it. She had a dark era surrounding her, yet anyone would know she was as sweet as honey. The other-I realized-was Hannah, the lively child I had met less than five minutes ago.
"What do you need Hannah?" I heard an exasperated male voice coming from the hall. I tensed as I distinguished the tone, grasping the fact that it was indeed my rival. Turning, I saw Hannah dragging him down stairs by the hand. Drowsiness was hidden in his words, so I got the feeling Hannah must've just woke him up to come greet the unexpected visitor.
"You'll see!" Hannah giggled, still pulling him along. Drew sighed and I barely heard him mutter in a light tone that this had better be good.
"Trust me! You will be so glad I woke you up for it!" she gave a reassuring smile. Drew spotted me and instantly blushed. He was wearing nothing more than grey basketball shorts, and I examined the strong muscles of his arms and stomach. I felt heat rising to my face as well. I mentally scolded myself for checking him out like he was a cute boy from my algebra class, rather than my adversary.
Drew stopped a few feet away from me, and Hannah stood in between us. She looked from me to Drew with a bright grin on her face. Anticipation seemed to be getting the best of her as she waited for one of us to speak. Chewing her lip, her quick eyes shifted on me to Drew in flashes.
"Well," She exerted, "Someone say something!" As if to prove her point, she gave Drew a light shove towards me. He stood a full head above me now, so the closeness of our bodies brought a pain to my neck while I looked up.
"What are you doing here?" I questioned, showing my great intelligence. Drew smirked at the comment and I knew I had sparked an interest.
"I live here, May" his eyes shined with amusement as pulled his younger sister to him, and she hugged his leg. He let out a laugh and teased, "I think I should be asking you that question". I had known it would come up, but it still gave a stab to the heart at thinking about it. I felt a new set of hot tears sting my eyes.
"I came because…Because I'm looking for my brother." I swallowed, "He went missing while he came to take a class at the Pokémon Breeder Training Center." I examined the room, hoping to avoid crying in front of them. I flinched at Drew's warm touch on my shoulder. Looking up, I saw his understanding smile.
"You can stay here while you search for Max." He added tenderly, "My family and I will help in any way we can." I thanked him with a tight embrace.
"Thanks so much, Drew" I whispered, giving way into my tears. He gave me a gentle squeeze then let me go.
"No problem," He flushed, "It's the right thing to do." Returning to his normal imperturbable state, he said that the house was out of rooms, and unless I wanted to stay in the attic, I would have to bunk with him. I reddened at the thought, but accepted nonetheless. Attics always had a way of freaking me out.
Drew took Hannah to her shared room with her sister-the violet haired Georgia-and tucked her in. The room was decorated as night and day; Hannah's side had fluffy white clouds and a bright sun. The pastel blue paint merged into Georgia's dark blue walls covered in gold stars and a silver moon that seemed to glow in the night. After he tucked Hannah in, he took me to his room. It was just 2 doors down from theirs.
Once we walked in, the neon green leaves on black paint made a dizzying sway in a hidden breeze. I checked the rest of the room and noticed a large, dark framed bed with a light green comforter. By its size, I felt like asking just how many people he planned on having in it. About eight people lying next to each other, shoulder to shoulder, could fit on it.
Drew crawled under the covers on the right side of the bed, and asked if I was just going to stand there all night. I answered by getting in on the left side of the bed. I gave a silent prayer that I would not move from this spot.
