Character(s): Brendan.

Theme: Lost

Word count: 464.

Notes: You need to infer who we are looking for here. Set in one of those snowy days in Mt. Chimney (as in it snowing on certain days in winter. I know it's ash. Bear with me please). I feel depressed and I loathe myself so I write hopelessness.

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I

It's falling all around him, he's enveloped. He can't hear his own footsteps any more, the white blanket's left him bare to the world, he's alone.

'Where are you? I can't see you any more. Is it you that I see, or just anyther illusion?. You're gone.

I miss you.'

He's barely avoided falling until now, the white-coloured tall grass keeps rustling, and is that melody that makes him sleepy.

He's been alone for a while, and he's been hoping for company for even longer. "Where are you? I can't see you anywhere.

Say my name again."

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II

He sees a Skarmory and gets his hopes up. "Is that you?" And even when the pokemon's turned around and ran, he keeps reaching for it.

There's supposed to be bounded to meet, right? Maybe he'll be there, around the corner? Maybe he just has to move just a bit further, just a little further until the check-point.

Because they're always meeting, he's always one step ahead, looking back at him. He has to hurry, he can't make him wait.

In this white world, all voices are dead and all that's left is a handful of heartbeats.

"Take it all away and let us meet."

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III

And when his body collapses, he can't do anything but curl under the protection of the nearest bush.

Shivering, he barely manages to take out a blanket. His hands are numb beyond repair, but his foggy vision does make out the early signs of frost-bite.

Slowly, his minute form is covered in thin cold. He was going...

Where was he going?

Was there anybody he wanted to reach?

He doesn't think so. The young trainer mutters a few words of encouragement to his companions and makes a half-assed effort of not falling asleep.

It was hours later that footsteps approached his unconcious form.

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IV

He's still alone when he wakes up. He starts touching his face with his right hand, for he cannot feel his left.

He isn't sure of what that means, but it's enveloped in bandages and there are so many possibilities that he can't help but shiver a bit.

Still, no voice comes out of his throat. He tries twice.

It's after a few tears have fallen from his eyes that the door opens. "It's him!"

Mouth agape, he quickly removes them with his only hand, until his face is all wet. His eyes are a tiny bit red and his lower lip trembles almost unnoticeable.

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V

It's later, when he's not shocked any more, that he's back to his normal self.

He's thankful, embarrassed, expectant, but in the end they part ways like always and it's just him back on the road.

He stubbornly refused any rest, he was looking forward to their next meeting.

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