We all have a story to tell
When the light grew bright
When the day met the night
But when darkness begins to fall
Our eyes will be the ones to tell us all
Episode 11: Christi (Filler)
I can never understand why everything in my life crashed down or what I did to deserve it.
"Everything happens for a reason," my mother used to say to me when I was younger. If only she were here...
I used to live out in the country where everything was quiet and peaceful with my mother, my grandparents, and my little brother, Nate. We weren't the richest nor the poorest, but we managed to get through. My mother was a seamstress, and a good one too, who worked long hours and sometimes nights, my grandfather was in charge of the house to make sure it's spot free by the time my mother gets home, my grandmother home-schools both me and Nate, and I usually get out to do the errands while Nate does his best to stay out of trouble.
It was pleasant winter morning when I walked down the busy streets carrying bulky bags of groceries along with some fabrics and rolls of yarn for my mother.
"Maybe next time, I'll convince Mom to have Nate to come with me so he can help," I said to myself as I struggled to keep balance.
It wasn't long until gravity took the best of me and brought the bags to the snowy ground from my hands.
"Dang it," I muttered as I kneed down and began to stuff the things that fell out of the bag.
"Need help?"
I slowly glanced up and spotted a boy about a year or two older than me standing before me.
"Um...yes, sure," I replied awkwardly as I began to blush and brushed my red-orange hair away from my face.
I glanced at his chocolate eyes as he began to pick up the snow powdered groceries and placed them back in their bags.
"Thank you," I gave a small smile, "but I got it."
"Are you sure?" he asked as he raised a brow.
"They are pretty bulky and heavy."
"I can manage," I assured him as I grabbed the bulky brown paper bags, "I'm a pretty strong girl."
"Come on," he said with a smile. "I don't bite."
"I don't exactly live around the corner."
"It's alright," he assured as he grabbed a few bags, "I'm a pretty strong boy Miss..."
"Christi," I finished.
"Aidan," he gave a small smile.
I smiled back as I glanced at his warm smile and chocolate eyes, feeling my cheeks getting hotter by the second. He looked so different than the rest, so cheerful, so happy, soo...human.
"We should get going before any Talems show up," I said after clearing my throat.
"Oh yes, of course," he replied awkwardly. "Lead the way."
"So where do you live?" I asked him as we walked along the dirt road.
"Not far actually," he responded, "just over the hill."
"I guess that makes us neighbors," I smiled awkwardly. "You know, since we're the only people around in miles."
"I guess it does," he smiled back.
"Do you live with anyone?" I blurted out.
"Well, yeah I do. My parents and my sister Manny. Although, it feels like we live alone since Mom and Dad work a lot," he explained.
"What about you?"
"I pretty much live with my mother and little brother as my grandparents are staying until the winter season is over. Mother works, grandparents home school us for the time being as I go get errands done."
"So you're like the delivery girl," Aidan said.
"You can say that. My house over on the left."
The sun gleamed over the freshly fallen snow as my met a faded white country style house. It may not look as nice and proper as the houses of the Talem leaders and their allies but it is very special to me and my family.
You see, my great-great grandfather migrated to what used to be a small town here in the era of peace and tranquility. He and his wife bought a small acre of land that was not the greenest or the richest in soil, but the both of them cared for it and gave it life as well as building the house...my home. The land was passed from generation to generation as it began to flourish in life. Then the war started and all hell broke in the world. Homes were burned, people were slaughtered, and pokemon were slowly diminishing. But somehow, our home stayed alive and strong.
"So you're the farmers," Aidan announced as we walked up to the front porch.
"You can say that," I gave a small smile as I set the bags on the old porch swing.
"You can leave them here."
"Didn't really expect farmers buying groceries at the store," he grinned as he placed the bags down.
"Well winter isn't exactly the best time to grow anything," I replied.
"Dasher isn't very fond of it either."
"Dasher?" he questioned.
"My rapidash."
"Where did you get one? Or better yet, how did you get one if you're a minor and not a Talem?"
"I'm afraid that if I tell you, you'll go tattle on us and have him get taken away," I told him.
"I would never do such thing, but I won't force it out of you."
"Anyways, thank you for helping me."
"Not a problem," he smiled as he began to journey, "and don't worry, you're secret is safe with me."
"Thanks," I gave a small smile.
"Don't mention it," he smiled back as he began to walk towards the road. "See you around neighbor."
"Yeah, see you later."
"You should've been Dasher," I told my rapidash as I gently yet thorough stroked his back with his favorite brush. "He was so kind and helped me carry the groceries. He's seems nice and was even interested about you...in a way."
He neighed and nudged his head on my shoulder in a scolding manner as he gave a worried look.
"Don't worry," I assured him, "he won't tell on us."
"Christi! Dinner!" I heard my mother yell.
"Coming!" I yelled back and turned towards Dasher. "Try to stay warm, okay buddy?"
He simply nodded and began to eat some of the hay nearby. After walking out into the snow and making sure the barn was tightly shut, I trudged on the snow to my home where all the warmth is. I sighed in relief as I felt the warmth kiss my ice cold cheeks as I walked inside, taking off my snow packed boots.
"Christi? Is that you?"
"Yeah Mom!" I replied as I hung my coat and wandered into the kitchen, finding my mother gathering plates and utensils.
Her hazel eyes examined me from top to bottom and then said, "Go wash up honey."
"Yes Mom," I said as I walked up to the sink and began to thoroughly wash my hands. "Hey Mom, do you anything about the neighbors?"
"The ones over the hill? They're nice folk, too bad they are always out in town working."
"What do they do exactly?" I wondered.
"Not so sure," she pondered, "I don't think anyone knows. They have a son and a daughter. I haven't seen them for a while. I believe they are about your age, why are you asking?"
"Just wondering," I gave a small smile.
"Help me bring the chicken out, your grandparents and Nate have already gotten the rest out."
"Alright Mom," I replied as I carefully picked up the tray that contained the tender, golden brown colored, chicken with its marvelous aroma filling the air.
I began to walk towards the door when my eyes caught a dim glow in the pitch black world outside. The red and orange light seemed to grow brighter as what appears to be white smoke above it. I felt something wrong. What is going on over there? Should I go check?
"Christi?" I heard my mother call.
"Coming!"
I continued over to the dining table where I saw my mother, along with my grandparents and Nate waiting for me at the table. I gave a small smile as I gently placed the platter on the center of the nicely displayed table.
"Finally!" I heard Nate exclaim as he gave a big smile. "I'm starving!"
"Well look at you looking so grown up," my grandfather commented.
"Grandpa," I blushed.
"Don't forget you're going to cook for us next time," my grandmother smiled.
"Well let's hope my cooking turn out to be amazing like yours," I smiled back as I took my seat at the dining table.
"This looks soo good!" Nate beamed.
"Now Nate, before we begin to eat we have to say grace," my mother instructed him. "Christi, would you care to say grace before us?"
"Yes Mom," I replied as we grew ready to pray. I'll start whenever you're ready, okay? Dear-"
The knocking at the door stopped me from continuing. All of us peered over to the front door, wondering who was trying to get our attention.
"I'll go check who it is," my grandfather announced as he got up and began to walk toward the front door.
"So Christy, did you have any trouble down at the market today?" my mother asked.
"Nope," I gave a small smile.
"Honey, you should let Nate go along with her," my grandmother suggested. "Nate is old enough to know where to go and he can help Christi."
"I know Mom, but who knows what the Talems would do if they spot him walking home alone."
"Mom, this might help Nate with understanding out there," I began to explain. "What if I move out for any reason? Nate needs to where to-"
"You won't be going anywhere," my mother interrupted, "you're fine here."
"But you and Dad always traveled and it's only fair that I-"
"Your father and I didn't know the dangers out there. If we weren't all over place, your father would still be with us."
I grew silent as I looked away from the table, too angry to say more.
"Granpa has been gone for a while," Nate said awkwardly as he glanced out to the hallway, "what's keeping him?"
"Talems!"
We jumped in fear as we saw a group of Talems barging into our front home.
"Christi get Nate and go to the barn!" my mother ordered as she and my grandmother barricaded the kitchen door. "Saddle up Dasher and head toward the cabin up in the lake."
"Mom, I'm not leaving without you," I began to quiver.
"Me either," Nate added as he grew close to me.
"Christi, go. We'll be fine, promise me that you will take care of Nate."
"Mom?"
"Will you promise me dammit?" I could see tears beginning to go down her cheeks.
"I will," I sniffled and wiped the tears forming around my eyes, "come on Nate."
"You'll meet us there right Mom?" Nate asked in fear. "Mom?"
"Hopefully," she said softly.
"Let's go Nate."
We quickly dashed out of the house, fighting against the bitter cold as we heard the door smashing into the ground.
"Keep going Nate," I told him gently.
He held onto my hand tightly and we quickly got inside.
"Christi?" Nate asked.
"Get on Dasher," I told him as I grabbed my knapsack I had left nearby earlier.
"Christi?" he asked with his face full of anxiety as I quickly prepared some supplies.
"You lead Dasher as I open the back door," I instructed him, "the quicker we do this, the quicker we will get to safety."
"O-okay Christi."
I ran up to the door and pushed as hard as I could to get an opening from the massive things. I gave myself a hidden smile as I watched Nate leading Dasher out. For a little kid, he sure learned fast. The hairs on my neck sprang up when my ears picked up the Talems banging at the front.
"Crap, crap, crap."
My heart raced as I leaned against the bi doors and gave all my strength to try to close them.
"Christi come on!" I heard Nate cry.
"They're in there! I know it!" I heard a voice yell.
Come on, close! I pleaded in my mind as I barely managed to push a few inches in.
"Christi get on!"
My eyes caught the doors getting ready to break.
"Christi!"
There was no way we can have a clean getaway at this point….at least for the two of us.
"They're coming Christi!"
"I'm sorry Mom," I whispered to myself. "Nate! Hold onto Dasher!"
"What are you-"
I slapped my fellow companion to get him and my brother to safety.
"Christi!" I heard him cry as I ran back in the barn and grabbed a pitchfork.
I knew I had a small chance of getting out there alive and that it will give Nate and Dasher more time to escape. A five foot farm girl with a pitchfork against a five-eight, five-ten Talem with skills to assassinate anyone in minutes…..I'm screwed.
"For Nate," I whispered to myself as I watched them kick the door down.
I raised my weapon, ready to defend myself.
Bang!
I was knocked onto my back, the pitchfork blow away from my reach and my shirt all bloody from the shotgun. I gasped for air and held my side as a big, muscular man with a buzz cut came in view. He had a terrorizing crooked smile and cold dark eyes, almost like looking at death at its face.
"Look who we have here," he announced and leaned towards me, "a farm girl thinking she could fight us off."
My eyes caught a piece of glass not too far from me. My fingers slowly made their way towards my only hope.
"Not so fast."
His heavy boot stomped onto my wrist before I grew close. I gave a shriek of pain as my blood had completely drenched my shirt.
"Still haven't lost that will to fight?"
He bent down and brushed my hair away from my face, staring into my hazel eyes.
"You look just like your mother," he spoke as I felt his breathing near my neck, "a very gorgeous, beautiful farm girl."
What...the…hell?
I was scared as hell and losing consciousness. The world grew blurry as he walked away from me.
"Make sure the girl is stays alive…she'll be very useful to us…"
Blackout.
A warm, vibrant light blinded me as I slowly opened my eyes from my slumber.
Where am I? God my head hurts.
Everything became clear as I darted my eyes around, I was in an empty, plain, tiny room.
How long was I out?
I spotted a day calendar on the wall across from me:
TODAY
Wednesday
April 17, 1963
"No way," I whimpered as I trembled in fear. "There is no way I was out for two years and four months!"
Then, remembering about my wounds I received from the farm, I looked down and shrieked.
"What the hell happened to me?!"
My entire body was covered in soft, lilac fur, my hands and feet are now paws, and there was a thin, forked tail laying limply behind me. My heart began to pound against my chest as I slowly lingered to a water bowl. I gulped and slowly looked down, praying it was all in my head.
"This can't be happening!" I screamed as my eyes met with an espeon glancing back at me.
It had to be a nightmare. It just had to be. I was breaking down to tears at this point, wishing I could go home and see my family again. My life was over…
I later learned that my grandfather was killed in the ambush, my grandmother died in a prison, and my mother was killed when she and a group of others tried to escape. Nate, now ten years old, was never found by the Talems, which gave me some light of hope that he's alive; giving me the strength to continue on and search for him.
It was about a week or two since I woke from my two year slumber and the Talems experimented on me. I glanced at the open window just above my cell, dark clouds covering the sky and heavy rainfall pounding against the ground.
"Big sis is coming Nate," I said to myself as I grew ready, "and she won't lose you this time."
I escaped.