As I said in the first chapter, don't expect consistency. It was uploaded on a whim with simply the first two chapters in mind, so don't expect a compelling story after that. This was all written in one night when I realized that 'Wow! Someone actually followed this after two months of inactivity! Nice!' And I have loads of work for school to complete that is due. Whatever, it'll be done, as is this now. New chapter will probably come out sometime over spring break for this as well, but after that I really don't know. Also didn't really edit any of the three chapters currently out just so ya know, it's just pure unadulterated word vomit. So, with that, enjoy this for what it's worth.

Chapter III

"Hey, Jance?"

"...Hmm?"

"You really don't look too good."

"Mmm..."

With my head and neck laid out on the sidewalk now, the only things I really feel are exhaustion and the dull pain of my sunburns.

"Alright... is there any way to... Ah, I've got an idea. Jance, you listening?"

I give a slight nod, looking up at the Luxray now standing in front of me.

"Alright. You know how dogs pant when it's hot out? Ya know, stick their tongues out and breathe quickly?"

Another nod.

"I think that might be a way to help, at least somewhat. God damnit, summer was such a terrible time for this..."

With a final nod, I oblige. I don't feel much of a difference, however. It's not making me feel worse however, so I continue doing it until the Luxray spots something.

Quickly clambering over to what I'd assume to be my ear, Sid whispers, "Martin's back, with food." I don't give a reaction, but I am nonetheless glad. Looking up, I spot a pickup truck rapidly approaching before finally pulling up next to us. Martin quickly gets out and goes to the back of his pickup, beckoning Sid over. A few seconds later I spot them coming back, each of them carrying a bucket filled with... something. I decide against raising my head to peek. The Luxray sets a bucket down and speaks up.

"Don't know if you like this or not, but from both Martin's and my knowledge Lapras like to eat fish. So, that's what he got for you; a good load of fish."

"Th...at's okay..., fish's fine..." I mumble out.

"Alright. Now, I'm gonna lift your head and neck up for a bit so we can actually get the food down. You good with that?"

"Yea."

"Okay. Gonna lift on three. One... two... three!"

On queue, my head's lifted up a few inches off the ground, something furry underneath.

"Heavier than I would've thought, but still manageable. Good."

Upon slight movement underneath me, I see the human approach me, fish bucket in tow. Slowly opening my mouth and closing my eyes, I wait patiently. When something makes contact with my tongue - something salty yet fresh, I can't help but think about how I... like it? Moving the fish around my mouth a bit, I realize how genuinely great it tastes. Actually, it seems to taste nearly the same, except the fact that it's just... better than I remember it being? I don't know.

Martin picks up the next bucket and I quickly swallow, already feeling a bit more energized. Opening my mouth again, I find myself savoring the taste of the fish more than I would've thought is necessary before this mess. The process repeated a few more times before Martin had run out of buckets. I couldn't help but want more.

Sid set me down slowly, doing his best to not let my head drop on the ground, but I picked my head up and let him get out from under me before dropping it myself. As my eyes grow somewhat droopy once again, I see Sid mumbling about something, pointing at me. Looking back at Martin, his eyes widen and, with no patience, gets back in his truck and almost immediately drives off. My gaze turns quizzical as the Luxray approaches me once again.

"Martin's gone off to try and find some way to carry you. Maybe something like a trailer that someone's not using - that's probably the best thing. Oh, and also sunscreen. You are insanely sunburned. We might need, like, a doctor or something to check that out so it doesn't get infected."

I simply hum in response, watching the truck speed away. Sleep sounds nice, but I shake off the thought. The realization comes to me that I might just never wake up if I fall asleep, and I really don't want to die yet. So, I turn my attention back to the Luxray.

"Do you... know any games that could, like, uh... just, do you know any games we can play with one another that'll keep me awake? Cause... I really just don't want to risk that right now..."

The Luxray's eyes widen slightly and he forces a smile. "Well, sure. The fact that you're still thinking logically is an amazing sign for your future, too. Anyways, how about... two truths and one lie?"

I nod, smiling somewhat. "Give us a chance to get ta'know each other, yeah?"

The Luxray smiles, laying down in front of me. "Alright, I'll start. My three things are that I've went skydiving, scuba diving, and bungee jumping. Which is the lie?"

"Hmm... the sky- no... scuba diving...?" I hesitantly quip.

"Nope! Good guess. I've never went skydiving, actually. My friend wanted me to do it with him, but instead I convinced him to do bungee jumping instead. I can't say that it was any less scary than what skydiving is considering I'm much closer to the ground. Was still fun though. Scuba diving was alright, did it with Martin, actually. visited the great barrier reef and did our scuba thing there. It was amazing. Anyways, enough about me. It's your turn now!"

"Alright, let me see... I've went skiing, snorkeling, and horse riding. Which is the lie?"

The Luxray looked down at the ground, deep in thought. "Maybe... horse riding?"

"Nope! I've never went snorkeling. Scared me to death as a kid, and still scares me now. I just don't like the idea of having to rely on a snorkel to breathe. Breathing hole's too small, plus if water gets down into it I might end up accidentally choking on the water. Similar thing with scuba diving too, really. I'm not scared of going underwater, just of the artificial way of breathing. I don't feel comfortable with that type of stuff."

The Luxray takes in the information with a pensive look, once again staring at the ground. "Y'know, considering your species' type, one would assume that fear to be a bad thing. Considering said typing however, I don't think that you'd actually want a snorkel or scuba gear if you're under water. Not sure how your species actually works, but I'd assume that you are either able to hold your breath for extended amounts of time, or you might just be able to breathe underwater. For now though, I'll just assume the former."

Staring at Sid now, I try to mentally ponder what he means, but I don't really want to ask.

Quickly taking my mind off of that, I focus it back onto our game, and onto keeping myself awake until Martin once again gets back with some way to help me out of this summer sun.