Continued...
ÒI donÕt believe it.Ó
Misty narrowed her eyes and glared at the older girl. TheyÕd been walking along this trail for hours in silence until Jessie asked her why sheÕd been traveling with Ash. Misty had told her about how sheÕd fished Ash out of the river and how Ash had stolen her bike and wrecked it trying to save Pikachu. She realized even while she was telling the story that she wasnÕt being fair to Ash....or even all together truthful to herself. What she didnÕt realize was that it was so obvious. ÒWhat do you mean you donÕt believe it?Ó she demanded.
Jessie smirked at the younger girl. ÒJust what I said brat. I. DonÕt. Believe. It. There is no way that youÕve been following that loser for all this time just to get a rusty old bike back.Ó
MistyÕs eyes widened then quickly narrowed. ÒLook you, you have no right to say anything about it, because you donÕt know anything about it.Ó she began loudly and she got louder with every word. ÒAnd for your information, the bike WASNÕT rusty! And...Ó
Jessie rolled her eyes. ÒOh what ever kid. I donÕt care if your bike was brand new, no one follows a person...especially such a block headed, empty brained, clueless...Ó
ÒI got it.Ó Misty growled.
Grinning evilly, Jessie continued Ò...person around for nearly three years just for a bike. AND even if you had been....you could have been paid back several times over by now if you really wanted to be. But you donÕt want to be paid back do you? Cause then youÕd have no excuse. Then youÕd have to tell everyone why you Really follow that twerp around like a lost puppy.Ó Jessie regarded the enraged girl with a superior grin. She knew she was right, sheÕd known it even before Misty had told her the ridiculous story about following that kid to get a bike. She also knew the effect being confronted with this knowledge was having on the girl and she loved it. It was a button just begging to be pushed.....and after all the times this girl and her friends had blasted her and James and Meowth off and messed up their plans she was only too happy to push it and push it hard.
Misty was fuming. She wanted to scream, she wanted to smack that grin off of JessieÕs face, she wanted to do anything to get her to shut up. ÒWhy else would I be following Ash?Ó she demanded through gritted teeth.....even as she asked the question, she knew it was a mistake.
Jessie feigned surprise and said ÒWhy? Why else? YouÕre in..Ó
ÒSTOP! DonÕt say it! DonÕt even think it.Ó Misty advanced on the laughing Team Rocket member, her hands clenched into fists at her side.
ÒWhy not? Its true.Ó Jessie taunted.
ÒNothing is true. Especially not what you are thinking.Ó Misty muttered. Her mind raced, she had to find some way to get Jessie to shut up. Suddenly it hit her. She smiled sweetly. ÒWhat about you Jessie?Ó
Jessie blinked, this time in real surprise. ÒWhat about me?Ó
ÒWell.....I was just wondering why you hang around that loser James? I mean...he isnÕt especially smart either...and its usually his fault all Team RocketÕs plans fail isnÕt it?Ó
Jessie frowned angrily. ÒI know what youÕre trying to do twerp.Ó she said pointing threateningly at Misty. ÒDonÕt even start. James has ten times the smarts that bratty little boyfriend of yours ever had.Ó She drew in a breath. SheÕd gone too far.....she knew sheÕd gone too far. Her mind froze helplessly in the face of the sheer cruelty of what sheÕd just done. She watched the color drain from MistyÕs face and her eyes widen. Without a word the younger girl turned and marched away as fast as she could down the trail. Jessie opened her mouth to say something....anything. To apologize...to qualify...to explain....but nothing would come out and soon Misty was so far ahead for any words to reach her. Jessie looked at Meowth helplessly, tears in her eyes. ÒI didnÕt mean....Ó she whispered.
Meowth sighed. ÒI know ya didnÕt Jess. I know.Ó He reached up and took his distraught friendÕs hand. ÒLets go...we gotta catch up before she just walks right inta da BossÕs campÓ Meowth sighed again as he and Jessie hurried to catch up to Misty. He knew something like this might happen. HeÕd enjoyed the argument at first...Jessie was scoring all the points and truthfully he was just as happy to see the kid squirm as he knew Jessie was. But these two were just too much alike. It was only a matter of time before one of them went too far and said something theyÕd regret....and heÕd had a feeling it would be Jessie. It usually was. They caught up with Misty shortly and continued the rest of the way in silence.
Misty ignored Jessie and Meowth....or tried to anyway. She wasnÕt having much luck though. JessieÕs words echoed through her head. Ôthat bratty little boyfriend of yours ever had.........ever had..............had.Õ Had. That particular word. Had. Its amazing, she thought, what one little word can do to a sentence. To a person. Had means used to have....doesnÕt have anymore...isnÕt there anymore....gone....dead.... Tears filled MistyÕs eyes at that thought. Oh Ash....
Jessie walked along miserably. She was mean...she knew she was mean. She did her best to be mean. Mean people didnÕt get hurt. Mean people did the hurting. Then why does it always hurt anyway? she wondered. She was brought abruptly out of her musing by Meowth who suddenly stopped in front of her, causing her to trip over him and nearly fall flat on her face. ÒMeowth!Ó She cried in angry surprise. ÒWhat do you think youÕre doing stopping in the middle of the path?Ó
ÒBut Jessie....this ainÕt da path no more. Look....its da clearing.Ó
Jessie looked around and realized Meowth was right....this WAS the clearing where the Boss was camped...but.....where was the camp? Where was the Boss?
Misty stood a short distance away watching Jessie turn in a confused circle. For a second she wondered what in the world the older girl was doing, but then it dawned on her....ÓJessie....this is where your bossÕs camp is supposed to be isnÕt it?Ó she asked in a tired voice.
Jessie looked at Misty and nodded silently. Misty didnÕt do anything for a moment....she just stood there staring at the ground. Not moving, not saying anything...just...staring. Jessie tried not to be....but she couldnÕt help it. She was worried about the girl. Just as sheÕd made up her mind to go over and see if Misty was ok, the girl exploded.
ÒThis is just GREAT!Ó She screamed angrily, kicking up a cloud of dirt and leaves from the ground. ÒHowÕre we supposed to find Pikachu now? Your boss is gone....weÕre stuck on this island with no way off...and even if we had a way off where would we look? Where?Ó MistyÕs yelling died off and she covered her face with her hands. ÒIÕll never find Pikachu now....Ó she whispered in despair, sinking slowly to the ground. ÒIÕm sorry Ash.....IÕm sorry...Ó
Jessie and Meowth glanced at each other and read the same question and answer in each otherÕs eyes. With a nod, Meowth moved over to MistyÕs side. ÒDereÕs a way off dis island...Ó He said, then he paused, glancing at his teammate again. Seeing her nod slowly, he continued, Ò...and...I know where to find dat Pikachu too.Ó
Misty looked up slowly, hope shining tentatively in her eyes. ÒWhere?Ó
Meowth swallowed the lump of fear that began to form in his throat. What he was about to suggest was crazy. It was dangerous....it would probably get him and Jessie and most certainly Misty killed. ÒWe gotta go to Team Rocket Headquarters.Ó
To Be Continued....