Silent Skies

Chapter 4

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-A few days later-

Maddie woke aprubtly as a beam of sunlight hit her directly in the eye. She groaned and turned over, accidentally knocking the gate-roof out of the way.

She sat up, and pulled it back into place. A few rough, carved bowls lay on the ground, result of the last few days' experimenting.

The girl stood up, and turned to the smaller shelter beside her. Entei was already awake, staring at her from the warmth of it's shelter.

She leaned down and picked him up, replacing the wood and plastic as Entei's struggling inevitably knocked it over too.

She dropped him into her bag, which suddenly made a ripping noise. Her hands flew beneath it, ready to catch Entei if he fell out the bottom, but nothing happened. Maddie looked at the bag, and saw another few stitches had pulled out.

Looking down at her little pokemon, she frowned. He was so thin, barely half the size he should be, and yet he was growing so fast, even in the few days she had him. She was having trouble feeding him, and often went without much herself.

Maddie sighed, and smiled regretfully, wondering if it would have been better for her to have not found Entei, and then shook her head. No, he was almost dead there. She breifly considered bringing him to a Pokemon center, but they didn't sustain your pokemon, just healed them from battle wounds.

Battle wounds. She stopped. How did most trainers make money for the expensive pokemon training gear? Battling. Her eyes darted to Entei, and then frowned. No. He was far too young.

But she couldn't go on like this.

She scooped out her life savings of coins. She counted them quickly. Three hundred and twenty one.

Holding her head high, she made her way along the alleys until she came to the Underground passage. She had avoided this place before, from rumours that you needed a strong pokemon, but she needed it now. Things were cheaper down there, and that's what she needed.

As she stepped down the stairs, a hand went to cover her bag. If anybody knew she had an Entei, he would be gone within the minute.

Maddie walked down the center of the passage, watching everyone warily.

'Herbs! Cheap herbs!'

'Haircuts! Make your pokemon love you!'

'Clothes!'

She stopped at the last one, glancing over at the vendor who had called the word she had wanted to hear.

'You're selling clothes?'

'Yis, I am indeed.' He said, grinning. 'What takes your likin', ma'am?'

She glanced over his shoulder, trying to ignore his expression which clearly was disbelieving she had enough money. She pointed to a simple light-blue shirt, and a pair of khaki shorts.

'How much are those?' She asked.

'Weel- The shirt is 53, and the shorts ah.. 57.' He said.

Maddie frowned. 110 for both? That was too much. At least on her budget.

'I'll give you 60. For both of them.'

The shopkeeper grimaced. 'There is no way ahm lettin em go for less than 95.'

'65, then.'

'80. No lower.'

'72. My final offer.'

'75 and you can have em.'

'Alright. 75.'

She smiled slightly as she handed over the coins. She had no idea, really, how well she'd bartered, but seeing the shopkeepers slightly unhappy look, decided she hadn't done too badly.

She received a paper package, and nodded, turning away. She made her way up the stairs again, re-counting her money. 246 left. Well, that might actually get her somewhere.

Maddie was suddenly interrupted by a squirming and tearing of the bag that hung from her shoulder. She lunged to grap Entei, but he slipped from her grasp, and tumbled down the stairs, whining pitifully.

She gasped, and ran after it, trying not to trip herself.

A lanky young man watched her, then stepped over to pick up Entei from the stairs. He didn't even glance at the pokemon again, and Maddie hoped desperately he wouldn't be able to tell what it was.

She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, swallowing uncomfortably.

'Give it back.' She said.

'Oh, really.'

Maddie swallowed.

'Give it back.' She repeated.

'Why?' He taunted.

'Because.'

'That's no reason.'

'So?'

'Why?'

She scowled in frustration. Breifly she considered snatching the Entei from underneath his arm, and running, but she wasn't good enough at that.

When she didn't reply, he stepped beside her, and walked up the stair.

Maddie clenched her teeth in frustration, and walked after him.

When they reached the top, he turned to her.

'Come with me.'

She stared at him, eyes narrowed. Without waiting for an answer, he strode around a corner. She followed him, but no plan for escape could formulate in her mind.

At last, he stopped, and leaned against the wall.

'You're a pretty girl.' He said. Maddie scowled at him, but her heart was sinking.

'Where'd you get it?' He asked, indicating the Entei. It was struggling, but the man's grip held it secure.

'None of your business.' She snapped, still hoping he hadn't recognised it.

'A lovely creature. Skinny, underfed, fleas.' He said, sarcasm in his voice.

'Give. It. Back.' Maddie repeated.

The man shook his head in mock dissaproval.

'I'm Will.' He said, after a pause. 'You really should find a better way to keep your pokemon.'

He lifted the Entei, looked at it, then handed it to Maddie. She took it quickly, then stared at him in disbelief.

'Thankyou, Will.' She said after a moment, exaddgerating his name as though it was an unnessecary title. 'I'll be going now.'

She turned, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. Maddie whipped around.

'But I don't know your name.' He protested mildly.

'Maddie. Goodbye.'

'Maddie. That's a nice name.' Will looked at her mildly. 'Here.'

She stopped, uncomprehending for a few moments. Then, she realised he was handing some coins out to her.

'Why?' She stuttered, still staring at them.

'Because it needs a bath.' He said jokingly.

She paused a moment more, then took the coins.

'Thankyou.' Maddie said, noticing for the first time his clothes, which were simple, but well made.

She turned to go, and this time he did not stop her.