Chapter 31: A New Reckoning

It was raining.

It's been pouring hard for several days now, but today it's starting to fizzle out into a drizzle. It'll get worse tomorrow. It's supposed to be like this until the end of the week, then some fog…

I picked up the sparse honey flakes in the bowl, trying to catch as much milk as possible. I decided that I wanted a late breakfast, why not? It's not like Rose was in the mood to make dinner anyways. My jaws were over stretched and compressed, hoping to create as much noise as possible to block out the TV.

"Construction workers continue to coordinate with fire fighters to make their way to the basement. As of Monday, it has been confirmed that the death toll is confirmed to be over two thousand."

I cringed, nearly choking on the milk. I didn't expect it to be that bad. Arceus. Just… Arceus. I turned back, Rose was seated on the couch, leaning much forward than she ought to be. She hasn't eaten breakfast yet. She's just… sitting there, being quiet. I can hear her breathing from here.

It was still smoking. The scene was exactly how I imagined it: A huge pile of rock and steel taking residence between two dust-coated towers. I couldn't make anything else, her head was in the way. I saw pictures on the internet– a building that was too big to be reduced to a size like that. It's unheard of it's–

The local anchor man was practically screaming his head off, acting like it was the end of the world.

He wasn't too far off the mark.

"God! Get in there you stupid little–" I heard Ben from behind, followed by the bag ripping. No! Dammit! We should've gotten the duffle bags, sure they were more expensive but at least they're reliable.

The revolution had finally come to their region, progressing steadily fast. I just didn't think it would start close to home. They said they were going to send the soldiers on the front lines, but there was so much ground to cover, some would have inevitably slipped through the cracks.

Roll whined in my lap and licked my hand. I heard dogs can sense when their owner is nervous, and he's been very clingy to me since this all occurred. If anything good came out of this, it only made me appreciate him more.

"Okay, I gathered all we could from the kitchen and garage. Did you take care of your things?"

"...The bag's up there."

"Then go fetch it, we're leaving here at eighteen hundred… ugh, 6 o clock sharp." He took the remote and the screen faded. "C'mon Cal! We can't waste time."

"Six?!" I howled. "But Dad and Uncle Leo aren't back yet! They said we have to wait for them–"

"They also said if they're not here by six, we leave, no exceptions." Ben barked. Roll stopped whining, my breaths were hollow, I didn't dare utter a word. This is really happening. They were supposed to get stuff from the next town over! What happened to them?

My eyes started to water, I avoided his gaze. Ben sighed. "Look, we're not… abandoning them. It must be traffic or… they know where to go. If anything, we should meet them there, staying here is just not safe, man. I'm sorry."

"..."

"Calvin–"

"I'll go. Bye."

I scooped up Roll and set him on the other cushion and marched straight upstairs. I opened the door, it seemed much messier than usual, or was it just me? Does it even matter?

I couldn't take everything, obviously. The car wasn't that big, and we had to prioritize space. I opened the closet, gathering all the comics I stored in the shoebook before dumping all of my savings from the piggy bank into my suitcase. Then I went to the drawers and stuffed as many toys and other personal items in there before it was bloated.

As I stuffed the handheld console in my pocket, I took a glimpse of the posters, the ones with pokemon on them. They have been collecting dust. These would've been considered a prized item now and the online market, since the official pokemon league closed down, these were more rarer than anyone would give the credit to. Still, I didn't feel right to take it. I doubt other people appreciate them either.

I sighed once more, dragging my belongings to the couch. Ben at somehow managed to fix our entire pantry into the drunk, I couldn't even see the windows, he must have taken that much space.

He took my case and hooked it to the top of the car with heavy straps, then handed me the leash connected to Roll's collar. As he patted me down, working his way to shut off the electricity to the house, a loud bang sounded in the distance.

We rushed out in the front yard. Even though it was dark, I could faintly see the pillar of rising smoke coming from the treeline, alongside gunshots. Ben grabbed my shoulder pushing me and Roll into the car.

"Keep your head down. Don't do anything else unless I say so!"

I tried to, but this car was cramped. Ben must have noticed because he grumbled to himself and flicked the engine alight with his wrist. I petted a still-whining Roll as we left our neighborhood.

That was the last time I saw the house, alongside the rest of the family.

The spoon clattered on the floor. Dammit! It must have slipped from my fingers. I got off the chair to pick it up when I heard the clicking of the remote. She rose from the couch, looking at me.

"Something wrong?"

"I… things are fine, just dropped my spoon." I showed the piece of silverware. "I think I got some dirt on it, but it's fine. I'm not really hungry anyways."

"It got dirty and you're done eating?"

"Um… yeah?"

"Here, I can take that for you." Rose took the spoon and bowl and went to the sink. She usually hummed to herself as she did the dish but now… she's quiet.

"How are you friends doing?" Asked Rose.

"Fine… I guess? Well… Swirl and Poseidon are a bit shaken up, but… I think they're getting better." That was a half life, I hadn't talked to them after that whole thing went down. School was canceled for the time being, and Rose didn't really leave the house except for work and groceries since… that day. She's been really glued to that TV. Hell everyone practically has been.

It's a bit unsettling.

"Hm." Rose nodded. "It's understandable. It was pretty scary."

A massive understatement.

Rose kept washing the dishes, but at a slower pace. She's not really focused on the bowl, I think. Maybe at the window.

"I… am currently taking a break to collect my thoughts… for the investigation of course… when they finish–I mean they finish clean-up."

They gave Rose time off? Well, it's not too big of a surprise, my school canceled classes too, at least until things calm down… yeah. Arceus, this is getting too stuffy here, I need some sunlight, some fresh air, anything to keep my mind off… it. I'll just go for a jog, yeah, I'll do that.

I reached for the door. I won't go that far–

"Calvin? Calvin!"

I didn't even make it across the room, I turned and saw her looking at me with disapproval.

"Rose, I'm not going anywhere, just for a walk."

"A walk out of the neighborhood, this late?"

"It's still morning…"

"Calvin, we talked about this. You can't leave the house without my supervision."

"Rose." I explained. "I don't see why it's a big deal, I've moved around just fine, even before the sanctuary. So…"

"This is entirely different, Calvin."

"Rose, nothing is going to happen! That was in Pearl City and we were miles away! It's fine over here, you're overreacting and–"

She growled, staring at me with bared teeth and narrow eyes. I almost jumped out of my skin, for a second there, she almost looked like a wild animal. "You. Are. Not. Leaving."

"..."

Her teeth retreated back into her maw. She attempted to reach out for me, I twitched, my mind was still on her teeth. Rose lowered her arm, staring at the floor, her voice much quieter than before.

"Calvin, just go upstairs… please."

"...Okay." I marched up the steps.

"Do you want to be tucked in?"

I paused. "No." Then continued upwards.

I made sure to lock the door, it would've made things worse if Rose heard me now. With a final bite, I spat the fabric away from my jaws and threw the pillow against the wall, narrowly avoiding the lamp. I slammed by fist against the bed.

*SLAM*

It's

*SLAM*

Not

*SLAM*

Fair!

Of course, I missed my last swing, hitting the banister of my bed instead. I yelped and sucked on my fingers. There was no blood but arceus damn did it hurt. I took a deep breath and I looked outside, it was drizzling anymore but the clouds were dark… just as dark as–

Stop thinking about it!

Screw this, I need something to help me…

I went to the underwear drawer and pulled it out. I swept a handful of my garments to the side and pulled out a candy bar. I managed to snuck it out of school, my last day of school.

Augh. Who am I kidding, they couldn't ignore, how could I?

I tore the package, thinking of the time that has passed since then. The sensation of chocolate helped ease the blow.

I was the last kid to be picked up from school, some teachers watched over me until she finally came by. She had faint coverings of dust and black smudge on her fur. After I told Rose that I was fine, she almost dragged me by the arm to the parking lot. She didn't speak the entire way there, didn't answer any questions, didn't turn on the radio, just… drove.

I thought she'd break my back when she hugged me when we arrived at the house. She just took a quick shower, hugged me a bit more, and told me to go to bed. I went along with it, it wasn't like I could watch anything better on tv.

But the coddling thing never really stopped, it was the opposite. No matter what it was, breakfast, wrapping up my school assignments, even walks, she always wanted to be there! It was one thing when we were in the city to get food, things were hectic as it was but this…

…Is she obsessed over me? I mean we it's been forever since we met, and I know that we still had catching up to do. Maybe it's just a quirk, a phase? I know she was a bit jealous when Roll was around…

Oh, that.

The other drawer, the one I kept the really important stuff, just toys, video games, comics, some other stuff I couldn't think of right now, and now this.

I threw the wrapped in the trash and picked up the collar, the fabric felt odd to my fingers, oh wait, that's right… She cleaned it already. Man, it looks better already, kind of warm too…

I gotta stop this… he's gone… just like dad, Leo, my brother… I'm the last one left, Rose is all I have now. What's done is done. Maybe I should toss this away, and forget about it.

I opened my closet and spotted the cardboard box in the corner. I outstretched my hand, the leash hanging by the silvery buckle.

I pulled it back slowly. I'm jumping the gun again… who says this should rot in the closet? We could always get a pet; the house has been getting quieter and we got nothing else going on… except the obvious. When things settle down, I'll ask if we can get a pet. A third member of the family… now that I can work with.

*TAP* *TAP*

Must be a woodpecker. I saw one pecking on the tree near my window once. I wonder if it's here again–

Leafy was there. He was on the backyard window, waving to me.

"Leafy?! What the hell!"

"Hi…" His voice was muffled. "Can I come in?"

I rushed to the window and slid it open. Before I could answer, he barged into my room, leaving wet pawprints on the carpet, then shook bits and drops of rain from his coat. "Man, that hits the spot. The rain caught me by accident so I didn't… oh."

He trailed. Guess he finally noticed the stains of water on my pajamas. He's lucky I'm his friend, his monkey butt would be kicked out the window otherwise.

"Hehe… sorry–"

I folded my arms, shoving the collar into my pocket. "Leafy, what on earth are you doing up here?! We have a front door, you know!"

"I know, I know, I'm sorry! I wanted to talk to you… alone… your mom seemed a bit… well…"

I leaned closer, making him very sure to see my eyebrow scrunching down. "A bit what?"

"Uh… out of it? Um… not as she used to be?"

"Crazy?"

Leafy went bug-eyed and shook his head. Good, I'm not in the mood dumb stuff right now. So what if Rose stays in the house more than she usually does? She still goes to work! And to social gatherings… I think.

"No! I didn't want her to over us, man. I just wanted to talk privately."

"You couldn't send me a text?"

"I could've, but Poseidon didn't want to do that. He wanted me to come in, then out. He's asking if you could come with us."

I pulled my head back, studying him carefully. "Poseidon, wants me to come over? Me specifically?"

"No, it's all of us."

I went to the window and looked down. Over behind one of the fences I saw the gang. Darkness, Swirl and Poseidon were hiding behind some grass. They raised their heads up a bit when they noticed I saw them. I turned to Leafy.

"Leafy, what is this all about?"

"We're… planning to go to the amusement park."

I nearly jumped from the window, I did a double take… he was serious.

"What?! Leafy, are you crazy? They shut the park down, there's no way–"

"We're not going inside there. We're only going to take a look at it. From a distance. You know that place at the dumb and the stream?"

"Of course I do! You guys are going there on foot?"

"Swirl took a look at the map, she found a short-cut and believes we can get in and out no problem. It's not that far."

"No way, people will notice. Rose will check up on me. She'll–"

"We're not going right now! Just in a few hours, far in the afternoon. We're only there to take a peek and then come back straight home. Poseidon really wants us to be there."

"Including me?"

"Yes, including you."

"But why?"

"I dunno, he just… really wants us to go. He thinks it's super important."

"So we'll just go there, and straight back?"

"Yes, that's what he said. So… are you in?"

If he asked me that question months, hell even years ago, I would've gone in a heartbeat. But come on! This is just… she told me straight up to stay here. If she catches me she'll flip… oh no.

The sound of pawsteps was becoming louder. Leafy heard it too, he was shaking in his skin.

I rushed to the windows, and lowered my hand towards my friends – they ducked back into the grass. I closed the blinds and pointed to my bed, hissing at him. "Hide."

Leafy scrambled under the bed frame, his body unfortunately got stuck between it and the floor.

Dammit Leafy.

I rushed in and pushed my foot against his rump. He was fully under now, just in time too. Rose opened the door and laid a bunch of blankets on my bed. "Sorry, forgot to give you this. Fresh from the wash."

"Thanks, Rose." I saw her face, were her eyes bloodshot? She looked at me confused.

"Something wrong?"

"You… look a bit tired."

"Do I?" Rose turned to the mirror, inspecting her face. "Oh, I'm going to need more coffee. Or maybe the opposite? I got up early."

"Then do that then, more sleep the better right." I asked. I got to get her out of the room, I can't risk her using her aura senses now. "Hey Rose, do you think we could get some more cereal later this week?"

"Sure, I'll order it to go."

"Order it to go?"

"I found this app that allows you to do it. You know how you can order a pizza by typing in what you want. It's the same deal, I'm going to try it out to see how it can work."

"But… wouldn't going to the grocery store be better and cheaper?"

Rose frowned at me, and sighed. "I don't think so, Calvin."

"But, we've done it before."

"Calvin. We're staying out until I say it's okay. I already told you that, and it's final. I don't feel like we should do it this week? Okay?

"...Okay."

Satisfied with my reply, she nodded and picked up the basket, readying to go out the door. "I'm going to go to bed in a bit, I'll try to bring you more comics. Goodnight."

"Yeah… goodnight."

Rose closed the door. Leafy had an easier time scrambling out of the bed. He panted, wiping the sweat from his forehead. His eyes never left the door. "Boy, I never saw Mrs. C like that. She's always like that?"

I nodded slowly. "For a while now."

"So I'm going on a hunch and saying you can't make it?"

"I think that's for the best."

"That's a shame. I'll get out of your hair now and tell the guys what's up. Sorry for bugging you out."

Leafy took extra precaution as he moved to the window, stepping on his toes to make sure he didn't creak the floor. I looked at the door, then at the collar and back at the window again. I think I jumped the gun, it's been too much. I need this.

"Leafy, when are you guys planning to leave exactly?"

He turned to me, perplexed. "I think six or seven, why?"

"Wouldn't it be a bit darker by the time you guys go?"

"Maybe a bit. But we have a couple of lights on hand."

"But not enough for all, right?"

"No… I would say not. But we're still looking for some. Why do… Calvin?"

I went to the closet and tossed a flashlight and a shoebox towards him. He seemed to appreciate the flashlight but was focused on the box. He looked at me, I gave him the signal, and he opened it. He gasped.

"Night-Vision goggles?! When–"

"From the birthday party." I explained. "That hypno gave it to me as a present. It can't see very far but it's useful, certainly will attract less attention than that flashlight. We can use it for the trip."

"Thanks so much man, Poseidon will flip when he hears about this. I-I'll try to keep it safe man, I won't scratch it." Said the green monkey.

"Leafy, you're not wearing it. I am. I own it, I know how to use it."

"But you said. Wait, 'we'?"

"I'll keep an eye on Rose in the meantime. When she's off counting sheep, I'll text you. Try to come back here will you, I think Poseidon has a point. Seeing that park would be something else."