Chapter 16
It was certainly no penthouse view or luxury room. If anything, it was like a motel room. Even so, everything about it was immaculate. His window wasn't much too look out of, only staring at a brick building that had none. Just a brick wall, with a twenty story drop. Matt pulled away from the window, looking to the alarm clock beside the full sized bed. The analog clock read 11:42pm. Not much longer now.
"That was really nice of Amber to do this for us," Sissy mentioned, having sprawled out on the bed. Emie was sitting on the floor, nodding in agreement. Legs crossed and eyes closed, she seemed deep in thought. Matt did his best not to step on her tail as he paced back and forth. Craig was in the bathroom, with the sound of the toilet flushing on the other side of the closed door. After ensuring to wash his hands, Craig stepped out, looking relieved.
"Sandslash…." he huffed.
"After walking all day, I bet," Sissy laughed.
"What'd he say?" Matt inquired.
Before Sissy could respond, Craig pulled out the deck of cards underneath his backwards cap. He showed one to Matt, with it reading "I Feel Better!"
"Well, what he said," Sissy tittered.
"He's pretty quick with those cards," Matt mentioned, rubbing his short beard. He then proceeded to rub the stubble on his head, wondering how long it would take to grow back his hair. As he rubbed, his thoughts went back to Amber as he sat at the foot of the bed. "I hope she's alright. I can't believe people were talking to her like that."
"Kindness has faded in these trying times, as has patience…." Emie murmured, still with eyes shut and legs crossed. She was doing something with her hands that Matt couldn't understand. Strange symbols and shapes were carved out of the air as she displayed her power. They took dark shapes, turning black, to red, then to white before vanishing.
"What the heck are you doing, hon?" Sissy questioned, cocking her head over just enough to see the shapes Emie was conjuring in the air.
"I'm making sure we are safe and hidden," Emie spoke, leaving it at that.
Craig grabbed the remote control from the dresser, turning on the wall-mounted television. He plopped on the bed beside Matt, making it sink considerably. He was far more heavy than Matt thought Craig realized. But, he didn't mind, with his body slightly falling into Craig as they watched mindless cartoons for a few minutes. Matt couldn't exactly follow along with whatever the hell Craig was making them watch. Something about two strange looking Pokemon fighting with each other, but using chess pieces as weapons. It was fast paced, and Matt couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of Pokemon the cartoon shapes were supposed to represent.
Before Matt physically encountered the Pokemon world, he played the games almost religiously. The first generation was a classic. The second was one of his favorites. The third was a hell of a lot of fun. But after that, Matt's memories of the games sort of blurred. There was so many new Pokemon introduced that it was impossible for him to keep track.
Then a strange thought entered his mind.
How accurate were the games in his universe to the actual Pokemon in his current universe? How many generations had he missed since he was in the hospital? And how did these two things correlate exactly? Too many questions, with not enough answers. Matt's head was throbbing.
Another strange thought entered his mind, this one alien too him.
I don't know what to ask Matt first….
The words ran through his mind. Not verbally spoken, but thought. But even for a thought, they sounded like….
The door to the room began to open, with Amber stepping in.
Amber's white uniform with a Pokeball on the apron was covered in dried blood, ink, and various other stains that Matt couldn't even begin to think of. She wore black slip on shoes, with black and white striped leggings underneath her uniform.
"I don't know what to ask first," Amber spoke. "How are you feeling, or what are you doing here."
Matt opened his mouth to speak, with his sentences getting mixed together.
Both 'Did that just happen' and 'Just ask' were two sentences that forced their way out at the same time.
"Did that just ask?" Matt spoke.
A collection of confused and concerned looks came his way.
"Um…." Sissy giggled.
"Does a Meowth hold your tongue?" Emie tittered softly, finally standing from the floor.
"Slash!" Craig laughed.
"It's been a long day," Matt huffed, with Amber even laughing.
"I'm starting to believe you're actually Matt," Amber confessed. "But why are you bald?"
"Shaved," Matt corrected. "And I dunno. Something about a crazy fan wanting my hair, or something."
"Wait, what?"
"Forget it," Matt waved his hand. "Look, I'm back, walking about, not needing a bedpan. And before you ask, I don't know any more than you do about what happened."
Amber looked somewhat taken aback.
"Whoa, slow down," she suggested, tossing her purse on the dresser. "You don't need to get into it if you don't want to. Knowing you, some crazy shit happened. I know we didn't really keep in touch before that Tower of Blood video went up online, but you don't have to tell me anything you're not ready to. I'm here to serve, as any good Pokemon Center Resident would. Plus, I always had a crush on you. Even if you did suck at going on dates. Then again, I wouldn't know."
Matt looked embarrassed, with guilt making the headache worse.
"Oh yeah," Sissy said, feeling somewhat naked in the moment. She held her hands together. "Sorry I was…. Uh…. Possessive. I-"
"What is a Trainer's business is a Trainer's business," Amber spoke firmly. "And I was kidding. That happened years ago. Just tell me what you need. You don't have to get into anything if you don't-"
"Someone wants me dead," Matt said, cutting to the chase. Amber looked like her voice had been taken from her, soon with fear setting in. "I had…. Well, an old friend did me a favor. I don't have to worry right this second, but eventually people are going to come looking for me. There's apparently a huge price on my head. I don't know who wants me dead, or why exactly, but I'm kind of fucked at the moment. I was supposed to meet someone about it, but I was rerouted to go here instead. I was even told to look for orange bangs. The only reason I don't wanna go deeper into it is because it's complicated."
Amber took a minute to collect her thoughts.
"Well, it looks like I definitely made the right call giving you the John Smith key."
"The what and who now?" Sissy murmured.
"It's a room we save for those in need of sanctuary," Amber explained, kicking off her shoes and taking a seat in the single chair the room offered by the window. "I'm sorry, my heels are killing me and my feet probably smell worse than a Grimer in heat. My clothes probably aren't much better."
"Thanks for the information I never wanted to know," Matt cringed, rubbing his temples soon after. The headache was starting to settle. "Speaking of clothes, I should probably reinvent my look a little if I'm going to be in the city for a minute. Hiding in plain sight, and all that. Maybe a new shirt?"
"And some new pants," Amber mentioned. "And shoes."
"Gee, thanks."
"I meant to hide your identity," Amber clarified. "You could make a trash bag look attractive."
"Did you just hit on me?" Matt asked.
"Only if Sissy here doesn't plan on biting my face," Amber joked. "I'm sorry—I'm awful after work. I usually hit up the bar on the basement level and hook up with anyone unlucky enough to bump into me."
Sissy didn't seem upset. If anything, she looked lost.
"I'm fucking with you," Amber laughed. "Seriously, with my work schedule, I hardly have enough time to take a shit in peace. You'll have to forgive me, the filter comes off after the work shift. When you're forced to be nice to rude patients, it bottles up after a while. If I'm not trying to contain a pissed off Pokemon, I'm trying to calm down some brat who thought it would be a good idea to shove a Maril's foot into a toaster. Honestly, the shit I've seen over the years of working for the Pokemon Center, I could write a book about it. Several!"
Matt blinked. It didn't take long for Amber to straighten up, putting on a more professional front.
"You'll have to excuse me," Amber said. "I don't know how to display emotions like this every day, and I'm just in disbelief that you're here, in front of me. And that people are trying to kill you. I think…. I think I'm just a little overwhelmed right now."
"How about we pick this back up again tomorrow?" Matt asked. "You've clearly had a long day, we're all exhausted, and right now I feel overwhelmed too…. And my head is killing me…."
"Oh, here!" Amber said, reaching into her apron. She pulled out a bottle of ibuprofen, tossing it to Matt. In addition, she pulled out a tiny water bottle—just enough to take a few pills with.
"Damn, you're prepared."
"A PCR has to be," Amber smiled.
Matt thanked her after swallowing three pills, downing what little water there was.
"You hungry?" Amber asked.
"Sandslash?!" Craig said, his attention finally pulling away from the cartoons on screen.
"Yes, food," Amber chuckled. "You're just the sweetest thing. Are you really the legendary Craig?"
"You can understand him?" Matt asked.
"She is a wise woman," Emie mentioned, having returned to a deep meditative state on the bed beside Sissy, who was unintentionally mimicking Emie's sitting position.
Craig looked somewhat shy, placing a paw on his face.
"Sandslash…." he confessed. He began repeating his name, over and over again, with Amber nodding along. Matt watched all of this, seeing the focus on Amber's face.
"That is absolutely incredible," Amber smiled. "And what's your favorite kind?"
Craig continued to repeat the only word in his verbal arsenal, with a varying degree of inflections and pronunciations of Sandslash.
"Well that's a pretty long list," Amber laughed. "You're lucky I'm talking to a hero right now."
Craig waved his claw, blushing.
Amber pulled out her phone, kicking her feet over the edge of the comfy chair by the window.
"Craig gave a laundry list of food he wanted," Amber mentioned, scrolling on her phone. "I figured since someone is wanting to kill you, I could order some food before I head back to my room. You like pizza?"
"That sounds kinda good right now, actually," Matt shrugged. "Sure, why not. Hey, you sure you don't want any money for-"
"I get paid enough," Amber cut him off.
"Not nearly enough for what you have to deal with," Matt said. "You got me a room, so you might as well let me help pay for some food."
"Save your Gail Marks," Amber told him. "I want to. Besides, I've been worried about you for a long time, and I'm just happy you're alright."
Matt, not sure what else to say, felt his body still pushing into Craig from how heavy his Pokemon was. He let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his head once more.
"Thank you, Amber."
"I'd like to think we're friends," Amber mentioned with a smile. "So, what toppings do you want?"
It was a busy night of catching up, eating pizza, and sharing snacks with friends. The hours passed by, with Amber telling stories about work, with Sissy, Emie, and Craig all enthralled. After a long day, Matt couldn't find it in him to catch up as much as he wanted, letting Amber lead the conversation, with Matt offering minor "Yeahs" and "Uhuhs" periodically.
But then it happened again.
"San-san-slash-sand," Craig mentioned in his native tongue. As natural as a bird taking flight, Amber responded without reservation.
"I would if I had one," Amber winked.
Until that moment, Matt believed it impossible for a Sandslash to turn that shade of red. Emie's jaw had dropped, losing her regularly scheduled stoic demeanor. Sissy burst into laughter, spilling some of the grape soda from the can she held.
"I, uh, think I missed something," Matt mentioned.
"I'm not repeating that," Amber blushed. "I turned an innocent statement into a dirty joke…."
Emie was still in a state of shock, having to cover her mouth as laughter spilled from her in meek fashion. Sissy was still too busy laughing, having to set her soda down, holding her stomach.
Matt decided best not to even bother, though the curiosity gnawed at him.
"Oh, shit," Amber choked, seeing that the clock read 3:12am. I'm so fucked—I've got a shift in like four hours."
"Just call out sick."
"Oh, no, there's no way I-"
"There are people trying to kill me," Matt offered. "Sounds like that's a good excuse to tell your boss."
"Oh, as much as I'd love to, I-"
"Sandslash?" Craig offered.
"Yes?" Amber replied, leaving Matt at a loss again.
Craig cleared his throat, getting his thoughts in order. And then, he spoke.
"Sandslash. San-san-slash sand sand, sand slash."
Amber looked like she'd taken an upper-cut to the gut. With an unexplained heavy heart, Amber lowered her head, soon crying a little.
"I do work too hard because of my insecurities. I…. I don't know how to walk away from a job I used to love so much, even after the changes. And the treatment. I…. I never even thought of the way you put it."
"Which…. Was?…." Matt murmured.
"Sandslash sandslash slash-slash," Craig added, wagging a clawed finger at her.
"Well, that's true too," Amber sighed. "Fuck it, I'll call out sick. But only if Matt promises to tell me everything that's going on."
"I'll do my best, I guess?" Matt questioned.
At this, with too many questions still lingering in the air for Matt to count, Amber stood up, dusting off her worn and dirty uniform.
"Matt, can I see your phone?" Amber asked. Somewhat reluctant, Matt reached into his pocket, offering it to her. With a quick snatch from his hand, Amber's thumbs went wild. Matt began to wonder what she was doing. Then, catching him by surprise, she tossed the phone back to him.
"Call me in the afternoon," she winked. "I'm sleeping in tomorrow for the first time in…. Fuck, forever. I'll meet up with you after I've gotten some sleep, okay?"
Matt stared at the phone screen, seeing another contact had been added to his short list. Amber's name was in their, with the winking, kissing emoji.
"Thank you for everything, Amber!" Sissy belted, grabbing another slice of pizza.
"Yes, thank you," Emie nodded, finally speaking after the initial shock of whatever joke Amber had made subsided.
"Slash!" Craig burst.
"Don't mention it," she said, giving a little wave as she made her way to the door. "Sweet dreams!"
After a few minutes of watching his Pokemon chow down after Amber left, Matt finally caved in and grabbed another slice.
Answers would come, Matt told himself. But not until some much needed rest.
And more pizza.