Chapter 17

Luckily for Breccia, Riker had a space of his own. (She wouldn't have to face Tess and the others in her current state).

Drenched and covered in mud, she and Morice were sitting on the bed in Riker's motel room. He said he'd speak with them momentarily and left, likely to check and make sure the others had gotten back.

With Nibs too weak to latch onto her, Breccia kept him in her lap, petting him between the ears. It was in this action that she tried to calm herself. Taking a deep breath, she tried to think happy thoughts.

We made it out safe. We're still alive.

"You alright?" Morice noticed her shaky breaths.

Breccia tried to nod and say she was okay but the words wouldn't come out. In truth, she wasn't. All she could think of were those men and what they said to her. All she could see was their leader looking at her like a creepy, disgusting predator.

When Morice placed a hand to her leg, she jumped.

"It's okay." When she refused to make eye contact, he took her chin lightly, guiding her vision back to his. "Look at me." When she obeyed, he continued. "I wouldn't have let them hurt you."

Breccia covered her face with her palms. "I know nothing happened, but I feel sick just thinking about it." She sniffled. "Here I am worrying about myself and I haven't even bothered to check if you're okay."

"I'm still a little loose in the knees but I'll be fine." Morice grinned. "You got more hits in than I did."

Breccia picked Nibs up when he lifted his head to look at her. "Speaking of getting hits in, you did a great job my little nibbler." Nibbles knew praise when it was given and rubbed his cheek against her thumb. "All that strength in such a tiny bat, where did it come from?"

The door started to rattle and the two of them snapped to attention.

When Riker entered, he did so quietly, flipping the overhead light on.

"Here." He tossed a shirt to Breccia. "Tess had an extra. Change when we're done here." He moved aside to let Arlia pass. The Blaziken trudged over to the chair near by and plopped down, tired from her previous battle. "I recall telling the two of you to be back before dark."

Not having the attitude, (or the victim shaming for that matter), Breccia struck back instantly. "And I recall us being jumped by a group of rapists. How about checking if we're okay first?"

Morice expected Riker to snap at her, but was surprised when his face stayed calm. Perhaps he too understood how traumatizing this experience had been.

"I suppose you're right." Riker mumbled. "Regardless, the two of you did our Organization a huge favor."

"What?" Breccia said, sarcastic. "By not dying?"

"No..." Their superior, once again, dismissed her terse tone. "I wondered if I should tell you...Over the course of the last month, many members from other regions have gone missing. I suspect the men you ran into are responsible."

"They did mention they had other groups." Morice contemplated outloud.

"We think they may be trying to recruit our men." Riker said. "And they're getting rid of the ones who refuse their invitation. This is the first time we've had a similar incident here. I'd like to say it'll be the last, but I can't be sure. All I do know is I did the right thing in coming along for this trip. I knew, with the size of our group and how big the city is, they couldn't resist trying to interfere." He folded his arms, "I'll ask that the two of you keep this incident to yourselves. This is still an important mission for us and I don't want uncertainty and fear making things uncomfortable."

"Yes sir." Morice and Breccia said in unison.

As they stood to leave, Riker stopped Breccia from going. "You stay for a moment."

Morice didn't like leaving Breccia to face their boss after the evening she had, but he had little choice in the matter. He went out into the hall to wait.

"Are you injured?"

Riker's question came from nowhere and left Breccia confused. "What?"

"I asked if you're alright." Without asking first, Riker took her wrist and glanced at it. He noticed the knuckle on her ring finger was swollen. "You seem shaken."

Breccia summed up all of her feelings towards the night in a few words. "Shit happens."

Riker couldn't help but chuckle. "That's one way to put it." He let her go. "When we go out into the tundra tomorrow, you're in charge of making sure the Pokemon we find are in decent condition. Considering how you've done with your little passion project, I believe you're more than capable." As they spoke, Nibs managed to hop from Breccia's shirt to Riker's, crawling up his front and getting to the top button before being noticed. "Can I help you?" Riker detached the intrusive bat with his first finger and thumb, grabbing the scruff of skin behind his neck. "If you're looking for berries, I don't have them."

Nibs waved his wings about, as if hoping to fly. Instead he flapped uselessly for a couple of seconds before giving in.

"Sorry." Breccia grabbed him. "It looks like he's warmed up to you."

"The last thing I need is him blasting a hole through the wall. I'll get stuck paying damages." Riker added: "And yes, I saw. I have yet to see his kind so powerful, or even useful for that matter."

"Maybe it was a one time thing." Breccia said. "I'd love to repeat it. Having him control that kind of power would make him an incredible force." She placed her Pokemon up to her neck where he attached to her collar, rubbing his head under her chin. "I better get to sleep. Goodnight sir."

"It's Riker." Her boss intervened as she headed for the door. "We see enough of each other as is, there's no point in formalities."

"Oh..." Breccia paused, unsure if she was comfortable dropping the respective title. "Then, I'll see you tomorrow..."