A/N: This chapter is going to be very emotional and may hit home for some of you...I truly apologize in advance. Contains description of physical abuse.
A/N: I don't own Pokemon!
Ranger School : Chapter 18
'Hah, that'll teach the two of them!' Linda thought.
Now, with the initially enjoyable ride rendered immobile, Kellyn was beginning to worry.
"We-we're totally stopped…why?" Kellyn asked as stood up.
Wendy also went over to Kellyn's side and looked down to see what was happening. The duo saw that a few electricians were trying to look into the matter and see what the issue was. Feeling a bit relieved, Kellyn and Wendy sat back down while Linda was still nearby, blending in with the crowd and observing what was going on.
'Hrmm, those two are in that Ferris Wheel…and they're stuck there all alone. I'm certain that wimp would start crying for his mother soon enough. Then that girl would be so embarrassed that their date will be ruined…' Linda thought.
Some more minutes passed with the Ferris Wheel still being stopped. Wendy, figuring that she would do her best to break the strong romantic tension, cleared her throat as she strummed up a great question to ask.
"Kellyn, how's your mother doing? I know you told me some time ago she's a nurse at Chicole Village, is there anything new with her?" Wendy asked as she gave a warm smile.
"My mother's doing great, thank you! In all honesty, there…isn't anything new with her…she's always so busy working different hours, usually nights or double shifts. Don't get me wrong, I more than appreciate the sacrifices she's made, but it'd be nice if she had a little time for herself." Kellyn said.
"I can tell you're always worried about her! You really do care and admire your mother, and it's sweet you want her to unwind every once in a while!" Wendy said.
"Thank you, I'm glad that you understand me. Wendy, if you don't mind me mentioning this, I never really heard you talk about your parents, and forgive me if I'm being too intrusive, but how come?" Kellyn asked as Wendy took a deep breath.
"That's because…my parents are deceased." Wendy said as Kellyn felt a lump in his throat.
"I-I…didn't know…I'm so sorry for your loss." Kellyn said.
Wendy got up and walked over to his side, she then sat down and put her head on his shoulder.
"Thank you Kellyn, that means the world coming from you! I will be more than honored to tell you about who my parents were. It was around twenty years ago, back when Haruba City was really rough…my parents were both Pokémon Rangers working with the city, since it wasn't a part of Almia at the time. Poaching and illegal selling and buying were…rampant there. O-one day…my parents were patrolling together…and they saw some…scumbag selling a stolen Houndoom…" Wendy said as Kellyn gently held her hand, which the woman softly squeezed.
"Wendy, you don't have to share if you don't feel comfortable doing so." Kellyn whispered as Wendy softly shook her head.
"I feel peace and comfort with you, I'll continue if you're okay with it." Wendy said as Kellyn gave her confirmation.
"My parents…they tried stopping the seller with their Pokémon, but the person trying to buy the Houndoom managed to…sneak up on them…and attack them with the same Houndoom. Sadly…my parents…didn't make it. Their burns were…far too severe." Wendy said as she began to cry, finishing the last sentence.
"W-Wendy…" Kellyn said as he hugged her while he too, teared up.
After a few minutes, Wendy and Kellyn both wiped away their tears, as Wendy concluded her tragic story.
"On the…positive side…after Chairperson Erma found out what happened, she immediately requested for Almia's president to look at the issues plaguing Haruba City. Chairperson Erma said that if the problems weren't fixed in at least a year, then she'd completely pull out of the Almia region with every last Ranger, Operator and Mechanic. The matters were resolved within half the time, and even the scumbags responsible for my parent's murders were brought to justice. They're still there, since using a Pokemon to...attack or kill another person means an automatic life sentence." Wendy said.
"I'm glad despicable people like those two were caught. Your parents have been able to rest peacefully, knowing that the murderers didn't get away…and the fact that you've become someone they're proud of." Kellyn said with a smile.
"T-thank you…I have to say though, Chairperson Erma really did a great job at making sure my parents' murderers didn't just get away. Even now, she's still running the Ranger Union…and even though she's in her mid fifties, she takes good care of herself!" Wendy said as Kellyn chuckled.
"She certainly does…thank you for talking about your parents with me, I can say for certainty that they're proud of who you are." Kellyn said as Wendy hugged him.
"Thank you…I really appreciate you so much." Wendy said as the Ferris Wheel began to start back up again.
"Ah, the Ferris Wheel is back up and running!" Kellyn said.
Down on the ground, Linda was furious while a few onlookers cheered from the ride being operational again.
'Gah, that thing was only down for a few minutes! I'll sulk around the area until they're finished.' Linda thought as she stormed off.
A few minutes passed in silence as the two embraced each other. However, Wendy was curious, and figured she would ask Kellyn a question.
"Kellyn…I hope you wouldn't be upset…but would you be comfortable with talking about…your father?" Wendy asked as Kellyn sighed.
"I wouldn't be upset with you for asking that!Well…I'll put it like this, when my parents were together…it…uh…it wasn't good for my mother or me." Kellyn said.
"Was your father…abusive?" Wendy asked as Kellyn paused for a moment.
'Should I really let Wendy know about how my father was? I wouldn't want to push her away or anything…' Kellyn thought.
"My…my father was…very abusive. I'll spare you the gritty details but my mother left the second that my so called father even thought of trying to put his hands on me." Kellyn said.
"If it would help you at all, please feel free to talk anything out." Wendy said.
"One day…my mother and I came back from the grocery store, she picked up everything to make some vegetable lasagna. The only thing is that carrots were missing from the food…and that…man threw the food on the ground and began to beat my mom. I remember being five years old and being so scared...when my mother saw me trembling like that, she became furious. My mother retaliated in a way that was far worse than what he ever did to her…after that she filed for divorce and we left for Almia. Thanks to my mom, we escaped." Kellyn said as he began to cry after finishing his thoughts.
Wendy, considerate as always, held Kellyn gently around his waist as she ruffled his hair, which soothed him and kept him calm. Of course, Wendy was crying just as much as Kellyn was, doing her best to maintain her composure as well. After some time, the duo were calm once more.
"Oh Kellyn…you two were able to escape from someone so wicked…it could've gotten even worse before you guys knew it…I'm glad you and your mom were able to do that in time!" Wendy said.
"I'm glad too, though we had to flee from Fiore to Almia. I can't believe it… I was only five years old when it happened but I still remember that it was real tough on us for a while. Once my mom got her degree to become a doctor for Pokémon and people alike, things became easier." Kellyn said as Wendy gave him an embrace.
"I never would've imagined someone as friendly and kind-hearted as you would've had such a tragic childhood. I'm really happy the two of you are better now, but…I'm really sorry for what you and your mother had to endure." Wendy said as the ride came to a slow movement speed.