Chapter 22

Well, I'm back for another chapter of TSOM. Chapter 2 of The Deadline will be out today or tomorrow. It will not include any of the police scenes or action scenes. You'll have to go through one more chapter of filler. I have been sick the past few days and I'm on a very powerful medication that makes me sick. This chapter will be on the lengthy side, so bear with me, and enjoy Chapter 22.

(Matthew POV)

Everything happened so fast, one minute we were climbing down the mountain, the next minute, Chris started to fall down. William shouted out and that's when I saw Chris coming down, the biggest problem about it, is that he was headed straight for me.

He saw me down below and went to grab me, luckily, he succeeded. He wasn't falling fast or hard, but it was enough that when he fell into me, I yelped and slid down the side myself. I grabbed ahold of a firm piece of rock which stopped our decent. I really thought I would fall too, that he knew this and was going to take me with him. When we finally ceased movement, my back was hurting badly, as was my arms.

"Sorry about that Matthew, didn't mean to almost break your back there." Chris apologized.

"Forget about it, can you just get off of me, I'll worry about the rest later." I retorted.

Chris sighed before shifting himself to the right, back on to the mountain. When he did this, my back immediately flared up in extreme pain. It felt like something was definitely wrong, but we've come too far to give up now. We were so close to the ground, so I decided to just grin and bear it.

Finally, after several pain filled minutes, we finally got to the bottom of the mountain. At the same time, William ran over to us.

"Thank goodness you're ok Chris, what were you thinking though, grabbing onto Matthews back like that? You could have broken his back and killed you both." William shouted.

"I know, I wasn't thinking clearly, I was in fear for my life. I saw Matthew below me and I reached out for him." Chris responded.

"Its fine, I just hope that Matthew is ok. Are you ok Matt, anything hurting?" William asked me.

"Yeah, my backs a little sore, and my arm hurts a bit, but it's all right, I'll be fine." I spoke in response.

"What about you Chris? Are you hurt in any way?" William asked worried.

"I don't feel sick anymore, this near death experience made all my bad feelings go away." He responded blankly.

"Let's just get back to home, I'll worry about everything when we get there." I spoke quietly.

Before I could even take a step, Nicholas had squirmed out of Lucario's grasp and ran up towards me.

"Matthew, are you ok, you're not hurt are you? Chris falling on you like that, and then sliding down the rocks like that." Nicholas shouted.

"I'm fine Nicholas, don't worry about it. You shouldn't be running around like that though; you could hurt yourself." I reminded him.

Lucario had come up behind Nicholas and grabbed his arm. Nicholas pouted at first, but didn't fight it. We all laughed before beginning our journey back home. We didn't seem to have much difficulty. There was the occasional bug type or grass type, but nothing we couldn't handle. It seemed as if there were stronger Pokémon, they knew best not to pick a fight with Lucario. I wasn't much of a help, every time I would attack someone, my back would flare up, and I had to stop. I tried to do my best, but I couldn't really do anything, I felt completely useless.

We were almost back in town when a thought had crossed my mind. We hadn't told Chris about William and Nicholas coming to live with me. I didn't think he'd take it very well before, but maybe now, things will be different.

"Hey William, can I ask you a question?" I whispered to William.

"Sure, what's up, is it your back? Do you need us to stop and take a break?" He responded.

"Can you whisper; it's about you know who." I spoke quietly

William sighed, I guess he didn't really like talking behind anyone's back. He reluctantly nodded and told me to continue.

"I was wondering if we should tell Chris where you're staying now. I don't think it's right to keep it from him anymore." I suggested.

William hesitated before responding, "I guess you're right, I'll go head and tell him." He mumbled, walking towards Chris.

I didn't want to hear the conversation; I didn't want to hear him complain about it. I don't understand what there is to complain about it, I felt like taking William in was the least I could do. Especially since he did such a wonderful thing for me, reuniting me with my family was something I'd never forget. I knew I'd always feel like I was in debt to him.

I could see Chris knew know, he looked shocked, but he didn't seem to upset about it. He did look back at me before returning his gaze to William. The two continued to talk for a while, eventually, William fell back with me again.

"Well, how did he take it, He wasn't very happy was he?" I asked him.

"He didn't seem to bothered by it actually, he asked me if it was truly what I wanted, but that was it." William answered.

I must say, for Chris to be so calm about it is shocking. Maybe he really is going to try to understand me better. Or maybe he's just putting on an act, he'll probably go home and complain about it in a fit of rage. I don't believe him when he says he'll try to understand me. He hates me, and that can't be changed in such short notice. I'd love nothing more than to confront him about it, but for William's sake, I'll just let it be.

Finally, after what seemed like ages, we had gotten back to Treasure Town. Chris said he was heading home and walked away, no doubt off to curse me till the day's end. Lucario sighed quietly before turning around to face me.

"Unfortunately, this is where I must leave you. Matthew, could you come over and take Nicholas?" Lucario asked me, speaking oddly quiet for some reason.

I ran over and grabbed Nicholas, he leaned against me slightly, which made my back hurt, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. William and Nicholas looked a little concerned, but I assured them I was fine.

We said goodbye to Lucario before starting on our way to my house. It wasn't too far away thankfully, so there wouldn't be too much stress on my back. Nicholas was trying his best not to rely on me a lot, he would try to let go and walk on his own, but I wouldn't let him. Eventually, he did manage to get loose, and when I went to grab him, he told me not to. He was able to handle himself for a while, but started to slow down, before completely stopping. I grabbed back onto his arm and instructed him not to let go again. He mumbled something to himself, but complied.

We arrived home a few minutes later, my Mother was waiting outside. I didn't see my father, so I assumed he was probably working. My mother ran up to me and grabbed me in a quick hug.

"Matthew, thank goodness your all ok, when your father told me what happened I was worried sick." She shouted.

"I'm glad we're all safe and alive too. Can we get Nicholas inside though, he's a little sore from the walk?" I complained, struggling to keep me, and the Dewott leaning against me from falling over.

"Sure, come in and set him on the sofa for now, when your father gets back, we'll take him upstairs." She ordered.

I went inside and helped Nicholas onto the sofa, he immediately laid back and closed his eyes. We could tell he wanted to rest, so mom suggested we head upstairs and show William around.

We walked upstairs together, my mother leading the way. We showed William everything from the Bathroom to the attic entrance. She showed us where Nicholas would be before ending the tour at my bedroom door.

"I don't think it will be permanent, but for now, we have placed a second bed in your room. William will stay in here with you until we can work something out, I hope that isn't a problem." She said in her calm and collect voice.

"Not at all, its fine with me as long as it's ok with you Matthew." William responded.

"Yeah, I'm fine with it, maybe it'll help us work as a team better." I spoke, this is the perfect opportunity for me to get to know William.

My mother smiled and told me to show William downstairs before she headed towards her room and shut her door. I instructed William to follow me, we headed down the stairs and showed William everything there was to see. When we finished, Nicholas was sitting up and stretching. He smiled and stood up when we walked towards him.

"Hey, Matt, got anything to eat around here? I'm really hungry." He asked me.

"Nicholas, your always hungry, we just got here!" William scolded.

"I know, I can't help it, it's just the way I am." Nicholas joked.

"Yeah, trust me, I know. But I've got to say, I'm kind of hungry myself."

"Well, unfortunately, my parents aren't very good at buying junk food. They want us all to stay healthy apparently." I complained.

I decided to go upstairs and rest, it was better than listening to Nicholas cry about food for the next four hours until dinner. I was headed upstairs when William grabbed my paw, from the look of things, it must be serious.

"Matt, can I say something to you, it's really important," William ask, I nodded in response.

"Me and Nicholas just wanted to say thank you for everything you've done." William said

"Thank me for what William, you've done more for me than I've done for you." I responded.

"Before I would be spending the night under several covers to escape the cold. But now because of you, I have a roof over my head and a comfy bed too. And that is certainly something I can be thankful for." William smiled as he spoke.

"I only did what I thought was right, you helped me, and I felt the need to return the favor." I spoke happily.

I smiled before heading upstairs towards my room, when I got inside, I flopped down on my bed and was falling asleep in seconds, and before I knew it, I was out completely.

I started to wake up because I could feel something poking me, I couldn't tell what it was, but it was certainly annoying. I tried to swat it away, but it only continued in trying to wake me. I eventually gave in and opened my eye, my Father was standing over me with a blank expression on his face.

"So, you just decided to sleep all day and not do anything to keep yourself in top shape." He criticized.

"It was hard work getting back here, I just thought I'd take a nap before dinner, I'm sorry." I whispered in defense of myself.

"You're on an exploration team now Matthew. Exploration team members don't lay around all day and do nothing. How are you going to perform well if all you do is sleep?" He spoke, raising his voice as he continued to rant.

I just looked down at the ground, like always. My father might appear nice to me, but ever since I could speak, he would have these episodes where if I did something that didn't meet his expectations, he would shout and yell at me without end. It truly made me feel like a complete failure to him, I always felt like he never really liked me. Feeling I hoped that after four years of me missing, would go away, but it looks like I was wrong.

"Matthew, did you hear a word I just said!?" He shouted. "Just forget it, just get ready for dinner, it'll be ready soon." He ordered me as he walked out of my room.

I sighed before getting off of my bed, it seems that despite the circumstances, some things just never change. Even after everything that happened to me, my Father still can't help but yell at me and remind me how much of a failure I really am.

Now days, I can't help but feel like everything he's said about me is right. Maybe I am just a screw up, I could never stand up for myself when I was being bullied. I failed at being a survivor when I was all by myself. What chance do I honestly have at being an explorer? Maybe I should just give up before I set myself up for disappointment again. After all, I am just a failure.

(William POV)

I had settled myself down next to Nicholas at the table, Matthew would be on the left of me when he came down. Nicholas, as always, looked like he hadn't eaten in forty years. He was five seconds from eating his plate. To be honest, I was quite hungry myself, but Matthew's mother insisted on waiting for him and his father.

A few moments later, Matthews father came down stairs looking very angry. When Matthew's older brother, Michael asked him what was wrong, he mumbled something before starting to eat. It was clear something had happened upstairs that wasn't good, and I can't help but feel it has something to do with Matthew.

My suspicions were confirmed when I saw Matthew in the hallway. He appeared extremely depressed and his tail was dragging behind him. His Mother noticed and ran over to him immediately.

"Matthew, what's wrong, are you ok?" she questioned the saddened Buizel.

"I'm fine mom, I just don't feel very well, can I just go back upstairs?" Matthew answered quietly.

"No you cannot, your Mother made this food, and you're at least going to show the appreciation to try to eat it. No get over here and sit down now!" Matthew's father commanded.

"Honey, that is ridiculous!" She shouted in response, "Now go back upstairs and go to bed Matt." She comforted Matt before he went back upstairs and she returned to the table.

Matt's Father was clearly angry about his Wife's response, but he kept it to himself. Something told me, however, Matthew was going to hear It later. I could almost sense that Matthew's depression is because of him. Whatever happened up there, I'm going to find out, no matter what. I just hope that it's not too late.

End of Chapter 22

So, I know this isn't my best chapter, but I have been under a lot of stress lately. I had received some very depressing news which just added onto my already crazy stress filled life. I rushed through the ending of this chapter because I had a lot to do today.

The next chapter of SSP could be out as early as tonight or as late as the end of next week, it depends on how busy I am.

OC NOTICE.

I still need OC's for this story as well as another OC.

I am now recruiting an OC for the deadline (The villain of course) so just one. I'll figure out the minor people myself.

(here's the OC rules for My PMD story, Just because)

Name-

Age

Introduction

Personality

Background (optional, I'd like it for character development. But it's up to you.)

Moves (If you don't post this, I'll do it myself)

Anything else you would like to include can be added as well. Just put it after the criteria,

Shiv740