Before I could even press the button to play the next message, I heard a growl coming from underneath my dining room table. I froze. This couldn't be anything good, and I'd left the Pokeballs with my team inside by my nightstand. I had to figure out a way to defend myself using only what was around me right then. To my right was a phone book and as I made a move for it, the creature under the table sprung at me.
I felt a sharp piecing pain in my left shoulder right as I swung the phone book I had just grabbed at the shape that had now latched onto me. I felt the book connect and heard a yelp as the beasts fangs left my skin. Arceus this monster had done some damage, I could already feel the blood dampening my shirt. I turned so I could get the beast in my sights before it attacked me again. As I faced it, a purple blur rushed at my legs, looking to cause me further harm. I threw the phone book at it looking to stall, and quickly backpedaled. The book would only hold it back for so long, I needed something else to hit it with. My hands felt something hard and I instinctively grabbed it and threw it at the beast. A sphere sailed through the air and hit the creature right in its buck teeth. It was then that I got a good look and recognized the beast. A Ratatta. And it was then that I got a good look at the object I had thrown. A spare Great Ball I had bought earlier in the week. My eyes widened as I realized what I had done.
Before I could even move to try and stop the events from occurring, it was over. Ratatta are one of the easiest Pokemon to catch after all. And caught it was. A Ratatta. Now, my Ratatta.
I groaned. Now my team had grown to three members. Just great, another mouth to feed. And from what I'd heard, Ratatta sure can eat. Oh, and I'd have to give it a name now. Let's see, what do you call an annoyance that cost you money and that you didn't want in the first place. Oh right, rent. Rent the Ratatta.
I walked over and picked up the Great Ball holding Rent. I wasn't ready to release him just yet, I was running low on time after all. I quickly went back and grabbed the rest of my team from my nightstand, knowing that chances were I would need them now. Before I left to go meet up with my new client I made sure to check that last message on the answering machine. A man's voice rang out, deep yet smooth, like one you would hear on the radio.
"Fear the dark."
That was it. The entire message.
I didn't have time to ponder what kind of creepy prank callers found my number in the book. I had a meeting to attend. And with that I walked outside, hailed a cab, and went on my way to West End Street.
I should've never left the house.