Chapter 5

We enter the small town of Sandgem as the sun is disappearing on the horizon, casting its warm orange glow over the landscape. We are welcomed by an unusual scene outside a large grey building with a blue tiled roof. A crowd has gathered outside and is whispering excitedly to one another. Wishing to know more I quietly edge closer, eager to listen.

"The lights are on!?" A large man dressed in hikers gear whispers quizzically to a woman on his right.

"I know, but the place has been abandoned for years. All locked up from potential thieves." The woman replies, just as confused.

Suddenly an old woman pushes her way to the front. With a cane in her right hand she points it violently at the front door.

"Ghosts! Ghosts I tell you!" She roars at the crowd.

Now this outburst sends the group into a state of commotion. Some panic, screaming as they bolt in different directions. Some of the braver boast of their prowess before releasing their Pokémon, presumably to challenge said ghosts. Suddenly one of the trainer's koffing lets off its smokescreen attack sending heavy smog over those who remain. My eyes begin to stream as I struggle to see. Holding my breath I search for a way out when suddenly I am grabbed from behind. I snap my head around to identify my attacker, but this smoke is making that near impossible. From the build I assume it's a man but other than that all I can make out is that they are dressed completely in black with a balaclava masking their identity.

"Follow me. I advise you to save any questions and move quickly." He commands in a gruff, unmistakably male voice before heading to the south.

Why on earth should I follow this man? My gut is telling me that I should though. There is something about him that makes me want to trust. Either way I need to get out of this smoke. With my eyes really beginning to sting I search for Pippa; who has thankfully stayed close to me. I pick her up and hastily follow the stranger.

Once free of the smoke I gulp down a huge lungful of clean air glad to be free of the koffings attack. With my eyes still burning I scan the area for the stranger in black. The whole village continues its frenzy and I can hear sirens in the distance. The local police officers are on their way to restore peace to this once quiet village. Then I spot him. He is standing sentry outside a house on the edge of town like a watchog. Still holding the tiny Pippa in my arms I sprint over to him. As I reach his location he swings the door open for me and like a flash I am inside. With one final look checking that we weren't followed he ducks inside, slamming the door closed.

With the doors closure we are immediately plunged into darkness. Whilst my eyes adjust to the absence of light my other senses heighten, alert to any danger this stranger may possess. I can feel Pippa beside me readying herself in symmetry.

"Go Charmander." Commands the stranger.

Every muscle in my body instantly tenses as I prepare myself for a fight. My hand snaps for Hilda's poke-ball from my belt. Unexpectedly the stranger dives to put distance between Charmander and me.

"Whoa, steady there. We mean no harm." He calmly says aiming to placate me.

"Char. Charmander." The strangers Pokémon swiftly nods in agreement.

Taking a moment to assess his intentions I conclude he is using Charmander's flame on the end of its tail as a light source and I begin to relax. I notice him now in the light. He is dressed completely in black to conceal his identity and shows no intention of taking his mask off.

"Sorry." I whisper embarrassedly.

"I'm here to help, but look we don't have long. I know what you've been charged to do and I can assist you." He races.

How does he know? Can I really trust this complete stranger?

"Rowan is a dangerous man." He continues.

"Rowan?" I interrupt abruptly.

"Rowan was a world renowned Pokémon professor who appears to have lost his way. He hadn't been seen for years until you encountered him at the lake."

So the old man is the famous professor Rowan. Yes, his face vaguely resembles the pictures I have seen. Hmph, he has certainly lost his way.

"What happened to him?" I ask, trying to fit the puzzle together.

"I don't know." He resigns. "But he has resurfaced after many years and we need to discover why. That's where you come in."

My heart sinks. I was secretly hoping this man would do the journey in my place.

"But what can I do against a power like that?" My head dropping as I speak.

"You leave that to me." He says assertively. "I just need you to continue as you've been instructed whilst I hunt down some more information. It is imperative that you keep this meeting to yourself… Don't worry, I'll watch out for you." He says tenderly to end.

Lifting my head I smile at this stranger's compassion.

"Thanks." I respond in kind.

The stranger bends down and begins to rummage around in his bag. Pulling out a candle he hands it to me and heads for the exit.

"Stay here for tonight, gather your strength and set off at dawn. You'll find matches in the kitchen."

As he reaches one of his long arms for the door handle I rush over to block his route.

"Please, wait! I have so many questions. Who are you? Why are you helping me? What do you even look like?!" My questions are rattled off at some speed as I begin to feel overwhelmed by the situation.

"Look," he says grabbing me firmly by the shoulders. "You'll have your answers soon enough, but for now you should rest. I have already stayed too long."

"Please." I beg him "Have you at least seen my friend? A blonde boy, about my age?"

"I'm sorry, no." He answers sympathetically. My heart sinks. "The next town is Jublife. Try asking around there. Charmander, return!" His fire lizard is safely sucked back into its poke-ball and with one final glance towards me the stranger is gone.

With a sigh I slowly cross over to the closest window and after wiping a hole through the dusty build up that has formed I stare outside. The sun has said its farewells and the moon is out in full force, illuminating the night sky. Millions of stars litter the navy blue of space, twinkling and dancing while the people sleep. It's so peaceful out there. The calm before a storm? I think to myself. I tear myself away from the night's serenity and begin my search for matches with the moons white glow to aid. I finally get time to have a proper look around the house which unmistakably was once a home. Dishes stacked in the various cupboards, dusty ornaments placed neatly above the fire place and a library of books arranged against the wall. Judging by the build-up of dust and spider webs this place hasn't been lived in for years.

I finally find a box of matches after raiding almost every drawer in the kitchen and ignite one to light the candle. It's warm radiance revealing a clearer picture of the wooden house. White sheets cover the furniture suggesting that the place probably wasn't left in a hurry and the owner planned to return. I place the candle in a holder I find on a table in the centre of the room and look for a place to rest. I whisk a white sheet off a piece of furniture to reveal a couch, in doing so I release a cloud of dust directly into my face.

"Achoo!" I explode giving Pippa a fright. "Sorry."

"Pip… Lup…" She yawns exhaustedly.

"Yeah it's been a long day. You've done great." I smile gently at her as I climb onto the couch, its soft cushions enveloping me. I tap gently at a space beside me and Pippa sleepily jumps up and with one final yawn she closes her eyes.

As the day's events begin to race around in my head I shake them off deciding it'll be better to deal with them in the morning after some rest. My eye lids begin to droop with exhaustion and soon they are sealed together.