Chapter 6: Running in the Night
AN:/ Alright a new chapter. Also if you could please vote on my newest poll on my profile I'd be truly grateful. So enjoy the chapter.
A groggy, sleepy Heather is rudely awoken by her Pokémon constantly nudging her side. Heather rubs her sleep-filled eyes and flicks on her Pokégear. The digital device springs to life, a small glow illuminating the screen showing the time as 12:00 midnight. Growling in a semi-grumpy rage, Heather turns to her Pokémon.
"What the hell is your problem? Why did you wake me up so gosh damn late at night? I barely had any sleep." Folding her arms across her chest and leaning her head back against the tree she fell asleep against just a few hours earlier, she stares blandly at her Pokémon.
[W-we heard something. We're not the only ones out here.] Growlithe cries, paws over his eyes.
"Oh really? I thought we were totally alone. Look I'm going back to sleep." Heather mumbles rolling her eyes and rolling away from her Pokémon pulling a quilt with Pokémon over her body.
[It's nothing to joke about. Something's out there. We're definitely not alone.] Espy hisses as a sound is heard behind them.
Heather flicks her blanket off in a matter of seconds and glares into the darkness, a low yet high pitched hiss escaping her lips.
"Come out if you want to keep your limbs." Heather snarls into the darkness.
A shadow darts into Heather's field of view. Muscles twitching, Heather watches as it circles her camp and then darts off in a different direction. In the pitch black night it's almost impossible to see but Heather's sharp eyes latch onto its movements.
"Oh that's it." Heather growls as a shudder ripples through her body.
Concentrating, Heather focuses all her thoughts on Growlithe. Her image blurs as she grows dark orange fur with black stripes. A tan tuft of fur sprouts from her head and underbelly. A wispy, fluffy tail protrudes from Heather's behind.
[Let's go.] Heather's Growlithe cries as he runs beside Heather after the shadow.
[A name. I've thought of a name for you. I'll call you Arcy.] Heather grins as her Growlithe sprints past her and she tries to catch up with him.
[Alright. Sounds awesome.] Arcy grins as he springs up.
[There it goes.] Espy hisses, lunging at the shadow.
"Ah. Get off me. Help. Someone please." The shadow cries as Epsy pins it to the ground, snarling in its face.
[Who are you and what do you want? This is our turf.] Heather communicates.
"Yeah? Well I don't see your name written on it." The shadow sneers. The shadow begins howling in pain as Espy picks it up off the ground, constricting its body in an antagonizing death grip with her psychic powers.
[I think you'd better stop pressing your luck buddy.] Heather whispers now on one side of the shadow, which Heather can tell from its voice is a male.
[I'll get him.] Arcy stands on the other side, blocking every passage of escape the boy could have.
"Ugh. . . let go of me. Please. I'm not trying to hurt anything. I just saw some girl. I was sketching her. That's all." The boy attempts to move and cringes in pain as Espy growls and tightens her psychic hold on him.
[What a little pervert. Trying to get in on the action.] Espy snarls, her thoughts reaching out around the four.
"I-it's not what you think. I'm just fascinated by her. I mean she doesn't even look human." The boy groans as Espy flings him to a tree.
[I'll ask you again. What is your name? You have five seconds to respond before. . . Espy kills you.] Heather's teeth clench around the fabric of his shirt.
"Please." The boy puts up his hands defensively. "M-my name's Yukio. Yukio Kuricho."
[Guys. Take him back to camp. He'll be our hostage until we can figure out what to do with him for spying on us like that.] Heather growls at the boy. [If you run you're doomed.]
The boy timidly follows Heather and her snarling Pokémon back to her camp, him still surrounded by the psychic energy.
"Hey where's the girl?" Yukio asks as he looks around.
Espy releases her hold on the boy.
[What if I know where she is? What of it?] Heather growls as she advances on the boy, backing him into a tree.
Yukio stares at the three Pokémon, especially the one that's talking to him.
"H-hey. Let's not be violent here. I'm just asking. I'm really curious about that girl." Yukio pauses, finally letting what's been happening register in his mind. "Oh my gosh you can talk."
Yukio begins grinning like a Cheshire cat. He digs into his pack as Heather turns back to her Pokémon.
[I think he's safe.] Heather sends the thought to her Pokémon.
Heather's about to turn back towards Yukio, when a rope binds her paws tightly. Another rope is flung about her chest.
[Ah! Let me go! Let go dammit.] Heather's eyes narrow as Yukio smirks down at her.
"I've got me a rare Pokémon. One that can talk." Yukio smirks maliciously, running a hand through his hair as he ties the ropes to the tree.
[I'm not a Pokémon. I'm not!] Heather shrieks.
"Let's see what you can do to defend yourself now." Yukio taunts.
Growling, Heather hangs her head sadly as she attempts to chew through the thick ropes to no avail.
[Get him.] Arcy snarls running at the boy. His jaws clamp around the boy's left leg and the boy let's out a pained, startled cry; flinching as the Pokemon's fangs embed themselves in his skin.
Espy sends a Psycho Cut attack flying at the boy. The sharp gust of wind knocking him over. Arcy still clinging tightly to the boy's leg.
[Arcy. . . Espy. Help. I can't move enough to turn back. The ropes are too tight and struggling like this is only hurting me.] Heather's frantic screams ring through the air.
Yukio inhales and stares at the dog that is ensnared in his trap.
"T-to turn back? What are you?" He reaches out a hand to touch her but Espy lunges in front of him.
[Get back. The only way you'll lay one hand on our trainer is if you untie her.] Espy allows her thoughts to probe into Yukio's mind.
"I'm so sorry. I'll untie her at once." Yukio gets to his feet, cringing as he tries to take a step.
[Arcy, let go. It's alright. He won't hurt me anymore. He promises.] Heather shouts to the snarling pup.
[Fine.] Arcy huffs, jaws snapping as he releases Yukio only to keep a wavering eye on him.
Yukio works his fingers over the knots until they come undone. By that time, his fingers are red with blood from cutting himself on them.
Heaving, a now free Heather rolls onto her back, panting in exhaustion. Blood stains her matted fur and jaws from where she tried to free herself.
"I'm sorry again. . . Are you alright?" Yukio tries to touch Heather, who slowly, but surely transforms back into a human.
Yukio's scream pierces the air. He's cut off by Heather clamping her hand over his mouth tightly.
"Stick a sock in it. I don't like what you've done to me." Heather hisses.
"Y-you're the girl. You're the pretty girl I started drawing." Yukio pants.
Heather rolls her eyes and leans against the tree.
"Pretty girl my ass. I'm not human." Heather mumbles self consciously.
"It's okay. You're still very pretty." Yukio smiles.
"Of course." Rolling her eyes, Heather stealthily picks up her knapsack. Espy and Arcy moving in sync with her surrounding her so no more harm comes to their trainer.
"Hey. I mean it." Yukio limps over to the girl who backs away from him angrily.
"I'm very leery of your kind. I don't trust anyone. Humans are the reason my Growlithe nearly died. They've tried to experiment on him." Heather continues stumbling backwards as Yukio reaches out a hand.
"I'm sorry. Really I am." Yukio sighs sitting down a ways from Heather.
"Arcy, light a fire." Heather shakes her head in disgust at the boy who minutes earlier had made her his fugitive.
Arcy opens his mouth and shoots a small flame at the flickering sticks that were once their campfire. A new glow overcoming the sticks as the fire starts, crackling and hissing.
Yukio turns his head to the girl in silence.
"Well, since you started this whole charade in the first place, get your ass over here and warm up." Heather beckons with a hand at the fire.
Espy hisses at the boy taking her place on Heather's right side, laying her tense body down, tail whomping the ground angrily.
Arcy yawns and makes his way to Heather's left side, his charcoal eyes never leaving the boy.
"D-do you mean it? After all the trouble I caused?" Yukio stares at her in confusion.
"Get over here before I change my mind." Heather growls under her breath.
Yukio stumbles weakly to the fire, limping heavily. He cautiously sits a ways away from the girl he had made his captive minutes before.
"I don't bite." Heather grumbles.
"Somehow I get the feeling you do." Yukio sighs and moves towards her, his torn leg illuminated by the fire.
Arcy lets out a low growl as his eyes move with the boy's movements.
"You really ought to learn a thing or two. Never wake me in the middle of the night and never try to capture me. If you anger my Pokémon you're screwed." Heather opens her pack and pulls out some bandages and medicinal items.
Yukio takes a seat closer to Heather, but not close enough that he can touch her or be easily bitten by her Pokémon. His calmness wavers as he stares into her penetrating, angry gray eyes.
"Do you want that to get infected? I said come here." Heather pats a spot close to her. Espy walks around Heather to sit by Arcy. Their noses pressing against each others. The two Pokémon staring angrily at Yukio.
Silently Yukio creeps to where Heather waits, his head down. He wordlessly takes a seat on her right side. Heather pulls Yukio's pant leg off, taking some scissors and cutting the fabric to just above his knee. She pours some over the wounds, to which Yukio begins crying out in intense pain from the burning. Heather shoves her hand over his mouth and slowly winds a bandage over his leg. Yukio turns slightly as Heather finishes. Grumbling, Heather wipes the spit off her hands spitefully.
"T-thanks." Yukio whispers hoarsely as he peers at Heather who is withdrawing herself from the closeness of the two, obviously not very trusting.
"Yeah. You're welcome I suppose." Heather unrolls a yellow and orange sleeping bag from her pack. "Do you have any items with which to sleep?"
"You mean like a blanket or something? No. . . I don't." Yukio's head droops.
"Here then." Heather unzips the sleeping bag and helps Yukio into it.
"Quiet!" Heather snaps at Espy and Arcy who are growling and hissing loudly in protest.
"Where will you sleep?" Yukio asks, his eyes wandering to meet Heather's now green ones.
Heather's eyes scan her surroundings. She looks over the tree, measuring it with her eyes.
"There." She points to a strong, thick branch.
"What? Are you serious?" Yukio's eyes widen in amazement.
"Not human. Keep that fact in mind." Heather mumbles as she digs her nails into the tree, climbing up to the branch. "Good night. I suggest you wake me no further."
"Um. . . night." Yukio stifles a laugh as he pulls the flap of the sleeping bag around him, zipping it closer to his body. Snuggling down into the cloth he takes a small breath before shutting his eyes.
Espy sniffs his still body and Arcy arches his back, looking to their master for support.
Heather folds her arms behind her head. She sends Arcy and Espy a loose thought.
[He's safe now. I can feel it.]
Arcy nods his fluffy head as Heather jumps down from the tree, landing in a crouch-like position.
Heather points with her thumb to the tree. "It's uncomfortable." Heather mumbles.
She quietly transforms into an Eevee and nudges inside the flap of the sleeping bag, curling around Yukio to lend his shivering body some extra -much needed- warmth.
Arcy snorts a laugh and Espy taunts her.
[You two make a cute couple.]
[I don't even know what he looks like. I guess I'll find out in the morning.] Heather's thoughts trail back.
[Believe me. You'll come to love a human. . .one day.] Espy smiles softly.
Arcy curls near the fire as Espy huddles to the other side of the sleeping bag, guarding the two "humans".
[Sweet dreams.] Arcy says in a low bark.
[You too.] Heather smiles.
With a yawn Heather shuts her eyes, her breathing quieting to that of something that's asleep, her tail instinctively wrapped around her eyes.
The air calms as the two sleep, Heather's dog and cat eventually succumbing to sleep as well.
Me: I added some stuff and made it longer, obviously. This was one of the shorter chapters in the old story.
Arcy: Yep. Sure was.
Me: I'm going to go with some female OCs I created. Heather needs a couple girl traveling partners since eventually she'll be traveling with some guys and no girls.
Yukio: Yep.
Me: So review guys and keep my writing passion alive. Also due to only one of my old reviewers reviewing my story I think the other people no longer want their OCs in my story and will be taking them out. I will leave in Mikel. I think it will be mostly humans traveling around Heather. I should've specified in my old story that Heather's supposed to be basically the last of the Pokémorphs so it doesn't make sense for like... 3 or more Pokémorphs to be traveling with her.
So review and vote on the new poll. Your guys' voices count more than mine.