ONE WEEK LATER, 3:24:42 PM, LUMIOSE CITY, KALOS
After a long week and many, many miles of walking, Collin and Serena had finally arrived at Lumiose City, the largest city in Kalos and the starting point for their journey toward Laverre City.
"Hey Collin, I'm going to go shop for some clothes. Want to come along?"
Serena was brimming with joy, a change that Collin was surprised to see after all that had happened. He looked up from his map and replied,
"Sure, I'm probably going to need some myself."
After what felt like an eternity, the two found the clothing store. The urban sprawl of Lumiose was even more difficult to navigate in person. They strolled in, and Serena immediately rushed over to the female section. Collin just stood there for a second like an idiot, marvelling at the selection of apparel. He rarely, if ever, set foot in stores, and had no idea what to do in such a massive place like this. He eventually decided on a new outfit more suited to travelling, opting for black hiking boots, green cargo pants, and a black commando sweater. He checked out, and turned to look for Serena. She walked over, wearing black athletic shorts, a large pink tee, and pink-strapped hiking sandals with contrasting black soles with aggressive treads.
"Uh, you look...great..?"
Collin struggled with his words. Why was this so difficult? Serena laughed a bit, so he assumed he did the right thing.
Serena paid the cashier, turned to Collin, and said, "Ready to go?"
"As I'll ever be."
5:15:00 PM, ROUTE 14, KALOS
The pair were at the gate to Route 14. Neither of them really knew what to expect.
"Well? Let's go," Serena said.
Collin was shaking, which was kind of odd to Serena. Wasn't he supposed to be the brave one?
"Okay," Collin said in a monotone voice as he followed her down the trail. The two continued until Serena noted something. She noticed that her feet felt wet as she walked. She looked down and saw that her sandals were getting all covered in cold, black slop.
"Collin, the trail's getting muddy, watch out!"
She watched as he struggled to walk. He didn't seem to be having a great time.
"We're almost there, I think," Serena said with a worried inflection. She looked down, examining her muddy feet and splattered calves. These shoes would not be salvageable.
She was struggling to free her left foot from the sucking ooze when a hole started to appear.
5:49:27 PM, ROUTE 14, KALOS
Collin was wheezing. He was cold, tired, and worst of all, there seemed to be a sinkhole forming.
"Wonderful," he thought to himself. He missed his desk and PC. Just then, he heard Serena scream.
The patch of ground split in two, revealing a strange person-sized hole. A man-made metal tunnel was underneath. Collin heard a person climbing up.
"Hide, now!" Collin whispered. Both teens hid in the conveniently placed marsh grass just as a camouflage-clad man emerged from the tunnel. He wore a combat helmet with a strange glass face shield that displayed a HUD.
The soldier examined the disturbed mud where Serena got stuck earlier and raised his weapon, a black FN F2000. Collin's heart skipped a beat as the man flipped the fire selector to the automatic setting. He started to take aim when Collin heard feet splashing. He was stunned to see Serena run and tackle the helmeted man to the ground, sending his weapon a few feet away. The masked man threw the mud-soaked girl off, stood up, and drew his sidearm to finish the deed.
Collin knew he had to act.
He rushed forward and swung his crowbar at the man. The bar connected with his head, shattering the display and his skull with a sickening crack. Blood poured out of the broken helmet and onto the ground as his grip loosened on the pistol.
The scrawny boy stood there, stunned. He had just killed a man. He picked up the rifle and walked toward the tunnel, with one question on his mind.
What would come next?