Chapter Five: Like A Runaway Train

"Ever been to Dewford?"

Tally looked up from her map. "No. Why?"

"I'd like to see it," Carla said matter-of-factly. "It's smaller than Slateport; there won't be such a big crowd there. We could do some training on the beach."

"Where is Dewford?" Tally peered closely at the map. "It's an island! Do we have to get a boat there, or do we surf on Boing?"

"The boat," Carla replied. Tess sat on the bed beside her, preening herself busily. Zoe sat on Carla's other side, while Rakel floated above their heads. The Misdreavus' necklace was glowing slightly, and she was staying very close to her trainer.

Carla didn't blame her. She was still unsettled after the previous night; unease and anxiety must be the perfect snack for a Misdreavus.

"Should we check out of the Centre?" Tally asked.

Carla thought for a moment. "Yes. We can't just spend a few hours in Dewford. It needs to be at least one day."

The same nurse who had checked them in was on duty at the desk; she smiled as Carla and Tally gave her their keys and said: "Stay safe!"

"We will," Carla replied.

The streets were quiet. Pale golden light was still creeping through the shadows. Carla kept sneaking glances over her shoulder as they walked, suspicious of everyone she saw.

When they reached the harbour, Carla was glad she'd had a haircut: the wind was blowing it all over the place. Wingull cries filled the air; she could see them swooping about among the fishing vessels.

"Look, it's just over there." She pointed towards a sign saying Passenger Trips. "We can always come back to Slateport in a day or two."

But there was never supposed to be a 'we' in the first place.

Carla mentally shrugged as they walked towards the dock. Tally didn't have to come with her. She could have stayed in Slateport and enjoyed herself at the markets. Eventually, the other girl would get bored and want to move in a different direction from Carla.

"Where do we go?" Tally asked, looking around. "Where's the boat that goes to Dewford?"

A white speedboat was nestled against the dock, with a solitary figure seated in the prow. Carla walked over towards it. "Hi," she called.

The figure turned and beamed at her. His face was weathered by the sun and wind, but his eyes were as bright as sunshine on water. "Good morning, lass. Benjamin's the name; what can I do for you? Is it Dewford or Rustboro?"

"Dewford, please. How much is it for two people?"

"Four dollars a trip. Eight if you're looking to come back."

That sounded reasonable. "I don't think we're going to return today." There was bound to be boats that would take them back to Slateport and if there weren't...they'd deal with that.

"We're going to have to wait a while," Benjamin warned. "Someone else might be wanting a trip." He held out a hand to help the girls into the boat.

"That's OK!" Tally said. She wobbled a little as she stepped into the vessel, but Benjamin quickly steadied her in time. "Do a lot of trainers go to Dewford?"

"People only go to that place for three things: Brawly, a holiday or to see that cave," Benjamin chuckled. "Which one are you?"

"What cave?" Tally asked, her forehead wrinkled.

"Granite Cave," explained Carla.

"It's become a bit of an attraction nowadays, what with that mural and the two Champions visiting there. But only for trainers, though. That place is not for tourists." Benjamin looked towards the buildings, but there didn't seem to be anyone else coming towards the harbour.

Carla vaguely heard Tally speaking, but she wasn't listening to the words at all. Her mind had wandered back to the alley.

She should have said something about that incident. She should have reported it, and she wasn't at all sure why she hadn't. Why hadn't she said anything?

"Hey." A small hand gently touched Carla's arm. "Are you OK?"

Carla forced herself to smile and meet Tally's eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking about something."

"I don't think anyone else wants a ride, so let's get going." Benjamin started the boat's engine and before long, they were skimming lightly over the water. Sunlight sparkled and danced on the surface; Wingull swooped around playfully as they tried to catch up with the boat. Carla almost wished she could join them.

She found herself breathing a little easier as they left Slateport behind them.

"I'm just going to let my Sharpedo out," Benjamin announced. "She could use a bit of exercise." He tossed a pokéball into the air and a large, streamlined shape emerged, landing in the water with a loud splash. Immediately it started to keep pace with the boat, one sharp fin sticking above the surface.

"Yeah, that's it!" Benjamin laughed. "Haven't lost your touch, have you?"

"How long until we get to Dewford?" Tally asked, peering towards the horizon as if expecting to see the island there.

"It won't be for a while yet, so just sit back and enjoy the ride."

Carla did just that. She leaned against the side of the boat and watched the waves go past. Every time she took a breath, she could taste salt on the air. Was this was flying felt like - this wild, exhilarating sense of freedom?

Eventually, a large mass of land appeared in the distance. Benjamin steered the boat directly towards it with a grin. "Not long now. Look, Brawly's enjoying the waves."

He pointed towards a figure riding the waves, perfectly balanced on a surfboard.

"How do you know it's him?" asked Tally curiously.

"I've made this trip masses of times," Benjamin told her. "I'd know him from any of the other surfers here any day."

As they neared the island, Carla saw small houses clustered together in groups. The only large buildings in Dewford were the Centre and the Gym, which had been built close to each other. Behind the small town was a large stretch of green as far as the eye could see.

Benjamin pulled the boat up alongside the jetty and helped the girls clamber ashore. "Hope you both have a good time here!"

"We will! Thank you!" Tally promised before staggering towards dry land. "My feet still think they're on the boat."

"So do mine," Carla admitted. The houses almost seemed to sway before her as she walked.

The Dewford Centre was almost completely deserted. Carla and Tally wiped their feet on the rough mat just inside the door, but they still left a trail of sand behind them.

"Do you want separate rooms, or do you want to share one?" the nurse asked.

"I think we'll share again," Tally replied.

The nurse rummaged beneath the desk for the room keys and handed them over to the girls.

"Thanks. Is there a launderette we could use?" Carla asked.

"Sure there is. It's just through that door over there."

Carla pushed the door open and saw there was only one washing machine inside the small, cramped room, and the dryer was already in use. A young woman was seated on the chair next to the dryer, watching the clothes inside spin around.

It didn't take long for the girls to load the washing-machine and get it going.

"I'm gonna go and have a shower," Tally announced.

"All right. I'll stay here." Once Tally was gone, Carla turned to the young woman and said: "I'm just going to let my team out; is that OK?"

"That's fine."

Two minutes later, Zoe and Tess were chasing each other in circles around Carla's chair while Rakel watched them. Carla was pleased to see the Snorunt and Vullaby were moving faster than they had been before.

She made a mental note to increase their endurance training from then on.

"It's beautiful out here." Tally was gazing out over the water, mesmerised by the waves as they gently swept up the sand. The girls had wandered out of town and were walking along the water's edge. "Just think, the people who live in Dewford get to see this every day!"

Carla had to admit that she was right. The early morning sun was shining down while a cold, wind blew across the island, making the trees behind them rustle gently. Tally was wearing shorts, but Carla was glad to be wearing jeans.

"This is a good spot," she said. Judging from the burn marks and gouges in the rocks, this was a very popular training area.

She called out her team. "We're going to train here for a bit," she told them. "Zoe, could you..." Carla thought for a moment. "Keep hitting that rock over there as hard as you can with Weather Ball. Tess, use Fury Attack on that fallen tree. Rakel, you're going to be working on your Psywave on that rock."

With a delighted chirp, Tess hopped over to the tree and started drilling at it with sharp pecks. Zoe started shooting fireballs at the rock Carla had pointed at.

Rakel hovered over to the other rock. Her necklace glowed crimson and a small purple wave blossomed out of the jewel in the centre. As it made contact with the rock, tiny pieces of stone crumbled off and fell away.

"Aren't you going to start training?" Carla asked Tally. The other girl shrugged and looked at the sand.

"I don't really know what to work on."

Carla frowned. Tally hadn't had that problem last time. "Well, is there anything your team needs to work on? What about your Cleffa? What attacks does she need to practice?"

Now Tally looked a little embarrassed. "I'm not really sure. She doesn't know any actual attacks. She can use Encore, Sing and Sweet Kiss."

"If you want, I can scan her with my dex and see what it shows," Carla suggested.

Suddenly, there was a loud screech from Tess. Carla raced towards her and knelt. "Tess, are you OK?"

Splinters of wood had flown away from the fallen tree and were lying on the sand. Carla took hold of Tess' head and tilted it from side to side. "Did one get in your eye?"

Tess chirruped and wriggled away, shaking her head.

"Sorry, Tess. Your Fury Attack's grown a lot stronger."

Tess puffed out her chest proudly.

"Want to train with Treble for a bit?"

Tess nodded. Carla took her over to where Tally stood waiting. Treble stood on the sand beside her trainer; Carla took her dex out of her bag and scanned the little Cleffa.

"It says she knows Copycat. And..." Carla stared at the screen, frowning. "It also says 'Magical Leaf' in brackets."

"Why in brackets?" Tally asked.

"I don't know. Maybe it means she can't learn it yet."

"What does Copycat do?"

"I think it lets her copy attacks from other pokémon," Carla said. "Have you used it before?"

Tally shook her head. "I don't think I have. Can we try it now?"

"Sure. Tess, use Fake Tears."

Tess immediately burst into tears. Startled, Treble ran towards the Vullaby, squeaking frantically and waving her stubby arms.

"Hey, it's OK!" Tally said, reaching out to stop her. "It's all right, she's fine!" When the Cleffa looked up at her incredulously, she said: "Now use Copycat. Do what she's doing."

Treble frowned and concentrated hard, looking directly at Tess. Her lower lip began to quiver and tears filled her eyes. Then she started bawling just as hard and as loudly as Tess.

"That's it!" cried Tally. "Ask Tess to do another attack."

"Tess, use Leer now."

Tess stopped crying and narrowed her eyes menacingly at Treble. Treble squeaked and started shivering, but she held her ground.

"Use Copycat again, Treble," Tally pressd encouragingly. "You can do it!"

Treble pressed her tiny feet into the sand and tried to copy Tess's expression. Carla didn't think it was nearly as intimidating, but Tally seemed delighted.

"Can we try that with other attacks?" she asked.

"Yeah, let's..."

It was then that Carla realised she wasn't paying attention to her other team members. She looked around for them: Rakel was still sending Psywaves at her rock, but Zoe had stopped practicing and was panting heavily. After a moment, she started firing again.

"OK, stop now!" Carla called. Her team was getting tired, and it was nearing lunchtime.

"Yeah, good idea." Tally returned Treble to her capsule. "I need to call my parents."

Carla froze.

Maybe you should call home too.

Yes, maybe she should. If she didn't, her father would begin to worry and that was the last thing she wanted.

Her stomach clenched. The conversation wouldn't be pleasant, but it had to be done. It also meant she could discreetly check up on her sister. And...it would be good to hear their voices.

"I'm going to let Boing out," Tally announced. "I think he needs some exercise, and he'd love to be in the sea again."

She took off her shoes and socks, dusted the sand off the soles of her shoes and put them in her bag before pulling out Boing's capsule and throwing it towards the sea. Once the Wailmer was out, she retrieved the capsule and walked towards him. Carla watched with interest as Boing lowered himself in the water, allowing Tally to climb onto his back.

"Come on, Carla. We'll race you!"

"Wait - race? What does that..."

But Boing was already moving, ploughing through the waves with ease, Tally balanced perfectly on top. Carla started jogging to try and keep up with them. After a few seconds, Tally gave her a sideways glance and grinned playfully.

"Faster, Boing!"

The Wailmer sped up, forcing Carla to do the same. Then she was running alongside the water, Tally's laughter ringing in her ears. Determined not to let Boing and Tally beat her, Carla started to run even faster, while her hair blew behind her and the surf tried to catch her feet. She gasped in the sea air and was suddenly hit by the urge to keep going. At that moment, she felt as if she could keep racing for a long, long time.

Dewford Town came into view. When she was opposite the Centre, Carla staggered to a halt and dropped to her knees. "I think...you win," she forced out. She rolled over onto her back and stared up at the sky.

"That was fun!" Tally cried as she splashed ashore.

Yes, Carla thought, a tiny laugh spilling from her mouth. It was.

The Centre telephone felt slippery in her hands.

Carla had spent the entire afternoon battling people on the beach, but she couldn't put this off any longer. Slowly, she dialled her home number.

Her father's face flashed onto the screen after two rings. It took all of Carla's willpower not to flinch.

"Hi, Dad," she said.

He said nothing. Just stared at her. She fought the urge to clench her fists at her side.

"Carla," he said eventually. "You're looking well."

"Thanks."

"And you've had a haircut."

"I kind of had to," she said. "It's dangerous in the wild with long hair."

"Know what else is dangerous?" Theo said conversationally. "Going on a pokémon journey and not taking your phone with you."

Carla tried not to let her alarm show. "Yeah, I...I didn't think things through."

"No, you didn't. Not only did I get to read a letter that you seem to think explained everything, but I found out you didn't even want us to contact you!"

"I didn't know what to say if you did!"

"What about the truth?"

Carla blinked rapidly. How could she tell him the truth?

How can you not tell him?

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

There was silence.

"You know," Theo said after a while, "I always thought it would be your sister who would run off on a journey. It looks like you really do take after your mother."

"Yeah, but she actually told her parents, didn't she?"

"And you clearly planned your escape just as well as she did." Theo paused. "You could have told me. You could have said you wanted to travel before becoming a coordinator. I would have understood."

He might have - but it would still have been a lie.

"Do you have another phone?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Good. You shouldn't be without one. Have you heard about what happened in Slateport two nights ago?"

Carla leaned in closer to the screen. "No - what happened?"

"Two girls were attacked by pokémon thieves. Police officers heard screaming and went to investigate; turns out those thieves have been on the blacklist for a long time, but they've always managed to escape. If you'd been attacked, Carla, you wouldn't have been able to get help without a phone."

"I know. I'm being careful, Dad."

Theo sighed, his whole body seeming to sag in relief. "I'm glad to hear that."

"Can I talk to Glennis?"

"She's taken Nadine out for a walk, but I'll tell her you called." Theo smiled at Carla. "How many pokémon have you got?"

"Three. They're being healed right now."

"What are their names?" Theo asked.

"Zoe, Tess and Rakel." Carla refrained from mentioning what species they were - and that she had a badge. "I used your heal ball to catch Rakel."

Theo gave Carla another soft smile. "I can't wait to meet them. Take care of yourself, Carla, and - stay in touch, will you? Even if it's not a phone call. We'd be happy with just a postcard."

"I will."

"Goodbye, Carla." With that, Theo hung up. Carla let out a shuddering sigh and replaced her end of the phone as well. Neither of them was very good at talking on the phone, but the conversation had still felt short and forced.

She didn't know if the feeling in her chest was relief or shame.

Police officers heard screaming.

She sat upright again. If the arrest had happened on the same night she'd gone out walking, it must have been Rakel they'd heard screaming. Those running feet she had heard must have been one of the officers.

"Hey!" Tally had come up behind her. She stood there, beaming. "Ready to go and eat?"

"Yeah." Carla hopped off the stool and picked up her bag.

"How was your family?"

"They were fine," Carla said bluntly. "How was yours?"

"Mum says our new saplings are growing taller; she's thinking about getting a new poochyena, but she's not sure we can afford one yet."

"Do you have brothers and sisters?" Carla asked, finally curious about Tally's home and family.

"No; it's just me. You?"

"A sister. She's older than me." Carla glanced impatiently towards the nurse's desk.

"Really? I always wanted a sister," Tally said wistfully.

Carla shot her a half-serious, half-mocking glare. "Well, I'm not sharing mine!"

"Hey!" the nurse called. "Girl with the Snorunt and Vullaby? They're fully healed."

Carla hurried over, her shoes leaving a trail of sand on the lobby floor. "Thanks," she said, taking her team's capsules and putting them into her bag.

"I've been thinking," Tally said as Carla returned. "That Benjamin guy mentioned a mural. Where did he say it was again?"

"Granite Cave. Did you want to see it?"

"Well, he said it was for trainers and not tourists, and we are trainers."

Carla raised her eyebrows. "Yes. Why don't we go tomorrow? I'm exhausted from all that battling." All she wanted to do at that moment was lie on her bed and sleep for a week. Her team probably felt the same way.

"Yeah, all right!" Tally said, beaming. "I can't wait to see it. It must be amazing."

Carla inhaled cold moisture every time she breathed in. It was refreshing, but she kept her eyes on the shadows and one hand on Zoe's pokéball as they headed deeper into the cave.

"How much farther?" Tally asked, glancing anxiously towards the ceiling.

"I don't know. We'll know it when we see it."

The girls stopped walking. Just ahead of them, a large opening loomed in the cave wall. Carla swallowed, feeling suddenly nervous. "I think that's it."

"All right." Tally's voice was strangely hushed. "Let's go."

As they entered, Carla felt the breath leave her lungs. The cavern was large as a banqueting hall, with steps leading up to a ledge at the far end. The girls' footsteps echoed as they walked across the stone floor and up the steps.

Groudon spewed molten flame from his jaws towards the sky, a blazing sun swirling above him. All around him, newly formed volcanoes shot magma into the air. Opposite him, Kyogre rose from the waves and into a storm of her own creation. Her mouth was open in a roar that must have been as loud as thunder.

Carla couldn't take her eyes off the mural. Whoever painted it knew exactly what Groudon and Kyogre were capable of. Had they witnessed the Primal Forms themselves and created the images in the cave as a reminder of what the legends could inflict on the world?

Carla suddenly felt cold. The air in the cave was thick and heavy.

It could have happened again. The Awakening could have turned into a second Primal Battle. Hoenn could have been destroyed.

"We need to go."

"What? Why?" Tally asked, her voice full of confusion. "We only just..."

Carla whirled around to face her. The air in the cave was thick and heavy; it seemed to press in on them. "We need to leave. Now."

Something in her face must have convinced Tally, because the other girl nodded quickly and hurried out of the cavern beside her. Carla forced herself not to break into a run as they went back the way they came, her legs starting to burn from going up more steps. After what seemed like hours, they burst out into the sunlight. Carla leaned against a nearby rock, taking deep breaths.

"Are you OK?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Carla nodded. "Sorry." She didn't know what had come over her.

The sound of footsteps on the sand made her open her eyes again. A woman stood in front of them, an Arcanine and Medicham standing beside her; when she saw Carla and Tally had noticed her, she stepped aside and beckoned for them to follow her. Her dark hair was ruffled by the wind and her eyes stood out sharply in her thin face.

Once the girls were standing in front of her, the woman held up a licence in front of their eyes. then showed the girls a small photo. "Is this trainer in the cave?"

Carla shook her head. "I don't know. We didn't see him."

She glanced over her shoulder to see the Arcanine sniffing at the entrance of Granite Cave. It looked back at the woman and dipped its head once.

The Medicham leaned in a little closer, its black eyes fixed on the girls.

"Are you sure he's not there?" the woman asked, her eyes just as dark and piercing as her pokémon's. They roamed intently over first Carla's face, then Tally's.

"If he is in the cave," Carla said, "we didn't see him."

The woman glanced at her Medicham, who nodded. "All right. But I suggest you go back to Dewford now. Do not follow me inside." Her eyes held a fierce warning.

"Why? What's going on?" Tally asked. "Why shouldn't..."

But the woman and the Medicham were already walking towards Granite Cave. Carla set off in the direction of Dewford Town, strongly resisting the urge to look behind her.

"What was that about?" Tally demanded as she caught up with her. "Was...was that a hunter?"

"Yeah, she was." Carla had been wondering if she would meet one while she was on her journey.

Dangerous and vicious pokémon were a problem in every region and it was a hunter's job to capture them so they wouldn't harm anyone, trainer or civilian. It was only when young trainers started to form gangs that the PTPL decided to hire them to take care of rogues as well as pokémon. Several people, including Carla's father, were outraged at first, but they were impressed when it became obvious that the techniques hunters used to capture rogues actually worked.

"Do you think he is in the cave? The trainer, I mean."

"Yes." The Arcanine had picked up his scent. Whoever he was, he was trapped in there now.

Carla wasn't sure if she should feel sorry for him.

Thanks for reading so far!

Carla's not going to catch another pokémon for a couple more chapters – and it might not be what you were expecting. Stay tuned.

This chapter's title comes from 'Runaway Train' by Little Big Town.