CHAPTER 33
I sunk deeper into the soft couch and felt my body lt into the fluffy fabric. I stared at the piano in one of the corners of the room and raised an eyebrow. I really wanted to play a little before I left, but ti always went by too fast. I had always wanted to try playing the instrunt. I returned my attention to Nurse Joy, who sat with her legs crossed on a chair across from .
“And these nightmares, you say they’ve finally disappeared?”
“Yeah, I’ve finally been getting full nights of sleep, and it’s making a world’s difference on my state of mind. I feel like the world is a little bit brighter,” I told her.
“But you still haven’t tried without your Togetic, have you? Have you considered doing so?”
I exhaled. “Right now, I just want to do what works. I think I’ll be using Togetic for a while… I’ve gotten advice from soone.”
“If you trust them, I suppose that’s enough. I still recomnd weaning off that way of sleeping. Now, since this is your last day, let’s move on to your worries about Mars.”
I felt my heartbeat quicken, and the wound on my face flare up. I couldn’t help but imagine Mars pressing her knife against my cheek, moving my face around like I wasn’t even human. Like I was a thing for her to play with.
“I can’t help but be terrified,” I said as I exhaled. “But soone helped find my resolve. Soone I look up to, so I’m not going to hole up and hide forever.”
“The sa person that told you to sleep with your Togetic, I presu," She said perceptively, "I trust that the League will take care of her and the rest of her ilk before you have to see her again,” Nurse Joy said.
“It’s good to be vigilant. I don’t want to be caught off-guard ever again.”
I waited for Nurse Joy to respond, but an alarm rang on her phone.
“Oh my, has it been one hour already? What a sha. These seven sessions between us have been very productive, Grace. I recomnd booking more whenever you get to Eterna city.”
“But it won’t be you,” I lanted. “I don’t know if I can talk to soone else and pretend she’s you, Amanda.”
Nurse Joy shook her head and smiled. “When I’m on the clock, I’m Nurse Joy, not Amanda. And don't worry, we can always arrange etings via video chats, although I would say face-to-face etings are more effective. You could always stay longer as I asked you to, many tis.”
“I can’t stay here forever. I have to get stronger. I have a friend waiting on , and being here forces to think about the incident,” I said. “I have to leave.”
Nurse Joy stood up. “If that’s what you think is right, I can’t stop you. Stay safe in Eterna forest, Grace. Keep your wits about you.”
“I will. Thank you for everything, I'll call when I get to Eterna city,” I told her as I left.
It had been a week and a half since the attack on Valley Windworks, and I was slowly getting back on my feet. Honestly, it felt like what had transpired didn’t even happen to . It was like a dream, where I had been observing myself act until Cynthia ca and spoke to . Her words shook — and they still did. I walked into the Pokemon Center’s lobby and hugged Denzel.
“Congrats. You did it,” He said.
“I can’t believe it’s over,” I told him. “It seed like an unsurmountable climb before, and now I’m done. It’s a little scary.”
“I know you’ll manage. You’re strong.”
Denzel and I had grown much closer after the Galactic incident. I considered him to be my best friend now, or maybe a brother? It was hard to put a term on it. He had always been there for , visiting every day and trying to keep my mind focused on positive things, or making laugh. I honestly didn’t think I could have made it without him.
“Ready for tomorrow?” He asked as he let go.
“Yup. Just gotta buy a ton of antidotes and potions, right?” I asked him.
Denzel grinned. “Already did, they’re all in my bag.”
“Seriously? Man, you’re the best.”
“Duh. Although I hope it’s enough, I spent almost all of our money on that and a few Pokeballs.”
We made our way to my room, and I collapsed on my bed, while Denzel sat on its edge and released Eevee. The furry Pokemon barked happily and licked both of our faces before settling on my belly. He had been battered by that battle with Gible, and he had been seriously depressed about it for a while until Denzel finally convinced him that he had fought well. He was also now back at full strength and ready to go. We relaxed for a few hours— Denzel browsed the forums while I watched whatever was on television. We had learned to enjoy each other’s company in silence too, and neither of us felt forced to try springing up a conversation when it wasn’t necessary. I felt my Poketch vibrate in my pocket.
Probably dad or mom again, I thought.
Dad had called multiple tis every day since the kidnappings, and I had barely managed to convince him not to drop anything and book a flight to Floaroma. He had been worried sick about the entire ti, and he felt partly responsible for what happened to because he was the one that pushed into this journey. No matter what I told him, he still felt guilty, and it ate up that he felt that way. Mom had called too, and surprisingly just as many tis as dad. They had also been a part of my recovery, and I had never felt more grateful for my parents.
I grabbed my Poketch and felt a surge of panic when I saw the na. It was a ssage from Cecilia Obel.
“How in the world did she get my number?” I muttered.
“Who?” Denzel asked before slapping his forehead. “Wait, are you talking about the Obel girl? That was .”
“What?” I demanded.
“She confronted outside of the Center yesterday and asked for your number. Strangely enough, she was alone, and she was nice this ti, so I gave it to her. Should I not have? I figured it’d be nice for you to connect with soone who went through the sa thing as you did.”
I sighed. I hadn’t seen Cecilia since the attack at the plant, and I honestly thought I wouldn’t again. Hell, I kind of thought she had left Floaroma already, and for so reason, I felt sad about that.
“It’s alright, thanks,” I said as I opened my Poketch.
Cecilia O.
This is Grace Pastel, correct?
“She’s asking if it’s ,” I told Denzel with a smile. “She doesn’t even trust you enough to be sure you gave her the right number.”
Denzel raised an eyebrow. “Are you kidding ? I have that shit morized.”
You
It’s . What is it?
Cecilia O.
et inside of room 17 right now.
You
Why? Do you need sothing?
Cecilia O.
I need to talk to you.
You
Are your friends going to be there? Because they’re pricks.
Cecilia O.
No, it’s just for now. They are busy, so co quickly before they co back.
“She wants to et her in her room,” I told Denzel.
“In her room? Are they all about to jump you, or sothing?”
“I’m going,” I said as I gently pushed Eevee off of .
“Huh?”
“See you later,” I said, leaving my room. “Bye, Eevee.”
“Vee!”
I made my way to the first floor and knocked gently on room 17’s door. I was a little bit nervous, which surprised . I hoped I didn’t look silly. I placed my hand on my chest and took a deep breath as Cecilia told to co in. She was ever so graceful, sitting on her bed with her legs crossed. I stood still for a few seconds, trying to figure out what to say.
“Co sit. I have a proposition for you,” Cecilia said, patting a spot next to her on the bed.
“Good morning… wait, it’s the afternoon now,” I awkwardly said as I sat. “What do you want to ask that you couldn’t ask over text?”
“I want to form an alliance between our two groups to travel through Eterna forest,” The girl said, going straight to the point.
“W—what? That honestly sounds like a terrible idea to . We basically hate each other. Your friend— whatsherface…” I trailed off before rembering her na. “Pauline! She threatened to make my life, and I quote, ‘a living hell’. This is not happening,” I said. “Sorry for that outburst.”
“Pauline said that?” She blinked. “How unlike her.”
I scoffed. “I don’t think you know her very well. She literally wanted to see you bully when you dragged off to the bathroom—” I started before terrible mories ca flashing back. I took a few seconds to calm myself and swallowed. “Anyways, she isn’t the only problem. They’re all assholes.”
“Is this about your… companion? I know Louis is not fond of him, but we can nd those bridges.”
“Louis is the biggest ass of them all. Sorry, I know he’s your boyfriend. What’s the deal, anyway? You guys have two dragon types and a bunch of other powerful Pokemon, it’s not like you can’t get through it together.”
Cecilia breathed in deeply. “The truth is, they’re scared.”
“Scared of the forest?” I asked, doubting her words.
Cecilia adjusted her sitting position. “Yes. They are terrified. Everything so far has been easy, and we stayed on the routes, but Eterna forest is when the real challenge begins. The plan was to leave two days ago, but they keep putting it off. You especially impressed them during our battle, so I believe that if we combine our forces, they’ll be willing to take the plunge.”
“Why didn’t you call Denzel here? We travel together, I can’t make a decision on my own,” I said.
“But if you had to choose right now, what would you do?” Cecilia said, staring right into my eyes. I felt a surge of shyness and averted my gaze.
I bit the inside of my lip, thinking about what to do. The truth was that I had also been worried about Eterna forest, it was just I had been entirely focused on getting back on my feet. What were the pros on cons here? Okay, a big group ant higher chances of survival because of the amount of Pokemon everyone brought to the table, and we’d be able to watch each other's backs. But then again, if a big group was dysfunctional, it could be deadlier than traveling alone. But maybe…
“I would accept under a few conditions. One, I want you to show Denzel and I how you train. You specifically, because I know you’re the best trainer in your clique. Second, I want access to your resources. All that money you’ll use to buy the best potions, antidotes, and everything else? I want your group to lend those to us if we need them, we barely have enough for both of our teams as it is. Third, I want your pals on their best behavior, and I want that Pauline girl to apologize to ,” I said. “And I want your boyfriend to apologize to Denzel.”
I had blurted out that third part without thinking, but Pauline had really hit a nerve after our battle, even though I didn’t exactly show it. At the ti, I had simply taken her threat to heart and figured it would be best to keep my head down in case she sicked her family on . But if I was to travel with her? I needed this.
“That is… a tough sell, but I believe I could make that work. Now, can you convince Denzel?”
“Probably. He likes too much to say no,” I smiled. “And if you fulfill all of my conditions, it probably won’t take too much convincing.”
“Thank you,” Cecilia smiled. “Now I can finally make so damned progress.”
I was surprised at the way she spoke. During all of this conversation, Cecilia had spoken in a prim and proper way, but she was apparently letting her mask slip again.
“So you aren’t scared?”
“Not at all. I’m eager to get going. Soone recently lit my passion for Pokemon battling ablaze, and I want to get stronger as fast as possible.”
“Wait, so you weren’t passionate before?” I asked. “And you were still so good… man.”
“I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love it,” Cecilia said as she brushed her hair behind her ear. “I have a promise to fulfill now, and I plan to make good on it.”
“Who was it then?” I asked curiously. I wanted to know who had ignited Cecilia’s passion for battling, potentially unleashing a monster.
“It’s a secret,” She said with a small laugh. “Now, on you go. My group will be coming back soon, and it would be easier to explain if you weren’t in the room.”
“Sounds good,” I said. “See you later?”
“See you later.”
I felt a grin creep up on my face as I left Cecilia’s room, feeling butterflies in my stomach.
TEAM:
Togetic - Pound, Sweet Kiss, Growl, Headbutt, Fairy Wind, Ancient Power, Extrasensory
Frillish - Bubblebeam, Night Shade, Absorb, Water Sport, Water Pulse
Elekid - Thundershock, Swift, Thunder Punch, Charge, Leer
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