Electric City Ch. 5

Walking down the hall of the hospital, I held my head high. I glanced into some of the rooms of other patients. Some were with family members and some were alone, asleep. At the end of the room was Jamie’s room. I stepped in and turned on the light. He was still asleep, unfazed by anything going on around him. I sat down next to him and grabbed his hand.

“Sorry I haven’t seen you in a couple of days,” I said. “I participated in the Lumoise Contest. It was a lot of fun. The gym leader here came to it. His name is Clemont and he’s an electric type trainer. He’s really nice, but I guess a little too nice. Like a doormat nice. Anyway, despite being an expert at electric types, he was really bad. He didn’t make it very far. Oh, and I met a very nice guy named Adrian. He’s funny and really honest about everything. I think you’d really get along with him. Oh, and I won the contest too. See? This is the ribbon I won.”

I paused and stared at him. He would have pretended to care and say, “Oh, that’s nice. You seem to have a lot of fun doing that, huh?” with a fake smile. But he just lay there, slowly breathing.

“Uhm-nywm, nywn,” He mumbled.

I wasn’t sure if he was actually trying to communicate with the world, or if he’s just talking in his sleep. I felt a lump in my throat.

“Yeah, I have lots of fun being a Coordinator,” I said. “You should have been there, James. CG was.”

I buried my head in my hand and started to sob. Sure, I really liked A-Ho, but I like Jamie a lot more.  He helped me out of the hell when I couldn’t do it myself. He was the emotional support while Jack was ready to physically protect me. I had the chance to repay that kindness and I blew it.

I’m so sorry, James,” I said. “I love you so much, but I couldn’t save you!”

I felt a hand on my shoulder.

“Come estas?”

I looked up and saw Jack. I stood up and shoved him.

“Where the hell have you been,” I said, pounding a fist into his chest. “You’ve been gone ever since this has all started! Don’t you care about him?”

Jack grabbed my wrist and bent my arm.

“That’s none of your business,” he growled.
“You’re my friend, of course it’s my business,” I said, wiping my tears. “Why’d you come back now?”
“I hate hospitals,” he said, walking over to the window. “They smell weird and they’re really boring.”
“Well, I’m glad you here so I can ask you myself. We’re having dinner at some rich guy’s house. You wanna come?”
“A guy like me in some rich cabrón’s house? Nah.”
“There will be food there.”
“Nah.”
“Well, actually, we may have a gig to plan while we’re all there,” I said, rubbing my neck.
“I’m not really in the mood for a gig,” he said, continuing to stare out the window.
“What? You not up for it? Are you okay?”
“Nah, it’s all about these crazy things going on,” he said, motioning to Jamie. “I think we all need a break from all of that.”
“Well, you’re going to have to tell everyone that. Why not over dinner?”
“I ain’t got to tell no one shit,” Jack growled, turning around.
“If you don’t agree to come now, you’ll end up hearing about cheesecake from CG.”

Jack turned around. He dragged his hand down his face.

“Fine, I’ll go.”
“Excellent choice, Jack.”

“Has he done anything since he’s been here,” he asked, looking at Jamie.
“He occasionally mumbles.”
“Man, this just sucks.”
“Yeah, and it’s all my fault.”
Jack scoffed. “You’re not the one who shot him with an arrow.”
“Yeah, but-“

Jack grabbed me by the collar and held me up in the air.

“I don’t want to hear your moping. What good is it going to do now, eh?”
“I dunno. If I was more skilled-“
“Ah, ah. I said I didn’t want to hear it,” he said, shaking me. “Comprendo?”
“Okay, okay, I get it,” I said.

He put me down.

“It’s boring here now. I’m going to go to the Pokemon Center and take a nap.”
I walked over to Jamie and said. “Well, I’ll be going as well. You’ll be fine one day, I know it.”

I gave him a kiss on the forehead and went and caught up with Jack. I tried to hold up a conversation with him, but it was impossible. He didn’t care about the contest or how much training I did in two days. At most, he was interested in the route I took for my jog. When we got to the Pokemon Center, I left Jack alone to do whatever he wanted since he wasn’t paying attention to me. I went to my room and CG and I watched things on his computer until James called us to get ready for the dinner. He wanted us to all dress our best.

He was wearing a green vest and a loose fitted tie with rolled up sleeves.

“Okay, this might be asking a lot out of you guys, but you really need to be on your best behavior,” James said. “The guy we’re going to dinner for is my cousin of whom I was close to when we were children. I haven’t seen him in years and I’d really like to make a good impression.”
“That’s asking for too much,” Si said, waving his hand.

CG snickered.

“More importantly, Jack; you really aren’t planning to wear flannel to the dinner are you?”
“I don’t have anything better to wear,” Jack said, shrugging.
“Whatever, just pull your hair up.”
“Here, let me take care of it,” Seviper said.
“David, can you pull your hair up too,” James asked.
“Hmm,” David said, pulling his hair up.
“I got an extra tie,” Seviper said, messing with Jack’s hair.
“And you should do something about your hair too,” James said, approaching Si. “That hairstyle is so ten years ago.”

Si held his hands against his chest, taking a few steps back. When James went to brush his hair out of his face, Si lunged forward, knocking James to the ground. He looked around at the rest of us with tears in his eyes. His hands returned to his chest and he ran out of the door. David went after him.

“Um, David, Si and I will go on ahead,” I said as Jack helped James up. “I already know the way there, so…”
“Yeah, go on ahead,” James said.

I couldn’t help but to think David was some stranger rubbing Si’s shoulders with his hair tied up. I went up to them. Si had his head held down with his hands on his stomach.

“James was really out of line,” I said.
“Ya,” David said.

Si didn’t say anything, just kept his head down.

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to-“
“It was really rude of me,” Si blurted. “Attacking someone a lot older than me like that! How emberassing!”

Si sat down next to a building, covering his face. David and I looked at each other. David bent down and patted his back.

“He didn’t even know,” Si continued.
“It’s okay,” I said. “He’s just a little worked up, that’s all.”
“I can’t be around my friends now after humiliating myself!”
“It’s fine, really. You aren’t that bad of a person.”
Si took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes with his sleeve. “You two should go on ahead. I-I’ll be a man and apologize to James. It’s the right thing to do, isn’t it?”
“Whatever you say,” I said.
“Eh,” David nodded.

I checked my phone just to make sure I knew exactly where it was. David grabbed the phone from my hands. He was texting something while I tried to get the phone back. He ran away when I got close to getting the phone. He held it over my head, making me jump for it. He started coughing and dropped the phone. I jumped and caught the phone before it hit the ground. I checked to see what he had wrote. He just wrote “Dicks” and signed my name with it. I quickly texted an apology with an explanation.

“Sure, ttly not ur fault- Not Jack,” Was the reply.
I sighed. “I’m serious!”

I looked up at David. He always had a look like he was ready to fight anyone who made eye contact with him as his neutral expression. It was like he was on the cover of any beauty tip magazine or something.

“You know, I keep looking at you and you like an entirely different person with your hair pulled up,” I said.
“Eh,” he said, fiddling with his bangs.
“Yeah, if you dressed up, you’d look just like a prince,” I said.

David started to glow and turned away. The other boys caught up. Si was still blushing, holding his hands out in front of him. I went up to the rest of them, waving.

“David looks like a prince, right,” I asked the others.
“Noooo,” David said, flapping his hand.
“Sure does,” Seviper said.
“I’d hit that,” CG said, rubbing his chin.
“Ehhh,” David said, crouching down, burying his face in his hands.
“Stop fooling around you guys and come on,” James said, kicking David in the back.
“Someone’s jealous David’s better looking than he is,” I said.
James stopped, turned around and flipped his hair. “There’s no better looking guy than me.”
“Sure, if you’re into hobos,” I said, passing.

I got a round of “Oooooooh”s from the guys. James’ face went red and he held up his fist. Jack grabbed his arm.

“You couldn’t hurt a beautiful face like that,” he said.
“Hmph,” James said, pulling his arm away. “See, this is the behavior I’m talking about! Y’all need to knock it off!”
“Did a British guy just say, ‘Y’all,” CG asked.
“M-My parents were southern,” James said.
“Southern British people say y’all?”
“Sure, CG. Sure they do.”

The others were baffled by all the security the place had. Since none of the houses in the place had yard, CG had to ask where their Pokemon went to the bathroom at. Jack sarcastically told him that they just didn’t poop and he believed him.

“Really?”
“CG, what in the world,” I said. “You’re as rich as these guys!”
“I’m not that rich,” CG said. “My parents are the one with all the money.”
“So which panjero’s house are we going to,” Jack said.
“That one,” I said, pointing at the house at the end of the area.

CG ran past me over to the house. David and I went after him. I barely reached him before he got to the doorbell, grabbing his arm.

“Ah, come on,” he whined.
“No, not in a nice place like this,” I said.

He pouted while David rang the doorbell. The woman with lovely red hair and a poofy gown answered the door. David bowed towards her.

“What a nice young man,” she said with a smooth, sweet southern accent. “So, you’re the guests Apollinare and I have been expecting. My name is Amelia, but y’all can call me ‘Millie.’ It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Thank you very much,” I said, also bowing.

She folded her fan and stepped aside. Apollinare was curled up on the couch, bawling. I turned to Amelia.

“His Mareep, Mary has gone missing,” She explained. “He’s really devastated.”
“Oh dear,” CG said. “Is it alright if we’re here while this is going on?”
“It’s fine, really,” Apollinare said, sitting up. “Don’t let my rotten mood ruin anything. Make yourselves at home.
“Pardon the intrusion,” CG said with a slight bow.
“Wow, look at CG being all polite,” Seviper said.
“What? My parents had other rich people over for dinner sometimes. What sort of impressions would I give to them if I acted all weird?”
“He even dropped his accent,” Si said, impressed.
“I hope you’ll forgive my friends. They’re known to be an obnoxious bunch.”
“Says the most obnoxious one of all,” Jack said.
“It’s quite alright,” Millie said, unfolding her fan and holding it up to her face. “Can I start y’all with some appetizers?”

She led us into the dining room which was already set up with enough food to feed an army. James stayed behind to comfort Apollinare. As we sat down, Jack reached over to grab something. CG yelled at him and told Si to pass what he wanted. I tried to fill up on salami and head cheese. James eventually came and sat with us while Apollinare went to his room. We all gave him a weird look while James put his napkin in his lap.

“What? You boys don’t have your napkins in your laps,” he barked. “For Christ’s sake, children!”
Jack cleared his throat. “So, I was told I was actually needed here for something and I really didn’t have a choice on coming.”
“Oh, right,” CG said, spreading jam onto a roll. “It’s somewhat related to the disappearance of Mary.  Jhon and I were watching TV a couple of nights ago and they were talking about the disappearance of many electric type Pokemon. We were discussing it and we’d thought we’d turn it into a job.”
“Really? Now of all times,” Si said. “Ohh, is that escargot? May I have a few of those, please?”
“I agree with Si,” Jack said. “We’re in no condition to do a gig right now.”
“Are you feeling okay, Jack,” Seviper asked.
“Buein, buein. Anyways, what do you have so far?”
“Uh, we don’t really have anything actually,” CG said. “That’s what we want to discuss.”
“What’s in it for us, most of all,” James said.
“You’re not in on this,” CG snarled. “So, if we play our cards right, we can earn a lot of money doing this.”
“How,” Si said.
“Well, I suppose there’d be a high bounty on the guys behind it,” James said.
“If there are anybody,” CG nodded. “In any case, at most we can swipe money from the people who just want their Pokemon back. I’m sure we’d get quite a bit from gracious people.”
“That’s just plain cruel, taking advantage over vulnerable people like that,” Si said. “Say, these escargot are really good!”
“We really need the money right now,” Seviper said. “For Jamie.”
“So, anyway,” Si said, “suppose we take this gig, how are we going to convince the police that it’s a good idea to interfere?”
“Oh, I have that covered.” I said.  “When I was coming over here, I found Officer Jenny trailing her Magnetric. She said if I got everyone’s permission, she’d tell us everything they know so far.”
“I don’t believe this,” Si said. “This is too convenient. Also, you guys have got to try these escargot!”
“So, it all depends on you, Jack. What do you think,” I said.
“Por que? Why me?”
“You’re the leader. You call the shots,” CG said.
“Do whatever you want. I want no part of this.”
“Excellent,” James said. “Jhon, you go to the station tomorrow and tell them you want in. I’ll come up with a plan in the meantime.”
“Excuse you,” CG said. “Who died and made you the boss? I make the plans.”
“We’ll both come up with something.”

Apollinare and Millie came to the table. Apollinare was carrying a plate with a whole roasted duck wearing a suit. Mille moved some empty trays so he could place the duck in the middle. Si hoarded the rest of the escargot while Mille started to take the rest of the appetizers away.

“Could y’all be a bit patient while we get the rest of the main course ready,” Millie asked.
“I’ll come help,” James said, standing up.
“It’s rude of a guest to do such things,” Millie said, glaring at him from the top of her fan.
“Of course,” James said. “Pardon me.”

Apollinare and Mille sat next to each other beside me and James. Apollinare cut up the duck and handed it out to everyone. He helped himself last and sat down. We were asked to say prayers, but I just sat there while everyone else bowed their heads.

“Again, I appreciate ya offering to help me out in my troubled time,” Apollinare suddenly spoke in a southern accent to James.
“Oh, no, it’s no problem,” James said. “Anything for my dear cousin. And it appears that these boys want to help out as well.”
“Oh, bless y’all’s hearts,” Apollinare said, taking out his heinkercheif. “Oh, and before I forget, I have another favor, I want to ask of ya.”
“What is it,” Si asked.
“Well, as you all know, I am a fashion designer and Jhon recently-“
I stood up and slammed my hands on the table. “I told you not to fucking do it!”
“Wow, rude,” Jack said.
“Gee, Jhon, Apollinare’s having a hard enough time,” Seviper said. “Why you got to be a dick, man?”
“Eh,” David said.
“Just listen to what Apollinare has to say,” James said.

I sat down and folded my arms.

“Well, he had quite the design for a uniform for y’all,” Apollinare said. “I think I’d like to take it upon myself to make it a reality.”
“So this is why you wanted us to come here,” Jack said to me.
“No, I-“
“For fucks sake,” Seviper said.
“Well, this is unexpected,” Si said. “Are the outfits cute?”
“Yeah, they’re fucking adorable,” I said, sarcastically.
“I’d very much like to take y’all’s measurements before y’all leave,” Apollinare said, gushing.
“Wait a minute, I don’t agree to this,” Seviper said.
“Too late, the rich guy’s decided on something,” Jack said. “We’re screwed.”
“That is unless our rich guy decides to play his cards,” I said.
CG patted his mouth with his napkin. “You guys are an embarrassment. If it’s Jhon and Apollinare working on it, I’m sure they’d make us look good.”
“Goddamit, CG,” Seviper said.
“It’s this wonderful,” Millie said.
“Ooh, you guys,” Apollinare said. “You make a man happy!”

As soon as our measurements were taken, we left. James and his Tranquil stayed behind at Apollinare’s while the rest of us went back to the Pokemon Center. David seemed fine the entire time we were there, but as soon as we left, he started coughing up a lung. We shivered as we walked back. It was irritating enough to have to stop every three seconds so David could cough. Seviper picked him up and started carrying him.

CG and I stayed up just long enough to watch the local news to see if they had any updates on the case. We were both so tired; we couldn’t make it through the newscast and turned off the TV. I had a dream where I was standing in the attic of the house I grew up in. There was a mattress on the floor where I slept during the summer when it was too hot to sleep in my own room. But since it was winter, it was too cold to stay up there so I went downstairs into my old room. The window had been boarded up ever since I hit a baseball through it, not having the money to fix it. I turned on the light and glanced around the room. Everything was exactly the same as I had left it. I recalled how miserable I was here. I thought about how much I hated the run down old house. I clenched my fist and ran to the front door. When I went through it, I ended up in the big white house I spent most of the time with CG.

The house was clean and spotless. I made my way through the darkness over to the stairs. I slipped and fell on the stairs as I went up them. I opened the door to CG’s room. He had a huge king sized bed that took up most of the room. And in the corner was an old computer. I grinned and turned around. Jamie was standing there in the uniform I designed with a broken arrow sticking out of his chest.

“What are you doing here,” he asked, reaching out for me.

I woke up, facing the wall. I groaned and buried my face in my pillow. I didn’t want to have another shitty dream like that, so I played with the phone until the sun came up. I was dead on the inside as I came down into the lounge. James was there, offering to cook everyone food. I made a pot of oran berry tea and started to pour the entire thing into a cup. James grabbed the pot from me and told me to go sit down. David came down, rubbing his eyes. James asked him if he was hungry. He shrugged when he didn’t hear an answer. David walked up to him and tugged on his sleeve, making him jump out of his skin.

“Oh, David, what’s up,” James said.

David tried to talk, but all that came out was a hoarse grunt. He pointed at my phone, and then snapped his fingers. I sighed, handing the phone over to him.  He typed something then showed it to James.

“Well, I know you can’t talk,” James said. “There’s nothing new there.”
David typed in something else.
“Oh, irony,” James said. “Well, Jhon made a pot of tea, so why not have some? I’ll make you something soft to eat.”

David grinned and clapped his hands. He came over and sat down across from me. His cheeks were as red as a tamato berry.

“David, your cheeks are really red,” I said. “You’re running a fever.”

He shrugged.

“You came down to eat and then plan on going back to bed, right?”

He nodded and took a sip of his tea.

“So, you’re going down to the police station, right,” James asked.
“Geez, you sound like my mom,” I said. “It really isn’t any of your business. We’re more than capable of doing this ourselves.”
“Is that so?”

As I was walking to the station, I could see Lumoise tower standing in the background. I thought about it, and decided to head that way first. I arched my neck, trying to glance at the top. I looked ahead at the Gym emblem and went in the tower. There were a few people on the ground floor, perhaps tourists wanting to go to the top and enjoy the view. I thought about showing A-Ho that view, and shook my head. No, it was Jamie who needed to see that view with me more. I made my way to the elevator and went up to the floor the Gym was on. The elevator let me out on a small hallway with tubes with electricity flowing through them. There were doors on the other side with a big monitor above it.

“Welcome, challenger,” a robotic voice said. “Please, state your name and number of badges.”
“My name is Jhon Tortera and I don’t have any badges. I came to see Clemont.”
There was a moment of silence before the voice continued. “Ah, you’re a spectator. Please right this way and take a seat in the bleachers.”
“That’s not what I-Never mind.”

The door opened and I stepped into the Gym. There were a bunch of bleachers on either side of the field. Quite a few people were there, waiting to see a Gym match.

“Jhon, what a surprise to see you,” Clemont said, pushing up his glasses. “Come to play on my field, eh? It won’t be so easy on my turf.”
“Um, no, I need to talk to you privately for a moment,” I said.
Clemont turned to the little girl who was standing at the referee’s spot. “Bonnie, I’ll be back in just a moment.”
“Ah, I had my hopes up since someone came so quickly after the Gym opened,” Bonnie said, putting.
“I’m sorry to be a disappointment,” I said.

She folded her arms while I followed Clemont to the other side of the field. I could feel everyone staring at the back of my head.

“I need your help on something,” I said.
“Anything to pay you back for putting up with me,” Clemont said.
“Me and my gang are planning to investigate the disappearance of all those electric type Pokemon. I figured since you’re an expert and an inventor, you can help us perhaps?”
“Um, well that is,” Clemont said, scratching his cheek. “That’s one thing I can’t help you with. You see, I’ve gotten in trouble with my inventions twice recently. If I get caught meddling where I’m not supposed to, I could lose my Gym license.”

I cocked my head.

“That never stops Jack Daniels from helping out from time to time.”
“That’s because he’s Jack Daniels! I’m terribly sorry I can’t help you,” Clemont said, clapping his hands together. “I’ve nearly lost all of my Pokemon as well. I just have my Heliolisk and the Dedenne I caught for Bonnie left.”
“Well, maybe on the technological side of this, at least. Remember that old guy, James? He was talking something about earpieces that could help us communicate with each other on gigs-er, I mean jobs, the last time we were on one. Maybe you can help us with that regard.”
“A sort of invisible device that allows you to talk to others without being detected,” Clemont said, taking off his glasses and wiping them.

He stared at his glasses, and then grinned.

“Oh, I can do you one better,” He said. “With some help from someone, I can do it. But, I doubt I would be able to get it done on time for this…job you’re doing.”
“We can hold out for a bit,” I said, shaking his hand. “That’s so much for your help!”

“It’s a pleasure. Since you’ve helped me, it’s natural I’d repay you back.”

The police station was an old building that had been there for centuries in one of the plazas. It was a big building with white pillars going down the sides of the front entrance. I walked up to the front desk and asked the guy for Officer Jenny and he pointed me to the end of hall, near the exit. Jenny was sitting at her desk. I knocked at the door and she motioned me to sit in a chair. I sat down and put my feet on the desk.

“Great, you came,” She said. “As you know, we’ve been working very hard on this case. What we know so far is that the Pokemon start by acting like-“
“Skip that part. Let’s get to the part where we know where the Pokemon are at,” I said.
“We are still unable to figure out where the Pokemon end up at,” Jenny said, standing up and leaning over the desk. “All we know is that they all head up north, to the badlands.”
‘Great, we’ll start looking around there.”
“If you want to work with us, you have to abide by our rules.”
“Do you doubt us? We’re extremely efficient at what we do,” I said. “We’ll just do whatever we want.”
“That’s how you want it, eh? That would be interfering with our investigation, which by the way, is against the law.”
I shrugged. “I literally don’t care about that. We’re done here.”

I got up and started to walk out the door.

“Five grand,” Officer Jenny said.
“Are you trying to give us pennies? We work for what we deserve. 20 grand.”
“What, now you’re trying to bargain with us?”
“No, just saying what we go for. Clearly, that’s too much to ask for.”
“Fine. We’ll pay you 20 grand if you do exactly as we ask.”
“Okay, sounds fine to me,” I said sitting back down.
“Now, I know you have an electric type Pokemon on you. Plant this tracking device on it. We’ve installed this app on this phone for you to use. Notify us when the dot stops moving.”
“Do you have any more tracking devices? We have more than one electric type and more would be better.”
“I suppose,” she said, handing me another tracking device. “And I’m serious; once you find out where they stop, do not proceed any further.”
“Sure, I can do that,” I said, playing with the new phone.
“Good luck to you guys.”
“Yeah, okay.”

I was upset that the only thing two things that worked on the phone were the app and the phone itself. I used the phone to call CG.

“Hello, Band of Seven, Mukostu speaking,” CG said.
“It’s me, Jhon,” I said. “I have good news; they made a plan for us.”
“Ah, what is it then?”

I explained to him the plan and I could just imagine the look of increasing disgust he’d have as I was talking to him.

“What a terrible plan,” he said.
“Yeah, I know.”
“I mean, what if they don’t want to do it?”
“What?”
“I mean, we can’t just make our Pokemon do whatever.”
“They’ll do whatever we ask. They love us.”
“Well…”
“We can just ask them see how that goes.”
“Okay,” CG said, unconvinced. “Oh, and I have a surprise for you when you get back.”
“What is it?”
“You’ll see when you get here.”

CG was playing fetch with Thunder when I got back. He got up and ran towards me with a new Pokemon in his arms. It looked like an eevee with short smoothing purple-ish pink fur and a red gem on its forehead.

“Jhon, guess what? Guess what,” CG shouted. “Itsuki evolved into an Espeon!”
“Espeon,” Itsuki said.
“Congratulations,” I said, petting Itsuki’s head. “How’d it happen?”
“I was just playing with Thunder and ‘im and then BAM! He evolved! Now Thunder’s all jealous because I’m over the moon about Itsuki’s evolution! Ah! This means I can get another Eevee!”
“That’s great,” I said.
“Oh, Thunder, I need to ask you something,” CG said, putting Itsuki down.
“Yeah, Electravire too,” I said, taking out its Pokeball. “Guys, we have something important to ask of you. The police want our help and they want us to use you guys as bait seeing as only Electric type Pokemon seem to be affected.”

Without hesitation, Electravire nodded while Thunder’s gears were trying to turn.

“Are you sure,” I asked. “It could be dangerous.”
“Meh, when has that ever stopped us before,” CG said. “They’ll be fine.”
“CG, these are our precious Pokemon we’re talking about.”
“Yeah, I know.”

Thunder got up and jumped on CG’s legs.

“I take it that’s a yes?”
“Jolte,” Thunder said with a nod.
“Aw, yas,” CG said, picking up his two Pokemon. “I got the best Pokemon in the world!”

Thunder and Itsuki started biting at each other.

“You guys certainly have a lot of guts,” I said, patting Electravire on the back. “I fully trust you guys to do your best.”

Long after the sun went down, I asked Jack if I could borrow his hoodie so that I could look more suspicious. He threw the hoodie over me, laughing at how big it was on me. CG went the opposite route, dressing up as nicely as he could. We both took a phone and went in opposite ways. I shivered a little as we walked along the jogging route we used. I couldn’t find any dark places to be shady in this city. I sighed and rubbed my arms.

“Aren’t you cold,” I asked Electravire.

Electravire didn’t respond. It was looking ahead with glowing red eyes. It kept going and turned left at the next street. It was the same as the night I had to go to Apollinare’s to get my outfit. I pulled out my phone, ready to call CG when a bunch of men in strange orange suits and matching clown hair came down the road. They met up with Electravire and started walking with it. I put up my hoodie and followed them.

Lumoise is shaped in a circle following the tower in the center, but that doesn’t stop it from being confusing with the road turns and many alleyways. I picked up my phone again to actually call CG. There was no signal on the phone. The light from the phone caught the attention of one of the guys in the suits.

“What in the world are you doing, trailing us,” he said.
“What are you doing with my Electravire,” I said, putting the phone away.
“What should we do,” one of the guys asked the first one.
“Why don’t you go home,” he said. “It’s past your bedtime.”
“Yours too. Seriously. Give me my Electravire back,” I said, firmly.
“Ergh! He’s outwitting us!”
“There’s more us than there is of him,” One guy said. “Let’s make sure he goes quiet.”

I took a deep breath and did the best I could. One guy tried to grab my arm. I grabbed his instead and bulled him closer so I could knee him in the stomach. The next guy pulled me from the back of my hood and threw me against the wall. This guy knew how to throw punches, not letting up on my face. He then threw me on the ground and the entire gang started kicking me. I couldn’t even curl up in ball, more or less cover my face.

Just when I was about to fear for my life, I heard a sports car go roaring down the street, slamming in its brakes on the sidewalk.  The boys scattered to avoid being hit by the car. I coughed, and flinched from the bright, LED lights. The car was blue, but also had green where the light shown on it.

The owner of the car stepped out, lifting the door up. The guys gawked at the slender figure in tight leather clothing. Then they went after him instead.  The person kicked off high heels, rolling their fists. He grabbed one of the guys and seemed to barely kick him in the side. A few seconds later, he was on the ground, crying in pain. The rest of the guys decided they didn’t want to end up like their friend and took off. The person approached me, holding out his newly polished fingernails. I could barely pick up my head to see who he was.

“Are you okay,” Apollinare asked.