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jawritter · 4 years

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A Thousand Years...

Chapter 11

Heart beats fast. Colors and promises. How to be brave. How can I love when I’m afraid to fall. But watching you stand alone. All of my doubt suddenly goes away…..

Summary: A soulmate’s purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master. – Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

A new town, a new job, and a new life, one that you didn’t even expect……

Pairing: Jensen Ackles x Reader

Word Count: 2844

Warnings will include… Smut, language, unrequited/ requited love, cheating, and possibly more. This is brand new, so I will add to it as I know. Chapters will have warnings of their own if need be….

A/N: So my little cousin was watching breaking dawn in the living room, and I was folding clothes in the guest room… When the credits rolled and this song started, this fic hit me right in the face… I couldn’t escape it.

Fic Based on the Song A Thousand Years, by Christina Perri

Missed it so far or just want more in general? Check out my masterlist!!

*****MASTERLIST*****

****SERIES MASTERLIST*****

You woke up to the smell of coffee filtering through the mostly still dark house, lying alone on the couch where Jensen and yourself had fallen asleep watching TV the night before. You don't remember what time you dozed off, it had to have been late. Jensen had been very quiet all night after Danneel had dropped in for Arrow's blanket and ended up hitting him in the face. He'd said very little at all in fact. Just stared at the TV.

Neither of you seemed to want to part ways to go to sleep that night, needing to be close to one another, so you just both fell asleep where you were most comfortable.

You wanted to ask him so many questions, the main one being was he okay because even though the silence last night wasn't something that was awkward in any way or even tense, it was concerning. You wanted to know what headspace the man was in, but you didn't want to cross a boundary, and you weren't exactly sure where all the boundaries lie at this point. Everything was so known between the two of you.

Even though there had been tension and unspoken feelings since the day you'd met, you'd only been whatever this was for two days.

Sitting up on the couch you look into the kitchen and see Jensen sitting with his laptop open and his head in his hands. Getting up from the couch you make your way into the kitchen slowly, your curiosity getting the better of you.

Jensen looked up as you approached the table he was sitting at, running his hands down his face, his emerald green eyes piercing yours. He looked tired but better than he had when he'd shown back up at your apartment two days ago. You gave him a tight smile and he sat back in his chair reaching for you. His auburn hair tousled and sticking up in random directions.

You loved the way he looked first thing in the mornings. It was such a contrast to the perfect image of Jensen that most people got to see. Every hair in place and dressed and looking gorgeous in whatever he was wearing.

This side was even more beautiful to you. It was imperfect, but that's what made it so amazing to you. It meant a lot to you that he felt comfortable around you enough to be himself around you. Like he didn't have to be perfect like everyone expected him to be all the time.

You make your way into his waiting arms, and he pulls you into a timid kiss before letting you rest your head against his shoulder while he buried himself in your hair.

"Morning," you mumble, just enjoying the feeling of his arms wrapped around you, and his perfectly plump lips resting against your forehead.

"Morning, guess we ended up falling sleeping on the couch last night," he said, with a low chuckle, brushing his hands through your hair, and nuzzling his way into you. You could have stayed like this forever, right here in his arms.

"Yeah, guess so. What's got you up so early?" you ask him, looking up to meet his gaze. Just the closeness of him had your breath hitching in your throat. You wanted to kiss him so badly, to feel his lips pressed against your own, his strong hands firmly against your body.

Jensen sat up and cleared his throat, suddenly stiffening his shoulders.

"I got a phone call from some of my family members informing me that Danneel had taken to Twitter to tell the fans that we are no longer together and that I've moved in with a younger woman just hours after she was told to leave the house. That you and I had been sleeping with each other since you started working at the brewery, and now she was filing for divorce."

You sat there with your stomach sitting at your feet.

You weren't really sure why you were shocked at all. What did you think? That she was really going to keep the fact that you'd moved in with Jensen to herself? Still, now it was out in the open...and she’d lied for a good bit of that tweet. You and Jensen hadn’t been sleeping together since you’d met, and you didn’t move in until yesterday. Still, the damage was done.

Fuck...

That means your sister-in-law as well as your brother would know by now, and probably your ex and the rest of your family.

Not that you really cared what they thought.

You made a mental note that you were going to call Crystal and Jessie later, but now was not the time to do that. Even though they knew now for sure, you weren't ready to talk about this yet when you still were so unclear about what this is.

"I'm sorry sweetheart. I was afraid she would do this, but people were going to find out about us anyway because I had no intention of hiding you. I'm not ashamed of you. The only thing that's true is that you're here with me and that she isn't. The rest we both know is bullshit."

Taking a deep breath to steady your rapidly racing heart rate you stand up and look at him. You could tell he was nervous about your reaction. You had no intention to attack him. You moved into his house knowing eventually this would get out. So you weren't even mad really, but you did need answers to something before you even started to try and talk to people, and answer questions you knew were coming.

“Jensen, I need to ask you... what really happened between the two of you?”

Jensen cleared his throat and looked down at his lap like he was almost ashamed of what he was about to say.

“Danneel and I, we’ve never had the greatest relationship, at its best, it wasn’t healthy for either of us, and at its worst, it was impossible to even live in the same house as the other. The only reason we survived being married as long as we did was that I worked off in Vancouver, and we only had to see each other on occasion. Around two years ago I came in late from Jared’s, and she blew up in my face, accusing me of sleeping with someone at Jared’s who I didn’t even know. Later that night after I went to bed she came in with one of the kid's baseball bats and hit me hard enough to cause a pretty good bruise. That was when things really started going downhill. Fights, no physical or anything, just so much fighting. Then I caught her with someone she claimed to be working with, she said she did it because she didn’t trust me. I thought I was trapped in that marriage, that she’d never let go, so stupidly I started acting out. Running to bars, coming home late, or not at all. Then you came along. She was convinced we were sleeping together. Then she saw us kiss on the camera, which was not my intention at all you know that, but she left. That was the first time she’d shown her face yesterday.”

You stood there for a moment, trying to process everything that he was telling you.

“So she hit you often?” you ask, treading lightly, you didn’t want to make him uncomfortable at all.

“No, the time she hit me with the bat and yesterday were the only times she’s ever laid a hand on me. She did like to say things that got under my skin. My weight, my age, just whatever she could to try and control me.”

You had to take a deep breath to control your anger.

“She isn’t going to fight me over the kids, that was just a threat. She’s just mad. This will blow over Y/N, I promise you that. Everything is going to be fine. It’s just going to be public a little sooner than either of us expected it to be,” he said, reaching for you, pulling you close to him again.

"Jensen... What are we?" you ask him bluntly, and you could tell for a moment it didn't compute by the way he was blinking at you.

"What do you mean?"

"What are WE, Jensen? You said all she said wasn't true aside from the fact that I'm here with you, and she isn't. Well, what am I even to you? We've made a mess of this whole thing, whatever the fuck it is. I don't even know what to tell my family when they ask if we're together."

Standing up from the table Jensen settles both hands on your hips, grounding you from the impending panic attack you were well working yourself up to.

"You’re right. This has been nothing but a confusing, complicated, drama-filled mess, and that's my fault. I'm going to make this very clear right here and now. I've been in love with you from the moment I met you, I went about it wrong, I made mistakes mostly out of fear, but that's over. You're here because I want to be with you, and if you will have me I'm all in. I'm not tiptoeing around anymore trying to keep from offending anyone, or "protecting" anyone. I love you. I know it doesn't make sense, and I know we really don't even know each other, I don't care. I want us to be together. I said I was going to take this slow, but whatever has brought us together isn't going to let that happen. We're being pushed and rushed, and I'm having to do things in days that normally people would have waited months to do. I believe all the hell I've been through, and all the hell you've been through was for the sole purpose of bringing us together. Nothing happened by accident. We're here because we are meant to be here together, and I don't give a fuck who likes it."

Before you even had time to register what was happening Jensen crashes his lips to yours in a bruising kiss. Throwing all he had into it. It took you only seconds to react to him. Melting into him like he was what you had always needed.

Oxygen to a drowning person.

You needed this man.

He was right.

Everything you had gone through, all the heartache, all the hurt, it all brought you right here, right to him, and while a lot of people didn't agree with it, you believed fully that you were meant to be together. You were a goner the moment you laid eyes on this gorgeous man.

Why fight fate?

When the two of you finally broke apart from each other panting like you'd both ran a race, Jensen's hands still settled firmly on your waist, his forehead against yours, you'd made up your mind. If this was going to work, you were done with beating around in a circle about it.

You loved him.

You knew it in your bones, and if you were going to be his, then you were going to be his completely.

Taking Jensen by the hand you lace your fingers together and lead him upstairs. He follows you silently, letting you lead him into his room, and close the door behind the two of you.

"Y/N, we don't have to... I mean... I didn't mean that I wanted to..."

Closing the distance between the two of you, you throw your arms around his neck and silence his worrying by pressing your lips to his. He didn't even hesitate to wrap his arms around your waist and pull you as close to him as possible. His tongue invaded your mouth. Gliding over yours like it was just a natural thing for the two of you to do. You let him explore your mouth and have his hand snake their way under the hem of your shirt. Brushing across the skins of your lower back and sides.

By the time you pulled away and looked at him his eyes had grown darker, clouded with lust, a fire in them that made you weak in your knees. He needs you, just as much as you need him.

"You said you were all in, and we've made mistakes throughout this whole mess. Well, I say it's time we stop dancing around how we feel about each other and do some correcting. Let's fix what we screwed up, right now."

That was all the permission he seemed to need. Picking you up bridal style he carried you across the room as if you weighed nothing, dropping you down on the bed softly before shedding his shirt and climbing on top of you, hovering over you with his arms braced on either side of your face he brought his lips down to yours gently in a feather-light touch.

That's all it took in order to set your very senses on fire. A need for him like you had never known in your life burned through your veins, consuming you. Everything else seemed so silly at this point. All the fear, all the worrying about what people were going to think, all the uncertainties that seemed to tag along behind you. None of that mattered now. All that matter was Jensen, and the way his tongue felt in your mouth as it glided over yours and the firm grip of his hands on your waist.

His lips trailed to your jawline as his hands traveled slowly to the hem of your shirt. He nipped at your pulse points before looking up at you, his eyes lust blown, but also filled with more love and adoration than you had ever seen.

Slowly, never breaking eye contact with you he lifted your shirt off of you, and threw it to the floor, before snaking his hand around and unclasping your bra, and throwing it to the ground next to your shirt, taking you in for a moment as his eyes roamed over the newly exposed skin before lowering himself back over you.

"Your so beautiful sweetheart," he whispered to you as he brushed his lips over yours before trailing them down to the valley between your best, moving over to suck at each nipple with just enough pressure to make your back arch into him. His hands trailing down your body as he explored every inch of skin as if it were something precious and fragile.

Slipping your pants and underwear down in one go he left you completely bare before him. His hands trailing lightly over your hips, and down your thighs, leaving trails of goosebumps in their wake as he spread your legs gently, and settled between them, looking up at you for a moment before licking a trail through your already soaking folds. A gasp fell from your lips he worked your bundle of nerves in a painstakingly slow fashion before eating at you like a starving man. The coil in your stomach growing tighter and tighter until it snapped, washing waves of pleasure through your body.

Once you'd finally come back down from you high Jensen was hovering back over you. His lips leaving little kisses on every inch of your face and neck he could reach. His thick length sitting heavily against your inner thigh as he settled himself between your legs, waiting until you made eye contact before sliding through your slick folds and settling completely inside of you in one smooth thrust of his hips. A light moan fell from both of your lips at the feeling of him stretching and filling you.

He kissed you deeply as he gave you a few minutes to adjust to him. So contradictory to the quick, rough pace, that he'd shown you the night of the charity event. This time he set a slow, steady rhythm, driving deep with everything thrust of his hips, keeping your bodies as connected as possible as he practically rutted into you, not really even pulling out all the way before shoving back home, hitting places that you never knew it was possible to reach; driving your body higher and higher. You held onto his shoulders as you tried to ground yourself in reality, but it was no use. Every touch, every taste, every sense was all him. He was all you could feel, and all you could see.

Jensen burried his head into your shoulder as he became closer to his release. Little moans and pants falling from his lips as he reaches his hand between your bodies, finding your swollen clit and rubbing harsh circles to match his deep pace, determined to make you fall over the edge you were on with him.

Your orgasm hit you completely by surprise, taking you so that your hearing faded for a moment and everything went white. Jensen's name fell from your lips like a prayer. You felt the moment that he lost control in one deep, hard thrust, stilling inside of you as he spilled himself into you, your walls milking him for all he had to give you.

Once you had both recovered, Jensen slowly removed himself from you, getting up after giving you a quick peck on the lips to retreive a damp rag out of the bathroom, cleaning you up before he cleaned up himself and climbing back into the bed, not bothering to redress, pulling you tight to his chest and wrapping his arms around before tangling his legs with yours.

Not a word was spoken. There was nothing that needed to be said. You just were. Just the two of you. Nothing in between you. Just skin against skin, two hearts beating together as you both just enjoyed being wrapped up in each other’s arms, and for the first time in your life, surrounded in perfect peace.

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epic-ash-and-sora-fan · 4 years

Text

Scars

Remember this? Probably not.

Three years ago I hinted at a fanfic to go along with this picture. After three years of development hell, It’s here!

Enjoy!

"Thanks again for the oran berries Carracosta," said Nuzleaf as the two pokemon crossed the bridge to their homes.

"No trouble at all, Nuzleaf," said Carracosta with a wave of his flipper. "After everything that's happened in the past few months, you could use a bit of good luck."

"Y....yeah," muttered Nuzleaf suddenly feeling a pit in his stomach He clutched at the bag that held the oran berries. Sure he could use some good luck, but that didn’t mean he deserved it. Not after everything.

“You alright there Nuzleaf?” asked Carracosta. “You look pale.”

"I'm fine," said Nuzleaf, then looked at Carracosta with a smile. "I reckon I'm just tired."

Carracosta nodded.

“Well, alright. I would get some rest then. The kids will be visiting tomorrow right? Don't want to worry Autumn do we?”

Nuzleaf let out a half-hearted chuckle. Carracosta gave him a concerned look. He placed his flipper on Nuzleaf’s shoulder. Nuzleaf flinched at his touch.

“You know, you can talk to me anytime right. I’ll listen.”

Nuzleaf could only nod, but Carracosta seemed satisfied for now.

“Alright then. See you later?”

“Right, see ya," said Nuzleaf as they went into their respective houses.

Nuzleaf let out a sigh, and began to store his berries away and was soon lost in his own thoughts.

He still had no idea how Carracosta was able to talk to him like nothing happened. It has been going on for four months now since the whole Dark Matter incident, yet Carracosta – and everyone in Serene Village for that matter – have yet to throw him aside as he expected. They were being...nice to him. Why? After everything he did, why were they acting like he simply spilt oran berry juice? He felt awkward and...wary around everyone. Especially around a certain little Fennekin. Not long ago, Nuzleaf was able to help Autumn get her partner back, but even now he's barely able to look her in the eye.

Autumn was definitely something special. While she can be a little sassy at times, and a bit of a daydreamer, she does have a considerate heart and was always willing to help if a friend had a problem. She doesn't do things by halves. When there was a job to do she puts her very soul into getting it done. Autumn has always been like that from the moment he met her. He had gotten to know the little fox pokemon and grew quite fond of her...almost like a…

Nuzleaf shook his head violently.

No! Don’t think about that! She’ll never see you that after what you gone and did.

He sighed.

Not that it matters, once what I did hits home they’ll...leave and forget about me. I’ll be alone like always.

"Hey, Nuzleaf!"

Nuzleaf let out a yelp. His jolt sent the oran berries flying. A couple landing on his head. Hearing a stifled giggle behind him, Nuzleaf turned around to see the subject of his thoughts standing by the doorway looking a tad sheepish.

“Consarn it, child, you darn near gave me a heart attack!” he cried.

“Sorry.”

The fox pokemon came in and helped Nuzleaf pick up the oran berries.

"You're mighty early," Nuzleaf told Autumn. “I thought you and your little Chespin friend weren't comin' til tomorrow.”

Autumn sighed and looked up at Nuzleaf

“I came early because we need to talk.”

Nuzleaf barely suppressed a shudder. He had a feeling he knew what this talk was gonna be about. He knew it was coming but.....how do you prepare for something like this.

"O...oh," he muttered, unable to think of anything else to say.

"I know, I don't really want to either," said Autumn. “But....since.....that happened, things have been weird between us. It's to be expected yes, but I hate things being so awkward, and....everyone at the Expedition Society suggested that maybe talking it out might help. I think I agree.”

Nuzleaf kept quiet, and just stared at the oran berries he was still holding.

“It's been four months Nuzleaf.” Autumn went on. “Honestly, we should've done this from the start. It's getting so frustrating you know. We only ever manage small talk and then it gets all silent and stuff. I don't want things to be awkward between us anymore, I want things to go back to how they used to be, but they can't. The stuff that's happened....it's too heavy.”

Nuzleaf's grip on the berries tightened causing the juice to squirt out on his hands. He paid no attention, however. He was too focused on what the fire type was saying.

“But, maybe it will help if we talk it out. Get it out into the open. It won't be pleasant for either of us, but maybe then we’ll be able to get rid of some of that awkwardness.”

Nuzleaf rubbed the back of his head.

“But I'm not sure I should be telling a child something like this.”

“Hey, I am mature for my age.” joked Kaiya. “How about this, I’ll go first. I’ll lay my feelings down and...then...you could say your piece. The least you could do is hear me out.”

Nuzleaf nodded.

“I reckon I do owe you that much.”

Nuzleaf put the remaining oran berries away then sat down on the steps near his bed, and motioned Autumn to sit next to him, which she did.

"You go ahead and vent child," he said, bracing himself for the worst.

Autumn shuffled slightly then began.

“Back then, on Revelation Mountain, when you...revealed your intentions. It......it hurt. Tremendously. “I mean, you were someone I thought I could trust with anything. I thought I could tell you any of my problems with confidence. I thought......I'd have a home to go back to if joining the expedition Society didn't work out. Nuzleaf....that letter you gave me before I left, everything it said, was.....was it all lies?” Autumn had tears in her eyes at those last words.

“No!....yes......ahhhh I don't rightly know anymore!” cried Nuzleaf covering his face with his hands. That was the worst thing about being controlled by Dark Matter he didn't know if anything he said was genuine, or if it was Dark Matter making him say those things. There was such a blurred line between the two.

"Well, I guess it doesn't matter much anymore," said Autumn sadly. “Anyway, Forrest was furious. He ranted on about how he would never forgive you for what happened. I....honestly wasn't sure. I mean.....I was upset with you, but.....I thought there had to be some rhyme or reason behind it. Espurr kinda confirmed it.”

Autumn paused for a moment then continued. “After learning that it was Dark Matter that was making you do those things...I...wasn't mad anymore. I....actually felt kinda sorry for you. I wished I could help in some way, but I didn't know how. I wish I said something back then in the Prehistoric Ruins, but I guess I was scared...and confused.”

Nuzleaf suddenly felt very ashamed of himself. He looked into Autumn's eyes hoping it was a look of complete honesty.

“I.....I'm sorry for everythin' I said to you back then.”

Autumn nodded.

"Dark Matter took control of you because you had darkness in you," she stated. "At least that's what Espurr said."

"I....didn't exactly have the best childhood," said Nuzleaf quietly. He had no idea why he told the young Fennekin that. This was going to bring up questions that he would've preferred not to answer. Sure enough, Autumn looked at him sadly and the question she asked pushed him past the point of no return.

“Wha......what happened?”

Nuzleaf took a deep breath he really didn’t want to do this, but Autumn already poured her feelings out. Wasn’t it only fair that he did the same? He did owe her some explanation of why he did what he did. Why Dark Matter so easily took control of him.

But, if I tell her she’ll leave for sure.

He shook the thought out of his head. He needed to do this. He needed to tell Autumn the truth Even if it meant losing her.

“Nuzleaf?”

Nuzleaf jumped when Autumn placed a paw on his shoulder. She was giving him a look that said Talk to me. Nuzleaf took another breath and spoke.

"I was born on the Air Continent. My parents settled down in a mighty nice forest. It had lots of flowers, fresh air and healthy, nourishin' trees. Everythin' a growin' Seedot needed. Life was good for a while, but....then when I was six, there was an accident. A fire type was passin' through the forest and one of the forest pokemon did not like that at all. They harassed the poor pokemon and he gone lost his temper. He let loose a Fire Blast, but hadn't looked where he was aimin' and went and set a tree on fire."

Nuzleaf sighed shakily.

“The fire spread mighty quick and all the other pokemon had to evacuate.”

- - - -

Seedot nuzzled himself closer to his mother as she and many other pokemon ran through the burning forest, trying to filter out the smell of smoke. He did not like this smell. It made him cough. He had no idea what was happening. It had started out like any other day. Then a Houndoom came through the forest and things just went rapidly downhill from there. Flames started spreading rapidly and quicker than a Raichu using Volt Tackle his mother picked him up with her leafy hands and started running out of the forest.

“Mama, where's Papa?” asked Seedot.

“He's helpin' the other pokemon. He'll be along. Keep your face covered, child. We can't have you inhalin' too much smoke.”

Seedot obeyed and didn't dare look up again until he was sure he and his mother were out of the forest. That's when they noticed a group of pokemon.

"Apparently the fire got worse deeper in the forest," said Gloom.

“Yeah, a Shiftry tried to blow the fire away with his leafy hands. Sheesh, had the guy lost all his senses?!” cried Whimsicott.

Faster than Seedot could register, his mother shoved him right into the arms of a nearby Breloom.

“Watch him for me! I have to go help!”

"Wha....do I have...Oh fine," grumbled Breloom.

“Mama!” cried Seedot.

“Stay with Breloom,” said his mother. “I'll be back with your father as soon as I can!”

And with that, she darted back into the flaming forest.

Neither came back out.

- - - - -

Kaiya just sat t stunned.

Nuzleaf sighed.

“We never encountered a fire before, so I reckon blowin' the fire away made sense at the time.”

"I'm sorry," said Autumn sadly.

"It gets worse. The Breloom took me in and we found another forest to live in. It was alright for a while, but Breloom started payin' less and less attention to me. He would be gone for days, then when he'd return he would not so much as glance at me sometimes. Eventually, it was like I was completely invisible to him. Every darn time I tried to get his attention he would yell at me at best, or....at worst," Nuzleaf shuddered. “I'd get a Mach Punch to the face.”

- - - - -

Seedot ran as fast as his little feet could carry him. He ran until reached his hiding place. A huge hollow tree. He always hid here after one of Breloom’s blow-ups which were becoming increasingly common. Seedot hid inside and sat down. His face still hurt from the direct Mach Punch.

"I reckon, I don't like Breloom anymore," he said sadly.

Things just hadn't been the same since his parents perished in that forest fire three years ago. Breloom wasn't too bad at first, a bit grumpy sure, but nothing like this. He made him a bed and got him enrolled at the local school, (Although nobody liked him at school.)but now Breloom just wouldn't give him the time of day anymore. If Seedot so much as said one word to him he risked another bruise. Seedot sighed. He was hungry. He went back out and searched for a tree that could spare a little nourishment. His parents told him to always be careful not to absorb nourishment from the same tree too many days in a row as he could risk damaging it. Seedot soon found a tree he hadn't used recently and started climbing. Not an easy thing to do when you have no arms. He attached himself to a branch and was now happily absorbing.

"Ahhh, much better," he said.

It was a good thing that the majority of the nutrients a Seedot needed came from most trees. Breloom didn't acknowledge the little pokemon long enough to even feed him nowadays.

Suddenly a berry came flying towards him, hitting him square in the face. Poor Seedot fell to the ground with a yelp. Seedot sat up his head throbbing.

“Haha, nice one Aipom!” laughed a voice.

“Told ya, Fling would come in handy didn't I?”

“Oh no.” whimpered Seedot. He knew exactly who these pokemon were. An Axew approached him. Followed by a Machop and an Aipom.

“Hey, No Arms! Had a nice flight?” mocked Machop.

“I can't be dealin' with y'all right now!” growled Seedot.

“What's wrong squirt? You scared?” asked Aipom.

“Of course he is!” laughed Axew. “He can't fight back without arms.”

"When I evolve I will have arms, then y'all will be sorry!" shouted Seedot.

Suddenly Machop picked up Seedot by the shell on his head and held him upside down.

“Isn't that cute, guys. No Arms thinks he's gonna evolve.”

"Haha, yeah right. Nobody as weak as you could ever hope to evolve!” cackled Aipom.

Seedot kicked his feet trying to shake himself free from Machop's grasp.

“Hahaha, look at him struggle!” laughed Axew.

“Put me down!” cried Seedot. “Put me down, or I'll....”

“You'll what? Call your mummy?” sneered Machop.

Seedot immediately stopped struggling. He normally didn't let anything Machop said get to him, but that one stung.

Then Machop threw the poor Acorn Pokemon right into a tree. Seedot fell to the ground and let out a whimper.

“Awwwww, is No Arms gonna cry?” mocked Aipom.

Seedot struggled to his feet then he glared at the trio. Right then and there something inside him snapped.

“Ya, know what? I've about had it with the lot of you!” he yelled. “I'm done with y'all, I'm done with Breloom and I'm done with this place!!!”

Seedot then ran off leaving the laughing pokemon behind. Clearly, they didn't take what he said seriously, but he has had enough. If no one was gonna take notice of him here (aside from those three) then he might as well leave. Knowing Breloom, it would take him several days to notice the small pokemon's absence, so Seedot was confident he would get a head start. He didn't stop running until he was far from the forest. Seedot let out a sigh.

“Now what?”

- - - - -

“I just left. I didn't tell anyone. I ran away and never looked back.” said Nuzleaf.

“What did you do then?” asked Autumn.

“Not much. Just travelled around the continent for a few years tryin' to avoid unwanted attention. I trained up a bit and eventually evolved into Nuzleaf. Soon after I came across a Shiftry lookin' for recruits for a rescue team he was planning to build. I had no other place to go, so I joined. Shiftry was mighty picky about the jobs we took, let me tall ya. We wouldn't take a job unless we were rewarded big time. One day, a pokemon convinced Shiftry to take a little job to save a wee Jumpluff. The job went well until Zapdos appeared. He whooped us big time!"

“Whoa, Zapdos?! You met Zapdos?!” cried Autumn.

"We sure did, young'un. He abducted Shiftry and took him to his abode. It was only thanks, to a fledglin' team that he got outta there."

"Whoa," whispered Autumn.

Nuzleaf shifted a bit before he continued.

“A few months after that, Shiftry decided to disband the team.”

“Really?!” cried Autumn. “Why?”

"I reckon the Zapdos incident, shook him up a bit," said Nuzleaf with a shrug. "It seemed like there was summat else, but he wouldn't tell us. I couldn't help but feel a little betrayed."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Autumn. “ It sounded cool being on a rescue team.”

Nuzleaf gave Autumn a little smile.

“Well, it ain't much different to what you're all doing now. We mainly just focused on rescue missions.”

"I see," said Autumn. “So you left?”

"Yup," said Nuzleaf. "I decided to get out of the Air Continent altogether. Too many memories there, ya know. I got me a travel pass and rode Lapras to where ever she took me. For several years I just travelled on my own. Then......”

Nuzleaf stopped and shuddered as his breath quickened and he began hugging himself. He hadn't recalled this memory in so long. It still hurt. Even after all these years thinking about this still hurt. Kaiya gave him a concerned look.

"We....we can stop there if you want," she suggested.

Nuzleaf shook his head.

“N...no, if I don't get this out now, I reckon I never will. I....met another Nuzleaf. She...saved me.”

- - - -

Nuzleaf clutched art the small bag he carried as he went through a dense forest. He growled slightly under his breath. This forest reminded him too much of his past. Of how he lost both his parents. How he ran away from his next home to escape the torment of Breloom and the bullies. It bought back feelings he didn't want to have.

Nothing seemed to go well for him since then. He thought he finally had a firm footing on his life when he joined that rescue team. Sure their standards were a bit…iffy, but it got him through the day, it kept him distracted. Then that thing with Zapdos happened. Then the fugitive incident. (He had no idea what that was about. Shiftry never told him the details.) Then there whole Groudon debacle. Not to mention the mess with the meteor and Rayquaza.

Shiftry must’ve finally had enough because soon after, he announced that the team was no more. So Nuzleaf had little choice but to move on. He didn’t say goodbye to his teammates. He….just couldn't look at them...he could somewhat understand why Shiftry disbanded the team but he still couldn't help feeling some...resentment for him about his decision.

He was so lost in his thoughts he wasn’t looking where he was going.

“Oof”

Nuzleaf found himself on his backside and he looked up to see a very angry looking Toxicroak.

“Watch where your going runt!”

"Sorry, lost in thought," Nuzleaf muttered as he picked himself up.

Toxicroak only glared harder.

“What kind of half-arsed apology was that?!”

Nuzleaf gave the Toxic Mouth pokemon a glare of his own.

“I don’t much care for your tone or language bud.” Nuzleaf started to walk past the offending pokemon. “I’m in a hurry so-” He was cut off when the Toxicroak grabbed his wrist.

“Oh think you’re real funny don’t ya?” He snarled. “Well let’s see how funny you are when I swipe this!”

Toxicroak grabbed Nuzleaf’s bag and with a yank, snapped it off of his neck, sending the poor pokemon back onto the ground.

“Seriously?! This is all you have?!” Nuzleaf heard the poison type pokemon remark, as he got onto his hands and knees. Flashbacks of his torment at the hands of his bullies and guardian played in his head. His whole body shook as he glared up at the pokemon looming above him.

“Give that back…”

“Heh, why? It’s not like you’re gonna miss it all you had was a measly 300 P! That’s not going to get you far you know.”

It was true, but he didn't want to accept the much more generous amount of money that Shiftry, was offering him and his teammate upon disbandment. Whether it was from pride or hatred he didn't know. Still, he got to his feet and lunged for the bag.

“I said give it-ack!”

Nuzleaf eyes widened as a sharp pain shot through his abdomen. He could barely breathe and even started to feel pretty sick. Toxicroak glared at him, his now purple claw against his stomach.

“Just couldn’t walk away could you?” he sneered. “It’s your own fault you got hurt.”

Nuzleaf couldn't speak. He only glared up at Toxicroak as a wave of dizziness washed over him. Yep, he was definitely poisoned. He lifted a shaky hand, trying to reach out for his bag only to be met with purple goop being flung into his face, causing the pain he was already in to worsen, He was then thrown to the side hitting a rock.

“Maybe you’ll think before mouthing off to someone superior to you next time.”

Nuzleaf could barely lift his head up, he could only watch through his blurred vision as Toxicroak walked away. He thought he saw another figure nearby but couldn’t make them out. The last thing he saw before darkness consumed him was the Toxicroak doubling over in pain.

"...ey….hey…..you hear me?... Come on wake up!"

Nuzleaf let out a gasp as his senses slowly returned. He was sure he’d never been in so much pain before. It felt like his insides were being eaten alive. It only worsened when he tried to sit up causing him to yelp.

“Easy, there, don’t try to move just yet. You’re pretty badly poisoned.”

Nuzleaf partially opened his eyes wanting to find out where the feminine voice was coming from. He saw a brownish blur in front of him which held out what he was able to recognise as a Pecha berry even through his feverish stupor.

“Here, eat this. You’ll feel much better.”

Nuzleaf let her place the berry in his mouth, and he chewed it, the sweet taste washing over him. Once he swallowed it only took a moment for the berry to work its magic. Even outside of Mystery Dungeons, those things work fast.

“Ahh, consarn it…” he groaned as he -successfully this time- sat up holding his head.

“Ah, good, looks like you’ll be fine. You had me worried for a minute.”

Nuzleaf turned to see...another Nuzleaf though clearly a female on if the shorter leaf and voice were any indication. She also had a blue flower tied to her leaf.

“Still,” she continued. “You should take it easy for now. You were in a real bad way when I reached you.”

Nuzleaf just looked down at his feet, fists clenched.

“He….took my bag.”

“You mean this bag?”

Nuzleaf looked at the other wily pokemon in shock when she held up said bag with a smirk.

“How in tarnation…”

“Turns out poison types don’t like Extrasensory very much.” laughed the female. “The fact he was also part fighting type didn’t help either.”

She handed Nuzleaf his bag with a smile. “Here it’s yours right.”

Nuzleaf cautiously took the bag and after checking that the money was still there he placed it beside him.

“Whaaat? Don't you trust me?" asked the other Nuzleaf, albeit in a teasing tone. "Guess I can't blame you considering what happened. Oh, I'm Flower by the way. At least that's what my family and friend's call me. You?"

"Er...just Nuzleaf, never bothered with nicknames," said Nuzleaf as he stretched his limbs to get the kinks out. “Thanks for the help.”

Nuzleaf looked around, finding he wasn’t on the same dirt road he was on before blacking out, but deeper in the forest.

“What are we doing here?”

Flower shrugged.

“Figured I should move you before the bozo woke up. Would cause us less agro in the long run.”

Nuzleaf just nodded.

“How long was I out?”

Flower thought for a moment.

“About ten minutes, fifteen at most. I wasn’t really keeping count.”

Nuzleaf gazed at Flower and smiled for what the first time in what felt like forever.

“Well...you gosh darn saved me back there, so...thanks a lot.”

“You already thanked me silly.” laughed Flower. “But...you’re welcome.”

Nuzleaf soon realised that he was staring so he turned away feeling his cheeks heat up.

“So where were you going before….that happened," asked Flower.

"Just…wherever," muttered Nuzleaf.

"Funny, me too," said Flower. "Could I maybe...tag along...it's pretty lonely just travelling on your own, and two's company, right?"

Nuzleaf stared at Flower in shock. He couldn't help wondering if this was some sort of trick...no one was ever this nice to him before. Not since his Mama. However, looking into Flower's eyes all he saw was an earnest desire to banish her loneliness. He couldn't very well deny her something like that.

“Alright.”

- - - - - -

Nuzleaf looked at the ground smiling sadly. “We got real close. She was a strong one. Didn't take nothing from no one.”

“Did you like her.” Autumn couldn't help but tease.

Nuzleaf blushed wildly but nodded.

“Yup.”

“Did.....she like you back?” asked Autumn, more out of curiosity this time.

"She did. She was the one to come out and say it first," said Nuzleaf with a laugh. Hoo, boy, those were good times. We would always hang out, gathering berries, watching the sunset. We didn't need anyone else. Soon enough she started going on about buying a house and starting a family. I was sure excited about that prospect. We were walking along a mountain talking about all the things we'll need......wouldn't you know it........" Nuzleaf's form began to shake violently. "It......was just too darn good to last."

- - - - -

It all happened so fast. Faster than Nuzleaf could react. One minute he was walking beside Flower as she excitedly gushed about their future the next he was pushed aside as thundering sound of falling rocks his non-existent ears. Now Nuzleaf was climbing down the rockslide as fast as he could to the bottom of the ravine. His heart hammering against his chest as fear and dread hung over him.

“Flower! Flower!”

He reached the bottom and searched the area desperately for his companion. His future wife.

“Flower, where are ya?! FLOWER!!”

His breathing quickened as he searched. This can’t be happening. It can’t. Not now! Not just when everything was finally looking up. He turned to the pile of rocks and saw something that made his heart stop.

Among the rocks was a torn beaten up blue flower.

Nuzleaf’s breathing hitched as he walked towards the flower and picked it up in his shaky hands. It was like a bucket of ice water was poured over him. His vision blurred as he stared at the crumpled plant that once belonged to the love of his life. He barely felt the tears roll down his cheeks as he fell to his knees and let out an anguished scream.

- - - - - -

“I didn't want to believe it," said Nuzleaf, his voice cracking. "I saw it, but I refused to believe it! She…..save me….for the second time she saved me….and...I couldn’t return the favour. I........I...could...do.....n....nothing." Tears began to spill down Nuzleaf's face. "I couldn't save her!!"

Nuzleaf felt a paw being placed on his arm.

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“Why…? She….already…saved me…it...was….me that owed her...now…..now I’ll never….it...it’s not fair!”

Nuzleaf felt Autumn pull him in what he figured was her attempt at a hug and he sank into it letting out heaving sobs.

“Consarn it, it’s not fair!”

“I know…” said Autumn sadly. “I know, how much it hurts.”

Nuzleaf clutched onto the fox pokemon. She was right, in a way. She did lose Forrest after all. The big difference, however, was that she got Forrest back. Flower...she was never coming back.

"I...I...just snapped after that," he said. "I...I was cruel to everyone. I conned folk. I….I had pokemon build me a house then called it trash and tore it down for the sheer heck of it. I...knew it was wrong, but…I just didn't care anymore. I felt if the world was going to continue to take and take from me, then I'd respond in kind. I...started hearing voices in my head…tellin' me to...do more bad stuff, I'd rather not mention. I...guess that's when Dark Matter started to take over."

Autumn broke the hug and looked into Nuzleaf’s eyes.

“That’s...when you went after me right.”

Nuzleaf nodded.

“Yeah...Yveltal told me to...get rid of you. Then when Beeheeyem hit you with that psychic move. I got that idea to play hero.”

Nuzleaf’s whole body started shaking.

“A...Autumn I….at first I had every intention to take you up to Revelation Mountain and get you to open up the spring but…”

He sucked in a breath.

“I...I really started enjoyin’ havin’ you around. You would greet me every mornin’ at breakfast then go to school and come home for dinner by nightfall. It was like…it was like…”

Nuzleaf shook his head, unable to finish the thought.

I thought maybe…..we…...could be like this forever…that after...everythin' I could finally be happy, but then you said you wanted to leave...it all...it all came crashin' down again.”

- - - - -

Nuzleaf was curled up into a ball on his bed. Once again, he was alone. Autumn was gone. She left. Sure he wrote that letter, but...he still couldn’t help the feeling of betrayal.

WhAt diD I tEll yOu?

Nuzleaf flinched. This voice in his head was becoming a real thorn in his side lately. For a while, he did what this voice told him, but ever since he boarded Autumn he had grown close to her and really didn't want to go through with this plan.

“It….it means nothin’”

WakE uP! ShE lefT yoU! LiKe aLL tHe rEst ShE lEfT. YoU cAn’T tRusT anYoNe iN tHiS wOrLd. Is’Nt it tImE tO desTroy it bEfOrE iT hUrtS yOu aGain?

Nuzleaf curled himself up tighter. They did. Mama, Papa, Breloom,...Flower. They all left him behind. Left him alone. Dropped him like a rotten piece of fruit.

WhY, dId yoU sToP tuRninG pokEmOn tO StOnE? Did yOu reAllY thInK tHaT FenNeKin wOuLd bE aNy diFfErEnt?! ThAt sHe woUld sEe yOu as fAmiLy thAt YoU cOuld cAlL heR yoUr daUghtEr?!

“Shut up…”

YoU hOneStLy thiNK sHe wOuLd sEe yOu aS a dAd aftEr leaRniNg wHat yOu dId. BecAusE sHe WilL fInD oUt. ShE WilL hAtE yOu. ShE wOn’t eVeN waNt to lOok at yoU!

“SHUT UP!!!”

Nuzleaf shuddered as tears flow down his face.

“Don’t ya think I know that already?!”

ThEn wHy pUt it oFf? WhY lEt thIs woRld wOund yOu aGaIn and agAin? IsN’T it tImE to pUt an eNd to it? To gIvE thOsE thAt wrOngEd yoU a tAstE of tHe pAiN yoU sUFfeRed at thEiR hAnDs a huNdRed tImEs fOLD?

Nuzleaf sat up staring at the wall of his house. Why was he putting it off? What did anyone care anyway? Everyone he ever cared for were gone. Left him behind. It was their fault this was happening. Their fault...he spoke his voice filled with resignation.

“Where next then?”

- - - - -

Nuzleaf wrapped his arms around himself and clenched his eyes shut. His voice cracked beyond recognition.

“Every time…. every time….I think it's….all….gonna be okay….They leave me….Mama, Breloom, Shiftry...Flower….N…..now you!”

Nuzleaf let out a massive sob.

“I couldn't take it! I couldn't take bein’ left behind anymore! So….so I went back to the original plan and took you to Revelation Mountain and….and I…”

Nuzleaf couldn't continue his body now racked with uncontrollable sobs. He felt beyond embarrassed for falling apart this badly in front of the young Fennekin, he just couldn't hold it in anymore. He once more felt himself be pulled into a hug.

"I..I'm so sorry." he heard her whisper he felt tears that weren't his fall against his chest. "I...I had no idea…I didn't stop to think about how my leaving would affect you. If I had even the faintest inkling...but Nuzleaf...you could’ve come to visit, or I could’ve visited you. You didn’t have to let all that pain consume you. You could’ve talked to me. To anyone. You didn’t have to suffer alone.”

“I know!” sobbed Nuzleaf. “I’m sorry!….So sorry!”

He felt Autumn nuzzle him as he cried, finally releasing all of his pent up emotions and pain. Slowly but surely he started to feel lighter than he had in years. His heavy sobs now reduced to sniffles.

“I forgive you.”

Nuzleaf’s eyes widened. Did he hear that right? Surely not. Not after everything he did. He disengaged the hug and stared at the fox pokemon.

“Wh...what?”

Autumn gave him a warm smile.

“I said I forgive you.”

“But….but….” Nuzleaf stammered as fresh tears prickled his eyes. “I...I turned you to stone! I sent you and Forrest to the badlands I-”

“Nuzleaf!”

Nuzleaf stopped cold at Autumn’s firm voice.

“I.forgive.you!” she smiled. “Just accept it, okay.”

Nuzleaf let out a sigh and smiled. “Okay.”

“And no more bottling your feelings up. It's not good for you," said Autumn wagging her paw at him. "I'm always willing to talk if you need to. Carracosta is too."

"How do I know you won't...leave me behind?"

Autumn gave Nuzleaf a sad look.

“Listen to me Nuzleaf, I will never never leave you. I’ll never intentionally hurt you, and if I do I’m sorry.”

Nuzleaf felt more tears run down his cheeks.

“They all left me.”

“Not on purpose,” reminded Autumn. “Okay, that Breloom sounded like a piece of work and Shiftry’s reasons are debatable, but your parents, Flower...they died. It was a tragic accident in both cases. They didn’t mean to leave. Besides they’re not really gone. They’re still with you in spirit.”

“Young’n...”

“This is why we need to talk about these things. So we know where we stand with each other. So we know if our actions hurt one or both of us. You’ve been holding it all inside and not letting anyone in. It’s understandable after everything you went through, but it didn’t help in the long run did it?

“No...” Nuzleaf had to agree with that one. He was quite surprised. Autumn was really quite wise beyond her years.

Autumn nuzzled him lovingly.

“Even if I'm in Lively Town. You can come to visit me, and I'll visit you here. Whenever you want. Ampharos isn’t stingy about time off. I’ll….I’ll always be there for you, Papa.”

Nuzleaf let out a gasp. Surely he heard wrong this time. He stared down at the young Fennekin with wide eyes.

“You...you called me…”

Autumn smiled.

“Papa, yeah...I mean...you did kind of adopt me after all. Despite your reasons, it makes you my Papa.”

Autumn then looked really shy and loosened her awkward quadrupedal hug.

“Erm….if you don’t like it though I won’t-”

“No!” cried Nuzleaf. “I mean yes, I mean…I want it I want this!”

Autumn’s eyes light up.

“Really?! You don’t mind?”

Before Nuzleaf could answer he was bowled over by the fox pokemon giving him yet another hug.

“That’s so great thank you! I love you, Papa!”

Nuzleaf was surprised he still had tears to spare after such an emotionally trying day. Yet here was sniffling like a baby once again.

“Don’t go makin’ cry again young’un.” He muttered. “I….I love you too.”

He didn’t know how long with the little Fennekin – his daughter – in his arms, but by the time they parted the sun had set, and Autumn was fast asleep. If this was a dream, Nuzleaf never wanted to wake up. Not only did Autumn forgive him for everything, she even sees him as a dad. As family Something Nuzleaf never thought he could have again. Dark Matter was wrong. Wrong about everything. He never wanted this moment to end. Nuzleaf carefully carried Autumn to what used to be her room and placed her on her bed. She stirred a bit but didn't awaken. Nuzleaf stroked her ears lovingly, embracing his newfound paternal feelings.

"I love you, child," he whispered giving he a small kiss on the forehead.

His scars ran deep, but maybe now after all these years, they will finally start to fade.

END.

#pokemon #pokemon mystery dungeon #pokemon super mystery dungeon #PSMD #Nuzleaf #Fennekin #leaf dad #this gets dark #read at your own peril #fanfiction #fanfic

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sashawritesstuff · 5 years

Text

The Shortcut

(Short Story)

“Robert? Robbie!”

He heard the desperate calls but the air had been knocked out of him. No matter how hard he tried to answer, he couldn’t manage more than helpless gasping for breath. Rain was falling on his face, small cold drops washing away dirt and blood. His blood. Robert shifted and winced at the sharp pain in his right ankle. The afternoon couldn’t get any worse.

Blasted root! How was he even supposed to see it under this blanket of dried leaves? It was hardly his fault to trip over it. With a nasty crack in his ankle he had fallen on all fours before he overbalanced and rolled down the slope.

“Robbie, Robbie! Are you all right?” His younger cousin James emerged from behind the trees, awkwardly running downhill, towards him. He looked pretty unhappy at their current direction, wishing nothing but to return home. Robert stifled a laugh. It seemed he wasn’t the most miserable one after all.

“What do you think?” He asked harshly, struggling to his feet.

“You look fine.” James started to snicker and Robert shot him a glance that silenced him immediately. He might have been thrilled by his cousins company before, but he certainly wasn’t in the mood for his impish remarks now.

“You’re bleeding. There …” James noticed the deep cut on Robert’s forehead where he met the ground only moments before and reached forward. Robert leaned back to avoid the touch and hastily swatted James’ hand away.

“Whatever.” He rolled his eyes, “Let’s just return home.”

“Yes, at last!” A huge smile spread across James’ face as he headed to the slope and started making his way up. “I can’t believe we’re finally on the same page!”

Robert tried to follow close behind, but a soon as he shifted the weight on his right leg, the pain in his ankle doubled. He cried out in sudden agony and fell to the ground, cursing and clutching his leg.

“It seems like you could use some help!” James offered him a hand.

“I don’t need you!” Snapped Robert, but his eyes softened. He accepted James’ outstretched arm and the other pulled him up. Then leaning on his cousin, he made a few uncertain steps. With extreme cautiousness not to burden the injured leg there was a possibility he would be able to limp on the generally flat terrain, but there was no point climbing back uphill. In the meantime his right ankle noticeably swelled up, now beyond a shadow of a doubt badly sprained.

Though it would do Robert more harm than good, they had no choice but to move on. Having the curfew before the sun went down, they were already late. Leaning on his cousin, Robert picked a way among the trees and they hurried forward. It wasn’t an easy task for any of them. Robert could only limp as fast as his injured leg allowed and was exaggeratedly anxious about hurting the healthy one as well, which made it harder for James who now had to support even bigger part of his weight.

As the evening darkened, the small rain droplets turned into bigger ones. Robert wondered how could not notice the sudden change in weather before, but then they weren’t very observant. When the rain caught them, they were already deep in the forest where the tree branches prevented them from clearly seeing the sky. Even if they tried, they couldn’t judge it.

By the time they found the path, they were already dripping wet. Soaked clothes clinging to their skin and the wind whipping their faces made them shiver as the heavy rain blurred their vision. They were cold, wet and hungry, without a true sense of direction. The downpour didn’t show any signs of stopping.

Robert felt wretched. It was he who suggested coming out here in the first place. Had he not been so bored by the computer games James has engaged himself in all morning, he would have never even thought about going out. He was tempted to give his cousin a piece of his mind, upset by the lack of attention he was receiving, but in the end decided against it. Instead he came up with this idea. Why couldn’t they just stay inside? James was clearly against leaving from the very beginning, complaining about the dirt, nettles and spiders. Robert remembered him pointing out how horrible the weather is, but the only image that came rushing back was the one of a perfectly clear sky and a shining sun. James’ definition of bad weather obviously differed from his. It took him a lot of convincing and begging to finally drag him outside. His cousin simply wasn’t the one to resign himself to his fate without a fight, eventually giving up only because Robert’s mother threatened him that otherwise he’ll have to wash the dishes.

He should have listened to his cousin more. If he did, they would have never found themselves in this situation, but at the time it seemed like a great idea. It was all his fault.

Drowning in self-pity , his eyes fixed on the ground, it was a surprise to him when James suddenly came to a halt. He lifted his gaze. “What now?” He asked in annoyance. The pain in his ankle was increasing rapidly and he could barely stand, due to the shakiness of his healthy leg. He wanted nothing more than to stop and sit down right where he was, yet he knew he wouldn’t be able to rest until they reached home.

“What now, what now? You tell me. I don’t know this forest.” James returned the annoyed look, raising his voice, “And hurry up!“ He added as an afterthought, “I don’t want to miss the dinner.”

“Then move!” Robert shot back. He was injured and all his cousin thought about was what? Eating?

“Where to?”

For the first time Robert followed James’ gaze and stared into the dark. Only now he noticed what was bothering his cousin. They were standing at the crossroads. “To the left I suppose.” He shrugged.

“Why left?” James wanted to know. “What’s wrong with this shortcut?” He pointed to the right.

“I don’t remember it. Besides, how can you possibly know it’s a shortcut?

“It’s narrower. Also if you never saw it before it must be recently built.” He explained, “And why would anyone make a new path if not to get somewhere quicker?”

“It looks pretty old to me.” Robert insisted.

“Still… I vote we turn right.” James made a determined step forward.

“And I,” The other one pulled him back, “ vote we turn left!”

James merely scowled. “Don’t be ridiculous, Robert! You want to get out of the rain or not?”

“Of course I do, but…”

“Shame! Looks like I outvoted you.” He interrupted. “Now, less talking and more walking!”

Robert wasn’t finished yet. “Shortcuts make delays!” he argued.

However, James didn’t mind him. Dragging his defeated cousin behind him, he made his way along the narrow path. At first the ground was rising steadily and their progress was hardly visible. Robert’s leg was giving him trouble, causing him to stagger backwards several times. Every single time he had to shift his weight on it to save himself from falling on his back and every single time it sent a wave of pain up his body like an electroshock coming from the ground. They both knew they wouldn’t be able to continue like this for much longer when the path in their relief suddenly dipped. They carried on with an ease when Robert suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. It caught James off guard and he tripped over.

“I don’t understand.” Robert murmured to himself. “Even though I never went that way before, I’m pretty sure we should have been out by now. The forest is not big: two miles in each direction at the most!”

He had an eerie feeling about this path. He had run through this forest his whole life and he knew it like the back of his hand: he knew every rock, every tree, every leaf, he knew every path and yet he had never to this day stumbled upon that one. Had James not insisted on following it, he would have suggested turning back. Anything but this!

James looked around. “So where do you think we are?” he asked, standing up.

Robert didn’t answer at once. He felt an odd tickling on the back of his neck as if someone was watching him closely, but turning around there were nothing but trees. A shiver ran down his spine and the hair on his arms stood up. The fear awoke his stomach. “I have no idea.”

James laughed, not noticing his discomfort. “That fall did some damage to your head after all! He patted his cousin on the shoulder, ”Stop worrying! Like you said: we should be out any time now.”

They continued without another word. It was getting late and the trees they passed started to get darker, thicker and dryer until there were barely any leaves left on them. The naked branches swinging and cracking in the wind were giving an impression of sickness and death. In the air there was a stifling smell of decaying undergrowth. Robert stopped watching the trees and turned his attention ahead of him. The light haze was moving in a strange direction, like it was trying to gather. In some places it already looked like a mist. He froze. The haze was all around, moving slowly as normal but the misty clouds gathered together in a thick foggy cloud of creepy unrecognizable shape. The foggy shape wasn't moving at all. It seemed like it was staring straight at him and waiting what he’s going to do.

Before he could protest he was pulled through it by his cousin who marched forward as though he hadn’t seen anything unusual in it or just didn’t care. Both options were equally possible.

Robert shuddered as the sudden chill engulfed him. For a moment, he couldn’t see anything but the white smoke surrounding him, the only evidence of his cousins presence being the pressure of his arm around his shoulders. He took a deep breath. It was no use. The feeling reminded him more of breathing the ice-cold steam. It forced him to cough.

As his sight returned, everything came back to normal. Relieved, he threw his glance across his shoulder, but the misty figure vanished like it was never there.

Robert shook his head and let out a deep breath he didn’t realise he was holding. His fatigue was playing tricks on him! And he didn’t like it one bit.

As the evening drew on he grew more and more restless. The fear that had filled him when they first came across the narrow path only increased. It sickened him to the point he could barely breath, while also triggering something horrible within him. They should have never come here. If it had not been for James they wouldn’t have. He wasn’t to blame! It was all James’ fault!

He was about to point it out when he noticed his cousin staring down in confusion. “What is it?” He asked, afraid of what he might hear.

“Where is the path?” James responded with another question.

He was right. The path was gone. Leading them to the tiny clearing it all of a sudden ended, fading into the turf.

James pointed his finger in Robert’s face accusingly, not giving him time to reply. “ This shortcut of yours isn’t any good!” he shouted, “ What is the use of it, if it only leads this far? It can’t just leave us here!” Defeated he threw his arms in the air.

“ Firstly,” Robert began angrily, making a step back, “This isn’t my shortcut! And if my mind serves me right, you were the one insisting on turning right.”, his voice gradually gaining on volume. “And secondly, it might have escaped your notice but it did, in fact just leave us here!”

“ Thank you for the summary!” James matched his tone.

“Don’t get snappy with me now! It is I who should be enraged!”

“Oh, and what gives you the right?”

In an instant Robert lowered his voice. “ Hush!” he whispered sharply, one index finger over his mouth and the other one pointing in the air. Both listened. Their furious shouts fell as if muffled by a heavy curtain. There was no echo or answer, but the forest seemed more watchful than before. Another loud sound of flapping wings drew their attention and they glanced at the trees encircling them.

Engaged in their quarrel they had been completely oblivious to the flock of birds flying by and landing on the tree branches to rest and observe the happening. Because of the dark Robert couldn’t tell of what exact breed they were, but their round minuscule bodies of lighter colour pointed out they were probably sparrows. How was that possible he couldn’t imagine. He didn’t even dare to think what were they doing, stopping at the same spot he and James did, much less at night!

In the contrary to his opinion, the sparrows were quite fascinating to his younger cousin. Though he wasn’t able to explain their strange behaviour either, James still didn’t feel any discomfort at the sight or found them suspicious. When it became obvious their argument has been finished, the birds started to sing. At any other time and in any other place, Robert might have described it as happy, but right now, in this situation the word intimidating felt more right to him.

Robert focused on the sounds around him. He did not trust a single one and wished his cousin was more cautious as well. The whistling wind brushing against the trees, swaying the branches making them crack and the leaves on the ground rustle with the occasional drip of moisture falling to the ground. It was ironic: not too long ago he would have been just as thrilled by the forest as James and perhaps he still would have been if he hadn’t felt so uneasy. The forest seemed restless too. The singing of the birds suddenly stilled and no other sound but the thumping of his racing heart was heard. The rain stopped and the wind stilled. What kind of place was that?

For a split second nothing moved and then in a blink of an eye the entire flock of birds leaped in the air. The silence passed and was now replaced by their panicked screeching. The boys stared after them in astonishment as they vanished behind the trees and their voices sank in the depths of the woods.

“Well that was funny!” Commented James, obviously greatly amused.

However, Robert did not feel the same way. His heart was in his mouth. All his senses were alert and there was a tingling on the back of his neck; a warning of – something or someone. It send cold shivers down his spine. Fear clutched him with icy claws. His ears were erect, alert to every sound.

Somewhere in the distance, yet not too far away a twig snapped so as to confirm his fears. The snap was followed by another crack this time closer. Robert turned his head in the direction of the oncoming sound and waited. The sound drew closer and closer and it became clear that they were footsteps. Whose, he didn’t want to know. He covered his mouth with his arm to supress his shallow breathing, but the loud thumping of his heart against his chest gave him away. The footsteps stilled by the bushes no more than five feet away. Robert couldn’t swear it, but there in the dark he saw a black shape move.

“Calm down, it’s just an animal.” James whispered to him, clutching his sleeve, but Robert really didn’t think so. The blood-freezing scream that pierced his sensitive ears in the next moment settled it for him.

He pushed James away from him and ran. Forgetting about his injured ankle, he plunged among the trees and ran and ran to get away, to wake up from this nightmare. In this moment he cared only about himself. James didn’t matter as much as he did. If anything, he wished the thing would see his cousin as a weaker target, chasing after James first and buy him some time to escape. How glad he was to be the faster runner now. The panic overwhelmed him, preventing him from thinking clearly. He had no idea in which direction he raced off or where was he headed now. He might as well be running in circles. As he ran by the tree branches swayed, grabbing and reaching after him like claws, even though there was no wind. From time to time, right in front of him roots sprouted from the ground to trip him and the shadows stretched out to slow him down. He never stopped. Jumping lightly across the roots and avoiding the shadows he zigzagged past the trees. They seemed like they were watching him. At first with disapproval which soon deepened to anger and even animosity. They thickened as if gathering on purpose to block him. Now and then some of the most angered ones dropped down a smaller or larger branch right at him and Robert had to be extremely careful and quick to avoid it. As if murderous trees weren’t enough snapping of the twigs from behind continued. Someone or something was still on his tracks! He speeded up not feeling any exhaustion or need to halt, but it wasn’t good enough. He could feel its eyes on his back and its breath on his neck. It was too late. He heard another shriek that froze his blood and gave up. He couldn’t hide. It was over.

Pale as a sheet and trembling like a leaf, he pushed through the thick vegetation and a cold shock of fear shot through his body once again. It drove the air from his lungs and stilled his heart. He couldn’t even draw enough air to cry out as he collapsed, waiting for his inevitable doom.

“Jesus, Robbie!” At the unexpected voice above him Robert twitched. “Stop crying, will you!” It wasn’t until then that he recognised whom it belonged to. James came running from behind the trees moments after him and was now bended over, trying to catch his breath. He was doing his best furious expression, still Robert recognised the fear behind it. Even through the dark he could see how red James’ eyes were. His cousin had been crying and he couldn’t hide it, no matter how hard he tried.

Robert slowly sat up and took a look around. The relief hit him. They were out, they were safe. Not long ago he was prepared for a violent end to his short life and now he was here. Sitting on the concrete, the road illuminated by the familiar street lamps. In the distance he saw the peaceful city, he heard the car noise. As much as he normally hated the traffic racket, it was like music to his ears now.

Minutes passed and James’ breathing steadied. He straightened up and shoot Robert a glare. “Care to explain what just happened? You left me behind!” He scowled, motioning the other to stand up.

As Robert did so, the pain in his right ankle suddenly erupted once again. He gasped in agony but managed to keep his balance and stayed on his feet. How was it possible for him to run this fast? And this far! Where did the pain go? Until now he didn’t even realise it was gone! It must have been the adrenaline.

“So? What was that?” James raise his eyebrows.

“I …, I’m not sure. Back there, there was s-something. It was so dark, James! I …, I couldn’t see it. But I could feel it. And, and hear it. Why couldn’t you?” Robert stuttered, his voice almost an octave higher than usually.

James nodded in reassurance, “Oh, I heard it just fine. What I heard were the high-pitched screams caused by my overly dramatic cousin with a vivid imagination! You’ve seen too many horror films for your own good!”

Crossing his arms in defence, Robert snapped back, ”If you weren’t scared, then why were you crying?”

The question caught James off guard and his eyes widened in shock, “I wasn’t …” He started to argue, but then decided against it. It was a lost battle. He wouldn’t have won. Instead he returned to the topic, “Besides, that’s not the point. What I’m saying is that you’re just an ordinary coward, this or that you were, for some unknown reason, trying to scare the life out of me. Good job, because you’ve succeeded!” He probably expected an apology but got none. What he didn’t know was that Robert too, was boiling with rage. He had enough of his little cousin acting all superior.

“I’m telling your mom.” Stated James, as he crossed his arms, “If I remember correctly you were supposed to look after me.” His voice shook slightly and his lower lip quivered. An unchecked tear escaped the corner of his eye and slowly rolled down his cheek.

Robert almost gave in the temptation to punch him when the sudden movement in the bushes not too far away made him lower his hand and turn around. The branches shivered again and moved apart just a tiny bit. Right there in the middle, two eyes appeared. They were glassy, grey and cold – like those of the dead and Robert’s heart fell. With a sharp intake of breath he darted into a run, not daring to look back. He was terrified of what he might see. He didn’t want to see!

Robert ran and ran as fast as his injured ankle allowed, his ears spying for any suspicious sounds, but beside James’ desperate calls of: “ Stop! Please, just stop! I can’t do this anymore!”, as well as his own footsteps, he heard nothing. Despite the unbearable pain he didn’t stop until he reached his doorstep. There he didn’t have to wait long. James came soon afterwards, clutching at his side and trying to catch his breath with his face seemingly a bit green. At first Robert believed it was from the light coming through the window, but when his cousin bended over and threw up right in front of his feet, he realised his mistake.

“I’m dying.” James whined quietly, hugging his stomach. He raised his gaze and noticed Robert staring at him. “I won’t tell if you won’t tell.” He added, trying to sound strong and vanished inside the house.

Robert shuddered. It didn’t really matter if his cousin believed him or not as long as his mother didn't hear how he had left James behind, while he alone ran away in a seemingly irrational panic. James could have tripped and got lost in the forest. Robert felt his cheeks turn red in shame at his own cowardice, but at least he finally learned, even if the harder way, why he never saw another local in this forest before.

#this is one of the first short stories i ever wrote #sashawrites #short story #writing #writers #creative writing #amwriting #story #writers on tumblr

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