Humans as Pokémon

For hours, I sat staring at the ball.

I should let them out. I should.

But…

Trainers don’t release their Pokémon.

I had to know.

With shaking hands, I pressed the button.

A flash of red—Jessie and James materialized before me.

They didn’t scream. Didn’t even look angry.

They just stood there.

Their backs were straighter. Their expressions… blank.

James turned to me, his eyes dull and unfocused. His mouth opened, and the sound that came out made my skin crawl.

"James."

My breath hitched.

Jessie’s head snapped toward me.

"Jessie."

The way she said it… it wasn’t right. It wasn’t human.

I waved a hand in front of her face. No reaction.

Then I did something insane. I pointed at a tree.

“Uh… tackle that?”

Jessie bolted forward, slammed into the trunk like a damn Rattata. Leaves rained down.

She stood there, swaying slightly.

Then she turned to me and said, "Jessie."

A shiver ran down my spine.

They weren’t people anymore.

They were acting like Pokémon.