The Risk of the Journey

Your eyes slowly opened as you found yourself laying near a dresser on the floor. You rubbed your eyes to get them more open. "Mmmhhh... When did I fell asleep?" You asked myself, stretching my arms and legs, "I must've been more tired than I thought." He stiffened his yawn as he looks to check on his sister, only to realize that she's not in the bed.

"Kate?" You looked around the hut, wondering if she's inside, but you don't find her. "Kate, where you go?" You asked once more. You shivered in worry. 'Why is she not here? Did some infected- No! Even if one came here, it would've gone after me since I was closer.. Maybe she went to the bathroom.'

You go and look outside to see that the center road of the huts were empty, not even the campfire been used today. Neku and Vargus not around. 'Maybe they're with my sister looking after her.' you thought, though it doesn't make you any better as you walk out to look around.

You examine the campfire to see some charred ashes of the wood used for the fire, which was from last night. "Kate! Say something!" you cry out, worry starting to build even more until you finally caught of glimpse of a Pachirisu's back on your left. "Kate!" You got out, relief in your voice as you run towards her. You got about 3 feet from her as you smile. "You had me worried about you! If you need to use the bathroom or get some air, please tell me, even if you need to wake me up."

The Pachirisu stood there, unmoving while you didn't take notice at the moment.

"Well, I'm glad you're okay and even moving. We'll still wait until Rachael and Felix return with the herbs so you don't risk getting sicker. Do you know where Neku and Vargus are? I'm sure they're okay, but you never know." You asked looking around.

When she doesn't respond this time, you grow concern for her and walk to her a little. "Hey, you okay sis?" you ask and you heard what sound like a groan. You start to reach toward her, wanting to check her temperature when she turned to look at you. When she did, your eyes widen with dread when you saw her eyes. Instead of her usual bright orange colored eyes, Kate's eyes are now a haunting violet!

"K-Kate..." You stutter before the Pachirisu snarled and leaped toward you, catching you off guard and making you fall on your back. You can barely put your paws to try to keep her off of you. "Wh-What happened to you?!" You stuttered in panic, surprising that despite being a child, she's causing you trouble. "S-Stay back!" You pleaded, feeling her nearing your neck to bite.

"Augh!" You yelp out as you suddenly opened your eyes. You were panting hard as you look around and found yourself back in the hut your sister was resting in. You placed your paw on your chest, in a **** attempt to calm your heart down."Mmmhh... B-Big bro?" you heard a voice to your right and turn that you saw your sister rubbing her eye looking at you, showing concern in her bright orange eyes.

"H-Huh? Why you ask?" You asked.

"You cried out, and you're covered in sweat." Kate pointed out, coughing a little.

"Oh uh... Had a bad dream. I'm okay." You said, going and giving Kate a hug. "I'll be outside, I need some air. Let me know if you need anything." You said, kissing her on the forehead before quickly stepping outside. You look and see Vargus was relaxing at the campfire he made earlier, keeping himself warm. The outside was orange with the sun setting. "Rachael and Felix should be back soon."

He sees you and gives you a friendly smile. "Heya sparky. Enjoy your nap?" he asked with a carefree smile before noting that you looked like you had your senses scared out of you as you poured a little water from your bottle to wash your face. "Whoa, you okay?"

"O-oh, hey." You answered, still frazzled about your nightmare. "I... I had a horrible dream... about my sister.... being one of them." you admitted, placing a paw on your forehead.

"Damn, that must be rough." Vargus stated, placing a paw on your shoulder. "I'm an only child myself. Don't know how hard it must be. Sorry."

"It's okay, I appreciate your concern." You give him a smile, noting Neku's watching from the other hut. "I'm just need a moment to calm myself down." You spoke to him and the Croconaw nods his head in understanding.

You closed your eyes and focus on your thoughts. 'Oh man... Dad, I wish you were here... You could've helped out with this... You probably think I'm crazy letting my sister come with me. Is this that PTSD he's talking about involving his various fights against bandits, predators and other threats?...' You thought, taking deep breaths, recalling how tense he gets when someone speak behind him, or mumbled in his sleep. 'If it's like this, I don't want my sister to have it this bad too. She's just an innocent child.'

You were taking out of your train of thoughts with a whistle from the Zoroark. You and Vargus got up and quickly moved towards Neku who moved to the side of the hut. "Someone's coming down the road." Neku stated with a whisper.

You look out and see that there was only one Pokémon walking down their path. From the distance, you can't tell their eye color, all you can tell so far it was a slender figure.

"Might be alone, but could also not be." Vargus stated, seeing the being approaching.

"It's not too close to see someone yet. Rai, I want you to go over to the hut your sister is in. See if the being will go near that hut and figure out what he or she wants." Neku suggested.

You look over to where your sister is with concern.

"Don't worry, we'll watch you." Vargus said, placing a paw on your shoulder. "We'll come as soon as trouble comes." he stated, with a smile.

You close your eyes for a moment before nodding. "If it's trouble, I'll raise my tail up." You said, quickly dashing to the other side to the hut, hiding at the side where you can still look out to the figure.

Soon the Pokémon arrived at the campfire spot and you were able to identify the Pokémon to be a Gardevoir. The slender looking Pokémon looked around the campfire which was hastily put out. She must've notice something that made it look at the huts before getting up and walking towards the hut your sister resting in. Despite being closer, its front hair keeps you from seeing its eyes.

It looked inside and saw the resting Pachirisu in the hut and stared at her for a moment.

"Don't move." You spoke up, having snuck behind the psychic type, making it pause. "Turn around... slowly..."

The Gardevoir was still for a moment before it complied, turning around to show its face to you...

1. "Be at ease, I mean you no harm..." A Non-infected.

2. giving you a sadistic grin. An infected!