I snapped back to reality as swiftly as if someone had snapped a twig, or more, driven over a speed bump causing me to hit my head. A squeak of fear burst from my throat as I struggled to move through the darkness that surrounded me despite my eyes being wide in fear, my dilemma came crashing down on me like a sack of bricks as I writhed around in the darkness until a sharp kick to my side stilled me with stifled cry of pain.

"Quiet girl." A voice hissed, kicking me again. The forced drove most the air from my lungs resulting in several minutes of wheezing through my nose as my mouth felt sealed shut.

"What do you think you're doing grunt." A feminine voice ordered, authority clear in her tone. I flinched, meekly pulling away from both but not getting far since it had become obvious I was trapped in a sack.

"It was moving madam and I was simply keeping it still." The one who had kicked me replied nervously.

"She is just a child grunt and may I remind you that we are to deliver her, and her Pokémon, unharmed so do not let me catch you damaging either again, or there will be much more then your job on the line." 

"Y-yes Admin ma'am."

I felt someone at my side resulting in me flinching away on instinct, whimpering in a helpless state of fear as the thoughts of what she had meant by my Pokémon... Oh please let it not be Miku.

"Shh, keep still okay." A hand gently rested on my shoulder, though from the feeling it was through some sort of rough fabric. "Not much longer and we can have you out of there for the night, just keep still and quiet and things will much easier for the both of us." Her tone still held authority but was much softer then it had been when speaking with the one who had kicked me. She said nothing more before she left.

A pained whimper made it's way to my taped lips as I shifted my position slightly. After a few moments to allow myself to breath, I started moving around slightly, trying to find the restrictions in my movement. So far I could tell my wrists were tied behind my back, though only tight enough to keep them there as I couldn't feel the ropes cutting my skin as it normally did when I'd had my hands tied behind my back though my shoulder did hurt quite a bit from being forced to lie on top of it. My ankles were also restricted in a similar manor to my arms and I could feel some sort of strong tape covering my mouth, despite my muteness and my snotty nose made it hard to breath as I struggled to keep myself from bursting into tears. From my restless movements I could also confirm I was in some sort of sack, it's rough fabric smelt heavily of spicy berries with the fresh sent of grass.

~Mana?~

My eyes widened in shock as I looked down, making out the faint outline of my baby Manaphy curled up against me. She was looking up at me with owlish scared eyes, seemingly about to cry as her bottom lip trembled. Her arms were hand cuffed together with a short chain but at the front rather then the back like me.

~Mama, Miku scared. What happening, where Gummie and Angel and Samrai and Dina and Champ go to?~ She sniffled in my thoughts, clinging to my shirt. ~and what these?~ The little Water Type held her hands up to show the cuffs.

I shuffled my position slightly, using my knees to bring her closer to my chest. With my wrists tied behind my back, I couldn't hug her or pat her or snuggle her like I would like so I simply wriggled as close around the baby Pokémon as I could. Miku gripped my shirt tighter, whimpering into the fabric. :It's okay Miku. I'm here, I'll protect you.: I told her softly.

~Mama, Miku still scared. Can we go back now?~ She whimpered, blinking tears from her eyes

For a few moments, I squeezed my eyes closed. :I don't know Miku, we just... need to be good. Okay? Can you be good for me?:

My little Manaphy nodded eagerly. ~Miku be good for mama!~

I gave her a small smile but I couldn't stop the tears from falling. I did my best to keep Miku calm, reassuring her the best I could until she fell asleep, much to my relief.

The next hour or so I spent crying quietly, curled up against the chillingness of the sack I was in while trying to share my warmth with Miku, eventually the cold through me into a coughing fit as the chill tickled my nose and the dryness of my throat. I was unable to do anything against the pain from having to cough into a piece of ducklette tape to settle the irritation. The pain in my side from being kicked didn't help much either as every gasp for air caused pain to the bruises skin. Tears filled my eyes as I struggled to keep my coughs at bay, writhing around in my sack, trying to find an easier to breath position. I felt like I was suffocating, even though I knew I wasn't really. Miku woke up startled despite my efforts not to rouse her. After she realised my distress, she attempted to help, rubbing my stomach as I struggled to breath.

A hand softly rested on my side, the same voice from earlier telling me softly to calm down as one end of the sack opened up and pulled down to free my head but my coughing fit still did not stop as tears slipped from my tightly closed eyes.

Miku clung to my shirt, whimpering slightly. ~Mama!~

"This is going to sting okay, just for a moment." She warned but gave me no time to think before the tape was ripped from my mouth leaving a stinging pain behind but I hardly focused on that, rather, trying to clear out my lungs.

My breathing eventually slowed and returned to much calmer, even breaths. My eyes fluttered open, still filled with tears as I shifted to make sure Miku was still close. The lady put a hand on the side of my head, preventing me from turning my head enough to look up. "Keep your eyes closed kid, just do as your told and we won't have to hurt you and you can keep your Pokémon with you. My orders state you are not to see our faces until instructed by my boss, I'm trying to be lenient with you but disobey what I instruct you and I will make you very sorry you did, understand?"

Doing as I was told, I shut my eyes, giving a small, frightened nod as she removed her hand from my face. She guided me up into a sitting position, reminding me not to peek as she let me adjust my aching arms. My little Manaphy stayed close, cuddling up on my lap. A few stray coughs came from my throat as a chilled shudder ran through my body.

"Here, this is water okay, take it slowly now."

Moments later a straw was pressed against my lips, I took it gratefully and sucked out the water from a bottle I couldn't see. There was a slight nagging feeling in the back of my mind that something could of been added to the water that could make me sick, like in movies but I was too sore and tired to bother with it. When the water bottle was pulled away a hand slipped around my back, undoing the cuffs that held my wrists in place. I stretched out my stiff arms slightly as before they were pulled my front and done back up. Although I didn't like having my hands cuffed together, it was much more comfortable then having them chained behind me and now I could cuddle Miku and know she was still on my lap.

The water was then given to Miku as I could hear her gulping it down. "Feel better?" She asked.

I nodded softly while Miku answered with a small. ~Phee.~

"Good, now you need to lie back down so I can do the sack back up, not to much longer and you'll both be out for night the but only if you behave. I'll put a blanket over you to keep you warm but you need to stay still and quiet, understand?"

I nodded again, using my cuffed wrists to feel my way to the ground while still trying to hold onto Miku, laying back down with my knees pulled to my chest to help preserve our warmth. My mysterious helper pulled the sack back over my head, tying the end up once more. I waiting until then to open my eyes, blinking a few to clear them of lingering tears as a gentle weight shifted above me, I figured from the warmth it brought that the promised blanket had been draped over my body, warming both me and Miku up against the cold. I spent a few minutes shifting around to get myself and my baby Pokémon comfortable, with my cuffed wrists cushioned my head against hard floor with my knees pulled tightly against my chest to help keep my warmth with Miku snuggly against my chest.

"Keep still now kid and there will be no problems." The voice told me before her footsteps lead away from me.

I stayed curled in my ball, small fear filled tears rolling over my cheeks despite the small amount of kindness I'd been shown and having Miku with me, I was still terrified. What if these people were handing me over to Ghetsis!? What if they hurt me? What if they hurt Miku? What if they lock me in a tiny little cell deep deep deep into the ground and never let me see the sun again or my Pokémon or my friends!? What would happen to Miku then?

Small, pained mewls came from my throat that I struggled to keep quiet. It felt like the world was pressing down on my, making it impossible to breath and almost as much to keep still.

~ Mama? You okie dokie?~

I didn't know what to say, the last thing I wanted to do was lie to her but I couldn't exactly tell her what was going on. She's just a baby and I don't want her freaking out with me. Taking in a few deep breaths, I figured out my answer. :I'll be okay Miku, you have a nap, okay?: 

Miku cocked her head to the side, her eyes still filled with pain and confusion. ~Okie mama, Miku go nie-nie! Miku be good!~

Once I have Miku drifting off, I called for my other Pokémon, blocking Miku from my thoughts as not to disturb her. :Samurai! Samurai please, I need you! I'm sorry for what I did to make you mad, I'm really really sorry, but please help me!: My own sobbing rung through my head as I pleaded for my Pokémon. :Samurai, Gardenia, Gummie, Angel, Champ! Anyone please, I'm scared: There was no reply, I was to far away from them and moving further away. I was all alone, vulnerable, helpless.

My shoulders trembled, telling me that something was not right, reminding me I was scared. What am I going to do? I can't do anything without my Pokémon and Miku has very little battle experience - her only attack was Bubble Beam and I doubted that would do anything at all too help me. I squeezed my eyes shut, holding on tightly to Miku as I attempted to follow her to sleep but my mind simply wouldn't rest.

The van stopped and my eyes snapped open with a start, tremors raked through my body as tears gathered in my eyes. To say I was terrified wouldn't even describe my fear, the long ride had given me hours to think about every worst case scenario that could be happening, most of which involved Ghetsis. I'd been going in and out of panic and I was exhausted.

"Okay kid, were stopping for the night. My boss said to leave you in there for the night but that seems a little... Much, for a child like you. So I'm going to put you is a little tent for the night with your Pokémon, okay? But you have to behave."

I gave a small squeak in response, not being able to think of anything else to do but desperately wanted to stretch my legs. The bag was undone and I quickly shut my eyes, not really sure if I was allowed to look at my captors yet. Miku stirred in my arms but I quickly hushed her, holding her tightly in my arms.

"Good girl, now I'm going to help you up and lead to to where you'll be spending the night. No funny business now, if you misbehave or try to escape, I'll have no choice but to put you back in the sack and take away your Manaphy. Understand?"

I gave a stiff nod as she helped me up into a sitting position and up on my feet. At first I was a little shaky, having spent most the day lying down but I was steadied by the mystery person. She held onto my arm lightly as the chains around my ankles were removed, she warned me of steps and bumps in my path as I was led outside. Miku remained snuggled in my arms, clinging to my shirt.

:It's okay Miku, I won't let them hurt you:

~Miku no kawaii anymore, Miku scared~

:You're kawaii even when you're scared Miku.: I told her as I entered the tent with the guidance of the mystery lady.

~Scared Miku kawaii?~

:Yes, Miku always kawaii.: I didn't open my eyes until I the sound of the locking clicking, effectively making the tent mine and Miku's new prison.

My baby Pokémon seemed content at that, snuggling into my arms for further comfort.

The tent was quite small, unlike the three person tent I was used to sharing with Jake and Milly. It could be worse I guess, I could still be stuck in that sack, I sighed to myself as my gaze shifted around the tiny space. It was only just big enough that I wouldn't have to curl up during the night and contained nothing more then a sleeping bag, a thick blanket and a plastic lantern. The dreaded feeling of loneliness settled back in as I noticed the windows had all been covered. :Gardenia, Samurai, Angel, Gummie, Champ? Can any of you here me?: I called without response, again I blocked Miku from the thought to keep her calm and quiet.

A small sigh passed my lips. I hated being alone, I didn't have anyone to talk to or snuggled up to when I was scared and I was so rarely on my own that when I don't have anyone with me, I just start feeling so scared. I was glad that I had Miku here but she needed my reassurance more then she could give me hers. This was the first time in seven years I'd been without Samurai or Gardenia. Even when they were in their Pokéballs, I could still feel them near, even if I couldn't speak to them, now there was an emptiness inside I just couldn't shake. Sniffling back my tears, I flicked the lantern on, unrolling my sleeping back to cuddle into with Miku. My mind still searched for my Pokémon, calling out the them in a desperate plea for help with no response.

~Mama, will Samrai, Dina, Gummie, Angel and Champ come get us?~ Miku asked, looking up at her with her deep blue eyes.

I took off my joggers, setting them next to my sleeping bag before I removed my Pokébelt, my empty Pokéballs gleaming under the dull light provided by the lantern. Five regular Pokéball's and my one Dive Ball. Tears gathered in my eyes as I hugged the homes of my Pokémon close, wishing more then anything to be in the rest of their company. :I don't know Miku. I really don't know...:

~🌺~

:Samurai!?: I yelled through my dreams, begging for the answer of the Psychic type Pokémon. :Gardenia!?:

~Paige?~ The faint whisper called back.

I spun around, running towards the source of the voice. :Where are you!?:

~This way Paige.~ The voice called again, this time sharply to my right. I changed direction to follow it, seeing my two friends in the distance.

I ran as fast as I could but never got any closer to my friend. :Samurai, Gardenia, I can't get to you!:

Suddenly, everything changed. It went dark, the light leaving everything I saw except Samurai and Gardenia's eyes which glowed red, crimson red, the colour of blood. Another pair of eyes lit up in the darkness, and another, and another and another until six pairs of bloody eyes surrounded me. :Guys?: I whimpered. :I'm scared:

~Paaaaaaaaaaaaige.~ The wind whistled, filling the air with an eerie call.

:Samurai? Gardenia?: I took a step back, the eyes surrounding me closing in on me. Their outlines became familiar, Samurai, Gardenia, Angel, Gummie, Miku and Champ all closed in on me but something was off, chilling, about them that sent my body into a fit of tremors. :Guys, you're scaring me:

~Paaaaaaaaaaaaige.~ The wind called again. ~Where are you Paige?~

:S-stop it!: I screamed, covering my ears with my hands. :Leave me alone!:

~Paaaaaaaaaaaaige.~

I looked up at my Pokémon as their blood red eyes stared down at me. :Please stop!: I cried as my knees buckled, sending me tumbling to the ground as the forms around me pounced.

I bolted up right, screaming in fear before I burst into tears. It was just a bad dream. Just a horrible bad bad terrible dream. The lantern was still on, casting flickering shadows around the room that at first spooked me but as I forced myself to calm they became less noticeable. Slowing my breath, I wiped my eyes, hanging my head as my gasps for air hiced in my chest.

~Mama? Are you okie dokie?~

My gaze shifted down to Miku, her eyes scared and worried as she crawled into my arms, her small hand cuffs clinking softly through the defending silence.

Gulping down the lump in my throat, I gave a stiff nod. :I'm fine Miku, just a bad dream.: I replied, looking around my our tent, I noticed a small tray of food in the corner of the tent... I must have fallen asleep before I ate...

My stomach let out a grumbling sound that more resembled that of a dying Wailord. Sighing deeply, I pulled myself from the sleeping bag with Miku still in my arms, shivering against the coolness of the night. I pulled my spare blanket around my shoulders as I crawled over to the source of food, making sure that the blanket covered Miku also. My dinner consisted of a now cold bowl of soup, single slice of bread, three strawberries and a bottle of water. There was also and small can of Petcha Berry flavoured Pokémon food and bowl of water for Miku. Cold soup didn't seem to most appealing but I didn't really have a choice seeming how I missed lunch and hadn't had anything other then a few sips of water since breakfast. Besides, it certainly wouldn't have been the worst thing I've had to eat.

First, I opened the Pokémon food, tipping out the dried chunks onto a plate for Miku to eat. She didn't seem particularly into the food since I never fed my Pokémon canned Pokémon food, rather let them eat what I ate or fresh berries from the trees. Miku said nothing about the food however, instead just picking up a chunk and putting it into her mouth.

:Is it okay Miku?:

She gently tapped her chin as if thinking before pulling a face that said she didn't like it. ~It taste icky but not that icky. Miku like Cake's cooking better but Miku eat all her dinner and be good, like mama said!~

I gave her a gentle pat on the head. :Good girl.: I praised as I tore off a small chunk of bread, letting it soak up some of the soup before eating it. Wincing slightly, I quickly chewed and swallowed, not finding the taste very appealing. I did the same with the rest of the meal, taking a sip of water every few bites until the bread was finished. From there I took sips of the soup, catching a chunk of vegetable or piece of meat from time to time. I saved the berries for some form of dessert after the soup, finishing off the water as I went. Miku got two of the berries after she ate all her own food as she was a baby as deserved a reward for eating something new that she didn't particularly like while I ate the last to help clear my mouth of the taste of cold soup.

For a few moments after I finished, I just sat there, unsure of what to do next. I didn't want to sleep, not with nightmares. Though, I did decide it was best to keep warm so I left the tray where it was, picked up a sleepy little Miku and curled back up in the sleeping bag, which had somewhat retained its previous warmth. Biting down on my lower lip, I again called out to my Pokémon. :Samurai, Gardenia, Angel, Gummie, Champ? Please, can any of you hear me!: No reply came.

Without much else to do, I pulled the blanket over my head, feeling tears run from my eyes. This was meant to be a peaceful journey. After everything in Unova, I didn't want anything to do with these sorts of people but now it was happening all over again and I didn't even know why it was happening to me. I'd never done anything wrong, I was only seven when this started, what could I possibly have done to deserve any of this?

~~~~~~🌺~~~~~~
Word count: 3744

Sad...