For legal reasons, all characters in this story, unless already known to be an adult, are seventeen or older unless stated or implied otherwise.
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        Silver woke up nearly crying out in fear. Mewtwo's hand resting on his shoulder as the pokémon's sharp gaze scanned him for any other problems. It didn't take long for him to realize that Mewtwo had been the one to wake him from that nightmare. Although Mewtwo's gaze was cold, Silver had long since learned the difference between the pokémon's glares. This one was laced with concern.

        "I'm okay," Silver assured him despite how wet his eyes were due to the temporary visit to his past trauma. Mewtwo's eyes narrowed on him, but nothing was said and Silver was left to his own proceedings. The boy sat up from his bed, quickly wiping his eyes. It was late, or rather it was too early for him to be waking up. The screen of his phone read three A.M. and Silver would have to go to work at six later that morning if he wanted to continue supporting himself.

        Silver contemplated asking Mewtwo to simply put him back to sleep, but he didn't want to risk having the same nightmare again. Five months had already passed and yet he still felt as if the incident had happened yesterday. The only reason he hadn't been arrested was because Mewtwo had taken him over to Kanto to escape the Johto police. Besides, he was reported as dead when the case was closed. No one was aware that he was still living and breathing in a neighboring country.

        "Mewtwo, I'm going for a walk. I'll see you when I get off from work later today." He got no response, which he expected. Mewtwo was more like a usually silent guardian. Always looking out for him. Silver just spoke to him anyway because there was no one else to speak to. They were the only two living in the small motel room.

        Silver didn't know the reason Mewtwo stayed with him. After he found out that Mewtwo was a pokémon that was experimented on by the first Team Rocket, Silver thought he would be hated. Instead, Silver found that Mewtwo was oddly determined to help him going so far as following him to work every now and then. Silver even caught the pokémon helping him out on the job a few times though Mewtwo always remained invisible to the eye whenever he left the motel.

        "Return early today." It wasn't a request. Mewtwo never made requests.

        "Why? What happened?" Silver had already gotten dressed and was about to head out when Mewtwo spoke.

        "I cannot quite tell as of this moment. Something is not right about this day." Mewtwo turned to face him having had his back turned all the while. "If you do not return early, I will bring you back myself."

        Silver cracked an extremely brief smile. "Don't worry, I'll be safe. I won't take your words for granted." He pulled on his uniform before he left for the day, choosing to aimlessly walk the neighborhood to clear his head before his shift started at the warehouse nearby. No matter how much he tried to take his mind off of it, his thoughts kept wandering back to his past. He was a criminal. These hands of his covered in his sins proved so, but he didn't want to be that way any longer. The bruises on his hands from his current job reminded him that he was taking the right steps to make sure that he no longer strayed down the wrong path.

        "You're early again today, Scarlett," one of his coworkers called as he arrived thirty minutes early as per usual. The name, Scarlett, is one that Silver went by here in Kanto so as not to raise any suspicion just in case. It had been hard to get used to, but now he knew to answer to both of his names. "It's the last paycheck day of this month! You looking to do anything special?" The man's name was Phillip.

        "No, not really. I don't really have the luxury for that kind of thing," Silver shyly spoke. He didn't really feel like he belonged among the men working here. They were all at least seven years older than him.

        "You're a strange one, Scarlett. Never change," Phillip said with a laugh.

        The day went by rather easily. Silver did struggle with a few of the boxes he had to move, but Phillip and his pokémon, Machamp, were there to help him as usual. Despite that, Silver had a fresh bruise on his arm by the time lunch break rolled around. He could feel how sore and tender to the touch it was through his uniform. Just like always though, Silver kept quiet about it and pressed on until the end of the day. Today was payday, afterall. He just had to make it til the end.

        "Scarlett." It was Phillip again, but he didn't hold his usual enthusiasm. Something was definitely wrong. "Boss wants to see you." The man must have seen the dread appearing in Silver's features as the boy thought of hundreds of possible bad outcomes. "Hey, keep your head up. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about." His upbeat mood returned just to cheer Silver up. It worked just a little, but the anxiety was already there. It would take more than a few words of encouragement to get rid of it.

        "You...wanted to see me?" Silver spoke as he entered the boss' office, closing the door behind him.

        "Scarlett, yes. I did call for you. Have you been doing well?" The old man asked, gesturing for Silver to take a seat. The man's eyes lingered on Silver's hands for longer than he would have liked.

        "Yes, I've been well," Silver half lied. He wasn't doing the best, but his life was slowly improving for sure.

        "That's good to hear lad." The boss reached forward and held out two envelopes to him. "It's your monthly paycheck. You're one of the best workers we've got here."

        "Oh, there's two of them," Silver pointed out. Usually only one envelope was given with the check in it.

        "I know, lad. The other one is from me and the company personally. It's a little extra cash, almost another whole months worth of pay."

        "Extra...cash?" Silver hesitantly took the envelopes wondering why he had gotten special treatment. It wasn't a raise, otherwise the money would have just been added onto his normal check.

        "I don't know how to say this easy but, you can't work with us anymore. I'm sorry kiddo, but it wasn't my decision." The boss gave him an apologetic look.

        "Huh?" Was he being serious? What had he even done to make this happen? "But I...I need this job. There's got to be something you can do!" Silver pleaded.

        "I told you, I didn't make the decision. Trust me, I'm just as upset as you are. They just sent in the letter from the higher ups this morning," the boss calmly explained.

        "I don't understand. Why? Did I do something wrong? I'll change it, if I did anything. Please, I don't have anywhere else to go!"

        The boss slammed his fist on his desk in frustration. "You can't stay here Silver! It's for your own good!"

        Fear is what rose within him when he heard the boss use his real name. "Excuse me?"

        "I don't know how you did it, and I honestly don't care, but you got yourself a false identity. There's this group that's been doing some snooping around Kanto lately, and they asked me some questions. They pulled pictures, I had to make some sort of cover story. Didn't seem like they fell for it, so they went to our headquarters to pull your files themselves. It's only a matter of time before they find you!" The boss put his head into his hands. "Listen, lad. I don't know what you did, but I do know you're an honest worker. Use what I gave you and get out of this country. This is the best I can do."

        Silver was dead silent and stared at his boss. They were still looking for him? Why? The case was closed. Team Rocket was disbanded and everyone involved was already arrested. It's been five months!

        "Does anyone else know?" Silver asked. The boss shook his head to confirm that no one else was aware. Silver promptly stood and headed for the door. "Thank you for everything," he said before leaving the office without another word. His thoughts were such a mess that he didn't hear Phillip calling him until the young man had caught hold of his shoulder.

        "Everything okay, Scarlett?" Phillip was clearly concerned, but Silver didn't want to worry him.

        "Yeah, everything is fine. I ended up getting a raise," he lied and put on the best fake smile he could manage. Phillip grinned at him in return.

        "See, I told you it wouldn't be so bad," he exclaimed. They were just outside the warehouse, and most of the workers had already gotten their pay and gone home. "Now you've got to go do something special no matter what!" To Silver's surprise, Phillip pulled him into a hug. "You reminded me a lot of my younger brother that I lost a long time ago. He would have been about your age right about now," Phillip said with a lowered voice, tightening his grip on him ever so slightly. "I'm sorry, but I overheard the boss. It was wrong of me, but I don't regret listening in. Please take care of yourself, Scarlett." Silver's smile vanished, putting him on the brink of breaking into tears as he hugged Phillip back. "If you ever need anything at all, give me a call okay? And don't you dare change, Scarlett. You're a good kid."
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I swear I'm not trying to make this sad on purpose. I just have to set up for the story that lies ahead. Until next time you awesome readers!