You never forget the face of the person who is your last hope.
✮.✯*✮.✯*🌟*✯.✮*✯.✮

I couldn't tell how much time passed, I had no way of knowing but I knew it must have been weeks. Each day that seemed to pass sapped the strength from my body as my lungs squeezed shut, making it hard to breath while the frozen air of the cell seemed to grow only colder, freezing my muscles into place with the single exception of the constant shivering that trembled through my body. Not one vision from my past disturbed my sleep, but the last one I had seen troubled me deeply and I was glad I'd seen nothing more. The memory seemed to confirm the fact that I was Alice, but that conclusion just didn't feel right. Despite being called by her name and that I had responded to it, I didn't feel like Alice was a name I'd ever really been called. My only real option for actual answers was Tyson but the fear I felt from him trapped my question in a sticky ball down my throat. My attempts to talk to him never worked because I was just too weak and afraid of him hitting me to do anything when he was near.

Nimbus never brought me the grey sludge stuff like he said, bringing me meals that mostly fruit or bread instead, occasionally biscuits and other treats too. He did on the rare occasion bring me warm food, like canned spaghetti or noodles. They were never the most luxurious of meals but it was enough to keep me alive, though it didn't give me very much strength which made moving all the harder. Nimbus was always extremely gentle with the way he spoke to me though, even if I didn't respond, he filled the silence of my meals with random small talk. He told me about his Pokémon, his family other than Tyson, his own likes and dislikes as well as inviting me to talk about my own. I rarely had the strength to reply but it was nice to have him invite me to do so.

I was finding it hard to even raise my head now. Whenever Tyson came in he would yell at me to look at him and I tried, I really did, but I just wasn't strong enough to move my head up enough for him which would often result in him slapping my face or hitting me elsewhere. I'd been slapped so many times my cheek was bruising and somewhat swelled near my eye, not much but enough so I noticed it. Now Tyson rarely came in only now and then to check on me and taunt me but he'd stopped trying to get me to talk or look him in the eye. He still hadn't explained what he wanted with me or what I was doing here but at this point, I doubt it matters to me. To say I was scared was an understatement and whatever I was doing here would probably scare me more, which was the last thing I needed right now.

There was a movement from outside but I didn't react. I was too weak, cold and scared to try and it was something I'd accepted a long time ago. The lock clicked and the door creaked open. There was a slight shuffling and hurried footsteps advancing. A hand brush gently against my forehead as if checking for signs of illness, it was warm and soft - fuzzy - as if gloved. The person cursed under their breath but I couldn't make out who it was but their voice, I felt I should know it my mind was far to messed up to tell. The hand slid lightly down to my bruised cheek and a finger ran over where tears had stained my cheeks.

I finally found the strength to open my eyes half way, meeting a pair of crimson red optics with my faded blue.

"T-thomas?" I whimpered weakly, my voice barely making it the sound of the dripping pipe.

"Shh, It's alright now. Don't strain yourself." He said soothingly, reaching up to where the cuffs dug painfully into my wrists though they'd numbed to the point I could no longer feel them long ago. Thomas's touch was soft as he gently took hold of my wrists and unlocking the chains. "Just one moment and I'll have you down, safe and sound."

I fell from the wall, my trembling frame limp as a rag doll, straight into Thomas's waiting arms. Letting out a soft stream of sobs, burying my head in his jacket as he wrapped his arms around me in response and holding me close. Thomas carefully guided me so we were both kneeling on the ground with me leaning into his chest for support.

My friend gasped as he felt my bear arms, which still felt stiff and numb - almost disjointed from the rest of my body. "You're freezing." He exclaimed worriedly. He gently shifted me in his arms but didn't let me go as he pulled his jacket off and wrapped it around my shoulders. The warmth that came with it gave a delayed feeling, but did slowly settle in against my skin as he zipped it up without my arms being in the sleeves. His jacket was long and went almost as far down as my dress did.

Thomas hugged me close again, tears still falling from my eyes as he whispered comforting things that would soothe my fear. "Do you think you can walk?" He asked quietly, rubbing my arms softly through the fabric of his jacket to help warm me up.

I shook my head, I could just barely manage that.

My friend sighed as I felt him slide a hand under knees, making sure my dress was all the way down, and the other around my back. He pulled me into his arms and carried me from the room bridal style.

Burying my face into his cotton black shirt, taking in his familiar sent, I attempted to block out everything else around me. I was barely able to even stay awake as Thomas continued to whisper comforting things to me and urging me not to fall asleep while he ran from the room and down countless hallways that all seemed to look the same.

My consciousness flickered in and out and I don't remember much of what happened after leaving the cell. I could remember seeing Thomas ordering a large dragon with what looked like three heads, a hand at the tip of each arm instead of a hand or claw, while battling the goon with the Mightyena from before and easily beating.

I remember seeing Alyssa battling with a large white bear Pokémon that seemed to have icicles growing from his chin like a beard. "Thomas get Shimmer out of here! We'll deal with the rest of this but it's not safe for her here." She shouted, jumping out of the way as a bolt of lightning struck the ground near her. "Go!"

Everything then faded to dark after that, all sounds became staticy, I could only make out a few odds shouts of names and attacks, only brief things though and I wasn't really trying to pay attention to anything. I just wanted to get out of here.

When the darkness cleared up I was still in Thomas's arms, something that was starting to feel normal to me since he was quite often the one to comfort me when I was frightened. We were flying on the back of his three-headed dragon. I looked up at Thomas whose focus was straight forward, though he occasionally glanced back behind him.

"Thomas?" I whispered, squirming slightly in discomfort as my sore and stiff body was unused to this position.

He looked down at me, worry clear in his gaze. "Shh, it's alright." He hushed calmly, stroking my hair. "We're almost safe, okay?"

I leaned towards his touch. Feeling warmth and safety when he did so. "I'm scared." I whimpered feeling afraid and confused. "And everything hurts."

"You're safe now. I promise, okay?" He said softly, running his fingers over my hair. "Amy can look over you when we get there."

"He's not following us." Alyssa's familiar voice said as she came into view by our side riding on Tica with Amy behind her. "It's strange, Tyson should have been able to overpower us easily, he's the only one of us with a full team and is stronger than all of us." She glanced behind her with a worried gaze.

"How's Shimmer doing?" Amy asked softly as Alyssa followed her gaze to me. "She doesn't look so good."

Thomas looked down at me and held me a little tighter. "How are you feeling Shimmer?"

I tried to form words but my body had seemingly frozen, even thinking proved a challenge. Giving up, I fell limp in Thomas's arms, feeling my lungs tighten in my chest as difficulty breathing returned.

With a soft, reassuring smile, the ruby eyed trainer tucked a stray strand of my discoloured hair behind my ear. "Hey, don't worry about it. Get some rest, I'll keep you safe."

I looked up at him, a little desperation showed in my eyes. "Please..." My voice strained with each word. "Please don't leave me." My fingers curling weakly around the insides of his jacket as I whimpered out my plea.

Thomas shook his head with a soft smile. "I won't, you'll be safe."

Returning his gesture with a soft nod, I rested my head against Thomas's chest, hearing his steady heart beat and even breathing. My eyelids drooped and I fell deeply asleep in Thomas's arms.

~💫~

Hearing an array of shuffling noises and the feeling of being carried rousing me softly from my sleep, I meekly half-opened my eyes, watching silently as I was being carried down a strange hallway by Thomas. I didn't recognise the house but I felt reassured I was safe in Thomas's arms. He walked into a room and laid me down on a bed, my head was still too fuzzy to really make out the details of the room. The fabric was soft and cool against my skin, much more comfortable than hanging from a freezing metal wall as I'd become used to. Thomas unzipped his jacket and slipped it off me before laying me down and pulling the covers over me, right up to my chin.

He stroked my head gently and smiled. "You're safe now, okay?" Thomas reaffirmed.

I looked up at him, I was still feeling scared, like it was a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that I couldn't get rid of. What if Tyson came back? What if this is just a dream and I'll wake up back in the cell? I didn't want to end up back then.

Thomas rubbed small circles on my arm, seeing the fear in my eyes. "Hey it's okay, you're safe now."

"Tyson... he-he-" I choked out, tears forming in my eyes. "Don't let him hurt me. Please."

With a look of pity in his eyes, one that much resembled the look I got from Nimbus, Thomas ran the back of his hand over my bruised cheek. "Shhh, I know. He can't hurt you anymore I won't let anyone bring harm you again."

"Can you stay with me?" I whimpered, hardly able to keep my eyes open a moment longer. "I don't want to be alone again."

Pity flashed though Thomas eyes and he pulled a chair over from the corner. He sat down on it and smiled softly, taking my small, trembling hand in his own gloved one. The warmth felt nice. "I have to go talk with Alyssa, Amy and Nick but I will stay right here until you fall asleep."

I gave a small nod before snuggling down into the blanket. Just before I drifted off I felt Thomas press something into my hands. "I managed to swipe these back for you."

Opening my eye's a little, I looked down at what Thomas had given me. It was my purple purse, inside, I could feel my three Pokéballs inside, rolling against my finger tips and by their warmth, I knew my Pokémon rested safely inside. I looked up at Thomas, my tear-filled eyes heavy, and mumble a thank you of some sort before I drifted off into a deep sleep.

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Word count: 2066

YAAAY!!! Shimmer's saved!!! I was gonna do more detail into what Tyson wanted but I couldn't quite yet cause it'll give away stuff I need to explain later. Anyway anyone confused about anything? Cause depending in what it is I can answer it for you.