They of the Sun
Chapter Twenty-one: She's A Little Runaway!

My wandering brought me back to a restaurant in Mali City. I wasn't as tired as I should've been between getting conked in the head by a Pokémon and walking down a mountain. In hindsight, I could've taken the bus but the disparity of escaping Kukui and the Island Trials overrode everything. There weren't many people here except the older patrons in for their morning cup of Pecha Berry tea. It was kind of nice... the silence. Not having to worry abo-

       "Do you think she's serious?!"

"Kukui gave me her Passport, she didn't do Sophocles' Trial."

"I don't get it..."

I couldn't help but tense at the familiar voices that drafted in as the door opened, I couldn't see them because of the decorative shōji screens on either side of me, but I definitely knew those pesky all-too eager voices. I was instantly regretting scarfing down all my food... Unsure of what stability it brought to me, I held on to the edge of the table. For Dialga's sake! They were right there.

    I knew the moment their eyes landed on me, I'd have to put up fight; whether it be with myself or my actual Pokémon. Why why why why WHY did I let this go on so long?

     "Sen started looking for her the moment he heard," Lillie said in a soft voice. I could hear the crack in her tone, the rush of tears clawing up her throat. "I d-don't..."

     Hau said nothing as a host greeted them only sit them too close to me for comfort. Just my luck! Not only was my breakfast-slash-lunch (brunch?) threatening to spew everywhere, but there was a twinge of annoyance and... something else every time Lillie let out a stifled sniffle. A confrontation was unavoidable unless I was undeniably sneaky.

     "Maybe... he'll find her," Hau said. Isn't it strange when people impose on your life... you can hear when the smile faded from their face after a while? You learn where the beats of their mood are. I sat there, staring at the last few bites of food with no clue on what to do. I couldn't just sit here until they left, the anxiety of that was enough to drown me. I tried to peek around the barrier that kept each table separated from others with no success. A run for it it was. I dug through my bag for money to place on the table before stealthy scurrying out of my seat and towards the doors that slid open just as I reach for the handle.

"Hau! Lillie! The professor said that Rot- th-that Rotot-"

The Tapus really had cursed me, huh?

Sen fumbled over his words as we stood there face-to-face, chest heaving and all. I'm sure mine was, too. And I'm sure I looked just as tired as he did. Before I could do anything else, whether it be push him away or deck him, he enveloped me in a filthy hug. Every cell in my body wanted to fucking implode at that moment.

"Cyra!"

The instance I was over my shock and panic, I shook my head to start fighting him away. This was all it took to have me backtracking, a wave coming over me. His arms were a trap that held me against his chest, but if Tapu Koko couldn't keep me contained, neither could this nuisance of a boy!

"Fuck off!" I snapped, the stress of not sleeping and running from this kept me from staying cool. I got my arms between he and I, allowing me to pry us apart with a shove. Just as I thought I stumbled back to freedom, Hau caught me. His hands on my shoulders as he spun me around to face him. An uncertain smile etched into his face; the mix of emotions was clear. Happy to see me. Confused to see me. Scared to make me run away again.

Behind him was a stone-faced Lillie... but I could see the tears in her eyes.

"Cyra," he began, "what are you... where did you... why?"

My lip curled into a snarl as I pushed his hands off of me. I couldn't handle their fucking faces... the looks of concern and confusion. Expressions I was too familiar with and yet, not. So I did what I do best. I braced myself, feeling the ice climb over my heart. When had it melted? Arceus, was I really this pathetic now?

"You heard Guzma at the garden," I spat, narrowing my eyes. "I don't want this! I never did! Everything he said was true!"

      I wish I could move my eyes in different directions like a Kecleon. It was hard to let any of the expressions sink in when my body was trembling in anticipation. And the fact that this was public humiliation. All eyes on me, right?

    "But everything... th-the Tapu-"

     "Who cares abou-"

     "What about us..." Lillie's voice resounded even in its gentleness. "We're your friends."

     I let out a cold snort, a shell of a laugh. They really knew how to press my buttons. There was only one way out and one way only, I couldn't risk another second as I bolted. I ducked beside Sen to avoid his arm from reaching out to snatch me. The light rain was refreshing, especially when it came to exerting myself this way. I couldn't go towards Mount Hokulani, I just came from there. So to the unknown path to the south it was!

      I could hear their yells behind me. I didn't have to glance back to know Sen and Hau were right after me. I veered around a shop, hoping to throw them off. My eyes searched for guide signs to the route. A part of me knew I shouldn't, but I did anyway. My head swiveled enough for my eyes to glance back. Mistake number four thousand and-

"Well, isn't someone a little run away."

      "You smell pretty nice for someone who dresses like a bum."

      His green eyes opened in unamused amusement before returning to their usual glower. One thing right after the other. What a load of Tauros shit. Both our heads snapped up at the sound of foot steps approaching fast before coming to a halt. "Cyra! Please, just listen!"

Heart: skipping.
Nerves: racked.
New low: reached.

It hurt to look up at Gladion through my lashes, to plead and whisper. I can honestly say, I wish I rather would've jumped off Mount Hokulani. "For fuck's sake, help me."

Gladion kept his eyes trained on me. He must be having a damn ball in his mind because the smirk that spread across his face wasn't reassuring. "After you insulted me?"

     He rolled his eyes as he made a swift motion to release two Pokémon; Type: Null and a Golbat. He took a few steps in front of me, looking down from the corners of his eyes the rain giving them an odd glow. Nearly sadistic. "I'll pretend it didn't happen. Consider yourself in debt. Golbat! Take her to the oasis!"

      The wide-mouthed creature flew towards me, turning its back to me allowing me to hop on. I wasted no time, ignoring Sen and Hau's questioning calls. I couldn't look at them... at the restaurant had been enough. Enough to nearly beat me back into submission. No more. I closed my eyes as Golbat ascended into the sky and out of reach. I could hear Type: Null's eerie cry as it clashed against its opponents.

      Only when the cries and hollers were muffled did I dare open my eyes. I could still see them, specks below me. The glimmer of the Alolan Trial charm on my bag caught my eye.

No use in having that.

Once, it had shined brightly. Now, as I yanked it off, it seemed to dim into nothingness as it fell onto the battle below like a raindrop. Hopefully, it would follow suit with the entirety of my life and get destroyed in the battle below... Hopefully.

I drowned the twinge of guilt because none of it mattered anymore. Not Hau. Not Sen. Not Lillie. Not Kukui. Not Tapu fucking Koko. All that matter was that I was getting further away and further away from that nightmare.

•••

A/N:

brace yourself, babies! Because that long climb up is going downhill fast!

-sj