Kapitel 14: Chapter no.14 Footprints in the Ash
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As Sird entered the cabin below, Austin cautiously peeked over the edge of the roof.
The coast is clear.
He scanned the area once more before quietly swinging himself into the narrow chimney.
The soot-lined walls scraped against his jacket as he braced himself, pushing his hands and feet outward to maintain his position.
So glad I have a ten-year-old's body, he thought grimly, pressing tighter against the walls to keep steady.
Below, the narrow confines of the chimney revealed an almost comical sight: Nobunaga perched atop a massive Pinsir. The bug-type's enormous body was crammed tightly into the space, its horns pressing awkwardly against the brick walls. Its size made it impossible for Nobunaga to slip or fall, the creature's bulk serving as an anchor in the cramped vertical shaft.
Austin smirked faintly, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Good.
Slowly, he reached into his backpack, pulling out two Poké Balls.
"Vee, start using Helping Hand on Pikachu."
Vee turned to him, its wide eyes trembling with panic. The Eevee's tiny paws clung to the chimney wall, its breathing shallow and rapid. It looked like it might bolt or faint altogether.
Austin gently grabbed the trembling Pokémon, pulling it close to his chest. The soot smudged against Vee's fur as Austin held it securely near his heart.
"Hey, hey," he murmured softly, his voice soothing. "It's okay. We've got this, alright? Just breathe. I need you, Vee."
The Eevee's large ears twitched, and it looked up at him with anxious eyes. Slowly, it placed a paw against his chest, feeling the rapid thrum of his heartbeat. Austin's heart was racing, but his voice was steady, unwavering.
"See?" Austin whispered with a small, encouraging smile. "I'm scared too, but we're still here. Let's give it our all, okay?"
Vee hesitated, its paw lingering against his chest. Its breathing evened out, and the panic in its eyes dulled. With a small nod, Vee began channeling the glowing energy of Helping Hand.
"Report!" Sird's voice cut through the crackling of the dying fire outside.
"Madam, we've burned the corpses of the Beedrill," a grunt responded crisply. "A thorough search of the cabin reveals it to be empty, but we found evidence that someone was here just minutes ago."
"Show me," Sird demanded.
The grunt pointed to an oddly positioned bike leaning near the back corner of the cabin. Its tires were splattered with mud, and it looked like it had been abandoned in haste.
"We also found bare footprints in the mud outside."
"Bare footprints?" Sird muttered, her sharp eyes narrowing as she pieced together the details. Someone had been here recently—so recently, in fact, that they hadn't had time to cover their tracks.
"Madam," another grunt interjected, "we've also recovered Eevee fur near the forest trail a few meters from the cabin."
Sird's lips tightened into a thin line, her mind racing. This behavior—abandoning a bike, leaving behind footprints and fur—it all pointed to one thing: whoever had been here knew the value of the Eevee they carried. They hadn't stayed to fight but had fled with purpose.
"Set up a pincer movement," she commanded. "I want teams of two to sweep the back and both sides, heading in the direction of the footprints. I'll oversee the operation from the air."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Without another glance at the smoldering Beedrill corpses, Sird turned and strode back to the helicopter, her coat trailing behind her like a shadow.
The grunts snapped into action, their movements brisk as they organized into pairs. Each team checked their gear one final time before disappearing into the woods, their boots crunching against the scorched ground. The cabin emptied within moments, leaving behind only smoke, ash, and silence.
From his position in the chimney, Austin felt a wave of relief wash over him as he watched the helicopter take off. The rumble of its blades faded into the distance, and he allowed himself to breathe.
"Can we go down?" Nobunaga's voice was a barely audible whisper from below.
"Let's wait another fifteen minutes," Austin replied softly. His paranoia hummed in the back of his mind, warning him to be cautious. Better safe than sorry.
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Fifteen minutes later, Austin and Nobunaga climbed out of the chimney, their movements slow and deliberate. They emerged covered in soot, black streaks marring their faces and clothes. Neither of them said a word about their appearance; there was no time to care about cleaning up.
The smell outside was overpowering. The charred remnants of the Beedrill swarm filled the air with a sickening mix of ash and burnt chitin. It clung to their noses and throats, making it hard to breathe without coughing.
Inside the cabin, the duo sat in silence. Nobunaga's blank expression betrayed his trauma, his eyes fixated on the forest floor outside where the once-lush greenery was now scorched and lifeless.
Austin remained deep in thought, weighing their options. Running in the dead of night seemed suicidal—Team Rocket could still have scouts in the area, and making a move now could lead them straight into danger. He suspected Sird had moved toward Viridian City, but there was no guarantee she wouldn't double back.
"Austin, do you want to go to sleep?" Nobunaga's voice broke the heavy silence, pulling Austin from his thoughts.
"Yeah," Austin replied quietly. "But I can't sleep."
"Who were those people?"
"Team Rocket," Austin said bluntly. "They're bad people who steal and sell Pokémon."
"Oh…" Nobunaga's voice wavered slightly. "But why did they come here?"
"They're looking for a rare Pokémon in Viridian Forest," Austin replied, his tone neutral.
"How do you know that?"
"Before our fight, I ran into a few Team Rocket grunts. They said as much."
"Oh…"
The silence stretched again until Nobunaga spoke once more. "What now?"
"As soon as it's light, I'm heading to the spot on your map. From there, I'll make my way to Pewter City."
"Pewter's a few days away," Nobunaga pointed out, concern creeping into his voice. "Do you want me to come with you?"
"Thanks, but I think it's better if you head to Viridian City."
"What's the point? Gary's not going to pay me, and I haven't even finished bundling the silk strings properly," Nobunaga muttered, frustration clear in his voice.
Austin tossed his last remaining Poké Ball to Nobunaga, who caught it with a startled look.
"Catch yourself a Caterpie," Austin said, forcing a grin. "You'll have a business in Viridian Forest now."
Nobunaga blinked, his expression softening as his grip on the Poké Ball tightened. "Thank you. You're… a kind dude."
Austin managed a small smile, though it felt hollow. Inwardly, he couldn't ignore the truth.
Giving Nobunaga the Poké Ball wasn't entirely altruistic. It was tactical. By creating a sense of obligation, Austin hoped Nobunaga would think twice if Team Rocket ever tried to extract information from him.
Trust isn't free, Austin thought grimly, his eyes drifting back to the ash-stained forest outside. And neither is survival.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein