章 25: It's Just Like Me
Taking off his blindfold, Jared found himself in a bathroom stall of the Tapu Battlegrounds. He scratched his head in wonderment, "I was told I would be sent somewhere randomly, but this was unexpected."
Then Jared lowered his head while thinking deeper, "No, perhaps that research facility is a part of the Tapu Battlegrounds, and the 'random' was meant to leave room for doubt."
While Gastly had been with him this whole time, and could likely help him unravel this mystery, he felt the less he knew about this the safer he would be. Curiosity killed the cat after all.
.
It was midday, and the bustling crowd filled the streets as Jared made his way out of the Tapu Battlegrounds. His mind was focused on the bank, where he was promised a substantial sum of money. Determined, he navigated through the throng of people, his eyes fixed on his goal.
After successfully withdrawing a thousand poke from the promised three thousand, Jared redirected his steps towards old town.
He took the opportunity to explore the local shops, carefully looking for deals so as not to waste his money, looking for supplies that he couldn't afford until now.
Once home, Jared began unpacking as Gastly unhelpfully floated around and observed.
"You said we can't go to the forest anymore, so what do we do now?" Gastly's voice echoed with a touch of concern.
Jared put away a can of beans, while replying, "Well yeah, if that thing finds us, we are probably dead meat."
"Maybe you."
Jared chuckled at the rare joke and quipped, "Well, it's pretty much the same outcome, isn't it? If I die, you'll be right behind me. The nightmare will come eventually."
Gastly let out a groan, "I get it... So, when can we go? I'm getting bored here."
"As soon as I'm done, Gastly. Patience."
"Can't you just eat bread? This is taking forever!"
A touch of annoyance crept into Jared's voice as he continued to mix the stew. "No, Gastly. Firstly, I'm tired of eating shitty bread. And if you're feeling bored, why not keep a lookout for any potential threats?"
Gastly's transparent eyes widened with a hint of scepticism. "Look out for what? There's never anything interesting happening in this alley."
Letting out a weary sigh, Jared paused his stirring motion for a moment. "Then train, Gastly. Practice your lick and hypnosis abilities on the wall or something. Find ways to sharpen your skills."
Gastly's amorphous form wavered, as if contemplating Jared's suggestion. "I... I understand. I'll do my best."
While leaning in to taste the stew, Jared muttered to himself, "Could use a bit of salt... and Gastly is already loafing around isn't he."
Through their connection, Jared could sense Gastly's movements and activities, even when they were physically apart. "Gastly is getting better at expressing himself with words, but he needs to mature faster. This world is getting more dangerous by the day, at least for me... He still acts like an annoying child when what I need is for him to become so much more."
Jared's gaze shifted, his eyes narrowing as he contemplated the future. "Participating in the Tapu Battlegrounds may be a risky decision, but from what I've read, fighting in front of a crowd is the quickest path to strengthen myself and Gastly. Even if there are consequences down the line, I can no longer choose the safest road anymore when at any second I could lose my life."
Sipping his stew thoughtfully, Jared felt Gastly's emotions intensify through their mental connection. Gastly seemed bothered by something, yet they were too far apart to share their thoughts effectively.
Unable to ignore the growing intensity of Gastly's emotions, Jared finally put down the ladle, a sense of annoyance creeping in. "What's bothering you this time... Fine, I'll let the stew cool down for now and see what's going on." Reluctantly, he slipped on his worn sneakers, preparing to venture outside.
The warm afternoon sun cast its gentle glow upon the surroundings, while a cold breeze swept through the air, creating a contrasting sensation on Jared's skin.
Following the inexplicable pull, Jared's eyes scanned the dilapidated houses lining the street until they settled on one particular dwelling. "He shouldn't be randomly entering people's houses," Jared muttered under his breath.
As he drew closer, Jared's could now hear Gastly's thoughts. Intrigued, he mentally called out to Gastly, seeking answers. "Gastly, what are you doing in there?"
"It's just like me... you must help," Gastly responded, its ethereal voice resonating with a mix of urgency and desperation.
Jared couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness as he projected his thoughts back. "You're not making any sense, and besides, it's broad daylight. I can't just break into someone's house for you to show me something. What if someone's home?"
"No one's home, but the child won't last much longer. I think the air is bad," Gastly replied, his voice tinged with worry.
"The air is bad? What are you talking about?" Jared's confusion grew as he struggled to comprehend the situation.
"He's tied up! Tied up!" Gastly's words pierced through Jared's consciousness, sending a chill down his spine.
Realization hit Jared like a bolt of lightning. "A kidnapping? Damn it, you've got to be kidding me. This is the last thing I need right now," he cursed under his breath, his frustration evident. "Get out of there, Gastly. We're going back. I'm not a damn detective, and I—"
Despite Jared's attempts to reason with Gastly, the Pokémon's impatience and insistence only grew more pronounced.
"Stupid Jared, save him now!" Gastly's voice resonated with frustration.
Jared's irritation spiked, and he responded sternly, "I've explained this already, you stubborn brat. We'll tip off the police, and they will handle it."
"There's no time! If he dies, I won't forgive you!" Gastly's words carried a mix of urgency and desperation.
Jared shook his head, contemplating the situation. "Damn him," he thought. "Since when does a ghost care about the living?" Conflicting emotions swirled within him. He didn't want to risk entering the house, but he also couldn't ignore the possibility of permanently damaging his relationship with Gastly. If Gastly refused to cooperate with him going forward after this, then that would sever his path forward. He couldn't allow that to happen.
Glancing around to ensure that no one was nearby, Jared let out a frustrated curse. "Damn it, I'm going in."
Jared hesitantly reached for the door handle, only to find it locked.
Almost as if anticipating this obstacle, Gastly's voice echoed in Jared's mind. "There's an open window in the back."
Maneuvering around to the back of the house, and making sure nobody had spotted him, Jared quickly climbed through the open window. As he entered, a wave of musty air engulfed his senses, tinged with the smell of decay and neglect. The small, decrepit home appeared worn and weathered, its walls adorned with peeling wallpaper and cracks. Dim light filtered through the tattered curtains, casting eerie shadows across the room.
Taking a moment to assess the surroundings, Jared's eyes scanned the room, searching for any signs of the kidnapped child. His gaze fell upon a small, worn-out sofa in one corner, its fabric stained and worn from years of use. The atmosphere inside the house felt heavy, as if holding the weight of its secrets and troubled history.
"So, what am I looking for?"
"Under the floor, quick! It's right here, can't you see?"
Jared's brow furrowed in confusion. "No, I can't see any cellar or way to go down. Am I supposed to rip up the floorboards? Just show me already!"
Suddenly he heard footsteps ascending the stairs outside. Panic gripped him. "You've got to be kidding me. Is that the damned owner of this house? Is my luck truly this abysmal?"
The sound of a key being inserted into the lock further confirmed his fears. "Of course it is," Jared groaned inwardly, recognizing the approaching presence as the homeowner.
With a surge of adrenaline, Jared darted into the bathroom, seeking a hiding spot. Finding one, he crouched behind the old bathing basin, his heart pounding in his chest.
In a hushed whisper, he mentally communicated with Gastly, conveying the urgency of the situation. "Gastly, the owner of this house is home!"
"I know, I can see everything in the house. What do we do?"
A vein pulsed in Jared's temple, "Not me, you. Put him to sleep with hypnosis," he commanded Gastly, urgency lacing his projected thoughts.
Jared soon heard a dull thud, followed by Gastly's voice in his mind. "Okay, he's asleep."
With caution, Jared emerged from his hiding spot. His instinct was to make a quick escape through the front door, but he sensed Gastly's growing hostility through their bond. He hesitated and, instead of opening the door, he pretended it was his intention to lock it all along.
His true thoughts, however, were different. "I'm not a damn hero or a detective, and I can't afford to draw attention to myself. If they find out about Gastly, I'm in serious trouble, and I can't go around solving every injustice or sooner or later I'm going to die like a dog, not being able to accomplish a thing!"
Speaking through their telepathic connection, Jared commanded, "Gastly, come out here and show me the way."
Following Gastly's ethereal form, Jared navigated the bedroom until they reached a corner. With a sense of uncertainty, Jared fumbled around for a moment, his fingers finally finding purchase on a few loose floorboards. Using his fingernails, he carefully removed them, revealing a dug-out basin beneath, about a foot and a half deep.
Besides the pungent stench of decay that permeated the air for a moment, Jared's gaze fell upon three lifeless husks, their emaciated forms bearing only remnants of skin clinging desperately to their bones.
As Jared stepped into the hole, he found a boy curled up in a corner. With tousled brown hair and tear-stained cheeks, he lay motionless. His clothing torn and dirty.
"Fuck..." Jared's voice trailed off.
Startled by the sound, the slumbering boy weakly opened his tired blue eyes, but uncertainty gave life to his gaze. "Who are you?"
Caught off guard by the sudden awakening, Jared paused for a moment, his true name lingering on the tip of his tongue. However, realizing the need for caution, he quickly altered his response, shortening his name instead, "It's J... I mean, Red. And you? Are you hurt?"
Fear and vulnerability mingled in Mele's voice as he spoke. "I'm Mele. Are you here to save me? Is he not coming back?"
Jared's expression softened, "No, don't worry about him. You're safe now, Mele. Can you move?" Swiftly, Jared untied the ropes that bound the young boy, extending his hand as a lifeline.
Once again, Mele nodded, mustering a flicker of trust as he reached out and allowed Jared to lift him from the pit.
After assisting Mele in climbing out of the hole, Jared noticed the boy's unsteady footing. Concerned, he gently asked, "How long were you down there? And where are your parents?"
Mele coughed, his voice strained. "Home?"
Jared's brow furrowed, sensing something amiss in Mele's response. "Home...? Um, then where were you living until now?"
"The Inner City," Mele replied weakly.
Curiosity piqued Jared's interest at the mention of the Inner City, however, he refrained from delving further into the matter. Rising to his feet, he made a decision. "Alright, well, you must be thirsty. Stay here for a moment."
Taking the ropes with him, Jared moved into another room. He securely tied up the unconscious man, and dragging him out of sight, ensuring that Mele wouldn't have to see him on their way out.
Returning him a cup of water, he offered it to the boy, "Here, drink this, and then I'll take you to get help."
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