Ash Ketchum: Hunt For Jade Dragon

Ch. 29 A Rude Awakening

Grand Hi-Lai Hotel

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

It was almost three in the morning when I was woken by a knock at my door. I stumbled to it. "Who's there?"

Clemont rolled over and mumbled something but didn't wake. "Ash," Brock said. "It's me."

I walked to the door and opened it. Calem and Brock were both standing in the hallway. "What is it?"

"Marnie just got back to her room," Brock said. "She's been out all night."

"All right," I said. "Let's see where she's been."

I put on some pants, and we walked over to Serena and Marnie's room. I knocked on the door and Marnie answered. She looked afraid.

"Where have you been?" Brock asked.

"None of your business," she said.

"Your business is our business," he replied.

"Where have you been, Marnie?" I asked.

"Out," she said.

We all just stared at her.

"Look, I know you guys hate me, all right? It's not exactly a secret. I didn't want to hang out with any of you either. You okay with that?" She glanced over at Brock.

"I don't trust her," he said. "She looks like we caught her doing something. Her heart her is beating faster than usual."

"It's been beating faster than usual since I saw your suicide plan to attack the Starxource plant. If Cyrus catches me, he's going to torture me for helping you. Am I supposed to be calm?"

"Maybe we should have Serena read her mind," Calem said." Ask where she's been."

"Fine," she said. "Have your girlfriend read my mind. Like I care what any of you dorks think."

I looked over. Serena stirred. "We'll do it in the morning," I said.

Brock pointed at Marnie. "You watch yourself."

"I don't need to," she said. "You watch everything, you pervert."

Brock's face hardened. I thought he might punch her.

"Let's go," I said, taking Brock by the arm.

"She's bad," he said. "To the core."

We went back to our rooms to get some sleep.