Why us? (Pokemon fanfic)

54- Almost home

By the next morning, filled with water from a stream and fresh berries, two Houndoom stood by my side, ready to lead me to the next town. Hopefully I'd be able to get there with minimum hassle. The day was peaceful though my nerves were tense. It was the first time I'd been outside in more then a month but relief was not something I'd accept just yet. The outdoors could be admired when I was safely home, for now it could wait.

My two Houndoom guards led the way both swiftly and silently with the elder of the two - Cerberus - traveling slightly ahead of me, slinking through the shadows with a sharp gaze on anything that moved so much as an inch. He scared away any wild Pokémon he saw with a snarl, something I felt bad about as my aura was a natural attraction for wild Pokémon but I more complex things to focus on then a few scared wild Pokémon.

I glanced over my shoulder, sighting the second Houndoom - Tracer - close behind me. She was a bit more placid then Cerberus but had a much sharper sense of hearing then her elder. I'd been told before we left that she was the offspring of the pack leader and an avid fighter for a Pokémon of her age.

"How much farther?" I questioned with an exhausted sigh as my rib cage still had yet to fully heal and was causing me quite some pain by lunch time.

The Houndoom in front of me paused, turning his head to me with a frustrated growl. ~Not much longer Voice of Purity just--~ He paused, pointed ears twitching as he looked beyond me at Tracer who's expression also turned hard. ~There is danger here, run, we will cover your back young Voice. You will find the red roofed building if you continue straight.~ Cerberus ordered, snarling at something I could not see nor hear.

Regardless, I nodded, fleeing from the scene as fast as I could manage to move. Like the Houndoom said, the Pokémon Centre was straight and I made it without much bother - though my foot did get snagged on a tree root which caused me to trip. I was winded by the fall and fell on a rock, further hurting my damaged ribcage. As I stumbled into the Pokémon Centre, I immediately catching Nurse Joy's attention. Her Wigglytuff was at my side in an instant, catching me as my knees buckled in pain and helping me into a chair.

~Oh dear,~ She muttered as Nurse Joy came to my side with a glass of water. ~Are you alright

"Are you okay sweetheart?" She questioned, unaware her Wigglytuff had asked the same thing. She joined her Pokémon by my side, handing me a glass of water as she lowered herself down and felt my forehead for signs of a fever.

I shook my head brushing her away as I took the water, drinking from it deeply. "I- I need a phone..." I told her quietly, wiping my eyes.

She smiled softly. "We have the PC's always available for use..."

Again, I shook my head. "I don't have my ID..." I looked up at Nurse Joy desperately. My X-transceiver had died a weeks ago and I couldn't charge it myself. "Please, I really need to call someone."

A look of pity filled the Nurse's eyes as she sighed softly. "Okay, you can make a phone call, but only for someone to come and get you, okay?"

I nodded eagerly as I tried to stand up. It felt better this time but that might be from the fact I was one phone call away from my freedom. Nurse Joy lead me to the room behind her desk where a landline sat on her desk, the rest of the room mattered little as I was again sat down and handed the phone.

Not missing a beat, I punched in the buttons as quickly as I could, of a phone number I'd long ago memorised - praying for the other side to pick up

"Hello?" A tired yet easily recognisable voice answered, a voice that filled me with relief just hearing it.

With a tired, yet honest smile, I answered. "Claire!"