"so she's the only one who got attacked?" my look at the ranger was skeptical because I didn't want to believe that the organization she works for somehow became lax enough that a Rocket Executive of all people managed to slip through the cracks to go inside Ilex Forest. It was simply too hard to believe.

Unaware of my thoughts, the Ranger nodded in confirmation, "yes, I admit, we're slightly at fault," okay, maybe they thought about it, fair, "especially me since I was the last person Whitney spoke with and according to Kurt, there weren't any real problems in the forest throughout most of the expedition, and from what we really knew, there wasn't," she shook her head solemnly after she said that, "but still, we're at fault and me even more so and I'm sorry for letting your friend get attacked like that."

I ignored the fact that Kurt apparently patrols the forest as I did my best to not call her as well as the Ranger's incompetency out. Getting mad doesn't have much use right now, "okay, but another question," she nodded once, nudging me to continue, "what the hell was up with the Rocket Executive that Whitney encountered? I don't think those guys are common enough that you can find them in Ilex Forest during a trainer's survival assessment test," I pointed out.

She nodded, agreeing, "you're... right, and that's exactly why we think that this is all targeted," I nodded, I knew that was the case somewhat. I've heard Whitney say something about her saying that she was supposed to be exchanged for someone else after she's kidnapped but that's just more confusion on my part, who was she getting exchanged for?

The thought of who that someone is made me wince but I haven't really confirmed any of that yet have I? I needed more information before I start assuming things. 'I really need to practice my ability to sense people's thoughts,'

"obviously this is all targeted, but how did the Executive even pass if the forest is heavily guarded?"

"that's a question that we've been considering ever since the attack and what you've said about the Rocket Executive, since Rocket sent someone of that caliber to attack Whitney, it adds more evidence that this is a targeted attack but without any more proof, we won't know how he passed through the other rangers without so much as being noticed, as for the question if this is really targeted then we won't know until we have more proof,"

"what do you mean more proof? Whitney literally said that the Executive told her that she's gonna get exchanged for someone! The entire thing was deliberate on Team Rocket's part!" I argued, not voicing anything related to the reality they failed to catch the executive to begin with! That he managed to escape even though the forest was filled with Rangers during that time! "she was almost kidnapped and you won't believe her word for it?"

"we did not say that," she replied calmly, "and the Executive may or may not have said that to manipulate her into compliance, after all, he did say that if she came willingly, then her Pokemon won't get killed," she added, her tone now having a hint of professionalism, "it may be possible that any other student would've faced the same treatment, we do not know for sure if Whitney has been purposefully targeted and-" okay, so they're focusing on the whole "targeted" part of the problem and not the fact that a higher up of Team Rocket slipped past their group and entered into a forest full of young trainers to potentially kidnap them, "- because of that, we can never be truly sure and jumping into conclusions may be a bad start at finding the executive's motives,"

The way she seriously said all that almost convinced me that she was genuine but even if I was suspicious, I didn't have it in me to argue back and forth so I adjusted and nodded in reply to show that I understood, "okay? but what does his motives have to do with anything?" was my last question, then I'll leave her be.

"as you said, the fact that Whitney may be targeted can be true but we couldn't rule out the possibility that the other students may be in the same danger as her and it just so happens to be that she's the victim in this particular scenario, concluding that it's only her being targeted and her alone may put them in similar risks in the future, during a time where the Rangers won't suspect a thing," she replied, "and the leading investigations may not get anywhere because of false leads," my eyebrows furrowed and I was about to tell her that I never said anything like that but she quickly continued and ended the conversation, "in any case, I must ask you that I'm going to leave, there are other students within Ilex Forest during the TSAT and we Rangers need to know if they found anything suspicious during their time there, have a good day," she bowed and left.

It took an Officer Jenny pointing out to me that he may have teleported in the forest using his Exeggutor in order to enter and leave it silently.

...

Standing in front of the hospital felt... weird. I guess, it felt weird. All my life, including the first one, I've only been inside a hospital twice, I didn't have the need to go inside of one after all. And when times where I should've entered did come up, well, I was still to young to see some of the people that I knew die in front of me so I was left back in our house to wait for them to come home inside a casket.

The very first time I entered one officially was after I've been attacked, it happened twice, and both times, I've only woken up inside of the hospital bed and nothing else.

This would be the very first time that I walked inside of one on my own.

And like anyone in my situation, I thought that it would feel more... more. I guess? But I didn't feel anything as I walked through the doors and into the lobby, walked over to the blonde woman wearing formal attire, came face to face with a receptionist sitting in her desk, and then asked her where Whitney's room was. It was all mundane, normal.

Which is a very bad way of putting it after you see other people wrapped up in bandages, wearing slings, and holding crutches waiting in the lobby.

And feeling like that feels like a disrespect to Whitney because my friend hadn't taken her experience with the Rocket Executive all too well and for a while after she was rescued, she didn't want any visitors and from what I know, the only person who came was her mother and the second was, well, me. She said that she didn't want to see her Dad or anyone else for the time being and I can see why, with her and her Dad being in a hostile relationship and the prideful Whitney not wanting any pitiful looks from other people, I can understand why she decided to hole herself up.

Thankfully though, no one seems to mind and her father gave her space. With the Gym Leader thinking that it was because Whitney decided to put her journey off for the time being and even though he told his wife to tell her that he understands, Whitney's stance on the matter didn't change. She didn't get a visit from him so far.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"it's in room 204," the receptionist answered after a brief look on her computer,

"thank you," I said with a bow of my head.

Before I left, I looked around the lobby and grimaced. Being psychic had its problems sometimes but going inside a room full of depressed, desparate people who were waiting for themselves or their loved ones to recover successfully is on the top ten to never, ever do. It was depressing, and feeling their own depression gave me quite literally, tugged on my heart strings. My heart was racing even though I wasn't feeling anything strong from them but sadness and depression doesn't have to be overbearing to bring down your mood and do the worst things to you.

I walked away from the lobby with a pace that would've made my Grimer use Shadow Sneak to keep up.

Walking into the elevator, I waited for a teenage girl with shoulder-length black hair to enter. I stopped before I was about to press the button, turned to the girl and asked, "where to?" she felt oddly familiar and I was slightly tempted to test out a bit of psychic probing on her but held back, Espers weren't allowed to do that and there were laws that made Pokemon stop from doing things like these, let alone me.

When she didn't answer, I asked again, "I'm on 207," she said with a gruff voice that felt forced,

With a ding, the elevator started moving and soft music started to play. I didn't think it was enough though and to pass the time, I tried to talk to the girl, "so, uh, asthma?" I winced when she glared at me, "sorry, a bit insensitive there,"

"it's fine," she replied simply.

The rest of the ride felt awkward after that and as we went up the fourth floor, I couldn't help but stealthily glance at my companion. She was wearing rather cheap clothes but I noticed a pretty expensive Pokewatch is on her wrist and on her neck hung a necklace, the chains were worn from age but the blue orb on her chest glistened brightly still.

I thought that it was a great topic to start talking with her again, "so uh, is that necklace given to you?" I said and for once, her face adapted an expression that wasn't boredom, wariness, or outright hostility. She looked curious, I pushed, "that must be pretty important to you huh?"

"not as much as you would think," she growled and pulled her hair back to fix the necklace on her neck and I didn't know if I was hallucinating or not but I was sure I saw a hint of red somewhere in there, "did you dye your hair?" her eyes went wide in alarm and I decided to take a step back conversation wise, "well I thought that it looked pretty important, since you're still wearing it even though it looks worn and all that, I assumed that someone important gave it to you, I'm sorry,"

Her face became resigned, "close, and you're partially right," her answer got me confused for a second, then I realized that she just answered both my questions normally and then I also realized that her voice had now gotten normal. Before I could voice it, she continued, "I was told that this stone held power," she said, rubbing the orb, "and Dad didn't object to anything at all when Mom gave me both the chain and the stone so I decided to wear it everyday, that's why its worn,"

I nodded, "huh, cool," was my simple reply but I was glad that it didn't offend her because she gave a nod with a small smile in retort to that. I didn't voice out the fact that her voice had gotten better, since it makes her hostile. A normal reaction when someone calls out something your insecure about- which what most people feel for diseases.

Another ding and the doors opened, revealing completely white halls that weren't painful to look at yet made the place look clean and pristine, "I'm going now," I waved goodbye.

Something at the back of my head tinged when I walked through the doors. I turned around and came face to face with my companion's harsh glare, a napkin on her hand and a Pokeball on the other, I sighed, "I don't think the hospitals let trainers battle," I told her,

"I- I wasn't..." she glared.

And I walked away, I was pretty occupied right now and dealing with one rousy girl (Whitney,) was already bad enough. I didn't need another, and besides, my friend needed me currently.

She was in a worse state than I thought.

The annoying and admittedly, violent (that was improving,) girl that I hung out with last month was nowhere to be seen and what's lying on the bed in front of me looked like a poor husk that looked lifeless. If swear she looked dead if she wasn't breathing.

From the last time I saw her, I could say that the Whitney a month ago was a slightly chubby girl with growing curves and baby fat on her face.

Right now? She looked like she hasn't eaten anything in a year.

I stepped into her room, noting that the place was devoid of any decorations that she said she would prefer if she ever stays inside a hospital for more than two days. She complained about it back when we encountered that Magneton and I thought that she would have complained about it when her mother came to visit but I guess she didn't.

"who starved you?" was what I started with, it was more for concern than anything but I also didn't really want to piss her off right now by sounding like I was insensitive. From the way she perked up, I did good. Whitney met my eyes with a tired gaze, "you look like you haven't eaten in a week, you okay?"

"do I look like I'm okay?" she said weakly, her body starting to sag back to her sheets, I raised the basket of berries I got for her, "I don't think I have the mood for anything right now,"

"atleast try the Orans," I walked over and dropped the basket on the stand right next to her bed, "you should gain your weight back,"

"just... don't. Don't talk," she looked at me listlessly, "nothing,"

"not even-"

"nada,"

"okay,"

"what did I say?"

And so, another round of silence ensued. With me feeling slightly more comfortable since I was around Whitney and I thought that this would help with her current mental state. She probably doesn't even feel safe currently, even if she's inside a hospital full of capable guards.

"you know that it isn't your fault though right?" I broke the silence

"damn right it is," she replied quickly, "and I told you not to talk to me didn't I?" I nodded, but raised a hand. She punched it.

"fine, talk," she said, sounding genuinely guilty.

"okay, so, you know how that guy slipped into the forest?" she nodded slowly, "I don't think that it's your fault,"

"you just repeated what you said,"

"I don't know how to comfort someone, sue me,"

Her body dropped and she covered herself in her sheets. The pillow was pulled under the next second, dissapearing into the blob that had risen in the sheets. A few more seconds passed and Whitney's pink hair bobbed out, then her head, her pink eyes met mine, "I'm not that weak you know..."

"you don't exactly give me that feeling right now," I replied,

"well it's because you already got me tired of dealing with you!" I raised an eyebrow, she sighed, "come on Lionel, don't you see it? you just repeated what you said, twice. And without noticing that I agreed with you!" the pillow got squeezed, "of course I know that I wasn't at fault!"

"if you think about it, my words of comfort do sound half baked huh? how would saying you weren't at fault help with anything?"

"it wasn't- no, it- maybe?" she stuttered, "I... ran inside Ilex Forest to search for a souvenir to bring back and it was too late when I noticed that I was in danger," she sagged even further into the bed somehow, "I also knew that the forest was a bit suspicious because I already felt a psychic attack a few weeks before I met that guy but I still went in there regardless,"

"you can't blame yourself for that," I comforted, "it had been weeks since you last saw anything suspicious before you got attacked and besides, it was supposed to be the end of the TSAT, of course your guard will be down,"

"I know but-"

I grabbed an Oran Berry from the basket, "it's fine, it's not your fault," I handed her the healing item, "here," she took it and started nibbling. She sat up halfway through.

"I've decided, I think I wanna work for the day care,"

"really?"

"mhmm," she hummed, "I don't think I can stomach the fact that I'll be hunted down when I'm out there, journeying alone,"

What does she mean alone?... I kept my thoughts in check. If she feels this way, then fine, but what's going to happen to the timeline? I know I may have botched it by a little bit and Palkia running around and messing with Mt. Silver didn't help with matters at all but Whitney, I think, is meant to be a Gym Leader and making her stray from that sounds like a bad idea.

I didn't say anything and supported her instead, "good luck with that,"