Chapter 3

SLEEPLESS

I can't tell if I'll make it on my own

Maybe one day I can learn to see this through

And I can't tell if I'll make it on my own

Tell me, do you know the feeling?

Maybe one day I can learn to see this through

And I just gotta hear you say

Tell me you need me as much as I need you

'Cause really I'm just sleepless without you

- Thousand Below

I

Sarah's horrifying face loomed over Seth. Her once radiant afro now matted with blood, her ebony skin drained of life, and her dead eyes locked onto his! "YOU CAN'T SAVE HIM!" She screamed. Seth jolted upright Erin and Vulpix next to him asleep.

II

"Vulpix, use Fire Spin!" Seth commanded. Vulpix swiftly darted around Staravia, emitting a scorching stream of fire that coiled and twirled, forming a blazing pillar that towered over the giant bird. It took a moment to regain its composure before soaring back into the sky. "Vulpix, get ready," Seth called out. "Remember, we're not trying to seriously harm it. If I can catch it and befriend it, that would be far better." It hovered above Vulpix, expanding its wingspan. Suddenly, a fierce gust of wind surged from Staravia's wings, propelling Vulpix into the air. She spiraled then crashed down on the ground.

"Go, Vulpix!" Erin's enthusiastic voice echoed as he cheered on from a nearby rock, seated next to Emily.

"Vulpix, let's go for a Quick Attack!" Vulpix vanished from sight, utilizing its speed to close the gap between itself and Staravia in an instant. She tackled Staravia to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Seth continued, "On the counterattack, unleash Hypnosis!" Vulpix nodded in understanding. As Staravia regained its footing and took to the sky once more, it swiftly darted towards Vulpix with renewed determination. Undeterred, Vulpix stood firm, its six tails waving back and forth in a mesmerizing rhythm. As Staravia approached, its movements began to slow down, influenced by the hypnotic sway of Vulpix's tails. It struggled, its movements becoming sluggish with each passing moment. Finally, unable to resist any longer, it dropped to the ground beside Vulpix, succumbing to the effects of the Hypnosis.

Seth carefully placed a Yache Berry in front of the awakening Staravia, its cries gradually subsiding. The Pokémon fixed its gaze on Seth, a mixture of confusion and distress evident in its eyes. "Why were you out here alone?" Seth asked.

"I've never seen a Staravia separated from its flock before," Emily remarked. "Perhaps it got kicked out or got lost."

As Staravia stood up and began eating the Yache Berry, it seemed to regain some composure. Seth approached it cautiously and asked, "Do you want to come with us?" It locked eyes with Seth, its expression filled with determination and a sense of pride. Finally, it nodded its head, accepting Seth's offer. With a Pokéball in hand, Seth held it out towards Staravia, and a radiant red light enveloped the bird Pokémon. The Pokéball shook three times before falling still in Seth's hand, indicating a successful capture.

Erin glanced at his father. "Why didn't you just catch it while it was still asleep, dad?"

"If a Pokémon doesn't want to be caught, it's either going to be uncooperative or, more likely, run off as soon as it's released." Erin's began clapping, unable to contain his joy at the new addition to their team. "Thanks for the applause, Erin. Do you want to play with Staravia?" Seth asked, a warm smile on his face.

"Um, yes!" Erin exclaimed excitedly. As Staravia was released from its Pokéball, Erin immediately lunged towards it, attempting to tackle the flying Pokémon. But Staravia swiftly evaded, soaring upwards to avoid the playful collision. Erin's curly black hair blowing in the gust created by Staravia. Erin ended up sprawling on the grass, while Staravia perched on his back, emitting a playful squawk.

"I'm glad I was finally able to catch another Pokémon, especially before facing Brock," Seth remarked, while rubbing short beard.

She chimed in, offering her perspective. "Yeah, but I wouldn't recommend using Staravia in a Rock-type gym battle."

Seth nodded in agreement. "True, I'm still kicking myself for not catching that Golduck. I was so certain it would want to join our team. That's why I had to be cautious with Staravia."

Emily shifted the focus to their journey ahead. "Are you ready to start walking and make up some mileage?"

"Yeah, let's hit the road. Erin, Staravia, come on!" Seth called.

III

As the days of walking alongside Seth and Erin, Emily found herself gradually opening up to the idea of trusting Seth. At first, she had been skeptical, wary of letting someone new into her life. I mean when the fuck did she ever let that happen. But as she observed Seth's interactions with Erin, she couldn't help but notice the genuine love and care he bestowed upon his son. It was a stark contrast to the cold indifference she had experienced from her own mother's last actions that plagued her whole life.

Emily watched Seth tirelessly train his Pokémon—Vulpix, Mankey, Grotle, and Staravia—day after day. His dedication and commitment to their growth and well-being were evident. He pushed them to their limits, challenging them to become stronger and more skilled. It impressed her how Seth balanced discipline and encouragement, always striving to improve.

However, amidst their journey, Emily occasionally caught glimpses of Seth's vulnerability. In the quiet of the night, she would hear him across the camp stir in his sleep, his voice calling out for someone named Sarah, probably the wife he lost, pleading for her to leave him alone. It was a pain that seemed to consume him in his dreams. Emily couldn't help but feel sympathy for Seth, recognizing the depth of his struggle. She realized that his journey with Erin went beyond just physical safety—it was a quest for healing and redemption. Through witnessing his vulnerability, she saw a side of Seth that touched her heart, making her understand his love for Erin. The trek through Mt. Moon's foothills provided the needed break from the loneliness and hate that she has carried for so long. Part of her was dreading that end to come.

IV

The descent along the sloping path leading to Pewter City brought a welcome respite for Seth. Carrying Erin on his shoulders, the sluggish pace of Grotle's movements while carrying Erin, and the constant distractions of his son, Seth found solace in the gradual descent of the landscape. As they made their way, Erin's incessant stream of questions continued unabated. "Dad, what are we doing now?" Erin's voice rang out..

Seth let out an exasperated sigh, mentally counting the number of times he had answered this very question in the past few hours. "Erin, we're still walking in the woods on Route 3, just like we were 30 minutes ago, and even 24 hours ago." Emily, who had been trailing behind, couldn't help but chuckle at the irritation radiating off him.

The trees gradually gave way to open fields, and the narrow path they were following led them to a small town called Stable City. Underneath the town sign, a chilling sight greeted them: a man and a woman, presumably spouses, swinging gently in the breeze. Sarah's naked body swinging next to them. Blood poured down where her feet used to be. The sign attached to them read, "Debtors." Erin, feeling perplexed, asked his father, "Daddy, why are they up there?" Seth's eyes fixed on Sarah. His pale white skin seemed to somehow grow even paler. Erin grasped his hand and asked again. "Daddy, who are they?" Seth continued to stare at Sarah.

Emily, picking up Erin, "It's okay Erin, come here." She looked at Seth. Noticing that he was looking at an empty part of the sign where the two bodies were not hung up. "Seth, what are you staring at?" Still nothing from him. As she shook his shoulder she yelled at him, "Seth!"

He took a moment to collect his thoughts before replying, "Let's keep moving." Emily stood there confused for a few moments then put Erin down so he could scurry back on Grotle. The group proceeded under the swinging figures and entered the town. As Seth looked back he noticed Sarah's head completely turned backwards, her mouth unhinged, staring at him. The town exuded an atmosphere of desolation, matching the somberness of its entrance. The streets were eerily quiet, with most of the buildings abandoned and showing signs of neglect. As Seth surveyed the surroundings, his attention was caught by a light pole adorned with a wanted poster. The poster featured a bald man with a crooked nose, a scar tracing down his right cheek, and a sturdy build. Above the man's image, a staggering bounty of seven thousand was offered, accompanied by the words "Dead or Alive, The Pewter City Brute." Below the bounty, a detailed description outlined. Approach with extreme caution. The Pewter City Brute is considered highly dangerous and uses a scyther. Report any sightings or information to the local authorities immediately. Payment generously provided by the concerned citizens of Pewter City.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"Seven thousand fucking dollars!" Emily exclaimed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Seth, looks like we're becoming bounty hunters."

Seth shook his head, "Emily, you do you. But it's not worth the risk."

A thoughtful expression crossed Emily's face as she weighed the possibilities. Her smile grew wider, complimenting the freckles that littered her face. "Well, damn. Looks like I'll be claiming that bounty all for myself."

"We've been on the road for nearly a week now," Seth said. "How about we find a good meal and split a room for the night?"

"That sounds amazing." She said with enthusiasm.

V

The room offered a slight improvement from the gloom of the town, providing a much-needed break from the hard ground and cramped tent. The warmth of the water felt soothing as Seth and Erin cleaned themselves. However, the tranquility was shattered when Erin's innocent face turned troubled, his eyes filled with concern. "Daddy, I don't want to die," Erin confessed, his voice trembling with fear.

Seth's heart ached at his son's words. He knelt down, looking directly into Erin's eyes. "Erin, why would you say something like that? I would never let anything happen to you. I promise."

Erin's tears began to flow, his voice choked with sadness. "But Mommy died, and I miss her. I'm afraid that I will go to sleep and never wake up, just like Mommy."

Seth's frustration mixed with his own deep sorrow. His tone grew harsher, not out of anger towards Erin, but out of his own insecurity to protect his son. "Erin, I promise you, nothing will happen to us. I won't let anything harm you."

"B.. but.. but Mommy isn't here I miss her. I don't want to die. I don't want to be under a tree."

"Nothing is going to fucking happen to you!" Seth snapped. Erin's sobs filled the room, their echoes amplifying the heavy atmosphere. Seth's words had only added to the tension, and he immediately regretted his outburst. "I'm sorry, Erin. I didn't mean to snap. Come here." He reached out, taking Erin's trembling hand and pulling him into a comforting embrace. Seth held his son tightly, trying to soothe both their fears.

Sarah's grotesque face now inches from Seth's. Her eyes bore into his soul, and he could see the veins protruding in her decaying neck. Her mouth stretched open unnaturally wide as she repeated her haunting words, "You can't save him. You can't save him. YOU CAN'T SAVE HIM! YOU CAN'T SAVE HIM!"

"Erin, I love you." Seth said to his son, ignoring the manifestation in his mind.

"I love you, too daddy".

VI

Seth lay there, his gaze locked with Sarah's blood-soaked foot, inches from his face. "Let me try that again," still holding his throat Butch bends down closer, "where is my fucking money." Seth jolted upright in bed, his heart pounding against his chest as his screams pierced the air. The room, dimly lit and suffocating, seemed to close in on him, suffused with an eerie stillness. As he turned his head to scan the surroundings, the ghastly face of Sarah's lifeless corpse filled his vision, her mouth contorted in a scream that reverberated at full volume: "YOU CAN'T SAVE HIM!" The sheer terror gripped Seth, his screams blending with the haunting echoes of Sarah's voice. "Shut up, shut the fuck up," he pleaded, desperate to drown out the tormenting specter. But the room offered nothing from the onslaught of his own mind.

Then, a forceful slap struck the side of Seth's face, snapping him out of the nightmarish trance. Emily kneeled before him. "Seth, fucking look at me," she commanded, her voice cutting through the chaos. Seth's senses began to reconnect with reality, his trembling body slowly becoming aware of his surroundings. Erin's cries pierced through the haze, a heartrending plea for his mother's presence. Vulpix, growling at Seth, positioning itself steadfastly in front of Erin. Emily approached, picking up Erin. "I'm taking Erin for a walk to calm him down, are you okay with that?"

"I... I... don't..." he stammered, the weight of his words seemingly stretching into eternity, mingling with the rapid rhythm of his hyperventilation.

"Seth I have been with you for over a week, if I was going to hurt you guys I would have. Please let me help him," she pleaded.

Seth struggled to find his voice amidst the lingering panic, his tears welling up as he nodded weakly. Emily gently closed the door behind her, leaving Seth alone in the room. Vulpix curled up in his lap, offering a comforting presence. In the stillness of the room, he allowed himself to release the pent-up emotions, his tears flowing freely.

VII

As Emily entered the room, Erin on her shoulder, asleep and drooling, she found Seth in the same position, seemingly calmer than before. She gently laid Erin down on the bed, making sure he was comfortable, before settling herself on the floor, leaning against the nightstand positioned between the beds. Vulpix pranced over towards her and she fed her fingers through Vulpix's golden curls. The silence hung in the air, giving Seth the space he needed to open up.

"Thank you for Erin," Seth finally spoke.

"No problem," Emily replied softly, her voice filled with understanding. "I told him you had a bad dream and that you were okay."

Seth sighed, his gaze fixed on a distant point in the room. "I keep seeing her," he confessed. "Sarah, his mother, my wife. I keep seeing her face, the way I found her... lifeless. And she keeps screaming, 'I can't save him.'"

Emily listened attentively, "You know that it's just in your mind," she offered, trying to provide some reassurance.

"I know," Seth acknowledged. "But that doesn't bring me any relief. The images, the screams... they haunt me." Silence enveloped the room once again, Emily grappling with the difficulty of finding the right words to console Seth in his anguish. "I miss her so much. I'm so sleepless without the real her and this image in mind won't fucking stop."

"About two years ago, I heard of a rumor of a Team Rocket training operation in the Hollow Mountains north of Cerulean City," Emily began, her voice steady but tinged with the weight of her past. "I was sleeping on the ground in a shallow cave when suddenly, I found myself pinned down by Devin, the member of Team Rocket who had bought me, on his cold concrete floor. I felt suffocated by his presence, his repulsive breath. At that moment, I was trapped, unable to escape the episode. I don't know how long it lasted, but the impact of that trauma... it stays with you."

She paused, searching for the right words to continue. "The point is, Seth, we never truly get over our trauma. I had the luxury of dealing with it in my own way, without burdening others. But you... you don't have that luxury. You have Erin to think about. You need to find a way to manage your own pain, to keep it in check, for his sake. I don't have all the answers, but you have to figure it out. Basically pull it the fuck together."

"Did you ever find that Team Rocket operation?" he asked.

Emily nodded, her gaze drifting to a Pokéball in her hand. "I did. I stumbled upon an outpost hidden within the mountains, with dozens of cells holding different Pokemon. But one discovery shook me to the core," she revealed. She released Arctibax, its blue body and icy fin immediately cooling the room. "Frigibax, before he evolved, was being forced to feed on his own mother's flesh. The sight of the Baxcalibur, the decayed remains of his mother, was horrifying,"

"Fuck," Seth muttered.

Emily's expression softened as she reached out to stroke Arctibax's head gently. "Me and Larion killed the half-dozen Team Rocket members running that outpost and released the imprisoned Pokemon. Arctibax, however, chose to stay by my side," she explained. Emily couldn't help but chuckle as she felt the cold emanating from Arctibax's icy body. "Alright, Arc, you're freezing me out. Time to go back," she said, recalling him into its Pokéball. She extended her hand to Seth, who gratefully took it and pulled himself up from the floor.

"Thanks again, Emily," Seth expressed.

"No problem at all, but remember, you owe me dinner next time," Emily replied with a playful grin. They both retreated to their separate beds, fully aware that sleep would elude them for the remainder of the night.

VIII

The road to Pewter City seemed to pass by quickly. Seth and his team made the most of the journey, utilizing the time to engage in intense training sessions. Vulpix, Mankey, and Staravia received special attention as Seth focused on their speed. Meanwhile, Grotle, carrying Erin on its back, practiced its grass-type moves. Erin would point out targets—rocks or sturdy trees—and yell "attack the bad guy." Grotle would unleash razor-sharp leaves, slicing through the air with precision. It also showcased its strength by uprooting thick roots from the ground.

As the group approached Pewter City, the setting sun began its descent, casting long shadows along Route 3. With darkness encroaching, they realized it was time to set up camp for the night. "I really don't want to set up camp here, knowing there's a serial killer on the loose," Seth muttered.

"We don't have a choice. It's better than wandering aimlessly in the darkness. Just to be safe, let's release all our Pokémon, and we'll take turns keeping watch while the others rest." Emily said, acknowledging the lack of options.

Seth reluctantly nodded, they worked diligently, assembling the tents by the dim glow of the flickering campfire. As they released their Pokémon, a sense of purpose settled over the campsite. Seth issued clear instructions. "Vulpix, you'll stay close to Erin throughout the night," Seth commanded, his voice firm. Erin eagerly embraced the golden fox Pokémon. "Mankey, you're sticking by my side at all times," Seth continued. Mankey nodded, ready to carry out its assigned duty. "Staravia, I want you to patrol the skies above us. Alert us if you sense any approaching danger. We will be around every half hour to wake you for patrol." The agile bird Pokémon took flight, its wings beating with purpose as it began its aerial surveillance. Seth turned his gaze to Grotle, "You'll be positioned in the field, blending into the surroundings," Seth explained. "If you spot anyone suspicious, use your power to use the roots to immobilize them."

Emily released her two Pokémon, "Lairon, stay by my side at all times, and Arctibax, you'll be on the side of defense that Grotle isn't monitoring," Emily added.

The night settled around the camp, casting a veil of silence over the sleeping figures of Erin and Emily inside their tents. Seth and Mankey, however, remained vigilant, their forms illuminated by the flames of the campfire. As Seth gazed at Mankey, he couldn't help but notice the scar above its eye.

Mankey's watchful eyes scanned the surroundings, ever alert. Meanwhile, Seth's attention was drawn to a particular spot in the dark field. There, Sarah's lifeless form hovered, her naked body suspended in the air, severed legs oozing blood. The repetition of "It's not real, it's not real" echoed relentlessly in Seth's mind.

The piercing shriek of Staravia shattered the silence and his illusion, causing Seth and Mankey to jolt upright, ready for any threat. Emily swiftly joined them, Larion positioned protectively in front of her. Vulpix stood guard over the stirring Erin. In the flickering light of the campfire, a figure materialized, revealing a tall, muscular man with slick black hair and olive skin. Perched on his shoulder was a Flapple. His raised hands conveyed a message of non-aggression.