Howlietzer Publishing

Category: FICTION

  • Crap! I Reincarnated as a Pokemon! Chapter 5

    A Pokemon Fanfiction

    I sensed a mix of emotions coming from Laura. She was proud that I won, but she was also ashamed that she just stood there. It was heart-breaking. I get the feeling it was her first battle with Bilby. I still can’t get over how goofy that name is.

    She couldn’t stop crying and kissing me. She held me tight in her arms and rushed me to the Pokemon center. I appreciated it. I hate traveling in a Pokeball. Nurse Joy handled me quickly and soon I was all healed up and ready to go. I grew a couple levels by fighting Bulby. He must have been pretty powerful. I think I was roughly level five when I fought him. I must be around level ten by now.

    Current level is seven. HP is 20. Attack is 17. Defense is 14. Special Attack is 12. Special Defense is 14. Speed is 17. Nature is Adamant. Characteristic is Alert to Sounds.

    Jeez! I was really hoping I grew more than that. Maybe I was below five?

    Bulby, no matter how ridiculous his name, was a tough Pokemon, and he had a trainer that was serious about Pokemon battles. And after going to school with Laura, it was apparent that she was not as serious as I would have thought. She froze during the battle. She just stood there and took the abuse from that jerk. I’ve got to raise her confidence. If we’re going to be a team, she needs to learn how to take charge and become a competent trainer. How am I going to do that?

    Nurse Joy handed me back to Laura. Her tears were gone, and she seemed a lot happier. Maybe she had some time to think things over.

    “Rowdy, I’m so glad you’re better!”

    Rowdy?

    “I hope you like it. I thought it fit since you took on Bilby all by yourself,” she said, wiping a tear away. “Some trainer I am, huh?”

    She’s about to cry again. I bark and wag my tail. I don’t want her to be upset. I want her to move on. I’m better now and that’s what matters. She scooped me up into her arms, thanked Nurse Joy, and carried me out of the Pokemon Center.

    She didn’t speak much on the way back. It was a bit unsettling because she didn’t have her usual exuberance. I felt weird doing it, but I licked her arm, hopefully, in a comforting manner. I can’t figure out what she’s thinking. I was always bad at reading people.

    I could see our house. The setting sun made the sky orange and all the shadows darker. Laura opened the gate and placed me on the ground. She rummaged in her schoolbag and pulled out her keys, but before she could open the door, Hiker Mark opened it.

    “Laura! How was your last day of school?”

    She dove into his chest and gave him a big hug. I could hear sniffles and sobs coming from her. I really wasn’t sure why she was still crying. I was fine and we won her first Pokemon battle. What was her deal?

    I looked up to the window, on the other side of the door. The Purrloin was sitting on it, her tail dangling from the edge, her eyes steady, fixed on Laura.

    She noticed I was staring and stood up, stretched, flowing from shoulders to rump bending the way cats do. She leapt down and approached me.

    “Good job in the battle today.” Her expression was bland. I couldn’t tell with this cat, though I couldn’t tell with humans either.

    She must follow Laura around everywhere to be this informed, and is very adept at moving without being seen. I didn’t pick up on her scent the entire time; maybe I just didn’t know what she smelled like. I was becoming accustomed to a lot of smells since I came to this world.

    She picked up her right paw and started grooming her dark, purple coat. I approached and took a sniff, not really knowing what I was doing, but maybe I would become more aware of her presence in the future. This startled her into a hiss.

    “Whoa, calm down. Just smelling you. You have a habit of sneaking around and I want to know what you smell like.” That sounded so creepy coming out of my mouth.

    She smelled like tree bark and pollen and something else, maybe just cat. I had a cat growing up, and she reminded me a lot of how it smelled back when I was a kid. The Purrloin relaxed and went back to grooming herself. “She doesn’t really want to be a trainer, you know?”

    She said this between licks. I looked up to see that Laura and Hiker Mark had already disappeared inside the house. “How do you know what she wants?”

    “I watch her,” she said.

    “That’s, honestly, a bit disturbing,” I said, thinking about my past life as a voyeur, I blushed.

    The Purrloin ignored me. “She thinks she wants to be a trainer, but she’s only giving into peer pressure.”

    I thought about that for a moment. “Doesn’t every child dream of becoming a Pokemon Master?”

    The Purrloin stared into my eyes. She seemed very strong and intelligent. It gave a lot of credit to her assertion. I wanted to know what her level was.

    Purrloin current level 12. HP is 34. Attack is 26. Defense is 22. Special Attack is 26. Special Defense is 22. Speed is 30. Nature is Calm. Characteristic is Thoroughly Cunning.

    Well, she’s stronger than me. Perhaps a new team member for Laura? Since she likes her already, it’s not a bad idea.

    “You’re looking at my stats?”

    How did she know?

    “You’re not from around here, are you?” she continued.

    “Are you from another world?” I asked. It was incredible that I wasn’t alone here, that she possibly had been a person before too. What were the odds? I was so happy my tail started wagging.

    “I’m from here,” she said.

    “Okay. You can see stats too?”

    “The smart ones can. I just didn’t think you were one of them.”

    My tail stopped wagging. “So, what is your point about Laura? What makes you think she doesn’t want to be a Pokemon master?”

    “She was worried about you. She hated watching you fight and getting hurt. She’d rather not battle at all, but she knows that it is the only way to achieve the goal that she set for herself.”

    “All right. I think her being worried is pretty typical of a Pokemon trainer, but also isn’t Pokemon battling a big part of this world? Taking on the Gym Challenge? Going to the League Tournament? Pokemon have been used for battling for generations.”

    The Purrloin blinked.

    I sighed. I really hated talking to this cat. “Welp. I’m going to go inside and eat dinner. Good night!”

    I trotted up the wooden steps and woofed and pawed at the door. Laura opened the door, still in her uniform.

    “Come in you two. I have food for you,” she said, cheerfully. She must be feeling better now. Wait. What?

    The Purrloin proceeded through the doorway and into the kitchen, like she’d been there before. I can’t help but feel annoyed by this.

    “Rowdy, I’m glad you made a friend. Purrloin visits often. She likes it when I scratch her back.”

    “Does she now?” Of course, Laura only heard a series of Rockruffs and barks.

    The Purrloin looked back at me, her eyes still cool and emotionless. I followed Laura into the kitchen. It was well lit with white and blue linoleum tiles. Quartz and Geode sat next to their dishes, eating the little brown nuggets of Pokémon food given to them. Laura grabbed a blue bowl and placed it in front of the Purrloin. I smelled burgers. I doubted that I would get one, but I may paw Laura’s leg and see where that gets me.

    “Look Quartz and Geode! Purrloin is here tonight!”

    She sat a red bowl in front of me. Pokemon food is no hamburger and fries, but it isn’t awful. I stick my face in it and chow down. The Pokemon are not talkers. Quartz does wave her little claws at Purrloin and Geode nods. I never really learned much about them while I was with Hiker Mark in the cave. Maybe they weren’t interested. We only spent a couple of days together before Hiker Mark brought me home.

    Hiker Mark reclined at the table. He must have scarfed down his food.

    “Papa! You ate before I could sit down!” Laura scolded.

    “I couldn’t help myself! It was so good!”

    I was surprised at how fast she cooked them. I wasn’t outside for that long. There were some bugs in this world for sure. I looked up from my dish.

    “So, you come here often?” I asked Purrloin.

    She glanced at me and returned to eating.

    “Why don’t you join our team?” I spoke. “I think you and Laura get along well enough, and you’re pretty strong.”

    She stopped for a minute and looked like she was considering it.

    “You wouldn’t have to stalk her all the time. You could just hang out,” I said, finishing my bowl.

    I may not like her, but she was loyal to Laura. That was a good start. I would need to somehow steer this ship if Laura was going to become a Pokemon Master, and Purrloin wasn’t a bad Pokemon. When I looked at her stats before, I noticed she was a dark type. She would be very useful against psychic types when we inevitably came across them.

    “I don’t see the point,” said Purrloin.

    “Why not?” I said, a bit irritated.

    “You just want to take her on the Pokemon League Challenge. While I admit she thinks she wants that, eventually she’ll figure it out and come home, and I’ll be here waiting for her.”

    “I plan on taking her to the top, cat!” I bared my teeth at her. “She won’t be home for a long time.”

    “Oh? You think you’re strong enough to carry her and a team?”

    “I do.” I don’t know what she meant by that. Laura had graduated from trainer school; she couldn’t be hopeless. And to top it off, I was ridiculously strong. Overcome would be my trump card in our first battles, at least until I could help Laura create a team. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do that though. It’s not like I could talk to her.

    “That Bulbasaur was strong too. You defeated it, that makes you stronger, right? Believe it or not, that was Bilby’s first trainer battle too. He often wins by intimidation and bravado. Though he is inexperienced, most of his classmates never choose to battle him, because of his fierce temperment. I will admit that Bilby’s Bulbasaur is a well-bred Pokemon with very good stats. You were both at level six.”

    I bared my fangs. “So that proves that I am strong, cat!”

    “Manners,” said Quartz.

    “No fighting in the house,” said Geode.

    “How about I fight you then?” I said, ignoring the others.

    “What would that prove? I’m stronger than you. I have more experience fighting than you. Though, I admit, you have an excessive number of abilities. Very troubling and hard to predict.”

    “That’s right, cat!” I said, “I have a lot of abilities that will allow me to win against you and any other Pokemon Laura and I come across!”

    “And she will cry over each one,” said Purrloin, “Not wanting to hurt anyone, and feeling bad when she does. Even worse when one of her Pokemon are hurt. Her heart is too fragile for this.”

    My barking grew louder as I cursed at Purrloin. Quartz and Geode tried to settle me down, both embarrassed by my colorful language. Of course, Purrloin was unfazed by any of it and that made me even more angry.

    Laura picked me up and tried to calm me down. “Rowdy, what’s gotten into you? Is Purrloin causing trouble?” Laura smiled.

    “I’m gonna murder that cat!” I barked, twisting and turning in Laura’s arms.

    “Papa,” said Laura, “I’m leaving tomorrow to start on my journey. I’m taking route 111 and heading to Franklin. There should be a gym there.”

    Hiker Mark nearly fell out of his chair. “So soon, Lala? You just graduated. Perhaps a little training with dear-ol-papa… like about five more years?”

    “Papa! I’m not a kid anymore!” she said.

    Lala? I snickered. I felt for Hiker Mark. After the battle this afternoon, Lala didn’t stand a chance out there, but I would be along for the journey and would keep her out of trouble. At least as much as I could. I barked at Hiker Mark to let him know this, but I doubt he understood a word I said.

    Purrloin swished her tail back and forth, irritated that I would be encouraging Laura and Hiker Mark. I grinned maniacally at her. She was welcome to come along, and if she gave me any trouble, I’d eat her. I laughed to myself.

    She hissed at me, and jumped, claws out careening towards my face. Can’t say I didn’t deserve it.

    Laura stumbled and held us both by the scruffs of our necks. We were helpless now, but steadily glared at one another, daring the other to blink.

    “Rowdy is really strong, Papa!” Laura insisted. “He’ll protect me and help me form a strong team.”

    “See?” I woofed at Purrloin, pleased with this outcome.

    Purrloin rolled her eyes and rowwed loudly.

    Hiker Mark contemplated for a moment. It was a hard sell. He knew Laura better than I did, and I was beginning to understand why everyone underestimated her so much. Still, she had me, and with my unstoppable abilities, we would definitely become the next League champions.

    “Alright, Laura. I guess when I was your age, I also went on my first journey,” said Hiker Mark after a long pause, “You can go, but I want you to make a deal with me: you will call me every night, and after you get four badges, you must come home and battle me. Do we have a deal?”

    “Deal!” Laura smiled.

    “I’m serious, Laura,” he insisted, “This isn’t going to be easy. You can’t come home until you’ve earned four badges. You understand?”

    She hesitated. “Of course, Papa. I can do that. With Rowdy I can definitely get four badges.”

    “Good,” he said, “I’ve got something for you. Wait here.” He got up and left the kitchen to go to his bedroom. Laura put us both on the floor. Purrloin turned away unhappy about Laura’s new deal with her dad. I, on the other hand, was ecstatic to get away from this darn cat! At this point, if she comes with us, I will eat her. I’ve honestly had enough of her neigh saying.

    Hiker Mark came back from his room with a poorly wrapped present. Laura hopped up and down in anticipation and Purrloin couldn’t stifle a smile from Laura’s excitement. Laura hugged Mark and opened her present. Inside were six Pokeballs, six potions, and three antidotes. “Route 111 is full of poison types, so be careful on your journey.”

    He sniffed hard and I turned away. I didn’t want to see Hiker Mark cry. Laura set the gifts on the table before giving her dad another hug, “Don’t cry, Papa! I’m coming back with four badges and then I’m going to beat you in a Pokemon battle!”

    “I can’t wait,” he said.

    I was about to start crying, but I began to hear a weird beeping noise. On the table one of the Pokeballs had activated and Purrloin had disappeared.

    The story so far: 1 2 3 4

  • Crap! I Reincarnated as a Pokemon! Chapter 4

    A Pokemon Fanfiction

    I woke up early the next morning. I had to pee. In hindsight, I probably could have just used the toilet, but as a Pokemon, I thought that would be weird, which never bothered me before. What am I doing here?

    This was my chance to be a whole new me. I could be as weird as I wanted without having to listen to what other people wanted me to be. I no longer had to go to school and do something I was half-interested in. But I also couldn’t be a professional gamer. However, now that I was trapped in the game, I could be a professional… Pokemon. It would have to do.

    I trotted to the bedroom door, completely forgetting I didn’t have thumbs. Being weird in the bathroom was a no go. I was going to have to wake up Laura before I made a mess in her room.

    I tackled Laura awake, landing on her face. She was not happy that I woke her up so early, but she eventually took the hint and carried me outside. Laura’s family had a nice backyard with a white fence and a single tree led up to Laura’s window. It seemed like the best place to relieve myself and think about my future in the Pokemon world. As I neared the tree, I could smell something. It was alive. Whatever it was, it knew I was there.

    I looked up into the tree. The sun was rising, but whatever was up there was still hard to see. I managed to glimpse two glowing eyes at the branch next to Laura’s window. Being piss shy I decided to say hello.

    “Hello!” Somehow that released the floodgates. I felt content.

    “Excuse me?” said the Pokemon, “Are you urinating?”

    “I am. Feels great.”

    “In front of me?” It sounded annoyed by my presence, as was I annoyed by it.

    “Well, you don’t have to watch me.”

    It jumped down from the tree and landed on all fours. It was the same dark cat Pokemon I saw yesterday. A Purrloin, if I recall from the one time I played that version. She looked at me with disgust, her fangs showing as her lips curled and her eyes narrowed. I suppose it was weird to carry on a conversation with a stranger while they are peeing—and pooping—but I digress. In this form, the form of a Rockruff, I had no shame. Especially towards some stray cat.

    “It wasn’t an invitation for you to join me down on the ground,” I said, finishing.

    “Well, it seemed proper to introduce myself, since we’ll be seeing more of each other,” said the Purrloin.

    “Why’s that?” I shook myself

    It looked at me with disgust. “I like your master.”

    “Okay,” I said. “Do you want her to capture you?”

    She said nothing. She just stared at me with her judging cat eyes. I really wanted to shove her face in my business, but then I remembered what I was thinking about before. This is a game! I could become a Pokemon master, or rather help Laura become a Pokemon master and I would be her lead Pokemon. I knew this game. Sort of. This was obviously a different version. I had no clue about my species, except what I’d learned when I was fighting the Pidgeot.

    Keen eye, Steadfast, Own Tempo, Vital Spirit, and Overcome… I had five special abilities. That was probably rare. I remember Pokemon have a max of two abilities. Maybe it had something to do with being reincarnated.

    Her voice brought me back to the present. “I asked you a question?”

    “Sorry, thinking,” I said. “Go ahead.”

    She rolled her eyes. “What do you plan on doing with Laura?”

    That was an odd question. “I just want to be the very best. Like no one ever was.”

    “I don’t understand,” the Purrloin blinked.

    “Yeah, nobody does,” I muttered, “I want to go with her through the gym challenge and become a league champion.”

    Again, her judging eyes came on me.

    “What?” I said, “Isn’t that what most trainers want?”

    She said nothing. Then, “Don’t make her late to school. She’s been very excited about graduation and bringing a Pokemon.”

    She walked away, jumped to one of the fence posts and hopped over.

    What is she about? She could join Laura’s team if she really wanted to. Though, I’m not sure her typing is what we need to be a viable team.

    I walked to the door and pawed at it. Laura let me in and fed me some Pokemon food. It was alright. About what I expected to get as a Pokemon. Hard, dry nuggets with beef flavor… Do they have cows in the Pokemon world? I guess they’re Miltanks? Hiker Mark wished Laura luck as she walked out the front door and to school. I don’t remember a lot in the middle because Laura zapped me into my Pokeball, but eventually I found myself at school.

    I sat on a desk at the front of the room. There were probably twenty other children in the room, several also had a Pokemon on their desk. Everyone sat politely, except for one kid in the class. He looked like the designated bad boy. He had his head tilted up with a piece of straw in his mouth. Who does that?

    As part of their final day of class, the teacher was allowing the students to introduce their Pokemon, if they had any, and what they planned to do after graduation. The bad boy went first, gnawing on his straw, he introduced himself as Bilby… I snickered. Then he released his Pokemon from its Pokeball; it was a Bulbasaur named Bulby. I snickered again. The Bulbasaur stared me down till I put my tail between my legs. Bulbasaurs are intimidating Pokemon, so much for my Own Tempo, didn’t help one bit.

    “My name is Bilby Rodderton, but y’all already know that. This is Bulby. Together we’re taking on the Pokemon League Challenge, and I’m going to become a Pokemon master.”

    I’ll give him credit, for a twelve-year-old boy he certainly had the confidence. When I was his age, I hated talking in front of the class. Maybe he’ll be our rival, like Gary Oak.

    The rest of the class stood up at the front of the class and one-by-one introduced themselves and their Pokemon. Most, like Bilby desired to become Pokemon Masters. Some were interested in becoming Pokemon doctors, like Nurse Joy, and while I wondered how they could do that when all I’d seen were Joys at the Pokemon centers, it was our turn.

    Laura trembled as she stood up. We hadn’t know each other long, but it was obvious public speaking scared her. “This is my Rockruff. I just got him yesterday, but I am looking forward to taking him on my Pokemon journey, collecting badges, and forming an all-star team for the Pokemon League Championship.”

    Silence.

    “Your grades are worse than mine and you suck at battling,” said a dopey looking kid in the back of the classroom. Many laughed.

    “Alright class,” said the teacher, “Show some respect. Many of you want to compete in the Pokemon League one day.”

    “Yeah, but Laura sucks!” said the same kid.

    “She doesn’t understand Pokemon typing at all!” said another.

    “And she doesn’t know which items to use to make her Pokemon better!” said Bilby.

    Wow! These kids are horrible. I look up at Laura, her head tilted down and I can see a little trickle coming down her face.

    “Bilby, wait in the hall. Jared, Kyle, you too!” shouted the teacher.

    Dumb Bilby!

    Bilby and the other two stood up and left the room.

    I don’t like that guy.

    I was zapped back inside my Pokeball. I hate it. It’s really disorienting. I’m going to have to convince Laura to stop doing it. But, also, do I want to partner with Laura? She’s not a bad kid, but I just met her yesterday. And all these crappy kids say she’s a crap trainer. Can I trust that she can even form an “all-star” team?

    Next thing I know I’m outside at the flagpole. Laura’s behind me again. I look ahead of me and this Bilby dick is in front of me with his Bulbasaur. Crap!

    “You know your Rockruff doesn’t stand a chance against Bulby!” said Bilby.

    I swear. That name. Why? I can’t help but snicker again.

    “You find something funny?” said Bulby.

    It’s so weird that I can understand everyone around me, including Pokemon, but the humans can’t understand us. “Your name is Bulby!” I laughed again. I wonder what it sounds like to Laura.

    “I’m going to vine whip the crap out of you!” said Bulby, unleashing two vines from the bulb on its back.

    I smirked as best a puppy can. Where is this confidence coming from? I was the weird, shy, depressed kid that didn’t think he deserved to live. Now I’m a Pokemon and my entire life changes? I like it!

    “Bulby vine whip!”

    I stood there and waited for Laura’s command. It didn’t come. I turned back to look at her only to see a scared and confused look on her face. “Crap!”

    The vines came crashing onto my spot, but I dodged them. I looked back to Laura, but she still didn’t say a word. I barked at her. She looked so unsure of herself. I felt bad, but… can I really take on the Pokemon League with a trainer like her?

    “Even your Pokemon knows you’re worthless! Give up! Try to find something you’re good at! If there is anything!”

    This kid is a douchebag. He’s Gary Freaking Oak alright, but I really don’t want to see him again.

    “Vine whip!”

    The vine lashes whipped towards me. I dodged and countered with a sand attack. There was no way I was beating a Bulbasaur. This is why I dislike rock Pokemon! I’m not a fan of Grass either, but at least Bulby has the advantage, but if I was going to win I had to strike back. I rushed towards him and prepared a tackle attack.

    “Sleep Powder!”

    Special Ability Vital Spirit. Prevents you from falling asleep. I nearly forgot about Vital Spirit!

    I tumbled away and swiftly wiped the dust off my face. I am so OP. But now I need the ability to fight against Pokemon stronger than me.

    Legendary Ability Overcome: when you are hit with a move that has a type advantage, a counter move will become available.

    Is that what Overcome is? I stand corrected. Now I’m officially OP.

    “Vine Whip, while it’s distracted!” said Bilby

    I’ve got to help Laura with her confidence. I can’t do this by myself, can I? I look back at her. She looks terrified. Is she cut out for this?

    I let the vine whip hit. It hurts so much. I feel my HP lowering, but it stops suddenly.

    Move used was grass type Vine Whip, said the Voice. Counter option is Fire Fang. Confirm?

    Confirm!

    I leapt forward and sunk my fangs into Bulby’s bulb, and as my teeth clamped down, a spark ignited and I felt the heat burn right into the grass Pokemon. Super Effective!

    Fainted on the spot. I felt myself get stronger. I must have gone up a level. Boy, was I tired though. Laura ran towards me and picked me up in her arms, cradling and cuddling me. It felt good. But Pokemon battles hurt. A lot. Was I cut out for this?

     

    The story so far: 1 2 3 5

  • The Black-Eyed Children Came Knocking… Again

    The Black-Eyed Children Came Knocking… Again

    Jedadiah woke up to the usual tapping on his front door. He rose from bed and swung his long legs off, not wanting to wake up the missus. Upon sitting up, the bedroom window loomed before him. It was a gloomy day in September, almost looked like it could snow. He chuckled as he stood up in his long johns and took a decent look, ignoring the tapping which had turned to a knock.

    The hilly grasslands waved at him. Sure, was windy, he thought. A storm was definitely a-brewing outside. The apple trees, too, swayed—fruit falling off. He finally blinked the sleep out of his eyes and tuned his ears to the now pounding front door—best alarm clock he never intended to install.

    Unhurriedly, he strode across the wooden boards of the bedroom to his sleeping wife, who had pulled the blanket over her head. He ruffled her scalp and kissed her. She let out a loving growl, saying, “answer the damn door already!”

    Again, he chuckled as he slid on his slippers and stepped out of the bedroom and into the hallway. They had a somewhat quiet life in Western Appalachia, albeit unusual from city life many would be used to in the greater United States, but Jedadiah, his wife, and their kin loved it. It was a refuge away from three BIGs: Big Government, Big Tech, and Big Pharma.

    “I’m coming, I’m coming,” said Jedadiah. He holstered his sawed-off shotgun into his side holster and grabbed a couple special buckshot he received from one of his neighbors, placing them into his breast pocket.  He wrapped his shoulder holster with two .45s buckled inside over his pajamas and proceeded to make some coffee.

    “We do this every morning, Jamie,” muttered Jedadiah scooping the coffee and putting in the filter. “Is it possible you can just go back home without a long-winded story?”

    The pounding stopped as soon as Jedadiah opened his mouth and then an earie silence hung as Jedadiah continued with coffee preparation, pouring water into the machine and pressing the start button. He listened to it whir and steam before ‘Jamie’ finally said something.

    “Please sir, my sister and I are lost and need to use your telephone. Please, we need your help.”

    Jedadiah shook his head. “Jamie, is your sister actually with you today or are you fibbing again?”

    Silence. “Please sir, we need your help.”

    The pounding began again. It sounded like a boot against the bottom of the door this time.

    Jedadiah pulled out his shot gun and loaded the two barrels.

    “Jamie,” said Jedadiah, impatience growing, “Every morning you pound on my door, and every morning I hand you my cell phone, and every morning you don’t remember your parent’s number…” He pulled his old flip phone off an old charger on the kitchen counter and stuck it in his pocket before opening the door to “Jamie” and “His sister.”

    “Jamie” and “His Sister,” who typically didn’t show up, stood in the entry way, white as ghosts and their eyes black as coal. No pupils. Just a pool of black. Jedadiah held his shotgun at the ready as he pushed them towards the porch stairs so he could close the door behind him.

    He pulled out his cell phone and tried to hand it to Jamie. Jamie just looked at it puzzled.

    “Look, Jamie, it is a phone. I’ve showed you this before, remember?”

    Jamie didn’t lift his hand to take it. He just stared at it and then at Jedadiah.

    “I need to use your phone. We are lost. Let us come in.”

    Jedadiah looked down his porch to see the familiar hag he would see on occasion counting the bristles on his boom that he had hanging on the corner of his wraparound porch.

    “Good morning, Miss Maisie! Any telling how many bristles are on that broom there?” said Jedadiah, smiling, as he took a seat in his rocking chair, the black-eyed-children still staring at him.

    “Oh drat!” Miss Maisie shouted. “There are so many, Jedadiah! So many! How is one to count so when one can’t remember which ones one has already counted!”

    He watched as she pulled at the bristles with her clawed hands and pulled them one by one, counting and ultimately losing some as she pulled a new one.

    “Well,” said Jedadiah, “Keep trying, I guess.”

    She shushed him as he turned back to the children who stood menacing him as he rocked in his chair.

    “Well,” said Jedadiah, “You want to use my phone or not?”

    Again, he tried to hand them the phone only for them to stare at him with their dark eyes, unblinking.

    There was a time when Jed would have been unnerved by that, but he was over 60 and seen plenty more in the woods around his property that he wasn’t going to be intimidated by some lackluster “kids.”

    They didn’t take the phone. They just lingered for a while as Jedadiah rocked in his chair. Eventually they left without a sound, where Jed never knew.

    “Finally!” he said, and like clockwork he heard the coffee maker steam and finish. He rose up and got his first cup of coffee for the morning and then figured out his plans for collecting the apples. Maybe Miss Maisie would help him count. He laughed as he turned his head in her direction.

    “Damn it, Jedadiah! Quit distracting me!”

    He watched her start all over again, shaking his head and sipping that fine, dark roast.

  • My Mother-in-Law Moved In… Then Things Took a Dark Turn

    My Mother-in-Law Moved In… Then Things Took a Dark Turn

    Emily’s Garden, and a Moment of Peace

    Emily knelt in the soft earth of her garden, her fingers tenderly working the soil around her rose bushes. The air was sweet with the scent of blooms, and the rhythmic sound of her trowel was the only thing keeping her grounded. Emily had decided to take some time away from work. She was a corporate lawyer, and her company had just finished a very strenuous case of fraud from within. Her nerves were getting the better of her, and she’d decided to take a week to rest.

    Her garden was her sanctuary, one of the only spaces where she felt at peace. She and her husband, Tom, had moved to the neighborhood about five years ago, and it was only now becoming home. Her garden helped. She’d always helped her mother with her garden, and weeding had become a pleasure after getting a real job after college.

    Tom worked for a car company and oversaw a lot of the technology projects across the country. He traveled a lot, which was a pain at first, but after the years it became routine, and he was never gone long, usually one week out of every month, and he would be back this weekend. She planned on cooking him something special since she had the time off. A homecooked meal always tasted the best after a long trip.

    The Call from Tom

    Her phone buzzed on the top step of the porch. Sighing, she wiped her hands on her jeans and picked it up. It was Tom.

    “Hey,” she answered cheerfully, though the tone of his voice immediately put her on edge.

    “Hey, Em. Listen, I’ve got news, and I need you to keep an open mind.”

    Her stomach tightened. “What kind of news?”

    “Helen’s moving in with us,” he said, “It’s temporary. Just until she feels safer.”

    An Early and Unwelcome Arrival

    She spent the rest of her afternoon cleaning. It was Wednesday and Helen was due on Friday. She’d cleaned most of the house before she heard a knock at the door.

    Odd…

    Emily set her broom and dusting pan down as she opened the front door. It was Helen. Two days early. She had two suitcases, tightly gripped in her boney hands and a seething sneer on her face. Emily did her best to smile, but this encounter with her mother-in-law singlehandedly trumped every interaction. The hairs on the back of Emily’s neck raised.

    Something’s Wrong with Helen

    Emily, again, tried to smile and offered to take Helen’s suitcases, but she clutched them violently.

    “I can handle them. I made it here on my own, I can handle them the rest of the way.”

    Emily sighed. “Fine. I was just cleaning. Your room isn’t ready yet; I only received a call from Tom about an hour ago.”

    Voices from the Guest Room

    However, once she came to the door, she heard her. Helen was talking to herself, but it was odd. She sounded like she was mimicking Emily, and as Emily listened at the door, the more it sounded like Emily and Helen were having an argument inside the room.

    Emily dropped the plate, and it broke.

    A Grocery Run and a Gun

    Emily conceded, however, she was going to be cautious around Helen from now on. She called up the stairs to let her know that she was going to the supermarket for groceries. They didn’t have anything in the house and Emily had planned on going shopping anyway.

    She did get groceries: steaks, potatoes, salad, and other things, but she also went to a gun store nearby and purchased her first gun.

    What Lies Beneath the Roses

    Once she arrived back at the house, she saw Helen knelt into her rose bed. It looked like she was digging something.

    “What are you doing to my roses, Helen?” said Emily, the gun and ammunition tucked into her purse.

    The Monster Shows Its Face

    Inside was the remains of what Emily could only describe as a person if they were crumpled up like a paper ball and shoved in a suitcase. It was Helen! The real Helen! Emily fell backwards and pushed herself away.

    Helen smiled. “Got caught, did I? Well, I guess I didn’t do a very good job of hiding it. I can never tell which ones of you hire gardeners or do your own dirty work.”

    Aftermath: Truth and Trauma

    The police arrived shortly after, sirens screaming. The neighbors heard gunshots and called 911. Emily told first responders the rest. They didn’t begrudge her for defending herself, but they wondered why she shot her twelve times in the head after twelve in the torso.

    Tom left the site early after all. Once the police contacted him, he hurried to the airport to see his wife and identify the bodies. The other body made him shiver. The face was destroyed. If he didn’t know any better, he’d almost think it was Emily. Same size. Hair was similar too. And there was this birthmark on the right shoulder… Tom shook his head.

    There was no way. His wife was locked up.

    It was just a coincidence.

    If you enjoyed My Mother-in-Law Moved In… Then Things Took a Dark Turn, you might also like The Black-Eyed Children Came Knocking… Again

  • Crap! I Reincarnated as a Pokemon! Chapter 3

    A Pokemon Fanfiction

    Hiker Mark captured me before I could figure out what Overcome was all about, but I managed to get up to level 4 and I learned Sand Attack. Lame move, but I’m still young. Hiker Mark is a very large man, with a black beard and a… safari hat? I’ve never known what those were called. And a rucksack that he carries everywhere. He has a lot of nifty things inside. A tent. Sleeping bag. Flashlight. Typical camping gear. He has two Pokemon. A Geodude named Geode and a Sandshrew named Quartz. I’m glad he hasn’t named me, though I guess a rock-themed name is appropriate.

    I’m a Rockruff, a Pokemon I never heard of. I guess the world of Pokemon had changed a lot since I stopped playing. I’m a rock type, which in my day wasn’t very useful, but we’ll see. All I remember from playing the game is that a Water Gun, nearly always, one-shotted rock types, so they were never a part of any team I formed.

    Mark’s goal was to give me to his daughter Laura. She was graduating from Pokemon school this week. So, he had been hiking all over Ustanto to find a Pokemon for her. Ustanto. I have no idea what region that is. Never heard of it. Maybe another Pokemon game I’ve never played.

    Hiker Mark and his family live in a town called Greenville. Another shock. I was expecting Green City or Jungle Town or Foliage Town, but Greenville just sounds so normal. Like I’m back in the real world. Real world. I guess this is a real world.

    Nevertheless, Greenville is just about what I expected from a Pokemon town. Once we got there, Hiker Mark took us to the Pokemon Center, and I met Nurse Joy. Pretty much a babe, like I remember from the TV show. She healed us up and gave us back to Mark in about 30 minutes.

    She does a lot more than you see in the game. She gave each of us an actual checkup, making sure there wasn’t anything wrong with our teeth, eyes, ears, everything. And when I say she, what I mean to say there were several Nurse Joys running around, all of them accompanied by a Pokemon called Audino, which I’ve also never heard of. Though it does look familiar. Maybe it’s just an unmemorable Pokemon.

    Now the weirdest thing is traveling in a Pokeball. It’s like a time skip. I’m at the Pokemon Center being healed. Then I’m turned into, I guess, light energy and stored inside. And that’s about all I know. I don’t remember anything from being inside. It’s simply I’m in one place and then I’m somewhere else. There’s no little room inside. I’m not cramped. I literally don’t know what happens to me from when I’m put back in the ball to when I’m released again. Kind of scary really. I mean what if someone breaks a Pokeball with a Pokemon inside. What happens?

    I don’t want to think about it. Next thing I know, Hiker Mark released me into his living room with Geode and Quartz. It’s a nice place. There’s a big comfy couch, that I am immediately kicked off of. A big screen TV. Lots of bookshelves laden with books that I can’t read. It must be in this world’s language. Mrs. Hiker Mark is kind of a babe too. Why are all the women attractive? I guess they’re as pretty as how the artist wanted them to look. That’s an interesting thought. Do they call God, the Artist? I think I’m going to. That sounds fun.

    “Laura,” shouted Hiker Mark. He was at the foot of the steps. He still had his ruck sack on. Jeez old man! You’re home already! Take that thing off!

    He looks at me and lifts his finger to his mouth. I’m guessing all he hears is “Rockruff rock! Rockrockruff! Rock!”

    Jeez! This world.

    “Get your lazy butt down here! I have a surprise for you!”

    A rumble of feet came from upstairs. Running down them as fast as she could.

    “Papa!”

    She jumped into his arms, and he gave a hardy laugh. Laura was a young girl. I’m guessing twelve (that’s the typical age of young trainers right?) with long brown hair and big brown eyes. She wore a school uniform, a blue pleated skirt and white short-sleeve shirt and a small red necktie.

    “I caught you a Pokemon for when you start on your journey. Tomorrow is your last day of school after all.”

    She giggled. “Really?” She looked towards me and her mouth dropped open. I’m nervous now. Is she upset?

    “Oh papa, he’s so cute!”

    She jumped on top of me and picked me up, cuddling into my face. I’m pretty sure I’m blushing. I’ve never been this close to a girl before. That shouldn’t matter! She’s way underage!

    I wasn’t sure how to react. Being a Pokemon is weird. So, I licked her face.

    She laughed and hugged me close so I could look over her shoulder. There was another Pokemon staring through the window. I barked at it, and it ran away. It was a dark cat looking Pokemon. I vaguely remember it from the last game I played. The name is on the tip of my tongue, but I just can’t remember it.

    Laura turns around, startled. I guess my barks must have been menacing enough.

    “It’s Okay, Rockruff. There’s nothing there. Come on, let’s go upstairs!” She almost runs upstairs before thanking Hiker Mark for the gift.

    She turns swiftly and gives him a big hug with me in between. I’m being crushed! At least it was a short hug. She carried me upstairs and plopped me on the bed and cuddled me for a while, rubbing my belly. I don’t hate it.

    “I’ve got to get back to studying, Rockruff. But we’ll play some more later. And then after graduation, we’re going to travel the world and show everyone what an awesome trainer I am.”

    There was something about the way she said that. It was half-hearted or perhaps unsure. Didn’t every kid want to be an awesome trainer or even a Pokemon master? And she was graduating tomorrow; she didn’t seem as excited as I would be in her shoes. Going on an adventure, creating a top-notch team to fight against all challengers. I envied her. This was the type of thing I wish I was doing instead of college.

    I guess I am doing it. I’m going to go on an adventure and be part of an awesome team! I am excited about this! What could go wrong?

     

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