Oblivia Adventures - Ch 9

Ben covered his ears with his hands. That horribly annoying song was going to be stuck in his head forever now, the one the incredibly bored Pinchers were singing. All. Day. Long.

"A deep, deep valley blocks the way. If you can cross, go ahead I say.
The deep valley likes to brag, 'No one can cross my rocky crags!'
What nonsense speaks the silly valley? For Great Raikou, it's just one bound.
Hero on its back, just one bound.'

They must be drunk or something, Ben thought in disgust. Ugh. Why can't they just shut up? Aren't they tired of this by now?

The door opened and Ben looked up. The Pincher girl, the same one who always came in, was in with his tray as usual. Since they had had their little conversation, the girl now had taken to sitting with him while he finished his food. He didn't mind. He enjoyed the company.

"So what's your name, anyway?" Ben asked the girl. He took the tray.

"I'm Sara," the girl answered shyly. "I already know you're Ben."

"Well then, Sara. You should tell your Pincher buddies to stop their annoying singing," Ben said, jerking his head towards the door. "It's getting really annoying."

"I'm sorry," Sara said apologetically. "I don't think they'd stop if I asked."

Ben took a bite of his food and chewed thoughtfully. He swallowed. "What's that song about, anyway? It mentions something about Raikou jumping…"

"It's some old folk song from Oblivia," Sara said. "Apparently in ancient times, the Hero of Oblivia rode on Raikou's back and Raikou would take the Hero over pits and canyons. It could clear large distances."

Ben looked at her in admiration. "Wow, you know a lot about the ancient legends. More than I'd ever know!"

Sara blushed. "Well, I used to want to be an archeologist when I was older…"

"Used to? Why not still?"

"Well…I'm with the Pinchers now…so…"

"Listen," Ben said, "if you don't want to be a Pincher, then you have the right to get out of their group now. Talk to whoever your leader is and tell them you want out." He made sure not to mention the name Red Eyes; he didn't want to remind Sara that she had given away something earlier.

"I-I don't know….I'm a little afraid…"

"Well, just think about it." Ben handed her the tray. "I guess I'm done then. See you."

All of a sudden Ben snapped. He was tired of being locked up for so long, tired of being given his food like a prisoner (which he was) and tired of having nothing to do. He was tired of hearing the Pinchers' loud and obnoxious voices and tired of knowing that there was nothing to do until he was rescued – or for that matter, until he escaped.

I need to try something, Ben thought. Otherwise this will drive me crazy! He stood up abruptly and flung open the door that Sara was just starting to lock. She jumped back, and her hat fell off. Her face showed a shocked expression. "B-Ben? What are you doing?!"

Ben pushed past her and started running down the corridor. The Pinchers' hideout was made mostly of metal. It had pipes and machines along the walls, and occasionally there were some black-and-yellow Caution! Do not cross ribbons on the floor.

Ben had no idea of where he was going, but he didn't care. He just wanted to make his escape. He tried to pay attention to every detail to try and help him; but there was nothing. There were no windows, so he couldn't tell where the hideout was.

Ben looked over his shoulder. Sara was still standing alone in the middle of the hallway. Pity for her throbbed in his heart. I probably just made things difficult for her. But it can't be helped. I need to just focus on getting out of here!

***

Back at the door, Sara was still standing in shock. The thought had never crossed her mind that Ben would do such a thing. He tricked me! He just…he just ran past me!

I thought I could trust him…

Uneasily she glanced at the wall. The bright red EMERGENCY button stared back at her. Cautiously she stepped towards it. Should I press it? Or not? Ben was – is – so nice…but…what would the others say if they knew I didn't press it when I could have?

As Ben's echoing footsteps faded down the corridor, Sara made her decision. She closed her eyes and pressed the button.

At once a loud siren sounded through the hideout. Sara, knowing that Ben probably had no hope of escaping now, quietly put her hands up to her face and sobbed. Immediately loud footsteps, louder and many more than just Ben's sounded as a group of Pinchers surrounded her.

"What happened, Sara?"

"Are you okay?"

"What the…the prisoner must be escaping!"

Sara didn't even have to tell them what was happening. They had figured it out just by the open door. The Pinchers ran after Ben leaving Sara to stand alone, sobbing silently.

Moments later another figure approached. Sara looked up. It was Red Eyes himself, here to see what the commotion was.

Sara immediately tried to hide her tears from her leader. "M-Mr. Red Eyes, sir," she stammered. "T-the prisoner…Ben…I-I mean….I didn't mean for him to…that is…I-I'm so sorry, sir!"

Red Eyes ruffled the hair on top of her head. "It's alright, Sara. I had always suspected that he'd try to pull a move like this. In fact, I'm a little more at ease that he's finally tried it. It means that my predictions were correct."

Sara looked up. "M-Mr. Red Eyes, sir…?"

Red Eyes pulled out his red Z.Z. Flyer and hopped on. "I know it wasn't your fault, Sara. So no worries. I'm going to go after the brat now. But just make this a learning opportunity: you can never trust a Pokemon Ranger."

"R-Red Eyes, sir," Sara said. "Please…um…when you capture him again…don't…don't hurt him, okay?" Red Eyes looked a little surprised, but shrugged.

"Yeah, I won't do anything. I'm not that much of a brute." Without further ado Red Eyes zoomed down the hallway, which was wide enough to fly through with ease.

Sara stood for a moment, watching him go. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest. I just hope I did the right thing…

***

Ben looked around. There was nowhere to go. He had taken a wrong turn somewhere and had ended up in another storage room. Why doesn't this place have any windows? I can't climb out anywhere!

As Ben turned around to run out again, he found himself suddenly facing a horde of Pinchers, all ready to block his escape. Oh no, Ben moaned silently.

As soon as he had heard the siren earlier, Ben had known that it was over. However, he was unable to stop the small spark of hope that was still in him. He had thought that maybe he could make it, but of course he was proved wrong. Why can't things ever go my way?!

Seconds later another Pincher arrived. As soon as he made his way through the crowd, Ben gasped. That's the Pincher leader who captured me…and who knocked Tess into the ocean! I wonder…is that Red Eyes?

"Good work," the man said to his Pincher colleagues. He turned to Ben. "Well, well, what do we have here? An annoying little mouse trying to escape?"

The Pinchers lunged. Ben tried to fight them off, but it was no use. After a few moments of kicking and struggling, the Pinchers had his arms behind his back. Just like when he was captured the first time.

Ben spat on the floor, narrowly missing the man's gray boots. "I guess I'd rather be a mouse than a big rat."

It was a lame comeback and Ben knew it. However, the man bristled regardless.

"Listen, Ranger," the man snarled. "Don't try any funny tricks like this again. I already had suspected you might try something, but I didn't know you'd try it this soon." As the Pinchers led Ben away, back to his prison, the man spoke one last time.

"I have plans for you, Ranger. And I can't have you messing them up."

To be continued…