Here in the Moonlight

 

*Brock*

            As I arrive back at the hospital, wondering how to solve my dilemma, One of the nurses rushes to me.

 

            “Are you Brock?” she asks.

 

            “Yes, why?” I ask her in turn, puzzled.

 

            “Your friend Ash is now conscious!” she says happily.” But the pain he’s enduring must be nearly unbearable.

 

            I rush into the elevator and then to Ash’s room.

 

            “Ash?” I ask. His eyes are closed, but his face is contorted into a mask of unspeakable pain, barely recognizable. His eyes snap wide open at my voice.

 

            “Where’s Misty?” he hoarsely barks.

 

            “I am taken aback, I thought he would greet me. I guess he cares more for her than he lets on.

 

            “What has happened to Misty?” he repeats, this time softer, but still insistent.

 

            “She’s being held by team rocket at their base for a ransom of my pokémon, my becoming one of their members, stealing pokémon, and a sum of 9 million dollars. All this before six months are over. After six months, she will be… killed.” I say reluctantly, and instantly not an expression of despair wash over Ash’s face.

 

            “Is there a back side?” he asks.

 

            “Oh, I didn’t think of about that.” I say. I flip over the note. It does indeed have more information. I read aloud.

 

Don’t even think of attempting rescue, our base is rigged with traps. And you will surely die, like your unfortunate friend Ash. Don’t take too long either, your little friend will be tortured, perhaps to death, with greater intensity the longer you take. Today, we start with needles, and we’ll work up from that.

 

                                                                                                            Giovanni

 

            (third person)Sure enough, as the boys red the backside, Giovanni, true to his word, gives the order for the torture to be carried out.