Friends and Enemies

“The files were blackened out?” Kint asked as they walked down the sidewalk. He, Ash, and Pikachu were walking along, Ash with his files and notebooks that he kept with him always.

“Yeah. And the tape was just someone’s home movie. Not only that, but it cut out after a minute or two.” Ash replied.

“That’s weird. I’m thirsty, how about you?”

“Uh…yeah.”

“Great. This is DeGayo Street, right?”

“I don’t know.”

“Oh, right. Yeah, this is DeGayo.” He said, noticing a street sign. “Good, I know a great place a block from here. Do you drink?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, why don’t we find out?” Ash spat out his beer.

“Apparently I don’t drink.” He said nauseated, and between heaves.

“Apparently not. I guess that’s why I’ve never seen you drink in the 2 years I’ve known you.”

“Can I just get water or a soda or something?” Ash asked the waiter. “So you don’t know anything about the files or the tape?” he asked Kint.

“Like I told you, and wrote to you, I didn’t read them or watch the tape. I just gave them to you. Look, I know you’ve probably gotten this lecture before, but why are you keeping this up? I mean I know you want revenge, and I hope you get it, but in all honesty, do you really think you’ll be able to catch him with your condition? I mean, I’m sure they’re helpful for everyday stuff, but can you really trust something like this to your little notes in that book of yours?”

“I put everything I find out about where I can find the guy who did it in this book. I don’t put stuff that someone heard from a guy who knows a guy, I don’t put hunches, I only put solid facts.”

“That’s all well and good, but how do you know it’s you who’s writing these things? Someone might be trying to screw with your head.”

“I’ve been like this for…” Ash looked at a page in his notebook “11 years now. I think I’ve learned to recognize my own handwriting from other peoples.”

“Suit yourself. I got to get going, you need a ride?”

“No, the walk would do me good.”

“Alright, good luck.” Kint said as he walked away. Before he walked out the door he turned and called out Ash’s name.

“What?” Ash called back.

“Make him beg.” Kint yelled. Ash watched him walk out the door, laughed at his last words, but with a little bit of consideration, and went back to looking through his files. Suddenly he came upon a Polaroid of Kint with a note at the bottom. “Don’t trust him.”

Ash got the keys to Brocks car off of the table by the door and went outside. When he came to the driveway and the car, he saw Brock underneath it and the clattering of tools of some kind.

“Brock? What’re you doing?” he asked.

Brock rolled out from under the car. “Oh, Misty said it was making some kind of noise while she was driving it. There was nothing wrong with the engine so I’m taking a look underneath.” He said.

“Oh…okay. Well let me know when you’re done, okay?”

“Will do.” Brock said as he slid back under the car.

“Need any help?”

“Nope. But thanks. I’ll let you know if I do.” Ash shrugged and walked back into the house.