Guardians

Chapter 16 - The magic tree house

"So son. You think you know everything, don't you? Listen to your mom instead of your own father who put food in your stomach and clothes on your back. Well, let's see just how well you do on your own. Since you know everything."

That was the note my dad left on top of a box of my stuff. Apparently he’d gotten the locks changed too. Because my key doesn't even work anymore!

I had the essentials with me. The clothes on my back. My gameboy and pokemon games. A mysterious green present that I think Ellie left me. And all my limited edition batman comics.

It was funny. I legitimately just lost everything. No food, no home, no clothes, not even a shower. But I couldn't help but smile. I'd never felt more free before. I didn't need Ellie, Aden, my dad. I didn't even need my mom. For the first time in my life, I could really embrace, me.

I was gonna show them all, what an aArbuscula could really do.

…..

"You smell like a camel ate rotten eggs, threw up those eggs. Ate it, then crapped it out." Jack whined while pinching his nose.

"Sorry but I slept in a cave last night!" I roared back.

"That's no excuse! And aren't those the same clothes from yesterday!?"

"I got kicked out last night! What do you expect from me!?"

"Some form of human decency…. Did you not think to wash up in a river or a waterfall? You can sense bodies of water can't you!?"

"Well I-! I- I don't know actually. I guess I've done it before, but never on purpose…" I paused and thought about it.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us I see." Jack sighed. "Well once the others get here will make a stop by Dragonfang. Cuz I'm not dealing with this stank."

"Whatever." I huffed. 

Hopefully I could charge my phone there. If I recall that's Stryder’s guild. I could ask him about some good caves to squat in too.

I walked over to a tree and leaned against it. I looked down at the present. I couldn't bring myself to open it. I pretty much wanted to throw it away. But I couldn't bring myself to throw it out.

I eyed it for a moment. How did I even feel about Ellie? Flashes of their kiss flared into my mind. Thinking about it just made me feel weak. No, insecure was the proper term for it. I wonder what Icarus would think of all this.

Gotta pick his brain later…

"Sorry I'm late!" A rough and raspy voice called out from the tree line.

If I focused hard enough. I could get an idea of just how heavy someone was. And whoever this was had some heavy feet. I bet he was the strong type. 

I knew exactly where he was coming from. I turned to my left and waited for him to emerge. I could see Jack eyeing me out the corner of his eye. He looked a lot more serious than I've ever seen him.

I pretended like I didn't notice and focused on the tree line. Waiting on the guy to arrive. He was right on the edge of the tree line now. 

“Hey, Jack!” 

A latino man emerged from the trees. And he was definitely a fighting type pokemon. He wasn't huge or anything. But he was very well built.