The odd Sneasel looked away, reaching up to wipe his eyes with the back of his paws. “He hit me, right in the face. I didn’t even do noth-- ahh!”

The story was cut short as PK marched right up to the Sneasel and grabbed him by the scarf, roughly tugging him face-to-face with her. “Show us where they went. Now!” she grumbled angrily, staring the Sneasel down to the point that he almost began sobbing again.

A familiar red claw gently placed itself on PK’s shoulder, drawing her attention up to Shroomsworth. “Miss PK, please... I believe he’s just a child. Do ease up on him.”

It was true. Everything from the tone of the Sneasel’s voice, to his actions screamed that he was rather young. With an agitated sigh, PK’s claws released the Sneasel’s scarf. “Sorry...” Her tone was begrudging, though not toward him. He was giving them a lead, at least.

Shroomsworth looked on with a relieved smile. Things could easily have gotten out of hand if she had scared him away. “Thank you, madam. Now...” He turned to the Sneasel, speaking in the gentlest tone he could muster, “will you please lead us to this waterfall? It is very important to us. Sandy is one of our own.”

The Sneasel gazed up at Shroomsworth for a moment, then twiddled his claws together as he looked away. “I dunno if that’s a good idea... they won’t like you bein’ there...”

“Do I look like I care?! We have to find Sandy now!” PK exclaimed. She held more concern than anything else. If they weren’t taking Sandy to Merlot... who knows what they’d do with her.

Just as Shroomsworth was about to speak up, the Sneasel did first. “I’m gonna show you! Just... lemme do it, okay?” His voice was shaky and tense from stress. It was hard to fake that sort of thing, and of course, harder to fake his bruises.

He started off from the HQ entryway, leaving Shroomsworth and PK to peer at each other with concern before cautiously following along.

Once again, it was dark outside. Not only that, but there wasn’t so much in the way of moonlight, this time as ominous clouds rumbled overhead. It was likely to begin a heavy, cold rain before their return. It couldn’t be avoided, though. Sandy needed their help.

“This is ridiculous! It’s even darker than last night!” PK exclaimed as the three quickly made their way into and through the forest. “Are you sure you know where you’re going?!”

The Sneasel briefly turned his head, so as not to distract himself from his path. His eyes fixated on PK. They held not an ounce of frustration for the way she had been speaking to him. “Yeah, boss showed me how to work the forest.”

The more he talked, the more he seemed like a poster child for corrupted innocence. Slasher must have taken him on as a close apprentice of sorts, if he was allowing him to follow so closely despite his young age.

“Absolutely vile...” Shroomsworth thought to himself as they carefully made their way through the cold darkness of the forest. This Sneasel was likely manipulated even more than he was. He couldn’t help but relate.

======

Sixth excerpt from Ch 2 of 's story Resignation

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