Gunpowder’s room and board came at the cost of having to protect the store during the night. Just making sure no one broke in. Considering the area, it would come as quite a surprise were it ever to happen, and yet.. Gunpowder was cautious, but had learned the best way to confront an evil doer was to barge in, unafraid, cheerful, loud.. In other words, as ‘Gunpowder’ as he could possibly be.

That was precisely what he did, barging in through the door, laughing to himself as loud as he could. A bit insane to the onlookers, sure, but.. Wait. What onlookers? Upon entering the store, it was empty. There was no way the two other creatures could have escaped that quickly. Was there another door? Gunpowder wasn’t even sure anymore. The thing he was sure about was the absence of anyone but himself in that store. His previous unease was set to rest, replaced with a new confusion. Perhaps I’m just tired, he thought to himself, stumbling to the back room.

That Fabian fellow was gone. He was always gone at night. He was supposed to be Gunpowder’s room mate, but they barely even spoke. That day was the first time they’d had a real conversation. Gunpowder figured that’s why he was to take care of the store, as the current security wasn’t really up to snuff.

In the corner Gunpowder’s bed laid. Bed was perhaps a loose word to use, as it was more a stack of boxes packed closely together. Not even a blanket. Anana had offered to prepare something better to sleep on, but Gunpowder insisted on the current situation. “I’m used to it,” said he. The truth was, he hated it. It was cold and uncomfortable. More than that, he hated troubling the people he cared about. Did he care about Anana..? He was unsure. Still is. It didn’t matter. He still slumped onto the bed all the same.

~

He couldn’t sleep. How long had it been? A few hours? Still night, since it was too dark for a normal Pokemon to see in the shop. Gunpowder was no normal Pokemon, though. He could see clear as day. He was used to this darkness too, sailing all night to avoid being caught.

Before Gunpowder could get caught up in memories of yore, he heard something crashing to the floor in the front of the shop. It both alarmed and relieved him to know that someone else was as clumsy as he was in the shop. It dawned on him that this was.. unusual. Anana wasn’t clumsy. Who could it be, then? That Other from before? Anana had said she was to leave, but.. Gunpowder couldn’t shake it. As it was his job to make sure nothing happened, he decided it was time to take a peek.

He crept along the wall towards the door. Before getting there, he could hear.. a voice. Actually, two voices. Very distinct. One sounded like Anana, the other.. Deep. Raspy. Ugly. The opposite of Anana. Not that Other. This surprised Gunpowder. Who could Anana have invited to the shop at such an hour, he thought. Only one way to find out. He poked his head around the door, hoping to stay as inconspicuous as possible.

His eyes widened at the sights before him. Anana was walking backwards slowly, and clumsily.. no, not quite that. She was shaking, so possibly scared. Gunpowder wasn’t sure. Encroaching on her personal space was a yellow lizard.. thing. Gunpowder deduced the ugly voice belonged to that thing. How fitting, since it also looked ugly. Things looked bad, but Gunpowder, being astute as he was, decided to wait to see how things unfolded; he was taught to never make assumptions unless necessary. Or unless he felt like it. He didn’t feel like it this time, though.

“Look, there’s no needin’ t’ lie t’ me.. I can tell when thas the case. And it’s the case. Where is that ass?” It was the ugly voice first.

“I.. I don’t know anything...”

Anana was now pushed against a corner in the shop. She could barely move an inch. Her eyes now showed her fear. Definitely not a customer. Gunpowder was about to speak, in an attempt to scare the assailant away, but he was interrupted by that very same Pokemon.

“That’s quite a shame.. Dorsen said you’d know, and he don’t tend t’ make mistakes. I guess ya won’t tell me, then? Should I smash this shop up t’ help jog that memory o’ yers? Or maybe.. ” The ugly one stared at Anana. His look was very sly. “Well, at least it won’t be a total waste of my time, eh?”

His arm shot straight to Anana’s side, and the grip seemed strong. Anana tried to squirm away, but no avail. There were no tears forming in her eyes. Her day started so well, but then her sister ruined it all. This guy wasn’t making it better. She looked away and closed her eyes, unable to look at that monster any further. All she could hear was him laughing to himself under his breath.

Just when Anana thought things couldn't get any better (or worse), something whizzed right by her. Whatever it was, it felt fast and heavy. She could no longer feel the hand on her side. Had he run? That didn't make sense. He was so determined. This sudden movement was followed by a loud thud and the sound of many things crashing to the floor. Then a loud groan. A very pained one. It didn't feel right to her. Part of her wanted to just fall asleep. Just wait for it all to pass. But the part of her in control knew she had to open her eyes to find out what had happened.

In front of her stood Gunpowder. Anana was happy to see him, given her situation, but that feeling was not meant to last. The look on Gunpowder's face was one she had never seen before. He was baring his fangs, and he was growling. His eyes were murderous, and it was no wonder. Anana could hear the sound of something dripping on the floor; it was blood. The room even smelled of it.

She followed the path up, and to her dismay, it flowed along Gunpowder's arm. The arm lead straight into the chest of the yellow lizard she was dealing with previously, who was now pinned against the wall. Through coughing up more blood, the lizard managed to speak, muttering the words “its you” before going limp. It was the last ounce of his strength. He was now dead. Murdered.

=====

Part 6 of "Well of Memories" by
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