I'M CONSTANT LIKE THE SEASONS
I WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN ―

The paths they were to traverse were thin and winding. It would be a tight squeeze for a developed woman like Fran, but it couldn't be helped. If that was the only way out, then it was the way they would take. If the group was careful with their footing and patient with their pace, they would find their way out of union cave in one piece. 

So the trainers were both in understanding of the plan. However, the company could not move forward yet, as they found two wild creatures standing in their way. A rounded beast and its much sleeker friend. They soon noticed the approaching threat. 

Jenna's prinplup was the first to move. She released Columbia from their cordial embrace, and stepped up against the beast. The battle was less than entertaining. The sneasel was quickly overpowered and sent away. Its spheal friend lost confidence in its own ability, and followed. Both disappeared into the darkness beyond. Fran felt the second-hand embarrassment of her companion, but brushed it aside. 

Columbia teetered back toward his trainer, cooing a loving hum. "Sure," she responded to the ranger, raising her flashlight. The dark-haired woman moved toward the thinned path, suddenly very conscious of where her feet were. Her slowbro followed. "Watch your step," she called over her shoulder. Raising her flashlight into the crack, she could see nothing but blackness beyond. The walls of the path were slick with water, reflecting the beam of her light. The sound of rushing water bounced all around them. 

It really was uncomfortable. Fran felt squished within the path and kept herself bound tight to her core. Hopefully her slowbro was doing well enough. He seemed less occupied with the space available, and more engrossed in following close to his trainer. 

Time rolled on slowly, like the stream. Then a light came. It wasn't the same reflection that Fran had memorized from the walls, but instead it was a a source all on its own. The troupe pushed forward until they were released from the chill of the cave. The heat of a setting sun embraced them. Open air had never tasted fresher. 

Fran stretched her arms around her back. "Thank god," she spoke through a sigh. She turned toward her ocean-haired companion and her pokemon. "Alright Jenna, it was nice seein' you again. We gotta get this thing to a center," she gestured vaguely to the loveball in her bag. "We'll catch ya around. Stay safe," and with that, the woman moved back into the trees. Her pink partner waved goodbye with a dopey grin on his face. He was glad to have made a new friend. 

444 words. Jenna Wright

by sixsmith.