The Culling Years Chapter 1
Okay, here's the first chapter of my newest fic. It's not the greatest beggining, but the story gets better later on.
Oh, and for those that don't know, culling, or to cull, is the act of eliminating, either through destroying or simply removing, the weaker portion of a group to insure the continued success of the stronger. This act is practiced later in the story.
So....on with the show!
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The Culling Years
Chapter 1
“I’m not going to tell you again!” my mom shouted.
“Good!” I shouted back. “That way I won’t have to ignore you again!”
With this, I continued licking the sucker the little girl was holding out for me. Strawberry. My absolute favorite.
Those were such happy times. I deeply regret defying my mother’s will, but back then it didn’t bother me. Especially considering how much fun I always had.
Every morning, I’d meet the little girl at the edge of town where she’d give me a sucker. Obviously, always paranoid about everything associated with humans, my mother thought it a trap. Every so often, like this day in particular, she would even come out to the edge to the town to try and convince me to come home to “safety.”
Once I finished the sucker, I would head into town, ignoring my now-frantic mother, or my hidden doubts if she was not there.
Because of my weekly grooming session at the girl’s home, I looked so well-taken-care-of that I was left alone as I wandered around the town, having fun in the various shops and playing places of the town. Those few who knew I wasn’t human-trained, and even most of those who didn’t, liked me a lot and understood I loved freedom. They wouldn’t hear anything of it if somebody tried to capture me.
Normally, when I went into town, my mother would stand there at the edge for a while, then head home in a distraught state. (I would always receive a severe tongue lashing that night when I got home.) But today, she paused a moment, looking around nervously, then reluctantly followed me into town. Back then, I merely thought she was angrier than ever before. Looking back now, I realize I should have known something was wrong.
Trying not to let on I noticed, I went a bit faster than normal toward the first shop.
“Heey!” the owner shouted when I came in. “There’s my buddy! I haven’t seen you in almost a week!”
Each of the customers greeted me as well, for they were also friends of mine.
But, then, they each gave a worried frown as they saw me looking frantically around for a place to hide.
In desperation, I dove behind the counter. Shortly after I landed, I heard the door to the shop open as the little bell rang.
“Alex?” my mother’s voice called out. To my surprise, there was absolutely no anger in her voice. There was only…..panic. She was scared beyond all reason. “Alex, please come home!”
Her voice was so pained, so full of raw, naked terror, that I couldn’t help but step out from behind the counter.
I didn’t know, then, why she was so afraid, but I could practically see her heart working.
“Mom, it’s okay.” I said in my most comforting voice. “I’m coming home with you. It’s okay.”
I continued to comfort her as we left the shop together and went home.
The next morning, despite my better judgement, I went out to meet the girl again.
Imagine my surprise when my mother was waiting there as well as the girl. By now, I knew something was definitely up. She never came two days in a row.
“Mom…..what’s wrong?” I asked. Under my breath, I added “Normally, you’re not this persistent…”
But, apparently, she heard me because she said “Yes, well, normally, you don’t have that man following you around. I-No, ALEX!”
At first, I didn’t know what she was shouting about. But, then, she leapt over me. There was a bright flash of light, then, a little too late, there came the dull thud of something landing on the ground. Only, I could tell it wasn’t my mother because a metallic clank accompanied it. I turned to look.
There was no sign of my mother. There was only an oddly-colored Pokeball with a large “M” where the “P” should have been.
I heard the whooshing sound, but never saw the second ball coming. I felt a short, sharp pain as the metal orb struck my side. There was a second flash of light, then there was only darkness.
A man’s voice laughed nastily, then said “Thanks for keeping them still for me, kid! As a reward, I’ll help you get into Team Rocket! You’ll start off pretty low, but with my help, you’ll rise up through the ranks pretty fast.”
The girl shouted “Let them go, you butt head!”
“Now, now, kid. That’s no way to talk to-“
“YAH!”
There was a dull thump followed by a pained howl that sounded as if it were made either by a man trying to sound like a woman or a woman trying to sound like a man.
My new world of darkness gave a slight jolt, then there was only the sound of the rapid-fire thumping of tiny human footfalls accompanied by the fast, heavy breathing of the little girl.
I was yet to understand fully what had just happened, but I knew the girl had us. I was certain that as long as we were with her, we would be okay.
Hmmm......a very interesting start. I look forward to seeing chapter 2.
"Never use cannon to kill a mosquito. Unless the Mosquito is ten feet long and made of metal."
-Mickey Baldwing, Confucious as related to Magic: The Gathering
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Proud member of the Raw Strength Clan.
spectacular suicune Jade, Friend of Wolvite (and all things pink and fluffy)
Posts: 269
(11/3/03 6:19 pm)
Re: The Culling Years Chapter 1
Hey...this is really interesting, an original plan. I look forward to more, but try to add more detail and such. It will make the chapters longer and the story that much better.
Have fun writing!!
~Jade, who should go sleep now...
You mean you can put something worthwhile down here? Interesting...
The Writing Dino Moderator
Posts: 76
(11/5/03 12:35 am)
Hmm . . .
I really liked this half-chapter. The description and style was very pleasant and easy to read. And I really enjoyed the uncertainty of everything that is going on.
Whats more, I have no idea where this is going, there still is so many possibilities.
My only criticism, if you haven't picked it up, is the length and content. I wanted more to read, and will not be satisfied until I see it. Neither should you, honestly.
SO GET TO IT!!!! Please?
~Mega
No awards to give out yet, I still want to see what you are capable of. ^_~
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