Chapter 11: Shadows in the Forest

Section 11: Shadows in the Forest

The air is crisp. It is 3pm, a few breezes brush against my face as I walk down the road leading to the building that separates Viridian City from Viridian Forest. The structure is modest—a simple wooden passage with dusty windows—but it marks the boundary between the city and the wild.

As I push the door open, a police officer stands there, leaning against a desk, arms crossed. His gaze lifts to me the moment I enter.

— "Hello, young man."

His tone is a little too firm. A tone meant to impose authority, yet it feels... forced.

I stop, silent, observing him for a few seconds. I don't even need to ask him anything. His posture, his gaze… something is off.

— "Something happened in the forest, didn't it?"

He narrows his eyes slightly before nodding.

— "Yes. An attempt to capture a large number of Pokémon. Some individuals used a net to trap them."

A net?

I take a moment to think. This method isn't typical for an ordinary trainer. It's a massive, brutal approach… A move that implies organization.

— "Were they after a specific Pokémon?"

— "Their goal is still unknown."

He avoids my gaze, slightly uneasy.

My suspicion deepens.

— "The net, is it still there?"

He nods slowly.

— "Yes. It fell from their ship when they failed. The Pokémon managed to escape by digging a hole and scattered into the forest."

"Ship"...

That word lingers in my mind.

— "So they came flying?"

— "It's probable."

Why didn't he just say yes?

His choice of words is… cautious.

I recall a documentary I watched when I was younger. Officers on duty always work in pairs, accompanied by at least a Growlithe, or an Arcanine if the situation is more serious.

Yet, this man is alone.

— "Are you the only officer stationed here?"

He doesn't answer immediately.

— "My colleague… went to gather information in the forest with Growlithe."

A poorly constructed lie.

If he wanted me to believe his story, he would have mentioned from the start that another officer was already investigating.

The thought crosses my mind—what if he isn't a real officer?

Where did he get that uniform? Did he steal it?

Another possibility emerges: what if he's trying to make me believe that the criminals had already failed, so I wouldn't worry about them anymore?

He speaks, but he says nothing useful.

As my thoughts race, a buzzing sound breaks the silence.

A phone.

He answers immediately, takes a few steps away, and speaks in a low voice.

I can't make out his words clearly, but his tone is sharp. He seems to be responding to someone giving him instructions.

Then, without another word, he hangs up, turns on his heel, and leaves the building.

I watch him disappear into the distance.

…

… Too many coincidences.

I don't like this.

I take a deep breath and step through the door leading into Viridian Forest.

The moment my foot touches the path, I realize something.

The net he mentioned.

It's gone.

…

I remain still for a moment, letting the silence settle around me.

Then, slowly, I resume my walk, my thoughts swirling in my mind.

This isn't just a simple forest, not this time.

It's a chessboard.

And someone just made a move.