Chapter 6: The Cabin
Nora had left the forest and was plodding through a field of white snow as the wind continued to blow against her. Several hours had past and there had been no sign of any more hunters sent by her father. However the sun was beginning to set and night was fast approaching. Nora knew she needed to find some kind of shelter quickly. She frantically looked around and in the distance saw a black spec that almost looked like a house.
As quickly as she could, Nora headed towards that spec with the desperate hope that it actually was shelter of some kind. She stumbled a few times and fell face first in the snow, but she kept getting up and pressed on. By the time the sun had almost set, Nora had reached that speck in the distance, which as she thought was an old cabin made of logs that had darkened with age and a snow-covered roof with a chimney. A single frosted over window was on the sidewall facing Nora. Thankful for any kind of shelter, Nora found the door and quickly went inside.
The inside of the house was practically covered in dust and cobwebs that showed that the little cabin had not been used in years. There were no other rooms in the cabin except for the one Nora was standing in. The only furniture in the place consisted of a long wooded table and two chairs, a single bed, and a small stove by the fireplace. While the cabin was not the most luxurious of accommodations, Nora knew that it was better than sleeping outside or in a cave. She went over to the fireplace and went about trying to se a fire with the one old log available, and right off the bat she was having little success.
“Need some help?” a voice asked from behind Nora, scaring her half to death.
Nora turned around to see an old woman standing about four feet tall and wore what looked to be a white robe that seemed almost feathered. The old woman’s hair was stark white and done up in a bun, while her face was incredibly wrinkled. But her eyes were what Nora noticed most about the old woman. They were deep blue and seemed to gaze into Nora’s very soul.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t think anyone lived here.” Nora said to the old woman. “I didn’t mean to just barge in.”
“It’s quite alright my dear.” The old woman told her. “I don’t blame you for wanting to come in from the cold. Feel free to spend the night.”
“Thank you very much.” Nora said gladly.
“Not a problem at all.” The old woman replied. “Now sit down while I start a fire.”
“Are you sure?” Nora asked with concern. “I don’t want you to trouble yourself.”
“Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I can’t start a fire.” The old woman chuckled. “Just sit down and I’ll have it started in no time. And after that I’ll prepare us something warm to eat. I’m sure that by now you’re starving.”
Nora complied, though she felt guilty about letting a woman of such advanced age try and start a fire. But in a surprisingly short amount of time, a fire was roaring in the once dormant fireplace. Soon after, the old woman fired up the old stove and prepared two bowls of stew for both herself and Nora. There was very little conversation during the meal. This was mostly due to the strangeness of the old woman. Try as she might, Nora could not figure out who the old woman was or where she came from.
“Um, could you tell me how far it is to the next town?” Nora asked, finally breaking the silence.
“The next town?” the old woman repeated sounding surprised. “Why, there isn’t another town for miles around. It would take you a journey of several months to reach one?”
“Are you sure?” Nora asked with a somewhat desperate tone.
“Well… there is one town that is more within reach.” The old woman said after thinking it over for a moment. “But it would still take you several weeks, and the journey would be far too dangerous for you. It would probably be better for you to stay here for now.”
“No, please! You have to tell me which way this town is!” Nora begged. “I don’t care how dangerous it is, I just have to get there!”
“Why so desperate child?” the old woman asked. “What is so urgent that you would risk death from the cold and other hazards?”
“I need to find him.” Nora told the old woman. “I need to find Alex.”
“You must care about this boy a lot.” The old woman observed.
“We met when I was about twelve.” Nora began. “My father and I had just moved to Goldenrod City and I had started attending a new school. The school wasn’t too far away from where we lived, and I didn’t want to seem stuck up by coming and going in a limo, so I decided to walk there and back. But on my home from my first day this band of older boys ambushed me. Needless to say their intentions weren’t honorable….”
* * *
Three young punks who looked to be in their mid-teens had cornered the young Nora Winters in an ally. The first of the group had black hair and wore a red and black-striped t-shirt and faded jeans. The second had long brown hair and wore a green t-shirt and black jeans. The third boy, who appeared to be the leader of the group, wore an orange ski hat, grey hooded sweatshirt, and faded jeans. All three of them had menacing smiles on their faces.
“So what should we do with her?” the boy in the stripped shirt asked. “Doesn’t look like she has any cash on her.”
“Nah, but look at that uniform.” The ski capped boy pointed out. “Looks like she goes to one of those fancy private schools. Her parents are probably loaded. Bet they’d pay a lot to get her back if we took her.”
“Great idea.” The boy in the green shirt agreed.
As the trio advanced on Nora, another boy about Nora’s age suddenly rushed in and kicked the green-shirted boy in the knee, causing him to cry out and fall to the ground. The newcomer then grabbed Nora by the hand and ran off with her. The three hoodlums gave chase after a moment. Nora and her savior lost them by ducking into another ally. As they caught their breath, Nora took a good look at the one who saved her. He had red spiked hair and wore jeans and a red t-shirt.
“Um, thank you for saving me.” Nora said to the stranger after catching her breath. The stranger gave her an irritated look.
“You idiot!” the boy shouted. “Don’t you know how dangerous it is to wander these streets by yourself? Those punks could’ve really hurt you!”
Nora burst into tears from the boy’s outburst, causing the boy to feel very guilty.
“H-hey, I’m sorry.” The boy said with a very apologetic expression. “I didn’t mean to yell at you like that. I just wanted you to know how dangerous it is for a rich girl like you to be out here by yourself.”
“Well you didn’t have to yell at me you know!” Nora said as she calmed down a bit.
“So… do you live around here?” the boy asked after Nora had completely calmed down.
“Yeah, I live in that big building over there.” Nora replied as she pointed at a tall condominium not too far away.
“I should’ve guessed.” The boy sighed. “Well it’s not too long a walk, but just to be safe why don’t I come with you?”
“You’d walk me back home?” Nora asked sounding surprised.
“Sure, it’s not like I have anything better to do.” The boy replied. “Plus those guys might come after you again.”
“Okay.” Nora agreed. “Um, my name’s Nora. Who’re you?”
“I’m Alex Blaze.” The boy answered.
After checking to see if the coast was clear, Alex and Nora headed for the condo. They were silent until they reached the street and waited for the cars to pass.
“Mind if I ask you something?” Alex said, breaking the silence. “Your family’s rich, right?”
“Well my father owns a big company, so I guess you could say we’re rich.” Nora answered. “Why do you ask?”
“Well wouldn’t it make more sense for you to come to your school in a car or something?” Alex asked.
“My father did tell me I should take the limo, but the school’s only a short walk away.” Nora replied. “And I don’t want the other kids to think I’m stuck up. I want to be treated like everybody else.”
“Don’t tell me you’re planning to walk to and from school again tomorrow.” Alex said with a somewhat exasperated expression. “I mean after what happened today I’d think you’d want to play it safe and just ride there and back.”
“Well I know what happened today was scary, but I refuse to let it stop me from walking.” Nora said defiantly.
“Great.” Alex said with a sarcastic sigh as the cars stopped and they finally crossed the street. “Well, I guess this means that I’m going to have to walk you to and from school every day.”
“Are you serious?” Nora asked with surprise as she stopped walking for a moment.
“Of course I am.” Alex said as he kept walking. “I mean those guys might come after you again.”
“But, I don’t want to be a bother to you.” Nora said as she caught back up to Alex. “Surly you must have better things to do than waste your time escorting me.”
“Not really.” Alex told her. “I come by here to my own school and back. So it’s no big deal. Plus I’d feel bad if I let a girl like you get hurt.”
“Oh, okay.” Nora said, as she blushed a bit. “So… where do you live?”
“The Goldenrod City Orphanage.” Alex answered bluntly. “My parents died when I was two. I don’t really remember much about them.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Nora said as her expression saddened. “My mom died not long after I was born.”
“But you still have your dad, right?” Alex pointed out.
“I guess…” Nora sighed. “But it seems like he tries to control me sometimes. It’s like I’m a caged bird.”
“Sounds rough.” Alex commented as they reached their destination. “Well, we’re here. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Are you really going to walk me to and from school tomorrow?” Nora asked.
“Tomorrow and every day after that.” Alex answered. “That’s a promise.”
“Okay, well then I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” Nora said before turning and entering the building.
* * *
“…The next morning Alex was waiting for me outside the building to walk me to school.” Nora continued. “And that afternoon he was waiting outside my school to walk me home. It was like that every day. And as time went on we got to know each other more and more. I think it was just before I graduated high school when we realized when I realized that I had fallen in love with him. And he realized that he had fallen in love with me.
“But of course my father never approved of me even being around Alex. To him Alex was just some penniless orphan that I had no business being around. That didn’t stop Alex and I from seeing each other. We ended up going out in secret. My father found out though and sent me to this wasteland while he did who knows what with Alex. But I won’t let that stop me from getting back to him! So please… tell me how to get to this town!”
“I see… so this is the truth of your heart.” The old woman said after hearing Nora’s story. “Very well, in the morning I shall tell you which way you need to go. But for tonight you should rest here.”
“Thank you very much.” Nora said gratefully with tears in her eyes.
* * *
The next morning, Nora was standing outside the door to the cabin listening to the old woman’s directions.
“From here you must head west to a place known as the Giant Chasm.” The old woman told her. “It is a long journey filled with many dangers. You must also beware the Giant Chasm itself. It is said that the chasm contains a creature that devours both humans and Pokemon to try and fill the void within its heart. So be careful.”
“I will.” Nora told the old woman. “Thank you very much.”
“You must also remember this my child.” The old woman added. “Believe in the truth within your heart. That truth is the love you have for the boy, Alex. If you believe in that truth and you will not fail in your journey, for that truth will allow you to endure the hardships of this land. Do not be taken in by the deceptions of others, otherwise you will find nothing but despair.”
“I think I understand.” Nora replied. “Again, thank you for everything.”
With that, Nora continued on her quest. The old woman stood in the doorway and watched her walk into the distance.
“The girl’s love for the boy is true.” The old woman said to herself. “But is the boy’s love for the girl true I wonder. That only time will tell.”
The old woman suddenly vanished into thin air as if she were a ghost. But by that time Nora was too far away to notice.
