[HBM] Something wicked this way comes

The fresh air did him wonders. He’d been inside too long and could almost feel the walls closing in on him. which was why he’d chosen to go on a wlk. Míngzé had no destination in mind and was simply walking, usining his phone for navigation to some unknown location. He’d even decided to keep his pokémon home for some real peace and quiet.

Míngzé came to a halt when he could hear panicked voices around him. He looked around himself, trying to discern what was happening, but it did not help him at all. Their loud voices were enough to fuel his own panic as he had no idea what was going on and why people were panicking. It made it even worse for him. Míngzé took a step back, but even that was a stupid idea. For all he knew he was stepping right into danger. “What is—” he started asking no one in particular. Before he could finish his sentence there was a loud bang, as if something heavy fell to the ground. Instinctively he had raised his arms to shield his face if necessary. More screams, but it did not seem like anyone was running away.

Vaguely he saw someone standing next to him. “What happened?” he asked panicked, his breathing shaking and fast. In situations like this, his body always told him to run form the unknown, but how could he if he did not know where to run or what had happened? Míngzé clung to his cane like it would keep him out of danger. There was a clear hint of fear gleaming in his eyes as he looked around him even while it did not help him at all.

It was impossible to know what had just happened. People were way too loud and all of them talked through each other. Míngzé was panicking and for all the good reasons. What if they had to run away from something? Perhaps a pokémon attack. He would never be fast enough and if people started pushing and pulling on each other he would never make it. Fear gripped at his chest and it only got worse.

His name sounded from somewhere between the cacophony of voices and Míngzé turned his head in that direction. A shadow came closer and he could only assume that they had called for him. His suspicions were confirmed when a hand was placed on his shoulder. With a tiny smile he looked at her when she mentioned her name. Mindo. Her presence here took an edge of the building fear. Just the idea that there was someone here with him now that he knew and trusted helped tremendously.

“God, you have no idea how happy I am you are here,” he sighed deeply. Given the fact that she was standing here with him and not pulling him along, he assumed there was nothing t o run away from. Not that her explanation made it any better. “Moving Harmony Bears?” Míngzé replied, followed by a scoff.

Next to him another voice sounded and he turned around immediately. “Right, very funny.” Míngzé rolled his eyes before looking in the direction of the scene before them. The large shadow told him nothing, only that a truck did indeed fall over. “I’m blind, not stupid. What really happened? Do we need to run? Is anyone in danger?” Was the scene too gruesome? Was that why they tried to— to do what exactly? Protect him against the vision of a horrible accident? Having some random stranger join continuing the joke made it even worse.

Walking stuffed plushies was something out of a movie, toy story for example. It was not real life. Of course Míngzé had trouble believing a word Mindo said. He clenched his teeth when she hissed at him. His breathing was still too deep and he could almost feel the panic burning on his face, no matter how hard he tried to stay calm. This was horrible. The not knowing. The uncertainty. “Guess I’ll just have to take your word for it,” he muttered through his teeth. It was still highly unbelievable.

Apparently they were pokémon, which made more sense and he could feel himself calm down a little. The woman he did not know but Mindo called a ‘saleswoman’ started talking to one of the pokémon. It was the tone of her voice, however, that made him raise an eyebrow. His gaze was turned towards her as she continued on. “Why is she talking to them like she’s trying to lure a child in a shady white van?” he asked Mindo quietly. It was clear he had no idea what was going on exactly.

Vaguely he saw how the woman turned to them again after she had successfully kidnapped one of those pokémon. Míngzé simply stared at her with a raised brow, unsure of what to make of the entire situation. Part of him simply wanted to go away, immediately as he did not like any of it. “Yeah, I guess I don’t,” Míngzé replied monotonously. What was going on with this woman?