#ghxstwritten

“Oh, okay. That’s perfect then. Most people don’t like going to obviously haunted or creepy places with me, so.” Dawn looks back to the dim street, peering though the dark. There was no sign of life whatsoever. No vehicles on the side of the road or in driveways, yards overgrown with grass and weeds, houses that looked utterly run down, no working streetlights... she’d never seen such a strange street in a relatively normal neighborhood before. It was as if something happened here specifically, rendering the street totally abandoned.

Dawn takes the first careful steps ahead on the cracked pavement, roads in disrepair from the elements and lack of care. The sidewalks were more or less the same. Midnight eyes scanned a yard, spotting a kid’s bike that was utterly rusted through.

“This is so strange.” She looks towards one of the houses, windows broken in and jagged pieces of glass deterring entry. Dawn can definitely feel the presence of the paranormal in droves, though she hasn’t seen any signs of spirits lurking in the dilapidated houses just yet.

Lucian sank back further in a rather comfortable chair, enjoying the peace and quiet of the Canalave library. While his own study was just as nice, there were many books he did not have, prompting him to venture to this place. One of these books was currently in his possession, and judging by the serene smile on his lips, it had captured his full attention.

Espeon was curled up on his lap, enjoying a peaceful nap when the soft sound of footsteps caused his ears to perk up. His trainer had yet to notice anyone approaching; too absorbed in his new find to even bother paying attention to his surroundings. This was partially why Lucian let him out to lounge where he pleased, on top of spoiling the creature like no other with many head scritches. This was therapeutic for them both, so the arrangement worked well.

Focusing on the sound of the footsteps, Espeon lifted his head so that it popped over the top of the book, which brought Lucian to the present.

The curtain of night had fallen over Unova’s Desert Resort, yet one tent still remained unoccupied within the research site, the resolute structure bending and pitching slightly in the air breeze.

One hundred yards away and several feet below ground, the tent’s equally resolute inhabitants were just beginning to unravel some of the mysterious surrounding the Relic Castle--a hoard of treasures wrapped in mind-bending puzzles and hieroglyphs. The challenging archaeological journey has taken its toll on both Roxanne and Clair--the two Gym Leaders were entire regions away from home after all, and both probably slept a grand total of five hours combined since arriving here. Their clothes were full of grit, their eyes sported dark circles, and their bodies ached from hours spent in spaces much too small for both of them, digging towards the promise of answers. The excitement of their quest occasionally waned severely, often culminating with both women getting into the pettiest of fights (Stop tracking sand in the tent! and For the last time, keep your notes separate from mine! being the most common offenders).

And yet, both women persisted. They were supernaturally determined, unwilling to accept failure even when it was written on the scorching sands. They lived to knock down obstacles, ignoring curfews and raiding the Relic Castle at will. Every little discovery makes their tiredness melt away--tonight, Clair lets out a surprised yell as she slips down another sandy pitfall into a fresh room, and Roxanne is just seconds behind her with field notes in hand, not wanting to miss out on this newest data point. Their tent would remain empty until a pink sunrise colored the horizon, prompting knowing glances from researchers milling about camp. Again?

the hospital is white and flat, reminiscent of the scrap-paper cut outs she used to make when she was little. sabrina feels the same way, raggedy and insubstantial, like she’s left the greater part of herself outside of these eggshell walls, back in the real world with her real-person life and not the limbo of the hospital waiting room. she wishes she was anywhere else, but she makes no move to leave, to stand from the tacky plastic of the chair she’s been sitting in for the past two hours.

whenever she shuts her eyes, she sees her father’s face, so she doesn’t. she sees how he had seized at the restaurant table only hours before, features stricken, body sagging across the table. she thinks about how maybe a year ago, they’d gone to the same restaurant to celebrate her mother’s 54th birthday, and how he’d drank too much of that expensive wine. he had reclined in his seat almost lazily while her mother laughed on, eyes dancing, lips curved in a fond smile.

even with her eyes strained open, she can see the way he’d looked at her earlier today, before the stroke, eyes cool and distant. his mouth had been set in a tense line, poised to cut with sharp words of rebuttal. then she’s thinking about watching him get carted out of the restaurant by the EMTs, looking pathetic and awful and so not like himself.

he had it coming, she had wanted to say to the paramedics. he deserves it. leave him, leave him, leave him.

send a number for a drabble

3. Phantom

Granted, maybe he was staring a bit too long but those shoulder poofs were also a bit too tall. Gold absentmindedly nods his head with a tiny pout of consideration, never one to be judgmental of any fashion statement, but unfortuantely someone or something misinterprets his curious brows. His ear gets pinched, then pulled. Twice. Three times. Hey.

It’s disorienting (whisperings shift subjects when Gold starts looking around the train car with a critical eye) but manageable;          that is until the standing passenger’s grip phases through his support and has him stumbling over a couple of seats.

All too familiar with otherworldly mischief, a recovered Gold sternly locks with the wide, violet eyes ever-so-innocently blinking back at him. One final look-over communicates the chick’s dead giveaway of a palette, and she wobbles her fountain pen between two fingers, tapping twice on the pages of her journal. Tut tut?

Whispers are traded for the first time up in a sturdy tree overlooking the Berlitz household: Pssst! I heard that you like me--is it true? Seven-year old Dawn swings her legs happily upon spilling the hushed question, prompting a defensively hissed I do not! from seven-year old Barry next to her. She giggles into his shoulder, and the young boy’s face turns the hue of a Tomato Berry.

Do you have the homework?! Barry’s panicked whisper reaches Dawn’s ear two years later, bottled up in the back of Professor Rowan’s musty classroom. She pretends not to hear him panicking in an attempt to teach him some measure of responsibility, but a feeble groan from the blond finally earns her pity. Professor Rowan, ever eagle-eyed and too strict for this, catches Dawn in the middle of the transaction. It isn’t all bad, Dawn thinks a week after serving her detention sentence. To make up for his gaffe, Barry’s been trying--bless his heart--to craft bento lunches for her this entire week. It’s the thought that counts.

See you, talk later... Dawn’s hushed voice crackles over the Poketch, Barry straining to hear her over the howling winds riling up Lake Acuity. It’s the first time he’s heard her voice in three weeks, but it feels like three eternities--the Badge grind really does take its toll. Her voice sounds alien, distorted over the crackly signal, but Barry can’t entirely blame the technology this time. The call disconnects too early, and the ensuing silence makes the bitter air sting a little more.

I did it, she whispers amidst the chaos, and Barry wishes he could be happier in that moment for Sinnoh’s newly-minted champion. Not only did he fall to her at the Pokemon League’s doorstep, he also ended up bowing out to Cynthia hours later, a victim of his own hastiness--a hare before the finish line. It should’ve been me! rage his darkest inner whispers, but the weak moment is fleeting and leaves an awful taste in his mouth. Barry quickly decides not to entertain those thoughts ever again and relaxes, even finding time to gush over his best friend before she’s swept away by paparazzi. It’s all so surreal.

Hecklers, always present at Dawn’s battles, whisper doubt among themselves, casting derision down on the Sinnoh Champion who has successfully defended her title countless times. Barry wants to fight them all. Locked into her own fight just yards away, on a familiar battlefield, Dawn’s gaze hardens. She can hear the whispers covertly calling her skill into question, even if she acts like she can’t. Then, the Twinleaf native hears him. Barry’s in the second row for this one, standing tall, his face that familiar shade of Tomato Berry-red as he recklessly bellows his support, completely oblivious to the people around him.  

Dawn! Kick some butt! Nobody comes for the throne! Nobody! Teach ‘em a lesson, champ! Let’s GOOOOO....!

send 🖤 and my character will answer about yours.

attractiveness:

repulsive / hideous / ugly / not attractive / unappealing / not unattractive / meh / no preference / ok / mildly attractive / nice looking / cute / adorable / attractive / pleasant on the eyes / good looking / hot / sexy / beautiful / gorgeous / hot damn / would tap that / perfect / godlike / holy fuck there are no words.

personality:

grating / irritating / frustrating / boring / confusing at best / awkward / unreasonable / psychotic / disturbing / interesting / engaging / affectionate / aggressive / ambitious / anxious / artistic / bad tempered / bossy / charismatic / appealing / unappealing / creative / courageous / dependable / unreliable / unpredictable / predictable / devious / dim / extroverted / introverted / egotistical / gregarious / fabulous / impulsive / intelligent / sympathetic / talkative / up beat / peaceful / calming / badass / flexible.

how likely they would have sex with them:

not if they were the last person on earth and the world was ending / fuck no! / never / no way / not likely / not sure / indifferent / I’m asexual / maybe / probably / it depends / fairly likely / likely / yeah sure / yes / would tap that / hell yes / fuck yes! / wishing that could happen right now / as many times as possible / we are already having sex.

level of friendship:

never in a million years / worst of enemies / enemies / rivals / indifferent / neutral / acquaintance / friendly toward each other / casual friends / friends / good friends / best friends / fuck buddies / bosom buddies / practically the same person / would die for them / true friends / my only friend.

first impression of them:

i hate them so much / i don’t like them / i don’t trust them / they annoy me / they’re weird / I’m indifferent / meh / they seem alright / they’re growing on me / truce / I think I like them / I like them / I’m not sure if I trust them / I trust them / they’re cool / they’re genuine / I think we’re going to get along / I really like them / I think I’m in love / oh fuck they’re hot / I love them.

current impression of them: