Chapter Text
“Hey Gladion, where are you going?” I saw my friend stop cold in his tracks. The hallways of the Aether Foundation were dark, the only light currently illuminating from the elevator. Gladion had his hand over the controls and slowly turned to look at me. He brought his finger to his lips. Unsatisfied, I walked closer and whispered to him. “It’s 2am and you are on the dock level.” My eyes wandered to his waist where a red bag was strapped. “What’s in there?” Gladion shook his head, annoyed at my lack of silence. He quietly stepped towards me. I was about to make another comment, but he brought his finger up to my mouth. Finally taking a hint, I kept my words to myself. A small sigh escaped Gladion’s lips. He lowered his finger from my face and grabbed my hands.
“Brooke, do you trust me?” Those were the first words I had heard from him in a long time. Though we had been close ever since my father came to work at the Aether Foundation, Gladion had been distant for the past few weeks. The day he came back from visiting the basement labs, he began to purposefully avoid people. I had never been there myself, but my father worked in the labs. He refused to tell me what went on down there, but I could see the sadness in his eyes. Lately, I had noticed the same sadness in Gladion.
“Of course I do.” I murmured back, not meeting his gaze. Gladion let go of my hands, and they fell limp at my side. It seemed that he didn’t want to look at me either.
“I have to go.” He bit his lip hesitantly. “And I won’t be back for a while.” I finally looked up at him, but his face was still turned away.
“What about Lillie?” There was no point in trying to convince him to stay. Gladion had always been stubborn. He quickly glanced in my direction.
“I need you to look after her.” I felt almost mournful. With that one statement, I knew that Gladion had no intentions to ever come back. If he was willing to abandon Lillie, it must have been an urgent matter. Gladion held my face in his hands, forcing me to look at him. “Brooke, I need you to look after her for me.” The pang in his voice left no debate. He didn’t want to desert Lillie, especially after their father’s recent disappearance.
“I will… of course I will Gladion, but why do you have to go?” There weren’t many children at the Aether Foundation. Gladion and Lillie were all I had. I didn’t want my friend to leave.
“Thank you Brooke.” He purposefully didn’t answer my question. Whatever his reason was for leaving, he couldn’t tell me. “I... I need to ask you another favor.” There was reluctance in his voice, which quickly turned to desperation. “Please don’t tell anyone you saw me tonight.” He really wanted to disappear. When the morning came and people started searching for him, I would have to lie and claim I knew nothing. It would be difficult. I’m not a liar, and even though I trusted him I was worried. I sighed before responding.
“I won’t.” Gladion was my friend. I would do anything for him. He smiled shyly, and let go of my face. Without another word, he stepped back and ran towards a boat that was bobbing slightly in the water. I remained fixed in my spot and watched it speed away.