Random, yes. But I just felt like typing this up. The idea hit me and, well, here it is. Another one of my character reflection things, I guess. Here you are! Enjoy if you wish, and review if you are so compelled!
It was strange, the realization of what was happening.
One minute, I was shoving mouthful after delicious mouthful of potato chowder down my throat.
Eating, grasping for air between each scoop…
I didn't even know I could eat that fast.
The next minute, the spoon clattered to the bowl.
Brock and Ash looked over at me.
Their faces…
How could I have finished so soon?
How could I leave half the bowl empty?
"Misty, what's wrong? You're not eating! Are you sick? You need help?"
Frantic, worried, fingers shaking, sensitive, caring little Ash.
"Misty, are you alright?"
Strong, calm, confident, hiding the shakes, big brother Brock.
My mouth opened and closed for a moment. I tried, oh how I tried to make some sort of noise, some scream of horror, but I couldn't. I closed my mouth, breathed through my nose, and tried again.
"Th-the soup's fantastic, Br-Broxk."
"Then why don't you finish?"
Cocky chuckling, content at my answer.
I managed to still my trembling hand enough to lift a carrot, mushy from chowder, in a spoon. Ash's mouth dropped open at this point, another spoonful stopped midway in its journey to his mouth.
"What?" He squeaked.
'Brock…I've been eating carrots this whole time. This whole time…I've been eating them, and I haven't even noticed." My breath quickened a bit, wanting to make my final, frightened point.
"Yeah…you're not allergic, are you?" He gasped.
"No, I'm not." I whispered. "But…I hate carrots."
Cocky laugh once more. Stubborn, refusal, denial.
"Not the way I make them."
I put the carrot in my mouth.
Hoping, praying, please don't let me be right.
I felt myself pull a face at the taste. Nevertheless, I had already started eating again. More gulps, using a piece of bread to get the last bit of soup from the bottom of the bowl, no part left empty.
Temptation.
I wanted another bowl full so bad. I wanted to ask. I wasn't allowed to ask, by some unwritten rule of our group. I knew there wasn't any left. So I busied myself with finding more firewood while Brock washed the dishes.
Desperation, panic, confusion.
Terror.
Did Brock know?
Did Ash?
Did any trainer in this world actually realize what was going on?
Did they realize why they were so happy to see a town when they adored to be on the road?
Did they realize why the little boy trainers seemed to be always 'growing boys'?
Did they notice how they practically clawed over one another for food?
Couldn't anyone see what was going on?
Nurse Joy?
Officer Jenny?
Did they know?
How could anyone not realized why every morsel of food tasted better than the last?
Why nobody seemed to lack skill in the kitchen?
Why anything that could be eaten, would be eaten?
I mean, honestly…
Was I the only one who noticed we were starving to death?