video

[neededlassie]

[The screen flickers on to show a boy who looks like he’s a little bit in a fog. Behind him, a Buizel bounces around happily through the snowdrifts, nearly disappearing only to poke her head up every now and then, her whiskers and fur caked with snow.]

Hello? Is anyone out there? My name is Shaun Mars. There was this lady who called herself my mom, and she gave me a backpack full of food and clothes and stuff, and I sorta...just wanted to know if that had happened to anyone else. And also, if the food was...safe to eat. It’s like rice, and I think there’s fish and vegetables and stuff too, or something.

I think I might've gotten someone else's Pokegear thing. It says it's my birthday today, but my birthday was two days ago.

Comments

[video]

[neededlassie]

Israel? I think I know where that is... I'm from Philadelphia. We get a lot of snow in January.

Yeah. He told me to call him when I get to the next city and he'll meet me there.

His name is Norman. Do you know him?

[video]

[bywiseguidance]

If we are thinking of the same person, I have spoken with him, though I have not had the chance to meet him in person. He seems to be a good man.

[Feds stickin' together, though she genuinely does think Norman's is nice.]

[video]

[neededlassie]

[That's reassuring.]

I never met him before. But he said he met my dad...

Do you really think I'll be okay with him, Ms. David? It's just...My mom wouldn't want me traveling with strangers. And...Last time I did, bad things happened.

[video]

[bywiseguidance]

Ordinarily very sound advice that I would suggest following. But in this case...he is trustworthy, and it is better for you to have someone to help you, yes?

[She's not going to ask about the bad things because last thing she wants to do is make a kid relive trauma.]

I would give him a chance.

[video]

[neededlassie]

[Shaun is noticeably reassured by the vote of confidence in Norman's favor. It doesn't quite occur to him to be suspicious that they could both be conspiring, and so far they haven't tried to tell him where to go or what to do.

His natural instinct was to trust Norman. He just needed a second opinion to be comfortable going through with it.

He nods.]

Okay, I will.