There is something to be said about knowing one's way. Having a plan, accounting for known variables, and carrying it out to the best of your ability speaks volumes of one's competency and skill. On the other hand, making something up on the fly and keeping things malleable enough to adapt to the times is a sign of wit and mental fortitude. They say that one is never truly lost if they can find their feet.
Obviously whoever said that never went backpacking across a foreign land without a map.
I gripped my cane tightly as I looked out at the sky. The sun was starting to set, and the vibrant blue was giving way to dull orange.
Hmmm... orange. I think I have some orange slices in my satchel. Nothing like a sweet treat to help the brain function. Of course, I shouldn't be eating gummy candies at my age. They'll likely get stuck to my teeth, and those come out.
...where was I? Oh yes, finding one's feet.
I could easily find my feet. After walking for as long as I had, they were practically screaming at me to stop, to rest. Even though I was sitting on a log, a once mighty tree felled by either nature or a creature mightier than the tree had been... after spending the past several months in a fancy hotel, my old bones didn't fancy the idea of sleeping under the stars.
I've slept in worse places. Fifty years ago, I wouldn't have thought twice about sleeping on the ground, or in a tree, or under a rock if need be. I'd done all that and worse, and you didn't hear me complain!
But then... that was then, and time takes a toll on all of us. No sense dwelling on my lost youth...
Lost youth. What a peculiar phrase. As if years were something that could be lost as easily as one's keys. If you lose your keys, you can eventually find them. They're still out there, somewhere. Youthful vigor and resilience fade with time. I haven't misplaced my youth, I spent it. Through hard work and dedication, I made myself a stable, sturdy life. A life I could be proud of, despite the less than glamorous days.
So... why had I thrown it away?
I don't mean by coming out here, no, far from it. My decision to visit Petalburg Woods was supposed to be a fresh start, getting me back on my feet and moving again after spending far longer than I should have wallowing in Dewford Town.
No, the day I lost everything was eighteen years ago...
"Okay, good news and bad news!" A voice pulled me back to the present, the soft voice of a teenage girl, Sam. She'd found me wandering the woods, despite looking lost herself, and we'd decided to stick together for a bit.
"Hey, were you asleep? It's like 7:30." Sam looked at me with confusion and concern.
"Just lost in thought, my dear." I reassured her. "No reason to fret. What's this news you have?"
"Bad news is that I still don't have a signal, and there are way too many Shroomish back that way. It's spore city out there. The good news is that I think there's another exit east of here, based on the map. It can't update our location without service, but I can still read it like a normal map."
"Splendid form, dear girl!" I pushed myself back to my feet, ready to push on. "We're going to have to hoof it if we want to get out of here before we lose the light."
Sam led the way, and I followed. She was a local girl, and while she had never come this far west, she had grown up around Oldale, so was more familiar with the land than a Galarian such as myself.
Or at least, I was content to let her think that. The poor girl was a novice, not nearly as experienced as I was at traveling. She knew enough, but I doubt she'd gone much farther than the local fishing spot before setting out on this adventure. But she was practically an adult, and made up for her lack of experience with *chutzpah* and determination.
We talked a bit, as we walked. Sam had never really left her hometown before, and wanted to go out and see the world. Her mother had argued against it, having a low opinion of those who spent their days wandering instead of having a stable job and contributing to society. That hurt to hear, as I'd spent my whole life traveling while still having steady employment, but it was good to see someone pursuing their dreams.
When I asked about her mother, Sam brushed it off, joking that it wouldn't be appropriate for me to meet her. "Think of how that would look, me bringing a man home with me!" she'd said, and there was a point to be had there.
"Why are you out here, Bill?" She asked me. "Since you've asked about me, why not tell me a bit about yourself?"
A bit about myself... there was much I could say. A widower, estranged from my daughter, and with a granddaughter I hadn't seen in over a decade. I'd served in the military, done work for the International Police, and been a Trainer of both people and Pokémon for many years. I'd done much I'm proud of, some things I'm not, and a small handful of things I deeply regret.
"Not much to say, really. Just an old man with too much time on his hands and not much on his plate. But I refuse to say my best days are behind me when I don't know what tomorrow might bring!" I laughed, and Sam nodded, glancing back at me with a smile.
She wore her hair in a way that covered half of her face, and it made me want to brush it aside. She might trip, covering her eye like that. I've heard the term "fashion victim" before, but I didn't want it to be literal.
"That's a nice way to look at it. I hope I can stay as optimistic as you are when I'm your age."
"Well, you have plenty of time to worry about that! You're a mere... what, seventeen? You needn't concern yourself with that for decades!"
Sam laughed, a playful grin on her face. "Why, Sir William, it's impolite to ask a lady her age! But you're spot on, as you Galarians say."
"Hm, yes. My own granddaughter isn't much older than you. I do try to keep an eye on family, you know."
"Ah." She nodded, as if she found the answer she was looking for. "So that's it. You have family out here you're looking to visit, and you thought taking a walk through the woods would be a good idea."
That... was almost accurate. "Something along those lines. What gave it away?"
Sam shrugged, and while I couldn't see her face, I could hear her smirk. "I've heard stories from travelers all my life. My house was a bed and breakfast for travelers, I've literally grown up hearing all sorts of stories. You're an open book, old man. I just needed to turn you to the right page."
Her confidence was surprising, her bluntness even more so. She came across as quiet and introverted, but had a sharp mind behind that pretty face. She reminded me so much of...
"Hey, you good? Lost in thought again?" Sam had grabbed my arm, leaning in close to inspect my face in the dusk light. "Maybe we should stop for the night, get some rest."
"Oh... yes, of course. Wouldn't do to take a tumble out here, so far from town. I believe there's a clearing up ahead, we could settle down there."
"Yeah... how do you know that?"
"Oh, I saw it on the map. I have a keen mind for directions." I started walking, with Sam at my side to help guide me in the fading light.
Indeed, there was a suitable place to make camp not far ahead. Sam's large backpack contained a sleeping bag and cooking supplies, and I'd packed a simple bedroll for myself, so we settled down to a comfortable evening. She called out a Geodude to keep watch while we slept, in case any wild Pokémon came creeping about in the night, which showed good instincts on her part.
We talked for a bit, her about her aspirations, me about my experiences. As we swapped stories and shared advice, I felt I could be friends with this girl. I've lost much in my life, but sometimes, in the most unexpected ways and the strangest of places, you can still find something new.
