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Hayden muttered darkly to himself. It was bad enough that they sent him out on wild Pokemon hunting duty, but they wouldn't even give him his own Pokemon for protection? He wondered sometimes if they were TRYING to get him killed. There were some dangerous Pokemon still in the wild here on the island! Even if his target today wasn't exactly classified as a "killer," that didn't mean he wasn't running the risk of getting hurt.

And there it was. Bounding about in the tall grasses, the Mareep cooed and made other happy noises, gaining even a half-grin from the poor guard. They'd been watching this one for some time, judging him to be of a good general demeanor. Plus, they needed an Electric-type.

"Hey there, little guy," Hayden called softly, stepping forward slowly and trying to appear non-threatening. "Looking for something to eat?" He pulled a handful of berries from a pouch, tossing a few on the ground near the Mareep. He had to gain the Pokemon's trust before worrying about luring it closer.

Hayden chuckled softly. Even he was unable to resist the charm of this Pokemon. He really was a trusting, little thing, wasn't he?

"Tasty, aren't they? Hmm...I think I might have some sweeter berries in here," he muttered, digging through the pouch for a moment before tossing a couple more berries, just a bit closer to him, but not enough to startle the Mareep. He sat down on the ground, watching the fuzzy Electric-type enjoy the sweet treats. It wasn't often that he was granted an opportunity like this, to simply enjoy the sun and earth, free for a moment at least of the oppressive, sterile walls of the CRONUS laboratory.

Hayden chuckled. "I'll take that as a 'yes' then, eh?" Smiling, he reached out hesitantly, petting the sheep Pokemon's head, then scratching behind his ears. Using his free hand, he dug out the last of the berries from his pack and offered them to the young Electric-type. "Hope ya' enjoy 'em, buddy. Afraid that's all I've got for now though."

He sat on the ground, making himself comfortable. It really was nice out here. The sun was shining, the grass was soft and warm. He wished he could just stay out here instead of returning to the lab. He'd give anything to get away from that place now. Maybe it had seemed like his only choice long ago, but now...he wished he'd tried to solve his own problems rather than taking the 'easy way out.'

After a while, Hayden glanced down to see the Mareep staring back. Laughing, he raised an eyebrow before asking, "What's this now? You're still here? Well, I don't have any more berries, I'm afraid. I might be able to get some more though."

He scratched the Pokemon's head before standing and brushing the dirt and grass from his uniform. "Well, I'll leave it to you if you wanna' come with me, buddy." Turning and walking away, Hayden half-hoped the Pokemon would turn and run back into the forest. It would spare him a lot of pain and suffering...

Hayden sighed, reaching down and patting the little Mareep's head. "Alright, buddy...your choice." He would have loved to let the Pokemon go; chase him off if necessary. He didn't want to be responsible for the hell the poor boy would most likely be going through, but there was nothing he could do now. In any case, it was too late. He was probably being watched anyway. He had to do his job...or else.

He knew his superiors were growing suspicious. They had been harsher on him than usual, yelling and threatening to do...all sorts of things if his performance didn't improve. He'd been making too many mistakes lately: almost letting Tara escape, as well as Shawn...then that whole incident with the writer...

Soon, the pair would reach the lab and Hayden's job would be over. He would turn the Pokemon over to Dr. Hakan and the other researchers and he would be dismissed back to his cell-like room. Yet another experiment who would despise him for what he had done to them...even if he'd had no choice in the matter. Turning to the Mareep with sad eyes, he muttered, "Please...don't hate me."

Something in the little sheep's eyes reached straight into Hayden's heart and while he couldn't understand what the Pokemon was saying, somehow, he did. "You poor thing..." He reached down, hoping the Mareep wouldn't object and scooped him up, holding him carefully in both arms for the rest of the walk back to the lab.

What cruel, sadistic person made the decision to put Hayden through this personal hell? The immediate answer was obvious. Dr. Carl Hakan. That b*****d...Hayden's life wouldn't be nearly this bad if that 'man' didn't take such personal enjoyment in torturing him so completely.

One of these days...

No. That wasn't likely, no matter how good it sounded in the guard's head. Scratching the Pokemon's ear absent-mindedly, he wondered if there was anything he could do in this instant at least. Free just one Pokemon to try and pay penance for his past crimes and mistakes. No, not likely. It was too late now. They were back at the lab and there were cameras everywhere, as well as other guards.

"Maybe you can't understand me either, but just in case you can," he spoke quietly, hoping no one else would hear. "I'll do whatever I can for you, okay? I may not be able to do much, but I promise I'll do everything in my power, just as long as you don't hate me for anything else that happens. It's out of my hands..." Chest aching painfully, he pushed open the door and entered the lab.

Hayden sighed, though slightly encouraged by the Mareep's behavior. "You may not always see me, and we'll probably be separated," he hesitated before adding, "at least for a little while, but I'll still be here, okay? There are people who I have to listen to...and they're not all nice people. But I'll always be here somewhere, okay? Remember that and--"

Hayden was interrupted suddenly as the nearby door burst open and Dr. Hakan came bustling out, followed by a pair of researchers. Frowning, the guard instinctively tried to shield the Mareep from them, though he realized that was a ridiculous notion and more likely to earn greater suspicion. Wonderful.

"That it, Hayden? Good. I see even you didn't screw this one up." Dr. Hakan directed one of the researchers to take the Pokemon from the guard before he waved his hand dismissively. "That will be all for today, Hayden. Leave. Now." Turning, Dr. Hakan moved swiftly back into the room, a number of syringes and machines visible behind the door.

Cringing, his chest aching again as Loki was pulled from his grasp, Hayden grimaced in both physical and emotional pain. For once, he might have had a friend...and here he was, betraying them again. It was always the same story. Would it never change? "Sorry..." he muttered before heading down the hall, only loudly enough that a Pokemon might hear it. Maybe.