The Runaway

Vigil

     Vigil poked at her curry. Around her, two midday Lycanrocs and one dusk Lycanroc were devouring their food. Vigil let out a soft sigh. She loathed spicy pasta curry. Why would anyone like it? The pungent, sharp taste would never agree with Vigil. 

     "Are you going to eat that?" Daybreak questioned, interrupting Vigil's thoughts. 

     "You can have it," Vigil shrugged, pushing her bowl to Daybreak. But, a paw shoved the bowl back into Vigil's face. 

     "Vigil needs to eat her own food," Growled Rubble. "You can take seconds at the pot." Next to Vigil, Dash ignored everyone and played with his curry. He placed a napkin in his curry and watched it sink into the curriness of the curry. "Dash, stop playing with your food!" Barked Rubble as he glared at Dash. Vigil, who wasn't going to touch her food anytime soon, smashed her face into the curry. Spicy pasta went everywhere, and Daybreak yelped in surprise. Her face was now a blissful red sauce, with yellow pasta decorating her face. She didn't seem to mind, although Rubble growled in irritation. He was losing patience with this nonsense. Dash grunted. 

     "What? It's my food." He protested. Some spicy pasta got on his face, and he licked it off. His eyes lit up, before shaking them, returning to a dull hazy glare. 

     "We shouldn't waste resources! Vigil, go and clean up this mess right now!" He snapped at the Rockruff. Vigil growled although she wasn't going to mess with Rubble. She leaped off her chair and went to the kitchen to grab a towel. As she was getting a towel, Vigil overheard the conversation:

     "Yeah, Dash does have a point-" Daybreak started, but she stopped. Vigil assumed it was a glare from Rubble.

     "I don't know what's been up with you guys lately," Rubble growled. "But could we at least have some dignity at the dinner table?" 

     Dash snorted. "Dignity? Why do we need dignity for everything?" he challenged. Vigil heard a heavy thud onto the dinner table before she heard the pasta spilling over. Daybreak's whine rang throughout the house.

     "You've been moping around, not doing anything to support the family. If you're not going to do anything, at least show some honor!" Rubble roared. A chair scooted away from the table. "I'm the oldest and the head of the family. I have everyone's best interest at heart!" Rubble stated as Vigil came back. When she saw the fight, Vigil let out a sigh and went over to clean up the mess. Dash rolled his eyes. 

     "Yeah, yeah yeah." He rumbled. "Just because you're the oldest and head, doesn't mean you know what everyone wants or you know everything." Dash scoffed, sitting back. Rubble growled at Dash. 

     "I'm trying to limit our dependence on mom and dad's income so we don't use it up and go bankrupt!" At the mention of their parents, the table fell silent. Daybreak whined again, going under the table to hide. 

     "Ever since they passed, you've been nothing but bossy," Vigil muttered as she wiped away the last of the pasta. Dash cast his eyes away, before leaning down and silently eating his food. 

     "I'm trying my best," Rubble sighed. It sounded as if he was saying that more to himself than his siblings. After a long pause, he clean upped his dinner and left. Vigil, who hadn't actually eaten anything, grumbled something under her breath. She watched as Dash finished his dinner and dumped his dish into the sink.

     "Sure," Whispered Dash as he left for his room. Vigil sighed and dumped her dishes into the sink too.

. . .

Vigil came out of her room. She was positive Daybreak had already got out and washed the dishes. It was her turn after all. She tip-toed downstairs, to the pantry. Vigil was rather hungry for a snack. Besides, she had another mission in mind. She opened the cupboards and selected a couple of berries. Next, she placed them in a bag. She continued to do this until she determined she had enough. 

     "Vigil?" Echoed a voice. The Rockruff jolted back in surprise. She kicked her bag away as she whirled around to face whoever was talking. 

     "Look, it's not what you think it is!" Vigil began as she faced Dash. His eyes glazed over each item until it rested on the bag. He looked back to Vigil. 

     "Oh, I think we perfectly know it is what we think." He coolly started, sitting down. 

     "You're doing to stop me, aren't you?" Vigil sighed. There wasn't any point in trying to lie. Although unspoken, they both knew what Vigil was doing: Running away. Dash shook his head. 

     "Lucky for you, I'm not going to even bother." he shrugged, leaning back. A moment of silence followed their conversation. 

     "Wait what-" Vigil blinked. She found it impossible that Dash wouldn't stop her. "Why? Are you going to tell the others instead?" He began to lick his paws. 

     "Come on, everyone knows that you're miserable here." He stated. "You mope around all day. That isn't good." he frowned. "Anyways, point is, what might be good for you is running away." he placed a paw on her shoulder. "If I rat you out to Rubble and Daybreak, they'll worry too much and take you back. And I know home is the last place you want to be" he sighed. "I don't know if I'll see you again, but, just take care of yourself out there. Find 'mons that treat you better than we could have hoped to do." he leans forward, and hugged her for a moment, before pulling back. "I'm going to miss you." his face remained emotionless, but his eyes gleamed with sadness. 

     "Thanks, Dash. I appreciate that." After some silence, Vigil grabbed a small sheet of paper and a pencil. She started writing something and left it on the counter. "Y'know, so they know I'll be fine. Rubble might get angry at you if he knew you let me runoff." Vigil explained. "Anyways, see you later." She picked up her bag and opened a window. Then she climbed out of the window, shut it, and ran off. She disappeared behind the thick, dense forest. Vigil was gone.

     "Yeah. See you soon." He nodded as he stared at the spot Vigil was last seen. A long moment of silence followed after she left. Dash sighed, slumping. Rubble and Daybreak would not be happy. 

. . .

Rubble

Early morning. Rubble woke up, yawning. Everything seemed to be fine. As usual, he went over to check on each of his siblings. Daybreak was twitching in her sleep when Rubble opened her door. He sighed, feeling pity for his nervous sister. Dash was awake when Rubble came in. Rubble closed the door. When he reached Vigil's room, it was silent. He frowned. Vigil would've been snoring... something was off. As Rubble opened the door, he couldn't see Vigil in her bed. 

     It's a trick of my mind, He thought, although something told him something wasn't quite right. He inspected further, but no Vigil. Panic started to build up. Where is she? Perhaps she went off to get a snack. That was plausible. Rubble rushed downstairs, but a small note caught his attention. He read the note:

     "Rubble, Dash, and Daybreak: If you're wondering where I went, I ran off. I hate it here. In fact, I would be anywhere but here. I hope you understand. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. See you soon - Vigil" 

     Rubble's mind was a whirlwind. 

     Vigil didn't run off, did she? Did she actually hate it here? Was I too harsh? The answer was quite obvious. Why did I have to be so strict? Why did I let this happen? Dash or Daybreak might have an idea where she is... Rubble let his emotions cloud his judgment and he ran up to Dash's room. "Dash," Rubble barked. "Do you have any idea where Vigil went?"

     "Nope. Zero. Zip. Naw." Dash shook his head as he looked away. Rubble sighed. Of course, Dash wouldn't have an idea where she went. Rubble knew if Dash had the slightest idea, he would report to Rubble. Siblings wouldn't betray each other. Next, Rubble ran over to Daybreak and asked the same question. No idea. Just a sleepy mutter from Daybreak. The world was ending for Rubble. When their parents passed, Rubble was certain he was doing the best he can. Sure, there were fights, but Rubble never took this into account. Now Vigil, their youngest sister, was gone. And it was his fault. Rubble sank into the floor, feeling despair taking over him. 

Dash

Dash leaped out of bed. He ran downstairs to Rubble. Upon seeing him like that, a wave of guilt swarms his head. He hated seeing his siblings like that but telling the others what happened last night would feel like a betrayal to Vigil. He shook his head. Pretending to not know was the best option for everyone. Maybe. He sat next to Rubble, his paws twitching to hug him but his head pounding to not. Rubble then thrust his head into the air, howling. 

     "W-what's happening?" Daybreak emerged from her bedroom, looking sleepy. She yawned and glanced around, but she seemed to sense the air of anguish. Dash turned his eyes towards Daybreak. 

     "Vigil. She's gone." he shook his head, but then his eyes widen. "Not like gone gone, just left. As in left in the middle of the night." he cringed. Whoops, he may have slipped too much. Would Rubble suspect that he knew more than he let on? Daybreak widens her eyes.

     "Are you sure she's not like, playing a trick on us or something?" She asked. Yet, it was awfully clear this was no joke. Rubble, who had stopped howling, went back to staring at the floor. He made no sound. Dash looked away in shame. 

     "Why would she pull off a trick this cruel, if it was." he objected. "It just doesn't make sense." 

     "I-I don't know," Stammered Daybreak. "I just hoped it was-" She stopped. It seemed as if she didn't want to believe Vigil really ran off. She had a panicked expression on her face, and Dash felt a fresh surge of guilt wash over him. Dash awkwardly stood there. He tugged at his paws, before getting up and leaving the two alone. 

     "... I'm going to make breakfast. Yelp if you need me." he bluntly stated. That probably came off as insensitive but he didn't know what to tell them. Rubble simply sat there as Dash went off. That morning was filled with awkwardness, guilt, and conflicted feelings. The Lycanroc family wouldn't be the same.