Pokemon Tales A Christmas Carol 18

They emerged from the portal, in front of a small street of ramshackle houses, which Scrooge recognised. He smiled, and gave a sigh of relief.

'Ah, The Cratchit Household!' He smiled. 'Thank you for bringing me here, Spirit! This is always a place of happiness and joy....'

However, Scrooge could not help but feel that something was wrong. He listened for a while, but could not hear anything..... Silence. Silence was everywhere....

Scrooge turned to the Ghost, and he asked, with a concerned voice, 'Wh-why is it so quiet?'

The Ghost did not answer. Instead, he pointed to the window of the Cratchit house, making motions with his hand, giving Scrooge the impression that he wanted him to go the window.

Scrooge slowly did so, and looked into the house.

He saw Mrs Cratchit, sitting in her chair........ but something was wrong........

Scrooge could hear a quiet sobbing coming from Catherine..... her paws were soaked from her tears...... Belinda Cratchit was also sitting on Catherine's knee, and Miss Pinkerton was standing by her, attempting to comfort her.

'Pl-please.. try and stop crying, mommy....' Belinda sobbed, but she could not stop herself from crying, leaving Miss Pinkerton to try and calm both of them down.

Scrooge shook his head in fear, and quietly begged, 'Not Tiny Tim!'

Catherine and Belinda eventually stopped crying, with much difficulty. Catherine told her daughter, 'So sorry, my girl... I.. I wouldn't want your father to see me in this state for anything in the world....'

Belinda asked Miss Pinkerton with worry, 'Where's daddy, Miss Pinkerton? He... should be home by now...'

Miss Pinkerton looked downwards, and stated, 'He... he's been walking much slower these past few evenings....'

Catherine sobbed bitterly, 'He... used to walk so quickly with Tiny Tim on his shoulders... He... he was so light to carry.....'

Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Future looked to their right, and saw Bob Cratchit walking slowly towards the door.. He was the very image of misery, his face hung downwards... and a single tear dripping down his cheek. Scrooge could not believe that Bob would ever feel such sorrow... even while working for Scrooge, Bob had always been able to hold onto a small amount of happiness.... but now, it seemed that all of the goodness in his life had gone....

Opening the door, Bob quietly greeted his family, 'Hello, everyone......' His wife walked up to him, followed by Catherine and Miss Pinkerton, who he all gave a greeting hug in turn.

Bob sat down, and told his wife, 'I..... I wish you could have come with me today..... It would have done you good to see how green the place is.'

Bob's voice began to falter, 'But you'll see it often. I .......'

Bob's sorrow increased as he continued, 'I promised him that I would go there to .... see him... every Sunday.'

Bob broke down into tears, almost instantly. Holding his face in his paws, he slowly made his way to the fireplace, where and abandoned crutch lay in the chimney corner. He picked up the crutch, and started hugging it as if it was his own son. He weeped, 'Oh... my poor boy..... My poor, poor boy....'

Catherine hugged her husband, trying to calm him down.....

All of a sudden, Bob, who was facing the window, opened his eyes, and stared in the direction of Scrooge. Scrooge gasped in surprise. He saw Bob's eyes - tear stained, red, and filled with sorrow. It felt as though Bob was REALLY looking into Scrooge's eyes......

Bob was able to compose himself, and he told everyone, 'I... picked a spot for Tim that he would like.... It's on the hill... overlooking the river where.... the Duckletts swim by... every week....'

Catherine replied, 'He... always liked watching the Duckletts on the river....'

A tear dripped down Scrooge's cheek. He turned to the Ghost, and asked him sadly, 'Oh Spirit..... Does there have to be a Christmas where such a sad event occurs? How can anyone be able to cope with it?!'

Scrooge turned back to the window..... missing the Ghost close his eyes...... and cry a single tear.......

'Everyone...' Bob wiped his eyes. 'Life... is made up of meetings... and partings.... And I'm sure that we will never forget... Tiny Tim... or this first parting that has happened among us....'

Bob laid the small crutch back in the chimney corner, looking at it in mourning....

As the family attempted to go back to their daily business, Scrooge turned his head from the window.... He could not forget the sorrow that the event had made him feel......

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