Hey everyone,
So as promised, here's chapter 1!
The story mainly focuses on how Chase and Ryder came to be in the beginning, before actually forming the "official" PAW Patrol or knowing the rest of the pups. I'm not sure how long this story will be yet as I've learned in writing The Water Pup that plans always change. Anyways, this is a new genre for me and I hope you enjoy it!
Midnight. Dark gray clouds were rolling in on the gusty wind, consuming all light from the full moon and stars. Headlights flashed quickly through the thinning leaves on the trees in the distance as semi trucks flew by on the freeway. Their engines howled as they downshifted, breaking up the otherwise silent night. Street lights lined the town's main road leaving the back alley's untouched by their dim, amber glow. Adventure Bay was sound asleep - except for those who took advantage of the darkness.
"You ready for this?"
"Just remember, I'm not going back to the pound," snapped a bitter voice.
"Look around you Chase, you think all these people wandering right now, at this hour, are really gonna see us?" replied a different voice sarcastically through a makeshift walkie-talkie disguised as a pup tag hanging from a tattered, disheveled collar.
"Whatever," replied Chase, a German Shepherd, as he lurked stealthily down one of the dark alleyways. "Keep watch and don't mess this up again."
"10-4."
Chase's tan paws crept in silence. His ears twitched back and forth, using them as if the were sonar to pick up any sounds of movement. The buildings were tightly packed together and a single flickering light above a restaurant at the end lit his path through the maze of plastic forks and napkins that littered the ground from hundreds of takeaway meals. As the cold breeze barreled down the narrow path, it whistled amongst the fire escapes and dumpsters like a sinister symphony. Still, the eerie noise didn't scare him as much as the sounds coming from his starving stomach did. "It smells so good..." he said, sniffing the air and licking the drool that escaped his lips. "Alright, I'm here."
"It's all clear."
"You checked the south side too?"
"I told you - it's all clear."
"Yeah, right. That's what you said last time too," countered Chase unconvinced as he felt the eye roll he was getting from the other end. "I'm going in."
Chase approached the back door of the restaurant. Glancing over his shoulder in both directions, he unzipped a small, black pouch he carried with him, revealing a lock pick held tightly between his teeth. Bracing himself with his front paws against the heavy metal door, he wriggled the pick inside the lock until he heard it click, the door creaking as it opened itself to a dark kitchen.
"Okay, I'm in," announced Chase with a sigh of relief - until he realized he wasn't getting a response. "Hey, you there?"
No answer.
"Ah man, not again…" His breath grew shallow and his stomach turned, however, he was too hungry to turn back now. "Bro, where are you? Come in" called Chase with slight panic in his voice. He knew this kitchen like the back of his paw since this was his fifth time breaking into it. Chase ran to the freezer tucked away around the corner. He gripped the handle with his teeth and front paws as his back ones gave him the leverage he needed to pry open the heavy door. Shivering at the sudden cold air that brushed against his fur, he quickly grabbed a mouthful of frozen steaks from the all too familiar second shelf. "I got em'!" he mumbled through his full mouth hoping for a response this time.
A feeling Deja Vu ran through him until suddenly a voice broke through the silence. "Get out of there, Chase! NOW!"
"Are you kidding me?!" snapped Chase, causing the first meal he would've eaten in three days to fall to the floor.
"RUN!"
Chase froze but his mind was all but still as he contemplated all the possible escape routes he could take. His heart began to pound and adrenaline coursed through his veins. A crooked, devious smile formed on the shepherd's face when he saw the red and blue lights flashing against the brick buildings outside. "I've done a lot of things but I'm not going down for this."
Inside a sleek black sedan, a tall, lengthy man fidgeted with the climate controls long enough before ending in the same position they started in. Radio static came through intermittently from the CB mic as it dangled from the dashboard. A young boy in the passenger seat, rested his head on his hand as he stared out the window, fogging it up with each defeated exhale.
"What should I tell your parents this time kid?" asked the officer, sensing the boy's disappointment.
"They're supposed to be super detectives," he began mockingly, "They should already know what I was doing."
The officer sighed, "Ya know, Ryder, they just want the best for you and honestly, I wouldn't want you out this late by yourself anyway. Especially at your - "
"Age?" Ryder chimed in, finishing the officer's sentence. "Yeah, I know."
"What's so wrong with the lookout anyway?"
"I'm 10 and have the whole place to myself. Don't you see anything wrong with that?"
The officer shook his head in agreeance, "Yeah...actually. I've always wondered how people just let that slide. Although, I guess the loophole there is that Adventure Bay's Police Station is underground beneath it so technically you're not alone."
"That's one way to look at it." Ryder adjusted himself against the leather seat, resting his head on the hard headrest, close enough to the top that he could feel the chill from the bulletproof glass between him and the plastic backseat. "Come in Officer Miller. We have a break-in at the restaurant on Main Street. Two suspects believed to be those pups again. Another office did identify one as Chase."
"10-4, I'm en route," he responded, turning on his sirens and lights with a push of a button. "That pup never quits."
Ryder perked up in his seat, allowing himself to feel the most excitement he'd had in days. "Can I come?" he asked, practically begging.
"I better get you home, it's late."
A frown formed on Ryder's lips while his eyes remained unamused. Officer Miller saw Ryder as one of his own. Ryder's parents were very private, even as kids. Even growing up together with Officer Miller on the same street, having been friends practically since birth, didn't warrant a reason to share their current affairs with him. In fact, after high school ended he hadn't heard from them until they moved back to Adventure Bay ten years ago. He only knew of their eldest son Ryan because he was in charge of a famous team of search and rescue wolves up in the Alaskan Tundra. He glanced over at Ryder and grinned, "Don't tell your parents."
Ryder laughed, a beaming smile forming on his face, "YES!"
Chase peered out of the slightly cracked door of the utility closet he was hiding in when a familiar woman from animal control walked past him with a police officer and a young boy. "Is that the hired help these days?" smirked Chase, placing a paw over his mouth when a small laugh escaped. Honestly, though, he was more so wondering how his hiding place wasn't the first place they looked as it's right next to the exit than why they brought a child along. He waited until their footsteps grew faint as they made their way out towards the dining room. He quickly pushed the door open, except he failed to notice the boy had been right in front of it.
Their eyes locked. Stunned by his unexpected encounter, he was too slow to react before Ryder, who was feeling the same, rushed in front of the exit blocking the German Shepherd from escaping.
"Are you the one their looking for?" asked Ryder with authority.
"Move out of my way kid."
"Chase, is it?" he continued questioning.
"I don't know how you know my name but move," growled Chase, flashing his sharp teeth.
"You know I can't do that."
"Fine, then I'll make you." Chase's size and strength overpowered the young boy as he shoved him out the doorway and he was gone. Ryder stumbled to catch his footing on the slick tiled floor until he fell, hitting his nose on the edge of the counter.
"You okay Ryder?" asked a concerned Officer Miller as he rushed to his side. "You're bleeding, damn I hope it's not broken. Here use this." he continued, grabbing a towel off the closet shelf.
"I'm fine!" shouted Ryder as he worked his way back to his feet. "I saw where he went!"
"Ryder stop!" Yelled the officer but Ryder had already sprinted out of the door until he too, was no longer in view.
"Where'd he go?" Ryder asked himself as he stopped to catch his breath, sucking in as much air of the cold air as he could at one time. He glanced up and down Main Street when suddenly, he heard a lid from a metal trash can crash to the ground in a different alleyway. "Gotcha…" he whispered, slowly peering around the corner to find a tail just barely sticking out behind the dumpster. A quick break in the clouds suddenly revealed a wet trail streaming out from underneath.
"Chase?" called Ryder softly, "Is that you?"
Chase ran out of hiding, limping as he tried to gain speed. As soon as he turned his head around to see if he was still being followed, the short yet muscular animal control woman jumped from the shadows in front of him, quickly sliding the restraining pole over his head. Chase though wasn't about to give up that easily as he thrashed around angrily but his injured paw was working against him.
"Wait, he's hurt!" shouted Ryder and he ran towards the flailing pup.
"Ryder get back!" Officer Miller demanded as he walked towards an injured Chase. "Well, well...if it isn't Chase, Police K-9 turned rogue criminal. When are you ever gonna learn your brother is the WORST accomplice ever."
"Where is he?" Demanded Chase, whimpering shamefully when he applied too much pressure to his cut open paw.
"On his way to the pound. And you? You're going to the police station. They have some questions for you. Mayor Goodway and I will meet you down there later."
Chase said nothing, instead just rolled his eyes before being forcefully pulled into the back of a green and white SUV.
"Great, you're parents will love this." Scorned Officer Miller as he and Ryder walked back towards his cruiser.
"Sorry," was the only response Ryder could give. Sorry because he knew his parents were going to lay it on their family friend and sorry because this meant now that he too would have to face his parents who he hadn't seen face to face in nearly a month.
"Clearly, this was a bad idea, John. All this technology built into this building yet we can't seem to teach him something as simple as responsibility," said soft woman's voice, preaching from the living room that was just outside of his bedroom.
"Yeah, I mean I'm just so irresponsible aren't I?" Answered Ryder sarcastically as he yawned and stretched his arms from his terrible night's sleep. "Good to see you too mom."
"Hi sweety," She said, walking towards him with arms wide until she finally embraced her less than amused son.
"Ryder," his father began, "Your mom and I just worry if we're making the right decision here, that's all."
"Hi to you too dad," said Ryder with a grin. "Look, I'm fine. This was an accident." Pointing to his bruised nose.
"We'll discuss that later. Please get dressed son, we have to go down to the station."
"What for?"
"They want a statement, sweetie."
"Oh yay…" replied Ryder looking less than thrilled.
The elevator ride was a quiet one as Ryder stood behind his stiff parents. To him, it seemed like their backs were the only side of them that he'd seen lately as a feeling of sadness threatened his mood. The elevator doors opened to an industrial gray hallway, lined with cameras, a steel door with iron rails and the blue letters "ABPD" stood out like a beacon in the less than inviting space. This entrance was secret and only used by authorized personnel while the rest of the department used an entrance down the road near the office.
"Here we are Ryder, everything will be fine," reassured his mother.
"I'm not worried, mom."
As they scanned their access cards, a buzzer sounded and the door slid open, revealing a fully operational police station. Detainees were being ID'd and sorted while staff members answered phones and transported people in cuffs and uniforms out of the main floor. The three of them walked down a hallway into a separate, quiet office where they were met by Officer Miller and a tired-looking chase whose paw was wound tightly in bandages and cuffed to the table.
"Good to see you both again, it's been a while" started Officer Miller before he was met with business only stares. "I uh...needed Ryder to make a statement."
"It was an accident. There's my statement."
The Officer couldn't help but laugh, "Good one. Chase here is about to head to the pound I just need to finalize the paperwork."
"Wait, you can't just send him to the pound."
"I assure you they can son," said John
"Look, can you make sure I'm not in the cage next to that Rotweilier again? His stomach always get weird after the crap food they feed and it is not pleasant," asked a witty Chase, earning a laugh from Ryder and eye rolls from the rest.
"You guys said you don't want me in the lookout by myself anymore right? Well, why don't I take on the family duties a little earlier than expected?" Ryder suggested excitedly.
"Because you were gonna take over when you turned 18, you're much too young." replied his father, shaking his head.
"I can do just about anything you guys can. If anything, I'm at least proud of that gene. You know I can build anything and obviously well trained in taking care of myself. I mean, I've done it since I was 8." Ryder's parents glanced over at each other as he continued his pitch. "Plus, getting a team together now means we'll have plenty of time to figure this whole thing out and eventually we'll be ready."
The room fell silent for a minute, "You know what, I think it's a great idea," said Ryder's mother finally breaking the tension.
"Wait, what?" John asked, closing his eyes and pinching the space between them in disbelief.
"Ryan started around his age too and, well, Ryder could use the company when we're away," his mother responded convincingly.
"I'll even choose my own team," added Ryder.
"Sweetie, it's not that easy. We need to do background checks, various tests, and so much more. Those don't just happen overnight and we don't have the time to conduct such things right now."
"No, you just don't trust me," Ryder said, facing both of his parents.
"We do trust you Ryder but - "
"Then just trust me, dad," he suggested, shrugging his shoulders. "Let me prove to you that I can do this."
His parents looked at each other, exchanging words with their eyes, "Ryder we - "
"Plus, I already know the perfect first member," he said with a grin.
John raised an eyebrow curiously, "Who?"
"Him," Ryder said, pointing at Chase who was nodding off as he was still cuffed to the table.
"What?" scoffed Officer Miller.
"I don't know about that."
"WHAT?!" John shouted disapprovingly. "Absolutely not!"
"Ryder, let your father and I talk for a moment. Why don't you go get something from the cafeteria."
"Fine, but Chase isn't going to the pound. I won't let it happen." Chase looked up at Ryder opening the door, the noise from the bustle outside flooded in until he forcefully shut it behind him. He had never had anyone stand up for him the way this boy just did and he wasn't sure what to make of it.
"Don't I get a say in this?" Asked Chase, clanking his restraint against the metal desk in front of him. "I'm not shacking up with some dim-wit kid to be his servant, and I'm no one's pet."
"You're not a servant Chase," began Ryder's mother calmly as she knelt down beside him. "Mayor Goodway and I, many years ago, discussed a plan to form a rescue team, much like the one my other son runs in Alaska. However, this town is a beach town and a tourist destination so we expanded the plan to be more diverse in order to handle any type of rescue that may be needed. Such as water rescues, air support, fire, and EMT...well, you get the point. While I'm completely against this and, as much as it almost pains me to give you such a compliment right now, you are experienced in the task force and with the law. A police pup was part of the plan as well."
Chase paused for a moment before letting out a sarcastic laugh, "Yeah - No."
"He's a horrible choice," said John.
"Wait, you have room to judge others on character, Detective John?" asked Chase in a condescending tone.
"Diane, he's wanted for breaking and entering, theft, eluding police officers, accessory, corruption, not to mention that assault last year and that's just naming a few!"
Chase rolled his eyes, "I was proven innocent on most of those thank you."
"He's a liar, a thief, he's irrational - " continued John.
"Aw, stop! Now you're just being nice," grinned Chase.
Ryder stormed inside the office after he grew tired of eavesdropping on their conversation that seemed to be getting nowhere. "My mind's made up and honestly, I think at this point, the least you could let me do is make one decision in my life."
Chase scoffed and turned up his nose, "What makes you think I even wanna go with you?"
"Well Chase," Officer Miller interrupted, "Looks like, at this point, it's either the pound which by the way you're at strike three with them now and you know what happens after that, or you go home with Ryder."
"I choose strike three," retorted Chase instantly.
"What's strike three?" Ryder asked curiously rubbing the back of his head.
"It's nothing. You're going with Ryder. Don't fu-" Officer Miller was stopped mid-sentence by a glare that could kill. "...Mess...this up for yourself Chase. You saw the good in people once before, I bet that pup is still in there somewhere."
"Doubt it. One thing's for sure though, I can't wait to be apart of this disaster." Chase jumped off the chair as his cuffs were opened.
"Trust me, Chase. We're in this together now." Ryder knelt down next to him and extended his hand but Chase turned his back towards him.
"I have nothing more to say to you."
"Okay, Ryder if this is what you want then so be it. But you've been warned," his father said sternly. "Your mother and I are flying out in a few minutes."
"Seriously?" Ryder asked, with a hint of disappointment. Although he resented his parents most of the time, he still loved them and craved their affection which wasn't handed out so easily these days. He watched as they stood up and put on their jackets, another all to familiar scene.
"The lookout is monitored 24/7 so if any funny business happens...Chase...you won't get a second chance." added his mother, grabbing the rest of her belongings off the coat rack in the corner.
"Got it," saluted the pup lazily.
"Ryder, we love you," his mother said as she walked over and kissed him on the forehead.
"Yeah...until next time." Ryder knew his parents worked hard for everything they had but saying goodbye as many times as he has, the term hadn't held significant meaning for a long time it was just an empty word that meant he had no clue when he'd see his parents again. And just like that, they were gone and the mood in the room became somber.
"Hey, call me if you need anything, okay?" said Officer Miller as he saw the disappointment spreading on Ryder's face.
"Thank you, sir."
"Ryder, I told you a thousand times, it's Brian."
Ryder nodded then looked at Chase who was staring at all the awards on the wall with a smirk on his face. "You ready?"
Chase scoffed and reluctantly followed the boy out of the exit he never knew existed and down the dismal hallway to a glass elevator, "Nothing good could possibly come out of this."
