Chpater 4
"How I wish to be a dove, so I could fly away and be at peace."
(Psalm 65:4)
At three o' clock, Alvin, Simon, Theodore, and the Rescue Rangers arrived at the Seville home. The eight friends, including Dave, walked in the living room.
Good timing, Dale thought. He shut off the TV and sat up.
"Dale, what are you doing here?" Chip asked. He held out his paw. "Come on, buddy. Let's go home."
Dale shook his head. "I can't go home, not if he's there," he remarked.
Chip blinked. "Dale, what are you talking about?"
Dale sighed. "Never mind."
Chip grabbed Dale by his shirt and began dragging him across the floor. Dale grabbed onto the leg of the couch, causing his shirt to stretch. As Chip gave a forceful tug, Dale's shirt ripped, revealing Dale's scarred and bruised back.
Dale spun around, trying to hide his back, but it was too late. The damage had already been done. He looked from one shocked face to the other.
Gadget was the first to speak. "Dale, who did that to you?"
Dale didn't reply.
"Dale, who did that to you?" Gadget repeated.
"His father," Dave answered.
Dale glared at Dave.
Chip sighed and turned to his teammates. "What do you think, guys?" he asked. "Should we stay here?"
"Well, if it's in Dale's best interest, then, yes, we should," Foxglove suggested.
"All those in favor, please raise your hand," Chip ordered.
Everyone in the room raised their hand in the air.
"Then, it's settled," Chip exclaimed. "For Dale's own personal safety, we'll stay here."
Dale blinked. "You guys are serious?" he asked.
"Of course," Theodore replied. "We consider you and the other Rescue Rangers family."
"We're not going to let your dad touch you," Simon agreed.
"And if he does," Alvin butted in, "we'll call the cops."
Though he was thrilled that his friends were helping him, Dale wished that he could fly away. Unfortunately for him, he couldn't go anywhere, no matter how badly he wanted to escape.
For the next few days, Dale didn't have much of an appetite. To soothe his upset stomach, he either drank Sprite or ate peanut butter.
Chip explained to Dale that they'd gotten to LA by flying the Ranger Wing. The gang figured out where he was through common sense. Dale had a very strong relationship with Alvin.
Dale seemed calm only when he was around Foxglove. The others thought it was good that he spent time with his fiance. They felt it helped Dale clear his mind and helped him cope with the nearing danger of meeting his father.