I do not own anything in this story except my OCs and the basic plot line. Everything else belongs to DreamWorks. I do not. I am not that awesome. Not even close.

Author's note: There's not all that much to say except thanks to all my return readers, followers, faves and reviewers. Also anyone just giving this story a chance now who's stuck around this long, you're cool. I hope you like the chapter!

Mouseygirl1411: Thanks for reviewing again lol. Of all the characters in this story, Heather is the safest, so I wouldn't worry too much about her. As for a couple of others, well... you'll find out later XD Jade is not the type to fall in love, so be patient haha. I'm glad you think the dogs are scary, it means I've done a good job. I think it'a super cute you ship 'em! What a compliment! This is a Heather chapter, but in the next one I'll try and add a little fluff for you, kk? Thanks again!

Bobbie1776: Can I just say that when I got your review alert in my email I sat there grinning like an idiot for five minutes? Seriously XD And don't worry, you won't go insane, I'll continue until the story is done... And most likely the sequel as well! I'm so glad you like Jade, it seems like a lot of people had a problem with her attitude lol. If she was real she'd think you were awesome too. Here is the update, which I dedicate to all my readers and especially to you guys who've reviewed, faved and followed!

You Can't Be Too Careful Anymore (Chapter 7)

Heather

I could feel my heartbeat pounding away in my chest, a reminder that I was alive. Silver fog hung around me, its cool embrace causing me to shiver. I couldn't see more that five feet in front of me, it was too dark and hazy. It was raining, the tiny water droplets making my fur feel damp and heavy.

A strange form moved amongst the darkness, causing mist to swirl in its wake. Something was very wrong here, I sensed. Almost like a memory I'd forgotten, leaving nothing but a lingering imprint behind. Almost knowing was a thousand times worse than not knowing in my opinion.

I reached out, only to find there was something in my hand. Jade's pocketknife, or at least I thought it was hers. It was cold, the smooth plastic cutting into my grip. Blood dotted the tip, dripping down before being lost in the strands of fog creeping across the ground.

The fog parted to reveal glowing red eyes. I could almost feel the hate burning inside of them like flickering embers. The creature stepped forward, seeming to glide through the smoky surroundings. A wolf-like face, pointed ears. It was tall, towering over me. It was difficult to tell where the fog ended and the thing began. I'd never seen anything like it. A monster?

It bared its teeth, perfect white daggers tipped in red. The situation seemed hopeless, but I wasn't going down without trying. My hands trembled as I formed an idea in my mind. It wasn't great, but it was my best shot. My fingers pressed against the glossy black handle, the silver blade reflecting those burning red eyes.

I tried to imitate the effortless grace of Jade's attack, but the knife felt heavy in my hand and the plastic was slippery from the rain. I swung, just a little off balance. The blade was speeding toward the thing, glittering in the unnatural light. I expected a direct hit and loosened my grip to avoid getting hurt. The knife ghosted through the creature's face, flying out of my hand and landing on the ground with a metallic thump.

I froze, not sure what to do. Taunting laughter filled my ears.

"She's gone, Heather. It's your turn to play hero now."

The voice bounced around, seemly coming from nowhere. I turned, looking for its source. Big mistake. The monster stalked forward, grabbing me. I screamed, the sound echoing through the empty mist...

...

My eyes shot open. White ceiling, cobwebby green walls. Sunlight shone on my face, warming my fur. Squinting, I focused more on my surroundings. I could hear my dad and Verne talking about something unimportant. Someone was yelling, probably Jade. I was safe. It had all been a nightmare. A horribly realistic one, but still just a dream. I sat up, brushing the dust off of myself and almost sneezing. They really needed a duster around here. Heck, they needed an entire cleaning team!

The others were arguing about something, their raised voices filling the empty room. It sounded intense, and I decided to investigate. Penny was sitting off to the side with her kids, trying to play the video game. From their laughter and the occasional muttering of "jeepers", I was pretty sure she wouldn't be breaking my high score any time soon.

Standing up, I stretched as best I could. Sleeping on the ground was uncomfortable enough when it was grass. This hardwood stuff was torture! I moved away from the huge spiderweb that I must have slept beside, trying not to think of where the spider could be lurking.

Verne and RJ were bickering over what sounded like wild dogs and the dangers they posed. Everyone else was involved, even my dad, who was remarkably still standing someone despite the fact someone had said "die".

The only one not with the group was Jade, which seemed odd considering the subject of the discussion. She was sitting alone in a corner, watching the entire thing. Her eyes were bloodshot, staring blankly ahead. She looked stressed out and tired. Her wrist had been wrapped in something white, so at least she'd been reasonable about her injury. I did wonder about her attitude though. There was something going on between her and RJ, I just wasn't sure exactly what that something was.

"There's no way we can spend another week here. It's too dangerous!" Verne complained, pacing back and forth in front of the boarded window.

"And the humans aren't?" Lou argued, nodding in agreement with something Stella had said.

"It's just a week, we've made it through the worst part anyway." RJ said, shrugging.

Verne frowned, glaring at RJ. Behind them, Hammy was pouring an entire bottle of butter flavoring on the popcorn we were supposed to have for breakfast. I guess that was one way of making sure you got it all for yourself. I couldn't help giggling a bit.

Jade strode over to the others, her steely grey eyes fixed on RJ.

"A week? Are you freakin' kidding me? It'll take at least two, and that's if you're lucky."

Everyone was staring at him, and no one was smiling. Even Hammy had dropped the butter flavor and was now watching the others, trying to figure out what had happened while he'd been busy.

"You promised!" Verne said, stepping closer.

RJ smiled nervously at them, looking from the enraged turtle, to the angry porcupines, the eerily calm skunk and the knife-wielding raccoon. All of them looked ready to murder him. I stepped back, not wanting to get caught up in it.

"Yeah, I know. The city's gotten way bigger, and I had no idea it was like this. It's not the end if the world, you know!" He pointed at the crumbling structures and highway outside.

Jade laughed, casually leaning on her knife. At least someone was having fun, I guess.

"I'm not involved in this fight, but if you want I'll beat him up... To prove your point, of course." She offered, still propped up on her weapon.

"No one is beating anyone up!" Verne said, though by the look on his face he'd at least considered her offer.

Flipping the knife over her shoulder, she smirked at RJ as he stuttered out excuses.

"If you actually want to reach the campground, we should ditch this place. When it's light out we only have to worry about cars and humans. "

She said it as though cars and humans were just an annoyance, nothing else.

Verne was still frowning, but I think he realized at this point we didn't really have a choice. Going back wasn't an option, and there was no way anyone would stay at the Orphan's Den. Well, the spiders would. Hopefully.

"Look, we'll leave, ok? You're all insane!" He turned around, heading for the door. We followed him, leaving behind the butter soup. I guess we'd have breakfast later, not that I was particulary upset about that. I loved butter flavoring, but even I had limits!

Jade held the door for everyone except RJ. She slammed it in his face and walked away mumbling a fake-sounding "oops". She still carried the knife over her shoulder, though she'd put the blade away. I figured that was a good sign. It looked similar to the one in my dream, but it wasn't the same. I'm not sure why, but I felt relieved about that. Stupid, really but I couldn't quite shake it.

RJ climbed through the door, his hand on his face.

"Did it hit you?" I asked, concerned. Jade was going too far with this rudeness act. At least, I hoped it was an act. I had my own theory about what was going on between them, but I wasn't saying anything.

"No, thankfully. I just don't understand her. I thought maybe we'd gotten somewhere last night, but it looks like we're back to square one." He said, sounding frustrated. He sighed loudly before catching up with the others. I didn't answer, because I didn't think he was talking to me. Or anyone, really.

I joined up with them, taking in all the strange and unfamiliar sights and sounds. I'd never seen anything like it. Cars rushed by, occasionally honking their horns. There were buildings everywhere. Humans walked along the cracked sidewalk, occasionally getting into parked cars. A few yelled at us, but most seemed indifferent. Their clothes were ragged and dirty, and they looked different then the other humans I'd seen near our home. Well, our old home anyway. I had no idea what the humans at the campground looked like.

A lot of the old brick buildings had windows displaying strange objects. Some were new and glossy, but most looked in no better condition than the Orphan's Den. I'd gotten distracted by a mannequin wearing a neon green wig and fallen behind. As I was gazing at the window display, a chubby little boy tried to pick me up. I ran off before he could catch me, a little faster than necessary. His mother scolded him for wandering off, and they went into the wig store holding hands. After that I was a bit more careful not to get separated. It had nothing to do with the nightmare, I swear.

Jade pointed out a few of the more interesting things, like the old cemetery and a burned-out house. The sky was bright blue, and it was quite warm out. A vibrant blue bicycle rushed by, the breeze whipping my fur out of my face. It was actually pretty amazing here, with all the non-stop action. Scary, but exciting. I could almost see why Jade lived here. Almost.

A few hours passed, and the beat-up buildings started to get boring. It was more interesting than the suburbs, but not by much. My legs were getting tired and I was hungry. I'd accidently stepped in gum, and my left foot was still sticky no matter what I did. Beside me Penny and Lou were trying to calm down their kids. They felt the same as I did, but they were a million times louder about it. Jade slapped her hands over her ears, looking like she was going to snap.

"Alright fine. We stop here. I need to see if I can get us somewhere to stay for the night anyway. It's not safe in the alleys."

We all sat down at once, grateful for the break. Jade kept a pretty fast pace despite how wiped out she'd looked earlier. I didn't know if she was just in a rush to get the whole thing over with, or if she was showing off, hoping to prove something.

Verne handed out our lunch, though Hammy was still mourning the buttery popcorn disaster. I grabbed mine happily, as did the rest of my family. That hadn't changed, and neither had Tiger's insistence on having seconds.

Jade however, was busy doing other things. She was following RJ around, her hand on her hip.

"Gimme the phone!" She demanded, looking enviously at the silver cell phone he was holding.

"Why?" He asked, a mixture of annoyance and confusion on his face. I couldn't blame him after the door incident earlier.

"Just give it to me!"

She snatched it out of his hand before he could protest. After walking a few feet away, she dialled a number, jabbing at the buttons much harder than she had to.

"Hello?" She asked, her tone defiant.

"Yeah yeah, listen. Can you put me on the list for tonight? Biggest room you got, you won't regret it."

Her eyes widened for a seconds before she frowned and slammed her non-bandaged hand against the nearby red brick wall. Shaking it out, she sighed angrily.

"The rooms are full? Whatever. I know it was you that stole the remote control car!"

She grinned a second later, giving me the thumbs up sign.

"I knew it. Be there by seven, and have it in good shape... Or else."

She pushed down the disconnect button and handed the phone back to RJ. He gave her a skeptical look, but she ignored it and strode back over to us, still grinning slyly.

"And that is how you get a room." She announced, once again leaning on her knife.

Hammy smiled at her. "So you and RJ are getting a room?" He asked innocently, looking happily at the two raccoons.

The knife clattered to the ground and Jade almost fell over. She grabbed the weapon and picked herself back up, dusting off her arm and glaring at the ground.

"What? No! No way!" She shouted, her horrified expression quickly becoming angry.

I couldn't be sure, but I though she might have been blushing under her charcoal grey fur. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she couldn't make eye contact with anyone. It was hilarious, to be honest. Not that I dared to laugh. I didn't have a death wish.

RJ however seemed to think the whole thing was amusing and was a lot more bold about it than I would have been.

"I think you protest too much, Jaded Lady." He said, smiling at her flirtatiously.

"Idiot." She muttered, but she still couldn't look at anyone.

Verne was watching the sky, studying the sun. It was already past noon.

"I think we should get going," he said, "it'll be dark in a few hours and-"

He was cut off by Jade.

"Yeah, let's get outta this waste of space."

We continued on our way, though Jade no longer showed us the city sights. Instead she walked with her head lowered, never even looking at us. Hammy managed to fill the silence by asking "are we there yet?" every fifteen minutes. It added up quickly over a few hours, and I'm pretty sure most of us were getting a bit annoyed, though I found it cute.

Sadly it wasn't enough to distract me. My mind wandered back to the nightmare I'd had last night. It was stupid to care that much about a dream, but it had really scared me. I knew I'd heard that voice before, but I had no idea where. Had I heard it? Or was it something else?

A chill ran down my spine as I remembered the coolness of the mist, the weight of the knife in my hand. It had been so real. Too real. Had it meant something? Of course not, I told myself. It made sense too, after the whole feral dog incident. I pushed it to the back of my mind, making sure I kept up with everyone else. There was no way I was getting left behind again. Not after almost becoming some kid's hamster replacement.

"No, Hammy. We're not there yet." I answered, smiling a bit at his antics. In front of us was a huge half-burnt hotel, all the windows smashed out, curtains flapping in the wind. The brick sides were charred, and a hole had been smashed through the upper half. A weather-stained sign decorated the front.

The Rosethorn Hotel.

"Here we are." Jade announced, her voice flat and unreadable.

On second thought, maybe we were there. Suddenly, the Orphan's Den didn't look so bad.

Authors note part II: So that's it for now. What is up with Heather's weird dream? Who knows! I don't think I'd wanna stay at this hotel though, lol. Stay tuned for the next chapter, and don't forget to fave, follow and review if you enjoyed it. Nyxy out!