Growing hungry, Dodger's rescue party of Rita and Willow had returned to the surrounding streets and alleys to scavenge. They remained on edge, cautious, but knew that they couldn't go without eating indefinitely. Rita had been in a half mind for them to split up; one keep watch over Flint's lair while the other foraged, but she couldn't bring herself to leave Willow's side while they remained in dangerous territory. The younger sister was simply lacking in street smarts, and out here it would take very little for that to be a fatal flaw. The search for food was hasty; Rita just wanted to take the edge off her hunger before returning to monitor the movements of Flint's gang, but still she hated the feeling of returning to that place. The sense of danger was stifling, and as she and Willow make their way back towards their lookout, it took a great deal of courage to put one paw in front of the other.

Suddenly, Rita froze, an unnerving feeling of being observed halting her in her tracks. She nipped Willow's shoulder, telling her to stop where she was.

"What is it?" Willow hissed, crouching nervously.

Rita hesitated, sniffing the air. There was a dog near. She went around the back of Willow, so the two of them could see in all directions. "Someone's watching us."

Out of the shadows, a figure emerged. Her head was held high, unafraid. And then she spoke. "Willow?"

Rita was dumbstruck. Who was this? More importantly, how did she know Willow? None of the dogs from the warehouse would have followed them out this way.

Willow's mouth hung open. That face brought back a stream of memories, both painful and comforting. "Flash? Is that… you?"

The newcomer squirmed and wagged her tail, painting a picture of a non-threatening figure. Willow ran forward, ignoring Rita's attempt to hold her back, and she bounded around Flash.

A deep growl interrupted the reunion. Close to enemy territory, Rita was not about to let her guard down.

"It's okay, Rita," Willow said, a grin on her face. "This is Flash; she was in the yard with me, she escaped with me… she's my friend."

Rita took on board her sister's words, but nonetheless gave the stranger a penetrating glare. "Are you alone? Were you sent to search for us?"

"Rita! She's my friend! We can trust Flash, all right?"

Flash nuzzled Willow's shoulder. "It's fine, Will, she's right to be careful." She returned Rita's gaze, hoping to convince her to at least listen. "I'm alone, and I chose to search for you because I wanted to find you." She paused, knowing that what she had to say next was unlikely to be met well. "I'm part of Flint's gang; I know where your friend is."

In an instant, Rita's face had curled into a vicious snarl. "Flint! And you want me to trust you…"

"I'm not with him! I've come to you for help. For me and for Dodger."

Willow whined. "Rita, please listen! She wouldn't hurt me, she wouldn't…"

"Just hear me out; please."

Rita growled, her hackles still raised. "Talk, I'm listening."

"Thank you," said Flash. "We should move further away from Flint's lair, though, I can't be overheard."

The three dogs slunk through darkened alleys until Flash was satisfied with the distance that had been built between them and her home. "Okay," she began, her voice still hushed out of habit, "I'll start at the beginning. Willow and I were roaming around together, not really knowing where we were. We were cornered in an alley when he came upon us. Flint. He had a bunch of others with him, and they threatened us." She looked to Willow. "Will ran, and I fought. Flint saw something in me, a fire in my belly and the tenacity to fight. He thought I'd be useful, so he let me live. I didn't know what I was getting caught up in, but I'd take it over getting ripped to shreds."

"And you've been with him all this time?" Willow asked.

Flash nodded. "It hasn't been fun, I can tell you that much. I wanted out soon after I arrived, but it was clear that wouldn't be possible. I saw two dogs beat to death for trying. I knew I wasn't the only one disloyal to Flint, but it took a long time to communicate with others- there was always the risk of word getting back to the boss. Things only really changed a couple of months ago; one of the young dogs, a bullmastiff called Charlie, tried to challenge Flint for mating rights- he'd seen the way the boss had treated his brood bitch, and wouldn't stand for it. He was driven out, and his brother Bruiser was only allowed to stay after being beaten to within an inch of his life. When he was still broken and battered, Bruiser came to me. We started looking for a way out, but we knew it couldn't happen with just the two of us- even if we could get Charlie to fight alongside us."

"So, you want to use Dodger… and us?" Rita asked, frowning.

"You won't be able to get him out of there without my help," said Flash. "Only Bruiser and I are guarding him most of the time, but if he gets away on our watch, we will be punished- Bruiser could well be killed. I won't let that happen."

Rita growled, realising that she was getting dragged into something bigger than what she'd expected. Still, she listened, wanting to hear exactly what Flash was proposing. "So, what do you want to do?"

"Bruiser and I will need to mount a challenge to Flint; without a clear dethroning observed by the others, we'll only be setting ourselves up to be killed. With Dodger, the two of you, and Charlie, we will be strong enough to make a powerful statement- and we may well have others onside."

"But Flash," Willow said, "how many of them are there?

Flash bit her lip. "Aside from me and Bruiser, nine."

"Nine?" Willow gasped.

Rita hung her head. This sounded like suicide.

"I know," said Flash, "but they'll be unprepared, and not all of them will want to fight us. I know how crazy it sounds, but you're the only hope Bruiser and I have. We're trapped."

Looking into Flash's eyes, Willow nodded. "We'll do it."

"You're kidding!" Rita demanded. "Challenging Flint directly will get us all killed! And we're supposed to go along with it just because she said so? If we stick to the original plan, we might be able to get Dodger out of there. We didn't come here to dismantle Flint's gang."

Willow was shocked by Rita's continued hostility. "I can't help you if that means putting Flash in harm's way, not any more than I could expect you to put Dodger's life in danger," she growled. "You might not trust her, but I do. Flash was with me through my darkest days, since I was a scrawny, scared little kid." She stared hard into her sister's eyes, willing her to understand. "She is my Dodger."

Rita's hackles remained raised, and she breathed heavily. She had little choice; whether she liked it or not, Willow's circle of trust extended into a part of Flint's gang, and she'd just have to retain faith that Flash was not just trying to keep the rescue attempt at bay. She looked to Flash, who was as tense as she. "If you're a friend of Willow's, you're a friend of mine," she said finally. "Give her your word that no harm will come to Dodger as a result of our holding back- holding back at your request- and I'll work with you."

Nodding her head, Flash looked back to Willow. "You have my word, Will. Bruiser and I will fight if need be. We can only free ourselves with your help, and with Dodger's."

"Thank you, Flash," Willow said, and she came forward to nuzzle her face against her old friend's neck. She feared for Flash, and wished desperately that she could stay rather than return to her dangerous post at Flint's side. "We'll look for your signal."

Peering up from her old friend's embrace, Flash met eyes with Rita. "I'm the best hope your Dodger has right now. Bruiser told me you're a smart and fierce fighter; it would be an honour to join you against Flint. Please, try to trust me."

"I will," said Rita firmly. Flash seemed genuine, and what she said was true, aligning with her was Dodger's best hope. "Tell Dodger I'm coming for him."

Willow whimpered as Flash pulled away. Could it be that they'd lose one another so soon after being reunited? Flash was powerful and wise, but if Flint cottoned on that she was working against him, she'd surely be killed.

Flash turned to the sisters once more before leaving. "Tomorrow at sun-down," she said. "I'll be at the entrance, and will give three yawns in turn. We'll be ready, then; Bruiser will bring have his brother in waiting too. Flint and the others will be tired at the end of the day. It's our best chance. Good luck, and stay hidden."

In his prison, Dodger could do little but quietly try to conserve his energy. Bruiser was standing guard, and had been joined by another of Flint's gang, the lanky fawn Great Dane mix, Harper. From Dodger's own observations, he knew that Harper was the mother of the two half-grown pups in the gang, and that she was incredibly fearful of her leader. She wanted out, but Dodger knew that all he could do was keep to himself and let Bruiser try and talk her into supporting their challenge to Flint. If Harper, and by extension the young ones too, took their side, it could be the difference between success and defeat. But, Dodger thought as he looked at the timid bitch, he wasn't sure he could hope for much from someone whose spirit had clearly been broken.

Harper was licking her licks, her eyes darting around the room. Should Flint or his allies walk in on the hushed conversation she was having with Bruiser, their punishment would be severe. She understood, though, that she might never again have an opportunity like this to free herself from the bully that had made her life a living hell. "With you, Flash, Charlie, and the prisoner and his two friends, that will be seven including me," she whispered.

"Comet and Star?" Bruiser urged. He didn't expect Harper would want her son and daughter involved, but when it came to the fight, they'd be forced to choose; their mother or Flint. "Every number could make the difference. If your pups join us, we might be able to tip this in our favour; decisively defeat Flint without too much bloodshed."

"I don't want them to get hurt, Bruiser, but if it comes to a big fight, I don't know that Comet will take our side. You know how loyal he is to his father." Harper flinched at the thought. Her son was Flint's too, and was ever eager for his approval. Even if it meant turning his back on his mother, it seemed likely to her that Comet would fight in Flint's defence. "If I can get Star out of here though…," her voice trembled. "She deserves better, she deserves a chance. If she can't get away, her future will be my present. I'll talk to her; even if she won't fight with us, she would never sell us out."

"I want you to know that I will never lay a paw on either of them, except in self-defence, no matter what happens. Comet didn't choose who his father is."

A creaking of the wooden door frame ended the conversation abruptly; someone was back home. Harper hastily scuttled away from Bruiser and lay down on the other side of the room. She exchanged a meaningful look with him, confirming her support.

From the entrance hallway came a band of three dogs; a young black bitch, who appeared to be at least half Labrador, Harper's half-grown daughter, Star, and a burly bull terrier mix who was limping badly.

"Mom," Star called as she ran over to greet her mother, "Jag got hurt in our raid of the bridge territory- if it wasn't for Comet, he'd have been dogfood. You shoulda seen him out there."

Harper licked her daughter's shoulder. "He's still out there with Flint?" she asked, sick with worry. If Jag, an experienced fighter, had gotten into trouble, the green Comet would be flirting with danger.

The Labrador barked. "He's fine, Harper, calm your tail," she said. "He's taking after his father- thankfully. Flint's gonna have him join the night patrol with him and Stone." She smirked at Bruiser, who gave a low growl. Joining Flint on the evening march was a great privilege; one that the bullmastiff had been stripped of.

Bruiser shook off the taunt. Though he couldn't show it, he was very pleased. Jag had a serious injury to his leg- maybe a torn tendon, and just when an opportunity for a challenge was arising. If one of Flint's strongest allies was hobbled, they might just be able to pull off the mutiny.

The Labrador approached Bruiser, swishing her tail. Her scent told him that she was coming into heat. "It's a shame, Bruiser, that you went and disgraced yourself over your fool brother," she said snidely. "You were almost looking like a fine mating prospect for a while there. Now even the kid, Comet, has better chances than you. Actually, I think that terrier you're guarding has too."

"Don't worry, Panther, you're not my type," Bruiser replied gruffly. He wasn't about to be goaded into a reaction. In Flint's gang, there were four bitches of age to mate; Flash, Harper, Panther, and the tall and wild-looking Wolfie. Of the four, it was only really Wolfie that Bruiser had ever really been interested in, but no male in the gang could so much as talk to a bitch in season without Flint's permission. In the coming days, the leader would begin to aggressively guard Panther, allowing her contact only with males who had earned the privilege.

Dodger listened to all the interactions with great curiosity. Like Bruiser, he'd been buoyed by the obvious handicap to one of Flint's strong loyalists, but felt a nagging worry about Harper and her two pups. It sounded likely that Flame would stand by her mother, but Comet was in a position to bring the whole endeavour crashing down. Conflicted loyalties couldn't much be relied upon when it came to a fight to the death. It was too early to hope; for all he knew, Rita and Willow might have disappeared to safety, away from Flash's reach. Without them, he was left with his two guards, Bruiser's brother- a dog he'd never even met, and Harper. It just might be enough, especially if Harper had Star's support, but it still sounded a huge gamble.

A couple of hours passed before Flash returned to the hideout. She'd been careful, swimming in the river to wash away Willow's scent. One of Flint's gang, Nico, was a keen-nosed beagle, and had always been utilised to track enemy scents. If he noticed the odour of a stranger on Flash, he could start asking questions. She'd also taken the time to scavenge for food, and was bring back a foot-long meaty sandwich that she hoped could be discreetly shared with Dodger. The mutt was a prisoner, forbidden to be fed, but Flash also knew that he needed to keep his strength up if he was to join her and Bruiser in the fight against Flint the next day. When she came through the hole by the door, she was greeted by the sight of an injured Jag.

"How's your pet? You're trusting Bruiser with him?" he barked gruffly.

"You'll find Bruiser is wise enough to take his duties seriously, he's not going to push his chances with Flint any further." She carried on to the next room, where her captive was waiting.

Dodger lifted his head at the sight of Flash. Did she have news of Rita? They couldn't speak openly while Panther remained in the room with them, but he searched Flash's face for subtle efforts to communicate to him. As Panther turned her head away, Flash caught his eye and nodded.

"Get back in your box, terrier," Flash growled, maintaining a show of hostility for Panther's benefit. She dropped the sandwich in the box, once more catching Dodger's eye. She whispered in his ear. "Best wait until they are all sleeping. It's safer to eat in the dark." With a small smile she added, "Your friend is coming for you."

That evening, Fagin home to the barge to find that for a second time, neither Dodger nor Rita had returned home. In itself, it wasn't unusual; they were not pets and comfortably spent time away from the barge, doing their own thing. What was unusual, was how on edge the rest of the boys had been in that time; there was a distinct air that something was wrong.

"Did you try Oliver's house?" Einstein asked Tito, his ears drooping.

"Hey, I toldya, man! They're not there, they're not anywhere! Somethin's goin' on, man, I'm tellin' ya."

"I would not be so concerned, Einstein," Francis said. "Considering their recent marital troubles, one can only assume that Dodger and Rita have taken the time to rebuild their relationship. They are sure to want some privacy."

Einstein was momentarily placated, but Tito was unconvinced. "Yeah, but when ya went round the warehouse, no one had seen Willow either!" he yapped, "I doubt she was invited to a love fest, Frankie!"

"Fraaaahhhn-cis, you imp!"

Once again distressed, Einstein whimpered. "But you don't think they're hurt or anything? Do you?"

Swallowing his own doubts, Tito leant on the Great Dane's huge toes. "Don't worry, man. They're tough; whatever's goin' on, they'll be home soon enough."

"He's right, old fellow," Francis added, cooling down enough to try and ease Einstein's fears… and if he was honest, his own. "You ought to ask Fagin for a story, that always lifts your spirits."

Einstein's ears pricked up, and he jumped to get one of his many storybooks from his stash of treasured possessions. When his back was turned, though, Francis and Tito exchanged concerned glances. Unless Willow's simultaneous disappearance was just a bizarre coincidence, her being missing as well didn't fit with Dodger and Rita trying to work on their romantic relationship. Oliver hadn't seen them, nor had any of the dogs at the warehouse where Willow lived. It felt as though the three of them had fallen off the face of the earth; and no amount of telling themselves that their friends would simply show up home, completely fine and happy, would convince Francis or Tito. They joined Einstein at Fagin's feet, but could barely take in the story. Neither could quite shake the feeling that wherever Dodger and Rita were, they weren't fine at all.

Huddled up under their tarpaulin, Rita and Willow lay awake, too cautious to make sound and too on-edge to sleep. For all either of them knew, the next day could bring absolute carnage. Rita could only go on Flash's word that Dodger would survive in there for long enough for their rescue attempt to reach him.

Rita looked over her sister's quiet form, her heart heavy. Never had she wanted Willow to be put in danger for her and Dodger, but there wasn't a thing she could do now. Willow was stubborn, and now that she had Flash to fight for too, there was no way she'd back down. Rita didn't know if she'd ever loved her little sister more; after years of turmoil, Willow's true colours were shining through- something strong and beautiful that no one had ever appreciated. Draping a paw over Willow's back, and giving her a soft lick to the cheek, Rita willed the depth of her affection to come through without words. If they wouldn't make it to lie together for another night, they had this, and they had now. The dark shadow of fear and uncertainty couldn't take that.