As the week went on, many things changed. Vriska was pulled out of school, her aunt running away with her before English found out. It must have worked because no one else knew what happened. Honestly, being mixed with a bear couldn't have been that bad, but it was probably better safe than sorry anyway. Eridan's uncle followed suit.
Equius was having problems once his powers started coming in effect, accidently breaking things you didn't think were that easy to break. Nepeta helped cover it up in case someone decided to ask questions.
You have to say, furry John is the funniest thing you've ever seen. With his tip-less gloves, bright blue tail and white clip on ears he just looked so strange to you that seeing him made it hard not to laugh. However, as soon as Karkat saw it he laughed so hard he almost was taken to the nurse's office. You were just glad he was back to talking again.
But life had it in for you and your friends, that much was clear. You came home to see the news on and Bro gone. "So tell us what attacked you?" A news anchor asked.
"It was an odd creature, much like the black winged child." Scratch stated. You turn to see him on the news, flinching. Scattered notes lie around the table, bits and pieces of newspaper along with a list of locations carelessly scribbled on a napkin. You quickly realize the went looking for Rose. You race out of your apartment.
You spent hours running through town yelling 'Rose' over and over. You didn't stop running, even heading out of town to search along the outskirts. You hear someone yell back. You run that direction, finding yelling louder. You then realize the replies are from above you.
"Dave..." John dangled from his ankle higher up in the tree. He was holding his glasses on with one hand, letting the other arm dangle in an attempt to get someone's attention.
"What are you doing in a tree?"
"Oh you know," John smiled," just hanging around."
"I meant how did you ended up in the tree."
"I was running with Rose after Scratch came after us."
"You serious?"
"Yes I'm serious, but right now we have to help Rose!"
"What happened?"
"She was several steps back from your point along the bear trap line." You look to see the still red edges of the bear trap now reset, memories trying to resurface. "Don't step in it!"
"I'm not going to step in, give me more credit than that."
"I think the lady didn't notice me."
"Oh crap, Rose!" You forgot everything at home, except... you notice lil' Cal on your shoulder. A quick check of his hat and you find the piece of glass you never removed. You start sawing at the rope with the glass, but mainly you cut up your hand when the glass would slip. As the rope snapped, you realized John was directly above you. You both fell over. "Dammit John, stop being so heavy."
"Sorry!" John got up, helping you up. "Oh, let's go." You both ran off through the forest, keeping your eyes open for bear traps. By the time you found a cabin it was dark. You notice John's eyes doing the glowing thing. "What?" You lift your shades, dropping them back down so John would get it. "Wait, are my eyes doing that?"
"Yeah."
He stared at his reflection in your shades. "Woah, that's actually pretty cool!" John looked around," Is that why everything seems so bright?"
"Yes." John seemed so excited by his abilities. "We need to somehow break in."
"My ears have wire in them." John unclipped one of his wolf ears from his hair, handing it to you helpfully. You manage to pull out the wire, fiddling with the lock before pushing the door open. You heard the growling of the big white dog before you shut the door.
"There's a dog inside."
"Maybe we can lure it outside?"
"Hold on, I've heard it's name before. Peemen? Pelmen? Premed? P something M... Wait, PM. Maybe that's all it is?" You give up, opening the door. The dog was definitely from the truck, barking and snarling at you. You heard something in the back room, deciding to take the dog on like a crazy. The dog leaped at you, and you jumped out of the way as the dog hit the wall head first with a loud thump.
You head of to where you heard the noise, opening the door. Rose was in one of the two dog crates. "Dave?" She asked. You step in front of the solid sided cage to the front grate, already trying to bust open the lock. "So it is you."
"Yeah." You weren't doing so well with unlocking the cage.
"Is John here?"
"He's out front." It would be easier just to melt the grate, but the cage was to small to try that without risking harm to Rose. Wait, what about the solid sides? "Rose, back up as much as you can." She listened without protest. You started trying to melt away the side with the lock on it towards the front, focusing on getting it to break.
"Someone's coming, hide." You keep melting away. "It's not John, move!" You look around, hiding under the bed in the corner. You start hearing the footsteps too, freezing up when you see the black boots.
"Well, what happened here?" The woman asked.
"Your dog doesn't like me."
"Oh really?" Condense moved closer," Then why is it hot?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Then touch the plastic... No? That's what I thought. You really think I'm not going to notice a melting dog crate corner? You must be think I'm stupid as hell."
"I was hoping you're eyesight was worse."
"You guys seem to be everywhere. Where are you coming from?"
"What do you mean?"
"My sister was turned into one of you freaks." She kicked the cage roughly. "What are you? Where are you coming from?"
"It's genetic, we are coming from the same place other babies come from. We are human, understand?"
"No you're not." She started dragging the cage off. You crawl out from under the bed just as you hear the door shut. You get out side to see John pinned to a tree, struggling desperately to escape the woman's grip. "... thinking you cold sneak up on me huh?" You step closer, but you forgot the other dog until he clamped down on your ankle.
"No!" You accidentally catch the dogs fur on fire, who lets go as he runs off.
"Stupid dog." The woman throws John into the side of her truck hard before looking over to you angrily. "You again? Damn do you show up often." You noticed the gleam of metal from her hand as she stepped closer. You took a step back, slipping on your now obviously broken ankle. She smirked, and for a moment you swore it was game over.
The kid with white hair? Wait, it was Cal! Cal had grabbed Condense's wrist from behind, laughing. You heard the snap of her wrist before she spun around to face him, being sent flying back not seconds later. When she collapsed to the ground, you knew she wasn't getting up for a while. By the time you blinked Cal was once again a puppet on the ground.
"Why did I stop carrying you?" You picked him up, limping over to John. "John are you alright?"
"I did it!" He jumped up.
"Did what?"
"I made some wind cushion the blow! That easily could have been worse."
"Are you hurt?"
"Nah, I'm fine. You should fix up your ankle though." You listen, flames dancing around your foot a moment before you hopped in the truck. John hopped in. "Rose, are you okay?"
"It's just my ankle, otherwise yes."
"Hold on, you'll be out in no time at all." You get to work trying to melt the plastic, but your energy is draining fast so you just force the weekend plastic back before tearing out the grate roughly and throwing it. "Here, let me see your ankle."
"You seem tired, are you sure?"
"You can't walk on a broken ankle Rose." She sighs, but she slides her ankle closer. You burn through the cloth as you heal her ankle. "Ther-" you start, but you end up almost falling asleep mid sentence.
"Guess we're going to have to help you home." John then helped you out of the truck, Rose sporting one side while John the other. As you guys reached the bear trap line you spotted a pair of glowing eyes.
"I found you guys!" Jade smiled. "Hey, what's wrong with Dave?"
"He's tired." John pushed Cal back onto your shoulder. "Never fight the lady who kills bears for a living."
"Stop!" Jade did a weird step-hop while holding her hands out to stop you guys. "You almost stepped on a bear trap!"
"Great."
"Not great." A gruff old man commented. You quickly realize it's Mister Harley, Jade's sort-of grandfather.
"That was sarcasm."
"No time dilly dallying, let's go." He tossed you onto his shoulder before continuing to walk.
"How'd you find us?" John asked.
"My granddaughter tracked you down. Strider and Lalonde are worried sick, and I'm not even sure if anyone had it in them to tell Mr. Egbert his son was missing." You didn't have enough strength to fight against being carried with your bottom up in the air, you could barely stay awake as it is. Actually, taking a nap would be great.