The concerned Shepherd arrived back at the lookout and was greeted by curious stares of the other dogs. He sighed as he approached them and sat down, his head hanging down in shame.
"And?" Marshall asked, a worried frown on his forehead.
"Don't know." Chase shrugged before he looked up into Marshall's grey eyes. "I think he appreciated my support, but I still feel horrible."
"You can sort everything out after the surgery. You still have plenty of time to make up for your mistakes and misjudgement." Marshall reassured with a warm smile.
"And what if he doesn't wake up? If the surgery goes wrong?" Chase exclaimed worriedly, causing Marshall to gasp.
"Why would you say that?"
"Are you out of your mind? Better bite your tongue for even thinking something like that." Rocky scolded.
"Geez, calm down. He just said such weird things, as if he believed that he wouldn't survive. He's so young, why would he even mention wanting me to attend his funeral? It's odd." Chase explained with a troubled sigh. Rocky's eyes widened and Marshall gulped loudly. Zuma tilted his head worriedly as he stared at Chase. They were all aghast.
"Did he really say that?" Marshall asked with a voice just above a whisper, to which Chase nodded slowly.
"It's weird enough that he even mentions something like that, but wanting you, out of all dogs, to attend his funeral is even creepier. What was going through his mind? Does he know something we don't?" Rocky remarked, his voice showing concern.
"Sorry?" Chase said indignantly.
"I don't mean it like that, I'm just saying that you two never got along." Rocky shrugged.
"Guys, let's just stay positive." Zuma threw in, wearing an uncertain smile.
"I really don't need this whole drama starting from new. My mind is occupied enough worrying about Skye, I can't take worrying about Chico, too. I really can't." Chase sighed deeply.
"Man, how one simple accident can change everything." Zuma remarked with a sad face.
"Well, of course. It turns your world around. It's an exceptional situation." Rocky said with a sigh.
"I can't continue my life the way I did before, knowing I've been such an asshole towards Chico." Chase admitted, his lips curved downside.
"Let's just hope for the best." Marshall whispered, wearing a mournful expression.
"Haven't I been through enough already? Dear God, I got it. I got your message. You can stop torturing me now." Chase yelped darkly as he stared into the sky.
"Chase, no one is trying to torture you. You need to calm down." Zuma exclaimed worriedly.
"Someone is trying to make me lose hope. How do I deserve this? I've done nothing but saving people, helping people. This is what I get? No fair." Chase grunted as he looked at Zuma, breathing heavily.
"We're all here for you, we're pulling you through, dude." Zuma said with a comforting smile, to which all other pups nodded. Chase glanced at each of them, cracking a short smile.
"Guys, you're aren't my friends." he said, causing all the smiles to disappear. "You guys are my family." he added with a warm smile. All dogs started barking happily and wagged their tails.
So they waited all afternoon for the doctors to call. Chase was very tense, constantly walking around in circles, continually biting the inside of his cheeks.
Then, finally, Ryder's pup pad rang. He nearly dropped the pad as he tried to answer the call. He caught it in the last second and answered the call with a shaky voice. "He-Hello?"
"Chico's surgery is done, we're now preparing Skye." the doctor said calmly.
"Did it go well?" Chase asked worriedly.
"Well, it seems so. He's currently in the waking room, recovering from his anasthesia."
"Can I see him?" Chase asked, his voice shaky and nervous.
"Sure." the doctor said.
With that, Chase jumped onto his car and drove off, not even waiting for Ryder. The boy rolled his eyes as he thanked the doctor and went into his garage to follow Chase.
/ / /
Chase arrived at the animal hospital and jumped off his car and ran inside, not caring about a thing. A nurse was startled as the Shepherd rushed past her, almost causing her to trip. Chase had no idea which room Chico was currently in, so he went inside room 24, but it was empty. His eyes widened and his heart started beating at a rapid pace. He exited the room again and started calling for a doctor, until a nurse came towards him and shushed him.
"Quiet, this is a hospital, not a funfair." she scolded in a stern tone.
"I need to know where the waking room is." Chase exclaimed out of breath.
"Over there." the nurse said coldly as he pointed down the corridor.
"Thanks." Chase mumbled quickly before he ran down the corridor and opened the door to the waking room.
There he was. Laying on that hospital bed, his right inguinal region shaved, wearing a large scar. His eyes were still closed, but his breathing seemed steady.
"Chico." Chase whispered as he rushed to the side of Chico's bed, sitting down. He had a worried expression written over his face as he examined the Retriever. Why wasn't he awake?
"Chico, pal, can you hear me? It's me, Chase. You did it." Chase said with a trembling voice, but Chico showed no motion.
"Chico, don't play with me, just open your eyes." Chase said, feeling his heart sink to the ground. This situation was just too painfully relatable, talking to someone that doesn't respond.
His ears twitched as he heard foot steps behind him. He turned his head to see Ryder, standing there, trying to catch his breath.
"I came as fast as I could, did you upgrade your car? Dear God. That was enough exercise for the next year." Ryder complained through a subtle chuckle. As Chase didn't say anything, Ryder's expression changed into a serious one. He approached Chase and kneeled down beside him.
"What's wrong?" he asked worriedly.
"He's not awake yet." Chase sighed.
"That can take some time, but at least he's healthy and alive. You need to stop worrying so much." Ryder reassured his dog with a soothing smile. Chase warped his lips worriedly as he turned his attention back to Chico.
The Retriever looked like he was in a deep sleep. Chase struggled to keep his breathing steady as he emptily stared at Chico's face.
Suddenly, he coughed. Chase's eyes widened and he perked his ears up. He stepped onto Chico's bed with his front paws and started wagging his tail. Chico slowly opened one eye while wincing in pain.
"Oh God." Chico whispered with a raspy voice, coughing another time.
"Chico! Thank God you're awake." Chase exclaimed with a smile. Chico slowly turned his head to look at Chase, still struggling to keep his eyes open. He blinked hard, trying to clear his vision.
"Chase? Is that you?" he asked weakly.
"Yes, yes, pal. It's me. How are you feeling?"
"Terrible." Chico spat, followed by a short chuckle. He breathed heavily and kept yelping in pain as soon as he moved a muscle.
"Are the painkillers not working?" Ryder asked worriedly as he stood up and looked at Chico.
"Ryder? You're here too?" Chico asked, cracking a short smile.
"Yes, buddy. We're here. You made it." Ryder said proudly, returning the smile.
"I can't believe it. I'm not dead?" Chico asked, finally able to fully open his orange eyes.
"You wish." Chase snickered.
"It sure feels like I'm dead, though." Chico said. He tried to lift his head, but failed with a loud, pained sigh.
"I'm gonna call a doctor." Ryder said as he exited the room.
"How do I look?" Chico asked, gesturing Chase to check out the scar. Chase gulped and grinned nervously.
"Uh, incredibly sexy as always." he joked with a chuckle.
"Don't fall in love, you clingy asshat." Chico taunted back with a short laugh, but cut it off with a pained yelp.
"You're not my type, I prefer girls." Chase said with a sad chuckle. Seeing Chico in such pain was almost unbearable for the sensitive Shepherd.
"How's Skye?"
"Currently going through surgery." Chase sighed.
"Man, my God damned side hurts. And my head." Chico complained while rolling his eyes.
"I'm here for you, buddy." Chase said, wearing a sad frown. He had no idea how to help the poor Retriever and it gnawed on him.
Chase turned his head as he noticed a doctor coming towards them. He stopped beside Chico's bed and flashed him a warm smile.
"Such a brave soldier. Everything went just as planned. Though, Ryder told me you're in pain?" he said, placing his hands on his hips.
"Enormous pain." Chico confirmed.
"Well, then we might have to increase your dose of painkillers." the doctor said with a shrug, to which Chico slowly nodded.
"Please."
The doctor nodded and exited the room. Chico turned his head to look at Chase again.
"Do you think Skye will pull through?" he asked worriedly, warping his lips in an uneasy way.
"Of course, I am confident that she'll wake up today." Chase retorted.
"I hope so."
The doctor came back and carried a syringe filled with strong painkillers. Chase squeezed his eyes shut as the doctor injected the liquid. Chico winced shortly, but soon relaxed.
"Thanks." he whispered.
"No problem. You'll stay the night." he said as he got rid of the syringe.
"Wait, why?" Chico asked irritated.
"Just for surveillance." the doctor shrugged.
"No way, the medicine scent here kills me. I wanna go home." Chico protested.
"He's right, the unpleasant smell here is strong." Chase threw in with an awkward grin.
"Your state is still weak, Chico. You could catch an infection if you don't keep an eye on your wound." the doctor said with a concerned voice.
"I'll be careful." Chico breathed, flashing the doctor a confident smile.
"You'll have to sign a letter of acceptance then. You accept that you're no longer in medical care and have to look after yourself."
"He can always return here if something goes wrong, right?" Chase asked, arching an eyebrow, to which the doctor nodded.
"Of course."
"Bring me that letter." Chico said, to which the doctor nodded.
"Are you sure, Chico? One night won't kill you." Chase exclaimed worriedly.
"I'm sure. One more night in this hellhole and I'm gonna die." he spat.
"Okay, I'm taking you to the lookout then. You can have my dog house. It's a bit larger than yours, that way you have more space." Chase suggested, getting a warm smile from Chico in return.
"That's not necessary."
"I insist." Chase smiled, to which Chico nodded.
"Fine, you're the boss." he chuckled.
"You bet I am." Chase said playfully.
The doctor returned and Chico signed his letter with a paw print. Chase persuaded him to wait at least another hour. He wanted Chico to be at least able to move without wincing in pain. Ryder was leaning in the doorframe, watching the two dogs talk, wearing a smile. He wasn't fond of the idea of taking Chico home against the doctor's advice, but he was old enough to decide himself. Besides, he was an emergency doctor, so he should be aware of the risks better than anyone else.
As the hour was finally over, Chico started nagging that he wanted to go home, and after a short discussion Chase gave in.
"Fine, don't start crying. I'm taking you home." Chase chuckled. "Can you get up or do I have to carry you?"
"I may only have one kidney, but I do have four healthy legs." Chico retorted, slowly getting into a sitting position. He yelped while doing so, but tried everything to suppress the pain. As he was finally sitting, he started breathing heavily, feeling dizzy.
"We can wait-"
"No. I need a cozy place to recover. This hospital makes me sick." Chico protested, getting a troubled sigh from Chase in return.
"How can anyone be so stubborn? That's not what Retrievers are known for."
"That's what Chico is known for." Chico joked.
"Good, then get your ass up." Chase challenged with a haughty grin.
Chase struggled to get into a standing position, but eventually succeeded. He slowly got off the bed, one paw after another. He smiled as he stood in front of Chase.
"See?" he chirped.
"Heart of a warrior." Chase praised him with a smile. "Let's bring you home."
So the three slowly exited the hospital, and Chico took a deep breath as he was outside. He was relieved that the surgery was over, and that he was finally on Chase's good side. The compassionate Shepherd supported Chico to get onto the car. Chico warped his lips in pain as he placed himself in Chase's backseat.
Chase drove slowly and carefully, looking over his shoulder from time to time to check on Chico. They arrived at the lookout and all the pups started barking in excitement. They ran towards Chase's car with wagging tails. Chase parked and helped Chico get off. Feeling safe ground underneath his paws, Chico sighed blissfully.
"Feels good to be home." he said faintly as he flashed Chase a warm smile, which the Shepherd returned.
"Feels good to have you home, buddy." he said, causing all the other pups to grin.
"Chico, how are you?" Marshall asked excitedly.
"How did the surgery go?" Rubble asked curiously.
"Are you in pain?" Zuma asked worriedly.
"There, there. Let that poor dog settle in." Rocky remarked.
"You guys are the best." Chico laughed shortly before he flinched in pain.
"I think Chico needs some rest." Chase exclaimed worriedly, glancing at the Retriever, to which Chico nodded.
"Yeah, I need some sleep."
"Okay, you sleep and we will prepare a meal for you. And then you'll tell us all about your surgery." Marshall suggested with a sweet smile.
"Thank you, but I honestly don't remember much." Chico joked with a grin.
"That sounds fair." Rocky pointed out with a chuckle.
"See you later, guys. And thank you all so much." Chico smiled widely before he went into Chase's dog house, causing Zuma and Rocky to gasp in surprise, but Chase silenced them with a warm smile.
"It's fine." he whispered as he gestured them to follow him inside the tower to let Chico rest. They all obeyed and walked after him, exchanging curious glances.
/ / /
Inside, Chase sat down on the couch, while the others all sat down in front of it and stared up at the Shepherd.
"You may have questioned yourself what the change of atmosphere is all about, and I shall answer your questions, fellow dogs." Chase said dramatically, causing the other dogs to laugh shortly.
"Marshall washed my head, and I really needed that. Chico doesn't really have anyone to lean on and he's very lonely. I want you guys to make him feel welcome, he suffussed us with a great gift, he saved Skye's life while risking his own. I want him to know that we appreciate it." Chase explained, wearing a smile.
"Chase, you're the greatest leader of all time." Zuma said while taking a bow. Chase chuckled, but was aghast as the other dogs nodded and bowed down, too.
"All hail Chase the magnanimous!" Marshall barked.
Chase glanced at each of them, totally perplexed. But soon he softened and smiled widely. He knew they were probably joking, but it still felt amazing to be so appreciated.
Three painful hours passed. Chase started walking in circles like a captured tiger, constantly gnawing on the inside of his cheeks. Zuma and Marshall watched him with worried eyes, while Rubble and Rocky were watching over Chico, who had already woken from his sleep, but still felt weak.
"Chase, calm down. They'll call any moment." Zuma reassured Chase with a sad smile.
"It's insane, how can any surgery take that long?" Chase spat, his eyebrows narrowing as he glared at Zuma. The Retriever gulped loudly as he looked at the intimidating Shepherd. After Chase's little speech everything was so calm, but the more minutes passed, the more nervous he got. Skye was still going through surgery, or maybe something went wrong? No one had any idea. The only thing they knew was that Skye's surgery seemingly took longer than Chico's. Marshall took a deep breath as he stood up and sat back down in front of Chase, blocking his way.
"Chase, you're ruining your nerves. Just stay positive and try to chill." Marshall said calmly, looking deep into the concerned Shepherd's eyes. They showed rage, but also deep sorrow. A troubled sigh escaped Chase's snout as he finally sat down and nodded slowly.
"I can't help myself, Marsh. I've always been worried about her. She tends to call it 'brotherly instincts', but I call it love." he whispered with a shrug.
"I know, pal. I know." Marshall sighed.
"Chase!" Ryder frantically called out as he came running towards his dog. Chase's eyes widened and he stood up, his posture becoming tense as he watched his owner run towards him.
"Chase..." Ryder repeated out of breath as he stopped in front of his dog. "The doctors called. They wouldn't tell me what's going on, but I honestly have a bad feeling." he panted, resting his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.
Chase swallowed thickly as he stared at Ryder with empty eyes, feeling his heart hit the surface, his stomach twisting painfully. For a moment, everything started moving in slow motion and he felt numb. His paws were glued to the cold ground beneath him, and his tongue was tied. He couldn't speak, he couldn't think. What could've possibly gone wrong?
Suddenly, he snapped back to reality, wearing a determined expression. "What are we waiting for then?" he asked with a raspy voice as he ran towards Ryder's garage.
"Chase, wait for me!" Ryder called out as he ran after his dog.
Marshall and Zuma exchanged a glance filled with panic and destruction.
"I wanna come too!" Chico yelled weakly, struggling to stand on his legs due to the numbing pain in his side.
"I'm sorry, we don't have time, buddy." Chase said, warping his lips in worry. Chico sighed deeply before he nodded. He understood that Chase didn't feel like losing time in this situation.
"C'mon, Ryder, hurry!" Chase said hastily, to which Ryder nodded. He started the engine and they drove off together. They arrived at the hospital in high speed, but still not as fast as Chase's heart was beating in his chest, causing a lack of air within his lungs.
Ryder parked his bike and hopped off, running towards the large glass doors, but he came to an abrupt halt as he noticed that Chase wasn't coming. He was still sitting on the bike, blinking hard as he oppressed tears. His head was hanging down, his snout slightly opened due to his heavy breathing. The boy's expression turned into a sad one, he shouldn't have told Chase about his bad feeling, but the doctor's call was utterly weird and gave him negative goosebumps.
"Chase, be strong. Let's hear what the doctor has to say, shall we?" Ryder called out, trying to encourage his dog, but Chase didn't even lift his head to look at him. Ryder started chewing his lower lip in agony as he walked back to his bike.
"You want me to go in there alone? It'll be totally fine." he suggested with a sad smile, which finally caused Chase to look up with moist eyes.
"No way." he whispered before he finally jumped off the bike and followed Ryder inside.
They arrived inside and Chase slowly looked around. It was quiet. It was already dark outside and suddenly he heard thunder's roaring, causing him to flinch.
"Just what we need." Ryder complained with a sigh.
"It's not a good sign if it starts raining now." Chase whispered, his eyes widening. His face showed such emptiness that it concerned Ryder.
"What do you mean?"
"Believe me, if it starts raining now... then it might be too late." Chase breathed, his eyebrows narrowing as his expression got sadder. Ryder warped his lips in deep worry as he looked around, trying to find the doctor in charge. He flinched as he felt a tap on his shoulder, causing him to turn around. He was greeted by the warm smile of Skye's female doctor.
"Hello, Ryder, Chase." she said, as she flashed each of them a comforting smile. "Stop looking at me with those mournful eyes. She's alive."
Chase sighed heavily as his posture relaxed, along with Ryder's.
"That's very good to know. Can we see her?" Ryder asked hopefully. The doctor nodded. "You sure can, but first I need to talk to you in my office."
"Why?" Chase asked while tilting his head with worry.
"The surgery didn't go as planned. We have to discuss some things." she sighed, causing Chase's stomach to churn painfully. He gulped loudly as he nodded.
They both followed the doctor, exchanging sad glances. This couldn't be good. They arrived at the doctor's office and they all took a seat. The doctor leaned back in her chair and sighed deeply while closing her eyes. Chase watched her with hopeful, yet utterly sad eyes. The doctor opened her eyes slowly and they landed on Chase's.
"I'm happy to announce that there were no complications involving Chico's surgery. His kidney fits, too. We removed the injured kidney and replaced it with Chico's healthy one." she said. For the split of a second, Chase cracked a short smile, but it soon faded as the doctor let out a distressed sigh. "I'm sorry to announce that Skye's heart rate fell rapidly during the surgery and we had to revive her. We almost lost her, but were able to bring her back in time. Though, this incident caused that we couldn't monitor further brain activity, which means that she hasn't woken from her coma... and we're not certain that she will."
Chase's eyes widened and he drooped his ears as he stared at the doctor with a devastated expression. "No... no no no, you're lying." he whispered faintly, his lips starting to quiver.
"I am so sorry, Chase. We don't know what caused this circumstance, we were so confident that a new kidney will make her wake immediately, but she's still too weak." the doctor sighed, letting her head hang.
Ryder turned to his dog and noticed that he was trembling. "Chase, hey, shhhh, calm down." he said soothingly, but Chase seemed deaf. The Shepherd emptily stared at the doctor, tears silently flowing down his cheeks, his body visibly shaking. He almost looked as if he was having some sort of seizure. He wrinkled his nose in anger, and frowned in sadness.
"But you promised us that a new kidney will bring her back! You lied! You gave us false hope!" Chase yelled accusingly, glaring at the doctor.
"Chase, no, please." Ryder whispered, falling around the Shepherd's neck to hug him tightly, but Chase didn't even blink. He wasn't even aware that he was being touched, or rather hugged. "Chase, you're shaking. Are you cold?" Ryder asked, aghast that every muscle in Chase's body was quivering.
"CHASE TALK TO ME!" Ryder yelled as he released the dog from his hug and stared him dead in the eyes.
"I don't wanna wait anymore! I can't do this! I can't keep on hoping, I feel betrayed! How could this happen?" Chase winced shortly before breaking out in tears, sobbing heavily. He fell off his chair and collapsed on the floor, digging his claws into the wood.
He let out a heartrending scream as he kept shaking violently, worrying the doctor.
"I have to sedate him..." she whispered, to which Ryder nodded. Chase's eyes snapped open as he slowly lifted his head and glared at the doctor.
"No, not again. You won't ever sedate me again. I've had enough." he growled darkly while baring his teeth, causing the doctor to sit back down with raised hands.
"Chase, gather your thoughts and don't do anything stupid." she said calmly.
"Don't tell me what to do. I'll do what has to be done." he hissed before he ran out of the room, causing Ryder to gasp.
"NO! Chase, wait!" he called out, but Chase crashed through the front doors and ran away. He exchanged a panic-struck glance with the doctor before he ran outside to follow Chase, but he was already out of sight.
It had started raining heavily, and thunders kept erupting over Adventure Bay.
It seemed to be the rainiest night of the year...
...and it was the night that Chase had run away, carrying nothing but a broken heart.
Aww, what a disappointment! Gosh, I'm such a devilish person. :/
But with me it never gets boring! (: Hope you all arrived healthy and happy in 2020, and that this year will treat you guys good.
Share your thoughts with me, darlings. Your reviews keep me inspired, they keep me going. I would've stopped this story long ago, if it weren't for your kind reviews giving me the power to continue. Bless your hearts, I love you all. xoxo