Lucky's Nightmare
It had been a week since the Dalmatian family, both original and adopted had escaped the clutches of Cruella and the Badduns, Horace and Jasper. Due to her business empire, Cruella was able to get off with probation and restraining order, after Police had linked the odd coincidence of Dalmatian pups being adopted in a single night from all the pet stores. The night just before 15 puppies were reported stolen. And seeing that she was obsessed with fur coats, even though the coats she had were obtained legally, this was enough to link a plot to use the puppies for fur coats. While Curella paid off her sentence for attempted murder, and associated animal cruelty, and settled on Probation and restraining order from obtaining more furs, or being anywhere near puppies of any kind, Jasper and Horace were not let off so easily, having been identified by Nanny herself, and were sent to prison for animal napping, and pet/animal cruelty, as well as attempted murder. Laws could let them get out on bail, but they didn't have the money, since Cruella never paid them off.
This was a relief to the Dalmatian Family. The monsters couldn't touch them now. They were safe. While most of the pups were over the general fear of the monsters, they still were a bit shaken. Lucky most of all. He could still remember the terrorizing escape from the Devil woman, he even remembered how, had it not been for his mother catching him, he would have fallen to cliffs below when he had been flung from the Van's tail gate. That sight had shaken him to the core. That night, which was rather stormy, the Dalmatian family slept up stairs in Rogers music room. It had the most room next to Their Pet's bedroom. And would have to do until Roger and Anita could find a place out in the country.
But all was not peaceful. While 98 of the pups were sleeping soundly. One was not. Lucky was tossing and turning. In his dream, he was back at the old De Vil place. Back in that room they kept him and all his siblings, original and new, locked up, with barely enough to eat. The place where the Badduns had called him a runt. A most hurtful name. The shapes and shadows all around him were terrifying, he ran about the room, trying to find the hole that the Tabby Cat, Sargent Tibs had led him through. But he couldn't find it. All the doors were shut, and the hole was nowhere to be seen.
Just then, one set of doors flew open. And there she was. The wicked monster. The Devil Woman. Cruella De Vil. And she was so menacing, her teeth now razor sharp, and eyes glowing a bright red hue. Her smile and laughter. Lucky couldn't seem to find the strength to move, it was as if his paws had turned to lead. He whimpered, and soon, he saw the devil woman lunge at him with her wicked smile.
Just as he thought he was finished, his head snapped up, as he awoke, and was panting heavily, as if he had just run 5 miles. Perdy was already awake and looking at her littlest pup. "Lucky, are you alright?" She whispered in a concerned tone.
Lucky did his best to slow his hyper breathing, as he replied, "Just a…. bad dream."
Perdy knew it was more than just a bad dream, and nuzzled him as she said "Shhhh, it's alright little one, I'm here. I'm here."
This helped to slow Lucky's breathing to a more stable pace to relax his heart rate. Perdy them gave him a few re-assuring licks to show him she cared about his wellbeing. "Mom?" Lucky asked.
"Hm?" Perdy inquired.
"Is it….. wrong to be scared?" Lucky asked.
"What do you mean?" Perdy wondered.
"When we were escaping Cruella and the Badduns. You and Dad. You were so fearless, but, me, I was just so frightened. I was a coward," Lucky answered.
He shed a couple of tears. Perdy nuzzled him again. "Oh Lucky. You could never be a coward. Anyone in your paws would have been frightened by what happened. I know that if you asked any of your brothers or sisters. They were just as terrified as you were. And your Father and I. We were not fearless. We were very much scared ourselves," Perdy admitted.
"You were?" Lucky asked, now feeling a bit better.
"Mmhm. Only fools are fearless dear. But you can face fear, and that is what bravery is. You are strong and brave. You may be the littlest, but that doesn't mean you are coward or weak. When you followed us through that storm, we had walked for miles before Pongo had to carry you. That proved you were strong. I'll be honest. I wasn't sure how long your siblings would have held out had that dairy barn not been there," Perdy told him.
"Really?" Lucky inquired.
"Yes. And when we had to get to the Van, you were brave to follow. A coward would have stayed in that shed, and never followed us. But you did, even with Cruella and the Badduns trying to figure out where we were, and could see us. You had true courage that day," Perdy assured him.
Lucky walked closer to her, and nuzzled up against her neck. She smiled and nuzzled back. "I know Cruella and the Badduns still scare you dear. And that's alright. Sometimes fear is the one thing that can stop a dog or pet from doing something foolish. I'm even sure Thunderbolt has his fears Lucky. And I think you would give him a run for his kibble," Perdy joked.
Lucky chuckled. Perdy smiled and asked, "Do you think you can get back to sleep now? I am right here. And I will never leave you, or your brothers and sisters. I promise."
But her question went unanswered, as she heard the soft breathing of her tiniest pup, who had fallen asleep between her forelegs. She smiled, and laid her head and neck over him. It wasn't enough to cause him discomfort of any sort. Just enough to make him feel snug and safe, as the night went on. Even the thunder could not disturb Lucky's sleep now. Knowing his mother was there to protect him, and that he was braver than he thought.