Who Am I - Deja Vu or Something New - Chapter 8
Rocky and Skye looked at each other then back at Zuma.
"W-what do you mean?" asked Rocky "Like you remember something about a fire we went to before?"
"Or do you mean you knew Farmer Al's barn was going to catch fire?" asked Skye
"It couldn't be that" laughed Zuma "That would be weird. It has to be me remembering an old call."
The pups all laughed nervously, but still Rocky and Skye wondered and Zuma worried.
Ryder, Marshal, Chase, and Rubble all returned and they had arrived in time to save the barn with only minimal damage. Ryder asked if Rocky and Zuma would mind going and helping Farmer Al repair the barn. Rocky thought that Zuma probably wanted to get his mind on other things and they had not been out to Farmer Al and Farmer Yumi's yet.
Zuma was quiet as they rode to the farm. Rocky didn't want to push and it seemed to be nothing regardless.
'As if forgetting everything wasn't bad enough' thought Zuma, "now they are probably convinced I'm crazy.'
They arrived and helped Farmers Al and Yumi fix the burned area of the barn. Rocky found a lunch of recycled lumber in his truck and after a coat of paint you could no longer see the difference.
"That just about does it," said Rocky "Just let the paint dry and it's as good as new."
"Thank you pups" said Farmer Yumi walking over carrying a tray of ice cold lemonade, "would you hard working boys like some lemonade?"
"Watch Out!" said Zuma
Just then Farmer Yumi tripped and almost dropped the tray. With the expert skill of a Pupfu master she caught herself and saved the drinks.
Rocky only stared at Zuma.
"I really want to thank you Rocky and Zuma" said Farmer Al, taking a glass of lemonade, "Zuma I'm glad you're feeling better."
"Your welcome" said both Rocky and Zuma as they drank the lemonade Farmer Yumi had put out for them. After they climbed back into Rocky's vehicle and headed back to the Lookout.
Riding back Zuma just looked out the side toward the rolling scenery.
"Y-you knew didn't you," said Rocky quietly
"No it's a coincidence" said Zuma almost whispering "That would be too weird. I'm just making everyone jumpy."
"Maybe, maybe not" said Rocky "you should ask Ryder."
"It's ok Rocky," said Zuma "You and Skye already think I'm crazy. I don't want to add to it."
"Skye and I don't think you're crazy" said Rocky "we're your friends. We are just concerned."
"Yeah, that I'm crazy" said Zuma dropping his head on the side of the vehicle as he rode along.
Rocky didn't say anymore about it.
They arrived back at the Lookout and Zuma jumped out running to the cliff overlooking the bay. Zuma just plopped himself to the grass and stared out at the water.
Ryder was out washing his ATV and noticed Zuma. He looked at Rocky questioningly.
"Not my secret to tell" said Rocky and he walked over to where Zuma laid and laid down a little ways from Zuma just watching quietly.
Zuma laid there with tears running down his face. 'I can't remember very well and now I'm a freak,' thought Zuma. "You probably think I'm really screwed up don't you" said Zuma knowing Rocky was just a few feet away.
"Zuma, if something has changed and this is more than coincidence then so be it," said Rocky "but nothing could change how I feel. Zuma you are my best friend and I will stand beside you."
Zuma turned and looked at Rocky with the tears flowing even harder now. Zuma shook his head and laid back down. Rocky moved over to Zuma and hugged him tightly. Rocky didn't say anything more just laid there with Zuma and watched the sea. They both drifted off.
Skye had seen the two pups and started to walk over to them and decided against it. As she turned to go back to her pup house Ryder spoke.
"Did something happen while we were on the call?" asked Ryder.
"I'm not sure," said Skye "but I think you're going to have to speak with Zuma."
Ryder had been sitting quietly letting the pups nap. He noticed the two moving a little and walked over to them sitting on the grass beside them.
"Do you feel like talking about it Zuma" asked Ryder
Zuma sat up but hung his head unsure.
"Did someone say something that has upset you?" asked Ryder
Zuma shook his head and whispered "No, everyone has been very nice."
"Did you remember something that upset you?" Ryder kept probing.
Once again Zuma shook his head. "Have you ever thought of something that happened like you had seen it before it happened?" said Zuma.
"You mean like Deja Vu," said Ryder "when you think you remember something that had happened before?"
"Not really" said Zuma "like you felt like something was going to happen and then it did."
Ryder looked at Zuma and then looked out at the water. "No, I guess I haven't" said Ryder "Did you see a premonition of something that happened?"
"Before Farmer Al called about the barn fire" said Zuma "I somehow knew he was going to call. It happened so fast, I thought nothing of it. But then at the farm…" Zuma trailed off, ryder looking at him.
"He somehow knew that Farmer Yumi was going to trip" Rocky said, finishing Zuma's statement "She did and was able to catch herself because Zuma warned her."
"Maybe, and maybe I'm just crazy" whispered Zuma dropping back to the grass.
"I for one don't think you're crazy" said Ryder hugging Zuma and picking him up in his arms. "I think if this is something you've developed as the result of your injury then we work with it. If it's not, well weird things happen. It would hurt you either way. Let's just watch and see if it keeps happening."
Zuma buried his face in Ryder's chest and whimpered, "I just want everything back to normal."
Nearby Skye was washing her pup house / helicopter. She was on a ladder reaching out to wash off the top when the ladder began to move.
Zuma broke loose from Ryder's embrace and raced away. Ryder turned thinking Zuma was going to run away again and noticed the scene as the ladder tipped over and Skye began to fall there was nothing he could do but watch as his pup fell toward the ground. Rocky had started to chase Zuma when he slid to a stop watching what was unfolding. Zuma dove and caught Skye just before she hit the ground. It happened so fast Skye couldn't even get a scream out. With wide eyes and scream in her throat Zuma set her down on her paws. Zuma didn't say anything, he just hung his head and walked away with his head down.
"Z-z-zuma? Thank you," said Skye "It happened so fast."
"No problem" said Zuma softly as he walked away.
Ryder stood there for what seemed an eternity. He ran to where Zuma was walking away.
"Zuma, Stop" said Ryder.
Zuma paused and looked up at Ryder tears once again rolling down his face.
"D-d-did y-you see her face" whimpered Zuma "Now she's scared of me. I'll just go, you don't need a freak that can't remember his friends."
Ryder picked Zuma up in his arms and said "Zuma, no one is scared of you. Skye was freaked out from the fall. I saw the whole thing. There was no way I could have gotten to her in time. Had you not taken off when you did you wouldn't have either. Zuma, maybe this is a gift, maybe not. But as far as us needing you. The pups and I stopped everything to come find you. Rocky hasn't slept more than a few moments the last few days first looking for you, then watching over you as you slept. The team needs you, we want to help."
"He's right Zuma," said Rocky "I can't get over the fact that I hurt you and caused you to lose your memory. I gave the order that could have killed you. I brought all of this on you. I don't know how this is happening, but if the worst that happens is that you see things before they happen and can maybe stop it. T-that's a blessing in disguise. I will continue to help you get your memories back or I will stand beside you as you learn it all over again."
The other pups had heard the commotion and ran to where Skye was standing just shaking. Skye turned and was walking toward Zuma and ran to hug him.
"Thank you Zuma" said Skye "I could have been hurt badly. I know better than to lean over on a ladder like that. Y-you saved me. I don't know what is going on either, but it's not a curse. I need you, Rocky definitely needs you. The team wouldn't be the same without you." Skye leaned over and kissed Zuma's cheek.
"You trying to steal my girl" said Chase as he walked up with the other pups following. "I'm not totally sure what just happened," continued Chase "But by your reaction I'd say it was something significant. I heard you say that the team doesn't need a freak." "We're all freaks," laughed Chase "We're talking dogs with jobs such as rescue, police, construction and so on. I for one wouldn't have it any other way."
"I'm a freak that can save a life or put out a fire" said Marshall "But I can't walk across a room without tripping over something or nothing for that matter."
"I can eat more than my body weight," said Rubble, not wanting to be left out.
Everyone laughed at that, even Zuma.
"What they mean Zuma" said Ryder "is that every family has its quirks. We all have something that makes us special. But most importantly out of everything, we have each other's backs. We Are A Family."
Zuma's tail was wagging regardless of his expressions. Ryder knew he was getting through to him.
All the pups and finally Ryder gathered in a group hug centered on Zuma.
"Thanks guys" said Zuma "I'm still so confused but I really appreciate all of you." Zuma turned to Rocky and hugged him very tightly then said "Rocky, I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me on purpose. Accidents happen, you shouldn't blame yourself. You have spent every moment since you caught up with me trying to help me remember. I don't know if I'll get all my memory back and I definitely don't know what this thing with seeing things before they happen is about but I know with you all beside me I'll figure something out."
Everyone once again hugged.
Zuma turned to Chase and said "And yes, Chase, She's mine now." Zuma laughed as did Chase.