Kayla Jackson was not exactly what one would call a "happy camper". In fact, she was the polar opposite. It was not her own fault that she was considered by many of her high school peers with the exception of a select few, but she most certainly had a hand in most of the events that garnered her reputation. Even if she did her best to atone for her past misdeeds, it did not help that she was a bully back in the days. People might forgive, but they never forget.
Nonetheless, Kayla did her best to soldier on and continue with her life. Slowly regaining her status (or whatever was left) in the city she called home, she focused more on her family and eventual life after high school. For the most part, she managed to pull through. For the remaining part, she still had a bit of trouble socializing with anyone other than her family. New friends meant new problems, and she did not want that right now. Besides...
Kayla was in a good mood at the moment.
("Good Mood" by Adam Levine) [Original Song From PAW Patrol: The Movie]
Turning over the engine of her 1969 Dodge Charger, Kayla stepped on the gas pedal and drove off from her school. She had 20 minutes to pick up Cassie from her own school so she could drop her off at Lucy's.
You make me dance, yeah you do
You got my heart beatin' rhythms when you move
Don't need no plans, feeling loose
Like there's a rainbow of magic next to you
Her ears perking up at the sound of a poppy pop song on the radio, Kayla smiled to herself and turned the volume up.
When it's good, when it's bad, yeah, you got me
Not alone in this town 'cause you make me feel
Anytime that I call, you'll be ready
Anytime, anytime
Getting into the groove of the tune, Kayla swayed and bopped her head up, down, and side-to-side.
And when I turn around, I see you there
You got a way to make a problem disappear
Up to the clouds, I'm spinning 'round
And now you know why
The annoyingly catchy tune now infecting her eardrums, Kayla just could not help but sing along.
'Cause no one in this world can make me feel loved
In the way that you do now
No, no one in this world can make me come down
When I'm in this so good, good mood now
Woo-hoo (ooh)
Good mood
After five minutes, Kayla arrived at Cassie's school, where she was waiting by the pick-up stand along with a group of other children.
"Kayla!"
"Cassie! Over here!"
The young Cassie minded oncoming traffic and headed inside Kayla's car.
"Sorry I took so long to get here."
"It's okay. We just got out."
"Ready to go to Lucy's?"
"Nope!"
Kayla chuckled and ruffled Cassie's hair and started the car again, driving off to Lucy's house as she continued to sing along.
Hop in my ride, don't you know, oh?
We got the sun always shinning wherever we go
Don't need no map, we just roll
Let the vibe give direction, take control
Much to Kayla's amusement, Cassie decided to sing along with her to the best of her ability.
When it's good, when it's bad, yeah, you got me
Not alone in this town 'cause you make me feel
Anytime that I call, you'll be ready
Anytime, anytime
Kayla gave Cassie signals for when the pre-chorus and actual chorus were upcoming.
And when I turn around, I see you there
You got a way to make a problem disappear
Up to the clouds, I'm spinning 'round
And now you know why
Signal one, two, three, Kayla and Cassie sang the chorus together.
'Cause no one in this world can make me feel loved
In the way that you do now
No, no one in this world can make me come down
When I'm in this so good, good mood now
The feeling was almost bittersweet. While Kayla did enjoy her karaoke session with Cassie, she sort of wished that she had a similar relationship with her other younger sisters. Perhaps the reason why she saw Cassie as a replacement little sister was the fact that she reminded her of herself when she was younger: kindhearted, altruistic, and optimistic. Qualities she could never have.
Woo-hoo (yeah, ooh)
Good mood
Oh-oh
Woo-hoo
You make me feel good (oh)
Good mood
Yeah, oh
Oh well... Kayla thought. Next best thing, I suppose...
You make me in a good mood
Woo-hoo
Yeah-yeah
Hey
As the song reached its conclusion, Kayla and Cassie continued to sing along to the post-chorus, fast approaching their destination.
Oh-oh-oh
You make me feel good (woo-hoo)
Woo-hoo, ooh
You make me feel good
Woo-hoo
Good mood
You make me
Woo-hoo
Woo
Good mood
Good mood
As the song began to fade out, Kayla and Cassie exchanged heartfelt laughter and continued to hum the melody even after the song ended.
"Kayla! Look!"
"Whoa!"
Swerving the car from left to right before screeching to a stop, Kayla blinked in bewilderment before turning to face Cassie, who continued peering out her side window.
"Cassie, what's wrong?"
"There's a dog on the side of the road! He's hurt!"
Her eyes narrowing in confusion before exiting the car, they soon widened when Cassie's claim proved to correct. There was indeed a dog on the side of the road, specifically a Dalmatian, who was horribly injured just as she stated. For some reason, he(?) was wearing firefighter gear, making her suspect that he was a member of the local firefighter team. Kneeling down to the dog's level and checking for a pulse, she found it to be very faint. Picking it up, carrying it to her car, and placed it in the backseat where she buckled the seatbelt for it, Kayla immediately got back in the driver's seat.
"Cassie, change of plans. We're heading to my parents' house."
"But should we take him to a veterinarian first?"
"Yes, we should, but the nearest one is two hours away. It's not going to be enough time."
Driving off in the direction of her parents' house, Kayla made a quick call to them.
"Mom? Dad?"
"Kayla! How are you doing, kid?"
"I'm doing fine, Dad. Listen... I'm coming over to your place because I have a dog in my backseat! He's hurt!"
"What? Is he okay?"
"I just said he's hurt, Dad!"
"And you're not taking him to a veterinarian because...?"
"The nearest veterinarian is two hours away."
"Aw, is that little Cassie I hear?"
"Hi, Kayla's mom! And I'm not exactly little anymore."
"Always little to me, sweetheart. So, Kayla... What's this about a hurt dog?"
"Yeah, he's hurt real bad, Mom. I'm coming over to your place so we can figure out what to do with him."
"Well, you really should've taken him to a vet."
"I know! I know! But the nearest vet is-"
"Two hours away, I know. You know what? You take him here and I'll patch him up."
"But you're a nurse, not a veterinarian, Mom. They're technically not the same."
"But you'll find out how similar both professions are to each other once you'll pull up to the curb. See you in a minute."
As the call ended, Cassie giggled in amusement while Kayla groaned in exasperation and continued to drive to her parents' place. Arriving with a minute to spare, the both of them exited the car, Kayla carrying the injured Dalmatian out from the backseat. At the same time, Kayla's parents exited the household.
"Huh. I guess you weren't kidding," Kayla's mother chuckled, "There's a pulse, right?"
"It's faint," Kayla nodded in confirmation.
"Why is he wearing firefighter gear?"
"I keep asking myself that. He was like that when I found him."
"And...it is a he, right?"
"Mom!"
"Okay, okay. Let's get the patient inside, shall we?"
Ushering the patient inside the house, the family plus Cassie entered the kitchen, where Kayla's mother kept her box of emergency medical supplies. Taking it out her stethoscope, she checked again for the faint pulse and began working to revive him. Providing chest compressions, light mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and the removal of airway-blocking fluid with a suction bulb syringe, Kayla's mother eventually earned a series of whooping coughs from the puppy, who slowly regained his consciousness and coughed up water as he did.
"Alright, everybody," Kayla's mother let her stethoscope hang around her neck, "Let's give this little guy a little bit of space."
Cassie slightly leaned forward to get a closer look at the awaking Dalmatian while Kayla stood in front of her should the animal suddenly attack.
"Maybe a lot more space, Cassie," Kayla added.
"Hey, buddy," Kayla's father gently caressed the side of his head, "Are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah," The animal nodded in response, "I'm okay. Where am I? Who are you?"
. . .
. . .
. . .
Cassie gasped and smiled in excitement, Kayla's parents had their mouths hung agape with shock, and Kayla herself...
Well...
"AAAHHH!"
Screaming bloody murder to the shock of her family and the suddenly talking Dalmatian before them, Kayla ran out of the room...and then back inside to pull Cassie and her parents out along with her as well...while still screaming.
Marshall himself was blinking in bewilderment at the abrupt escalation of the situation.
"Uh...was it something I said?"
"77 people were caught in an explosion that rocked Adventure Bay to the core, although no fatalies have been reported thus far. The smaller neighboring town to Adventure City, Adventure Bay has been known for its lower crime rates and safe haven peacekeeping in comparison to Adventure City. So witnessing such an incident from the normally peaceful establishment has many a citizen expressing fear that this may be the beginning of a series of terrorist attacks. But as far as the authorities are concerned, no suspects have been identified in the bombing..."
The man responsible for the bombing was currently sitting on a dining table watching the news report. With fair skin, dark blue eyes, and jet black hair, he looked like your typical all-American cowboy cop. It also made for the perfect cover for being an international terrorist with or without a cause that no one else would suspect considering the recent sociopolitical climate. However, being an international terrorist was not something he harbored any desire to be.
Running his hands through his hair, his ears perked up to find his brother landing punches on a punching bag. Considerably older with pitch black hair, hazel eyes, and the fair skin retained, he was no worse for wear. Emitting frustrated grunts that were punctuated with each punch, he eventually slowed down upon spotting his brother's look of concern.
"You okay?"
The older brother bitterly chuckled, "Once I get her back...I will be."
"We'll get her back," The younger brother nodded in resolution, "Once we do these jobs for them, they'll let her go."
"You don't know that, Chris," The older brother scoffed at his younger brother's optimism, "They could kill her now just to keep their hold on us."
"Yeah, that too," Chris himself had to agree and sigh solemnly, "It had to be us. No, it just had to be."
"You know why. Cause we're the best of the best at what we do..."
"And what we do...isn't very nice."
Max turned his gaze to an empty SIG-Sauer P226R laid a few feet from him. Reaching over to pick it up, he loaded the ammunition and stared at it attentively.
"Never say never, Mark..."
