For the past few days, everything has been peaceful with the chipmunks. Almost, too peaceful for them. Somehow, something seemed to be missing, and it wasn't until rehearsals after school did they notice what it was. Alvin and Brittany, as usual, were having another fight, escalading every second. "Oh, I can not believe this" exclaimed Mr. Rochelle, "you two fit Mr. and Mrs. Thenardier to a "T"! Oh, I am so proud of you two." 'We have GOT to get a new drama teacher' thought both Alvin and Brittany 'too dramatic'. Meanwhile, Theodore and Eleanor were working on their lines, or that is, Eleanor is trying to encourage the timid little chipmunk. Jeanette, being a disaster (as Mr. Rochelle stated it) was working on the props the broke. As for Simon, he was surveying the surroundings. After working with all these students on this play, he memorized everyone. And as he surveyed, he noticed something very odd. "Psst. Hey Alvin, have you seen Chase?" Alvin only shrugged.
"Quiet down children, quiet. Now, if everyone were to take a seat, I have something to say." All the children took a seat before the stage. "Ahem, now, I know we've all worked very hard on this play, and everyone is looking forward to it, but, we're going to have to postpone it." All the students let out a moan at hearing this news. Everyone was upset, but to say that Alvin and Brittany were as well would be an understatement. Both Alvin and Brittany were both shocked, surprised, and nearly furious. "WHAT!?" they both exclaimed. "I know, I know, it's a tragedy, but don't worry, the show will go on. As soon as we find a new student who can play Javert." 'Wait', Simon thought to himself, 'did Mr. Rochelle say "new student"'? "Um, Mr. Rochelle" asked Simon "what happened to Chase?" "Oh yes, Chase, possibly one of the most promising actors I've ever seen. Unfortunately, I got a call from his dad this morning. Chase is in the hospital, apparently a rabid dog attacked him. And the attack severed a lot of muscles in his body. So when Chase recovers from the hospital, he won't be able to move on his own. The recovery will be a while, about until the end of the school year. So, we'll have to move on. Okay, place people, we'll be performing………"
They couldn't believe it, Chase wasn't coming back? Obviously Chase's dad has something to do with this. A dog harming Chase? That was impossible. They knew what really happened, and it was scaring them more and more. This revelation was the final straw: they're going to tell Dave…
…Or so they thought. The moment they came home, none of the chipmunks were in a very talkative mood, not even the obvious Alvin. It seemed as if something was wrapping it's hands around the Chipmunk's throat, preventing them from saying anything. As the day wore on, their guilt weighed heavier and heavier on their spirits. At last, they couldn't stand it anymore, and finally snapped.
It was around bed time for the boys, and darkness has fallen. The three boys were laying in their beds, too tired to sleep, and too worried to even think about rest. Simon's mind was moving the worst. He began to curse his genius status. No matter how much he thought of the situation, no plausible ideas came to him. All he could think of was the guilt of having a loving guardian like Dave to watch over them. Alvin was taking this harshly to, and for once, he wasn't letting his pride stand in the way. Staring at the ceiling, all he could think of was what like would be like without Dave, a thought that scared him immensely. For a moment, the two brothers said no words, the only sound in the world being the rain that pattered against the window. Suddenly, a new noise reached their ears: Theodore's crying. The two brothers went to console their crying brother, knowing full well what was making him so upset. "It, it, it's not fair" cried Theodore. "I know Theo, I know" consoled Alvin, a hand on his brother's shoulder. More would have been said, if Dave didn't come on. "Boys, everything okay?" he asked in a concerned fatherly voice. "Dave," Theodore sniffled "what's wrong?" "I was going to ask you three the same thing" said Dave as he sat on Theodore's bed. "For the past few weeks, you guys seem a little withdrawn." "It's, a personal matter Dave" said Simon. "Now come on you guys, I know when my boys are in some sort of problem. So, what's wrong?" For a moment, the three were silent, too scared to say a thing. At last, the truth was revealed. "It's Chase, Dave! He's in trouble!" "Alvin" said Dave "aren't you making this a little dramatic? I know that this Chase kid can be trouble, but…" "He's not trouble" interrupted Alvin "he's in trouble!" That sudden blurt was enough to get Dave's attention, and from the way Alvin said this, he wasn't up to something like usual. "What trouble" was all Dave asked, in a low voice. "Chase's dad, he's hurting him." said Simon. "We saw it happen" commented Theodore. "Well, not actually see him, but we kind of witnessed some of it" corrected Alvin. Dave was totally silent, not believing what he was hearing. "Dave" questioned a timid Theodore. "I'm calling the police" was all Dave said, as he left the room. At that moment, Dave felt a sudden weight on his legs and arms, turning to see three chipmunks clinging onto him for dear life. "Please Dave, don't do it! We're begging you" pleaded Alvin, hanging on Dave's back. "Guys, I have to do this, for Chase's sake" retorted Dave. "But what will happen to Chase" questioned Theodore, grabbing onto Dave's leg. "Chase will be moved from his father, and into a safer place." "But he won't be with his family!" stated Simon, holding Dave's other leg. "And if he stays, his family might kill him" retorted Dave. With that comment, the three were stunned. Dave has made his way to the phone, but was waiting for his boys to get off him. And then, the three let go of him, sliding off his back and legs. Dave turned to them, ready to reassure them.
"Guys," Dave started "I know you think you're doing the right think by not saying anything, but that's not the case. The truth is, you're just making it worse. Did Chase tell you not to tell anyone?" None of them replied "Well, even if you did, you're doing the right thing by letting me make this call. Think of it, if Chase is honestly being hurt by his dad, he needs to be as far away from him as possible. If not, who knows what will happen to him."
None of the chipmunks said a thing. This revelation hit them like a ton of bricks. It just seemed so hard at the time, thinking about what they should do, and how to do it. At last, they had a solid reason to help Chase, and a solid way to do it. Alvin walked over to the phone, picked up the receiver, pushed in 9-1-1, and simply said to Dave "it's for you".