THE NEXT DAY

FILLMORE MIDDLE SCHOOL

N: All day Alex had gone undercover to find Rose.

HG: She probably doesn't even go to this school anymore. I must be an idiot to have thought so.

N: As she exited the school, Alex happened to catch Jake running into a familiar face.

HG: Rose!

N: But obviously Rose had changed. She wasn't the most popular girl in school, because the confidence that the Huntsclan had installed wasn't there. She dressed how she had wanted – not what the Huntsman had bought for her, and she was completely clueless of who Jake was. Ugh… Jake. His face, his name made her blood boil.

Rose(R): (To Jake) Actually, you won't. My dad's job got moved to Hong Kong. We're leaving first thing in the morning. Well, it was nice talking to you!

HG: (Thinking) Honk Kong? Darn it! I've got to act fast! I hope it still works!

N: Alex closed her eyes and tried to shift into a scruffy, black Labrador Belgian Sheepdog mix… and it worked!

HG: I hope she has a caring family!

N: Quickly, Alex the dog ran out in front of the family car.

R: Dad look out!

Rose's Dad (RD): Hold on!

N: Alex shrunk back preparing for the worse. The car came screeching to a halt. Alex wasn't touched, but she feigned stunned.

RD: Oh my gosh! The poor thing's hurt.

Rose's Mom (RM): No, I think she's going to be okay. Hmm, she doesn't have any tags.

R: (Getting out of the car) We have to take it home guys! Please?

RD: Rose, we can't move pets overseas. They'd be in quarantine for six months!

R: But we can't just leave her! She is obviously a stray. It doesn't have a home. We owe it to her.

RM: Would you be willing to take on full responsibility?

R: Yes Ma'am.

RD: You're not actually considering it.

RM: I don't see why we couldn't them.

R: Really?! Oh thank you thank you thank you! (hugs both)

TWO MONTHS LATER QUARTANTINE AREA

HG: (Thinking while pacing the floor) Wow, who knew being a dog for this long would be this boring?

Chester (C): Hey there pretty mama.

HG: And who are you?

C: I am Chester. Usually a purebred like myself doesn't deal with a hybrid – like you – but you're one of the pretty things I have ever seen.

HG: Look Chester, I'm finally going home with my best friend in only four months. I'm lucky I even got to come.

C: I haven't seen many black labs around here, so that means we're special.

Thorn (T): Hey Chester, she asked you to go dude – and she's more than a lab.

C: Yuck, I spit on German Shepards! (Walks away)

HG: Thanks for that (turning around) but I could have handled it. Hey Thorn!

T: (Stepping back) Have we met?

HG: You were Rose's old dog – right?

T: Yes, before she betrayed us all. How do you know Rose?

HG: Oh, I um, went through training with her once. Accidentally bit her and drew quite a bit of blood.

T: I will admit that she was fragile.

HG: So what are you doing here?

T: Well you're making a bad 1st impression.

HG: What?

T: Rose… um… told me, it was a Rotweiler she had to face – not a black lab mix. Now tell me who are you? (Snarling)

HG: Okay! It's me, Alex.

T: (Pops back) You survived?

HG: Yes, and I'm tracking Rose, so please help me. Two months and I'm still struggling with basic dog facts. The handlers look at me like I'm mutated or something.

N: Someone announced food time! Even Alex lost control of the excitement every time she sensed meat. She couldn't help it. It came with the whole canine package.

T: (Chewing bone) So you need help with being a dog?

HG: Well, it's just I'd give anything to turn human again. Walk on two legs, opposable thumbs, and no offense to you, but I despise smelling like a swamp.

T: Really? I never thought about it. My suggestion to you is don't think about the differences. Just flow.

HG: Thanks. (Pauses) You never did tell me how you're here.

T: Oh, right. After that one night, I managed to runaway from the Huntsclan, but the pound captured me. I was adopted, but they're family also just got transferred. Maybe we'll be neighbors?

HG: That would be sweet! It's funny, I remember when the Northern Huntsman told me he was going to get Rose a dog. We looked all over town, but never found anything. Then there was this really nice and sweet family that could do no wrong to the world, and they were giving away puppies. (Giggles) They were practically begging us to take you because of how much trouble you were – and we knew you'd be perfect.

T: That was so long ago! Good times.

HG: Yea, after that, the Northern Huntsman and I never worked together again.

T: I noticed that.

HG: We were just too different of people. It was probably the right thing that we stayed on different halves of the world.

T: Yea… You okay? I know you're sort of alone now.

HG: I think I wall be all right. The shock factor is still really high. Sometimes being alone isn't a bad thing though – no one can hurt you.

T: Do you mean physically or emotionally?

HG: Both.

N: There was a commotion across the room. A little puppy was being bullied.

HG: Come on. (Running over) Chester! Come one leave the little guy along! He's not doing anything to you!

C: Ah, it's the Black Lab Mix again! Couldn't stay away from the Chester – most women can't.

HG: Look. I know you're a purebred husky and all, so just let the poor kid go.

C: (Rubbing against her side) How about I take you in exchange for the kid?

HG: Sorry Chester, I don't deal with purebreds.

C: Then you won't get the puppy back.

HG: Then I'll have to fight you for him! (Attacks Chester)

N: The two went on fighting, biting and scratching at one another's muzzles and backs until two of the handlers pulled them apart. Alex retained a small cut above her nose, but it wasn't bad.

Puppy (P): Gee, thanks!

HG: No problem. Everyone needs a friend.

T: So what's your name kid?

P: I'm Riley!

HG: Hey Riley, I'm Alex! My owners haven't given me my official name, so Alex is good.

T: And I'm Thorn. Where do you come from?

P: Jersey. My owners are moving to Hong Kong.

T+HG: Ours too!

HG: This will be sweet. We'll be like friends for life!

T: Or until you figure out how to reverse the spell.

P: Huh?

HG: It's not important right now. So Riley, what are your owners like?

P: Oh, they're awesome! The coolest people you'll ever meet.

T: That's so cool Riley.

N: That night, Alex curled herself up around Riley. Chester hadn't bugged her much after the handful of events earlier on. Thorn also lay next to the two of them. Alex wondered about Thorn. It didn't make any sense that he remembered Rose, kept his name, and knew so much of the Huntsclan. Thorn had only been a minor detail in Rose's life. He made Rose part of who she was – not the other way around. As for herself, Rose made Alex part of who she was. Without Rose as part of her life, many things would have changed, and the past could rewrite itself so easily. That way, Alex remembered.

She thought that Riley was adorable. He was a Chihuahua with a ton of energy. She missed the Huntsclan still. It had only been two months, and it was clear that the Huntsclan really was more than a family to her. Now there was no one. Rose caught the lucky end and was reunited with her family. But Alex's dad was in the portal – and her mom was dead.