I don't own anything other than OCs

CH15

BUMP!

She could feel herself suddenly shift upward before the back of her head hit something soft. She didn't feel any pain.

"Grrr! Stupid pot hole!"

Her right eye shot open at the sound of the frustrated yet familiar voice. She could make out a Dalmatian in her blurry vision, driving frantically.

The Dalmatian looked over his shoulder to see if his patient was alright. Seeing her sitting up caused him to do a double take before slamming on brakes.

"Skye! You're awake!" He called as he quickly moved back to her to look her over.

Skye moaned and looked around. It was apparent to her now that she was in Marshall's vehicle which was in it's ambulance conversion.

"Are you… do you feel pain or any discomfort?" He asked desperately.

She moved around and took a quick look at herself. She felt fine but groggy, she did however notice a few band aids that were probably covering cuts.

"W–what happened?" Skye asked in a daze.

"You've been out for about an hour now since you crashed." He answered, fidgeting.

It all began to come back to her, first the call and then right up to where she dropped out of consciousness… and the voices, though the truck driver took over her mind.

"Where's the driver, is he safe?" She suddenly asked him.

The light in his eyes dimmed before slowly lowering his head. "He… uh… there was no saving… him." He mumbled after finding the right words to say.

"Oh no," Skye muttered in disbelief. She hid her face as she felt the tears coming. This is the first time that they lost someone, the first time that they failed a rescue like this. She never counted on it happening even though Ryder made it clear to all of them that there was always that small chance, but here it is as surreal as ever. She eventually looked up at Marshall and barely managed to hold the tears back.

"Where is everyone else?"

"They're over at Katie's, Jake took the others there after I got down to you and after these men… took Ryder." Marshall shuddered.

"Took Ryder? Who took Ryder?" Skye prodded.

Marshall motioned to the passenger seat. "I'll tell you what happened on the rest of the drive." He offered before he got back in the driver's seat.

Skye took the passenger seat and buckled up as Marshall switched the gear back into drive.

"It all happened so fast…" He began.

Marshall was still in shock as he watched Ryder hopelessly call out down below. Jake was beside him, trying to peer in the wreckage below.

"Dammit!" Ryder yelled.

This got the pup's attention as they never heard him curse before. They were still too stunned to speak up on it though.

"We have to find a way around this slope!" Ryder barked as he made for his ATV.

"I'll help you out." Jake said, following suit.

The two were closing on their vehicles when Marshall noticed a black car with tinted windows coming down the road and stopped between them.

Both of the rear doors opened up and two men with tan suits and shades immediately stepped out and approached Ryder.

"Hey, what's with those guys?" Zuma broke the silence between the pups.

He didn't get an answer as the pups were intensely looking at what was transpiring.These men looked beyond shady and gave off an intimidating vibe, none of the pups dared intervene.

One of the men appeared be in a conversation with Ryder and the other stared at the missing rail section where the truck fell over, before shifting his hard gaze over to the pups. They simultaneously shrank but didn't avert eye contact. No matter how closely they listened, they could only make out faint mumbling.

The man eventually pulled his attention back to conversation. They soon stopped and one of them motioned for Ryder to follow him, the other one walked up to Jake and began speaking while pointing over at the pups. Jake gave a seemingly hesitant nod before the guy left for his side of the car. It was that last look Ryder gave the pups that stuck with them, completely emotionless, before the suited man guided him in the car. It somehow affected them way more than his angriest expression.

The car started and sped right past them, the pups not taking their eyes off it until it was out of sight. They sat there for a minute, feeling lost.

"What… just happened?" Rocky asked.

"That's what I want to know too." Zuma chimed.

"Ryder?" Rubble called hopelessly.

Everest now had her head down and seemed to be mentally drained, she gave a soft huff. Marshall went over and hugged her but she didn't hug back and just stood limp in his embrace, which did hurt him a little.

He let go of her as he noticed Jake speeding over to him in Ryder's ATV.

"Hey Marshall, I think I know a way down but we need to hurry my man!" Jake ordered.

"Where are they taking Ryder?" Marshall questioned as he got in his ambulance.

"He's uh… he'll be gone for awhile." He answered evasively.

Marshall followed him down the road in high gear. As much as he wanted to question him further, they were running out of time for the driver and Skye… if they were still alive.

"You're helicopter was completely trashed so we had to get rocky to tow it out of there, he guesses it'll be about a week before he can fix it." Marshall explained.

Skye lowered her head at the news.

"When we found you, you only had a few cuts and bruises and knocked out cold, which was a miracle. As for the guy, he was… crushed into a pulp." Marshall hesitantly concluded.

Skye felt crushed. She new this was all her fault, if she just let Chase go by himself, none of this would've happened. The voices still echoed in her head as she remembered them, sending chills down her body.

It wasn't much longer before they pulled up in the parking lot of Pet Parlor which also served as an animal clinic. The two got out and walked side by side.

"I think they're gonna be happy to see you walking." Marshall noted.

Skye followed him inside as he held the door open for her.

"Skye!" The pups exclaimed simultaneously as they all rushed over to hug her. Rocky, Rubble, and Zuma piled on her.

"Skye! You're alive!" Zuma cheered.

"We thought you were gone!" Rocky whined.

"Me too!" Rubble agreed.

Skye couldn't respond. She gritted her teeth to try and stop the tears but failed. The tears streamed down and she heaved a sob.

"Hey guys give her some space." A feminine voice echoed behind them.

They broke from the hug as Katie now stood before them. She motioned Skye to come with her to the back with a convincing smile. The cockapoo followed her to her clinic office and hopped up on the table as she directed.

"How are you feeling, Skye? That was a pretty bad accident." Katie asked as she dug around in her medicine cabinet.

"I… feel fine." She answered.

Katie glanced over her shoulder before continuing to rummage. "Are you sure? The pups said they heard you talking to yourself, like you were being attacked by something."

"I… ugh, not really." Skye hesitated before lying, she didn't feel compelled to answer her.

"It's okay Skye, you can tell me." Katie urged sweetly as she picked a bottle out before closing the cabinet and walking back over to Skye. "Mental health is just as important as physical health."

Skye gave a pained sigh in shame, feeling defeated. "I heard this voice talk to me… it sounded scary."

"Hmm." Katie thought. "And did this voice say anything specific?"

"It talked about death and fate or something before I was knocked out." Skye recounted as she vaguely remembered the exact words of the voice.

"Okay," Katie looked down at a note on the medicine bottle. "Do you remember anything from when you were unconscious?"

"It… the voice said it wanted to show me something. It was dark and there were symbols, on a wall." Skye recalled almost clearly, thinking back to the symbols.

Katie froze. Skye looked up and noticed the girl had a troubled look about her, like she was trying her hardest to not appear shocked. Katie must have noticed her staring and put a smile back on although it was fake.

"Well it looks like Marshall already patched you up. It's amazing you only have minor injuries after the crash, though I'm still going to give you some painkillers just in case you feel any pain or discomfort later on." Katie noted before placing the painkillers down and taking two pills out of another bottle. "I want you to take these right away."

"What are they?" Skye asked as she watched Katie place two orange pills down before fetching a glass of water.

"They're supposed to 'clear your mind' so to speak, it slows down erratic thoughts which I think is what caused you to hear those voices."

Katie placed a glass of water down next to the pills before going back to her cabinet. Skye looked at the pills and was hesitant to down them, though she eventually did so. She hoped the other members of the PAW Patrol didn't think she was crazy, maybe she wouldn't hear that dreaded voice anymore though.

Even though Skye wasn't the only PAW Patrol member here, she still felt alone. Chase, she didn't notice him with the others and found it odd. Damn their little spat, she needed him right now. As she reflected back to the accident, another face popped in her head; Everest. Her eyes widened as she realized she wasn't present up front.

"If you hear this voice again just tell Jake and he'll take you back here." Katie advised as she walked back over with a small bag to put the painkillers in.

"Where's Everest, is she alright?" Skye asked worriedly.

"She's safe and back at the Resort with Jake, but she's in a lot of emotional distress right now." Katie answered sadly. "She seems to think the accident is all her fault."

Skye's jaw dropped. "What?"

"I told her she couldn't have controlled it, but it seems she just can't let the guilt go."

Skye hopped off the table and made for the door. "I've got to get over there."

"Don't forget your bag!" Katie called out.

Skye paused before running back and getting her bag of meds. "Thanks Katie."

Katie nodded and waved her out.

Skye immediately ran for Marshall who looked surprised to see her out soon. He didn't get time to say anything.

"I need to go to Jake's Mountain." Skye demanded.

"Are you sure? Katie was going to give us baths before…"

Skye shook her head. "It's Everest, I need to see her!"

"Okay, but I don't think she's in the mood to talk right now, I couldn't get her to talk to me." Marshall agreed sadly.

"Don't worry Marshall, I think I can get to her." She said with determination.

Marshall's vehicle which was now in it's fire truck form creeped up the mountain road. The sky was overcast now and the air was cool, giving the environment a gloomy look. The cabin soon came into view and Marshall parked before it.

The two ran out to the door and Skye jumped up and rang the doorbell. There was a pause before footsteps could be heard heading towards them, the door creaked open to reveal a surprised Jake.

"Whoa Skye! You're up and going already!" Jake exclaimed.

"Is Everest here?" Skye cut.

Jake pointed behind him to a sofa in the main room. "Yeah, she's laying down over there, she's in the blues though."

Skye ran past him to the couch, earning a confused look from Jake. She jumped on it and saw a wad of blankets near the end with some used tissues scattered on the floor below.

"Everest." Skye spoke sharply.

The blankets shifted and Everest poked her head out.

"Skye? You're okay." She muttered with slight joy. She looked a mess with her fur matted with tear stains and her eyes red, she looked half asleep. Skye immediately dove at her and put her arms around the husky's neck, pulling her in a hug.

"Don't you ever think for a second this is your fault." Skye said gently but sternly. "It's all my fault." Her voice began to crack as tears started to stream down.

"B–but he died, and I…" Everest started to sniffle but Skye cut her off.

"No! DO NOT BLAME YOURSELF." Skye warned hoarsely, her tears stinging.

Skye broke from the hug and the two made eye contact.

"What happened up there, Skye?" Everest eventually asked. "Who were you talking to?"

Skye looked broke her gaze, feeling shameful. "I didn't get sleep last night, I was just tired and I should've sat the mission out. Katie gave me something that should help." She explained.

The two hugged again.

"It won't happen again, I can promise you that." Skye stated determinedly.

Marshall felt awkward and turned to wait outside, until Everest saw him out of the corner of her eye.

She sighed and giggled. "Come here, Marshy!"

Marshall stopped and a smile creeped on his muzzle. He then turned and dashed for the two.

"Group hug!" He exclaimed as he jumped in between them and hugged them both, getting giggles out of both of them.

"Whatever happens from here on out, we'll face it together." Skye reassured.

Jake couldn't help but smile at the heartwarming moment, though it soon faded as he thought back to the day's events, especially after what happened to Ryder. He knew things were going to be harder for them now.