Hey everyone! I'm here with a new chapter to this new story, enjoy!

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Chapter 2: Queensland

I woke up from deep sleep. I yawn before sitting up and rubbing my eyes, what a crazy dream that was-but…it wasn't, for once my vision adjusts, I see the same cream-furred paw as before. My brown eyes widened, and my mouth hung open in shock.

"N-no…no, no…no!"

I thought it was just a crazy dream…I can't still be like this! But it's true: I am still an anthropomorphic dog who had fallen asleep inside this downed log. I panicked, for what seemed like minutes…unsure what to do, what CAN I do!? This is all just crazy!

"What am I going to do…" I said in my new kid voice before sighing, finally noticing it has an accent, and an accent that is similar to the two kids I saw the other day. I have an Australian accent now…yet another strange trait to have in this body.

As much as I had wanted to try and sleep again in the hopes of waking up in my own bed…to the person I committed my life to, I can't. I must accept the possibility it might not happen here. I had two choices now: one, I stay here and do nothing, or two, I get the heck out of this humid forest and try to find answers.

Answers to what: why I'm a dog…you've got to be joking Dustin, I scoffed at myself, heck…maybe a portal might show up somewhere, pull me in…it's as believable as me being here right now.

My stomach began to rumble, and it was soon accompanied by pain…I'm hungry. Not only that, but I'm thirsty.

Ultimately, with those two important things starting to bug me, it was not long before I decided to leave this forest.

And so, I left my temporary shelter to return to where I first woke up…which wasn't that far away. I thought it would be a pain to get there; however, I found a new hidden ability that helped me return easily: my nose. It makes sense, eh? Now that I'm a dog I can smell things better and follow them, so I guess that's the only good thing I got going so far.

Anyway, I make it to where I woke up and in no time, I had made it out of the small forest and into a clearing…actually, it's more like a park! There are families and whatnot having picnics, playing catch, flying kites…you get the idea.

Of course, these aren't people, they're dogs on two legs. I think it's pretty obvious that the world I landed on has flipped the script: instead of humans doing human things it's dogs.

I pass through, not bothering to ask anyone for any directions or anything…I just…walk aimlessly out of the park and into the suburbs. Maybe I should have asked people about their world, etc. Then again, now that I think about it: if I go around asking people that or telling them I'm human…they'll probably think I'm crazy…

Another thing I should consider…because of my current age, these people might think I'm lost, and they might take me somewhere I can't escape due to my small form and such. I assume their world is like mine, so I wouldn't be surprised if this happened. Basically, I should be careful and not be an idiot.

So then, where should I go? I just don't know…what clues should I even be looking for? It's not like anybody has told me where to go or what to do.

Ultimately, I ended up walking endlessly through the suburbs for a while which proved to be a challenge since unlike home (which is a Temperate climate) this place is hot! Everyone here has that same accent (Australian) and once I read an ad for Queensland it all made sense: I'm in an alternate version of Australia! So, I'm not in Brampton, Ontario anymore. Well, it could be worse, I could have ended up in a country where they don't speak English and with drivers as bad as the ones back home. People drive on the left side of the road, though, so that took some time to get used to.

Anyway, I continued walking through the neighborhood…and I soon began to suffer from dehydration from walking so long in the sun. Sure enough, my state got the attention of a couple who started following me.

"Are you alright?" I heard one from behind me before I jumped and turned around to be met with them.

"You seem lost, dear…" the woman muttered. She gasped upon seeing just how out of breath and energy I was, "you look like you've been walking for hours!"

"I…uh…" I smiled sheepishly, saying between my labored breaths, trying to come up with something but soon the male walked forward, "where are your parents?"

I stepped back and soon I was filled with panic, so I ran.

"H-hey!" The husband exclaimed as I turn a corner to try and get them off my tail. I see an opening to a fence which I go through thanks to my small size. I hide on the other side of the fence as the man runs past, shouting for me. I pant, taking a minute to compose myself. I look up to see a green garden hose and a thought crosses me: I turn it on and drink from it to quench my thirst.

Afterwards, I quietly leave the small property to continue my way. Not too long after, I come across a street where a particular building has caught my eye. I decide to head that way…and soon…familiar scents filled me. Somehow my mind told me what they were…they're…they're from the park! W-wait, does that mean…screw it, I'll investigate the trail.

It's a cul-de-sac and at the end, sticking out like a sore thumb, is a house painted yellow and with reddish rooftops. I can see a palm tree and another tree sticking out from the sides, and there's also a white picket fence from what I can see. Now I'm reminded of my own house…if I stay here too long, we'll get evicted for sure…

I can't see it for long, for I hear the same couple calling out to me and I decided to run toward the cul-de-sac to hide. As I stealthily pass by, I see kids playing in the street (I guess that's good for me, they ought to distract the couple chasing after me, at least I hope.)

As I looked around, a ball suddenly passed by me and hit a wall as I jumped in the air. Someone approaches, what appears to be a yellow-furred Labrador, "oh, sorry there! You mind passing me the ball there, mate?"

I nodded hesitantly but I soon picked up the brown (football?) and give it to him.

"Thanks heaps!" They said, running off to rejoin their friends. I continue my "journey", inspecting the houses on all sides until I finally get to the one at the end of the cul-de-sac. I look behind me to see that the couple chasing me are nowhere to be found...I seem to have lost them.

I turn around and inspect the house, but sure enough I finally sigh to myself…giving up.

What am I doing…really? What's the point of doing all this, why did I think going through these neighborhoods was such a good idea…I need to rest…

I sit against the white picket fence and bury my head between my legs in solemn. Soon, however, my ear twitched when I heard voices from the house behind me…possibly coming from the backyard. There's two voices that are familiar…so too is the scent coming from the house!

That's why!

With newfound energy, I stood up and I decided to investigate. I sneak around the back to see a rather large yard with a large, exotic, tree, a trampoline, and a nice patio. It is here that I find the voices I heard from the front and a muted gasp escapes me.

I don't believe it: it's the two kids I saw in the park when I first woke up! There's no mistaking it, it's them, but this time there's a third member in their party. This person is much bigger but similar in appearance to the older girl…what was her name again…Blue? They're definitely an adult (male by the sounds of it): with older hairs scattered around their muzzle as if to indicate older age.

That's when a thought hit me, and I pull away from my improvised peephole.

What am I doing!? I barely know them! B-but…they're the most familiar people I know in this world…damn dog instincts…why'd you have to do this to me!? Ugh! I'm…just going to leave…

At that moment, I heard a car approaching! I yelped when I saw that it was a jeep parking up front! Oh man…this is NOT good! With haste, before I can get caught, I tried making a run for it, but I didn't catch sight of a rather large toy in front of me on the lawn. Consequently, I trip and fall, and made quite the racket. I groan as my eyes swirl from dizziness (what with the fall and everything, eh?)

Sure enough, I heard the voice of an adult woman ring in my ear from behind me, "what's going on 'ere?" She asked in a mix of confusion/worry.

I shake off my disorientation and stand up…my legs still feeling a bit wobbly from all that. I face them and I held my breath for what's to come. With nervousness, I dart my eyes back and forth in response. How do I explain this to her in a way she could possibly understand?

The answer is: I can't. I'm done for.

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I hope you all enjoyed the second chapter; I'll see you all in the next update, peace!