Chapter sixty-five: Thanksgiving Nightmare!
"So how did your little bonding plan work out?" the golden lab wondered softly, once Chase had wandered far enough away not to notice.
"He liked my activities, but he wants to not be bothered. He wants to figure out his emotions on his own. We've been giving him alone time and not bothering him as much, but he still won't tell us what's wrong," Snowflake answered honestly, in a soft tone.
"I wonder who else is here?" Ned asked.
"Don't worry Ned. We'll get to talk to everyone. It is Thanksgiving after all," Snowflake retorted kindly.
"Alright everyone. The food is ready, let's all take our seats and begin the feast." Mr. Porter announced. Everyone in the room slowly dropped their conversations and found a seat at the long table and looked to the only person still standing at the very middle section of the large gathering.
"Before we dig in, I'd just like to say a few words." Mayor Goodway began sweetly. "First of all, I am thankful that we can be here together on this cold, chilly evening.." Several members of the table nodded their agreement. "..And second, I am thankful that we have a team that always keeps us safe in their willingness to serve and protect our fine town." The PAW Patrol beamed with pride in their own ways. "..And finally," she added, taking up her glass. "I am thankful for the time we get to share as friends, neighbors and citizens. And as your mayor, I can't feel more proud of the community I have the honor of maintaining with the help of everyone in Adventure Bay. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!"
"Happy Thanksgiving!" The crowd replied, some even raising their glasses with her.
Snowflake and Ned smiled after the speech was given, and waited patiently as the food was passed around to each person or pup around the table.
"Hola amigo!" a little voice greeted. "Como estas?!"
"Hello. Ummm. Come here?" Ned asked, confused.
"I'm sorry, we don't speak Spanish," Snowflake apologized.
"Oh right, sorry nuevo amigos! I am Tracker! And you must be those friends of the PAW Patrol's from another town.. Verdad?- I mean, right?" A small potcake pup replied sweetly.
"Yes, we are. Nice to meet you Tracker. I'm Snowflake," the female husky greeted.
"I'm her brother, Ned. My sister is the only one who's a PAW Patrol team member," Ned replied.
"So are you a team member too? How do you know the pups?" Snowflake asked curiously.
"I am! I became a member of the PAW Patrol, when I helped Ryder and the pups rescue their friend, Carlos," the pup replied.
"And he's been my buddy ever since," said a brown haired boy on the other side of Tracker.
"Awwww," Snowflake and Ned cooed sweetly.
"So what do you like, Tracker? Wait, what's your job on the PAW Patrol?" Snowflake asked.
"Where do you live?" Ned added.
"I'm their jungle scout and guide. I help them track things through the jungle with my super sensitive hearing." Tracker explained.
"Okay. Huh, you're the 3rd tracking pup on the team. Interesting. I help track with noticing details that might help with emergencies. But only if they need an extra pup to track if Chase is busy. I didn't mean to take your spot," Snowflake replied before folding her ears back a little. "I'm sorry."
"No problema!" Tracker shook his head. "I'm usually only called to help when there's a jungle rescue.."
"And he's only the tracking pup for jungle missions because I wasn't trained to track in the jungle.. And sometimes it can be more difficult than tracking here in town or out in the forests or mountains." Chase added from the huskies' other side.
"Okay. Well, I've heard the Jungle is big with lots of plants. Sounds pretty, but I imagine the place would look like a maze of trees and plants that look exactly the same. It would be easy to get lost if you don't know what you're doing. Or where you're going," Snowflake commented as she thought about it.
"Isn't it dangerous though? There's all those animals you have to watch out for. Snakes, birds, jaguars, monkeys, poisonous plants, and so many other things!" Ned said as he thought about when he and his sister learned about the jungle.
"Kind of,.." Chase supposed thoughtfully. "But that's why we bring along our guide pup."
"Gracias! Thank you!" Tracker smiled. "I love the Jungle.. There's so many amazing animals.. And Carlos and I find all sorts of ruins and artifacts that we give to the museums to display all over the place! And with my ears I can hear anything coming.. Including when things go wrong,.. that's when we call the PAW Patrol to help."
"Good. At least you all stay safe," Ned said gratefully.
"Wow. You find artifacts and take them to the museum? That sounds familiar," Snowflake said, before she and Ned giggled, thinking about the town they were from.
"What do you do when you aren't busy?" Ned asked.
"Explore the jungle,.." Tracker shrugged. "Hiking, climbing, swinging with my cables through the treetops, playing with monkey's,.. that kind of thing."
"Ummm? 'Playing with monkeys'? Aren't they troublesome? Take stuff, make loud noises, throw bananas at you? Or are they not as mischievous?" Ned asked surprised.
"Oh they are,.. But they can also be a lot of fun too!" Tracker beamed, as the meal continued.
"Wait, you mentioned ruins, right? Aren't you scared that they'll fall on you if you're looking inside?" Snowflake asked nervously. The thought had popped into her head and she got a little worried about Tracker's safety.
"Sometimes.." Tracker shrugged. "But we have all kinds of gear that helps keep us safe.."
"And if something seems too unstable.. we don't go there.." Carlos added certainly.
"Thank goodness. You have any questions for us?" Snowflake replied, trying to be polite.
"Have either of you gotten stuck under fabric and got mistaken for ghosts?" Ned asked curiously. Snowflake mentally face-pawed.
"How can that be? They live in the jungle," Snowflake commented to her brother.
"Well we do have blankets and tents we sleep with out there.." Tracker ventured thoughtfully. "But no, I don't think anything like that has ever happened."
"Okay. It's happening to us sometimes," Ned replied.
"Anyways, do you two have any questions for us?" Snowflake asked again.
"Um,.. how often do you come help the PAW Patrol?" the potcake pup wondered.
"As often as I can. But if we need to help at our hometown, I go help them out. As long as Ryder doesn't need me for something," Snowflake answered.
"I visit once and a while," Ned said.
"I see.. any other pups from your hometown ever been here before?" Tracker asked.
"No, just us two. Sorry," Snowflake replied.
"It's ok.. I didn't think anyone else has.. I'm just glad to know." Tracker shrugged.
"Yeah. Do you visit the pups?" Snowflake asked.
"All the time!" the small pup gushed, but then had to correct himself. "Or at least when we can.. I guess it's not as much as we'd like to. But exploring the jungle and digging up artifacts takes up alot of time."
"I can imagine," Snowflake commented kindly.
"Don't get me wrong,.. it is fun.. but it can be lonely being the only pup in the jungle." Tracker went on in somewhat of a flat manner.
"That's why Ryder tries to get us out there once in a while to hang out with him." Skye put in.
"And it allows us to explore the jungle a bit more." Marshall added.
"We don't get to hang out in the jungle very much, so it's nice for everyone." Chase added.
"That sounds good. Maybe Ned and I can visit sometime," Snowflake suggested before giving Tracker a hug.
"Haha! Maybe," the big-eared pup replied, as Snowflake released him from the hug and continued eating.
xxxx
"Hey Snowflake, hold up." Katie called, stopping the husky in her tracks as the girl strode up to the group of pups gathering to leave. She knelt down to the husky in question and very softly asked her..
"How did Chase do after you left my shop?" Then looking over, they could tell Chase had kind of heard them by how he looked away trying to seem busy.
"We found out he had dislocated his shoulder again days ago. He's been resting but we've also been giving him space to do his own thing. So far Everest's advice is working," Snowflake replied softly.
"That's great to hear!.." Katie smiled, though her voice remained low. "I'm glad he's getting better again."
"Yes he is," Snowflake remarked.
"Well, keep up the good work, pups. And he'll be back to normal in no time." Katie told them.
"Hey Ryder, don't forget your pup pad!" Chase called, bounding up to the table where the boy had been sitting. Hopping up onto the chair, he carefully grabbed the pup pad off the edge of the table with his mouth. And in hearing his pup, the boy ended his conversation easily and turned to approach the German Shepherd.
"Thanks Chase.." the boy smiled, receiving the device from the proud pup. "But I could never forget my pup pad."
"Never say never Ryder.. it could happen." Chase shrugged. But preparing to jump down, he either slipped or misjudged his take off. 'Cause when he hit the floor his feet didn't catch him right and he fell flat on his chest, shoulders first, and everyone in the room froze to look at him.
"You okay Chase?" Snowflake asked.
"Bro?!" Chester gasped, the pups all frozen in place. But almost immediately he hopped up, almost stunned by how much easier it was.
"Chase?" Marshall began to pry.
Chase seemed confused, then flexing his shoulder back and forth a couple times he smiled.
"Hey, I think that might have fixed it for good this time." Chase finally responded. "'Guess I just had to fall hard enough."
Marshall's expression dulled.
"Uh huh.." he vocalized flatly, but as Marshall and the pups passed him for the door, his smile and wagging tail faded for a reason only he knew.
XXXX
Ryder pushed the door open for all his pups, when a big gust of wind hit them conveniently as the door swung closed.
"Brrrr!" Skye shuddered. "That's cold!"
The breeze blew across Chase's nose and he could almost feel something in his bones.
"And I think it's only gonna get worse," the German Shepherd said.
"Then let's get to The Lookout and get warm," Snowflake suggested.
"I second that!" Ned agreed.
"Wait! What do you mean worse?" Rubble asked, even while everyone else ran for their vehicles.
"Rubble!" they called.
"Wait for me!" The bulldog cried, racing after them.
"If the storm gets worse, we'll turn into popsicles for real! You saw how bad the storm was when Chase and I returned!" Snowflake commented.
"I think it's just gonna get colder.." Chase clarified. "But I guess the clouds might be heavy enough to give us snow."
"Either way.. let's get out of here!" Zuma decided. And they drove away.
xxxx
Ryder sat against the wall below the window, while a mist fell outside. The silent pup sitting just a few feet from him, also against the wall, faced him without eye contact and slightly flattened ears.
"Snowflake's not crazy, you know.." the boy said. "Just,.. unique.. But she really cares about how you feel and how you are.."
"I-I know that.." the pup replied lightly, a very "hands off" demeanor to his tone.
"Then why does she feel like you don't feel a thing?" Ryder wondered, lowering his head slightly to hopefully earn his pup's gaze, to no avail.
Chase remained silent, his eyes twitching back and forth, wondering what to say.
Ryder then sighed and sat back a bit more.
"I'm just saying.. she only seems to push you cause she's worried about you.." Ryder finished. "And all I'm saying is that they've let you try to work through it yourself.. but now maybe you owe them a little something for their efforts and willingness to step back and give you space."
Chase had resorted to staring flatly out the window, watching the mist come down like snow as if it would keep him busy.
"Just.. think about it.." Ryder said, then Chase's ear slightly turned, sensing his departure. And after a moment of staring, his gaze dropped, then watched after the lifting elevator.
xxxx
The eye of the swirling storm kept him within its heavy shadow. Any attempt to push through and escape was either forced to failure by the sheer force of the whirlwind. Or abruptly stopped by the random toss of mansion decor or furniture. One of the chairs even flew down and splintered directly off his shoulder, making him cry out in pain and tumble over on impact. Standing up with his leg dangling lifeless.. he hopped around the circle, which seemed to beam a spotlight down on him. And finally working his way back to the middle to sit down as he began to cry.
The sorrowful weight in his chest, coupled with the overwhelming anxiety of everything around him filled him with this defeat that made him go..
'She doesn't understand this pain..'
But right when he said this, the whirlwind swelled, and he shielded his face from it. It began to close in on him and he maneuvered around as if he could back out of it. But the wind just consumed him, and proceeded to drill him into the ground. Only leveling off with one last cry!..
xxxx
His eyes were soon open, but it seemed rather natural and he thought he might possibly still be dreaming. But when he sat up he felt a chill from the cool air even though he knew the heat was on.
Still, he looked over to the soft glow outside, and felt compelled to investigate. He approached the window, but the slight fog of his breath obscured his vision further. He yawned, then wiped a paw across the glass to clear his view, which revealed the soft rain that floated from the dimly lit sky. And he sighed, knowing he'd seen it coming.
"*sigh* the first snow.." his breath fogged his vision again and his focus changed as it faded a little to vaguely view his own reflection. Letting his gaze slowly fall away his thoughts rang back with memories of many important or otherwise significant things, which had been said to him. And looking at what he knew that they didn't, he tried to lay them all straight to make them fit.. yet still a few things didn't quite match up.. and he sighed in leaving the window.. more dejected than he'd come.
Hey guys, what a fun chapter! The change in Chase was fun, as well as his conflictions towards the end. But what choice will he make? You'll just have to keep reading to find out! See you next time.. Thx!