Broken Pieces - Chapter 3
Previously...
I'm sorry Ryder," said Chase. "I wasn't strong enough. It's like Rex said, I'm not worthy to even be called a dog." Chase slowly closed his eyes, went limp, and was silent.
"NO!" cried Marshall.
"Chase! Chase, buddy?" cried Ryder.
"Guys," said Katie. "It's ok. He just passed out from exhaustion and blood loss. Let me take care of him and I'll come out and get you."
"T-thank you Katie," wept Ryder. "I thought we lost him. I-i don't know what I'd do if I lost one of my pups."
Ryder and Marshall walked out into the waiting area.
A few hours later Katie walked out.
"He's going to be really sore," said Katie, "But he will be ok."
"Thank you Katie," said Ryder, "I can't begin to thank you enough."
They walked in to look at Chase before returning to the Lookout.
Ryder and Marshall pulled up to the Lookout. They walked in to find all the pups piled together near the control room screen sleeping. The moment the elevator doors opened the pups jumped to their paws and ran over to Ryder.
"Is he ok?" asked Skye.
"Chase got hurt pretty bad," said Ryder. "But Katie was able to stitch him up. He will be really sore for a few days. We can go see him in the morning."
"Do we know where those other two dogs went?" asked Rubble.
"No we don't," said Ryder. "Hopefully they left town. But no one is to go anywhere alone. No matter what anyone asks in the future. You call me and let me know. Then you wait for backup, especially before confronting other dogs."
"Yes Sir, Ryder," said all of the pups.
The pups walked toward the elevators to go out to their pup houses.
"Marshall?" asked Ryder.
"Yes sir?" answered Marshall.
"I know you two are close," said Ryder. "But that goes for you as well. I know you want to go back to be with Chase. But I don't want you going alone either, even to Katie's"
"Ok, Ryder," said Marshall, his ears falling flat against his head.
The next morning Marshall was up walking the grounds. He walked past each of the pup's houses pausing to check on each of them. He looked up and noticed Ryder watching from the balcony. He waved, Ryder waved back and smiled.
Chase woke up and tried to sit up. His stitches pulled and he yelped.
"Chase?" said Katie, who was sleeping in a chair nearby.
"Sorry, Katie," said Chase. "Must have moved wrong. It hurt a little."
"Hold on," said Katie standing. "I'll give you something for the pain."
"It's ok," said Chase. "I'll just be more careful."
"Where is everyone?" asked Chase.
"They went back to the Lookout," said Katie. "Ryder called me and told me to call him if anything changed or if Marshall showed up against his wishes."
"Against his wishes?" asked Chase. 'he doesn't want me on the team anymore.' thought Chase.
"He told the pups he didn't want anyone coming here alone," said Katie. "Now stop trying to tough everything out and let me give you something, then I'll go call him and let him know you're awake."
Katie gave Chase a pain pill in a liver treat then stepped out to call Ryder.
A few minutes later Ryder and the others came into the room.
"Chase, I'm so glad you're ok," said Marshall. "I wanted to come back last night but Ryder said I couldn't come alone."
"I know you'll want to come right back," said Ryder. "But, I'm going to need you to stand down until you're healed. Katie says you can come home now."
"But, I want to help catch those dogs before someone else gets hurt," said Chase.
"I know you do," said Ryder, "But you're in no shape to fight them. We'll just let Animal Control find them."
"Ryder, I'm sorry I wasn't better prepared," said Chase, turning his head to look away, tears leaking from his eyes.
"Pups, give us a moment," said Ryder.
"See you back at the Lookout Chase," said the pups as they left the room.
"Chase, look at me please," said Ryder.
Chase turned back, the tears pouring now, "Ryder, please don't kick me off the team. I promise, I'll train more."
"Chase, what on earth would make you think I would ever kick you off the team," said Ryder sitting on the bed. "I'm not kicking you off. I'm asking you to allow yourself to heal before you come back."
"I'm sorry," said Chase, "I let everyone down. I'm not worthy to be called a dog."
"Chase, you're letting that bully get in your head," said Ryder. "Chase, you passed out from your injuries and I thought at first you had died. I felt my heart stop. I will do anything I can to keep any of you from getting hurt. I only wish you had called for help before confronting those dogs. But nothing, I repeat nothing will ever cause me to kick any of you off the team. I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you."
"O-ok," said Chase.
"Let's go home," said Ryder.
Katie came in and removed the IV lines and disconnected the machines monitoring Chase's vitals. "Please take it easy Chase," said Katie, "I know you want to get back to normal, but let your body heal at least for a few days. Ryder, he'll need to come back next week so I can remove the stitches. I have some antibiotics he'll need to take with his morning and evening meals."
Ryder picked Chase up in his arms and held him to his chest cradling him. Ryder carried Chase out to Marshall's awaiting ambulance.
"I-i thought you went back to the Lookout," Chase said to Marshall.
"I'll never leave you behind Chase," said Marshall. "You're my best friend in the whole world. I'll always be here for you if you need me."
Marshall, Chase, and Ryder rode back to the Lookout.
Marshall stopped in front of Chase's pup house. He stopped and opened the back door. Chase started to stand and swayed a little.
"Hold on," said Ryder. Ryder picked Chase up and walked him over then laid him on his pup pad.
"Do you need anything?" asked Ryder.
"Just some rest," said Chase.
"I'll stay with him," said Marshall.
"No, I'm ok," said Chase.
"I don't mind," said Marshall.
"Really, I'm just going to go to sleep," said Chase.
"Ok, but I'm a pup tag call away," said Marshall.
Later the pups and Ryder had gone to sleep. Chase lay there staring at the stars. He tried and tried but he kept hearing the voice of Rex, 'you're not even worthy to be called a dog.'
Tears began to appear and Chase stood and slowly made his way over to the hilltop again. He laid down and stared at the waves on the water reflecting in the moonlight. Once again he began to softly sing.
Would anyone notice
If tonight I disappeared?
Would anyone chase me
And say the words that I need to hear?
That I'm no burden
Not so worthless
Bent so much that I just might break
All-consuming
So confusing
The questions that keep me awake
Would anyone care, would anyone cry
If I finally stepped off of this ledge tonight?
Would anything change, would you all be just fine?
'Cause I need a reason to not throw the fight
It just might save my life
Would anyone want me
If they knew what was inside my head?
Would anyone see me
For the pup that I really am?
I won't lie
So hard to hide
I've never felt worthy of love
I would give up
Everything I have
Just to feel good enough
Would anyone care, would anyone cry
If I finally stepped off of this ledge tonight?
Would anything change, would you all be just fine?
'Cause I need a reason to not throw the fight
It just might save my life
As Chase's voice cracked, another voice began, Marshall approached softly singing,
If you're dying inside
Sick of being alive
Let me in, let me share in your pain
From my lungs through the dark
Spoken straight from the heart
Let me give you a reason to stay
If you're out there still lying awake
If you're out there still wondering
Would anyone care, would anyone cry
If you finally gave up and turned out the light?
The world would be changed if you left it behind
You can't be replaced, no, tonight is the night
You take back your life
Take back your life
Take back your life
Take back your life
(Would Anyone Care - Citizen Soldier ®)
"M-marshall?" cried Chase. "I'm sorry I woke you. I'm sorry I'm so weak."
Marshall didn't say anything, he simply pulled Chase into a hug. Chase broke and began crying openly.
"Chase, If you don't feel ready to talk, then don't, just let me hold you and be here for you," said Marshall.
"B-but..." stammered Chase.
"No buts," said Marshall, "I would care. The whole team would care. We love you Chase. I want to help. Those rotten mangy mutts had no right to question your place on this team. You are the heart and soul of the team. I love you brother, I would be devastated if something happened to you. Did Ryder tell you we thought we had lost you?"
Chase only nodded, the tears still flowing.
"I've never wanted to kill anything," said Marshall, "But I wanted to kill those mutts for doing this to you. I can't stand seeing you broken like this. I want to see them suffer as much as you are right now."
"M-Marshall?" wept Chase, "what do I do? How do I come back and prove to you and the others that you can trust me not to fail again."
"Chase," said Marshall, "you have nothing to prove. And as far as failure goes, it's only a failure if you quit. What you need to do is heal and then we start training. We prepare ourselves and then if those mutts are lucky, animal control gets to them before we do."
"W-we?" said Chase.
"We," said Marshall. "You are not alone. I am here as are the rest of the guys. But I will train with you and WE will hunt them down and bring them to justice."
"Thank you Marshall," said Chase. "Thank you for being here."
"The hardest words to say are 'I need help'," said Marshall.
"Marshall?" asked Chase.
"Yes Chase?" said Marshall.
"I need help," whispered Chase.
"I know and I'm here to help," said Marshall. "Let's get some rest."
"Will you stay with me tonight?" asked Chase.
"Of course," said Marshall, pulling Chase head down and kissing his forehead.