Chapter 6: Climbing Up the Walls

Shaun's sleep started the same way as last night, having the same nightmare as before but this time the shadow figures were replaced by his step-uncle and deceased mother. He tripped and began to fall, waiting to be crushed like a bug again, however, it didn't happen, instead, his descent started to slow down and the dark void around him turned into white light, and he woke up. Shaun sat up and wondered why his dream had changed but quickly decided to ignore it as he heard the sound of talking and the smell of food from downstairs.

He walked into the kitchen and saw Bandit, Bluey, and Bingo sitting at the dining table while Chilli was making scrambled eggs.

"Hey kiddo, I was just about to wake up. There's something my wife and I want to talk to you about." Bandit said looking at Shaun walking over to the table.

"O-Okay." He said nervously as he sat next to Bingo while Chilli put a plate of scrambled eggs in front of him.

"Well, we figured since we are going to be taking care of you for a while we think it will be good to for you to Bluey's school in the meantime, so you aren't cooped up in the house all day." Chilli explained.

Bluey then looked at her mother. "For real life?!" She said while wagging her tail.

Chilli chuckled and looked at her daughter while passing out food for the rest of them, "Yes for real life." She looked back to Shaun. "Is that okay with you?

Shaun swallowed the bite of eggs before speaking. "Yeah, that's fine mo- I mean Chilli." He corrected himself and looked down at his food while feeling slightly embarrassed.

Chilli noticed this and smiled softly. "If you want to call me Mom it's fine with me dear."

Shaun blushed and nodded as he finished his food.

After everyone finished eating Chilli went to her job working as airport security and Bandit drove the kids to their schools. After dropping off Bingo at Kindie with a game of Wind-Up Bingo, He drove Bluey and Shaun to the Glasshouse Primary School. As Shaun looked out the window, Bluey looked at him and spoke.

"You're gonna have lots of fun at my school! Calypso is the best teacher, she is so nice!"

Shaun looked at her and smiled. "I hope so."

Bandit and the kids pulled up to the school. Bluey and Shaun got out of the car and walked up to the front with Bandit and the teacher, Calypso, waiting to greet them.

"Good morning Bluey, and this Husky next to you must be Shaun correct?" she asked.

"Y-Yes Calypso." Shaun said looking down at the ground.

She smiled. "Why don't you head out and play with the other kids? I need to talk to your dad."

"Okay, Calypso!" Bluey said as she led Shaun out to play with the rest of the class.

Bandit had told Calypso about how he and his family found Shaun and what had happened to his mother, she decided to let him go to her school in the meantime. After they talked for a bit Bandit got back in his car, waved bye to Bluey and Shaun and drove back home to work in his office. Outside of the school kids were playing, Coco and Indy were playing a game called Wild Girls, and Rusty and Jack were playing Army out in the tall grass, however, there was a black and white Border Collie named Mackenzie sitting alone by a tree. Bluey noticed her best friend sitting by himself and she led Shaun over to him.

"Mackenzie? Are you okay?" she asked worried about him.

He was still lost in his thoughts, not knowing Bluey and Shaun were next to him. Bluey then nudged him and asked again if he was okay. This time he noticed them and was surprised to see them.

"Oh, hi Bluey how long were you standing there?"

"Just for a bit, I tried talking to you, but you didn't answer me, I asked if you were okay." she said.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Mackenzie then noticed a Husky next to Bluey whom he didn't recognize. "Who is he? Is he a new kid here?"

"Yes, his name is Shaun, he's staying with my family and me." Bluey said.

"He is? Where is his family?" he asked while tilting his head.

Shaun then spoke up. "My mom is… gone, and my dad lives by himself now." He explained and looked down with sad eyes.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you sad." Mackenzie said, feeling bad about making Shaun upset.

"It's okay, I'm doing a bit better today." He said still looking down.

Bluey then chimed in. "Do you want to play a game with me and Shaun?" She asked Mackenzie.

"Sure! How about Barkyboats?" he suggested.

"Sounds good! Let's go!" Bluey said as they all went to the dog-made stream to play their game.

After explaining the game to Shaun, they all had fun talking and making jokes. Even he was smiling and laughing, completely forgetting the crazy weekend he had. Eventually, school was over, and Bandit picked up Bingo, and picked up Bluey and Shaun. The two kids got in the car and Bingo spoke to Shaun.

"Hi Shaun! Did you have a good day?" She asked him excitedly.

"Yeah I did! I made a new friend!" he said wagging his tail.

Bandit drove back home and looked in the mirror to see all the kids happy, especially Shaun since he hadn't had the best two days. The family arrived home, and Chilli came home shortly after they did. She cooked dinner for everyone and they all talked about their day. Chilli was also happy to see Shaun smiling and happy. After dinner was over the kids played for a bit before it was time for bed. They all brushed their teeth and got cosy in their beds as Bandit read them a story. While at home Bandit turned the old crib into a bed and put the sleeping bag back on it so Shaun wouldn't sleep on the ground anymore. After saying goodnight he left the room and Chilli came in.

"I'm so glad you had a good day, Shaun." She said to him happily.

Chilli kissed his forehead and was about to leave his room when Shaun turned around and spoke to her while half asleep.

"I love you, Mom." He spoke as he buried his face in the blanket and drifted off to sleep.

Chilli held her hand to her chest as her tail wagged gently and tears fell from her eyes. She wiped them away and left the room before whispering an "I love you too" back to Shaun. Chilli walked into her and Bandit's bedroom where her big blue fella was sitting on the bed getting ready to sleep. He looked at her and saw his wife with red eyes.

"Hey Chilli, are you okay? It looks like you were crying." He said worried.

"Yes I was crying, but these are happy tears. Shaun called me his mother" she said while rubbing her eyes."

Bandit smiled. "I feel bad for the kid, he's shy but so kind and sweet." he said while getting under the blanket with his wife.

"Me too, we'll do our best to make sure he's happy with us." Chilli said while cuddling her husband as they both drifted off to sleep.