Another One Shot. A longer one than the other I have done before. I really want to improve my writing and create something over 4,000 words. And this was a step towards that. I hope it's not boring for you.
And yes, I like this ship. Although, to be honest, I don't consider it my favorite. That would be one of Bingo's ships. ;)
And you're going to see one part in the first person and the rest on third person. I know, I took a risk with that. And you might see me refer to the characters as dogs. I don't know if it's common in English, but in Spanish I see most people refer to them as dogs.
Also an attempt of Fluff.
I didn't want to publish it, but I already invested time in it and I don't lose anything by publishing it.
Inspired by the Short film umbrella.
Bluey is property of Ludo Studios.
Mackenzie was unique, not only because of his mottled black and white spotted fur, but also because of his unconditional love for slides. For him, there was no greater pleasure than feeling the breeze nuzzling his ears as he gracefully slid down those brightly colored tunnels.
Every time Mackenzie went down the slide, the colors blended together in a heart-filling burst of joy. Red, blue, and yellow melded in a dance that only he could appreciate.
One day, like any other, Mackenzie went to the park with his mother to enjoy his favorite game. "Mom, I want to go on the slide!" the pup exclaimed.
His mother stared at him, feigning a smile. "Sure, Mackenzie, let's go to the slide," she said in a soft voice, although a shadow of distress was visible in her eyes.
There was a sadness in her mother's eyes that he had never seen before. It wasn't the sad face she made when he broke something; this was a deeper sorrow. Still, he let it go. After all, what did a four-year-old care about a sad expression?
Mackenzie walked over to his mother, who was sitting on a bench near the slide, staring blankly into the horizon. "Mom, what's wrong?" asked Mackenzie, noticing that his mother was not responding. She turned to him, and Mackenzie saw that her eyes were wet.
"Nothing, Mackenzie," his mother replied, forcing a smile. "I'm just a little tired, that's all." Mackenzie didn't believe the excuse, but he didn't insist. Instead, he walked over to his mother and hugged her.
"I love you, Mom," Mackenzie said, trying to comfort her. His mother hugged him tight, and for a moment, Mackenzie forgot about the slide, standing there, hugging his mother.
But soon, the call of the slide became too loud. "Mom, can I go on the slide?" asked Mackenzie, anxious to feel the thrill of the fall. Her mother nodded, and Mackenzie kissed her on the cheek goodbye.
"I'm going to the slide, Mom," Mackenzie said, and ran toward the brightly colored tunnel. His mother watched him go, a sad expression on her face. Mackenzie didn't realize it, but his mother knew something was going to change in their lives, and it would never be the same again.
Mackenzie found himself at the top of his favorite slide. With a determined look and a little bark of excitement, he launched himself off. The speed increased, and with it, his happiness. But when he reached the end, something was different. His mother, who was always waiting for him with a smile and a pat, was not there.
Confused and a little frightened, Mackenzie looked around. People passed by, oblivious to him, immersed in their own lives. That's when a female dog, with a kind and concerned look on her face, approached him.
"Little boy, where's your mommy?" she asked sweetly.
Mackenzie looked up at her with his big brown eyes, and though he couldn't speak, his gaze said more than a thousand words. "She abandoned me," he said, with a resigned and sad expression.
The lady understood the message. She bent down to his level and stroked his head tenderly. "Don't worry, I'll take care of you until we find her," she assured him.
He was grabbed by the paw outside the slide. "Are you sure you don't see your mom?" the female dog asked him again.
Mackenzie looked all around. No matter how hard she tried to find her, she simply couldn't see her. "Mommy! Mommy!" the little pup yelled with all his strength.
No matter how many times he yelled out, his mother wouldn't come back. "Mom!"
Mackenzie turned his eyes in all directions, searching for his mother. The little pup screamed with all his might, desperate for an answer from his beloved mother. But no matter how many attempts he made, she would not return.
Sinking into deep sadness, Mackenzie left the park in a desperate search to find his mother. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain. Defeated and without hope, he returned to his little hiding place under the big red slide. There, only his soft whimpers and murmurs of profound sadness could be heard, as he grappled with the knowledge that his mother had abandoned him.
Mackenzie's voice was lost in the bustling park, each call more desperate than the last. The dog who had found him, with a heart as big as her smile, decided to take matters into her own paws. "Come with me," she told him in a voice that promised reassurance and comfort.
Together, they walked through the park, the dog leading Mackenzie. People watched them curiously, but no one stopped; everyone was too absorbed in their own lives to notice the little tragedy unfolding before them.
"I felt as if my world had collapsed. My mother, the person who had always been there for me, had abandoned me. I didn't understand why—what had I done wrong? Why didn't she love me anymore?"
The female dog, whose name was Luna, took me to a place called Bernardo's Orphanage. She explained that it was a safe haven, where I could live with other dogs who had also lost their families. But I didn't want to be there. I wanted to be with my mother.
When we entered the orphanage, I saw other dogs playing and running around. Some looked at me curiously, others ignored me. I felt alone and scared. I didn't know what to do.
Luna gently pushed me forward, toward the other dogs. "Make friends," she told me. But I didn't want to make friends. I wanted my mother.
I walked over to one of the fluffy beds and curled up on it, trying to cry quietly. I didn't want the other dogs to see me cry. But I couldn't help it. I felt so lonely and abandoned.
Luna came over to me and said. "I'm here for you, Mackenzie," she told me. "You're not alone." But I knew it wasn't the same. My mother wasn't there, and I missed her very much.
I lay there, curled up in bed, feeling the loneliness and abandonment. I didn't know what was going to happen to my life, but I knew I would never forget my mother.
The sun was shining brightly as the car rolled down the road, casting a bit of optimism over the scene. Bluey and Chilli were sitting inside, seat belts fastened, ready to embark on a mission of compassion that Chilli wanted to teach Bluey.
Bluey, staring out the window, asked a question that revealed her trepidation about the trip. "Mom, do you think we'll find someone special at the orphanage?" Chilli, replied with conviction. "Of course we will, Bluey. There are lots of friends waiting for us there. little dogs who need love and a home."
Chilli's answer didn't seem enough to calm Bluey's doubts, who continued to think out loud. "Do you think they'll like us?" Chilli stroked her head affectionately, her voice softening as she replied. "Of course they'll like us, honey. And no matter how many friends we have, there will always be room in our hearts for more."
Bluey nodded, her gaze set on the horizon, as the car approached the orphanage. The structure loomed in the distance, a symbol of hope and new beginnings. Bluey whispered a silent prayer as she held her hands together. "God, may they find someone who will make them as happy as my mom makes me."
Chilli was touched by her daughter's words. "And me too, Bluey. Because love knows no bounds, does it?" Bluey smiled and nodded, and together, mother and daughter continued their journey to the orphanage with the biggest smile in the world.
Finally, the car stopped in front of the orphanage, a large and welcoming building that seemed to be waiting for them with open arms. Bluey and Chilli got out of the car as she prepared the things she was going to donate.
As they approached the entrance, a friendly woman welcomed them with a smile. "Hello, I'm Mrs. Luna, the director of the orphanage, it's a pleasure to meet you!"
Chilli extended her hand to greet her, and Bluey mimicked her, feeling a little nervous. Mrs. Luna led them inside the building, where a group of dogs awaited them curiously.
Bluey was overwhelmed by the number of new faces, but Chilli took her by the hand and led her toward the group. "Hi, everyone," Chilli said, smiling. "I'm Chilli, and this is my daughter, Bluey. We're here to meet you and see if we can find a new friend to take home with us."
The children approached shyly at first, but soon Chilli's warmth and Bluey's curiosity broke the ice. A small, light-brown-furred little guy with big ears and hopeful eyes approached Bluey. Their eyes met, and in that moment, Bluey felt an instant connection.
"Hello, little buddy," Bluey said. "What's your name?"
Mrs. Luna smiled and answered for the dog. "His name is Max."
Chilli watched proudly as Bluey interacted with Max. "Looks like we've already found our new first friend, right, Bluey?"
Bluey nodded, feeling a surge of excitement. "Yes, Mom." As she said it, she began to explore the orphanage playground, running toward the bright red slide that stood in the center. It was identical to the one she had in the park near her home, and the sight made her feel a little more at home in this new and unfamiliar place. However, when she reached the bottom of the slide, she noticed that there was a small dog sitting at the top, blocking the entrance.
"Hi!" greeted Bluey cheerfully. "Can I go up?"
The little dog at the top of the slide looked at her with a mixture of distrust and stubbornness. "No," he replied dryly.
Bluey was surprised, confused by the refusal. "But...it's a slide. You're supposed to slide down and then let others climb up."
"I don't want to," the pup replied, clinging tighter to the edges of the slide.
Bluey, determined not to give up, started up the stairs of the slide. "Come on, it'll be fun. We can take turns."
But as Bluey got closer, the pup got more defensive. When Bluey reached the top, the pup growled softly.
"This is my slide!" he yelled, nudging Bluey.
Startled by the aggressive reaction, Bluey lost her balance for a moment, but managed to grab hold of the edge. "Hey, that wasn't nice!"
The situation escalated quickly. Bluey, frustrated and a little angry, tried to move the puppy, but it clung with all its might to the slide. Both pups struggled, growling and barking, neither willing to budge.
"Let go!" shouted Bluey.
"No, you let go of me!" replied the other pup.
The commotion attracted the attention of Chilli and Luna, who ran to the slide upon seeing the scene.
"Bluey!" exclaimed Chilli, surprised by her daughter's behavior. "What's going on here?"
Luna, for her part, approached the other pup. "Mackenzie, honey, what's wrong?"
Chilli hurried up the stairs and separated the two pups. Bluey, tears of frustration in her eyes, clung to her mother as Luna took Mackenzie in her arms.
"I'm sorry, Mom," Bluey sobbed. "I just wanted to play on the slide, but he wouldn't let me go up."
Chilli gently stroked her daughter's head. "I understand you're frustrated, honey, but it's not okay to fight. There's always a better way to work things out."
Luna, meanwhile, comforted Mackenzie, who was trembling slightly in her arms. "It's okay, Mackenzie. No one is going to take away your special place."
Chilli and Luna exchanged glances, recognizing that there was more to this situation than met the eye.
"Bluey," Chilli said softly, "why don't we go sit down for a moment? I think there's something you need to know."
Bluey nodded, wiping her tears with the back of her paw. She followed her mother and Luna, who was still carrying Mackenzie, to a nearby bench. They sat down, and Luna took a deep breath before she began to speak.
"Bluey," Luna said in a soft voice, "there's something you need to know about Mackenzie. His story is a little sad, but I think it will help you understand why he acts the way he does."
Bluey looked at Mackenzie, who was now curled up in Luna's lap, avoiding eye contact with everyone.
Luna began to relate Mackenzie's story:
"A few months ago, Mackenzie was a happy young pup who lived with his mother. He loved playing in the park, especially on the slide. It was his favorite place in the whole world. Every day, his mother would take him to the park and watch him slide down the bright red slide over and over again."
Bluey listened intently, his initial anger fading and being replaced by curiosity and empathy.
"But one day," Luna continued, "something terrible happened. Mackenzie was playing on the slide as usual, but when he got to the end, his mother was no longer there to receive him."
Bluey gasped softly, his eyes widening. "His mom disappeared?"
Luna nodded sadly. "That's right, Mackenzie looked everywhere for her, shouted her name, but she didn't show up. He was alone and scared in the park."
Chilli hugged Bluey instinctively, feeling a surge of compassion for little Mackenzie.
"That's when I found him," Luna continued. "He was crying on slide, calling for his mother. I brought him here, to the orphanage, to take care of him until we could find his mother or a new family for him."
Bluey looked at Mackenzie, who was now watching her with wet eyes. "They never found his mom?" she asked quietly.
Luna shook her head. "No, honey. We looked, but we couldn't find her. And ever since then, Mackenzie has attached himself to that slide as if it's the only thing he has left from his former life. It's his connection to the happy memories he had with her mother."
Bluey felt her heart shrink. Suddenly, she understood why Mackenzie had acted that way. It wasn't just a slide to him; it was a memory, a comfort, a piece of the life he had lost.
"I'm so sorry, Mackenzie," Bluey said softly. "I didn't know...I didn't mean to hurt you."
Mackenzie looked up at her, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and gratitude for Bluey's understanding. "It's okay," he murmured. "I shouldn't have pushed you either."
Chilli, touched by the situation, turned to Luna. "Is there anything we can do to help?"
Luna smiled kindly. "Your visit is already a big help. Mackenzie and the other pups need to interact with loving families like yours. It gives them hope and shows them that there is a whole world beyond these walls."
Bluey, inspired by Luna's words, had an idea. "Mom, can we take Mackenzie to the park? Maybe if we play on a different slide together, he won't feel so sad."
Chilli looked at Luna, who nodded approvingly. "I think that's a wonderful idea, Bluey. What do you say, Mackenzie, would you like to go to the park with Bluey and his mom?"
Mackenzie, for the first time since they had met him, showed a hint of a smile. "Really, can I go?"
"Of course," Chilli replied. "We'd love to have you join us."
And so, the little group prepared for an adventure in the park. Bluey, excited for the chance to make amends with Mackenzie, chatted animatedly about all the rides they could try. Mackenzie, though still a bit shy, seemed more relaxed and open to the idea.
As they made their way to the car, Bluey walked over to Mackenzie and whispered, "Don't worry, we'll find the perfect slide for you. And if you want, you can go up first."
Chilli smiled from the driver's seat, happy to see her daughter so excited to make Mackenzie feel welcome. However, she also noticed how the little pup tensed up every time Bluey mentioned the slide.
When they arrived at the park, Bluey practically jumped out of the car, eager to begin her game. Mackenzie, however, slowly climbed down, his eyes roaming the place with a mixture of nostalgia and apprehension.
"Are you okay, sweetie?" asked Chilli, noticing Mackenzie's hesitation.
The pup nodded slightly. "It's just...it looks a lot like the park I used to come to with my mom."
Chilli knelt down to be on her level. "I understand that this might be difficult for you, Mackenzie. If at any time you feel uncomfortable or want to leave, just let me know, okay?"
Mackenzie nodded, grateful for Chilli's understanding.
Bluey, sensing the tension, decided to take the initiative. "Let's go to the swings first!" she exclaimed, gently taking Mackenzie's paw.
The two pups headed for the swings, with Chilli following close behind. Bluey helped Mackenzie onto one of the swings and began to push him gently.
"See, that's fun!" said Bluey, laughing as Mackenzie began to swing.
Slowly, Mackenzie began to relax. A small smile came across her face as the wind caressed her fur. For a moment, he was able to forget his sadness and simply enjoy the moment.
After the swings, they explored the sandbox, building castles and tunnels. Bluey was delighted to see how Mackenzie was slowly opening up, laughing and even suggesting ideas for her sand construction.
However, the real test came when they approached the slide area. There were several, of different sizes and colors. Mackenzie stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes fixed on the red slide that looked so much like the one at the orphanage and the one at the park where she used to play with her mother.
Bluey, noticing his discomfort, had an idea. "Look, Mackenzie! See that blue slide over there? I've never tried it, do you want to try it together?"
Mackenzie looked at the blue slide. It was different from the one he was used to, and somehow, that made it less intimidating. He nodded slowly.
"Cool!" exclaimed Bluey. "We can go up together if you want."
Holding each other by the paw, Bluey and Mackenzie climbed the stairs to the blue slide. Chilli watched them from below, her heart filled with pride at the compassion and patience shown by her daughter.
At the top of the slide, Mackenzie hesitated for a moment. Bluey gave her paw a gentle squeeze. "It's okay," she assured her. "I'm right here with you."
With a deep breath, Mackenzie sat down on the slide, with Bluey right behind him. Together, they slid down the smooth surface, their laughter mingling in the air.
When they reached the end, Mackenzie had a genuine smile on his face. "That was fun!" he exclaimed.
"See, I told you so!" replied Bluey, excited. "Want to go again?"
And so they spent the next hour trying out different slides, each time with Mackenzie feeling more comfortable and confident. He even dared to try the red slide, and although there was a moment of hesitation, Bluey and Chilli's comforting presence helped him through it.
12 years later
Mackenzie was excited to graduate from high school. He had worked hard for four years and graduation day had finally arrived. His friends and family were there to celebrate with him, but Mackenzie couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness.
Suddenly, as he stood on the stage, receiving his diploma, he saw the shadow of his mother in the distance. It was a blurry figure, but Mackenzie recognized it immediately. It was the same figure that had abandoned him and his father when he was a child.
Mackenzie felt shocked. He hadn't seen his mother in years, and he didn't know what she was doing there. But he couldn't sit still. He began to chase after her, yelling "mommy, mommy" as he ran toward her.
The shadow kept getting farther and farther away, but Mackenzie didn't stop. He ran through the halls of the school, pushing past students and teachers in his path. Finally, he emerged from the building and found himself in the parking lot.
The shadow was still ahead, and Mackenzie followed. He ran down the street, not caring about the traffic or the pedestrians who crossed his path. He just wanted to catch up with his mother and ask her why she had abandoned him.
But the shadow vanished into thin air, and Mackenzie found himself alone on the street. He stopped, panting, and looked around. There was no one there. The shadow was gone, and Mackenzie felt lonelier than ever.
He stood there in the street for a while, trying to process what had just happened.
Just as Mackenzie was about to collapse, he heard a voice behind him. "Mackenzie, what's wrong, are you okay?" It was Bluey, who had followed him from school.
Mackenzie turned to her, tears in his eyes. "I don't know, Bluey," he said, his voice shaking. "I saw my mother on the stage, and I chased after her. But she disappeared, and I don't know what to do."
Bluey walked over to him, a sympathetic expression on his face. "Mackenzie, your mother abandoned you years ago," she said softly. "You can't keep chasing her. You must let go of the past and focus on your future."
Mackenzie looked at her, surprised. No one had ever spoken to him like that before. It was cruel, but direct. Bluey's words had struck his heart with the force of a reality he couldn't deny. He had always been the one trying to escape his problems, but Bluey was bringing him to his senses. The way she looked at him, with eyes that seemed to see beyond his soul, made him feel naked and vulnerable.
"How can you say that?" asked Mackenzie, with annoyance. "You don't know what it's like to feel abandoned." Her voice trembled slightly, revealing the emotion she was trying to contain.
Bluey nodded, his face serious and compassionate. "Yes, I do. My father abandoned me when I was little. But my mother taught me that I shouldn't let the past define me. I must move on and find my own way." Her words were like a balm to Mackenzie's soul, which was touched by Bluey's sincerity and empathy.
Mackenzie looked at her, with a new perspective. Bluey was right. She couldn't keep chasing after her mother, trying to fill the void she had left. She had to let go of the past and focus on her future. The idea was terrifying, but also liberating.
"Thank you, Bluey," Mackenzie said, with a weak smile and a few tears falling from her eyes. "I think I needed to hear that." His voice was barely a whisper, but Bluey listened carefully.
Bluey smiled and hugged him. "I'm here for you, Mackenzie. I'll always be here for you." The hug was like a refuge for Mackenzie, who felt surrounded by warmth and security. Bluey's blue fur seemed to radiate a positive energy that made him feel alive and connected.
In that moment, Mackenzie realized that Bluey was not only a friend, but a person who understood and accepted him as he was. The warmth he felt when Bluey hugged him was something he liked. That blue fur made him feel what his mother once did, a sense of belonging and unconditional love. Mackenzie felt grateful for Bluey's presence in his life. Finally, he realized that his mother had not really been there. She was just an illusion, a shadow from his past that continued to haunt him.
Mackenzie sighed and started walking back to school. He knew he had to move on, put the past behind him and focus on his future. But he couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness and loss. His mother had given up on him, and he would never forget it. However that should not stop her from being happy.
And with her diploma, all that was missing was Bluey's kiss to make everything perfect.