"Hey dad... yeah things are great here on Camden don't have any trouble so far." Charlie spoke on the phone, as he petted Da-Vinci who seems to be enjoying it, "Oh yeah the pups enjoy me alot, especially this one named Da-Vinci." He said, getting her to look up at him, which he then winked at her causing her to blush a little as she laid back down, "Yeah... yeah I know I'm taking care of them, well more like their taking care of me actually." He laughed before his father started to say something on the other end, "You want me to do what again?" He asked standing up leaving a disappointed Da-Vinci wanting more scratches, "You want me to visit the old plantation?" He asked.
Meanwhile Delilah was walking by when she overheared the phrase 'plantation' and stopped in her tracks, backing up, and peeked into Charlie's room.
"I mean yeah it couldn't hurt... you think so?" He asked as he noticed Delilah sitting at his doorway, "Alright dad, I'll talk to you later... Alright love you bye." He said ending the call, turning to see Delilah, "And what do I owe this pleasure of greeting you Delilah?"
"Oh nothing much just overheard your conversation, about the old Dalmatian Plantation."
"Yeah what about it?"
"Well... it's been awhile since I've seen it, would it be alright if I accompanied you?"
"I mean if that's what you wanna do, then we can leave right now?"
"Splendid." She stated before heading downstairs.
"I wonder why she's all excited, it's just an old barn house." He said to himself before closing his bedroom door and heading downstairs. Along the way he overheard a conversation between Doug and Delilah.
"You sure your gonna be okay going back to the old Plantation site?" Doug said.
"Of course dear, it's been so long since I've been there."
"Well... I just... I don't want you getting hurt." He said with a worried tone.
"Oh Doug, that's what I love about you." She giggled soon their voices started to fade away as Charlie overheard the sounds of laughter and chatter coming from the dinning hall. He turned the corner to see the Dalmatian family eating their breakfast.
"Morning Charlie." Dylan first greeted him, as did everyone else, Da-Vinci hurried passed him, slid into her spot at the table and began eating her breakfast.
"Morning everyone, I see breakfast has been served." He said
"Yep, so whats the plan for today Charlie?" Dylan asked him.
"Well I planned on taking a small trip up to the countryside with your mom, to this plantation?" He said as lean against the door frame.
"Plantation? Like a sugar plantation?" Dylan asked.
"My dad wasn't descriptive of what it was, he just said 'The Plantation'." Charlie stated, "Your mom added 'Dalmatian' in front of it, so I don't know what I'm getting myself into. That means... Dylan you're in charge until we get back." Charlie said. Dolly however annoyingly tolled her eyes.
"Really again?" Charlie nodded, "Why can't I be in charge once."
"You were... once remember?"
Flashback
Charlei was walking back to the house with a bag of groceries, and just reached the door, only when he opened it that he was drenched in water.
End Of Flashback
"Hahah ah Indoor Pool." Dolly laughed as she looked at Charlie who raised his eyebrow, which she sighed in annoyance, "Alright I'll behave." She said with a confirmated smile.
"Oooh can I come Charlie?" Da-Vinci asked.
"Oh not I don't think you would like it."
"Oh Pleeeeeease Charlie just this once?" She gave him puppy eyes which Charlie laugh.
"Ohhh alright I can't say no to that face." He scratched the top of Da-Vinci's head causing her to blush, "Well I better get ready." He said as he hurried up the stairs.
A Little Later
"Alright I think I have everything, water, snacks... yep I got everything." He said as put everything into a back and hurried downstairs to the front door. After closing the door behind him he sees both Da-Vinci and Delilah sitting in front of his car, "Are you two ready?"
"Quite."
"Ready Charlie."
"Alright let's get going." He stated as he opened the driver door, letting them in with Da-Vinci sitting in the back seat, and Delilah sitting along side Charlie who started up the car with its signature roar, "You might want to buckle up."
"I wouldn't forget." Delilah said grabbing the seat belt and with the help of Charlie buckled up, "You too Da-Vinci dear."
"Alright mom." Da-Vinci answered innocently as she (again with the help of Charlie) buckled up.
"Allright everyone, let's move out." He said as he put the Dalmatian Mobile in drive and sped off to the destination.
Along the way, it got seemingly boring so Charlie cleared his throat.
"So... Delilah I have a question if you don't mind me asking."
"Allright everyone, let's move out." He said as he put the Dalmatian Mobile in drive and sped off to the destination.
Along the way, it got seemingly boring so Charlie cleared his throat.
"Who's this... De-Vile? This Cruella character?" He asked.
"It's a long story."
"Well, we got time so you can tell me." Charlie which Delilah sighed, "So, who's this Devil Woman?"
"Well if you must know..." Delilah started as Charlie continued to drive, "She dedicated her entire life to furs, but she has been deranged ever since my great great great grandfather and grandmother Pongo and Perdita, had the first liter that started our tradition." She explains, "She kidnapped the first 15 puppies and had over 99 other puppies as well, wanted to skin them and make a coat out of them, but Pongo and Perdita stopped them... she tried again but was stopped by my great great great grand uncle Patch and she was thrown into the asylum for her craze in seeing spots."
"Well damn, she seems nuts." Charlie said.
"What made it worse was when she was at first cured of her 'spots' but it didn't last.. she tried again but like before was foiled and was put in jail for life." She said.
"Talk about a real dedication to skinning."
"Years have gone by, and we would have almost forgotten all about that Devil Woman... that is... until Hunter came into the picture." She stated.
"Hunter must've been a real pest huh?" He asked, to which Deliliah nodded her head, "Dolly did mentioned to me that his plans of capturing you guys for the first time was foiled and was put away for a whopping 6 months before coming back and trying again."
"Well He's not a threat anymore ever since the boat incident." Da-Vinci spoke up.
"True, but that one day... that one day I want to forget but I can't ever get those images out of my head... the day she walked into our house and the deranged, and devilish horror of a woman trying to grab us." Delilah said as she couldn't control her emotions, "I've tried so hard to protect them but at that moment where she had Dorothy I...I... I couldn't bare the horrifying thoughts went through my mind." Delilah started to cry, Charlie petted her ear for comfort.
"Delilah I'm very sorry but look on the bright she's new in jail and you have me, I'll protect you all with my life." This made Delilah, Dylan, and Da-Vinci smiled mostly Da-Vinci.
"No problem but uh, thus leads into my next question."
"Go ahead."
"Couple of months ago Dolly said to Fergus that Dylan isn't related to her... is that true?" Charlie asked. At first there was silence, but Delilah sighed in defeat.
"Yes it's true." She answers which made Charlie raise his eye brow.
"There step-siblings."
"Go on, you can tell me... after all I told you all about what happened to me, so I think its best you tell me this so we're even." Charlie encouraged her which she nodded.
"I was in a rough marriage before I met Doug... my rancid of a mate would beat me if I did something wrong, even when I was pregnant I was beaten... people would see me and think I have spots in my eyes or body but... they weren't. When I had Dylan and them, I felt so happy I never felt happier in my life... but one day he... he almost drowned Da-Vinci saying..." she looked back at Da-Vinci who was on the brink of tears.
"He said what..."
"He said that she was different and... didn't belong to anyone." She said and cried, "that's when I had enough of it, I pushed him away and took my children and left never to see him again."
"Was this all on the farm that were going to?"
"Oh no this was years after we were forced out... but there I was trying to take care of little ones on the street, when luck came to us, our owner who disappeared from us, left us a house that we could stay in if we ever left the farm, and everything was going great, I got a job I was able to get food it was great... until I met Doug." She said with a sigh, "Oh Doug, he really changed my life, he made me feel love again, so one thing led to another and we got married."
"Awww... well I'm glad your happy and all, but what about Dolly?"
"Dolly was already born by her mother but she passed away in a run down that left her father devastated, everyday he would tell me that she look like her, and believes that she is guiding him to happiness." She explains then started to giggled, "When Dolly and Dylan first they hated each other they even want to look at each other." Da-Vinci laughed.
"Yeah they didn't want to eat at the same table with each other."
"Sounds like it was blast for a couple of weeks." Charlie joked as everyone laughed.
"But now they make this family special, after we moved in together we decided to adopt several puppies."
"Seems you gave yourself a hands-full then."
"I'll say, taken care of 98 brothers and sisters is stressful as it can be." Da-Vinci said with a sigh.
"It was hard but eventually everything was perfect." Delilah looked back at Charlie, "But now that we have you in our lives, I don't think I ever felt so complete." Charlie smiled at the remark.
"Well I'm glad to came into lives I feel like I'm part of you family and I want to thank you for giving me a chance." Chatlie said as he scratches her head.
"Hey, your family and nothing will change that ever, your helping Dylan with taken care of the pups, he's never felt more relaxed than ever before."
"Well I wouldn't change anything for any of you, including Da-Vinci... I think she's perfect just the way she is." He smiled looking through his rear view mirror to see Da-Vinci blushing heavily, as they drove off to the countryside about to reach there destination.
Hours Later
"Hey, I think we're close!" He said with excited as they drove passed a large sign that reads.
Radcliffe's Family Plantation For Dalmatians
"Huh... interesting name." He commented as they go over a hill which revealed fields as far as the eyes could see, with a dirt road leading up to what look likes an old wooden house with a large barn next to it.
"Oh my it's been forever since I've seen this place!" Delilah exclaim wagging her tail with excitement."
"This place seems somewhat abandoned." Charlie commented.
"Well it has been sixty years since this place was booming with life." Delilah explains, as she and Da-Vinci looked out the windows.
"So this is where you grew up mom?"
"Oh yes sweetie, I was the last batch before moving to Camden."
"How many Dalmatians were there?" Charlie asked.
"Too many, you thought we had many puppies? You haven't seen it up here." She explain.
"Damn."
"Thats a lot of brothers and sisters mom."
"I'll say come on let's go and explore." He said as he pulled up in front of the large house and turn off the car. He opened his door letting Da-Vinci jump out and stretch her legs.
"Wow... look at this place there's so much yard!" She yelled out running around, which Charlie laughed.
"Look at her go." He said as Delilah sighed with relief.
"I remember that feeling all this freedom." Delilah smiled as she and Charlie looked at the large silo.
"Oooo what's that?" Da-Vinci asked in curiosity.
"That Da-Vinci, is a Silo. Usually food is store in it." Charlie explained, which then Da-Vinci wondered off.
"That's where we kept our kibble."
"Oh?"
"Yes... Our great, great, great granddad's pet built this in order for us to eat, I hardly think it still works." She stated as they looked over to the large house, "Thats where Granddads pet would live."
"Well you wanna check it out?" He asked.
"I'd be happy to, Da-Vinci!" She called out as on cue Da-Vinci skidded in front of them.
"Yes mother?"
"We're headed to the farm house care to join?"
"Alright."
"Great then I'll lead the way." Charlie said as he hurried forward. As the house drew near, two things immediately caught their eyes, one the house was in disrepair, ranging from the sideing on the house was falling off to the bricks from the barley recognizable chimney were falling to pieces, the other thing that was noticed was that the front door was left open, "Odd."
"My word... this house has seen better days." Delilah said as they reached the front door.
"You don't think that...?"
"Anyone's here? I doubt it."
"Alright you two stay here I'll check it out." Charlie said and quietly headed towards the front door. He opened the front door softly making a creaking sound as the room became more visible, once he noticed the coast was clear he signaled for the two to follow. Once inside, they immediately realized that the entire room was filled with trash.
"Ugh what a horrible smell." Da-Vinci gagged as she held her nose with her paw.
"That's what happens when the house is left in disarray." Charlie explained as he looked upstairs, "I wonder what's upstairs." He said as he headed upstairs followed by Delilah and Da-Vinci. As soon as he reached upstairs, trash was littered everywhere, the wallpaper was shown peeling off the walls but what really draw his eyes was a door that was opened slightly, "Okay I'm starting to believe someone else is in here."
"Oh, that's not good." Da-Vinci stated.
"Possibly, but only one way to find out." Charlie hurried over to the door.
"Be careful Charlie." Da-Vinci said worriedsomely as Charlie pushed open the door just slightly enough for him to see, and what he saw horrified him, all he could see was something swaying softly. He then pushed the door open more.
"Oh my God." He yelled horrified.
"What... what is... Oh my Dog!" Delilah exclaimed, "Don't look Da-Vinci."
"What?" She asked bit immediately her eyes locked onto what they were looking at.
A body... hanging from the ceiling, it looked decayed enough to where the skull was revealed through the rotten skin and muscles, Charlie almost had the urge to vomit but he kept his posture.
"Seems like this... body has been here for awhile." Delilah analyzed as Charlie took out a knife and cut the rope, as the body landed on the floor with a thump.
"No kidding you can see his skull." Charlie held his nose as he inspected the room, the room didn't look as destroyed as the rest of the house, Odd considering the door was open, I don't understand why wasn't it reported."
"Humans do stange things, to not be suspected." Delilah explains as she sniffed the ground, "Is there anything that can be used as evidence?" She asked as Charlie looked over to the end table near the bed, it had a small note on it.
"Hey theres a note... its a suicide note."
Charlie picked up the old note and read it out loud.
My love that I will see shortly I'm sorry I wasn't able to continue without you or our daughter. After losing our daughter I saw that you were heartbroken and I couldn't vate the thought of losing you too but I did and now I can't think of it anymore, I need to leave this world to join you. I can't take care of these dogs by myself... so I got rid of them. Gave them all new homes. The dogs didn't understand why they were moving but they had no choice, I'm sorry Elizabeth I'm completely sorry for failing the family business Roger would be disappointed at us but... at least I'll see our daughter.
After Charlie was finished reading he looked over to see Delilah in tears.
"You... you okay?"
"I... I was lied to..." She said as tears stream down her face, "He said... he said he was going on vacation." She stated.
"Its okay Delilah I'm here for you." Delilah felt his arms hands around her as she started to cry and nuzzled into him.
"Charlie take a look outside." Da-Vinci while pointing out the window, Charlie looked out the windo to see on another hill was a bunch of crosses each older than the last but the last two were pretty much in good condition since they were placed last.
"Wow that sucks having to wake up in the morning and to see all those crosses but to have your wife and daughter there as well, that really makes you feel worthless." He stated as he picked up the body as gently as he could.
"What are you doing?" Da-Vinci asked.
"I'm gonna give this man a proper buriel." He explained as he dragged the body out of the room, Delilah I need you to find a shovel, and Da-Vinci make a cross out of anything you can find."
"Ok." Da-Vinci said as she ran off.
"At least Dylans not here... otherwise we be here for hours." He joked as he carefully and quickly carried the body to the nearby hill, once there he found a nice spot, "Heres a good spot." Charlie said as he lowered the body onto the ground, "now where Delilah."
"Here here." She said as she had the shovel in her mouth.
"Great thanks, now stand back." He grabbed the shovel and started to dig.
Hours Later
At last the body was placed into the grave and fully buried.
"Requiesce in pace." Charlie made a cross on his chest.
"Huh?" Da-Vinci asked clearly confused.
"It's 'rest in peace' in Latin what you learn from video games sometimes." He explained.
"Oh."
"Well it's getting late." Delilah looked over at the setting sun.
"You're correct, let's head back home."
"Well I did have fun." Da-Vinci smiled.
"You know what so did I, I'm actually glad to have taken this journey."
"And thank you Charlie."
"For what Delilah?"
"Well for being here with us." Delilah smiled.
"Well I should be thanking you, without you allowing me to stay I wouldn't have gone on this incredible adventure."
"I'm glad you enjoyed this." She said as Charlie opened the car door for them and then got in his side and started up the car.
As they drove back home Charlie looked through the rear view mirror to see Da-Vinci all snuggled up and snoozing.
"She likes you, you know."
"Huh?"
"Da-Vinci... she really really likes you... alot." Delilah spoke up.
"She really likes me?"
"You have no idea how happy you make her, I don't think I ever seen her smile that big before."
"Wow... I never thought I was that much to her."
"Hell if you were a dog, I would think she would wanna date you." She laughed.
"That is cute actually, but... if I was a dog, would you allow us?"
"If I can let Dolly have a bf why can't I let you two, beside I bet you two would look cute together." She smiled making Charlie blush.
"Well I'll consider it." Charlie smiled turning on the radio as they drove back home.