Chapter 21: Tough Times
Ryder kneeled down, and pet the pups on their heads.
"Marshall will be okay, pups. However, it will be a long time until he's fully recovered. He has second degree burns, and is wrapped up in bandages. The vets are putting healing cream on him so the burns heal properly. On top of that, the vets will need to cut off burnt skin do when he walks, the skin won't be so tight and stiff. Yes, his fur will grow back. He also needs his lungs cleaned out. He will breath just fine, but may take more breaths when active. It's going to take weeks, possibly months for him to be fully healed," Ryder explained carefully to the six pups in front of him.
"What do we do Ryder?" Chase asked nervously, as he and the other pups whined, concerned for their friend.
"We'll have to improvise. Since Marshall will be recovering at the vet, I can assign a different pup to do Marshall's jobs. Just for the time being that he's here, and no we are not replacing him," Ryder replied calmly. The pups all sadly nodded.
"But Ryder, it's been a while since any of us have used another pup's gear and vehicle!" Skye pointed out cautiously.
"Skye's wight Wyder. We'll need to pwactice!" Zuma added.
"Well, you all learned how to use his fire truck and gear, but we can practice some more. Plus his EMT vehicle and gear. We'll just take it easy," Ryder said calmly.
"What do we do now Ryder?" Chase asked nervously.
"We go home, and check in on Marshall's progress whenever we can. But we need time for rescues, and need to give Marshall space to heal too," Ryder reminded them. Every pup nodded sadly. The team thanked the vet at the front desk, then left. After getting into Snowflake's tracking van, and Marshall's EMT vehicle - driven by Zuma - ever pup was ready to go. Ryder lead the way back to The Lookout on his ATV, with the team arriving back home. Once parked, everyone got out of the vehicles, and walked into The Lookout. Ryder turned around, looking at his pups sympathetically.
"Pups, I know we're all sad that Marshall got hurt, and is at the vet's resting. But I want to let you know I'm really proud of all of you. You helped find Marshall, put the fire out when I was with you and after I left for the vet's, you helped cool Marshall down and get him to the vet's place safely, and you all worked hard as a team. The vet even said us helping to cool Marshall helped the vets out when they worked on his injuries. You're all good pups, and I couldn't be more proud of you," Ryder said before smiling.
"Thank you Ryder" the six pups said sadly before walking up to Ryder for a hug. Ryder kneeled down and hugged the pups. As they all embraced, the pups whined, some had watery eyes, and some had tears quietly rolling down their face. Ryder embraced the pups as he too had watery eyes.
"We appreciate the compliment. We really do, but it isn't the same without Marshall here," Rocky replied softly, saying exactly what everyone was feeling. At that point, the group broke down crying. Despite trying to be strong, the emotions of the situation hit them like a train. First, their friend and teammate in danger, his screams for help, getting the fire under control, the medical information Ryder reported to them about Marshall, the amount of time Marshall would need to heal. It was a lot to take in. After a few minutes or so of crying, they all wiped away their tears, and the puos separated from Ryder's embrace.
"I know this will be a big change, and we will need to take time for ourselves as well, but if any of you pups need to talk, sleep with me, or need someone by your side, you can come to me unless I'm off doing a mission or chores or something. The same goes with me. Don't be afraid to be sad. Holding in your feelings doesn't help. I'm here if you need me," Ryder offered sincerely. The pups all nodded.
Everyone ate dinner quietly. Despite knowing Marshall would get better, his lack of humor, clumsy moments, and overall presence was felt. Ryder washed the dishes while the pups all laid around, either quiet, or talking.
"You think Marshall will be okay?" Rubble asked sadly.
"Yes, you heard Ryder. Marshall will just take a long time to get better," Skye replied in a monotone voice.
"Will we be able to do rescues okay? I know we've done missions when a pup is already trying to help the situation, or missing, but this is different. Marshall's not with us to use his gear. Even with a temporary job for one of us, what if everyone is needed?" Rocky questioned. Every pup looked sadly at him. They all had thought about that rescue moment happening.
"I guess one of us would need to stop what they are doing, and go use Marshall's gear. Maybe even Ryder. But we should be able to manage the rescues," Chase responded somberly.
"No thanks to me," Snowflake said sadly as the husky pup hung her head in her paws.
"No Snowflake! It wasn't your fault! There's nothing you or Marshall or any of us could have done to stop the storm!" Skye rebuked to the husky.
"We could have paid attention more to the weather and headed back early," Snowflake retorted somberly. Skye sighed before continuing.
"Even if you did, the fire spread faster than any of us thought. We were all caught off guard, and those emergencies happen sometimes. Besides, even if we could control the weather - "
"Well, we could have used the radar on our - " Rocky said before Skye and Zuma shot him stern warning looks. She turned back to the husky.
"As I was saying, even if we could control the weather, there's not much we could do with the storm and fire moving in so quickly. Like I said, these things happen. It's a risk we all know about, and although we can't be prepared sudden emergencies like today, we try our best!" Skye finished, trying to comfort the sad husky.
"We still could have made it out sooner. Even barely," Snowflake replied with a sad voice.
"Snowflake, we know you feel guilty, but it weally isn't youw fault. You twied your best in the situation," Zuma said trying to comfort her.
"By listening to Marshall, and getting help?! Look what happened because of that!" Snowflake snapped at the chocolate lab, her voice starting to crack.
"The situation was bad, yes. But you getting help was the right decision. We would still be working on that fire if you and Zuma hadn't told us," Ryder said as he walked into the hang out space. He sat on a blue bean bag before the pups looked over at him.
"I know we're sad about Marshall and him not being here, but I promise we'll get through this," Ryder reassured the pups. They all walked up to the boy with small smiles before everyone huddled in for a group hug.
Weeks and months passed as the PAW Patrol kept preforming rescues all over town. From simple rescues like saving Chickaletta when she flutters up to high places, to serious rescues such as saving people from large objects, fires, out of control vehicles or other dangerous situations. It was tough, but Ryder and the pups were able to get the jobs done.
As they did though, that didn't stop the husky pup from feeling guilty. 'If it wasn't for me leaving Marshall, we could have made it out together. We should have seen the clouds moving in and went back to The Lookout,' Snowflake thought to herself after returning from another rescue.
