Chapter 15: Everything In Its Right Place

Shaun opened his eyes and groaned, even though this was his third time going through a portal, he still hadn't gotten used to the feeling. It was too dark for him to see so he waited a bit for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. When he could see some of his surroundings, he saw he was back in the park in the same place he was years ago when he first arrived in this world. Shaun sat on the ground as he started to think about his uncle and father. He couldn't believe someone would do something so terrible to his mother, a sweet and caring woman, he felt sad remembering her, but he wasn't going cry to this time. He hoped his uncle would be okay as he stood up, brushed himself off, and walked out of the playground, trying to remember his way back home. He walked for several minutes along the sidewalk until he saw a familiar red car ahead pull up next to him and stop.

"Shaun is that you? Where have you been? You've been gone for hours!" Chilli said as she got out of the car and ran up to the Husky.

"I'm sorry mom, I'll explain it when we get home. There's something I have to tell you, all of you."

The two got into the car and drove back to the house in the cul-de-sac. When Shaun entered the living room, Bluey and Bingo ran up to him.

"Shaun, where did you go? Mum was worried sick!" Bluey said.

"Yeah, we thought you ran away!" Bingo added.

"I'm gonna tell everyone. There's no hiding it anymore."

"Well, I can't wait to hear this mate." Bandit said walking into the living room.

Shaun began to retell the events that happened to him, making it more kid-friendly for Bingo and Bluey, starting at his school. Chilli was upset that he got into a fight, while the rest of the Heelers were intrigued by his story.

"So to make sure, you are a human, a different species from a different world, and you came here to ours by some weird portal thingy, there was another underneath your bed and you went through it, found your uncle, and met your father who was… not a nice person. He tried to hurt you and your uncle, and you ran back to here?" Bandit asked.

"Yeah, oh, and here's a picture of us." Shaun said showing everyone the selfie of him and his uncle.

Bandit was sitting down on the couch, scratching his chin. "Whoa mate, this is… a lot to take in."

"Yes, it is, but we believe you Shaun. I'm glad you trusted us enough to finally tell us." Said Chilli.

"T-Thank you…" Shaun said with a sad look and his ears down.

"Shaun? What's wrong? Why are you sad?" asked Bluey.

"Do you hate me now?" He said with tears starting to fall from his eyes.

Bingo and Bluey hugged their brother tightly. "Of course we don't! We love our big brother!" Bingo told him.

"Yeah kiddo, it doesn't matter who or what you are, you are part of our family now. Forever and always." Chilli added while she and Bandit joined in on the hug.

Shaun's tears turned from sad to happy as he chuckled lightly. "I love you all." he said with a smile.

After they all hugged Shaun for a few more minutes. Chilli remembered something from his story.

"I still can't believe you got into a fight with another kid in school!"

"I'm sorry Mom, am I… am I in trouble?"

"We'll decide that in the morning. It's pretty late now."

"Oh, okay Mom." Shaun's stomach growled.

"You hungry mate? I made mac and cheese casserole earlier and saved you some."

"Thanks, Dad!"

A week had passed, and it was time for Shaun to return to school. Bandit and Chilli decided not to punish him, however, they still gave him a serious lecture about how it was wrong to use violence and that if he got bullied again, he should tell a teacher instead. After dropping Bluey and Bingo off at their school, Chilli drove her son to his school. She pulled into the drop-off area and parked her car.

"Have a good day at school sweetie!" She said to her son as he got out of the car.

"Thanks, mom! Love you!" Shaun replied before shutting the car door.

"I love you too!" She said as she drove away and to her job as airport security.

Shaun stood in front of the entrance of the school, he took a deep breath as he pushed the door open. Inside the building, other students were in the halls, talking to their friends, and others were walking to their classes to wait for them to start. However, they all stopped when they noticed Shaun enter. The Husky ignored their piercing glares as he walked past them, hearing them all talk about him as he made his way to the gym to wait for the first bell of the day. He entered the large gym, looking for his friends among the other dogs sitting on the bleachers. He saw them and began to approach them. As he got closer, he noticed a familiar Chow Chow talking with his friends.

"Hey, Shaun!" Adrian said to the Husky.

"Heyo AD. Judo, what are you doing here at my school?"

"I transferred here three days ago and met your friends. Sorry for not telling you, I wanted to surprise you." She explained while a small blush appeared on her face.

Shaun noticed it and blushed slightly as well. "Well, I'm glad you're here, but what made you come to this school?"

"Oh. Well…" Before Judo could explain, the bell rang, signaling to the students to head to class. "Thank goodness." she thought in her head.

"Aw man, it feels like we just got here. See you all at lunch!" Millie said as she made her way to class, followed by the rest of the friend group heading off to their classes as well.

Later that day during lunch, the four friends sat together. Shaun and Adrian complained about the school's pitiful excuse for lunch, while Millie and Judo shook their heads at the two boys and took out the food they brought from home for lunch. As they ate, Shaun looked across the lunchroom and saw Lance staring at him, just like last week, except this time he didn't look angry. He looked depressed. When the retriever noticed the husky looking at him, Lance looked away and went back to playing with his food, not really eating it and just drinking his orange juice carton. Shaun saw how different he acted and made a mental note to try and talk to Lance tomorrow, and apologize to him for what he did last week.

"Shaun? What are you looking at?" Milled asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Oh, I saw Lance looking at us, he doesn't seem like himself." Shaun was starting to feel worried for the retriever.

"Yeah, that's a good thing. Ever since what happened last week with you and him, he has been leaving us alone." Adrian explained.

"He has? That is good, but I feel sorry for him, he looks really sad."

"Are you okay mate? You didn't hit your head in that fight, did you?" Millie said, confused that Shaun would think that.

"Now come on, while I don't know anything about him besides what you guys have told me, I do have to agree with him, every time I see Lance, he always looks down and doesn't say a word." Judo said, siding with Shaun.

"Thanks, Jules." Shaun said staring into the Chow Chow's eyes and wagging his tail on the seat.

"Jules? I love that nickname." Judo replied while blushing, her tail also wagging.

Millie and Adrian looked at each other and smirked at how their friends were acting. The group went back to talking about other topics until lunch was over.

At the end of the day when school was over and it was time for the kids to go home, Shaun waited to be picked up. He saw the red car stop in the pickup area and expected it to be driven by his mother, only to see his dad in the driver's seat instead.

"Dad? Where's mom? I thought she was getting me?"

"Your mum has to stay at work for a few more hours, so it's just me at the house right now." Bandit replied as the started the car and began to drive back home.

"Are my sisters home?"

"Nah mate, I dropped them off at Uncle Stripe and Aunt Trixie's place to come and get you. Do you want to go there as well?

Shaun thought for a bit before replying to his father. Actually, could I have a sleepover at Judo's house?"

"Sure, I don't mind! I just have to make sure it's okay with Wendy first."

Shaun took out his phone and sent Judo a text, asking if he could have a sleepover. A few minutes later, she responded, saying she would ask her mother. When Bandit and Shaun got home, Judo texted the husky again, telling him it was fine and he could come over now. Shaun showed the text to his dad.

"Okay, mate! Let's get you ready for hanging out with your girlfriend." Bandit teased.

"Dad!" Shaun said as he playfully punched Bandit on his stomach.

He picked up Shaun like a sack of potatoes and carried him under his arm, while he unlocked the front door with his other hand and the two walked inside. Shaun grabbed a couple of things to take over to the house, he grabbed his toothbrush and toothpaste, a sleeping bag and pillow, as well as his drawing utensils so he and Judo could draw again. After he finished putting his stuff into a small bag, he headed to the bathroom. While washing his hands, he looked at himself in the mirror, thinking about how much his life had changed. He thought back to all the good memories he had of his uncle Rad and his mother. Falling into this strange version of his world with dogs, and how he too was a dog now. For the first time in a while, he finally felt truly happy and like he belonged here.

"If you're up there Mom, I hope you're proud of me. I'll keep moving forward, for the both of us." He said in his head as a happy tear came out of his eye. Shaun wiped it away and dried off his hands. He walked out of the bathroom, turned off the light, and closed the door, just as a hazy image of his mother appeared in the mirror and spoke.

"I am sweetie." Amy said smiling and looking at the bathroom door as she disappeared.