MacKenzie started to feel worried. He was wondering why these three were in his house and were acting so weird. More importantly, where were his parents? They should have been here? That was what they said, right? He felt a wave of panic hit him. A feeling he didn't felt for a long time.
About four years ago he felt it for the last time when he was struggling with the thought his mom abandoned him in a playground. But that turned out to be false memory. But was it true this time, he thought. Did they abandon him and did these three wanted to tell him that?

Slowly he walked towards the cough, the glass of lemonade still in his paw. He sat down in the middle between Chili and Calypso. He first looked at Calypso, then to Chili with a questioning face. The adults looked at him, then at each other and then everywhere were they could rest their eyes on. Non of them really knew how to start this conversation or how MacKenzie would react. The girls were waiting on Bandit to begin, but Bandit was waiting on Calypso to begin. The atmosphere in the room turns awkward.

After a couple of minutes of silence, which was not complete silent as the only sound in the room you could hear was the ticking of the clock on the wall and the freezer in the kitchen, MacKenzie started to feel annoyed.

''Well..'' he said irritated. ''Can someone please tell me what is going on?''

Bandit looked at Chili and gave her a nod, then turned to Calypso and did the same. He raised his finger to signaling that he would do it but they had to wait a minute. He stood up, walked to the kitchen and grabbed a can of beer from MacKenzie's dad out of the fridge. He opened the can and took a huge gulp. He sighed and crushed the can with his paw before throwing it away in the waste basket.
''You can do this Bandit. Just tell him and it will be over it''.

He walked back to the living room. He took a deep breath and walked to the couch. When he stood in front of it, he placed his paw on MacKenzie's shoulder and bends his knee to face him on the same level.

''MacKenzie. There is no easy way to sugarcoat it or to tell you this''. Bandit said in a voice and with a face that sounded and looked serious, but at the same time felt with full of pity and sorry.

MacKenzie looked back the woman next to him who looked down on him with the same face.
''What is going on? What is happening?'' MacKenzie said with a vibrating voice feeling very fearful of what possible thing Bandit wanted to tell him.

''MacKenzie. I'm so..so sorry that i have to be the one telling you this. Or that anyone had to tell you this'', Bandit continued.

Mackenzie felt that Calypso took his paw and rubbed the palm of his paw with her thumb and that Chili placed her arm around his back, holding him close to her.
Bandit looked him in the eye, coughed and continued.

''You know you and your parents were involved in a car accident?''
MacKenzie nodded yes.

''You have survived it son. But…*sigh* i'm sorry. Your parents did not. They are gone''.

The room felt silent. A eary silence. It even sounded like the clock on the wall had stopped ticking and that the freezer went silent. All three adults watched MacKenzie. He did not respond immediately. MacKenzie processed what he just heard and kept silent. After a minute he made a surprised face. He leant his head a bit to the left.

'Mr. Heeler. What do you mean with 'gone'? Were did they go to?'' he asked very slowly, with a trembling voice.

He knew what the sentence meant. Somewhere in his mind he knew what Bandit had said, but his conscience was still denying it. Hoping the sentence 'They are gone' ment they were just in a other town or went shopping and would come back later.

Bandit bit his lip again and placed a paw on MacKenzie's knee. A tear forming in the corner of his right eye.

''MacKenzie. Your mum and dad have died in that car crash. They are not alive anymore. I'm so… so sorry to tell you this'' Bandit said softly.

At that moment Mackenzie's mind just snapped and broke. He imagined a lot of things that would explain why he didn't hear from his parents the last couple of days. Like that they were really hurt, they were angry at him or that they abandoned him. But death... That did never crossed his mind. He wouldn't even dare to think that. Off all the worst possible scenarios his life could take, this was the worst.

It felt like his soul left his body at that point. He couldn't no longer feel Calypso or Chili touching him or Bandit talking to him. His surroundings just slowly faded for his eyes untill everything saw black. MacKenzie was still in the living room with body, but not with his mind or soul. They had left.

The adults meanwhile were worried as MacKenzie just felt silent. The look in his eyes was empty and he did not respond to their calls. Chili was slowly pulling his shoulders and calling his name. Calypso went to the kitchen, her eyes filled with tears, as she was making a cup of tea for herself and MacKenzie, and Bandit kept sitting how he sat and looked down to stare at the ground. When Calypso returned she held the fresh cup of tea under MacKenzie's nose hoping it would snap him out of his trance, but it did not work.

-
In MacKenzie's daydream:

MacKenzie meanwhile was in his own, dark world. In his mind he imagined himself floating in deep, dark space. He looked around him but saw nothing. Only complete darkness.
Suddenly he noticed that a purple woolen thread was tied around his waist. He looked were it was coming from, but he couldn't see it.
The other end just vanished in the darkness. He grabbed the thread with both of his paws and pulled himself.
It felt like an eternity but he felt that he was coming close to the other end of the rope.
Then… all the sudden he saw were that rope was connected to. A orange car that floated in that same dark space. His dad's car.

''Dad… Mum? Are you there?''

Suddenly the window of the drivers seat slowly opened. MacKenzie saw a black and white furred arm reaching out of the window.
Then followed by a other arm. A smaller one but with brown and white fur.
He saw that they were trying to reach him. MacKenzie pulled himself forwards faster and faster and faster to reach the arms.

''I'm coming!'' he yelled towards the car.

But how hard he pulled, the car and the arms of his parents stayed out of reach.
Suddenly he noticed a bright light. He turned around and saw a big, black car approaching him. He gasped and pulled harder untill he noticed the car wasn't nearing him, but the orange car.
''Watch out!'' MacKenzie yelled! But it was too late. He saw the black car hitting the orange car.
The orange car flew away in the darkness, causing the purple thread to snap.

''NOOOO!'' MacKenzie screamed as he grabbed the end of the broken thread. His life line was broken and he was all alone again in that dark space.

Back in the living room, Bandit sweeped away the tear from his eyes and looked at Chili. She also now had tears forming in her eyes as she kept rubbing MacKenzie's back.
Bandit was just about to say something to her when he suddenly noticed MacKenzie's leg starting to twitch. MacKenzie hadn't moved a muscle yet after Bandit told him the news. Bandit looked at MacKenzie's face and noticed a small tear falling from his left eye. Followed by a other from the right.

''Mac. Are you okay? Can i get you anything?'' Bandit asked. MacKenzie's eyes still looked empty, but now his lips starts to tremble.

Without a warning, MacKenzie broke the glass of lemonade that he was still holding in his paw. The stress on his body made his muscles contract causing the grip on the glass to be so strong it just broke. Pieces of glass and lemonde flew over him, Bandit, Chili and the cough. A lot of tiny pieces of glass entered his hand, causing it to bleed furiously on his fur and the floor.

Calypso immediately went to grab a first aid kit, while Bandit opend MacKenzie's paw. The three adults were busy to clean up his hand from splinters, stopping the bleeding and cleaning up the glass and lemonade.
MacKenzie didn't notice any of this happening as he was still staring at the wall, not present in the moment at all. Untill Calypso suddenly placed a cloth with iodine on his paw.
That's when MacKenzie snapped out of his trance as he felt the sharp pain of the iodine on his wounds. He looked at his paw. He saw Calypso cleaning it and that she already removed all glass splinters and was now putting bandage around it. He noticed and felt Chili comforting him and saw Bandit talking to him, but he did not hear what he was saying.

He turned his head again and his eyes were searching the walls of the living room untill they found what they were looking for.
They rested on a framed picture on the wall. It was the wedding picture of his parents. He saw them in their wedding outfits, smiling and just being happy. And alive.

That was when he really broke down as the truth all finally landed and settled in his mind. He started to bawl his eyes out and started screaming on top of his lungs. He felt in Chili's lap, his body just being limp apart from the jerking movements he made.

Meanwhile at Trixie and Stripe's house Bluey and Bingo were bored out of their minds.

They were playing a game of Pictionary at the kitchen table. Bluey and Muffin were a team. Blueys drawings were excellent as always, but Muffin never guessed what she drew. They were first in the race, but only because Bluey always guessed correct. It was all at a slow move. Bingo had to team up with Socks. Both of them didn't even know most of the words or characters on the cards. But somehow they were at second place and doing better then Trixie and Stripe who were a team and were in last place. Mainly because they were arguing over every card, move, drawing and even throwing the dice.

Bluey and Bingo just wanted to go home, but for some reason unknown to them both their parents were somewhere else and they didn't know where or why. Bluey was happy when she found out that Chili had taken a day off but was confused that she didn't spent it at home with them and was therefore disappointed.

When the game was finished both Bluey and Bingo stay seated at the table while Socks and Muffin watched television. Bluey was drawing while Bingo read a book.

''So Girls, what would you like to have for dinner tonight?'' asked Stripe who had his head poking in his fridge. ''We have some leftover spinach, beans or i could make some pizza if you want. I make them myself and i'm very good at it. Believe me, my homemade pizzas are way better than your dads. Would you two like to try that?''.

''You just want that'' said Trixie to herself.

''I heard that'' said Stripe without looking up.

''Well, what's not true about it!'' Trixie said.

Stripe ignored her and looked at the girls. ''Girls? Hello?''.

Both Bingo and Bluey looked up. Bingo: ''Sorry uncle stripe. But this book is so exciting! I wasn't paying attention, but beans sounds nice for tonight''. Bingo returned to reading as Stripe looked annoyed. That wasn't the answer he was looking for.
Trixie noticed it and couldn't help but smile.

''How about you Blue? Would you like pizza tonight? Made by your own uncle!''

Bluey gave him a akward smile.

''Oh come on. I work hard on these pizza's to give you the most quality-..uhh.. the supreme.. uh to give you that authentic masterchef Stripe experience!'' Stripe said with a big grin in an attempt to persuade her.

''Yeah, that's sounds fine'' Bleuy said with a small smile as she returned to her drawing.

''Yes!'' cheered Stripe as he pumped his fist and went to work on his pizza. Trixie rolled her eyes and then looked at her oldest niece and noticed something was off. She walked towards the table and sat next to Bluey.

''Hey girl. Is there something wrong?'' she said softly and sweet while placing a paw on Bluey's back.

Bluey sighed. ''I'm sorry aunt Trixie. I'm not quite there with my thoughts''.

''What's wrong honey?'' asked Trixie.

She sighed again; ''Well. Today at school i learned that one of my best friends was involved in a car accident and got hurt really bad''. Bluey explained while hanging her head low. Her ears drooped.

Trixie clapped a paw over her mouth. ''Oh my. That's horrible. I'm so sorry sweatheart. Who is it?'' she wanted to know.

''MacKenzie'' she answered.

Bingo heard it and also looked up now as she also heard this for the first time.
''MacKenzie was hit by a car? How? And how is he?'' she said surprised and worried.

''Hmm, MacKenzie. Mackenzie… That is that Border Collie boy, Right?'' asked Stripe listening to the conversation but not looking as he was concentrating on making dinner.

''Yeah that's him'' answered Trixie. ''You have met him several times before. You even met his father, Josh. You two were bickering about the football match on Bandit's birthday last year when we lost to New Zealand.''

''Well sorry. I met so many children and their parents the last couple of years. I can't remember them all, now can i?'' said Stripe annoyed.

Trixie just rolled her eyes as she looked back at Bluey. Bluey was answering Bingo's questions and was telling her what Calypso told her this morning.
''Poor MacKenzie'' Bingo said with a sad voice when her sister finished talking.

''Well, luckily he is healing and it's a good thing he can return home isn't it'' said Trixie reassuring.

''I just wish i knew about it sooner so i could have sent him a card or visit him in the hospital. I now look like a bad friend because now it looks like i didn't care enough about him.'' She said while she sobbed softly.

Trixie and Bingo gave her a hug as Trixie said: ''Now, now honey. You didn't know that he was hurt now did you? You also didn't know where he was. I think nobody knew. I'm sure he won't mind and that he will be happy to see you again soon.''

''I just wish i could see him now and tell him to get better. But Calypso said he needs rest and cannot have visitors at the moment. '' said Bluey sad.

''Well. I think as soon as he better he will ask you to come over, wont you think? It's important he gets some rest now'' said Trixie. Bluey nodded and gave her aunt a small smile.

''Oh wait!'' shouted Stripe all of the sudden. ''Ofcourse MacKenzie! He is that energetic boy from the birthdays!''.

''Good to know your memory is still up there somehwere'' said Trixie sarcastically.

''Well, unlike you apparently i also remember now that Bandit already talked about MacKenzie and that car accident the day before yesterday when he called and told us all of this.'' Stripe looked at his wife with a smug face. ''Ha! Don't you remember it?!'' Stripe was happy with himself that he remembered it before Trixie.

Trixie thought and suddenly also remembered it now. She remembered Stripe telling a vague story about his brother who would take care of a young boy involved in a car accident. As it was already late when they got the call and she was very tired she listened half to Stripe's retelling of the story and it didn't make much sence to her then. But she would ask Bandit or Chili the next day she thought then, but forgot.
But now she was connecting the dots and soon also realised that Bluey did not know anything about Bandit's involvement and that her father already knew and did not tell his daughter.
She tried desperately to silence Stripe, but he continued.

''Bandit also called this morning and told me that he would pick MacKenzie up from the hospital and bring him home today. That is were he and Chili are right now if i remember that correctly. You know because his parents are….'' he stopped suddenly. ''not.. also..home?''

Trixie was waving her arms in the air and put her finger before her mouth signaling him to shut up. Stripe looked at her, his face turning from self-satisfaction to one full of regret and then asked: ''She doesn't know, does she?'' while pointing at Bluey who stared at her uncle in disbelief with wide eyes and her mouth falling open.

Trixie slapped her hand on her forehead and whispered. ''No….''

-
Back at MacKenzie's house the situation wasn't changed that much. MacKenzie was still being held by Chili who was comforting him while he was crying for over a hour now. His eyes were dark red and the fur on his face was wet and sticky from the salty tears. Every now and then some snot flows out of his nose, which he cleans up with the fur on his arm before Bandit or Chili can give him a paper tissue.
Calypso felt like a third wheel and that she could't do much.

After another half an hour MacKenzie slowly stopped sobbing. He had no more tears or snot to share and felt really, really tired.

''Bandit, can you maybe help him to go to bed?'' Chili asked.
''Maybe he needs to freshen up first'' he said.

''No.. no. I just want to go to bed if you don't mind. I'm tired'' Mackenzie said with a hoarse voice.

''That's alright. I think it's a good idea to get some rest for now. Some sleep will do you alright. And then tomorrow morning a fresh shower to start the day and to let go of any bad energy that is left in you'' Calypso said. She tried to sound cheery for MacKenzie's sake, but she was just as emotional.

Bandit agreed and stood up and took MacKenzie's paw. MacKenzie lifted himself up from the cough and walked with Bandit to his room.
As Bandit opened the door, MacKenzie stared at it.
His room was just like he left it almost two weeks earlier. Nobody in the meantime had entered the room. The last person to ever be in this room was he on that day. The last time he left that room, he was happy he remembered. But that had changed.
It felt weird to be back in his room after not being there for days. But it also felt comfortable and trusted as he missed it. It was far better then the hospital. He turned to Bandit who looked at him.

''What happens now?'' he asked.

''Take some rest and some sleep for now, kid'' said Bandit kindly. ''Tomorrow we will talk further about some things and me and Calypso will answer all your questions, okay? For now, let it sink in and take it in, how ever hard it can be. Just know it's okay to cry, it's okay to be sad and angry. But for now take some rest and a shower tomorrow''.

''Mr. Heeler. I don't want to be alone tonight. Please don't leave.'' MacKenzie begged.

''No worries mate. I won't go anywhere. I brought my inflatable mattress and i will stay here tonight. I will be sleeping in the living room. If you need anything, or just want some one to talk to; just wake me up okay?. I'm here for you''.

MacKenzie nodded and looked grateful. He then hughed Bandit out of nowhere. Bandit surprised by this quickly returned the hug.

''And tomorrow?'' asked MacKenzie.

''Tomorrow as well. We won't let you alone. And the night after too, and after, etc. As long if you stay here, my or someone else will be here with you. But if you don't want to sleep here anymore, which we can understand, then you are more then welcome to stay over at my house. I have made the spareroom so you can sleep there any time right away. Just let me know, you promise?''

''I promise''. Said MacKenzie.

MacKenzie thought about that. He had mixed feeling about being home again. It was a trusted environment and he was happy to sleep in his own bed again, surrounded by his own stuff. But the rest of the house felt empty now. It missed something and MacKenzie knew what was missing. Maybe sleeping somewhere else would be good. He suddenly realised that it would mean that he would be sharing a house with Bluey, causing him to blush a little.

He quickly crawled in to his bed. It smelt and felt just like he remembered. And it lay way more comfortable than that dreadful hospital bed. Bandit placed a bottle of water next to the bed on the nightstand.

''I know this is a very difficult time right now MacKenzie. But please know that there are people here who will take care off you and care about you. You are not alone, please know that.'' Bandit said as he approached the door and was about to close it.

''Thank you mr. Heeler'' said MacKenzie while he still sobbed a little.

Bandit gave a little smile. ''As i said, no worries and no need to thank me''.
As he wanted to shut the door he heard MacKenzie asking one more thing: ''Wait before you go!''.

Bandit poked his head back in to the room. ''Would you please say to Calypso and Bluey's mum thank you on my behalf and that i really liked their support today? I'm sorry if i wasn't showing my gratitude more today.''

''Ofcourse, i will. No need for thanks remember and definitely do not be worried or think you were not grateful today. There is no need to as we fully understand how you feel.''

''Goodnight Mr. Heeler'' said MacKenzie as his eyes shut and he felt asleep.

''Goodnight MacKenzie and stay strong'' said Bandit as he closed the door.

In the living room Chili helped Bandit setting up his inflatable mattress. After that he, Chili and Calypso talked about the day and how it went. They were are all emotionally affected and they were all very tired. But they agreed that it went well apart from the breaking of the glass with lemonade.

Calypso promised Bandit to come back the next day so they could manage MacKenzie's finances and to try make contact with any family members so a funeral could be arranged for his parents. Chili also would come back the next day to have lunch with Bandit and MacKenzie, if the latter wanted any at all.

Chili and Calypso left and Bandit returned to the living room. He was now all alone. He had visited this home before many times but never really looked at the furnishings of the house. He looked at the walls, which were covered in wallpaper with vertical gray stripes and dark purple stripes. The furniture consisted of large, dark oak cabinets. One big cabinet facing the couch that consisted of a bookcase where some books were placed, some pots and dvd's. Then a other large wooden display case with little dolls (The collection of MacKenzie's mum), racecars (the collection of MacKenzie's dad) and souvenirs from places around the world. Inbetween these cabinets was a lower cabinet on which the TV stood. It was not a modern tv, but a old one with a big back. A picture tube TV. Bandit did not see one of these in ages. He walked towards the cabinet and picked up the remote and turned the tv on. For its age the quality was surprisingly good.

He sat down on the couch. It was, just like the rest of the furniture, a oldy. It was a grey fabric sofa where three people could sit on. The cussions were not original as they were big, blue and had flowers on them. Next to the couch stood the chair of MacKenzie's dad. It was a big, dark green relaxing chair. Also a old thing. He could see the chair was repaired a couple of times and the the fabric was replaced once or twice.

The coffee table he rested his feet on was one of the more modern items in the living room. It was a steel one with a big glass plate on top of it.
Further the walls were decorated with the wedding picture of the deceased parents, a baby picture of MacKenzie, a family portrait that was made two years earlier, a big wooden clock, a degree of one of the parents, a picture of some border-collies on a beach most likely to be MacKenzie's family in New-Zealand as he and his parents were also in the picture, a painting of a farm in the mountains somewhere in Scotland surrounded by sheep and a map of New-Zealand.

Behind the couch he was sitting on, was the passage that lead straight into the kitchen and dining room. You could see the kitchen and dining table from the living room. On his right side was a white door that lead towards a hallway in which the only bathroom and the bedroom of MacKenzie and his parents bedroom were connected. Next to the door stood a desk in the corner of the living room with a computer on it and a laptop laying beside it. A small, iron cabinet with four drawers stood next to the desk on the ground and a old black office chair sat behind it. On his left side was a other white door that lead towards the front door and the door to the garage.

Bandit just realised how small the house actually was. They had a garden that went all around the house, like he did. But nothing more. He looked again at the old furniture and for the first time he realised the Border Collies were not as wealthy as he or most of his friends were. It would explain why MacKenzie was the only child in Bluey's class without siblings. He just hoped it would be alright and that they left enough money for MacKenzie's future.

But he would worry about that tomorrow. Now he was about to watch a comedy on tv to lighten his mood.

Chili arrived back home. She saw Trixie's car parked in front of it. When she opened the door she saw Bingo and Trixie watching a comedy on tv

''Hi! I'm back home'' Chili said.

They turned around and gave her a smile. ''Hi Mum!'' Said Bingo happily as she waved to her mother.

''Hi sweetheart. How was your day?''

''It was alright. School was boring, but we had fun at Aunt Trixie and Uncle Stripe. But never, ever let uncle Stripe convince you to make pizza. That was digusting''.

''He did his best. But he really should just stick to the barbie and let my to all the other cooking.'' Trixie said.

''Thank you for bringing the kids home Trix. Much appreciated''.

''No problems girl. We had fun. I just took them back a bit early because Socks and Muffin needed some sleep and when there are visitors they are not to keen on going to sleep''.

Chili looked around. ''Where is your sister?'' she asked to Bingo.

''Well…'' said Bingo nervously. ''She is already gone to bed''.

''Was she that tired?'' Chili asked with a smile.

''No not really… she actually is very angry.''

Chili was a bit suprised to hear this. ''Why is that?''

''Well she is not angry at you. She is angry at dad''. Bingo explained.

Trixie picked up her keys and walked toward the front door. Before leaving she said to Chili: ''Take this from me. Let the girl blow off some steam now. Tomorrow she will most likely explain and than you can thank you brother-in law for speaking before thinking''.