Chapter 22: Snowflake's Confession

The pups and Ryder were concerned for the husky pup. Every time they tried to talk to her, Snowflake would just remind them how even if the fire was out of her control, Snowflake still felt guilty. Snowflake was with Marshall when hiking, so it was her responsible for his safety, and by following Marshall's orders to go get help, she had failed to keep her teammate and best buddy safe. It didn't help either that she had planned the hike specifically to tell Marshall how she felt about him. Of course, an emergency was more important than her feelings, and Snowflake understood that.

Ryder and the pups visited the vet to see Marshall twice a week, if not once or twice every other week. Marshall was making progress with healing, but given the injuries he had suffered, it was going to be a long time. Possibly even after he returned home. This only made Snowflake feel even more guilty with the forest fire, and thinking how she could have helped more. After returning from one of their visits, the pups were walking back from their vehicles talking about Marshall.

"I'm relieved Marshall's getting better. His skin is pink and bandaged but it will heal," Rubble solemnly.

"Yeah, and his fur will grow back, but we don't know how long that will take. Still, he'll look like himself soon," Skye replied.

"As long as Marshall gets better and can continue being a fire and EMT pup, that's what's most important," Chase commented sincerely.

"And we'll help however we can!" Zuma added happily, trying to lighten the mood.

"We just have to wait and hope Marshall keeps getting better. It's been almost two months, and he's actually doing pretty good!" Rocky responded, also in a positive tone. Everyone smiled sadly before the husky replied.

"We wouldn't have to, if I had paid more attention to the weather. I'm the one who asked to go on a hike in the woods. It's my fault Marshall's in this mess" Snowflake said solemnly. Everyone turned to her in shock.

"Snowflake, we've been through this before; Marshall getting injured WASN'T your fault!" Skye told the husky. Snowflake looked up at them.

"How Skye?! I may not be able to control the weather, but I'M the one who asked to go on a hike. I'M the one who was with Marshall when the storm happened. I'M the one who should have been responsible for his safety, as well as watching the weather and LOOK ... WHAT ... HAPPENED!" Snowflake retorted, her voice rising in tone, and a look of helplessness in her eyes.

"Even if that was true, you tried your best. You can't blame yourself for something out of your control. Sometimes our rescues don't work out, and Ryder needs a backup pup or two. These situations happen," Chase emphasized sympathetically.

"THAT DOESN'T MATTER CHASE! Those are PLANNED rescues! This was unexpected! I should have taken precautions but didn't, and now Marshall's in the vet because of that! He's in the vet ... because I didn't keep us safe. He's hurt ... because of me," Snowflake exclaimed, now with watery eyes look back at her friends.

"Snowflake, we understand you feel guilty fow what happened, but you did what was best at the moment. No pup is pewfect, and we don't blame you for what happened to Marshall," Zuma told the husky sincerely and softly.

"Zuma's right. None of us are upset with you. Why is this such a big deal to you if it wasn't your fault? The storm is what caused the fire and fallen trees, not you. You did nothing wrong Snowflake," Rocky agreed generously.

Snowflake's face grew even more upset as a tear started to roll down her furry check. Suddenly, she gave a low growl - something that surprised the pups - before practically screaming: "IT'S A BIG DEAL BECAUSE MARSHALL WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY! I DIDN'T THINK SOMETHING BAD WOULD HAPPEN, AND IT DID! I SHOULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER FRIEND BY TAKING PRECAUTIONS, AND BECAUSE I COULDN'T, MARSHALL'S BURNT UP AT THE VETS! I FAILED TO BE A GOOD FRIEND BY KEEPING HIM SAFE, AND NOW MY TEAMMATE AND BEST FRIEND IS HURT BECAUSE OF ME! I. HURT. MARSHALL!"

Snowflake could feel all the reactions in her body; racing heartbeat, shaking voice, uncontrollably emotions, watery eyes, built up shame being released, along with other emotions! But the one thing she felt the most, was a deep, sinking, stabbing, rock bottom feeling in her heart. A feeling that her heart was starting to break, but she forced herself to keep the walls up. She looked back at the pups with a few tears running down her face, and a look of deep, sincere hurt, regret, blame, and guilt before running back into her pup house, and shutting the door.

"Snowflake..." Skye said softly before turning go the other pups. Everyone was shocked at how Snowflake had reacted, and upon looking towards the Lookout entrance, they saw Ryder standing in disbelief. The boy motioned with his hand for them to follow inside, which they did without hesitation. Everyone was silent about what had occurred, hoping not to make Snowflake or anyone else upset.

That didn't stop the rescue husky from trying her best not to fully break down. While everything she had said was true, there was one detail she had left out, and she knew if she spilled the beans, it may have changed the pup's prospective on her and Marshall. She was not about to ruin that. The team didn't need to know, and it would only have complicated her relationships further. She had to be strong, until the time felt right.

Nobody said anything after Snowflake's big emotional moment, fearing it would only drive her into solitary living until the others quit bother her about the issue, and her emotions. Ryder had an idea why Snowflake reacted the way she did, but didn't push for the same reason as the others. As he stayed up one night, he thought about what Snowflake had argued as well as the interactions she and Marshall shared.

"I know Snowflake is nervous about how he'll react, but if her reaction to how the pups tried to comfort her is any indication, there's no doubt Snowflake loves Marshall. She doesn't even know Marshall shares the same mindset. Still, I have a feeling she's going to confess soon. I'm worried about her, it's not healthy to keep these feelings hidden for so long," Ryder told himself as he pondered the situation. Well, all he could do was wait.

A week later, and everyone went to the vet to see Marshall again. However, due to the possibility of an emergency, most of the team left in the mid-afternoon, leaving Ryder and Snowflake the only ones in the room with Marshall. Snowflake and Ryder sat on two blue, round, medical chairs near Marshall's bed as they looked at the lying Dalmatian.

"You want me to get you something to eat or drink?" Ryder asked kindly, gently petting the husky pup's back.

"I had something this morning. Remember?" Snowflake reminded the boy. Ryder nodded.

"I was just asking. Maybe we can stay for a while longer, then join the other pups? Even if we just hang out or help with rescues," Ryder commented softly.

"We've been doing that a lot lately. I know rescues and relaxing are important, but it feels like that's all we do since Marshall ended up hurt," Snowflake replied sadly. Ryder nodded again, knowing Snowflake was right. He kept petting her for a minute, then put his hand on his knee. Snowflake hopped up before putting her paws and head gently on Marshall's belly. This surprised Ryder, since the husky pup wasn't so affectionate before in the past few months.

"Snowflake, Marshall will be okay. You heard what the vet told us," Ryder reminded her softly.

"I know Ryder, but ... even though Marshall will be okay, I don't know how much longer I can wait to let him. Not just how sorry I am, but what I was going to tell him on our walk," Snowflake responded sadly. Ryder sighed.

"I know Ryder, but ... even though Marshall will be okay, I don't know how much longer I can wait to let him know just how sorry I am. I didn't get to say what I was going to tell him on our walk," Snowflake responded sadly. Ryder sighed.

"Snowflake, I'm worried about you. You told me about your feelings, and I understand your concerns, but I'm sure Marshall would understand. Even with your concerns," Ryder told the husky pup sympathetically.

"How do you know, Ryder? Marshall didn't say anything to me or you. Did he?" Snowflake retorted before questioning the possibility.

"I'm not saying. However, from what he did say, I think he would understand what you're feeling," Ryder explained. Snowflake nodded before turning back to the pup on the bed. Snowflake whined as her eyes watered; she couldn't hold it in any longer. Even if her efforts were for nothing, having her feelings expressed to Marshall was important to her.

"Marshall, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you got burned and injured. I'm sorry for leaving to get help, I should have stayed with you ..." Snowflake looked to Ryder with teary eyes before the boy smiled, and nodded for her to continue. She turned back to Marshall and kept talking.

"... However, I know getting help was the right thing to do, but I wish I could have helped sooner. I'm sorry that our hike was interrupted by the storm, but at least the both of us are safe now. However, I never got to tell you what I wanted to say on our hike. ... Marshall, I love you, and not just as a friend. I love how cute you look, your silly, nerdy, kind personality, your hard work on the team, the dangerous missions you dedicate yourself to, how patient you are, everything! I think you're a great teammate and a wonderful friend. I didn't say anything because, I didn't want my feelings to ruin our friendship or our relationship as teammates. I don't know if you feel the same way or not, but I just wanted to let you know how I felt. I just hope we can still be friends and teammates no matter what either of us feel! If you don't feel the same way, I understand. I - I love you Marshall, I love you, buddy."