It had been seven months since the tragic crash involving Richard, the Border Collie, and the devastation of Cyclone Pisang. Life had moved on, though the scars of the past remained for many. Wendy, who had experienced so much, found love once again and married Lukas Anthony Weaver, a kind-hearted and responsible man. Their marriage was new, just two months old, and they had settled into their small but cozy Carolina-blue house next to Bandit's.
The house itself was charming—modest in size, with hedges lining the front and potted plants scattered about, giving it a fresh and welcoming feel. It had a white roof and a matching front door, which made it stand out in the neighborhood. It wasn't large, but it was home. Wendy lived here with her daughter Judo, who was now Lukas' stepdaughter. The three of them had slowly been building their life together.
That morning, Lukas stood on the front porch, ready to head to work. He was an accountant at the Bank of Queensland, and despite the big responsibilities of being a boss for his team at the bank, he always found time to connect with his family. He grabbed the keys to Wendy's car, a blue 2008 Volkswagen Golf, which had carried many memories—like the time Wendy took Chilli to the hospital. Though Lukas wasn't there back in March, Wendy had shared the story with him before they got married. Now, that car symbolized a shared life and all that came with it.
As Lukas drove off to his office at 100 Skyring Terrace in Newstead, Brisbane, the streets were just beginning to stir with the morning rush. He liked his job; he had been with the bank for around two years now, steadily working his way up. But there was always a small pang of anxiety when leaving Wendy and Judo behind, especially in the wake of everything that had happened in their lives.
Meanwhile, at Bandit's house, things were a little livelier. Hoshi, a wolf with sharp instincts, and Oliver, a friendly Golden Labrador Retriever, were staying at Bandit's place. Bandit had guests over, and it seemed like the house was buzzing with activity. Parked in front of Bandit's house was their 2022 Ford Ranger, gleaming in the sun.
Oliver, always curious, had started wandering toward Wendy's house, tempted to knock on the door and say hello. But Hoshi, ever the cautious one, stopped him in his tracks.
"Oli, don't go there," Hoshi said, his voice calm but firm. "We better get back to our business. We shouldn't bother them."
Oliver looked back at Wendy's house, then shrugged. "Yeah, you're right," he said, turning to follow Hoshi. They had their own tasks to attend to, and there was no need to intrude.
Inside Wendy's house, things were quiet. Lukas had taken the car to work, leaving Wendy alone for the morning. With nothing much to do, she sat down on the couch and turned on the TV, letting the sounds fill the empty space. She wasn't lonely, but she did miss the constant buzz of her daughter Judo and her new husband Lukas around.
For now, she waited—patiently, peacefully—knowing that her family would soon return and their small but lovely house would once again be full of life.
Lukas had just wrapped up his morning at the office in Newstead, Brisbane, where he managed his team with care and precision. Ensuring his workers stayed on track, he also made sure the security system of the Bank of Queensland was in order before heading out for lunch. The day had started clear, but as noon approached, the weather subtly shifted to scattered clouds, though the air remained calm.
Lukas climbed into Wendy's blue 2008 Volkswagen Golf and began driving through the streets of Brisbane, looking for a good place to grab lunch. However, as he navigated through the city, he noticed a commotion in the middle of the road. Cars were slowing down, and a small crowd had gathered on the sidewalk. As he got closer, he saw a fight breaking out—a scene that instantly grabbed his attention.
Pat, a familiar face, was at the center of the chaos. Pat, a Golden Retriever, was well known as Janelle's husband and Lucky and Chucky's dad. To Lukas' shock, Pat was being attacked by a male Pitbull named Gregory Maurice, who, without any clear reason, had sunk his teeth into Pat's right arm. Despite the efforts of eight bystanders trying to pull Gregory off, the Pitbull's grip was vicious and unyielding.
Lukas could see the panic in Pat's eyes as he struggled to free himself. The bystanders were doing their best—punching, pulling, and even using objects to hit Gregory—but nothing seemed to work. Pat's arm was bleeding heavily, and Lukas knew he had to act quickly.
Without a second thought, Lukas parked his car, rushed over to the scene, and shoved his way through the crowd. Using his strength, Lukas grabbed Gregory by the collar and forcefully yanked his mouth open, freeing Pat's arm. Gregory finally released his grip, and the crowd let out a collective sigh of relief as Pat stumbled backward, clutching his bloodied arm in agony. He was in visible pain, his arm covered in blood, but he was alive—and Lukas had saved him from further injury.
As Pat was dragged away from the fray by a couple of kind bystanders, the tension in the air turned toward Gregory. Anger brewed in the crowd, and several onlookers began to scold and mock the Pitbull.
"You're such an asshole!" a female Tibetan Mastiff yelled at Gregory, her voice filled with disgust.
"You're the most horrible person I've ever seen!" an elderly male Dachshund added, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Fuck you, moron! F-U-C-K you!" a young male Kintamani shouted, his frustration palpable.
Someone in the crowd had snapped a picture of Gregory biting Pat's arm, and within minutes, the image had gone viral on Instagram and Facebook. People everywhere were outraged at Gregory's unprovoked violence, and soon the news reached far and wide, including to Yafie Achmad Raihan, who was at his apartment in Fortitude Valley at the time.
Yafie, a Red Kelpie, Border Collie, Blue Heeler, and Black Labrador mix, was scrolling through his phone when he saw the viral news article. His heart sank as he read the details of the attack, and anger filled him when he saw the photo of Pat's bloodied arm in Gregory's jaws. Yafie had always been protective of those in his community, and seeing a friend hurt this way made his blood boil.
Determined to do something, Yafie immediately left his apartment and made his way through the bustling streets, tracking down any information he could find about Gregory. After searching for a while, he finally spotted the Pitbull in a nearby alley, looking unfazed by the chaos he had caused earlier.
Yafie's eyes narrowed as he approached Gregory, his muscles tensing with determination. This was far from over.
As soon as Yafie spotted Gregory Maurice, the rage that had been building inside him exploded. Without hesitation, he lunged at the Pitbull, adrenaline pumping through his veins. "You better get this before you fucking escape, motherfucker!" Yafie growled, his voice filled with fury.
The two collided violently, fists and teeth flying. Gregory managed to land a punch to Yafie's head, causing him to stagger for a moment. But Yafie, fueled by anger and a need to protect his community, quickly regained his footing. With a swift push, he slammed Gregory onto the concrete and, without thinking, sank his teeth into the Pitbull's neck, locking his bite.
The fight drew attention, and it wasn't long before the Brisbane police were alerted to the scene. Officers rushed in, yelling at Yafie to stop and warning him to release Gregory. But Yafie was blinded by rage and the adrenaline rushing through his system. Despite the police hitting him with batons, trying to pry him off, Yafie's jaws remained clamped around Gregory's neck. Blood started to spill onto the pavement, a gruesome sight that left bystanders horrified.
Finally, as the realization of what he was doing began to sink in, Yafie loosened his grip. Gregory's neck was covered in blood, and though no one had been killed, the situation was far more serious than Yafie had intended. The police moved in to arrest Yafie, who now stood frozen in shock. His chest heaved with heavy breaths, his mind racing as guilt overwhelmed him. He knew he had gone too far.
As the police handcuffed him, Yafie resisted at first, still trying to make sense of what had just happened. But as he looked at the blood on Gregory's neck, and then at his own hands, he stopped fighting. His aggressive actions had landed him in serious trouble—charged with aggravated assault, his fate uncertain.
Meanwhile, back at the initial scene of the attack, Lukas was doing everything he could to help Pat, who was still reeling from the pain of his injury. Lukas knelt beside him, trying to assess the damage. "Are you okay?" Lukas asked, his voice trembling with concern.
"My arm! Shit, it hurts!" Pat yelled, his face twisted in agony as he clutched his bloodied right arm. "Call me a doctor! Please! There's no more fucking time!" he screamed, desperation in his voice.
Lukas wasted no time, pulling out his phone and dialing 000. "000, what's yo—" the female dispatcher began, but Lukas cut her off in his panic.
"We need police and paramedics, RIGHT NOW!" Lukas shouted, the intensity of his voice startling the dispatcher.
"Whoa, mate, you're scaring me. What's your problem?" she replied, trying to keep the situation calm.
"There's no more time! Please send paramedics, police, the fire department—whatever! There's someone injured right now!" Lukas's voice cracked with both urgency and fear.
"Okay, I'll send them right now!" the dispatcher assured him. The call ended abruptly as Lukas dropped the phone, turning his attention back to Pat.
"I've called for emergency services. They're on their way. Hang on, mate," Lukas said, trying to comfort Pat, though his own hands were shaking.
Within minutes, the sound of sirens filled the air. Three minutes after the call, police units arrived on the scene, quickly assessing the situation. Just two minutes later, paramedics arrived and immediately began tending to Pat, who was writhing in pain. They carefully lifted him onto a stretcher and secured his arm, preparing him for transport to the hospital.
Lukas stood by, watching as the medics worked, feeling a mix of relief and guilt. He had helped, but the violence and chaos of the day weighed heavily on him. As Pat was loaded into the ambulance, Lukas glanced down the street, where he could see the aftermath of Yafie's fight with Gregory Maurice. The situation had spiraled so far out of control that even Lukas, who had witnessed it all, struggled to comprehend how things had gotten this bad.
After the chaotic noon incident, Bandit sat down in his living room, flipping through channels until he stopped on the news. The screen displayed two related incidents involving biting and fighting, and to his surprise, one of the people involved was his neighbor, Pat. Bandit was shocked to learn that Pat had been attacked by a Pitbull named Gregory Maurice.
Concerned, Bandit immediately called Pat's phone, but there was no answer. Growing more worried, he rushed next door to Pat's house and knocked on the door. "Janelle!" Bandit called out in a loud, concerned voice. After a few moments, the door opened, but it wasn't Janelle—it was Chucky, their son.
"What's wrong, Bluey's dad?" Chucky asked, looking confused.
"Where's Janelle?" Bandit asked urgently.
"She's...she's..." Chucky hesitated, trying to remember. "She's where?" Bandit's tone became almost threatening in his panic.
"Mum! There's someone at the door!" Chucky called into the house. Moments later, Janelle appeared at the door, her face filled with concern.
"What's wrong, Mr. Heeler? What are you doing here?" Janelle asked, her worry growing as she saw Bandit's serious expression.
Bandit took a deep breath before explaining. "Pat was attacked by someone… he's—"
But Janelle interrupted, her voice rising with panic. "What the fuck is wrong with him? Did he make any mistakes? Did you do this?"
"Hey, no prejudice, please. He was attacked by a Pitbull named Gregory Maurice, and after that, he was attacked by another man—Yafie Achmad Raihan. Yafie was trying to help after Gregory bit Pat," Bandit explained, dismissing Janelle's initial reaction. "I was at my house when it happened, so there's no way I could've been involved."
Just as Bandit was about to leave, Wendy arrived at Pat's house, having also seen the news. "What's going on here?" Wendy asked.
"There was an incident in the city. Janelle's husband was attacked by a Pitbull," Bandit started to explain, but Wendy quickly interrupted.
"I saw the news too! I knew about it…"
Bandit cut her off, looking determined. "And now Yafie's in trouble for biting the suspect. He did the right thing, but his actions are being punished, which is unacceptable. We need to team up and fight for justice for Yafie."
"Yeah, justice for Yafie!" Janelle echoed in agreement.
Without wasting any time, Bandit, Janelle, and Wendy started a petition to free Yafie from any charges. The community rallied behind them, and the petition quickly gained traction. Over time, they managed to raise 2 million Australian dollars in support of Yafie's defense.
As the police investigation wrapped up, Yafie's court date arrived. His lawyer, a 50-year-old male Border Collie and Cane Corso mix, stood by his side in the courtroom. Yafie, now the defendant, watched as Gregory Maurice's family glared at him from across the room.
Yafie's lawyer presented the case, explaining the chronology of events that led to the aggravated assault charge. Meanwhile, Bandit arrived at the courthouse with the funds from the petition, showing the overwhelming community support for Yafie.
The jury deliberated, and after hearing all the evidence and seeing the community's backing, they found Yafie not guilty. The courtroom erupted in relief as Yafie was set free. Gregory Maurice's family was furious with the verdict, but there was no denying that Yafie had won his case.
Thanks to the support from Bandit, Wendy, Janelle, and the entire community, Yafie walked out of the courtroom a free man. The day had been saved, not only by Yafie's brave actions but by the collective effort of his friends and neighbors who stood by him when it mattered most.
The day after Yafie was cleared in court, he woke up feeling lighter than he had in weeks. As he sat in his apartment, there was a knock at the door. Opening it, he saw Lukas, Pat, Adam, and Bandit, all there to visit and check on him. Lukas was Jill's brother and Bandit's neighbor, Adam was Bandit's friend since Richard's accident, and Pat lived next door to Bandit.
Yafie welcomed them inside and told them to take a seat in the guest room. Pat, still recovering from his injuries, was the first to speak. "Hey, mate, thanks for stepping in and dealing with that Pitbull bastard. Without you, he might've done worse to others."
"I know," Yafie replied. "That day, I was just going about my usual routine when I saw the breaking news on my phone. I tracked the Pitbull down; his mouth was still covered in blood. When I found him, I knew I had to stop him from escaping and teach him a lesson for what he did to you. It's karma. And yes, karma can be a real bitch."
Turning to Bandit, Yafie added, "Bandit, thanks for starting that petition. Without it, I might've ended up in jail."
Bandit smiled, touched by the gratitude. "Thanks, mate. That means a lot."
"You're Pat's hero, Yafie," Adam chimed in with a grin.
"At least that whole commotion is behind us," Lukas said, nodding.
As the day wore on and evening approached, Yafie decided to prepare dinner for his friends. He kept it simple and made sure everything was halal. The group sat down to a meal, talking about their daily lives. Bandit shared stories about his time with his daughters, Bluey and Bingo. Lukas talked about his work at the bank. Pat, now healing, mentioned spending time with his son Lucky and watching cricket. Adam, who had been going through personal issues, shared how he was continuing therapy and managing his job. Yafie also opened up about his life, mentioning how he spent his days playing and browsing the web.
As the night grew late, Adam, Bandit, Pat, and Lukas stood up, thanking Yafie for dinner. They waved goodbye as they headed back to their homes, where their wives waited for them. Yafie, however, returned to his apartment alone, feeling a mix of contentment and loneliness as the quiet settled in.
He closed the door, knowing that despite being by himself, he had good friends by his side. With that comforting thought, Yafie prepared for bed, ready to face whatever came next.
The next day, Bandit, Chilli, Bluey, and Bingo packed into their black 2024 Toyota Fortuner and headed down to the Gold Coast. Their destination was Chris and Bob's apartment, where Bluey and Bingo would spend time with their Nana. Meanwhile, Stripe and Trixie, along with their daughters Muffin and Socks, were also heading to the same place, driving their black 2020 Audi Q7 S-Line. They had the same plan: drop off their kids and spend some time helping a friend.
At the same time, Adam, Jill, and their son Ricky were making their way to the Gold Coast in their silver 2022 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. They wanted to take Ricky to the beach for some fun in the sun. Richard, Loren, and their son Mackenzie were also heading to the Gold Coast in Richard's orange 2024 Isuzu D-MAX. Once they arrived, Mackenzie and Ricky immediately started playing together in the sand, their laughter filling the beach as Richard and Adam caught up.
"It's been seven months since we started reconnecting," Adam said as they watched their kids play.
"Yeah, since my accident on that stormy day," Richard added, his voice heavy with the memory. "That one-day coma was hard, and the events after that... I still think about it."
Adam, sensing his friend's sorrow, placed a reassuring hand on Richard's shoulder. "It's okay, mate. That was a long time ago. You've come a long way since then."
Meanwhile, Bandit and Stripe had arrived at Chris and Bob's apartment. When Bob answered the door, he was met by Bandit and Stripe with their daughters—Bluey, Bingo, Muffin, and Socks—eager to see their Nana. After settling the kids in, Bandit explained that he and Stripe needed to head to Fortitude Valley.
"We're going to support someone important," Bandit said, glancing at Stripe.
"His name is Yafie Achmad Raihan," Stripe added.
Chris smiled warmly at her sons. "You're doing a good thing, helping out like that. You're good citizens, Bandy and Stripy."
After the drop-off, Bandit and Chilli in the Toyota Fortuner and Stripe and Trixie in the Audi Q7 headed towards Fortitude Valley, leaving Bob and Chris with their grandkids. The children, full of energy, quickly requested a trip to the beach.
"Nana, can we go to the beach?" Bluey asked, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Please, Nana!" Bingo chimed in, echoed by Muffin and Socks.
Bob, amused by their enthusiasm, smiled and nodded. "Alright, we're going to the beach!"
"Hooray!" the kids shouted in unison as they hurriedly prepared.
Soon, Bob, Chris, and the four excited girls made their way to the beach, where they were greeted by Adam, Jill, Ricky, Richard, Loren, and Mackenzie. Bluey and Bingo introduced their Nana and Grandpa to the Campbell family and Mackenzie's family. The adults chatted while keeping an eye on the children, who wasted no time diving back into their sandcastle building.
The beach was filled with the sound of waves crashing and children's laughter. Under the warm Gold Coast sun, the two families bonded, sharing stories, laughter, and memories, while their kids played together, deepening their friendships in the golden sands.
On the same day, Bandit, Chilli, Stripe, and Trixie arrived at Yafie's apartment. They gathered in the guest room, aiming to support Yafie during this difficult time after the court case. Though he had won thanks to Bandit's petition, Yafie still felt the weight of the events pressing down on him.
"Thanks, Bandit. Thanks, Stripe. You're the best pals I've ever had," Yafie said, tears of relief filling his eyes. The support from his friends made him feel safe and comforted in a way he hadn't experienced in a long time.
Seeing the emotional toll it took on him, Bandit suggested something to lighten the mood. "How about coming to the Gold Coast with us? We could all use a little fun in the sun."
Yafie thought for a moment, then nodded eagerly. "I'd love that!"
Soon, they were on their way. Bandit, Chilli, and Yafie hopped into Bandit's black Toyota Fortuner, while Stripe and Trixie followed closely in their sleek black Audi Q7. As they drove, Bandit connected his phone to the car's hands-free system to call his mum.
"Mum, where are you?" he asked as the call connected.
"I'm at the beach nearby my apartment," Chris replied cheerfully.
"Okay, I'm on my way! See you soon!" Bandit said, ending the call with a smile.
The drive to the beach was filled with light chatter and laughter, a welcome distraction for Yafie as they left the weight of the past behind them. They arrived at the beach, where the sun sparkled on the water, and the sound of waves crashing brought a sense of peace.
Once they got out of the car, they spotted Bob, Chris, Bluey, Bingo, Muffin, Socks, Adam, Jill, Ricky, Richard, Loren, and Mackenzie, who were all enjoying the beach day. Bandit, Chilli, Stripe, and Trixie made their way over, excited to introduce Yafie.
"Hey, everyone!" Bandit called out, waving.
"Hi, Bandit! Hi, Chilli! Who's your friend?" Chris asked, noticing Yafie.
"This is Yafie, a good friend of ours," Bandit said, stepping forward. "He's been through a tough time, and we wanted to bring him here to cheer him up."
As they gathered around, Yafie felt a rush of warmth and acceptance from the group. He smiled shyly, his nerves easing. "Hi, guys!"
"Hi, Yafie!" came the enthusiastic response from Bob, Chris, Bluey, Bingo, Muffin, Socks, Jill, Ricky, Richard, Loren, and Mackenzie, all in unison.
Yafie couldn't help but feel welcomed by these new faces. It felt like a fresh start, a moment where he could truly enjoy life without the shadows of yesterday lingering over him. As the group began to chat and laugh, Yafie felt a renewed sense of hope.
"Let's hit the water!" Bluey suggested, and soon enough, the children were racing toward the waves, followed by the adults who joined in the fun.
Yafie laughed, feeling lighter than he had in days. Surrounded by friends and laughter, he knew this was just the beginning of brighter days ahead.
In the afternoon, the group was winding down after a fantastic day at the beach. Bob and Chris decided it was time to head back to their apartment, while Adam, Jill, and Ricky planned to return home to Samford Valley. Richard, Loren, and Mackenzie volunteered to drop off Yafie at Fortitude Valley before heading back across the park to their own home. Stripe and Trixie, along with Muffin and Socks, also said their goodbyes as they left for home. Bandit and Chilli gathered Bluey and Bingo, ready to return to their house in the Hill in the Gap.
As Bandit parked his black 2024 Toyota Fortuner in the driveway, they noticed Lukas had just returned with his new car. It was a striking red 2024 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2, its front section resembling Adam's 2022 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
"Mate, is this your car?" Bandit asked, genuinely curious.
"Not for now. Maybe later, I'll do," Lukas replied jokingly, though the red pickup was indeed his, a purchase he had made last September.
"Nice wheels, mate!" Bandit complimented, admiring the shiny new vehicle. "You'll have to take us for a spin sometime!"
"Absolutely! Just wait until I get the hang of it," Lukas said with a grin, clearly excited about his new ride.
As the day came to a close, Bandit and Lukas exchanged friendly farewells, with Bandit saying, "See you around, mate! Drive safely!"
"Will do! Catch you later!" Lukas replied, waving goodbye as he headed inside with Wendy and Judo after their outing at New Farm Park.
Bandit watched as Lukas and his family entered their house before heading inside with Chilli, Bluey, and Bingo. The Heeler household was filled with chatter about their day, the excitement still lingering from the beach fun and the new friends Yafie had made.
Meanwhile, Richard, Loren, and Mackenzie dropped Yafie off at Fortitude Valley, where he felt grateful for the support he had received. "Thanks for the ride, guys. I really appreciate it," Yafie said, his heart feeling light after such a positive day.
"No problem! It was great to have you with us," Richard replied with a smile. "You're always welcome to join us anytime."
Yafie waved goodbye as they drove off, feeling the warmth of friendship surrounding him. He turned to head inside, looking forward to what the next day would bring. The sense of community among his friends reassured him that he wasn't alone in facing the challenges ahead.
As he settled in for the evening, he reflected on how much support he had received, and he felt more hopeful than ever for the future.
The next morning at Yafie's apartment, he heard a knock at the door. "Hello? Anybody there?" came a familiar voice. It was Hoshi, a Wolf, standing at the entrance. "It's not locked!" Yafie called out from inside, and Hoshi let himself in.
"I heard you're still struggling with everything that happened a few weeks ago. Is it true?" Hoshi asked with concern as he sat down beside Yafie.
"Yeah..." Yafie replied, showing Hoshi a news article on his phone about the incident with Gregory Maurice and Pat, and how Yafie's intervention led to the Pitbull getting what he considered karma.
Hoshi, trying to lift Yafie's spirits, said, "Hey, how about we go to The Peanut? You know, get out of the house for a bit?"
"Nah… it's too far," Yafie said, shaking his head. "How about CrazyWorld? I remember Bluey and Bingo telling me about their visit there."
"CrazyWorld sounds perfect!" Hoshi agreed with excitement.
Soon after, they hopped into Hoshi's 2021 Honda CR-V and made their way to CrazyWorld, a popular amusement park known for its wild rides, colorful attractions, and the giant purple squirrel statue in the center—the park's quirky mascot. As they arrived, the sight of the lively park seemed to do wonders for Yafie's mood.
The two friends spent the day riding roller coasters, taking in the fun attractions, and laughing like they hadn't in weeks. Each ride seemed to help Yafie let go of the weight he had been carrying since the incident, restoring a sense of joy and freedom that he thought he'd lost.
With the sun setting on the horizon, Hoshi and Yafie decided it was time to head back. As they drove back to Yafie's apartment, Yafie couldn't help but feel a new sense of peace. "Thanks for today, Hoshi. I really needed that," Yafie said, smiling.
"Anytime, man. You deserve to feel good again," Hoshi replied warmly.
When they arrived at the apartment, Hoshi said goodbye and headed home, leaving Yafie with a renewed sense of happiness. As Yafie closed the door behind him, he realized that, with the help of friends like Hoshi, he could reclaim the pieces of himself that the past few weeks had taken away. He finally felt ready to move forward, one step at a time.
The next morning, Yafie woke up feeling lighter than he had in weeks. After the long, stressful ordeal, he felt it was time to share his relief with the world. Picking up his phone, he opened Instagram, Threads, BSky, Mastodon, and Facebook, posting for the first time since the incident. His first post read, "Finally! I'm Free!" The words carried a triumphant tone, reflecting the weight that had been lifted from his shoulders.
His second post followed quickly: "Thank you guys, you're the reason I'm free! Without y'all, I'd be stuck in endless sadness." It was a heartfelt message of gratitude to everyone who had supported him—especially Bandit, Wendy, and the community who had rallied behind him with the petition.
And for the final post, Yafie typed with enthusiasm: "Now, I'M REALLY FREE FROM ANY ISSUES! HOORAY!" His joy was contagious, and soon, comments of support and love began flooding in.
Everyone who saw these posts couldn't help but smile. The Heeler family, the Campbell family, the Chow Chow-Weaver family, the Border Collie family—everyone felt a sense of closure and happiness for Yafie. Even Yafie's family back in Indonesia saw the posts and were thrilled to see their son feeling free and content again.
On the other side of Brisbane, things were quite different for Gregory Maurice and his family. Gregory and his father, John Maurice, were serving their sentences at the Brisbane Correctional Center, while Gregory's mother, Ella Nelson, was housed at Brisbane Women's Correctional Center. The Maurice family had been sentenced for their involvement in various crimes, including the attack on Pat that set off the chain of events. Now behind bars, they had no part in the celebrations happening in the wider community.
Yafie's social media updates didn't just stay on the apps—they made it to the local news. TV stations covered his uplifting posts, framing them as a heartwarming conclusion to a difficult story. This made his journey back to happiness known to everyone, and more messages of support poured in.
The joy rippled through Brisbane, with everyone who had supported Yafie feeling a shared sense of victory. Bandit and Chilli smiled as they saw the posts, while Bluey and Bingo danced around the living room, excited for Yafie's newfound freedom. Lukas, Wendy, and Judo saw the posts too, feeling proud of their friend. Even in Fortitude Valley, the people who had come to know Yafie through the court case were celebrating.
That morning, Yafie felt more connected than ever to the people around him. He wasn't just free from the legal troubles—he was free from the lingering sadness. Surrounded by friends, family, and the support of his community, Yafie knew this was the start of something new, something brighter.