Some hours later MacKenzie groined and slowly woke up. The rain had stopped at this point. It was now windy and cold. He was shivering while slowly adjusting his eye sight. When he had his vision properly back he looked around him. He was still laying on the cold tarmac in the alley. He placed his hand on his head. He had a terrible headache.
Slowly he picked himself up and stood up. His fur was a mess and dirty. It was filled with mud, gravel and other nasty fluids from the alley. On top of that he smelled horrible. A street cat pissed on him while he was out and the dripping garbage container had not done him any favours either.
He had a nose bleed after he hit the container and the blood had dripped over his muzzle on his torso. The bleeding by now had stopped but it was now dried and left in nasty dark red sticky crusts. Also some of it dripped in his mouth. He spitted some of it as he tasted the disgusting, metal taste of it. He felt his neck and discovered that he was missing some fur there. The knife had poked him there and scraped more then he thought. Just when he thought he had gone through everything, he then felt something hard moving around in his mouth.
He tried to feel what it was with his tongue and felt a rock hard object. He spat it out, whatever it was, on the ground and to his shock he saw that he had spitted out one of his molars.
He was quivering and almost crying as he picked it up. Why did this happen to him? Did he deserve this? Did he ever do something that terrible that he was now being punished, he all thought. He didn't understand why the world was kicking him. Two months earlier his life was safe and good and now it has been going downhill ever since.
He escaped his thoughts when he heard some street cats moving around in the garbage container. He then looked around him and then just realised it was sometime in the evening as the sky was already very dark. The alley was dark, only a bit lighted up by the streetlights on the stoop in front. He had been knocked out for some hours.
The Heelers by now must be worried sick about him and where he was, he thought.
Silently and quietly he walked out of the alley and hoped that nobody would see him. He was afraid if someone found him like this they wanted to finish the job by killing him. When the coast seemed clear, he then sprinted as fast as he could out of the alley and down the uncanny street. He was getting some strange looks from hobos, junks and other untrustable figures who roamed the street that time of night but he couldn't care. He tried to get somewhere safe and far from here as possible and preferable out of this part of town.
He ran as fast as his legs could, burning all remaining energy he still got left in him. He was praising the fact that he was a border-collie and therefore always had some spare energy left in him to get him as far away as possible from this place. He kept running until the houses and streets stopped as he reached basically the outskirts of the town. It was now, apart from a parking lot, mostly woods he could see. As he reached the parking lot he decided to rest for a bit. There were a few cars parked on there but no one seemed to be around.
MacKenzie walked to the middle of the terrain and tried to catch his breath underneath a street lamp. Standing full in the LED light made him feel safe. He could see everything around him and people could see him. He stood there for a couple of minutes thinking how to get back home.
While he was thinking of what to do next, MacKenzie did not notice that one of the car doors quietly opened. A dog carefully stepped out of the vehicle and grinned. The dog rubbed his hands as if he had just won the lottery. Slowly he walked towards MacKenzie until he was standing right behind him. He made sure not to make any sound to startle the kid.
But MacKenzie suddenly felt his presence as a big shadow formed behind him on the tarmac and the sound of heavy breathing was heard behind him.
MacKenzie did not dare to turn around and stood there frozen still for a couple of seconds before he heard a very dark and deep voice saying: ''Oh poor child. What happened to you?''.
MacKenzie now slowly turned around. He saw a big brown Leonberger dog standing behind him and looking creepily at him. MacKenzie looked at the massive dog. ''uh… If it's no trouble sir, could you call the police for me? I need help. I'm lost and i want to go home''.
As soon as MacKenzie said that he realised how naive he sounded and said that as a little helpless young child. He did not like that. It reminded him of when he was a pup; weak and vulnerable. He also realised that saying something like that had put him in a vulnerable position now in front of a stranger.
The big dog gave him a weird smile, showing his small, pointy yellow teeth with big flocks of brown tartar between them. ''I have an idea kid. What if i would drive you home?''.
The fur on the back of MacKenzie's neck stood up.
Somehow he did not like this offer and did not feel save how the scary dog said that. The Leonberger then pointed to a big, white van. ''That's my car. Come with me and i drive you home''.
MacKenzie immediately got a really bad feeling and a knot in his stomach. ''uh..uh.. ..no thank you. Never mind.''. It was the kind of van he saw on tv in movies and shows about abductions and this was the kind of situation his parents always warned him about. Never get in a strangers car. Especially if it looked like that.
''Come on kid. I even got some candy in there if you would like''. This was the final blow for MacKenzie to think ''Awh, hell no!''.
He slowly backed up and tried to walk away from the Leonberger without saying anything else.
When he felt safe he turned around and tried to run. But the Leonberger was quicker and grabbed MacKenzie by the tail and yoinked him back. MacKenzie yelped.
The Leonberger then grabbed MacKenzie firmly under his arm and sprinted with him back towards his van. MacKenzie struggled but could hardly move as the Leonberger was very strong and held his arms tight together. The only thing he could do was scream and yell as loud as he could. He screamed louder than he ever had done before.
MacKenzie thought at this point his lasts minutes on this earth started and that he would die tonight. And his last minutes on this earth would be terrible as he had a feeling what the kidnappers pans were with him. Why did life hate him so much all of the sudden?
Suddenly he saw a Grey Irish Wolfhound sprinting in sight in front of the Leonberger. To his surprise the Wolfhound pulled out a gun. ''Freeze scumbag!'' he yelled.
The Leonberger quickly run faster and ignored the wolfhound and tried pushing him aside. A gunshot then was heard and the Leonberger fell on the ground on top of MacKenzie who he was still holding.
The Leonberger was bleeding and blood dripped out of his mouth on MacKenzie's face who was still screaming, but this time in terror about what had happened and because of the strangers blood that was leaking on him.
The wolfhound sprinted towards MacKenzie and pulled him out of underneath the now dead dog. ''Are you okay kid?'' he asked worriedly. MacKenzie slowly turned his face away from the dead dog and stared with wide eyes filled with tears and small pupils in the eyes of the wolfhound.
He stamped his foot on the ground vigorously and angrily and then yelled in the face of the wolfhound:
''NO. I. AM. NOT. OKAY!''. MacKenzie then started crying and kicking the dead dog, before kicking the wolfhound. The wolfhound looked at him with pity and just let him blew of some steam as the kicks didn't hurt him.
He grabbed a walkie-talkie and called for backup.
''Officer 1.10.2018 reporting at last given location. Code 610. Shots fired. Situation under control. Need a medical examiner and a caregiver for a child. Over''.
It turned out he was a undercover cop and was just doing a round in this part of town when he witnessed MacKenzie appearing on the parking plot and then being approached and almost kidnapped. He was there at the right place and time, luckily for MacKenzie.
Within three minutes about seven police cars showed up on the scene. The wolfhound explained to his colleagues what happened as a female brown Newfoundlander dog helped MacKenzie getting in one of the cars. She gave him a blanket and a bottle of water as she sat next to him on the backseat in the car. A other police officer drove the vehicle as she was trying to comfort him while he kept sobbing and shaking.
When they arrived at the police station she took him to the rest area and made a hot milo for him. She gave him a new, clean blanket and then crouched next to him.
''Hi. I am Melanie. What is your name?'' she tried to ask. MacKenzie kept silent. ''Can you tell me what happened or where you live?''. He wanted to answer but couldn't answer as he was still in shock. His lips stayed sealed.
''I'm sorry kid you had to see and go through all of that. And I don't know what else happened to you but if I look at you, you have been through a lot''. She said nicely. ''I want to help you. We can all help you here if you need help''.
MacKenzie took a sip of the hot Milo cocoa and then looked at her. His face had pain all writen over it. ''been through a lot'' he repeated her. ''A lot…ha…yeah. You have no idea..'' he said.
''Can you tell me what happened? Can I call your parents perhaps?'' she asked, now more hopeful as he finally started to talk.
MacKenzie shrugs his shoulders. ''Won't do. They won't pick up when you call them. And about what happened? Where to start. Car incident, both my parents dead, me all now alone, my family doesn't want me to live with them and went back to the places they live to, now I am living with my best friend and her family, probably going to an orphanage soon, got robbed today and beaten up by a gangster and then almost kidnapped and probably raped and murdered by a some asshole if your friend didn't showed up. That's the current state of my life.. How's yours?'' he all said with sarcasm and a very tired expression.
The female dog looked with pity at him. She now knew who he probably was. She heard the story from a colleague who was there on the night of the car incident. The story about a child being the sole survivor was talk of the day at this police station at the time. She never expected the child to be here a few weeks later and in such sorry state.
''Honey, I'm so sorry to hear all of this. Is there anything I can do for you? Do you know who we can call?''.
MacKenzie shook his head. ''The only phone number I can remember is that of my mum, but like I said she won't pick up when you call her''.
He sighed deeply then thought about what he just said and felt disgusted with his own remark. How could he say that, he thought.
And who to call now? He didn't know Bandit's phone number or Calypso's. Bluey did not have phone, his aunt is in New-Zealand and the only number he knew were the three digits of the police number, but he was already there.
On top of that he even couldn't tell where he was in which part of the town, or if he was even still in Brisbane.
He looked around the rest area. His eyes scanning the walls to see something that could tell him where he was or a map where he could find some street names or familiar sites. Afterall, he knew his street address, but since he has been living with the Heelers he never asked or bothered to remember their address, which he regretted now. He kept looking for something until his eyes rested on a notice board on the wall.
It was a big white board with written notifications, notes, printed work schedules for the officers and some wanted posters. It also had a section with business cards attached to it by magnets. All kind of companies in the area the cops could call when they needed those businesses for jobs at the station or in case of emergency at a location. Like plumbers, police horse doctors, locksmiths and other specialists the police could trust and ask for help. MacKenzie scanned all these cards out of curiosity. He did not expect one of them being useful to him before stopping his eyes on a half blue and red coloured one. He recognised the name on it!; 'Rad's Repair Shop'.
It was the business card of Radley Heeler, Bluey's uncle. He apparently was also the handyman that helped the police when they needed a locksmith to open a door or when one of their pipes was leaking at the station. MacKenzie felt relieved an happy when he saw the card having a phone number printed on it.
MacKenzie pointed to the card. ''Him! I know him! Could you give him a call please?''.
Some hours earlier:
After MacKenzie stormed out of the house and Bandit had to give up the chase, he quickly returned to the house to get his car. Chili asked Wendy to keep an eye on Bluey and Bingo and hopped in the car with Bandit. Calypso got in her own car and with two cars they started to search for MacKenzie.
They drove around for two hours across the whole town, and even went out of their cars to search for him in places he might could be. The park, the creek, the school, Jack's house, Rusty's house, Grubber's house, his parents' house, the harbour even the airport. After looking for three hours, the sun was settling and the three adults met on a parking at the beach where they really started to panic.
''So, no one has saw or heard anything from him?'' Chili asked with panic in her voice.
Calypso was trying to stay calm and keep Bandit and Chili calm. ''We will find him. He can't have gone far''.
''What if someone had dognapped him or he has fallen of a cliff or lost in the woods? What if he get's attacked by an animal or snake? He might even be…'' Chili was saying fast and worriedly.
''Mrs. Heeler, worrying and speculations will not help us at the moment. We need to stay calm and not think about the worst outcomes. We have a lot of people helping us in finding him'' Calypso said to Chili.
''That's right'' Bandit filled in. ''I called stripe and he is driving around town now also looking for MacKenzie. His former neighbors keep an eye in case he turns up at his house, Rusty's parents and those of Jack and Grubber are keeping an eye out. Right now we need to stay focused. Calypso, I think it's also time to ask the police for help.''.
Calypso nodded in agreement. Bandit pulled out his cell phone. Calypso and Chili looked at Bandit who was now calling the police.
He put the phone on speaker so they could listen to the conversation. They had to wait for a while as the line was being on hold. Bandit was walking frustrated in circles while the girls kept looking at him. After almost twenty-six minutes he finally got through.
''G'day, Brisbane police. You are speaking with officer Daniels. How can I be of service?'' the tone and voice of the officer sounded bored and monotone.
''Hi. The name is Bandit Heeler. I want to report a missing child''.
''hmm. Mm. missing child you say? Is it your own?'' the officer asked like Bandit's request was something he dealt with twenty times a day.
Bandit stuttered: ''uuuh. No but…''
''Sir you can't just report missing children if they are not your own. Let the parents call us to report that'' the officer said quick and irritated.
''Listen please'' Bandit said desperately., ''his parents are gone. I'm his caretaker and in that position I can report''.
He heard the officer groaning and sighing on the other line ''Uh-uh. Okay. I see. *sniffs his nose and burps*. So when did you last see this girl?'' the officer asked uninterested.
''He is a boy and about two hours ago when he…'' Bandit got interrupted.
''Wowwowwowwow, calm down there mate. Two hours? Look sir, he then probably will show up anytime soon. So don't worry'' the officer said nonchalantly.
Bandit got real pissed at the attitude of the officer now. ''WHAT? No worries? It's a missing child we're talking about. We searched the whole damn town and could not find him! He is emotionally stressed, dog in heavens knows what can happen to him or what he can do to himself! Or what anyone else can do to him. Or animals in this area.''. Bandit said back very angry and irritated.
''Well, not much I can do sir. A person, including a child, must be missing for a minimum of 48 hours before we go in to action. I would say, just wait until the little rascal returns by himself or just start searching harder.''
''HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT?!'' Bandit screamed through the phone as loud as he could. Chili quickly ran up to her husband to grab his hand and to calm him down again.
The officer then said with a stern and agitated, threating voice; ''Listen. Mate. Those are the rules. I don't make them. Just call us again in 46 hours and we make a missing file and start looking for him. Meanwhile for shouting at a officer on duty, I'll fine you 135 dollar bucks. I have traced your phone number and the fine will be send to your home address via post mr. Heeler. Have a g'day!'' and with that the officer disconnected the call.
Bandit was left speechless as he stood there with his mobile phone in his hand.
''the bastard hung up on me'' Bandit said silently and in disbelief ''… and I got FINED! Call again in 46 hours he says. Then they will see what they can do…'' he screamed in pure anger.
''The state of this country'' Calypso said in disbelief while shaking her head.
''If we can't rely on them, we have to search harder ourselves. Let's check the places again we searched. Bandit call Stripe and both of you search the city. Me and you, Calypso, will go back to the places he might has gone to. His house, Jack's house, the harbour, the… *gulp) cemetery '' Chili said determined.
Bandit looked at his phone to call for Stripe. To his dismay he saw that his phone only had 2% of battery left. ''Oh no…'' he said.
''What is it?'' Chili asked.
''My phone is almost dead. I can call Stripe now, but that means that you have to call him if you have a update. I won't be reachable''.
Chili looked at her phone and saw that she also did not charged it and only 5% had left. ''Well I don't want to be that girl… but my phone will die soon aswell.'' She said frustrated at herself.
''My phone has enough battery left. Around 70ish. Stripe can call me or I can call him and otherwise we see each other in three hours on this parking spot'' Calypso decided as a solution.
'Alright. Let's do that and meet again in three hours right here'' Bandit said. The adults then left and searched the whole town again.
-
Back to the present (one and a half hour later):
At the police station, Melanie took the business card from the wall and called Rad.
Bandit did not wanted to disturb him so did not ask Rad to look for MacKenzie. So at this point Rad (nor Frisky) didn't know anything about the situation and that both his brothers were looking for MacKenzie or that he was missing. He and Frisky just had a quiet evening. They just finished their dinner and settled down on the couch to watch a gameshow on the television. Rad had looking forward to this as it was his favourite quiz to watch. He would turn in every week and not miss a single episode. The presenter just introduced his guests and was about to start with the first question when Rad's phone started buzzing meaning he got a call.
''Oh get stuffed!'' he said annoyed.
He ignored the phone call. Then it started ringing again. He wanted to ignore it again, but decided to look who was calling. When he saw it was the police calling him he thought it would be for the best to pick up.
''Hello? Rad Heeler speaking'' he said a bit frustrated. He looked at Frisky who looked annoyed that he had picked up and that she had to turn down the volume on the tv.
''Good evening mr. Heeler. You are speaking with Melanie from the Brisbane police department, office number six.'' He heard a young woman say.
''Hello officer. What can I do for you?'' he asked back.
''my apologies for disturbing you at this time..''
''No worries'' he interrupted.
''But I have someone sitting here at our station who recognised your name on your business card and asked us to call you as he doesn't know anyone else or can remember any phone numbers''.
Rad looked confused. ''Me? I don't know anyone in prison''.
''No mr. Heeler. We are not the prison and the person is not being detained or anything. I have a young Border-Collie boy sitting here, frightened and alone. He had, how should I say this… a rough night and he doesn't know the phone number of his caretaker. As I have been told by him that should be your brother?''
Rad's eye widened. ''MacKenzie? What is he doing there? Is he alright? And yeah, my younger brother is his caretaker.'' Frisky's attention now switched to the phone call instead of the television after hearing this.
''He is pretty shaken up and, sorry to say, beaten up. He had a very rough night like I said but he hasn't told us yet everything that happened. A colleague of mine found and saved him on the streets. Are you able to pick him up or do you know who we can call?''.
''Yes. Yes of course. I'm on my way to pick him up immediately'. Rad disconnected the call and stood up and went looking for his car keys in a hurry.
''What is going on?'' Frisky asked.
''It was the police from station six. MacKenzie is with them. He is lost apparently and they found him roaming the streets… he was attacked as well as I understood. Now he doesn't know how to get back to Bandit.''
''Why did they call you and not Bandit?''
''Because the kid hasn't got his number and apparently my business card is lying around there on that station'' he said while turning a drawer upside down to see if his keys were there.
''Why did you not gave them Bandits number?'' Frisky continued.
Rad stood still for a while. ''I… I don't know. Didn't think of that. Maybe… I just want to help him''. He then turned around and saw his keys on the table. He picked them up walked to the door. ''I said I would come to get him. Are you coming with me or not?'' Without hesitation Frisky followed him.
After a couple of minutes a car drove on the parking plot of the police station. Faster than allowed and it stopped with squealing tires.
The doors opened and two dogs quickly ran into the station. The police dog behind the reception took them to the resting room.
When the door opened MacKenzie saw Rad and Frisky walking in. Finally people he knew and knew he could trust as they were Bluey's family. He jumped up and ran fast towards them to greed them. They both, to MacKenzie's surprise, hugged him. After the surprise effect faded he clung to them.
He looked at them and then started to apologize: ''I'm so, so sorry to have bothered you today, but…but..i saw your card and phone number on the w.. over there and..an…and..i didn't know mr. Heeler's or Calypso's phone number and so… that is… you know… why I asked them to call you. Sorry if I ruining your evening now.'' MacKenzie said sad and a bit of regret in his voice.
Rad laid his hand on his shoulders and gave MacKenzie a reassuring smile. ''Ey, no worries and don't feel sorry at all. You don't have to. I'm very glad you recognised my card and asked the police to call us to pick you up. You remembered what I told you right? You can always call me. Anytime. You did a good job doing that''.
Frisky looked worried. ''What happened to you dear? You look awful. Where is Band…Bluey's father or your teacher?''.
The police Newfoundlander answered. ''I can tell you what could have happened if we didn't found him, but what happened before all of that.. .he hasn't told us yet. But looking at his injuries and his overall state it's not pretty''.
''MacKenzie. I know it must be hard and difficult to tell what happened, but please tell us and the police officer what happened. That way we and they can help you''. said Frisky in a motherly tone that made MacKenzie feel safe and comforted him a bit He realised how she almost talked like his mum did. Not the same voice, but the tone. Or did he image that? Was it just a motherly voice he missed. Anyway, he felt safe with Frisky and Rad near him.
''Yeah mate. I'm sorry to say but you look indeed terrible. Who did this to you?'' added Rad.
MacKenzie got offered a cup of tea from Melanie, looked at Rad and Frisky and then his head low as he finally told what happened. How he had been struggling with his emotions and could not share them, how he snapped at Calypso after holding in his emotions for too long, how he ran away after feeling terrible what he said to her, how he wanted to make up for it by buying a cake to show his appreciation for her and Bandit, how he got lost in the bad area of town, then got robbed and beaten up, how he woke up and then lost his way again and how he then almost got kidnapped by a scary man.
Then Melanie filled in what her colleague did to protect him and how that probably can have a traumatizing effect on MacKenzie.
Melanie the police dog had written down everything MacKenzie said so she could make a report of it later. The dog who robbed him would be searched for and prosecuted she had determined herself. She would hunt that muddafucka down! MacKenzie then took out is beaten out molar of his pocket and showed it. Melanie took a picture of it to use in the file she was making for her report about this case. She also quickly took some pictures of MacKenzie's injuries. Rad grabbed a paper towel and wrapped the molar in it, in hopes the molar could be saved by a dentist later.
Rad and Frisky were in shock after hearing it all. For them it sounded something straight out of a tv drama series, a plot of a movie, a good book or an overly completely dark over the top and ridiculous written fan-fiction story…. (ahum)
''You poor thing'' muttered Frisky as she hold both of his hands, got down to his level and looked at him. She was trying to comfort him.
''Come MacKenzie. We take you home and take care of your wounds and you can refresh up there. Thank you Melanie for looking after him and… you know. That your colleagues saved him''. said Rad thankfully to Melanie.
''No problem. That is what we are here for'' she said as she walked with them to the door.
''If there is anything else we can help you with, please let us know'' she says as they said their goodbye's. Before they left she gave MacKenzie a lollipop and a keychain. Bit childish he thought. Maybe fun for a younger child, but not for him. But he still gratefully accepts the gifts and gives her a hand.
''Sorry if I was a bit grumpy to you. I didn't mean to.'' he said apologizing to Melanie.
''That's okay. I understand why you were like that. It's not like the best thing ever happened to you today so I took it not personally. I am glad you told us what happened and I promise you we will find that dickhead and throw him in jail'' she said with confidence.
''Thank you'' MacKenzie said as he smiled a little. He looked at the lollipop and then to the keychain. It was in the shape of a … sheep. ''Another sheep?'' he thought to himself. Then he started to think about Bluey. How would she feel about him now he had run away? He missed the plush sheep she gave him.
Frisky was still holding MacKenzie's hand as they walked to Rad's car, a 2011 blue Toyota Camry. MacKenzie sat down in the backseat as Frisky and Rad sat in the front.
Rad sighed irritated. ''They won't pick up the phone''.
''Who?'' asked Frisky.
''Bandit's phone is off and Chili doesn't answer neither. I tried like ten times now.''.
''Try again when we are back home. He is probably out there somewhere looking for MacKenzie and ignoring it for now.
Rad sighed and put it away. He then drove back to his apartment.
When they arrived MacKenzie looked at the place. It was another part of town where he never had been to, but at least he knew where it was and therefore he knew where was. It was a big new housing estate that he had seen build over the years. As a matter of fact, the area of his and Bluey's house was just on the other side, about ten to fifteen minutes separate from this area. He had seen it build when he was younger.
After getting married, Rad and Frisky bought an apartment on the ground floor of a ten-story white apartment building. They entered the building through a big black door, surrounded by dark yellow frames and walked in to a hallway. It was dark until they walked in and the lights turned on automatically. The hallway was narrow and smelled very nice and clean. Someone had cleaned it earlier in the day. At the end of the hallway there was a lift in the middle and a glass door next to it leading to the marble tiled staircase. On the right and left side of the lift were two entrance doors of two apartments. The one on the right was the front entrance door of Rad's apartment.
Frisky opened the door and they walked inside. MacKenzie looked around. Next to the front door was a small wooden wall that prevented anyone who was standing at the front door of looking into the living room were you walked right in. On that little wall was a touchscreen. Rad pressed on it and a map of the apartment appeared.
He selected a button and on every room a light bulb appeared. He pressed the lightbulb icon of the living room and the lights in the living room turned on. He then pressed a button that pointed upwards. MacKenzie wondered what that would do until he heard that the roller shutters before every window were going up. He never seen such modern technology like that in a house before and he was amazed by it.
They walked along and then stood in the living room. It was a big, spacy living room with an open kitchen at the end with a big dinning table. The entrance to the garden was between the kitchen and the living area with a huge, beige couch and tv set. MacKenzie looked in the garden. Because that lived onthe ground floor, they had some garden space behind their apartment instead of a balcony like the neighbours above them. It wasn't big like Bluey's garden or as wide as his was, but the garden was still pretty good sized. There was a shed, a lounge set, table with chairs and a stone barbeque. At the end of the garden was a garden fence that led to a shared garden for all apartment inhabitants and a shared pool.
MacKenzie walked around a bit more to see what there was to see. Rad was again trying to call Bandit and Frisky prepared the guest room. Next to the front door there was a small hallway with four doors. Three lead to the three bedrooms and the nearest door was the only bathroom in the house. At the end of the hallway was the door of the bedroom for Frisky and Rad, the other doors were opposite from each other and in the middle of the hallway. One room was a guest room and the other was in use as a combined office and gym area. The apartment had creamy white walls, a sand coloured tile floor (except the bedroom who had red carpet) and the doors, window frames and furniture were all light brown.
It was a mix of modern and classic architecture and most of all it had a relaxing theme to it. On top of that the whole house smelled like roses and lavender.
MacKenzie was amazed by the calmness the colours and smell gave to him.
''MacKenzie, I have prepared the bathroom for you. You can take a shower to get all that dirtiness from your body. There is soap specially good for your fur on the sink. I also placed a bottle of almond shampoo next to it. Use that for your head, it will do wonders for your fur. I placed some clean towels on the little cabinet. Take as much a you need, alright?'' Frisky said friendly to him when she walked back in the living room.
''Thank you very much. But I don't want to bother you'' he said again.
Frisky shook her head. ''No. no, no. You don't bother us at all. We do this with pleasure to help you. Rad is calling Bluey's dad and everything will be alright.''
''You think so? Does he want to see me again you think after I walked away?'' MacKenzie asked worriedly.
''Yes! Of course he does. He is looking for you all over town now. Believe me, he will be here soon. Stop worrying, freshen up and when you are done in the bathroom, then go to the guest room and there I will treat your wounds''.
MacKenzie looked sad. ''Speaking about wounds… do I have to walk with a gap in my mouth now forever?'' he asked while pulling down his lip to reveal the place where is molar was knocked out.
''No worries about that sweetheart. Me and Rad go to a very good dentist. I will ask Bluey's dad if he can bring you to him to fix that for you. He might even place your own molar back.''
MacKenzie was a little reassured and thanked her. He then walked to the bathroom and took a shower. The hot water did him good. He felt the dirt sweeping away from his fur. At first it smelled terrible but the almond soap and shampoo cleaned him up pretty good. His body relaxed.
Meanwhile Rad was cursing in the living room.
''Why won't they pick up their phones?!"' he said frustrated.
''I see that they both were last online on WhatsuppDog two hours ago. Must mean that their batteries are dead. No wonder if they are looking for him everywhere. Knowing Chili they probably have agreed to meet from hour to hour on one or two places'' Frisky answered.
''How are we supposed to reach them? Or the police? That's just so dumb looking for someone without a full battery''.
''Now you know how your parents must have felt when you walked away when you were fifteen. In a time without mobile phones'' Frisky said.
Rad looked a bit embarrassed by remembering that memory. ''Yeah, I guess you're right''.
''Why don't you try Stripe? Knowing your brothers they are probably looking for him together.'' Frisky quickly changed the subject.
''Do you think so? That hey are looking for MacKenzie together? Why wouldn't they inform me or ask me to help searching?'' he said a bit hurt.
''Probably didn't wanna bother you as you are always busy''. Frisky said reassuring why stroking his arm.
''Even after five years it's like they still think I live too far away to involve me in something while I live closer to Bandit then Stripe does'' he said frustrated and mumbling. Frisky looked at her husband with pity.
He then pressed Stripe's phone number. Unlike Bandit's number the call went through and the phone was actually calling. But to his surprise no one picked up. He tried again, and again and again, but every time he only heard Stripe saying:
''You've reached the voicemail of the one and only good looking purple striped heeler in Queensland. That's me. Stripe. But you figured that out probably. Leave a message after my daughters scream. (Muffin screaming in the background: ''AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!''). *Beep*.
''Stripe you wanker. Pick up your phone! I know it's going off on your side'' Rad said as he hung up for the eleventh time and then called again for the twelfth attempt.
''This is going to be my last try!" he said to Frisky.
Meanwhile Bandit and Stripe were driving around in the town centre of Brisbane. Bandit was extremely worried and tired. He and Stripe didn't say much as they were trying to looking around them to see if they could see a glimpse of MacKenzie. Stripe even shouted his name out of the window.
When Bandit had to stop in front of a red light he turned around to Stripe.
''it's almost time to get back to the parking spot at the beach to meet with the girls. Hopefully Chili and Calypso have found him or do know anything about now'' he said as he pulled up as the light turned green again.
''Not so smart of you to go out without recharching your phone'' Stripe said back.
''I KNOW STRIPE! You have said that about twenty times now''.
''If you would listen I would not have to remind you every time. You did the same thing when dad came back from India and we couldn't find him at the airport only because your phone was empty and he couldn't call us''.
Bandit snapped. ''If you talk like this to Trixie every time I can understand why….'' he swallows the words he was about to say, ''Nevermind''.
Stripe turned around. ''What? Then what? No, no. Please continue. If ispeak about to wife like that… what do you mean with that?'' Stripe said a bit offended.
''Nevermind. Did Calypso called you yet?'' Bandit quickly changed the subject.
Stripe looked annoyed but still did what was being asked of him. ''hmm. Let me take a look. Probably not, because I did not hear my fully charged phone going over so... Oh wait…eleven missed calls….''
''Eleven! How in dogsname did that happen?'' Bandit shouted angry.
''I forgot that I put my phone in silent mode'' Stripe said nonchalant.
''So a big mouth to me about not being reachable, but you are neither!'' Bandit sounded now offended.
''Oh don't do that… now you sound like Trixie talking to'' Stripe said back.
Bandit sighed frustrated and rolled his eyes. ''Chili and Calypso founded him maybe! Call her back now''.
''Relax! It's not Chili or Calypso. They are just all missed calls from Rad''.
''Rad?'' Bandit said surprised. ''What does he want?''
''How should I know? He's probably watching that dumb quiz on the telly and wants to share his so-called knowledge. He does this every Friday you know calling me and telling how he got almost every answer right and which ones he did and didn't and... oh speaking of the devil. He is calling again''.
Stripe presses the green button. ''Yhellow?''.
(the following conversation is from Bandit's POV. The '-' means Rad is talking to Stripe on the phone and Bandit can't hear what RAD is saying. He only hears what Stripe says.)
'' – I know I just saw that you called like eleven times. What's going on? – Well because I had it in silent mode. – yeah I know – I know – yeah i.. what is it Rad? Don't you start that with me also. I'm kind of In the middle of something. – Chili's phone is dead and she is driving around town so no she won't pick up. You know she is against driving and calling, even with Bluetooth. – Bandit? No his battery died also. – Yeah I know, I told him that already. – (turns his head and looks at Bandit) of course he is here with me. – No you can't, he's driving. I'm sitting next to him. – Of course I can bring over a message. I'm not daft. – I heard that!''
''What does he want?'' said Bandit irritated. Stripe ignored his brother.
''Hmm. Mmm….what? Are you sure it's him? – No way. With you? How and when? – The police station?! Which one? – WHAT? No way! All the way downtown in that area? (Bandit starts to look at Stripe) – NOOO the louts! How bad is it? – Oh my. Well, thank you for letting us know and for picking him up. – Yeah I will tell him. Thank you, bye!.'' He hangs up the call.
''Bandit, you won't believe this…''
''What is it?''
''MacKenzie is at Rad and Frisky's''.
Bandits mouths falls open. ''Call Calypso!'' he orders Stripe.
''But I don't have her number'' Stripe said. But Bandit doesn't listen and then turns around the car on the middle of the road, causing other drivers to honk and flip him off.
He ignores the road rules and starts driving towards Rad's apartment.
MacKenzie got out of the shower, shook himself a bit dry and took a towel to dry the rest of himself. He went out of the bathroom and walked to the guestroom. The guestroom had the same coloured walls and tiles as the rest of the floor. At one end stood a small bed, but it was occupied by boxes and bags with stuff. Frisky had taken some off so he could sit on the bed. She then came in the room with a first aid kit and cleaned his wounds. Some stung a bit while others did not hurt.
When she reached his tail she said: ''My god. He even bite into your tail! What an absolute sick monster. I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that today MacKenzie''.
Although all the other wounds were caused by the robber, the bitemarks on his tail was something he did to himself only some twenty-five hours earlier. But he didn't want to tell her that so he just kept silent.
Frisky was all done and went away to put away the first aid kit. When she returned she saw to her surprise that MacKenzie had fallen asleep. Exhausted by all the emotions and what had happened to him, he had now surrendered himself to the soft, warm feeling of the mattress. Frisky quickly threw everything else off the bed and laid him down in a more relaxing position instead of being locked up between boxes and bags. She grabbed a pair of clean duvet covers out of the closet and covered him with them.
'She looked at MacKenzie who was now sleeping comfortably and even looking a bit happy after getting covered in the covers. Frisky turned off the lights and carefully closed the door. She quietly says while closing the door ''Goodnight swee….'' She then stops and suddenly feels really emotional. She gasps and puts her hand for her mouth. Tears come up and she tries fighting them.
Rad then walks in the hallway.
''Right. Got a hold of Stripe. He and Bandit are coming to…'' he stops as he looks at Frisky and sees her in an emotional state. ''Frisk… what is going?'' he asks worriedly.
She sobs and waves her hand. ''Nothing dear… nothing''.
''Is everything alright? Where is MacKenzie?''
''I took care of his wounds. He then fell asleep completely exhausted on the guest bed. I have tucked him in and he sleeps peacefully now'' she answers.
''Oh that's good. Then why the tears?'' he asks her.
She turns around and looks at him with big, sad eyes. ''Because for a moment…just a small moment Rad… I felt like I was a mum taking care of my child. And then I realised that something like that never will happen''.
She cries as Rad grabs and holds her tightly for a hug. The news they received from their doctor, now just over four months ago, was still painful for both of them. They tried to have children of their own for years but it never happened. So earlier this year they visited their doctor.
There they were told that after the test results came back in that they were both infertile. Meaning a child would never happen, much to their disbelief and sadness.
They stood there for a while, comforting each other when the doorbell rang. Rad let go of Frisky, stroke her hair and then walked to the intercom.
He pressed the button and started talking ''Hel…''
''BANDIT!'' yelled Bandit through the microphone before Rad could finish the word 'hello'. Rad pressed the button to open the front door and then opened his apartment door.
He heard Bandit running through the hallway and saw him as he stormed around the corner. When he saw his older brother he grabbed him by the shoulders.
''Is he really here?'' he asked.
''Yes, yes he is here. But be quiet. He has fallen asleep in the guest room''. At that moment Stripe also appeared at the door, exhausted and huffing and puffing.
''Ban….ban…dit…. please not so fast. I can't keep up'' he said sighing.
Frisky lead Stripe to the kitchen for a glass of water while Rad and Bandit walked to the guest room. He carefully opened the door and there Bandit saw MacKenzie. He was reassured and happy to see him sleeping there. Rad then carefully closed the door again.
''Rad… thank you so much. How the hell did you find him? Did he came to here?'' Bandit asked.
Rad shook his head. ''I think he has to tell you one and two when he wakes up, but I will tell you what he told us already and the police. They found him''. Rad explained.
''How did they find him and what happened to him?'' Bandit asked confused.
Rad took Bandit to the living room and sat down in a chair, while Bandit, Stripe and Frisky took a seat on the couch. Rad then started to tell them what MacKenzie had told at the police station and what happened to him after he ran away.
Just like Rad and Frisky, Bandit was in complete shock the whole time. From the start of the robbing part till the part of the kidnapper he was flabbergasted and nervously shaking. His mouth had fallen open, but he said nothing. After Rad finished speaking, Bandit was frozen in horror. What he just heard made him sick. He started to twitch and shake. Frisky quickly saw what was about to happen, ran to the kitchen, grabbed a bucket, ran back and put it under him just in time as he started to throw up.
After his stomach was empty he started crying. He couldn't believe what happened to MacKenzie and started to blame himself for it. Bandit was angry, frustrated, shocked and sad. He hated child abusers and in general if anything bad ever happened to a child, let alone a child he knew or took care off.
He then suddenly thought how he would react and feel if it happened a grade higher, so if this had happened to Bluey or Bingo. He imagined his own children going through this. A big angry rage took over him and he started to punch himself only getting stopped by Rad and Stripe.
''Hey, hey, hey, calm down '' Rad said while holding Bandit's arms.
''Yeah Bandit. It's not your fault. Don't go attack yourself over it'' Stripe added.
''We'll find the bastard who's done that to him and make sure he ends up like the other dirtbag who tried to lay his dirty paws on the boy'' Stripe continued.
''I'm not going to kill someone. As much as I would like to do that to the fuckstick'' Rad said back to Stripe.
Bandit calmed down and grabbed his head. He had a terrible headache now. ''Guys, guys I'm calm again. Please let me go. I just have to think''.
His brothers let go of him and looked at him.
''It's terrible. Just terrible what happened. And all because he clearly did not thought me or Calypso were the right persons to share his emotions with. And when he blurted them out we did not react great at all on them. And so like that… I'm worried. I have responsibility over him as his caretaker and… I'm going to confess; I am thinking about adopting him so he has a safe home. But I have to talk with Chili about that. But after today I am afraid he doesn't want to live with us anymore and that the authorities will not even allow it because of this. He will end up in an orphanage for sure now'' Bandit said with a sad voice.
''Hey, you are a great father! No authority figure will ever say that about you.'' Stripe said.
''Agreed'' filled Rad in, ''and don't worry about MacKenzie. He has the same fear as you''.
Bandit looked up at Stripe. ''What do you mean?''.
''Well, he said he was afraid that you didn't want to see him anymore. So I can conclude you two want to be with each other and that he trusts you. He only doesn't know how to say it or how to emotionally cope with it.'' Rad said.
''Don't forget he just lost his parents and that his family left without taking him. He is not thinking about living with a new family at all right now but he knows something needs to be decided soon'' Stripe added.
Bandit thought about it. ''I think you guys are right. Tomorrow I will sit down with MacKenzie and just tell him what I feel. And if he wants to open up, he can. And if he doesn't then… that's alright with me to. I should not push anymore'' he concluded.
His brothers and Frisky shook in agreement.
''Should I wake him up?'' Rad asked.
Bandit thought for a second about it. ''No. Don't do. Let him sleep and take his rest for now. He needs it. Certainly after all that happened tonight''.
''That's alright. He can sleep here. We wouldn't mind'' Frisky said.
Bandit and Stripe stood up. ''Tomorrow I will return here to pick him up before brekkie, is that alright with you Rad?'' asked Bandit.
''Tell you what, why don't you bring Chili and the kids tomorrow morning and we all have breakfast together?. The children can use the pool if they want. It's Saturday after all. Most of the neighbours leave for the beach anyway.''
''Can we come to?'' asked Stripe a bit shy.
''Of course'' Frisky said. ''The more, the merrier''.
''Then that's what we do. Stripe I drop you off back home and we see you again in the morning Rad and Frisky'' Bandit said as he was about to leave the apartment.
''Bandit… I think we have to go to the parking place at the beach first. We are three quarters of an hour late and I just see that Calypso has tried to call me like fifteen times already'' Stripe said unimpressed by the amount of missed calls.
''Damn it Stripe! Take that thing of silent mode!'' Bandit said irritated.
''Classic Stripe'' Rad laughed.
Bandit and Stripe said their goodbye and Bandit thanked Rad and Frisky again for picking up MacKenzie, taking care of him and letting him stay over for the night. Rad told him not to worry about it and that he absolutely didn't mind doing it.
Bandit and Stripe then hastily drove to the place were they would meet Chili and Calypso, now an hour late. The women were quite worried and quite grumpy because they had to wait so long and heard nothing from them. But when Bandit arrived he told them where he and Stripe were and what happened to MacKenzie.
Calypso had the same reaction as Bandit as turned sick and threw up in the bushes. Chili got flashbacks about what happened to her mum and realized how differently the evening could have turned out. It took Bandit some time to calm them both down and reassure that MacKenzie now was fine and safe and that the police was starting an investigation.
Chili did not have any trust in that and was sceptical. Calypso told Bandit she would do the same as him and no longer push MacKenzie into sharing his feelings with them. Tired and emotionally drained she returned home for a long night sleep, as did Bandit and Chili (after dropping Stripe back at his own house).
Backhome Bluey and Bingo were already asleep, non the wiser why their parents were suddenly gone. But they did have a great night as they played with Judo the whole time. Although Bluey was worried about MacKenzie the whole time, Judo did a good job in distracting her mind. Wendy greeted the Heelers as they returned and went home. Bandit and Chili sat down on the couch and starred at the wall for some time.
Then they held each other and fell asleep after a long day. They didn't talk but shared the same thought. Tomorrow would probably be a heavy day.
Meanwhile in a depressed modern, glass window skyscraper in downtown Brisbane a telephone rang on a desk in an office on the 19th floor. It was the office of a government department that was running twenty hours a day. A Stabyhoun dog who was working the night shift sat in his office behind his desk and stopped typing on his laptop, sighed and picked up the phone.
''Children's safety department. Friso speaking'' (see chapter 5)
''Hmm. Hmm. Yes I'm familiar with that kid. Found him in the hospital. His teacher is one of his caretakers now after losing both his parents in a car crash. Both as death as the night.'' He nods his head while playing with a pen between his fingers as he listens. ''Yes ofcourse. I told you he is one of my cases. I can't remember his name…Mc..Kosher or something like that.'' ''Oh yeah. MacKenzie Collie. That's it!"'
''So I heard. You got any news or updates then I suppose about that case for disturbing me? You do? Oh what is it?'' Friso sits straight in his desk chair as he grabs a file out one of the drawers of his desk.
''Hmm. Police station? What happened? ….''
Friso's pupils got small and his eyes widened when he heard what was being told to him. He stood up and screamed through the phone: ''WHAT?!''.