''He's waking up again'' a dog complained.
''Stubborn cunt. Just sedate him then. He is not to be waken up until we get to the destination'' a other one who was driving said.
MacKenzie heard this while he was slowly waking up. His vision was blurry. He could feel he was in some kind of car that was driving and he could see the roof of the car and the blue sky outside the windows. That was all he could see. It meant it was now daylight, meaning he had been out for hours. He tried to focus on sounds.
He heard the two dogs talking but couldn't make out what they said. The only other sounds he picked up was the car's engine making its noise and in the near distance what sounded like airplanes taking off from a runway. He groans softly as he tries to remember what happened.
The last thing he can remember was being dragged into a van and looking hopelessly out of the back window to Chili and Calypso who were being restraint by some police officers.
He remembered that as they were driving away from the cul-de-sac at Bluey's house that he felt a sharp, pitching pain near his bottom and that everything then turned dark. He placed his hand on his head as he laid back down on what felt the floor of the vehicle. His back and head did hurt a lot.
Suddenly without a warning, he felt someone grabbing his arm and then a pinch in his arm that hurt, like being stung by a mosquito. When he tried to look wat caused it, he immediately faded away again. The dog that complained about him waking up again, had just given him an injection causing MacKenzie to be knocked out again.
In the morning after that eventful night, Stripe received a call from Pat during breakfast and was informed about what happened. Stripe then immediately called Rad and together they went to Bandit and Chili to see if they could do anything and to check up on them and the kids. Stripe had brought his children with him to play with Bingo and Bluey as a distraction.
When they arrived they were only greeted by a saddened Bingo. Her cousins didn't wait and took her to the backyard to play with her. While they played she calmed down as the fun made her feel better. She quickly turned back to her normal self, although most of it was a disguise as she hid her emotions from her cousins.
Bluey on the other hand was physical and mentally still ill of it. Thanks to the dog that pushed her, she had a concussion and had to stay in bed to rest. Not that she didn't want to leave her bed or room anyway as she was saddened, angry, frustrated and even a bit traumatised as by what happened.
On top of that she was also very concerned about her friend who was abruptly taken away from her. She had refused to eat or drink anything that morning when Chili brought her something to eat in bed. The cold pancakes, lukewarm milk and now hardened sandwiches lay untouched on the cupboard next to her bed. She just laid in her bed and tried to sleep as much as she could, because every time she woke up she was getting tormented by her headache and tears would fall as she only thought about MacKenzie.
Bandit and Chili were also still hurt by what happened. They both felt humiliated in front of their children, foster child, Calypso, the neighbourhood and family. They both were angry about how Bandit was being treated, how their children were scolded, how one of them was injured and how their foster child was brutally taken away from them. Chili had not say a word for the entire day (except for wishing Bluey and Bingo a good morning and a simple ''how do you feel?"') and was distracting herself with taking care of the house chores as a distraction for her bad mood. She had big, dark circles underneath her eyes and looked very tired. When Stripe arrived with Trixie and his kids, Trixie decided to take Chili to the beach for a walk to clear her head. Bandit stayed home and just sat quit and sad at the dinner table, drinking his fourth beer of the day. It was 11am.
He also had dark circles under his eyes, but not clearly visible because of his dark fur. His eyes were red and on his wrists you could still see the scars where the handcuffs had been. Stripe and Rad sat next to him. They tried talking to him but to no avail. He kept quiet and did not hear anything what they said.
He didn't even notice they were there. When Bandit grabbed a new can of beer, he finally acknowledged their presence when Stripe took it out of his hand before he could open it.
''Hey!'' Bandit said annoyed.
''I think you had enough already for the day'' Stripe said as he opened the can and drank from it himself instead.
Bandit just growled a bit before resting his head on his arms on the table.
''Listen Bandit, it is no use to just sit here and drink yourself to death. You only give them more of a reason to attack you again when they come over for an inspection'' Rad said.
Bandit growled again. ''If you believe I would let them enter my house to inspect how me and my wife raise our daughters, then you're wrong!" he said defensively.
Rad sighed and continued: ''Bandit I can't imagine how humiliated you must feel, but know it's not worth it to fight it with violence. You're just getting yourself, Chili, Bluey and Bingo in even more trouble. Everyone who knows you, knows that you are not a terrible father. You are a great dad! And so yes, it is unfair what happened, and totally unjustifiable. But for whatever reason, you are now their target. They took MacKenzie on bases of unfair reasons and misunderstandings and I believe they are now looking for a reason to take away Bluey and Bingo and…''
Rad couldn't finish as Bandit now exploded and started to scream in his older brothers face. ''Don't ever think that they would get away with taking my children from me. They have to drag them away out of my cold, death claws before they succeed in that! Nobody takes them away from me! Or… or… I KILL THEM!''.
Stripe pushed Bandit back in his chair. ''Calm down, calm down. We know you are capable of doing that and we never will doubt for a second you would do that to protect them. But what would you achieve with that Bandit?! Nothing I will tell you. Now please calm down, stop drinking (with his arm he sweeps the empty cans from the table on the floor) and don't give them any crumb to do what they want to do!''.
Bandit had tears in his eyes as his ears started to droop. ''I know… but… I just feel so useless and… and… a failure. Why does that Friso guy think so badly about me? What have I done wrong?''.
Bandit sighed and let his head rest on the table. His brothers looked at each other worriedly and then walked to the living room to give their middle brother some space to himself. They sat down on the couch and both sighed simultaneously.
''I just don't… get it'' Stripe said. ''How and why did they targeted Bandit and Chili for?''
''I don't like what I heard. It sounds like something fishy is going on. I mean everyone knows that Bandit and Chili are great parents. They never hurt, harmed or bought Bluey, Bingo or any other child in some kind of danger.'' Rad said bitter.
''Heh. If I said that, Trixie would be shouting in my ear again that I believe too much in conspiracies''.
Rad looked at his youngest brother. ''How are things between you two? You two left in such a hurry from my place when I last saw you'' he asked concerned.
Stripe looked surprised. ''Between me and Trix? Everything is fine. Why do you ask?''.
''Well…. Uhhhh. Now the thing is you were shouting at each other and it looked like a big fight''.
''A fight? Nah mate. We squabbled a bit and Socks got upset when she saw that. She doesn't like it when people squabble so we went home early to calm her down. Nothing serious'' Stripe said nonchalant.
''You two seem to squabble a lot lately'' Rad sad.
''Huh. What do you mean?'' Stripe asked.
''Never mind'' Rad said and waved the conversation away with his hand. ''It all seems so strange to me and I don't get it. Why did this guy show up and just took MacKenzie with him to give him away to a strange, other family without consulting Bandit, Calypso or any other people. Or not even taking with the kid first! And for what reason? For a misunderstanding between him and Bandit? That he got lost? And yes what happened to him that night was horrible, but it was not Bandit's fault and Bandit should not be blamed for it. They should go after the police and tell them to hurry up to find the bastard that robbed and hurt him.''.
Stripe nodded. ''You are absolutely right Rad. It's just madness all of this. It was clearly not Bandit't fault. It was MacKenzie's fault. This whole situation is his wrong doing'' Stripe said. Rad turned his head to Stripe and raised a eyebrow. ''What do you mean with that?'' Rad asked as if he had been stung by a wasp.
At that point Bandit stumbled into the living room and plopped down in his chair and looked at his brothers talking.
Stripe answered in a serious tone: ''Well… This whole drama could just have been avoided if Bandit never had agreed to take care of him''
He turned his head towards Bandit. ''You could have known it would all get out of hand eventually. That's what naturally happens with border collies. They are as stubborn and wayward as a donkey and emotionally unstable. Eventually they just collapse an take everyone with them in their fall. You should have ignored…uh.. what was her name again.. (snaps his fingers), that teacher. That Aussie. If she couldn't handle him, you Bandit should have taken it as a hint not to get involved''.
Bandit started to look annoyed at his younger brother. Rad already looked pissed at Stripe's words.
''Stripe. I don't know what you are suggesting or what kind of backwards, 19th century racism and ideas are floating down in that empty head of yours but I suggest you stop talking'' Rad snapped at him.
''Huh, What?!'' Stripe said confused as he pointed towards himself. ''I am just saying that his teacher …. uhm.. what was her name now again… ah, Tango!...''
''Calypso'' Bandit growled annoyed.
Stripe continued as he didn't hear his brothers tone ''Yes her! Calypso… uh… never should have saddled Bandit and Chili up with shared foster care. If she wanted to take care of MacKenzie she should have done so herself. That lesbian doesn't have kids, this was her chance!''.
Bandit now got angry and slammed his fist on the armrest of his chair. ''Better listen to Rad and Watch the words coming out of your big mouth Stripe!'' he said growling.
But Stripe was unaware of any wrongdoing. ''All I'm saying is that she should have leave you and Chili alone. You two already have two kids to take care off. Why did you ever agree to take in a troubled child in dogsname? You could have known that it would cause trouble''.
''ENOUGH!" Bandit now screamed.
''Me and Chili agreed to take care of him as we are experienced parents and could not let Calypso just do everything on her own! We helped them both that way! As everyone with a hearth for others should have done. And don't forget that his father was a good friend of mine. His mum was a good friend of Chili and Frisky!
I care about that kid because he I have known him for years'' Bandit took a deep breath before continuing. ''I did it because I genuinely like the kid, he's good and a good friend of Bluey. And I did it for a good friend and his partner. The kid lost a father, and I lost a friend, don't forget that! I won't let a child of any of my friends alone without making sure that they are save because that is what friends do!
And never say again that MacKenzie is a problem child because he isn't! None of this is or was his fault."
Bandit looked beyond pissed and panted from the words he just said.
Rad nodded in agreement while Stripe looked surprised. It was silent for a moment, but not long enough as Stripe felt the urge to say something again… ''Well I'm sorry for that then and okay, I think I understand that now. But the fact remains that MacKenzie still couldn't get over it…''
Rad interrupted him and now shouted at him: ''Over what Stripe? That he witnessed his parents die in front of him? Should he had gone over that the minute he woke up from his coma?!''.
''Well not that soon of course. But after the funeral he should have been over it. Closed that book''.
''You heartless bastard!'' Rad said shocked after hearing those words as he turned his head away from Stripe.
''WHAT? Isn't that normal then? Grieving doesn't have to take that long. I quickly got over it when grandpa Clifford died''.
''You were three years old when grandpa died you empty headed Blueberry! Of course you quickly got over it, you hardly knew the man!'' Rad said to him.
Stripe now got pissed. ''Fuck you Radley! All I wanted to say was that if his teacher helped him more to let him get over it sooner, then he would not have run away. He would not have been beaten up like mash and he would not almost got kidnapped! ''
''What does that have to do with all of this!'' Bandit shouted angry on the verge of crying almost as he did not understand Stripe's sudden stubbornness and hard words.
''Because you got the blame for it ya scrawny skiver!'' Stripe turned his head and snapped at his brother. ''They took him away because they needed a scapegoat to blame it on and you are the scapegoat! And thanks to that little action of MacKenzie, you and Chili are now under government supervision and your kids can get taken away from you any time when that stabyhoun cunt has a bad day and doesn't like the way your face looks! Just like that he can snap his finger and gone are your daughters! (*Stripe snaps his fingers*)
Taken away from you like that and that is why I am pissed! He should not have been such a girlie, he should have man up, gotten over it and not get himself into trouble so you wouldn't be in trouble now'' Stripe said. He was now the last one to get pissed and looked red from anger.
Bandit breathed heavy in his chair as a thousand thoughts spinned through his mind. Was Stripe right? Was it MacKenzie's fault he was now under supervision?.
''I can't… believe… what I'm hearing'' Rad said. ''Why are you saying all of this? Why do you have to put the blame on the kid? He did not wanted any of this to happen".
''Well I'm not only blaming him. It's Bandit's own fault to'' Stripe said back.
''what? You just said you didn't blame me'' Bandit said with a trembling voice softly.
Stripe sighed as he crossed his arms and looked back at Bandit. ''Yeah mate, it's your own fault. But like I just said after your explanation, I now understand why you took him in. And I don't blame ya! I really do completely understand now why you wanted to take care of MacKenzie. I figured it out. So yeah, it's still your created problem and your own fault this all happened, but I can understand why you choose to let that happen''.
''Ofcourse you do know mongrel. He just explained it! He wanted to help a child in need and to honour his dead friend who happened to be the kid's father'' Rad said annoyed again towards Stripe.
Stripe turned around to Rad and looked annoyed. ''Yes, that and I believe that's true also. Because that is something Bandit would do''.
He then points a finger towards Rad. ''But you clearly don't get the underlaying reason from that explanation. The true reason''.
Rad looked confused. ''What true reason? What are you on about?''.
Stripe points at Bandit. ''All I say is that I think I know the true reason why he decided to take foster care of MacKenzie. Bandit keeps something from us or maybe he is just in denial to himself. But we all know the third reason, don't we, why Bandit wanted to have MacKenzie as a foster child''.
''No Stripe'' Bandit said now with a trembling and soft spoken voice full of anger that was cropped away far deep in him. ''We don't know. I sure don't know what other underlying reason I could have. What is it according to your professional opinion?'' he said with a bit of sarcasm.
Stripe looked awkwardly to his brother. ''Well… this was the opportunity to finally have the son you never got''.
Rad's mouth immediately fell open from shock as he then clapped his hands before his mouth. It suddenly became eerily quiet and chilly in the house and the already unpleasant atmosphere immediately turned even more sour.
Bandit didn't move a muscle and closed his eyes so that he no longer looked at his younger brother. His nails were piercing through the fabric of his chair. After a brief moment he looked at his younger brother again while sitting completely still in his chair.
'Say that again Stripe?'' he said in a soft, threating voice without Stripe noticing that.
Stripe answered, clearly not detecting Bandit's mood. ''Well you probably saw your change to finally raise a boy on your own. Look it's nothing to be embarrassed about, we all know you always really wanted a boy and that you lost your only son… you know…your firstborn in that miscarriage before Bluey was born. And MacKenzie was just there to fill that gap. He was your change to have a boy. And like I said, I understand it, really I do''.
Stripe looked at Bandit who didn't move or said anything. The only thing that happened was that Bandit started to shake lightly and that he clenched his fists. Tears were forming in his eyes as well.
Stripe then looked concerned at Rad. ''I'm right, aren't I?...'' Stripe asked, but he didn't get an answer. Rad looked shocked and totally disapproving and disappointed after his younger brothers remarks and just shook his head slowly to and fro. He could not believe that Stripe just said that. Chili's miscarriage was known to some family members and a forbidden topic to talk about in the Heeler family.
After it happened many years ago, Bandit forbad anyone from ever speaking about it to him, Chili or in their house. Bandit, and Chili especially always pretended it never happened as the memory was too painful for the both of them. But Stripe just broke that rule. And not only that, he just basically said that Bandit only wanted to take foster care of MacKenzie to fill that void.
It was still eerily quiet in the room. Bandit's heavy breathing and the ticking sound of the clock on the wall could be heard. Stripe and Rad did not dare to say anything. After some time Bandit stood up and walked towards his younger brother. He walked slow towards him and his fists were shaking. He stopped right in front of Stripe, but did not look his younger brother in the eyes. He kept starring at the floor. Stripe could see tears falling down Bandit's cheeks.
Rad meanwhile was afraid that Bandit was about to hit and beat Stripe or worse… and wanted to intervene. But Bandit only, slowly raised his arm and pointed with his finger to the door.
''out'' he said with a soft, broken voice.
''Huh?'' Stripe said a bit dumbfounded.
''OUT!'' Bandit now screamed right in Stripe's face, saliva landing in his eyes. ''OUT OF MY FUCKING HOUSE!''.
He picked Stripe up by the fur on his chest and with one arm threw him of the couch on the floor.
Stripe hit the floor hard, face down and broke down in tears from fear as he slowly crawled away from Bandit. ''I…I … I don't understand'' he whimpered.
''THAT IS THE WHOLE FOCKING PROBLEM STRIPE! You never understand anything! You never know when to shut up! Now get your ass up, piss off and never return you fuckwit! I never want to see your mug again!'' Bandit said in the most threatening way he had ever done.
Bandit then grabbed Stripe's arm and tried to pull him away towards the door.
It was hurting Stripe, but it didn't move him an inch because he was too heavy to move like that. In frustration Bandit stomped hard on the floor with his feet, right next to Stripe's head, almost hitting him. Then he looked down at his younger brother and stopped with what he was doing.
Stripe was now the one crying hard and looking fearful and confused. He was curled up in a ball on the floor, his hand covering his face, breathing heavy while sobbing hard like a small child. Bandit could hear him softly whisper to himself: ''I'm sorry Bandit…Bandit…I'm sorry…don't tell dad…don't tell dad…please…don't hurt me…I'm sorry for what I did…I didn't mean to….really…don't hurt me again please…I wasn't thinking…I don't know what I did….please don't tell dad….i didn't mean to hurt you…please don't hurt me…I am so sorry…''
... For a brief moment in Bandit's eyes and memory he had left his own living room and stood now in his childhood bedroom he had shared with both his brothers. A certain autumn day in 1991. Stripe turned into a seven year old younger brother who just accidently broke his older brother's Lego set he had worked hard and long on. He was begging for him not to tell mum or dad or hurt him again as it was an accident and he didn't mean to do it and he did not understand why his older brother of ten was still angry about it and wanted to hit him again, after already receiving a slap in the face for the accident. Bandit stopped and gasped. This was a repeat of what happened then.
And just like way back then, Rad suddenly flew in between them to pull them apart from each other to prevent one from hurting the other and restore peace. Rad shoved Stripe aside, and then turned to Bandit, placing his hands on his shoulders and carefully pushing him down on the couch.
''Calm down, calm down. Take a deep breath and let's not do anything we might regret later. This is now way to behave even after what he said'' Rad said.
''I want him gone Rad'' Bandit still said angry in-between breaths and shaking his head. Stripe stayed down on the floor and was holding the back of the couch, looking confused and scared. He whipped away his tears and snot.
Rad looked at both of his younger brothers, thinking about what to say or what to do.
''What is going on? Why all the shouting?'' they suddenly heard Bluey say. The all turned around and saw her standing in the doorframe.
''Bluey!'' Bandit said shocked and concerned as he stood up and sprinted towards her. ''What are you doing here sweetheart? You should be in bed''. Bandit's whole demeanour and mood changed to that of a worried father as he stroke his daughters back.
''I was in bed but I woke up from all the shouting from here and couldn't fall back asleep!'' she complained. ''Why did you all shout and why is Uncle Stripe on the floor?'' she wanted to know. Bandit bit his lip as he tried to fight upcoming tears and find an excuse of what to say.
''Nothing serious Bluey'' Stripe said suddenly as he stood up and brushed the dust of his fur. He looked sad but tried to act like nothing happened. ''I was about to leave and go home but i… tripped and fell on the ground. Therefore I shouted and these two just laughed at me. Nothing to worry about. We…we just had fun'' he said with a lump in his throat as he gave a fake little chuckle afterwards. Rad clearly could see that Stripe was hurt and tried to hide that. Bandit looked amazed at Stripe. After his agression towards his younger brother, Stripe was still reassuring and comforting his niece to make her feel less worried about what she might have seen or heard.
Bluey laughed back. ''Oh okay that is lame to laugh about, i hope it didn't hurt.''. Stripe shook his head saddened. ''No sweetheart. It did not. I'm…not hurt''.
''Why are you already leaving?'' she asked Stripe.
Stripe looked a bit uncomfortable and looked away from Bandit. ''Because…uhm… I have a other appointment this afternoon and I don't want to be there late''.
Bluey tilted her head a little and raised her eyebrows, then gave a smile and said: ''Okay'', she walked towards him and gave him a hug. ''Bye Uncle Stripe. Thank you for visiting me … us I mean. It's nice seeing you. Will you come back soon?''.
Now Stripe bit his lips as tears were forming again in his eyes a little. He hugged her back and tried desperately to hold the tears in. With a trembling, soft voice he spoke. ''uhm…i… i… I don't know sweetheart. May…maybe…be not so soon I'm afraid''.
''Awh, why not?'' she said disappointed.
Suddenly Bandit stepped towards them. He had the same expression as Stripe. ''I think because your Uncle Stripe is busy these days with his work.''. Bandit puts his hand on Stripe's shoulder. ''But we will see him again soon of course. It's not like we will never see…or never want to see him again'' Bandit said.
''For real life?'' Stripe asked quietly with a spark of hope in his eyes.
''Yeah mate, for real life of course'' Bandit said. Stripe then let go of Bluey and hugged his brother as they both started to sob and cry in each other arms.
Bluey looked at them before Rad took her by the hand and let her away to the kitchen. In the kitchen he made a cup of tea and grabbed a piece of cake. He then took her and the items back to her room upstairs.
Back in her room she crawled back in bed and he covered her up with a blanket ''There you go cupcake. Now drink that tea and eat some of that cake. It will make you feel a bit better. And don't forget to get some sleep then. It's good for getting your strength back'' he said as he stroke her head.
Bluey sipped from her tea, took a small bite of the cake and then laid down. She touched the bandage on her head and pulled a pained face. ''It still hurts!" she complained.
Rad gave her a soft smile. ''It will take a couple of days to heal. Let it rest, don't touch it!, and in a couple of days you won't feel it anymore''.
''Awh. Why does it take so long?'' she said gloomy.
''We are Heelers, not Healers'' Rad laughed about his own joke that wasn't even that good. He got up and then walked away. ''Get some sleep Bluey. It's good for ya. We promise to stay quit downstairs now'' he said.
''That's good. I hate it when people are fighting'' she said as she turned around, her back facing the door''.
Rad was a bit surprised by hearing this.
''Uhm… we did not fight. Your Uncle Stripe just tripped and we laughed about'' he said nervously.
''Yeah, nah'' she said in a mimicking New-Zealand accent as that is how MacKenzie would say that word normally whenever he disagreed with something. It is a non-committal way of saying no.
''I actually heard Dad and Uncle Stripe fight. I don't know precisely what it was about but it had something to do with MacKenzie I think''. She turned around again to face her uncle. ''I hate it when people squabble of fight! Dad wanted to kick out Uncle Stripe. I couldn't let that happen! That is why I came down to prevent that because I don't want to happen that I never see my uncle, or Muffin and Socks ever again. Like Judo never sees her dad because her mum and him had a fight and she kicked him out. And I know Dad would regret that later if he ever did that. They are adults! They should not fight! Ever!'' She then took another sip of her tea. ''I'm happy that I succeeded in preventing that!'' she said the last sentence with a smile. ''When I get better, I'll found out what it was about. I'm just happy they made up together''. She then turned around again with her back facing the door.
Rad walked back to her and again stroke her head carefully as he gave her a small kiss on the head. ''You are amazing Bluey. You really are. Thank you''. He smiled as he saw how she fell satisfied asleep then. He carefully walked to the door and closed it softly.
He was extremely proud at his niece for preventing a family drama that would have been sour and bad for sure and emotionally heavy for both his younger brothers. He walked back downstairs to confront them and start a conversation to sort it all out, because Stripe and Bandit had some talking to do. ''What is the matter with Stripe?'' he thought to himself. He had notice his youngest brother behaviour and knew that he often spoke without thinking first. It was something Stripe already did when he was young, but it seemed to get worse this behaviour by every year. Even to the point that some people felt embarrassed around Stripe these days as he just blurted everything out what was on his mind on every subject without knowing any context whatsoever. But just before he reached the final step of the stairs, he suddenly saw Socks running out of the back garden into the living room towards her father. She was crying and tears were falling behind her. He heard her sobbing and saying: ''Dad! Do you really hate mum?!''….
Meanwhile somewhere, far away almost in the Australian outback in-between Yalgoo, Sandstone and Leister in Western Australia, a small plane descends and lands on the very small Sandstone Airport. In the little, old Cessna 195 sat a pilot, two government officials and a child. The latter one woke up from the hard landing on the hard soil as the airport did not have any tarmac but was in the middle of the land. The runway was just the ground. He was laying in the back, covered underneath a blanket. Slowly his eyes opens and he yawns. He rubs his eyes for a moment a pulls away the blanket. He looks around him and is startled. He was not expecting to wake up in a small plane. The motor made a lot of ear deafening noise that annoyed him. He also didn't expect to be surrounded by strangers.
Well strangers… two of the three men he recognised, but he did not consider them to be friendly. Next to him on the backseat sits one of the dogs that took him away from the Heelers. A red grumpy looking Basenji dog. In front of him in the front seat of the plane sat the other dog. The one that pulled Bluey away from him, causing her to fall. It was a big brown-yellowish South-African Boerboel with a black muzzle. A dog of six foot four and full of muscle. He just smiled and ate a vegemite sandwich.
The pilot was the last one and sat on the left side of the plane in front (duh), controlling it. It was a black Belgian Shepherd dog, wearing a pilots cap and dark pilot sunglasses. For some reason he also wears a navy blue tie.
MacKenzie then looked out of the window and stared at the surroundings. He saw nothing but dark, brownish sand, mountains and native apricot trees and gum trees. He had no idea where he was and he was beginning to panic.
He rarely had left Brisbane. Only with his parents he visited some places in New-Zealand and the Gold and the sunshine Coast, Sydney and Melbourne. And once he visited Byron Bay with school. But the rest of Australia was unknown for him. He didn't knew much about the rest of that big country. It even looked completely different then Queensland that he knew. This was the Australia he only knew from television.
''Where are we and who are you!'' he said filled with fear and with a trembling voice as he kept looking outside.
The Basenji rolled its eyes as the Boerboel sighed and throws his head back in frustration.
''He's awake again'' he complains. .
''It noticed that Sheila'' the Baenji said.
The Boerboel just growled. ''Does he need to get another shot?''.
''Nah. Mr. Fries wanted him to be awake anyway when we would land here''.
MacKenzie then asked again where they were but they just simply ignored him. The plane taxied to the parking spot and turned the engine off. The two dogs immediately opened the doors and the Boerboel grabbed MacKenzie and yanked him out of his seat. Before MacKenzie felt on the ground the Boerboel carefully grabbed him and put him on his feet.
MacKenzie thanked him a bit hesitantly.
''No worries. Sorry if we were a bit unfriendly just then to you. We didn't mean to. It was just a long day for us to ya know? This has turned into a 19 hour shift almost and we are tired and done. Nothing to do with you kid. We are not here to harm ya'' he then grabbed a bottle of water and gave it to MacKenzie. ''Here, drink some. It has been a long journey''.
Hesitantly MacKenzie takes the bottle and starts drinking. The dog was right, he was extremely thirsty.
The Basenji now came to them. ''If you want a other one, we got plenty. We are not here to harm you kid. We are government officials on a mission. We had to get you away from where you were and bring you here'' he explained in a kind voice, which took MacKenzie off-guard.
''Yup'' the Boerboel interrupted. ''We probably could have done a better job and be a bit nicer, but we were in a hurry and rescue missions like this are stressful, for you and us''.
MacKenzie took another bottle of water that the Basenji offered him. ''But why did you bring me here, what do you mean with a rescue mission? And who told you to do so?''.
Both dogs shrugged their shoulders. The Basenji answered. ''Don't know why kid. But the head of our department, mr. Fries, is on his way to here and he will explain everything to you. We just obey his orders. Speaking of the devil… I believe that he has arrived''.
Suddenly another plane could be heard in the sky. MacKenzie turned around and saw that it was a Beechcraft Skipper that landed on the runway. It was a small, white plan with a Australian flag painted on the tail. When the plane came to a stop, the doors opened. Another black Belgian Shepperd dog pilot stepped out together with a stabyhoun dog, carrying a suitcase and this time wearing a dark red tie and white shirt. Just the night before he did not wear anything. Like all dogs.
But MacKenzie immediately recognised him. He growled and showed his teeth, his ears tilted back, as he did some steps behind and tugged his tail between his legs.
The other dog however, seemed unaware of any wrongdoing and danger as he walked up to MacKenzie and greeted him friendly.
''Hi… Macca was it right?! How are you?'' Friso said as he pulled his hand up and tried to high-five MacKenzie.
MacKenzie just growled at him. Friso looked surprised and then sighed. He looked at the two dogs. ''Why is he cranky? Did you not gave him enough rest?'' he asked them.
''Don't know mr. Fries. He has slept throughout the entire trip. As soon as we left Brisbane we gave him the hypnotic in the needle and he fell asleep. Just before we got to Sydney airport he woke up again, so we gave him another shot. After that one he slept through the entire flight until we landed here'' the Basenji answered nonchalant.
''A needle? Why did you not give him the sleeping pills I gave to you?" Friso said frustrated.
''Sleeping pills? I thought they were mints. Good thing I haven't ate them yet'' the Basenji said as he took them out of his pocket.
Friso rolled his eyes and turned to MacKenzie. ''I hope the rest of your trip was more pleasant son. I just wanna say that…'' he placed a hand on MacKenzie' shoulder, but MacKenzie didn't like that and he slapped the hand away. ''Owh! Where was that for?'' Friso said while holding his painful hand as he gave a confused look at MacKenzie.
''For kidnapping me and bring me to this place! Bring me home!'' MacKenzie demanded.
Friso looked confused at him. ''My dear boy, we did not kidnap you, we saved you. You don't have to thank me for that, but it would be appreciated. And you don't have a home remember? Your parents did but they died. So you lived temporarily with a foster family and I'm sorry we choose the wrong family for you, but…''.
''Huh? Wrong family? What do you mean!'' MacKenzie interrupted.
''Well we thought they were capable of taking good care of you. But I didn't realise how they would mistreat you. I'm sorry for all the beating they did, and how they locked you up in the basement and…''
''Wowwowwowwow! Hold up!'' MacKenzie interrupted again as he was sticking up his hands. ''Bluey's da… I mean mr. Heeler never did that to me! He never beat me or screamed at me or locked me up, neither did Calypso or mrs. Heeler!'' he said angrily. How did this dog dare to accuse the Heelers of something so horrible like that?
''Dear boy, don't be afraid anymore. You don't have to lie anymore or to hide. I was told what they did to you and we took immediate action to save you. So be happy. And if you worry about the girls in that house, don't! We keep a close eye on them to see if they are not being mistreated like you''.
''I WASN'T MISTREATED! I don't have bruises on my body, I can prove it'' MacKenzie shouted angrily and desperate.
''Well, I am colour-blind so even if you did have them I wouldn't be able to see them'' Friso answered. ''And your trauma might let you forget the horrible things those people did to you''.
MacKenzie was flabbergasted. Why did this guy think the Heelers would do horrible things to him? They helped him, they pulled him on his feet when he was feeling sad, he trusted them and they were always nice to him. Did this government agent 'saved' the wrong kid or was he just plain dumb? MacKenzie didn't understand it.
He looked at Friso again.
''Listen! They were great! They love me and I love them. They never did anything bad. Please believe me and bring me back''.
Friso shook his head. ''Listen, they probably lied so much to you that you actually start to believe it. You have been manipulated that is clear. None of that is or was true, I'm almost certain of it. And you probably forgot that you tried to run away from them. Don't you remember? You ran away from them and ended up in a terrible situation. You got robbed and beaten and then almost kidnapped if the police didn't save you. All of that wouldn't have happened if you didn't had to run away from the Heelers''.
MacKenzie stammered. He wanted to say something but didn't know what to say as he felt he was just going to repeat himself for no reason as this guy wouldn't even listen.
Friso continued: ''And why would you want to go back anyway? A big city is a terrible environment for a dog of your breed, right?'' He then got on one knee as he levelled up to MacKenzie's height. ''Twelve years ago, when I took on this job, I promised that I would find perfect new homes for little orphans like you. That I would make sure that orphans find a good home.
And therefore with my experience I can once again tell a kid that I did it again (pokes MacKenzie on the chest) For you mr. Collie I found a perfect new place to live: Welcome to Western Australia mate, your new home state!'' he said enthusiastic while spreading his arm wide open but MacKenzie was in shock.
''Western… austra…. WHY? WHAT!''.
''Well we found someone that will take care of you. And with 'we' I mean 'me' really. Your new adoptive dad's name is John Rotten and he already adopted seven other children before in the past five years. All from the same age as you! So he has experience, and you won't be alone anymore. All those children were also saved from abusive foster parents like you and found a new home here at John's farm. And guess what… all by me! I saved and placed them here and I believe you also will live here happily, because I trust this family.
So yeah… you are going to live with him and his wife on his farm together with five new brothers and two sisters! Now doesn't that sound great!''
MacKenzie couldn't believe his ears. He was robbed of his parents, he was left behind by his family, he was taken away with force from his foster family, he was separated from his friends and now without asking him beforehand what he wanted was basically forced by this government official to live in a strange part of the country he didn't know with a family and several other children he never had the chance to meet beforehand.
''But…but what if I don't want to? Why don't I have a choice in all of this? Just bring me home please!''
Friso gestured for him to be quiet and was losing his patience. ''Don't be so ungrateful and whiny you crybaby. Just man up already. I know we are in the middle of Woop Woop but believe me, you get used to it. I think. The farm where you going to is completely independent. You are a working dog, I bet there are sheep there. You will love it there. A new save house, with a lot of new brother and sisters.
A place where you can live, learn and work. How could you not be enthusiastic about that? Be thankful that we give you a future and that this family is willing to take you in. You know that dogs of your age normally don't get adopted easily because nobody wants them and so mostly spent their entire youth in an orphanage? You're lucky, just remember that!''.
''Strange, I don't feel very lucky'' MacKenzie said softly as he looked down, away from Friso and rubbing his arm, letting his words sink in.
Then suddenly a car horn was heard. MacKenzie and Friso turned around to see a dark green 1955 Dodge Ute Fargo truck, missing it's hubcaps and covered with a lot of rust and a ute full of junk, drove to were the dogs were all standing.
''Ah, here he is. MacKenzie, this is John'' Friso said as the car stopped and a big, dark greyish rottweiler stepped out of the vehicle.
When John noticed MacKenzie he started grinning as he lighted up a cigarette. MacKenzie gulped.
Calypso had left the Heeler house in a state of shock and depression after the events of the previous night and had called in sick at work. She had to process what happened and how her job was at stake now. Her friends showed up after hearing she was sick and tried to sheer her up. They took her that day to an art gallery in town, the craft market and a petite little café for a high-tea (with wine as well) in the park that afternoon.
All things she normally would love and exactly often did with her friends in her spare time, especially after stopping with her voluntary work at the hospital. But now, she just dragged herself after them and acted like she was happy and enjoying herself with the distraction. Of course she was thankful they looked after her and did appreciate it, but she wasn't in the mood to do anything.
Right after she returned home, she immediately fell back in her depressed state. Sitting in a chair in front of her TV. It was on and the menu of a streaming service showed up. But for the next two hours it stayed on like that as no series or movie were being selected. She just closed her eyes and was making up happy scenarios in her head of her favourite characters from different tv shows she watched. From time to time she thought of happy memories. Most of them happy ones and mainly from all those children she had taught over the years.
She was now 56 and was almost a teacher for 32 years. So she had taught a lot of children. Most of then had grown up and had family of their owns now, while others were just starting or finishing their studies at universities. She would always stop and talk to any of her former students if she recognised them on the streets.
She felt it was a blessing that almost every student she ever had in her classes were successful. She never heard about any of them being ruined, living on the streets or becoming criminals. There were just six of her former students she knew that had a hard life, but were now in a good place. And seven others unfortunately had died young. Some of accidents and others of illness. Then she thought of MacKenzie. She never had a case like him before. She once had a student that lost her mum due to illness, but she still had her dad then. She never had a student losing both his parents and becoming an orphan.
She opened her eyes and start plucking the edges of the pillow on her chair. Had she done anything wrong at all? Was she wrong in trusting Bandit or did she herself was to blame? Did she made any mistakes in any of this? There had to be a reason why all of this happened? The worst thing was she and MacKenzie hadn't had the time to talk it out about her pushing him to talk. Just when they sat down and she wanted to say she was sorry, that guy came by and took him away. Hopelessly she had watched from the verandah as he was being taken away. She was worried about him.
''No, you don't have to be worried. Yes, your reputation is ruined but that is fixable and he might hate you, but he was taken by the government. Sure they have found a save and good family for him where he can live'' she told herself repeatedly.
The suddenly the doorbell rang and she looked up. She did not expect any visitors at the moment. She also noticed that she had shredded a lot of her fur due the stress of overthinking for the last two hours.
''My dog… I'm in a sorry state'' she said surprised as looked at the fur piled up on the floor under her relaxing chair as she stood up and walked to the door.
When she opened it she saw to her surprise a teacher from a other school. It was miss. Retriever, the kindy teacher. They knew each other from educational meetings and fairs, but didn't work at the same school.
She raised her eyebrows; ''Mrs. Retriever. Hi, what unexpected. Uh… what can I do for you?''.
Mrs. Retriever smiled friendly but then immediately looked very serious. ''Calypso. I heard what happened…''
Calypso sighs. ''Of course you did. Teachers are not very well known to keep things for themselves. Let me guess… you are here to hear what really happened so you know the facts instead of the gossip. Well… I am not in the mood to talk about it and…''
Mrs. Retriever shook her head. ''No…no there is no gossip and I am not interested in that at all. I just wanted to talk to you because I am worried to''.
''Oh. You know MacKenzie then?'' Calypso asked.
The golden retriever nodded. ''Yeah. He was once one of my students. I remember him. He started later than the other kids. He and his parents had just moved from New-Zealand if I remember correctly so he knew no one. Therefore in the beginning he was sitting and playing alone, rather sad and fearful of the rest until a blue heeler made friends with him, rather forcefull but with good intentions''.
Calypso smiled a little. ''That is nice to hear. But is that the reason you came to see me?'' she asked.
''No. I wanted to tell that… (nervously she looks around to see if nobody else can hear her)… I am worried about the amateurism of the children's council and then especially in Friso. You know him right?''.
Calypso didn't understand and stumbled a bit; ''huh? Uh….why…what do you mean precisely?" she asked.
Mrs. Retriever came closer to Calypso. ''MacKenzie isn't the first child to be saved by that man''. When she said 'saved' her tone sounded sarcastic as she pointed her fingers up and down. Calypso looked worried now as Mrs. Retriever continued. ''
''What do you mean?'' she asked.
''Can I come inside to tell you something?'' mrs. Retriever asked. Calypso nodded as she let her in.
As she closed the door she got shivers down her body. Something was wrong she felt.
''I am so, so sorry Bandit! I didn't know you would get so angry…and….and I wasn't thinking about what I said and frankly... i don't know why i had to say all of that. I feel so stupid''. Stripe said in-between tears as he was hugging his brother.
''You don't have to say everything that comes up in your mind Stripe. How often have we talked about this already? It hurts so much hearing that'' Bandit said as he was forgiving his younger brother for his words but still needed answers.
''I just thought that… and… and…*sniffs* I thought I could say that and then I got angry at Rad when he got mad at me and then you got mad at me…*sniffs* and then I got mad at you and all because I said what I thought and I needed to share it…i… thought you two would understand me… I didn't mean any harm with it..''.
Bandit looked at Stripe. ''What you said did hurt and it was not true! I never thought of MacKenzie as a replacement for…'' Bandit gulps, takes a deep breath and continues, ''never. What I said are the only reasons. And that's it. And what happened is probably based on a mistake they made, not about what we did. It's not mine fault, or Chili's, or Calyposo's and certainly not MacKenzie's fault. The Children's Safety department is at fault and we…we just need to figure out why and how this could happen and to locate where they brought MacKenzie too''.
Stripe nodded. The brothers then for a while said nothing and were standing awkwardly next to each other.
After a while Stripe broke the silence. ''Please don't think I hate MacKenzie. Because I don't. I like him. I just thought he was reasonable for all of it''.
''Yeah I know. Like I said it's not his fault and I know you like him to. But it's good to hear you say it'' Bandit said back.
''Alright. Because i don't longer think that. You are right. And I really do like him, and you and I am really sorry''.
''I know mate. It's good''.
''So…. I don't have to leave?'' Stripe asked carefully.
Bandit shook his head. ''Nah mate, like I said. I was angry when i said that and we talked. It's good now''.
Stripe looked down and shook his head. ''Good… good. Because I am. And I like him. And I didn't try to blame you or anyone else… i just thought…''
Bandit held up his hand to signal Stripe to stop talking. ''Stripe, I know. Forgiven and forgotten. Now stop talking about it''.
Stripe again nodded. ''Yeah of course, sorry. But I really mean it al''.
He got on Bandit's nerves again. He turned around to face Stripe. ''Mate, stop it. It's all good''.
Stripe wanted to talk again about how sorry he was but he didn't know what to say. Just when he wanted to say it again they both heard a cry coming from outside. They looked at each other and wanted to run outside when Socks stormed in, crying.
'Dad! Do you really hate mum?!'' she cried.
Stripe's mouth fell open and he turned into the old, confident father again. ''What…no…no of course not dear. Why would you say…or even think that?'' he bent over to embrace her to calm her down.
''Because Muffin said that'' she sobbed.
Stripe got up and yelled. ''Muffin! Get your behind in here this instant young lady!''.
He crossed his arms and waited until his oldest daughter showed up. When she came he huffed and pointed at socks who was hugging her dad.
''Why did you say something that awful to your sister? Look what you done to her?''
Muffin shrugged her shoulders. ''I just confirmed it when Bingo asked''.
''BINGO!'' Bandit now shouted. ''C'mere!".
Bingo walked inside, covered in mud.
''What did you say to your cousins about your aunt and uncle?'' Bandit demanded to know.
''Dad, I didn't mean to upset Socks'' Bingo said with a remorseful expression.
''Well you did and you wupset your uncle aswell. What did you say that young lady?'' Bandit repeated stern.
''I just asked her if it was true that aunt Trixie and uncle Stripe didn't love each other anymore'' she dared not to look at Stripe who was flabbergasted.
''And I just gave her a honest answer uncle Bandit'' Muffin continued in the defence of her cousin.
''What was your answer Muffin?'' Bandit asked.
''Well… I said yes. I said that they hate each other now and that is when she run away crying''.
''MUFFIN! How could you say something that terribly bad about us?'' Stripe said and then looked at Bingo. ''And Bingo, why would you ask that at all? Me and your aunt love each other very much''.
Then Bingo pointed at her father. ''Because dad said he wouldn't be surprised if you and aunt Trixie would divorce as you two are only fighting these days. So I wanted to know if that was true''. Now Bandit turned pale. His eyes widened as he was in shock.
''And I just confirmed it'' Muffin added.
''When did I ever said that, Bingo?!'' Bandit asked her.
''When you were in the kitchen with mum when MacKenzie's aunt and uncle were visiting. You said that you can't see them being forever. That their squabbling would end up in a divorce soon'' she said softly to her father.
Bandit then remembered that he indeed said that on that stressful night. He now realised that he and Chili weren't alone and didn't knew that Bingo was in the kitchen. He thought all of the children were watching a film. He could hit himself in the face right now. All he had to do that night was making sure they were alone before he started talking, now he was overheard and it had caused a commotion. He slowly looked eye sided to Stripe to see his reaction. He could see that Stripe was confused, full of stress and flabbergasted by hearing this, while he was busy comforting Socks.
Stripe then turned his head to Bandit. ''Do you really think that of us?'' he asked his brother in a sad voice.
Bandit didn't know what to say. He looked helplessly around him.
''Yes. At least I do'' they both heard Rad say suddenly. They turned around to see him walking down the stairs and re-join them in the living room.
''All I ever see and hear whenever I see the both of you is you two fighting with each other, having arguments and complaining about each other's habits or what the other says or does. It's tiring. Every time we visit you, every time you visit us, every time we go out. I was ashamed last time when we all went out in that restaurant. The whole place was looking at us!'' Rad said.
Stripe looked shocked at Rad.
''Ma and Dad are worried and clearly your children to, but you and Trixie never seem to notice it Stripe. We are all worried and well… wondering how long your marriage will last.'' Rad then said.
''What the fuck are you all talking about?!'' they heard. The three brothers turned around. Trixie and Chili had just came back from their walk and just walked in.
''I love you hun. I reallydo.'' Stripe sobbed.
Somewhere in Western Australia, a plane took off. Another one with a Australian flag on it was still on the ground.
Friso was talking to John while MacKenzie stood at a distance. After a while Friso and John turned around and shook hands.
''MacKenzie!'' Friso said as he walked to him. ''I wish you all the best kid. Have fun and try to open up for John and his family. He just told me you are going to have a great time growing up here and I am also convinced by that. I have to go now. Maybe I see you a other time. Bye for now!''.
He grabbed MacKenzie's hand and shook it fast before he walked to the plane and stepped in. MacKenzie did not had the time to say anything back to him or talk. Friso had just said bye and took off. Now he was all alone and just standing there. Well… alone. John was there to.
MacKenzie then watched as Friso's plane took off. He could not believe what was happening to him right now. He was in disbelief.
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted.
''Hey! Mongrel! G'yet in the Ute already'' John said. His tone was anything but friendly.
MacKenzie hesitated. He didn't know the man and he didn't want to go with him. He was just dropped there and the dog hadn't even introduced himself or anything.
''HEY! I said c'mere!'' John barked at him.
MacKenzie walked towards him and decided to introduce himself to John. After all, according to Friso this was a nice man from a friendly family. He extends his arm to shake his hand politely. ''Hi sir. I'm MacKezie Collie. Nice to meet you. Thank you for letting me stay with you''.
He looked at John who just starred at him. Suddenly John busted out laughing. ''HAHAHA They gave me a Kiwi this time. That's a first hihi''. He was picking away a tear from laughing.
MacKenzie looked a bit confused and awkwardly laughed. ''hehehe'' all the while extending his hand.
''Oh, that stupid accent. U-hum. Right, get in the car. I want to go home!'' John said, ignoring MacKenzie's hand as he turned around and flicked away his burned out cigarette.
MacKenzie was a bit disappointed. Maybe he will warm up later he thought. He walks to the passenger door of the car and is about to get in.
''EY! Wadda ya think your going to do!'' John said angry.
MacKenzie looked confused. ''Uh… getting in the car?'' he said.
''Sit your ass in the back of the ute!'' he snapped as he grabbed the door and closed it before MacKenzie.
MacKenzie walked to the back of the truck and climbed with some difficulty in the overfilled tonneau and sat down between some old, dirty cans and boxes. John started the vehicle and drove off. ''Not a great start, MacKenzie thought''.
After almost an hour they arrived at John's farm. Poor MacKenzie had sat in the burning sun all this time and was hot, sweaty and tired. He had hidden from the sunbeams under a dirt old cloth he has found.
He looked around when the car stopped. He saw a big, red wooden barn with a grain silo next to it. Next to it was a big field with crops, next to it a field with cows as far as he could see. The car was parked next to a old, white Victorian house of two floors and a iron shed next to it. It had a white porch with a old rocking chair on it and a table.
John stepped out of the car, grabbed MacKenzie by the scruff on his neck and yanked him out of the car. Before MacKenzie could say anything, John started speaking. ''Right. As you can see this is a farm. And on this farm we work. We get up at five in the morning and start work at half past five. You get a break at twelve and then we work until seven. We go to bed at eight. You got that?''
MacKenzie was shocked when he heard this. ''That's a long day''.
''Of course it is! It's a farm and work has to be done, Besides you live here for free! Me and my wife provide for you. Give you a home and food! Can't I ask something back from you, you ungrateful brat?!''. John sounded angry and threating. Mackenzie didn't dare to say anything else.
''Right. I show you were you sleep''. John said.
MacKenzie was expecting him to walk towards the house, but instead John turned around and walked towards the barn. MacKenzie followed. John opened the doors and flipped a switch which turned on the lights. Old hanging fluorescent lamps that were buzzing, zooming and flickering as they walked further in the barn.
It was a big old wooden building. It leaked, light came through, there was a draft and it smelled horrible as there was cow manure everywhere. MacKenzie thought ''this must be a joke right?''.
They walked to the end of the bar were a curtain was hanging. John pulled it open. Behind it where three straw bales. On two of them lay an old blanket covered with stains and holes. In the middle stood a bucket that smelled like old, dried up urine.
John then pushed MacKenzie on the straw bale that was up against the barn wall. He grabbed his leg and MacKenzie felt that John was putting something around it. It felt heavy and cold, making MacKenzie shiver. When John backed up MacKenzie saw that John had put a chain on his ankle that was connected to the wall.
''EY! What is the meaning of this!'' MacKenzie asked angry as fear consumed him now.
''Just to make sure you won't wander about the farm. It's dangerous around here ya know? You could harm yourself so I'm doing this for your own safety. You have enough freedom to walk to that bucket for when you need to relieve yourself. But you clean that thing up yourself first thing in the morning!''.
''Let me go! What is this? Why are you doing this?'' MacKenzie demanded horrified.
John stood up and looked at him. ''This is your room and the bed I provide to you. Be fucking grateful for it and get used to it'' he walked towards the hanging curtains. ''It's early on the day but as you had a long day already I suggest you go to sleep now. Consider it to be a welcoming gift from me as normally I wouldn't allow sleeping or being lazy on a perfect working day like this. Tomorrow will be your first, hard and long day of labour and i know you lazy city boys have to get used to that. So go to sleep so I know for sure you have plenty of energy tomorrow. The first of many, hard long days''. John then laughed vile and took another cigarette as he turned away and closed the curtains.
MacKenzie was in shock and disbelief. This must be some kind of sick joke. Or a nightmare. He quickly punched himself to see if he would wake up, but he was already awake. This was all real. He tries to run after John, but the chain stops him.
He falls on the dirty, cold concrete floor and quickly tries to get back up but can't move another inch. He hears John's footsteps slowly fading away in the distance.
''No! Don't leave me behind here! Please don't. Why like this?!" he screams in fear.
John walked away, turned off the lights of the barn and closed the heavy doors in one swing leaving MacKenzie alone, scarred and desperately screaming for help in a dark, cold and old, dirty barn in the middle of nowhere where nobody could hear him scream...