Bingo and Biscuit had been home for several weeks by now, yet the shadows about their harrowing experience loomed over them, lingering like ghosts. Their physical wounds might have healed but the emotional scars were still raw, leaving them both grappling with a sense of unease. Bandit and Chili were well aware of the turmoil in the pups minds keeping them away from school for a bit longer, hoping the restore a semblance of safety and normalcy
This particular night the stars flickered against the azure sky, but the atmosphere inside the heeler home was thick with tension. The house appeared calm and serene, but two red heelers were thrashing around in their sleep, grappling with nightmares.
Biscuit found himself engulfed in a constricting darkness. His breath quickening as fear and panic clawed at him, the realization dawning that he was submerged in water. Each wave of the icy liquid engulfed him, suffocating him as he tried to gasp for air. The horrifying memory of the river crashing into his mind.
"Bingo!"He screamed, only to find out his voice got swallowed by the depths. Dread unfurled in the young boy's chest as he tried to surface. Every moment was thwarted by the rushing currents that tried to drag him deeper into the abyss, tendrils of fear wrapping around him like chains.
In the room across the hall, Bingo was trapped in her own nightmare. She stood at a calm river's edge. Light casting playful shimmers on the surface, however as she leaned closer the surface exploded, waves surging high towering around her causing a paralyzing terror to grab her. "Biscuit" She cried, her voice breaking with dread hoping her brother would save her.
Before Bingo could react the torrent grabbed her, wrapping the pup in a cold embrace. As a gut wrenching fear settled into her stomach the currents dragged her down. "I can't breathe!" She panicked.
In the agonizing dream both pups found themselves drowning in their fears, the echoes of heartbeats reverberating across the river. Time stretched into eternity, each thump of their hearts signaling a moment of despair. Biscuit descended further into a profound darkness, while Bingo terror was vibrating through the void.
At one point their worlds collided, their darkest fear melting into one. The world changed into one where they could sense each other's presence. Desperately they tried to reach each other, longing to comfort each other. At that moment realization settled... They were alone, lost in their nightmares.
Suddenly both pups jolted awake, drenched in sweat. Biscuit's heart pounded as he tried to shake off the remnants of the nightmare. Images of dark water and Bingo laying lifeless besides him tormented his mind. As he calmed down he heard sniffling from outside, signaling him that Bingo was upset.
Before he could get out to comfort his baby sister he heard small paws running towards his door, Bingo burst into his room, her eyes filled with fear. She quickly locked eyes with him before jumping at him curling up on his side.
"I had a bad dream, it was scary!" Bingo sobbed as she sought the refuge she needed. Her small frame trembled against him yearning for comfort. Biscuit hugged Bingo holding her tightly against him. "It's okay Bingo, you're safe."
Moments later Chili and Bandit walked by noticing the doors to the children's bedrooms open, curious they investigated what was going on. They quickly saw that both of them had another nightmare. Chilis' heart constricted with worries about her pups, nearly every night at least one of them would have a nightmare.
Chili sat on the bed, pulling Bingo into her embrace as she softly caressed the pups fur, hoping she would drift off again. 'You're okay, Bingo. We're here.' She saw that Bandit had done the same to Biscuit.
After a while they tucked the two pups into the same bed. "Let's talk about happy things until the two of you drift off again." Chili said
Biscuit and Bingo nestled side by side in the bed nodded, engaging in stories about cartoons and games they had played. They laughed, their parents carefully to steer away from the frightening experiences they had.
After a while, Bingo snuggled closer to Biscuit, her eyes growing heavy. "Your so soft Biscuit" she whispered feeling safe in his presence before drifting off to sleep.
Shortly after, Bingo's breaths turned steady, indicating she was soundly sleeping. Her chest gently rising and falling. Biscuit smiled seeing his sister feeling safe around him after the nightmare. However it was short lived as his own eyes started to feel heavy, coaxing him to sleep.
Once the pups drifted back to sleep, Chili and Bandit quietly slipped out of the room, worry etched across their faces. Both unsure what to do.
"Maybe we should take Bingo with us to Biscuits appointment tomorrow? I'm sure Dr Poppy will be able to help." Chili said concern etched on her face.
Bandit nodded, agreeing that they needed to take steps. Both of them needed it, otherwise they wouldn't heal. "I agree, Bingo especially might need to realize how much she needs to talk about it."
The following morning dawned, casting a warm hue of light into the household. Biscuit stirred awake hearing noises coming from downstairs. As he slowly sat up he noticed that Bingo was also awake, but just watching him.
"Morning Bingo, ready for breakfast? " Biscuit said cheerfully.
A smile formed on Bingo's muzzle as she yawned. "Yes, I'm hungry." She exclaimed, shaking the ordeals of the night.
They had a quick breakfast before the five heelers piled into Boba. The first had to drive past Mackenzie to drop off Bluey for a playdate and afterwards they drove towards the CBD for Biscuits appointment, and in extension Bingos.
As they arrived at the clinic, Biscuit's heart was racing, this was the first time he was here after the accident. He didn't really want to talk about it, but he knew Dr Poppy was there to help. Bandit and Chili had told him that Bingo would be joining today, as she also had to talk about things.
Biscuit grabbed his sister's paw, squeezing it in reassurance. "We do this together Bingo."
Bingo squeezed back "Yeah together" she replied with her usually chiper.
As they entered the clinic the crew made their way to the waiting area, seeing it filled with other families waiting for their appointments.
After a few minutes they heard a kind voice calling out to them. "Biscuit, Bingo, are you ready?" Dr Poppy called to them as she approached wearing a warm smile.
Both pups exchanged glances before getting up and following the doctor while their parents waited.
"Alright kids, your parents asked me to talk about the camping trip today. However if you don't feel comfortable we can change the topic." Dr Poppy said.
Biscuit nodded, his heart racing about what to talk about. But he decides to let Bingo go first. "Bingo needs it more" he said, while glancing at his sister who looked uncomfortable without their parents.
Bingo was shifting nervously in her seat, wanting one of her parents closeby. Yet she felt comforted that at least Biscuit was there. He always made her feel safe.
Dr Poppy smiled, "Very will Biscuit, then we start with Bingo." As she turned towards the younger heeler "Can you tell me about the camping trip bingo?"
Bingo looked around nervously, scanning the room as wanting to find a way out. She struggled to find the words but muttered "It ... It was really scary." Her voice barely whispered "And it was cold."
As the doctor continued to encourage Bingo, asking about specific moments, her responses stayed short and non descriptive. Poppy felt that it was going nowhere but sensed that there was a lot of fear and anxiety below the surface. She needed to create a space where Bingo felt safe.
"Bingo, this is a safe place. If you want we can talk about something else" Poppy reassured her gently. "We can also switch gears for a bit."
Bingo didn't respond but looked up with pleading eyes. Poppy saw that she wasn't ready to talk and switched her attention to Biscuit. "Biscuit, is it okay if Bingo hears about the things you are struggling with? I want to make sure she feels comfortable talking about her feelings."
Biscuit nodded, squeezing his sister's paw.
"Great," Poppy said. "Then let's talk about things unrelated to the trip. What have you been doing lately Biscuit?"
Biscuit's mood brightened at the change of topic. "I started playing a bit of hockey again, and I drew some really nice pictures." He shared enthusiastically, diving into his latest adventures.
As the conversation flowed Poppy saw that Bingo was listening intently. Her eyes widened as she heard about her brother's struggles. She didn't know about his anxiety, or how he sometimes got overwhelmed. It struck her that both of them had their own fears, even if on the outside it looked different.
Seeing how the younger pup was listening, Poppy decided to push a bit further. "Can you tell your sister how you cope with your anxiety?"
Biscuit thought for a moment. "When I'm nervous I take some deep breaths and think about a place I'm happy. Like the park or the cozy nooks under the poinciana tree." He glanced at Bingo. "I bet you also have a happy place."
Bingo nodded slowly, her mind sifting through memories of the park, swings, and the creek. "I guess... I like the creek" she whispered, her voice a bit more confident now.
Drawing strength from her brother Bingo took a deep breath. She wanted to tell about what happened. Biscuit trusted the doctor, and she decided so should she. "I... I want to talk about what happened." She said quietly but with determination.
"You can do it, Bingo. Just say whatever you feel" Biscuit encouraged his sister.
As Bingo spoke she began recounting the happy moments at the trip, the thrill of the spooky stories, the games they played and the swimming in the lake. "We were having so much fun.." She started as her eyes sparkled with joy.
But as she approached the moment they fell her voice began to tremble. "But then... we saw the dingo... I was scared it would hurt me... and the river... it was so cold... so dark." Bingo said
Her words faltered, choked by emotions. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Biscuit felt his own fears resurface as Bingo told the story, feeling sobs coming up. He hugged his sister not only for her but also for himself wanting the comfort of family.
Painful memories overwhelmed the pups' minds as they started to cry together waves of their shared terror and fears starting to crash over them. In that embrace they found the needed solace to face the storm of emotions that was threatening to engulf them.
"Biscuit, Bingo, I understand this is hard and scary" Poppy started gently "But if you can I want to talk a bit more about trip"
But the pup's emotions left them speechless, unable to utter a single word. Poppy saw how vulnerable they were and decided to let it rest, pushing now would only come back to bite later. After a while she told the pups they could go to the playroom while she talked to their parents.
Once Biscuit and Bingo left the room Poppy called Chili and Bandit inside, both waiting anxiously. "I'd like to talk about what the kids shared today." She began
Bandit and Chili exchanged worried glances. "Are they okay?" Chili asked scanning for signs of trouble.
Poppy shook her head. "No they are not, they are struggling. Struggling with repressed fears and worries. With what I saw today and what we discussed I believe both of them are suffering from PTSD. The fear and trauma they endured from the incident are hard for them to process."