September 23, 2024

Skye's POV

It was a quiet morning... Well, an awfully quiet morning. Yesterday, there was a huge fight between Rocky and Marshall, and Ryder was really upset at us for arguing so much in front of Carlos and Tracker. I got up and left my pup house early in the morning, glancing at the rest of the pups who were soundly sleeping. Chase's pup house was empty, as usual. I just miss those times when all we had to do was wait for an emergency and play peacefully in the yard without any worries.

"Skye? You're up early!"

I turned around to face Zuma, who yawned softly as he approached me.

"Oh, I just... I just wanted to, uh... see the view and think about things," I answered.

"Is everything okay? What's on your mind?" Zuma asked. I could see in his face that he was willing to listen if I had to say something.

"I just wished we didn't have to deal with this murder and everything," I opened up.

"I know, Skye... I can't believe we had to get involved in all of this," Zuma agreed, "I'm just hoping that one day, this will be all over. But at with everything going on right now, I can't say this won't be over real soon."

As we were eating breakfast together that morning, nobody said a word. Either they were still mad at each other or also anxious of everything going on, or maybe something else. I wanted to know how Ryder's doing. I know he's just seems more stressed than us, but... what is there to stress about? Marshall had a point. It's not like he got really involved like us. Right?

"Hi, Ryder... Um, everything okay?"

"Oh, hi Skye. Yeah, I'm fine," Ryder answered.

"I heard you had some sort of argument with Carlos the other day," I said.

"Yeah, it was just a misunderstanding. But we're all good now," Ryder replied, "I'm just... overwhelmed and anxious right now."

"About?"

"Everything... All of you are involved in something you may or may not have done. Skye, can you just tell me? Did you do it?" Ryder asked, "Skye, did you kill the princess?"

"Ryder, I would swear I didn't do it. I... I just can't... Even if I'm that angry at the princess," I answered.

"Are you saying that..."

"Then why are you so anxious as if Chase accused you the most among all of us? You weren't even near her when she died. Unless... there's something you're not telling us?" I questioned.

We were interrupted by Marshall, who spoke, looking for Rocky.

"Had any of you seen Rocky?"

"Uh, he left after breakfast. I don't know where, though," I replied.

"Okay, thanks..." Marshall said and walked away.

Rocky's POV

To get away from my annoying friends, I decided to drive as far as I can. I happened to stop by the jungle and found Tracker. He could already tell I was a bit anxious. His ears perked up, willing to listen if I had to say something.

"Is everything alright, amigo?" Tracker asked.

"To be honest... no... Everything has gone terrible." I opened up, "First, the pups and I are getting accused of murder; now, secrets are spilling, and we're all blaming each other."

"Secrets?"

"Well, about that... the princess and I had a secret, and I never told anyone. I... I had to help her send a letter to Ryder. She... She liked him. Marshall just so happened to overhear me the night we were talking that one night."

"And what about the poisoned milk? Was that connected to anything?" Tracker asked.

"I didn't know the milk was poisoned. Like, at all... We talked a bit when I gave her the milk. That's it... I-I never got to talk to her again."

"Oh, I see that now."

"Tracker, you have to trust me. I didn't kill the princess. I never had the intention to. Even if I had to keep a secret from everyone, it was nowhere connected to her death," I begged. "Please, Tracker... No one else can trust me but you."

Tracker could tell I was telling the truth this whole time.

"Okay... I trust you," he said.

Tracker's POV

Later that day, Rocky went back to Adventure Bay. He didn't want everyone to worry too much about him. I thought about what he told me today.

"Hey, Carlos?" I called.

"What's up, Tracker?" Carlos replied.

"You think I can handle keeping all of these secrets?" I asked.

"What do you mean? W-What are you talking about?" Carlos, confused, questioned.

"I'm keeping this one secret, and now Rocky has opened up to his. I just hope nobody ends up interrogating me about all of this."

"Wait, what?"

Was I wrong to tell Carlos I was keeping that many secrets? Maybe it was. He just finished fixing up a misunderstanding with Ryder.

Chase's POV

I was examining the photos of the crime scene where there were bloody pawprints. I've noticed this before and already asked for each of the pups' exact pawprints. After looking carefully, I noticed something similar. One of the pawprints matched the ones on the crime scene. Skye's pawprints. I asked the policemen at the station if they could bring Skye over for me for questioning, and they went out to do so.

30 minutes passed, and I heard the sound of pawprints heading for the room where I was waiting. Skye slowly entered. She was really quiet and trembling a bit.

"Oh, hi Chase..." Skye greeted, stuttering a bit, "You wanted to see me?"

"Hey, Skye. Yeah, I just have a few questions, that's all."

"Okay, what is it?" she said, ready to answer whatever question I had.

"Remember when I asked you about the bloody pawprints in the crime scene?"

"Yes, I-I remember that," she replied.

"You told me you didn't see them the night you saw the Princess dead," I said.

"I... I didn't see them, honest." Skye answered.

"But according to Zuma, he saw those bloody pawprints. I don't think it was that long ago since you walked in and saw her first," I explained.

"I panicked, okay? Maybe Zuma wasn't so much panicky like me so he saw them. What are you trying to bring up?"

I sighed before continuing.

"Zuma saw the bloody pawprints, but you didn't. I checked if those pawprints matched any of yours and the other pups'. And it did... It matched yours, Skye. Those were your pawprints!"

Skye fell silent.

"Now tell me, Skye... Did you do it?" I questioned her, "I knew you were angry at the Princess! The Earl saw you arguing with her the night before she died."

"Chase, I didn't, okay? Yes, I argued with her. I went into her room and found her dead. Dead! That's all. I didn't even notice I stepped on a puddle or something. You have every right to accuse me, but I'm giving you one straightforward answer. I didn't kill her."

I was both confused and suspicious of Skye. Every angle of her has made her suspicious and responsible for the crime, but at the same time, she seems like she may also be telling the truth. After the questioning, I was left even more confused. What really happened that night?

Skye's POV

I can't believe it. How did all the evidence point to me? I didn't do anything. I didn't kill her. The problem is, no one is gonna trust me if they find out.

*Flashback*

September 18, 2024

I was getting ready when I saw and heard Ryder and the Princess of Barkingburg talking. I was so curious so I stopped and listened. I knew the Princess had some romantic feelings for Ryder. But I could tell easily that Ryder never liked her back.

"I'm sorry, Princess, but I only thought of you as a friend... I gotta go get the pups ready for our night shift."

As Ryder walked away, I went over to the Princess, who was still standing there in disappointment.

"You... I knew you sent the anonymous letter!" I pointed.

"What are you talking about, Skye?" the Princess said, pretending to be confused.

"Don't pretend like you had no idea. I knew all along you liked Ryder so much, and you never hesitated to hide it." I snapped, "But still, I know Ryder well enough to know that he doesn't like you back."

The Princess was shocked at my answer.

"Stop taking what's ours..."

"Skye, I'm not!" she replied.

"Yes, you are! Ryder's the only family the pups and I have left."

The Princess fell silent after my answer.

"So please... Just leave Ryder and us alone. Okay?!" I finished, walking away, still angry.

I didn't even care how hurtful my words were. I just didn't want anyone to steal or take anything away from me. Not even my own family.

*End of Flashback*

Maybe I was too much that night. I was being too overprotective. I didn't kill her, did I? Still, there was something else I had to think about. Why was Ryder worried the most about this case? Don't tell me he has something involved in this all along!

Hi Detectives,

Thanks again for the long wait. I've been super busy, and I am still trying my best to write this, but don't worry. I haven't forgotten about you all and my stories.

Poor Skye... She's guilty right now! But did she really do it? What really happened that night when the Princess died? And what's with Ryder today? I knew I couldn't trust him 100%. Find out in the next chapter coming soon.

-Detective Skye-