Dog People

Chapter 15- Details To Follow

"Ben!" Carlos called.

"Ben," Jay said.

"Dude," Carlos called him over, sitting on a rock. "Nothing?"

"These grow everywhere!" Gil said in astonishment, picking a berry off of a branch and eating it. "Hey, we should play that icebreaker," Gil said, catching Jay's attention. "Um, Jay, I like how you could bounce around and jump off things."

Jay walked over to him and looked at the bush, fumbling with a berry. "Yeah, um, I like how you get a kick out of a berry bush."

"I guess you've seen everything by now, huh? Furry rocks, giant fish. You're probably used to grabbing lunch off of a bush," Gil asked.

"No, I mean, no, not really. I mainly just use the vending machines at practice. Tourney, kind of takes up most of my time," Jay explained.

Harry laughed. "Tourney? That's a wee boy's game," Harry said.

"I play with Carlos and Jay all the time when they want practice. Trust me, that game can give you bruises," I defended Jay.

"P.S., your mutts went that way," Harry said as I followed behind Ronan.

"Carlos!" Dude called.

"Dude, what do you see?" Carlos asked.

"This way!" Dude jerked his head and Ronan nudged my leg to follow her.

We walked further down the trail, weaving through trees. I looked at Ronan unsurely and she walked ahead of me.

"Ben!" Carlos yelled.

"Oh, boy, something stinks, and it wasn't me this time," Dude complained.

A beast-like creature appeared and I jumped in fright. The monster roared at us and we backed up. I reached into my jacket for my reverse potion as the beast walked up the hill.

"You need some serious nose adjustments," Harry panted.

"I'm not so sure," Carlos said as the beast roared again.

"Ben?" I questioned, squeezing the bottle slightly.

"Huh, I thought I recognized those pants," Jay commented.

"Aw, he's got a boo-boo, that's why he's so cranky. You know, my Dad said his dad did not handle pain well, at all," Gil explained.

"Carlos, (Y/n), you're good with animals. Do something," Jay said quickly.

"Okay," Carlos said. "Hey, Ben. It's me, Carlos, alright?"

Ben swiped at him and I climbed onto the hill. "It's Carlos, alright? You know me."

I tuned out as I snuck up behind Ben. Ben roared, making me jump. Water came out of nowhere and hit Ben, making him turn into human. I looked over and smiled when I saw Jane. Jay helped Ben down the hill.

"That was foggy," Ben said, smiling.

"That was," Jay agreed.

"You got this," I said, indicating the beard.

"You need another blast," Jane decided, spraying him with water.

"Please, stop," Ben said as the water did nothing.

"Here," I said, handing him the potion.

"This going to turn me into a llama?" Ben joked as he drank it.

"It's the reverse, actually," I corrected him.

"Well, well, well. Harry Hook. And you, my little duckling, are... ravishing," Harry stared at Jane.

"Hey," I snapped, stepping in front of him. "Look away, or I throw you overboard like your hook was."

He put his hands up in defense and walked away.

"Hold on," Ben cut in. "Who's side are they on?"

"They escaped and joined us," Jay explained. "And Mal has the ember, which is our only hope to stop Audrey. Details to follow."

"Hades ember? Has Mal gone back to the Isle?" Ben questioned.

"I said details to follow. We're meeting with Mal, Evie, and Uma. Let's go," Jay said quickly.

"Uma?!" Ben questioned.

"Details to follow!" we yelled at him.

"Come on, Ronan," I said as we started to walk.

She ran to my side. I smiled at her as she looked up at me. Dude walked with her, talking to her.

"You know, (Y/n), you're very beautiful yourself," Harry said, catching up to us.

"She's taken, just in case you didn't see," Carlos glared at Harry.

"Easy, love," I said as he wrapped an arm around me.

"He kidnapped you and had the audacity-"

"I know, but Harry is all talk and no bite," I reminded him.

He sighed, nodding, then kissed the top of my head. I smiled as we found a clearing. I smiled as we saw Evie's house from the field.

"(Y/n)!"

"Sky!" I laughed as she jumped into my arms.

Carlos chuckled as the girl held onto me tightly. She looked frightened. I let her down to hold Ronan. She was still wearing her jacket.

"I'd known you'd be part of the solution," Ben said, looking at Uma.

She smiled, glancing at me. Sky smiled at her as she held Ronan.

"Okay, we think Audrey may be at Fairy Cottage, and we have no idea where it is. Did she ever take you there?" Mal asked Ben.

"Every Fairy Godmother's day," Ben sighed. He turned to Jane. "Where is Fairy Godmother when you need her?"

"I wish I knew," Jane said sadly.

"Doug, go with Jane. Find Fairy Godmother," Ben said.

"They might need some muscle," Uma said, grabbing Ben's arm to get his attention.

"I'll go," Gil volunteered, looking at his muscles.

"Yeah, actually, I'd feel better," Evie agreed.

"Actually, I would too," Doug admitted.

Gil hit him on the arm lightly with a smile and walked off with the two.