PA 3.5: End of a Tail

Chapter XXV Part IV

The door shut with barely a creak, leaving ample time for Sparky to remind himself of the room's cute, gothic interior while Rover silently mulled things over. He looked up from the floor, at the ghostly apparition hanging half a meter above the floor, wagging his tail at the familiar window, desk, and chalk pentagram adorning the floor.

"Didn't have time to look around here earlier..." Sparky sighed, marvelling at the top bunk of the dual bed to the west side of the room, "I think it's helping me remember." Sparky floated up to the bunk, leaving it comfortably at chest height. "You know, I'm not exactly tired, but I hope I can still go to sleep." He turned towards Rover after trying to rub at the soft fabric. "Or eat, or drink..."

"Hm?" Rover sounded out, still consumed by his thoughts.

"I don't know, eh... ghost food, or something like that?" He put his paws on his hips, sighing. "I just hope I don't have to stay like this forever."

"Yeah..."

"So what'd you want to talk about?" Sparky asked, turning to the dog and gliding down to an appropriate position for conversation.

Rover took a deep breath, letting his eyes stare off into space as he felt the words come to his tongue before discarding them with the fear they weren't the right ones.

"Rover?" Sparky prodded.

"Yeah, sorry captain!" Rover barked out, almost standing at attention before letting his voice fall to a lower register. "I'm... thinking of what to say. I'm scared it'll just sound stupid."

"Awww," Sparky began, a tear forming in his piteous eyes as he looked at the terrier. "Just say it," he said in a joyful tone, "I want to make everyone happy; that includes you, tough guy." He looked at the jack russell with hope billowing in his chest. "So cmon, spit it out!" he said cheerfully.

Rover grumbled. "You... don't remember what we said to each other, right?"

"Uh," Sparky began, scratching at the back of his head and messing up his hair. "When?"

Rover felt a pang of melancholy stab into his heart and bleed out onto his chest, swallowing most of his body in that awful feeling. "We... talked, and I guess you just said some stuff I've really been wanting to hear, and I'm worried that... if you forgot it, maybe it won't be the same."

Sparky chuckled. "Rover, it's okay. Just say what happened, what we talked about. I promise you, things will get better if we just try."

Rover frowned, shutting his eyes and pensively reserving his gestures. The calm didn't last long, and a spark ignited some passion within Rover to combat the sense of isolation painted over his features. His whole body clenched, and his muzzle flared before his eyes shot open and he stared sparky down with his arms at his side. "Captain?!" he demanded.

"Uh," Sparky almost recoiled at the sudden change of tone, "Y-Yeah?"

The terrier stuttered over his tongue, shutting his eyes tight and sweating as he tried to force the words out as quickly as possible before the depressive emotions washed over once more. "Y-You and me talked before-" he sucked in air, trying to find the words, "before Patches... before you got hurt." He exhaled, calming himself before diving back into the topic. "Even if you don't remember, I want you to know you helped me. I-I've been wanting those words from someone for a while," he smiled "you have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that stuff."

Sparky chuckled, smiling as sweat continued to bead down his head. "Hehe, I mean... That's great Rover!" Sparky paused, letting both dogs wag their tails and smirk at the positive feeling both of them emanated. "... S-So what did I say?"

"Oh, right!" Rover said, chuckling much like how Sparky would. "Uh... you said I was... annoying, and loudmouthed..."

Sparky immediately jolted his head back, confused by the reaction and explanation's stark contrast.

"But- But you said that was the best part of me!" Rover excitedly exclaimed. "You said that I was happy when everyone else just beats themselves up. I mean, I do get down on myself for losing, or doing bad, but being with you kinda takes that away from me!" The terrier waved his arms around, using his high pitch to draw attention to just how important he thought the words were. "And, even though I've lost friends over how much I talk, I know me being so excited is a good thing a lot of times, and I just need to find the right dogs to talk with!"