The Wounds We Heal

Chapter eighteen: Hot And Cold Under The Collar

Chase stared, his brown eyes fixed on the distant patch of sand out in the distance. The cool chill of the evening air turned dark with the coming night, and he had to shiver slightly as a result of the ripple down his spine.

Yet as he watched he couldn't help but remember the afternoon, and tried to sever the ties with the nagging feeling beginning to tether itself to him.

And he kinda hoped it was just his shoulder beginning to bug him again. Hearing a noise though, he felt drawn to leave his place at the edge of the balcony and hurry over to the elevator.

But when he came down.. he was slightly disappointed by what he saw.

Crossing the floor quietly, he approached the windows next to the sliding doors and watched the light wind blow at the trees even in the darkness that was almost complete.

"Where are those guys?" Chase wondered aloud, maintaining a gentle stare outside.

"Out hiking at Big View trail, remember? They'll be back soon," Ned said as he walked up to Chase. Ned hoped the pair of pups would be returning shortly. Chase glanced back at him briefly.

"Yeah, but.." he trailed off looking back outside. "Shouldn't they have at least checked in by now?.. right?"

"Relax, Chase." Chester interjected, and both pups turned back over their shoulders toward him.

"I'm sure they'll call if they need anything." Chess continued, looking up from the game of checkers going on between Marshall and Zuma; with Skye and Rubble looking on with only partial interest.

But Chase just glanced back out the window, that growing feeling only remaining and even growing a little.

xxxx

The darkness had fully taken over the land in front of them, only because it sloped away from the fading sun's light; leaving in its wake an eerie silence, other than the wind blown rustle of the bushes and branches set around them.

"Heh Heh,.. uhh I guess we better keep moving, huh?.." Rocky chuckled lightly, a nervousness coming over his slightly shaking tone. "Wouldn't wanna get caught out here in the dark.. alone.. right?"

"No. Should we get to our vehicles and head home?" Snowflake said, getting nervous.

"Uhh.. well this trail will lead us right back where we started.." Rocky mentioned. "As long as we always stay to the right, that's the way back to our trucks where we came in. So as long as we do that. We'll be on our way home in no time!"

"Good," the husky pup said.

Then turning front, Rocky shuttered.

"Oof! What a time to be without Chase and his light." He murmured as they both crept forward into the shadows. As they walked it almost became a sneak, with the lowering of their bodies and the hesitation of their steps. A barking howl made Rocky almost climb into Snowflake's paws, standing on his back paws as though he were about to lover's leap right into them.

"Hoo!" Crowed an owl in a nearby tree, then flew away.

"Heh Heh, um.. that.. didn't scare me." Rocky lied awkwardly, lowering his gaze to meet Snowflake's.

"Rrrriiiiggghhhhht. Shame we don't have owl eyes. Wait.... can you see where we're going?!" Snowflake said nervously.

"Uhh.." Rocky's eyes looked out ahead of them and he had to squint slightly.

"Uh- sure!" The pup said, and even he couldn't tell if he was lying or not. "No problem! Come on,.. we gotta go this way."

"Green means Go." He called, plunging forward now.