Changing Paths-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Three

Ryder, Dom, and Marshall had to find another way down the cliff. They found a path a bit further down that led down to the bottom of the cliff. They went down and then ran to where Chase was.

They found Chase in the middle of a pile of rocks. His fur was dirty, and his pup pack got dented. His hat was under a giant rock, flattened like a pancake.

"Chase, are you okay?" Ryder asked.

Chase groaned. "I think," he said. He tried to get up but yelped in pain. "Nevermind. My paw hurts badly."

"Ruff, x-ray," Marshall said. A small tablet appeared out of Marshall's pup pack and placed itself in front of Marshall's face. He examined Chase's paw. "Luckily, it's not broken," Marshall said. "But it's sprained pretty bad. You must've twisted or landed on it wrong when you came out. Ruff, bandage." A roll of bandage shot out of Marshall's pup pack. Marshall got it and wrapped it around Chase's paw. "It will be best if you stay off it for a while?"

Chase tried walking. "Maybe." He took a few steps forward before Ryder picked him up.

"I'll carry you, Chase," Ryder said.

Chase smiled half-heartedly. He thanked Ryder, but Dom could tell that Chase didn't like the fact that he wasn't able to do it himself. They walked back to the top of the cliff. Ryder put Chase in the back and Marshall's ambulance.

"Hey, Ryder," Dom asked. "Who's going to drive Chase's car?"

"Well, you will," Ryder replied.

"Me?!" Dom asked. He was so surprised he didn't know what to say.

"Sure. Chase taught you how to drive, didn't he?"

"Around the Lookout, sure," Dom replied. "This is a big step."

"You got this, Dom," Chase said. He hopped out of the ambulance and walked over to the vehicle as best he could with an injured paw. "I can go in the passenger seat, guiding you."

"You sure, Chase?" Ryder asked. "You're still hurt."

"I'll stay off my paw, Ryder," Chase replied. "I'll be fine. Can you help me into the car, though?"

Reluctantly, Ryder lifted Chase into the cruiser, closed the ambulance doors, and got on his ATV. Ryder took the lead, with Dom in the middle and Marshall in the back.

After almost crashing into a few trees, Dom got the hang of it. He went slowly, but he was relaxing more and more. Whenever he doubted himself, Chase said something motivating. It helped Dom stay concentrated on the road.

Expect a few suggestions here and there, Chase was quiet. He stared into the horizon. Dom found it unsettling. Dom learned how to read people's expressions. It helped him understand what the players in sports were going to do.

But with Chase, it was different. Chase was more difficult to read than, per se, Marshall. He mostly kept his emotions to himself, doing his job without asking twice. It was probably something that helped him be a great leader, but it still unsettled Dom. Dom could tell that something was on Chase's mind, but he couldn't figure out what it was.

After arriving at the Lookout, the team ate their dinner, watched television for about an hour, then went to sleep.

Dom tried falling asleep, but he couldn't for some reason. He couldn't figure out why, so he decided to get out of the puphouse.

He walked around the Lookout a bit but was not tired yet. He was about to go back into his puphouse when he heard a rustling noise. He turned his head to the noise. At first, he didn't see anything, but the wind made a tree branch sway from side to side. He got a glimpse of someone sitting on the other side.

He slowly crept over until he was able to get a better view. He noticed a familiar silhouette of a pup with pointy ears that stuck straight up. Dom wondered what Chase was doing. Dom walked up slowly, careful not to startle him.

"No need to sneak, Dom," Chase said. He turned his head slightly as he smiled. "I'm not going to get you in trouble."

"Oh," Dom said. That wasn't why he was sneaking, but he decided not to say anything. "What are you doing here?"

"Nothing," Chase said, facing back at the horizon. Dom sat down next to him.

Dom has been there for a few months, and he has never seen that view. The sky was clear, and the weather was cool. There were no clouds, so the moon shone brightly. The moonlight left streaks on the still waters. Adventure Bay was dark, except for a couple of lights here and there. It was dark but one of the best views of the town that Dom had ever seen.

"It's a nice view, isn't it?" Chase asked as if he read Dom's thoughts.

"Yeah," Dom said. "How come I have never seen this?"

"Because you're usually asleep to see it," Chase said. "Most of the team is."

"Not you?"

Chase shrugged. "I find it to be easier to get tired out here than inside of my puphouse. It also helps me clear my mind." He took a deep breath so smoothly Dom did it as well.

"What are you thinking about?" Dom asked.

"Mostly what happened today," Chase replied. He moved his injured paw left and right, which got wrapped in a cast.

"And what will happen tomorrow?" Dom guessed. 

Chase was supposed to go and guard the castle while the Princess was busy. But as they ate their dinner, Ryder had told Chase that he would not be able to go. Chase tried protesting, but Ryder said that he wouldn't be able to go. Ryder had given Chase the opportunity of choosing who would go in his place. Chase hadn't answered yet, but everyone guessed it would be either Marshall or Rocky.

Chase sighed. "Yeah," he said in a voice only barely louder than a whisper. "It's crazy how quickly things can change. One second, I'm ready to protect an entire castle. The next second, I'm incapable of even driving."

"Oh," Dom said.

Chase must've seen Dom's face because he laughed. "Don't worry, Dom. It's not your fault."

"Yeah, well, I feel like I could've done a better job. I feel like . . ."

Chase looked at Dom. "Hey, don't worry about it. You haven't done anything wrong. Don't hurt yourself thinking about the past. I tell you this from experience. It's better to live in the present. You just need a chance to prove it to yourself." Chase turned back to the horizon and exhaled. "Maybe we both do."

Dom could tell something else was going on in Chase's mind, but he felt like he didn't want to share it. Dom's eyes began getting heavier with fatigue. Chase turned his head as Dom yawned. "I think you should go to sleep," he suggested.

"What about you? You have to sleep too."

"I will," Chase replied. "Just . . . not yet."

Dom decided the answer was good enough. "Okay," he said. "Goodnight, Chase."

"Goodnight, Dom," Chase replied.