Hey, Soul Sister

Chapter 5

Rocket sighed, and Marshall watched closely. His heart clenched to see his friend in so much pain. He wished there was something he could do, but then, Rocket spoke up.
"Alright...here we go..."
Rocket looked at Marshall, her emerald green eyes full of tears.
"When I was born, my mom died giving birth to me. And when she died, my dad left me there and took off."
Marshall gasped.
"So..." Rocket continued, "I was on the verge of death myself. But, then, a young, five year old girl came by. She adopted me, gave me a home, and she loved me to death."
Marshall nodded, to show he was listening. Marshall was the kindest member of the PAW Patrol, and the clumsiest, but he was also a wonderful listener.
"So...one day...the little girl went to her first day of school, so that left me with her parents." Rocket said.
The tears were now spilling down her golden muzzle. Marshall's eyes widened.
"And everyday....as soon as the girl left...her parents would hit me and abuse me. They abused the girl too. And then...the parents were finally caught and arrested. They took the girl away too...and I was abandoned again."
Rocket was crying full on now, and Marshall could feel tears falling down his own muzzle. He reached over and hugged Rocket, and she froze, then hugged back.
"You don't have to worry about that here." Marshall said against her shoulder. "This is a safe place. Remember what I said? You're safe with me."
Rocket nodded, and finally pulled away.
"S-Sorry..." She stammered. "It's just...hard to think about..."
"I understand..." The fire pup whispered.
He turned and walked out of the alley, then turned to look at Rocket, who had fallen asleep.
"I always will..."

The next day, Marshall went to see Katie. For one thing, he needed a bath. As Katie dumped bubbly water over him, he spoke up.
"Katie...I trust you...so I'm going to tell you a secret."
Katie nodded and smiled.
"Go ahead, Marshall."
"Okay...so...I met someone."
Katie began to groom the fur on his back.
"Met someone?"
"Yeah...a girl...a golden retriever."
Katie smiled.
"How cute. What's her name?"
Marshall smiled.
"Rocketeer."
Katie dropped the brush, her eyes wide in shock.
"Did you say...Rocketeer?"
Marshall nodded, concern flooding him.
"Yeah...Rocketeer. Why?"
Katie put her hands over her mouth.
"Oh my gosh...Rocket...you're alive..."
Marshall's eyes widened. He stepped out of the tub, and slipped on the slippery water.
"I'm good."
Marshall got up, and turned to face the pet groomer.
"Do you know her?"
Katie nodded, her eyes full of tears.
"Yeah...she was my puppy when I was little..."