Red Rover || TF 141

Gone

She slowly blinked, the blinding light swarming her and forcing her to tuck her small head into the pillow, not that she knew what a pillow was. Letting out a loud whimper, she was met with a small hand on her spine, gently dragging towards her tail then up again. Whatever was touching her wasn't hurting, nor threatening, it was soothing. Slowly, very very slowly, she looked up at the strange.. man? She recalled her mother calling them that, 'man'. She missed her mother.

...

Soap cradled the puppies small head, gently petting her and shushing the whimpers.
"You're alright lass, you're safe now."
It was a nightmare sneaking her back onto base, but Soap knew he couldn't just leave her there to rot. So he did what he had to do.

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"If LT finds out about this, I'm so fucked.." He muttered to himself as he lifted the puppy out of the crate, lifting her to the light. He could see where the blood had come from, a long cut arched across her nose and under her chin, another just behind her ears. A stray metal muzzle laid on the floor, claw marks indicating the poor pup had to rip the bastard thing off. Soap tutted slightly, secretly glad the owners were...dispatched, before he popped her on the floor and emptied his bag. He was quick to fill it with all his supplies then gently putting the blanket from the cage ontop, and then the puppy. He was about to close it before he glanced around, looking in the crate. He gathered the collars of her littermates and a small stuffed otter, tucking them into the bag too, before finally grasping the mothers collar and gently pulling it off, gently reaching in and kissing her on the head.

"I'll take care of her, ma'am."
Soap gently rested the puppy ontop of the fabric, tucking the toy under her paw and the collar resting in his pocked before he zipped it almost all the way up and put it back on.

"Soap how copy?"

"All good LT, thought I heard something."

"Stop pratting about Johnny, we've got work to do."
><

Soap pulled her onto his lap, softly stroking her matted fur. Eventually he'd have to go out and get some supplies, but for know he just needed to be there when she woke up.

...

'Where am I?' She thought to herself. She could feel fabric underneath her, as the man kept touching her. His voice sounded muffled, but calming, so she slowly let herself move further into him. Her throat was dry and her stomach rumbled, aching from the four days she'd gone without any food. Mother wasn't giving her milk anymore, and she wasn't sure what she'd done wrong.

Mother.

Where was mother, where were siblings, where was home?
She quickly jumped up and looked around, whimpering quietly. Eventually the man seemed to notice and gently placed a few items in front of her. She slowly lowered her nose to sniff them.

Sibling Tooth.. He had a fang missing
Sibling Red.. Her fur was as read as the sunset
Sibling Floor... He couldn't get himself off the floor without help from..

Mother. Mothers collar.
And.. Toy! Toy was here, toy was home.

She knew what the smells meant. Her siblings and Mothers smell had been tainted with metal. That's why there was no food, there was no Mother. She let out a low howl, tucking herself around the collars and Toy, ontop of Blanket. Blanket smelt of metal too, she didn't like it.

Man quickly covered her muzzle, muttering and whispering. She could hear footsteps coming towards them and was quickly pushed behind Man, his hand still over her nose.

...

"Soap? Whats goin' on in here, I heard an animal."

"Shit.." Soap whispered, "Nothing captain, all good."

"You sure, kid?"

Price was an incredible captain, but god did he catch on quick. He slowly pushed the door open and glanced at Soap, then at the dog collars next to him before finally his eyes rested on the tail wagging behind his back.

"Mactavish, what the hell is behind you."

Soap swore under his breath before slowly pulling out the puppy, picking her up.

"Soap-"

"I couldn't leave her Price, her whole family was dead for christs sake! She's only a pup."

Price shook his head, "What on earth were you planning on doing with her? The base is no place for a dog."

Soap sighed, "I-I don't know Cap, I couldn't leave her. I can take care of her I swear."

"Give me the dog, John."

Soap clutched her tighter, "Price she'll di-"

"The dog."
Price held his hand out, demanding now. Slowly, he handed her over, and seeing her whimper and whine broke his heart.

"You're off the next mission, Mactavish. I'm very dissapointed."

Price left as quick as he came, leaving a heartbroken Soap in his wake, clutching the small dogs toy. He'd only had her for a day but by god did he love her.

Price on the other hand was finding it increasingly difficult to find an animal shelter. He was in a normal car, the dog tossed in the backseat, stumbling at the new movement. Eventally he came across 'Blue Hearts Animal Shelter' and quickly left her there, driving back to base to reprimand Soap some more.