The Wounds We Heal

Chapter sixty-four: Thanksgiving Greetings

"Ryder?" Rocky called, when hopping out of the elevator and walking forward.

He looked around, but didn't see anything.

"Ryder?" He vocalized again.

"Right here, Rocky." The boy's voice said from behind him, making the pup leap forward in fright.

"Oh,.. sorry.." Ryder apologized. "What's up?"

"*sigh* Not much.." Rocky replied, sighing with relief. "Snowflake was just wondering if you were up, cause she's ready for breakfast."

"Oh, ok, let's go.." the boy decided, strolling for the elevator.

"Is anyone else awake yet?" he asked after a pause.

"Just me, Zuma, Snowflake and Ned, I think." Rocky replied. "But Zuma just went out to confirm." Then the doors closed, and they began their descent.

xxxx

"What? What did Brian and I do?" Ned asked innocently.

"You two snuck into the kitchen one morning to get a bite to eat before Thanksgiving day could start, and we had to clean up the food and stuff you guys made! Thank goodness your ghost trap caught you or you two would have gotten away with it!" Snowflake exclaimed knowingly.

"We got grounded for two weeks with no sweet treats and stuff! Besides, that cherry pie was good!" Ned retorted.

"Not. An. Excuse!" Snowflake snapped back, before focusing on the door again.

"Good morning, pups." Ryder's voice greeted, as soon as the doors parted and he and Rocky came out of it.

"Good morning, Ryder," Snowflake and Ned said at the same time, still in their hiding spot. The husky pups turned towards Ryder and Rocky to greet them before turning their attention back to the door.

"What are you guys doing?" Rocky wondered, clearly confused.

"Protecting the Thanksgiving feast from early intruders!" Snowflake said seriously. "You never know what hungry mouth will want a slice of pie, a gobble of turkey, or stuff themselves with stuffing before dinner!"

"It's an accidental tradition. Thanks to our brother, Brian and I," Ned clarified.

Rocky just blinked.

"Brian and I tried to eat the feast before breakfast once... before getting trapped in my old ghost trap. We got in big trouble. So now as a precaution.. my sister tries to protect the food from getting eaten before dinner is ready. Even in the morning," Ned explained.

"Oh, well we don't have all the food for the feast here.." Rocky explained. "But we were planning on bringing something for dinner.. We plan on making some pie later today."

"Oh. Okay, I'm sorry." Snowflake said before she and Ned came out of their hiding place.

"Oh that's ok.. has Zuma made it back yet?" Rocky wondered.

"No, not yet. I hope everything's okay," Snowflake replied.

"Well he's only been gone a few minutes.." Rocky assumed. "I'm sure he'll be back any minute."

xxxx

Zuma strode around the donut of a driveway, scanning each pup house as he walked by it. And every pup he passed seemed to stir a little and he figured they'd be up and at 'em soon. Except for one that still snoozed pretty heavily.. which came as no surprise. Zuma just sighed and smiled.

"We tired him out pretty good yesterday.." he thought aloud. "I think we can let him sleep in a little longer today.. He's earned it."

But what he didn't realize as he was walking away, since the German Shepherd's back was facing him, was the exhausted face that produced one single stream down his face, which trailed down his paw and soaked into his blanket.