(Rewritten) In Hope for a New Life (Mentaverse) (English version!)

Consequences of the storm Part 8

The snowstorm had already subsided, even gone, when the pups began searching for Menta. Chase was deeply worried about his sister. He used his heat-vision goggles to search as best as he could, although he knew it probably wouldn't help much.

Rider: Anyone found anything?

Pups: Nothing...

Silence, but not the peaceful kind, rather the eerie kind. Tears surrounded Chase, and the only thing on his mind was whether they would find her and, if so, would she still be alive? When he spotted a tree with some broken branches, he rushed there as quickly as he could. When he arrived, he spoke into the radio:

Chase: I found her... b-but I don't know if she's still a-alive...

His voice choked several times as he saw his sister lying motionless. Rider knew that waiting for a response would only make it worse for Chase, so he replied immediately:

Rider: Alright, we're on our way.

When they arrived, tears were already streaming down Chase's face from fear. They brought her back to Adventure Bay to Katie's Pet Parlor. Chase didn't want to be apart from Menta for a moment, but he had to wait outside with the others. Skye approached him because she could see that the German Shepherd wasn't doing well.

Skye: Everything okay?

Chase: Y-yes, o-of course.

He couldn't say a word without his voice choking up. Skye tried to comfort him by hugging him, but it wasn't successful. Time passed, and every minute felt like an eternity for Chase. When Katie came out with tears in her eyes, Chase looked at her, waiting for her to say something.

Katie: Menta survived. Chase, go to her; she'll be glad you're there when she wakes up.

Chase didn't wait for Katie to finish; he rushed to Menta. Katie then turned to Rider.

Katie: Can we talk privately, Rider?

She stood in front of the young leader with a serious expression.

Rider: Of course.

Rider got up from the chair and went outside the salon with Katie.

Katie: I have something to tell you.

Rider: What is it? What's wrong?

Katie: Well, Menta survived, but...

Katie looked aside and began stroking one hand with the other.

Rider: But?

Katie: But her front right leg...

Rider looked at her with a questioning gaze until he fully grasped what she was saying. Suddenly, Rider, too, was on the verge of tears because he knew that for Menta, her life was about movement. He started thinking about how to break this news to her.

A few minutes later, they went back inside. Katie bathed the pups, and Rider went to Menta. Chase was lying next to Menta, staring ahead. Rider sat down beside him.

Rider: Is everything okay, Chase?

Chase: Y-yes, sir.

Rider placed his hand on Chase's back and began to comfort him.

Rider: I know it hurts, but she's still alive.

Chase looked at Rider with a questioning expression, prompting Rider to share a story he had told only a few people.

Rider: You know, when I was a little kid, my mom ended up in the hospital because she fell off a ladder. She fell asleep and never woke up.

Chase had never heard Rider speak in such a serious tone.