The 'Rashes' (Sheriff Labrador fanfic)

Chapter 6: The Song of Trance

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Sheriff Labrador's alarm clock rang repeatedly on his desktop, causing him to squirm slightly and eventually open his eyes to the annoying sound. He slapped the clock off the table, listening as he heard it crash on the floor. He was only feeling like this because he slept a bit late last night and the rashes weren't any help either. Stretching his limbs, he staggered out of bed and reluctantly got ready for the day.

Dobie was sitting on the stairs that time. His mom was still asleep, but he had been awake since three in the morning. He had been thinking about Sheriff Labrador all night. The thought tugged at him like people playing tug of war against one person; they had more control. He put a hand to his head and shivered. If only his teammate didn't get those sickening rashes, Dobie would have been able to sleep peacefully without any concern. Not wanting to wake up his mom, he travelled down the stairs and prepared his own breakfast.

It was a quiet morning that day. The birds were chirping, but it wasn't clear to the human ear. Anyone who was walking about went around silently, as if they all knew about their beloved sheriff's illness. The children in the park were the only people who weren't that quiet. The police station sat still as a straight-faced Papillon entered through the blue door. She was the first one there, although It was 9:00, so it was pretty unusual for her to be early. She was wearing headphones, just to get her mind off the thought of losing... she won't think about it. If she doesn't want to get all sad and depressed like that then she shall not think about it. But alas.. never mind that. Her thoughts were offbeat to the rhythm of the music through her headphones, so she calmed herself down and focused on the lively tune banging in her head. 

'A bow of pretty flowers wrapped in petty lies, but even though they're plastic you'll still want them right?'

The lyrics went through her heart like an arrow. It had nothing to do with the situation she was in at the moment, but it made her feel.. something. She didn't know if it was a good feeling or not. Just then, Sheriff Labrador appeared behind her as she was about to put her stuff away. As soon as Papillon saw him, she went pink, yet pale at the same time. He looked like his usual self, smiling and carefree, but he had dark circles under his eyes and he looked extremely exhausted. There was a rash spread across his left hand as well. Papillon looked at him wide-eyed, the music from her headphones fading into space.

"Surprised? Thought so," the sheriff said knowingly, patting her head and walking past her. He sat down silently at his desk and started organising the papers that lay beside him.

"Oh, sir, you don't have to do that," Papillon exclaimed, walking up to him. "You're tired and ill, I can do this for you."

Sheriff Labrador looked up, seemingly grateful to have her around, but he just shook his head politely.

"I got this," he said shortly, stacking the papers. The police girl looked at him anxiously, before sighing and going to her spot in the station. Suddenly, Dobie burst into the room, appearing to be very excited.

"Guys! On my way to work, a movie director came up to me and asked if we, the police team, wanted to star in a movie!" he exclaimed rather boldly. "Should we accept?"

Papillon removed her headphones and turned her head to face the man. Her eyes were worried, and that seemed to make Dobie sadden a bit.

"I don't know.." she muttered, turning towards Sheriff Labrador. He was sitting at his desk, doing absolutely nothing, but had his rashed hand on his forehead because Dobie's yelling gave him a headache. Dobie fully saddened.

"Alright, I guess not. I'll shut up now.." he muttered, walking reluctantly to his corner of the station. As he walked away, Papillon was putting her phone and wired headphones in a cabinet, until Dobie accidentally tripped on the wire. Papillon hadn't got the chance to turn off the music in her phone just then, so when Dobie tripped and the wire got unplugged, soon the entire room was blasting upbeat music with unsettling lyrics. This was the policewoman's second favourite kind of music, but Sheriff Labrador only took in the song as destructive noise and threats.

'You're just a little puppet'

'No one's here to save you'

'Quit acting tough! No one could be bothered anyway!'

The sheriff wanted to faint on the spot.

Realising quickly that her boss' face was all blank and unsteady, Papillon quickly switched off her phone and locked it in the cabinet. His face was still the same though, even when everyone tried their best to maintain quiet. Sheriff Labrador was just traumatised by it all. She watched as Dobie walked over to him and knelt down to his level, and was nearly immediately given a tight hug from him. Papillon's face went sombre and sad, and she looked down, ashamed of herself.

This is all her fault.