Different Horizons-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Ryder walked up to the front door of the safehouse and sighed in relief. He didn't know the city layout, but he's always been good with direction and navigation. Despite that, Ryder still had some trouble getting to the safehouse. He passed through some alleys when he saw guards. Ryder accidentally stepped on a cat's tail in an alley, who scratched his leg. He woke up a sleeping homeless man who pushed him out of another alley. But in the end, Ryder made it back to the safehouse.

Ryder knocked on the door. "Hello?" a man's voice asked from the monitor.

"It's Ryder," the young male answered. There was a short silence followed by the door opening. Ainsley showed up at the door and looked at Ryder in disbelief.

"Ryder?" Ainsley asked. "How did you get out?"

"Long story," Ryder said. "I'll tell you later."

"Well, don't just stand there," Ainsley said. She grabbed Ryder's wrist and pulled him inside. She scanned outside to ensure the coast was clear before closing the door. "Ah, it's so great that you got back," Ainsley exclaimed. Her smile quickly faded. "Wait, if you're here, then where's Chase?"

This question took Ryder off guard. "I thought he got back."

"It's okay, guys," Bruce said as he approached them. "I gave Chase a ride back."

"When did you get back?" Ainsley got back. "I thought you were scouting."

"I got back with Chase almost two hours ago."

Ainsley smacked Bruce on the arm. "You need to tell me these things."

Bruce laughed as he rubbed his arm. "Sorry, Mom," he joked sarcastically.

Ainsley acted like she didn't hear him. She turned to Ryder. "Well, what now?"

"Well, first, I better check on Chase and Rubble."

"What happened to Chase?"

"He had an insane fight with The Copycat. He was holding up pretty well until The Copycat threw off the side of the tower."

"He got thrown off the side of the tower?!" Ainsley asked in a shocked tone. "How high up?"

"Easily a hundred feet," Bruce chimed in. "Maybe more."

"What?!"

"He's fine, Ainsley. No need to get so worked up." Bruce turned Ryder. "Go, find your team."

"Ryder walked off as Ainsley and Bruce argued. He walked down the hallway, looking for his pups. He passed the library and heard some laughing from inside, so Ryder turned to see where it came from. Marshall and Rocky were playing checkers. Everest was next to Marshall, while Zuma was next to Rocky. Rocky took out one of Marshall's checkers, who looked at him in disbelief. Marshall was the first to notice Ryder.

"Ryder!" he said as he got up. He accidentally knocked over the board. "Sorry, Rocky."

"It's fine, Marshall," Rocky replied.

The group raced over to Ryder and took turns hugging Ryder. "How did you get out?"

"I tell you in the morning," Ryder said. "How are you guys?"

"We're doing good, Ryder," Rocky said.

"Where are the others?"

"We were just about to look for Chase," Everest said.

The others nodded in agreement. "We wanted to tell Chase 'thank you' and then head to sleep," Zuma explained.

"Thank you?" Ryder asked. "What for?" Rocky, Everest, Marshall, and Zuma took turns telling Ryder how Chase helped them with their insecurities. They told him how Chase helped them see that they were more than what The Copycat revealed.