PawPatrol: Unspoken Heart

Night Out

It was getting dark already but Chase didn't want to go back to the team, he felt like he wouldn't be able to look at Skye today...He decided to walk around just to let time go faster. He planned to come back later but his pup tag made familiar sound. It was call from Ryder, but Chase didn't pick it up. He turned it off and kept walking. He wandered through the empty streets of Adventure Bay, feeling as lost as he wasn't ever been. His paws dragged along the ground, and his mind was too foggy to even care where he was going. He just needed to keep walking, keep moving, to feel like he was doing something... anything... to keep his thoughts from eating his mind.

But then, as if things couldn't get worse, the sky opened up, and rain began falling down. The raindrops were icy, sharp as they hit his fur, soaking him to the bone in seconds. He shivered, realizing just how cold the night had gotten. Each gust of wind chilled him even more, making his fur stick to his skin. His legs felt like they could give out at any moment, but he pushed on, desperately searching for somewhere, anywhere, to stay out of the rain.

Finally, Chase found a small, half-covered alleyway between two buildings. The rain wasn't as strong there, and the walls provided some protection from the wind. It wasn't much, but it was enough. Too tired to think anymore, he curled up in a tight ball, still soaking wet, his body cold and aching. His eyelids grew heavy as he stared out into the dark street, feeling the loneliness of the night surround him.

Sleep came quickly, and for a while, he drifted in and out, his mind numb from exhaustion. He barely noticed when the rain stopped or when the coldness of the night started to fade, just slipping deeper and deeper into a dreamless, heavy sleep.

When Chase finally woke up, he felt warm-surprisingly warm. He blinked a few times, realizing he was lying on a soft, slightly lumpy couch, covered in a thick, plaid blanket. He squinted at the dim light coming from a nearby lamp and tried to get his bearings. Where was he?

"Finally awake, are ya?" came a voice with a thick accent.

Chase looked up, startled, and saw a tall, older lady with a little smirk on her face, standing in front of him with her arms crossed. It took him a second to recognize her. It was Helga. Humdinger's mom.

"Helga?" he mumbled, still half-asleep and trying to piece together how he ended up here.

"Yep, that's me," she said with a chuckle. "Found you curled up in an alley last night lookin' like a soggy kitten. Couldn't leave ya out there. I'm not that heartless."

Chase sat up slowly, wincing as he felt the soreness in his muscles from walking all night. "Thank you... I didn't realize anyone would, uh..." A-Choo!... "find me..."
"Sorry... I'm allergic to kittens fur..."

"Well, don't worry, they're not here at the moment, it won't be that bad." she said, waving her hand dismissively. "Now, before you go passing out again, let's get you something to eat. You look like you could use it."

Chase's stomach growled at the thought of food, and he couldn't help but nod. Helga disappeared into the next room, muttering something about "kids these days not taking care of themselves." While he waited, he noticed his pup tag blinking with missed calls. He completely forgot about it last night. But why is his pup tag working? Didn't he turn it off?

Opening it, he saw messages and calls from the entire team: Ryder, Marshall, Rocky, Rubble, Zuma even Skye had left a few worried messages, asking where he was and if he was okay. His heart sank a bit. They must've been searching for him all night.

A moment later, Helga returned with a plate of scrambled eggs and toast, placing it in front of him. "There ya go. Eat up, kid. You need the energy."

Chase took a few bites, grateful for the warm food, while Helga watched him with a curious expression.

"So, mind telling me what had you out in the rain all night?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Its not exactly something I would expect from Paw Patrol member."

Chase hesitated, unsure how much to say. But something about Helga's blunt honesty made him feel like he could at least share a little.

"I just... needed to get away," he admitted quietly. "Things got complicated, and... I didn't want to be around anyone."

Helga nodded knowingly. "Ah, love trouble, is it?"

Chase looked up at her, a little shocked. "How... how did you know?"

She snorted. "Oh, please. I am on this world long enough to know that look." She softened a bit. "Look, kid, I get it. Love makes you do dumb things sometimes. But don't let it keep you from the ones who care about ya. They're probably worried sick."

Chase looked down, feeling a pang of guilt as he thought about his friends. "Yeah... I guess I didn't think about that last night."

Helga rolled her eyes. "Of course ya didn't. But you've got a team that's there for ya, whether ya realize it or not. Go back to them, tell them you're alright. They will understand."

Chase nodded, Helga was right. He couldn't hide from his team forever. They deserved to know he was okay, and maybe, just maybe, he'd be able to start dealing with his feelings, too.

"Thanks, Helga," he said, genuinely grateful. "But... I don't wanna...go back"
Chase said sadly.