A Recycling Pup and a Flying Pup

Chap. 8 : Skye saves Rocky

Morning breaks over Adventure Bay, casting a soft, orange glow over the Lookout. Most of the pups are still asleep, but Chase is already awake, pacing back and forth in front of Marshall's puphouse. He taps his paw impatiently, and after a moment, he nudges Marshall awake.

"Marshall, come on," Chase whispers, eyes gleaming with a strange mix of excitement and urgency. "It's time. You know what we need to do."

Marshall yawns, blinking the sleep from his eyes. "Right... the 'obstacle.'" He hesitates, looking at Chase, but quickly shakes off his worry. "Let's go."

Together, the two sneak off to set up their trap just outside the Lookout, right where they know Rocky usually takes his morning walk. They position a thick rope taut between two trees, hidden among the bushes, ready to trip up anyone who comes through. Chase smirks, imagining Rocky stumbling into it, falling hard onto the gravel. The rope, tightened by Marshall, is lined with small rocks, enough to hurt Rocky and make him think twice before getting too close to Skye again.

With everything in place, they retreat, hiding behind the nearby bushes to wait for Rocky.

A little later, Rocky yawns as he steps out of his puphouse, stretching and blinking in the morning light. He rubs his tired eyes and begins his usual morning walk, heading down the path toward the trees, blissfully unaware of the trap waiting for him.

But Skye, who is practicing her exercises in the distance, catches sight of something strange on Rocky's path. Her eyes narrow as she notices the faint glint of the rope and small rocks piled along the way. She gasps, realizing what could happen if someone tripped on it, and at that moment, she spots Rocky walking straight toward it.

"Rocky, stop!" Skye cries out, her heart racing as she sprints over to him. Rocky turns, startled, just as Skye dives forward, her paws colliding with his chest as she pushes him out of the way. Rocky stumbles back, hitting the ground safely a few feet away. But Skye, unable to stop herself, crashes directly into the trap.

She yelps as the rope tangles around her front paw, pulling her forward, and her body slams into the rocks with a painful thud. She tries to move, but pain flares up her legs and spine, paralyzing her with shock. Rocky's heart sinks as he realizes what she's done for him.

"Skye!" Rocky rushes to her side, his voice breaking as he sees the pain etched on her face. Tears blur his vision as he gently touches her paw, not knowing how to help. "Why... why did you do that?"

Skye forces a small smile, her voice barely a whisper. "I... I couldn't let you get hurt, Rocky..."

A mix of emotions surges through Chase as he watches, frozen from the bushes. Regret twists inside him, battling with the lingering anger he feels toward Rocky. He hadn't meant for Skye to get hurt, especially not like this.

Marshall's eyes fill with guilt as he looks at Chase, whispering, "Chase... I think we went too far."
"It was your idea."
"Hey! You're the one who came up with this!" Marshall shouts.

Ryder arrives moments later, having heard the commotion, and quickly assesses the situation. "We need to get Skye to the hospital. Now!"

With gentle care, Ryder and the other pups load Skye into the Paw Patroller, speeding to Adventure Bay's hospital. Once there, the doctor examines her, his face grim as he delivers the news to the worried pups gathered in the waiting area.

"She's hurt her spine," he says, his voice gentle but firm. "Skye will be paralyzed for at least two weeks while she heals. She'll need plenty of rest and support from all of you."

Rocky's head drops, his shoulders shaking with quiet sobs. He blames himself for Skye's pain, feeling helpless as the weight of her injury presses on his heart.

Chase, standing a few feet away, feels a painful pang of guilt. His plan had spiraled out of control in ways he hadn't imagined, and now Skye, his closest friend, his crush, was suffering because of it.

Ryder looks over the group of pups, his expression serious. "Can any of you tell me how this accident happened? There is no way this is even an accident."

Rocky, still too shaken to speak, doesn't respond, but Ryder's question lingers heavily in the air. Marshall shifts uncomfortably, glancing at Chase, his guilt clearly visible. He opens his mouth, about to say something, but the sharp look Chase gives him stops him in his tracks. Marshall swallows hard, staying silent.

But Ryder doesn't miss the exchange, suspicion flickering in his eyes as he studies Chase and Marshall. He knows something isn't right, and he's determined to get to the bottom of it.

"Take some time to think, pups," Ryder says, his voice firm. "But I'll need answers soon. Skye deserves the truth."