A Recycling Pup and a Flying Pup

Chap. 9 : Broken Bonds

The Lookout feels colder than usual, even with the early sunlight streaming in. The pups linger in silence, the weight of Skye's accident hanging over them like a storm cloud. No one's had much to say since they returned from the hospital, and every glance Ryder gives them is thick with suspicion. Chase shifts uncomfortably, feeling the intensity of Rocky's gaze from across the room.

Rocky breaks the silence, stepping forward, his eyes fixed on Chase with a mix of sadness and anger. "Chase," he says, his voice steady but laced with frustration, "why was Skye hurt because of you?"

Chase stiffens, his ears flattening as he looks away. "I... I don't know what you're talking about, Rocky," he replies, but his voice falters.

Rocky shakes his head, not buying the deflection. "Don't act innocent, Chase. Skye saved me because she knew something was wrong. That trap, " he takes a shaky breath, "it was meant for me, wasn't it?"

Chase's jaw tightens, but he doesn't respond, staring down at his paws. Rocky steps closer, his voice gaining strength. "All I wanted was a chance with Skye, a fair chance. You couldn't stand that, could you?"

"Stop it, Rocky," Chase finally snaps, his eyes flashing with a hint of the anger he's been trying to suppress. "You don't know anything. Skye doesn't deserve someone who can't even tell her how he feels."

"Don't pretend this was about her," Rocky says, his tone cutting. "This was about you wanting to 'win.' Well, look where that got us. Look at Skye, she's in the hospital, Chase. And it's because of you."

Chase's face twists with regret, and for a moment, his confidence crumbles. "I didn't want her to get hurt..." he whispers, his voice barely audible. "I just... I couldn't stand the thought of you being with her."

Rocky takes a step back, his eyes narrowing. "You couldn't stand it, so you decided to set me up? That's what Skye means to you, a prize to win?"

Marshall, who's been listening from the corner, shifts uncomfortably. "Rocky, I... we didn't think," But he stops when Ryder enters, his face serious and focused.

"Pups," Ryder says, cutting through the tension with his steady voice. "We need to talk about what happened this morning. Skye deserves honesty, and all of you deserve to know who's responsible."

Chase's heart races as Ryder's gaze falls on him. He forces himself to meet Ryder's eyes, but the weight of his guilt presses down on him, making it almost impossible to hold his gaze.

"Chase," Ryder says firmly, "do you know anything about what happened? Any clues about how Skye ended up in that trap?"

Chase's voice catches in his throat. He feels Marshall's eyes on him, a silent plea for him to come clean, but he can't bear to say it aloud. "No... I don't," he finally says, his voice hollow.

Rocky's expression darkens, his disappointment clear. "Fine, Chase. If you're not going to tell the truth, then I will." He turns to Ryder. "That trap was meant for me, Ryder. Someone set it up right on my usual path. Skye only got hurt because she was trying to protect me."

Ryder nods slowly, his suspicion deepening as he looks between Chase and Marshall. "And Chase, Marshall, were either of you involved in setting up that 'trap'?"

Marshall opens his mouth, his eyes darting from Ryder to Chase. He hesitates, his expression torn. "Ryder, I... I just... I—"

Chase interrupts, his voice sharp. "Marshall, don't. This isn't your fault." He clenches his jaw, looking up at Ryder with resignation in his eyes. "I'm the one who set it up. It was my idea to make Rocky... to make him back off."

Rocky's face contorts with a mix of anger and heartbreak. "You did this because of jealousy, Chase? Jealousy? Skye's lying in a hospital bed, paralyzed, because you couldn't control your ego?"

The reality of Rocky's words hits Chase like a punch to the chest. He knows he's messed up, but hearing it put so plainly, seeing the hurt in Rocky's eyes, it's almost unbearable. "I'm sorry, Rocky," he says, his voice barely a whisper. "I never wanted Skye to get hurt."

"Your sorry isn't going to help her walk again," Rocky replies coldly, his gaze unwavering. "Your sorry isn't going to take away the weeks of recovery she's about to face, or the pain she's in right now."

Ryder takes a step closer to Chase, his face grim but compassionate. "Chase, we all make mistakes. But putting others in danger crosses a line, especially when we're a team. You're supposed to protect each other, not tear each other down."

Marshall, who's been silently taking it all in, steps forward, his voice small. "I didn't stop him, Ryder. I knew it was wrong, but... I let it happen. I thought... I thought it would just make Rocky realize he needed to step back. I didn't think anyone would really get hurt."

Rocky shakes his head, his voice filled with disappointment. "This wasn't just a little mistake, Marshall. You both crossed a line, and Skye's the one paying for it."

Ryder looks over the pups, his expression a mix of frustration and sadness. "Chase, Marshall, I appreciate your honesty, but there are consequences for what's happened. For now, I want both of you to take some time to think about what it means to be part of this team. We don't just help the town; we help each other. And that means trusting each other, not hurting each other."

He lets his words sink in before continuing, "I'm grounding both of you from missions until Skye's recovered. And I expect you both to be there for her, to help her heal. You owe her that much."

Chase lowers his head, accepting the punishment, though it doesn't ease the gnawing guilt eating away at him. He can only imagine what Skye must think of him now, if she'll ever forgive him for this.

Rocky watches Chase, his disappointment still evident, but a flicker of sympathy passes over his face. "Chase... I know you cared about her. I know you didn't want this to happen. But maybe if you'd just been honest about your feelings, we wouldn't be here."

Chase nods slowly, his voice filled with regret. "I just... I didn't know what to say, Rocky. I was afraid of losing her."

Rocky's gaze softens, but only slightly. "Love isn't a game, Chase. It's not something you win by pushing everyone else aside. It's something you earn."

With those words, Rocky turns and walks away, leaving Chase to face the weight of his choices alone. Marshall, standing beside him, places a tentative paw on his shoulder, offering what little comfort he can.

In the quiet aftermath, Chase realizes that he's not only lost Skye's trust but also a part of himself. And as he looks around at his friends, the family he's betrayed, he knows he has a long road ahead to make things right.