A Recycling Pup and a Flying Pup

Chap. 16 : The Missing Heart

Rocky's eyes blink open, struggling to adjust to the morning light streaming through the Lookout's window. A weight pulls at his thoughts, and he raises his head slowly, feeling a strange heaviness clouding his mind. He stirs, trying to shake off the grogginess as memories begin flooding back, the mission, the exhaustion, and... the drink. Marshall's grin, his easygoing words, the "all-natural, relaxing" blend.

Rocky sits up quickly, dread pooling in his stomach as he checks the time, realizing with horror that it's already morning. His heart pounds as he recalls his plan to visit Skye, and the promise he made to be by her side. But he missed it. He missed everything.

A pang of guilt and frustration overtakes him, sharper than any physical pain. He had counted on that time with Skye, needed it to share what he'd held back for so long. But instead, he's lost the chance, and as he pieces the night together, his mind lingers on Marshall's drink. A drink that left him sleeping well into the morning. The unease grows stronger, twisting with suspicion.

He springs to his paws, shaking off the lingering haze. "Marshall..." he mutters, feeling a flicker of anger, something unfamiliar and unsettling. But he can't waste time. Right now, he has to get to Skye.

Rushing out of the Lookout, Rocky sprints across Adventure Bay, his mind racing. Maybe she stayed up waiting for him. Maybe she'll understand. Or maybe... his stomach drops. Maybe she's hurt, or even wondering why he didn't show. Rocky's paws move faster, urgency and dread pulsing with each step as he makes his way to the hospital.

When he arrives, the quiet of the early morning does little to comfort him. He pushes through the hospital doors, his voice tight with worry as he approaches the room. But, there is no one. Just an empty bed. He quickly rushes to the front desk where he sees a nurse "I'm here to see Skye. Please, can you tell me where she is? Why did you change her room?"

The nurse looks at him, her face softening. "Skye? Oh... she was discharged last night," she says, a hint of confusion in her tone. "Chase came by to pick her up."
"Pick her up? But- but didn't she need to stay a few more days?"
"That's what I thought too, but he quickly came and took her. I trust him though, he's the second leader of the PAW Patrol after all!"

The world seems to tilt, his stomach twisting as he processes her words. Chase? What was he doing here? And why would Skye leave with him without a word? A hollow ache fills him, but as he gathers himself, he realizes something feels deeply wrong.

Forcing his legs to move, he leaves the hospital and heads straight to the Lookout. He needs answers. Now.

When Rocky bursts into the Lookout, he finds Ryder already up, glancing over a report. Ryder's face shifts when he sees Rocky, his smile fading as he takes in Rocky's panicked expression.

"Oh Rocky, there you are. Have you seen Chase?" Ryder asks, his voice concerned.

"R-R-Ryder," Rocky says, struggling to steady his voice. "Skye... s-s-she's missing. They told me at the hospital that Chase picked her up last night, but no one's seen her since."

Ryder's face hardens, his calm slipping as he processes the news. "Chase took Skye? Without telling anyone?" He reaches for his communicator, pressing the button to contact Chase, but the silence on the other end only deepens his frown. He tries again, and again, each failed attempt tightening the tension in his eyes.

"Rocky, stay here," Ryder orders, but his tone is tense, unlike his usual calm assurance. "If Chase isn't responding, we might have a bigger problem on our hands. I'm initiating a search."

The other pups gather quickly, expressions of confusion and worry reflecting off their faces. When Ryder explains the situation, a heavy silence falls over the team. They're used to working as a unit, trusting each other without question, but today, doubt lingers. And as Ryder's gaze shifts to Marshall, there's a hint of suspicion in his eyes.

"Marshall," Ryder says slowly, "did you talk to Chase last night? Anything you know that could help us find Skye?"

Marshall's tail stiffens, his gaze dropping as he shifts uncomfortably under the weight of Ryder's stare. "Um... yeah, I saw him," he says, his voice too casual. "I mean, it was a long day, and he looked tired, so I just... "
Rocky frowns at Marshall who then sighs, "F-fine, Chase wanted me to give Rocky a drink. Now don't hate me, I just followed orders".

Ryder's brows furrow. "What kind of 'order' are we talking about, Marshall?"

Marshall hesitates, glancing at Rocky. "It was just a drink. Nothing serious! Just something to... you know, take the edge off," he mumbles, looking at his paws.

Rocky's voice sharpens, each word a mix of hurt and frustration. "I didn't just fall asleep, Marshall. I slept through the entire night. I missed my chance to see Skye, and now she's missing. Did you... did you know about this?"

Marshall's ears flatten, and he avoids meeting Rocky's eyes. "I... look, Chase needed a chance to talk to Skye. He was really hurt, Rocky, and he thought... he thought maybe if you weren't there, he'd finally be able to explain himself. I didn't know it'd come to this," he mutters, guilt flashing in his eyes.

Ryder takes a deep breath, his voice a level warning. "Marshall, you withheld information that could've affected the entire team's safety. Chase isn't just talking to Skye, he took her without telling us, and now he won't respond to any of us. This goes beyond a misunderstanding. If you know anything else, now's the time to speak up."

Marshall's shoulders slump, shame clouding his face. "I... I don't know where they'd be. Chase just said he had a plan. I didn't think... I'm sorry, Ryder. I didn't think it'd go this far."

Ryder nods, though his expression is still taut with frustration. "We don't have time to waste. Rubble, head to the cliffs. Zuma, check the beach and the surrounding areas. Rocky, you're with me."