Fly

The Great Escape pt.2 - Plans, frisbees and a whole lot of...spiders?

There was silence; a really, really awkward silence. A silence that filled the air with a thickness that could only mean trouble. I wished more than anything to be able to take back what I had just said. It obviously hadn't gone down well. I opened my mouth to apologise but was cut off before I got the chance.

"Holy flying frisbees, Breeze! Did you really just say what I think you just said?", a slightly dumbstruck Nugget squeaked. "W...we can't escape. If they found out...if they...", he trailed off, fearful of the words that would inevitably have to follow.

My plan was risky, yes, but sometimes the right thing had to be done although it nearly always came at a tremendous price. There was no way I was going to fight another dog, not even for all the tennis balls in the world. And there was certainly no way I was going to risk my life for reasons I didn't see fit to risk my life for.

But then, if we were caught trying to escape, the fate we would meet would be much worse. I would still rather risk my life in a bid for freedom though, rather than being forced to contend with another of my own kind.

I sighed. "Yeah, Nugget. You did hear me correctly. It's your choice whether you want to escape with me or not, but I'm getting out either way", I told him, also addressing Natcho as I spoke.

Much to my surprise, Natcho stepped forwards. "Well, I'm with you all the way, Breeze. Just tell me what to do, and I'll do it".

After a short bout of reluctance, Nugget too, stepped forwards. "Yeah, I'm with you too; lets get ourselves outta here!",

There was a pause. We all just stood uncomfortably watching each other, hastily averting our gaze each time we caught the eye of one another. Finally, Nugget spoke.

"So, just out of interest, what's our plan?"

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"Oh, great idea...", mused Nugget, who was currently staring at a group of spiders in the corner of the spacious run, not even showing the slightest bit of focus on the plan.

"And if you stood there, Breeze, I could...", added Natcho, who also didn't have the faintest idea of what was going on.

"No, no, no, no. You need to be standing here, and I need to be there", I said, getting really frustrated. This wasn't working at all.

"Ok, gotcha!", Nugget added, even though he clearly had no idea what was currently being said. It turned out that he was actually referring to the spider he had just caught in his mouth. It was only a coincidence that his words had somewhat coincided with what I had said.

"Right, so is everyone clear on the plan? Nugget? Natcho?", I questioned although I was already aware of the response I was going to get. I received two blank expressions from the Collie crosses. "Great, so neither of you know what you're doing?"

"Just go through it one more time, please?", Nugget pleaded puppyishly, still mesmerised by the spiders scuttling around the metal fence.

"Fine! So..."

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Two hours later, and the three of us knew the plan inside out. Each of us was able to recall all our movements, the times, and signals we would give to each other. The only thing that could stop us now were the people who brought us here (or spiders, which seemed sure to distract Nugget).

"Ooh, I'm so excited!", Nugget squealed, shaking with animated anticipation. "I can't believe we're finally getting outta here, Natcho".

Natcho, who was not nearly as excited as Nugget, sat huddled defeatedly in the far corner of the outdoor run.

"Hey Natcho, what's wrong?", Nugget asked with a deep concern for his long standing friend. He approached the deflated dog slowly, airing on the side of caution, as if he knew the dog could strike out at any given moment.

I didn't move. This seemed like too much of a close thing between the two for me to intrude upon. I felt rude just standing there despite the fact I was standing on the far side of the run, no where near the Collie crosses. It still didn't mean I couldn't hear them though; that's what made me feel out of place here.

"What is it, Natcho, you know you can tell me?", whispered Nugget.

"I...I just...I was thinking, thinking about this place, about all the dogs we've seen being brought here, scared, confused, and about how we just let them all go off and fight, without even considering them or their owners. I feel like I'm...I'm responsible for the deaths of so many dogs that I shouldn't be granted the privilege of freedom. I just don't know if I can do it, Nugget...".

I stood still, frozen to the ground I was walking on moments ago. There were so many things I could have said to Natcho right now, but I still didn't feel right knowing that I had eves dropped on their tête-à-tête

It was quite easy to see why Natcho blamed herself for what had happened here, but at the same time, absolutely none of this was her fault. Even if she had warned the other dogs about what was going to happen to them, it didn't mean they would have been able to stop it.

Against every part of me telling me not to go, I made my way towards the two solemn looking dogs, sat miserably looking at what I presumed were the kennels of the fighting dogs. The place I would find myself if my plan failed.

Neither of them heard me until I was only a few metres away from them both. While Nugget turned to face me, Natcho wept silently to herself.I took in a deep breath and said what I knew shouldn't, but was certain I had to.

"Natcho, what happened, it wasn't your fault. You could have warned every, single dog who ever got brought here, but it doesn't mean you would have saved them. We all go things we regret; I've done my fair share of thing I regret, but I never let it stop me doing the things I knew I would regret not doing if I had the chance. This is your chance to stop this mistreatment, and get this place closed down for good.

We all make mistakes, mistakes we reflect on, learn by, but then we move on, try again, do something different. Nugget wants to make right what has been done wrong, and I'm sure you want to do the same. We can't go back and correct our mistakes, but we can look forward and pick our futures.

In five days time, the three of us, we're getting outta here, and we're gonna get to see the scum who set this place up get their comeuppance. The plan can't work without you, Natcho. We need you...", I encouraged, suddenly feeling more motivated than ever to stop what was going on here.

Natcho's weeping ceased and the sound of gratification filled the desolate landscape; Natcho's tail was wagging, very gently, from side-to-side. She raised her head quite hesitantly, but gratefully none the less.

"Thank you, Breeze". It was simple, but it was all that was needed. Simplicity could often convey the strongest messages possible. I merely nodded my head towards him, turning back around and walking away as I did.

'Five day', I though exultantly. 'Just five more days...'

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A/N
Hey peeps!
Sorry this is such a short chapter(the next one will be longer).I'll post the next chapter by Sunday!
Only 5 chapters and the epilogue left...

Anyway, here's another question for you all:
What is your favourite dog sport?
(Mine is agility, obviously)

So yeah...
Waggy tails,
Storm xx