What Are You Hiding?

Ch.17 Wait What!?

Behind the Lookout

Everest: "Oh my gosh, what's wrong with you!? Seriously, Marshall?!"

The Husky steps forward, planting a firm paw on the black asphalt underneath her. An arm's length away from her sits Marshall with an annoyed expression.

Marshall: "Me?!" He gasps. 

Everest: "Duh! You're like the only one who keeps causing problems!"

Marshall: "Ha, that's funny." He rolls his eyes. "Last time I checked, you weren't exactly happy that they got together either. I wasn't the only one."

Everest: "So what if I'm unhappy about it!? It doesn't matter! I'm not going to keep sabotaging them, I stopped!"

Marshall: "Well good for you but I won't! I can't!" 

The Dalmatian takes a step back and turns his face to the side so Everest can't look him in the eyes.

Marshall: "I can't... You don't understand."  He whispers.

Everest: "You're right, I don't understand because I'm not a monster."

The Dalmatian's eyes dart over to her, he's visibly frustrated.

Marshall: "I'm not a monster." He declares. "I'm not!"

He's shaking and Everest wonders why.

Everest: "Then why are you acting like one?"

It's as if Marshall hit an unexpected wall and there is no way around it. This doesn't go unnoticed by Everest who eyes him curiously.

Everest: "Aren't you ever afraid you might become someone you're afraid of?"

Again, there's no immediate answer just a long pause.

Marshall: "I'm afraid I've always been that way."

There's another pause as they both let each other's words sink in. Then after apparently too much silence it breaks.

Everest: "Oof, maybe we should head back?"

Whipping his head, the Dalmatian's eyebrows immediately furrow.

Marshall: "Why? So they can yell at me again?"

Everest: "Well, can you blame them?"

Marshall: "I guess not."

Everest: "Right, so stop whining you big crybaby!"

Playfully, she punches his shoulder. Afterwards Marshall rubs a paw over where she made contact with him.

Marshall: "Wow, you're... Different."

Her ears perk up.

Everest: "What do you- What did you-" 

Marshall: "No one else gets on my nerves as much as you do." He scoffs.

The Husky swings and hits his shoulder a little less playfully.

Marshall: "Ow! Okay, okay! I take it back!"

Everest: "I wouldn't get on your nerves so much if you just listened to me!"