Murder in the Flames

Chapter Six- Stories

To Dasher, the hunt went excellent. They caught two rabbits, a rat, a squirrel, and a pigeon that had broken it's wing. However, the dogs on the patrol had been furious when he accidentally scared off a mouse. But what's one mouse? I mean, he also startled a robin, but catching healthy birds was impossible! Everyone knew that. When Dasher dropped the rat on the prey heap, he looked around in astonishment. He had forgotten how many dogs there were! How is every dog going to get enough to eat? He scented Lucy, and looked other to see her on his left side.

"Food is scare," she whined. "It's hard to feed so many dogs." Flash stepped out of his den with Frost.

"It is time to eat!" Flash howled. The dogs gathered around the prey heap eagerly, hardly able to contain themselves as drool dripped from their jaws. Flash, Frost, and Trip picked up a rabbit. Boots, Cookie, and Oz went next, taking the pigeon.

"We go in pairs or groups, depending on how big the dog is and how big the prey is," Lucy whispered. "You can go with me- and Pumpkin." Dasher didn't like the idea of sharing prey with Pumpkin, but he was too hungry to care. Pumpkin stepped up next, so Lucy and Dasher followed. Pumpkin picked up the rat, casting Dasher a glare. I didn't do anything! He forced down a whine, following her and Lucy over to a patch of grass. They didn't eat yet- every dog had to get food first. Sadie, Mikee, Popper, and Sunny took the squirrel. Sam, Jessica, Streak, and Peanut Butter took the last rabbit. That's hardly enough for them!

"All four of them wouldn't have to share like that if we had caught that other mouse," Pumpkin pointed out sharply. Of course she had to have been on the hunting patrol.

"Now, Pumpkin- it was Dasher's first time. He helped catch a rabbit, give him some credit," Lucy barked.

Pumpkin snorted. "We caught it just because he scared it into Cookie's paws. Admit it, Lucy- he's nothing but a klutz getting in the way." Then she dug into the rat without another word. Lucy didn't admit it, however, just gave Pumpkin a sharp look and nuzzled Dasher's ear. I'm really trying my best. He let out a whimper, resting his head on his paws, suddenly not very hungry.

At the end of their meal, Pumpkin got up and stretched. "So, Dasher, when are you going to start investigating Trickster's murder?" she asked.

"Right now," Dasher replied, and Lucy gave him a surprised look. I mean, it's a murder! There's got to be plenty of evidence this pack hasn't had the time to investigate because they're so busy.

"Well, how then?" Pumpkin challenged.

"Well," Dasher began. "I'll start by asking every dog their version of the story- see if I can pick up some clues," he barked. Pumpkin and Lucy exchanged a wow-he-actually-has-a-decent-idea look.

"Sounds like a good way to start. I'll tell you my story," Lucy barked. "Pumpkin, how about you inform Alpha about what we're doing?" Pumpkin rolled her eyes, trotting away. Lucy turned back towards Dasher. "I was with my owners when the fire started. It was horrible! There was smoke everywhere- I smelled it and woke up. I barked to wake my owners, and they rushed around, trying to grab as many things as they could. The firefighters and their trucks came, but they couldn't put out the fire. They started yelling at everyone to get out, I think, because people started running and screaming. I lost my owners in the fray, so I started running towards the dog park. The smoke was so thick, but I eventually found it. I met up with Pumpkin there too, after that other dogs started coming, then we got the word that Trickster was missing," she barked.

Dasher nodded. There wasn't much to work with with Lucy's story. Hopefully the others will have more information. "Dasher." The Dalmatian turned around to see who had spoken. It was Flash. The German shepherd was looking at him. "Pumpkin told me about your plan. I have work to do, so I will tell you my story first," he rumbled.

"Okay," Dasher replied, wagging his tail. Flash's eyes became thoughtful.

"It was horrible. I woke up one morning, and smoke was everywhere. It clogged my nostrils, and burned my eyes and throat. For awhile I just ran, lost and afraid, but eventually came to my senses. I found Frost, who was trapped under rubble. After that, we found Trip trapped in his human's house. We managed to rescue him, then we met up with Oz. Lucy came soon after, and helped Oz, who was limping. He burned his paw really bad, there was blood on his muzzle just from licking it. Then, we met up with the rest of the pack at the dog park, and that's when we realized Trickster was still missing. We went looking for him, and found his half-scorched body. Sword inspected his body, and found teeth marks in his neck, so we know he was murdered by a dog. Sword went crazy, and that's when this whole war started," Alpha barked, ending his story.

Dasher nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you. I'll have to gather more information," he barked trotting over to some more dogs. He found Oz first. 

"Oz!" he called. The collie looked up from where he was nibbling a burr in his fur. 

"Yes, Dasher?" he barked.

"Dasher is starting his investigation on Trickster's murder. Can you tell us your story?" Lucy asked. 

"Of course," Oz rumbled in his deep mighty voice. "I was sleeping outside in my owner's yard, but woke up at the first scent of smoke. I saw flames in the distance, and when I looked through the window I saw my owners gathering up their stuff and putting it in the car. We had a warning-  we weren't directly where the fire started. My owners then came for me- a female and a male who both are soldiers. They fight for our country- not that that will make any sense to you. They put me in the backseat of the car, and we started driving. As we drove, people jumped out in front of us, panicking and running from the fire," Oz paused to take a breath. 

"We swerved, hitting a tree. Luckily all of us were okay, but my owners jumped out of the car to help other humans, and I jumped out after them, but quickly lost them. After losing them, however, I found Flash," he barked. 

"Alpha said you got burned really bad. Can I see your paw?" Dasher asked. He totally left that part out, I wonder why. Oz nodded, stretching out his paw.

"It's already healed," he explained. Dasher peered at the paw- it looked perfect. Do burns really heal that fast? I would expect a scar or warped skin, but what do I know? 

"Thanks, Oz," Lucy barked, and lead Dasher away. After five or six stories, Dasher started to zone out. It was getting harder and harder to focus. He almost howled in relief when Lucy suggested they take a break and then started some more fighting practice. They listened in as Flash called second shift. He was surprised when Flash approached them again. "Lucy- make sure Dasher knows some good fighting techniques by the end of the day. I want him to go on a territory patrol tomorrow," he barked, then trotted away. Panicked at the thought of meeting one of Sword's dogs on a patrol, he turned to Lucy.

"Teach me to fight," he whined. "Quick!"