Darla and the Mystery of the Night Monster

chapter 5

"Ah... This reminds me of riding on Toby through the streets of London with Basil, Dawson, and Olivia..." Cherry sighed. "I never thought it would feel so nostalgic."

"Wish I could've seen it." Lionel commented.

"Uh, sorry about that," Cherry replied. "That was before I knew ya."

"Eh, it's cool," Lionel said. "I can just read it."

The ride seemed to last for a while as it was getting dark, almost night time.

"Ya know, this park is a lot nicer during the day," Tiger commented. "Whatya say we come back then, huh?"

"Sounds good to me." Fievel shivered.

"We don't have that kind of time," Lionel replied. "We came for answers and we're gonna get them."

"What are you all afraid of?" Nellie scolded.

They soon heard a howl.

"O-One thing... T-That!" Tiger shivered nervously with his fur standing on end.

A tall, dark-furred canine emerged from the shadows.

"Ah, but you see, that is precisely what we're after," Nellie said to the others. "That rhinestone is the sort of thing we see on human costume jewelry, or on a dog's collar."

"Did you say d-d-dog?!" Tiger gulped.

"Yes, indeed," Nellie clarified. "I have a contact to the Dog High Council, and they meet here in the park every night, you know."

"Must be a quicker and careful way to the Twilight Bark." Atticus commented.

"Or at least an upgraded version." Lionel replied.

Tiger soon fainted with Tony, Fievel, and Cherry still on his back.

"Get him off of me!" Cherry muffled.

Atticus soon lifted up Tiger to help them get away from the fainting cat.

"Watch where you faint, bud." Lionel commented.

"Poor Tiger." Atticus sighed to the cat.

"Whatya say we go the rest of the way on foot?" Tony suggested.

"What are you doing here?" The dog who came out growled to them slightly.

"Easy, boy," Cherry said, now used to canines due to her misadventures with Cathleen. "We're just passing through. No need to get barking mad."

"Yeah. We come in peace, see?" Lionel added. "Name's Joe Fixit, and these are my colleagues."

"Joe Fixit?" Cherry raised an eyebrow. "I guess at least it's not Tim Taylor."

"Anyways, we're looking for some info," Lionel explained. "Specifically about this rhinestone we found today."

"We're with Ms. Brie, Mr... Uh..." Atticus added.

"You may call me Lone Woof." The dog replied.

"Right, um, do you recognize this rhinestone?" Atticus asked, holding out the rhinestone to let him observe it.

Lone Woof blinked. "Where did you find it?" he asked.

"An old house in Carnersville after we were attacked by... Uh..." Nellie replied.

"By the Manhattan Monster." Lone Woof concluded.

"What is it?" Nellie asked. "How can we stop it?!"

"The Dog High Council has no interest in the problems of other species, I must go." Lone Woof said before going to leave.

"Hey! Get back here, Mutt!" Cherry glared until Atticus covered her mouth.