Chase Runs Away

Why did so much Change?

In the Frigid Cold 10:00 pm

Marshall was running decently far away from Jake's cabin. The average pup would've turned around as soon as they felt the frigid blast that Marshall had felt, but he didn't care. He felt like his whole world came crashing down within the span of one hour. Not only had he lost a teammate previously but he had lost a brother just as quickly.

"I can't believe him!" Marshall thinks to himself as tears stream down his face.

The Dalmatian slows his run down to a steady walk as he knew he wasn't gonna find some other place on the mountain so he had to know how to make it back to the cabin.

"The one time I decide not to bring my fire truck" Marshall says in regret. He stops to really think. His pain numbed the sting of the freezing temperatures attacking him. "What happened to Chase? This isn't like him. I know we hurt him but why would he go so low? He knew I liked Everest and yet he still took the opportunity to steal her."

Marshall couldn't comprehend what would've changed the Shepherd so much. Chase had morals. He knew and made sure not to do anything to cause problems on the team. It was his duty...as leader.

Marshall reaches a realization.

"Oh, I get it. Now that he's no longer on the team he's just acting like the old Chase is dead! He doesn't care about his old standards, he doesn't even care about Skye. He just wants to take the girl I like and act like it's ok because he's not on the team! Who does that!?" The Dalmatian shouts into the air.

His voice was more than enough to direct his other teammates to him. Skye is the first to approach and she can see the hurt in his eyes.

"Marshall, I know y-you're hurting right now and Chase and Everest are th-th-the last people you want to see, but we n-need to get back to that cabin. We'll freeze to death out here" Skye says while the pups shiver.

"Y-yeah dude, this is s-s-something we need to deal with in a w-wawmer enviwoment" Zuma says.

Marshall shivers along with them but the pups can see that the sadness in his eyes still remains.

"Pups, I know why Ch-ch-chase is acting like this" The Dalmatian starts.

"Yeah, yeah we get it. We upset h-him with th-th-the meeting and he's still mad at us" Rocky says.

"Yeah, M-m-marshall we regret it and we apologized but at s-some point he has to get over it" Skye says.

Marshall shakes his head.

"That's part of the reason but that's still unlike Chase even if he was still mad. Wouldn't you agree?" The Dalmatian questions.

The other pups quickly agree with the Dalmatian, mostly to hurry up the process.

"Well, then w-w-why is he acting like this?" Rubble asks while shaking.

Marshall is shocked to be the first pup to connect the dots.

"Pups, th-think about it. Chase associated most of the things he did w-w-with the fact that he was the leader and had a lot of respons-s-sibility. That was a lot of his personality and now that he isn't on the team, he abandoned all of that" The Dalmatian explains. "I m-mean think about it. We all know that wasn't the same Chase we knew from before"

The pups eyes widen at such an intelligent conclusion coming from their usually goofy partner.

"W-wow Marshall, that was really smart for you to come up with in like the span of ten minutes" Rocky compliments.

"Y-yeah Marshall, I guess Chase isn't the only one acting different" Skye adds with a light chuckle.

Marshall chuckles in a way that felt unsettling. It wasn't lighthearted, it was more bitter than anything else.

"Despite all of that, I don't want any as-s-sociation with that backstabbing Shepherd. If anything, th-the only thing I have in common with him in this moment is that both of us almost d-died in the snow escaping toxic family members" Marshall says looking away.

The pups couldn't believe the words coming out of the Dalmatian's mouth. Was everyone turning into completely different pups? Was it the mountain?

"Well...ok then" Zuma says awkwardly.

"Anyway, l-let's head back. I don't want that to be the last thing I'm rem-m-membered for saying" Marshall says.

"At the rate we're moving, the last thing you'll be remembered for saying is 'you're dead to me'" rubble says with a chuckle until the other pups shoot a glare at him. "Too soon?" He asks. The pups nod.

"Ok I'm fr-fr-freezing, let's go" Skye says as they head back to the cabin while the snow continues to fall on the cold night.

The pups make it back rather quickly and waste no time heading inside. As much as the pups were relieved that they were back in a warm environment, it could not stop the immediate tension that formed when they noticed a Shepherd and Husky laying down next to each other, half asleep. Marshall growled, getting them up immediately, they went pink in the face.

"Oh, you guys are back soon" Everest says, slightly embarrassed.

"When wouldn't be soon? After you two fell asleep in each other's arms?" Marshall asks with a glare in their direction.

Everyone goes quiet. Immediately, the other pups wish they were still outside. The snow wasn't nearly as bitter as the current energy in the room. No replies happen until Jake comes back around.

"Hey pups, I'm glad you five made it back safely. As you know, the weather is terrible outside so it looks like you'll have to bunk up here for the night" Jake explains.

"We appreciate you letting us stay up here" Skye says nicely.

"Yeah Jake, thanks dude"  Zuma adds.

"Of course dudes, Ryder and you guys are like family to me too and I'd never let you guys freeze out there" Jake says nicely. "I have sleeping bags, beanbag chairs, and blankets for you guys to use for the night" he explains.

Jake takes out all of the sleeping bags, beanbag chairs and blankets for the pups while the pups decide where to sleep. Zuma and Rocky decide to bunk together. Rubble, being the loud snorer he is, decides to sleep alone. Finally, Skye and Marshall decide to lay down together. Skye decides it was best to keep the Dalmatian comforted while he was emotionally distressed and Marshall did not object.

Chase and Everest had fallen asleep earlier while Jake was searching through his closet for the sleeping supplies. Unaware of the current sleep arrangements.

Once the pups had gotten settled down, it was lights out. The pups needed some well deserved rest and they were glad to finally receive it. Especially Marshall who was snuggled up comfortable with the Cockapoo.

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Readers note: Wow, quite a lot has happened. Really makes you wonder how the romance will develop...or change. Be prepared and leave feedback. :)