Hello readers, this will probably be a short story of only a few chapters. We'll see, I have said that before and turned a thought into multiple books. I have thought about how to tell this story for a while and decided it was time. As always please enjoy and comment, your comments are what keep me writing. a And my usual references to shipping of pup couples.

Now without further adieu, here's the story.

It was a typical day in Adventure Bay, Chase had woke up, performed his usual patrol of the grounds and woke the pups for breakfast. The pups always complained because of Chase using his megaphone to wake them but deep down they like the consistency of knowing he would always be there.

Chase giggled to himself as he walked into the Lookout.

"You just can't help yourself can you," laughed Ryder, as he continued to pour pup chow for the pups.

"I'll admit," snickered Chase, "I love to watch them jump."

The others began stumbling in toward their bowls. That is with the exception of Rubble who ran in like he hadn't eaten in a week. Rubble dove into his bowl and began quickly devouring the kibble.

Rubble looked up and burped as he finished, "Ryder? When's lunch?"

Everyone laughed.

"So what are you pups going to do today?" asked Ryder.

Mumblings of various topics were heard from the different pups.

"Hey let's all go swimming," said Rocky.

Dead silence fell over the pups.

"Uh, Rocky dude," said Zuma, "Are you sick?"

"No, I'm kidding," laughed Rocky, "I just wanted to see everyone's face."

"Even I was worried for a second there," laughed Ryder.

"We could go snowboarding," said Marshall.

"You mean you could go see Everest," laughed Rocky.

"She's a really good friend," said Marshall. "We don't get to see her unless there is a call on the mountain."

"Sure, stick with that," laughed Rubble. "I'm always up for snowboarding."

The others agreed it sounded fun.

"Great I'll call Jake," said Ryder.

The pups all hopped in their vehicles and headed for Jake's Mountain. As they arrived they noticed Everest zooming around the cabin at full speed.

"Finally," laughed Jake, as the pups and Ryder pulled to a stop in front of the cabin. "Everest has had the zoomies since I told her you were coming."

Everest came zooming around the corner and slammed into Marshall knocking him over and landing on top of him. Both of them blushed and she stood helping Marshall to his paws.

"That wasn't obviously planned or anything," Rocky whispered to Zuma who nodded and laughed.

"Great y'all are here," said Everest. "Let's hit the slopes."

The pups, Jake and Ryder all spent the day snowboarding and playing in the snow. As evening began the pups said their goodbyes and drove back to the Lookout.

They parked said their goodnights and all wandered toward their pup houses for bed.

One pup sat up watching over the others. He tried so hard to put on a happy exterior but deep down the thoughts in his head of not being good enough plagued his dreams. He sighed and went to lay down, knowing his sleep would be restless.

***

The early morning sun was coming up. Chase lay in his pup house staring at the wall beside him. He sighed and got up and walked over to the tree, after doing his business he walked the perimeter of the Lookout and turned toward the sleeping pups. He barked out his megaphone, He took a deep breath and stopped. He turned and walked back to his pup house and plopped himself back on his pup pad.

A short while later he was being nuzzled awake.

"Chase?" asked Marshall. "Are you ok? Do I need to get Ryder?"

"No," said Chase, "I'm sorry. Is everyone up already?"

"They're waking and obviously wondering why we weren't yelled awake," said Marshall. "You sure you're not sick? It's not like you to sleep in."

"I said I'm sorry," whimpered Chase. "It's not like everyone doesn't hate it when I do it."

"We joke about it," said Marshall, "But we really like that we know you will always be here for us. We depend on you, even if we gripe about it."

"I just ...," started Chase. "Never mind, I'll try harder."

"Chase, you don't need to try harder," said Marshall. "You're great. We all appreciate how hard you strive to keep us in line."

"Thanks Marshall," said Chase, rising to his paws.

They both walked into the Lookout and began eating breakfast.

Ryder watched Chase feeling something was up. He started to say something but chose to wait.

The pups were playing tag when their tags alerted.

"Ryder needs us!" shouted the pups as they all turned to run to the elevator.

As they entered they heard Marshall yip and suddenly Chase was struck from behind and swept from his feet as were the other pups.

"Sorry pups," said Marshall.

"We're used to it," laughed Rocky.

The elevator rose to the top and the pups hopped into position.

Chase quickly scanned the pups and turned back to Ryder, "Paw Patrol, Ready for Action Ryder, Sir."

"Thanks for rushing pups," said Ryder, pulling up a screen of Mayor Goodway jumping up and down with Chickaletta high on the Roof of City Hall. "Chickaletta has once again gotten away from Mayor Goodway and is stuck on the roof of City Hall. Marshall, I need you to bring your ladder to reach the roof. Chase, I need you to respond and stand by with your net in case Chickaletta falls. Paw Patrol is on a Roll."

The pups called out their call outs and ran for the slide as Ryder ran for the pole. The pups and Ryder drove to the City Hall.

Marshall backed into place and raised his ladder. After he had raised the ladder, he climbed to the roof. As he reached the roof Chickaletta hopped twice and fell from the roof. Marshall reached out to try and catch her but she was just out of reach.

"Chase, Net!" yelled Ryder.

"Net!" barked Chase. The net flew out and landed below where Chickaletta was falling. It appeared that Chickaletta was going to miss where Chase fired his net. Ryder dove at the last minute catching Chickaletta.

"Nice Catch," shouted Marshall as he climbed back down. Chase sat there in stunned silence staring at the net.

"Chase?" asked Marshall. "Are you ok? It's ok, Ryder caught her, she's ok."

"I can't believe I missed," said Chase. "She could have been killed."

"It's ok Chase," said Ryder, setting Chickaletta down. "We're a team. We have to help each other out."

"But you depended on me to save her," said Chase, "if you hadn't been there she could have been hurt or worse."

"But she wasn't," said Ryder. "Let's go home, pups."

As they returned Chase converted his truck into his pup house and went in closing the door.

Skye and Zuma were running over and saw this, they turned to Marshall.

"Did something happen, Dude?" asked Zuma.

"Well, we were trying to save Chickaletta when she fell off the roof," explained Marshall. "Chase shot his net out but somehow she missed the net."

Skye gasp, "Is she...?"

"No, no," said Marshall, "Ryder dove and caught her. But Chase blames himself for missing her. She's a chicken, she doesn't exactly glide like a regular bird."

"Maybe we should let her fall once," laughed Zuma.

Skye punched him the foreleg, Zuma yipped, "What you know you've thought it before."

"Who cares about the stupid chicken," said Skye, "you know Chase, he doesn't show it but he's very sensitive and takes everything personal."

"Yeah," agreed Marshall, "especially if he feels he made a mistake."

"We'll give him a little bit," said Skye, "then let's ask him to play a game with us."

"Sounds good," said Marshall.

"Just say when," said Zuma, "of course you could go play games with him." Zuma wiggled his eyebrows.

"What?" yipped Skye, immediately blushing at Zuma's suggestion.

"Oh, come on," laughed Zuma.

After about an hour of Chase not coming out, Skye sent Marshall to ask Chase to come play.

Marshall knocked on Chase's door, "Chase?"

Chase opened his door, "I'm sorry, did you need something?"

"Skye, Zuma, and I wanted to know if you would come play tag with us?" said Marshall.

'Um, I guess," said Chase.

Marshall started to say something but decided not to, 'maybe he got over it' thought Marshall.

The pups played for a few hours and finally after everyone ate dinner, they decided to go to bed.

One pup sat on the hill overlooking Adventure Bay, the moon light reflected off the calm bay waters. Tears rolled down his muzzle, softly he began to sing.

... Tonight the monsters in my head

Are screaming so damn loud

But I built walls so high

So they never even make a sound

... It's a mask, it's a lie

It's the only home I've ever known

'Cause being who I really am

Has only left me more alone

... I am not okay

And I need you to see it

I have so much to say

And no one to hear it

The reason I keep quiet

With so much at stake

I always feel like a burden, let it silence me

You'll never understand

Why it's so hard to say

I'm not okay

... I wish I had a scar

Had a bruise on the surface, any kind of proof

That everything I feel is more than just some sad excuse

... My life's invisible abuse

I'm either judged or have to hide

The only symptom you can see

Is I don't wanna be alive

... I am not okay

And I need you to see it

I have so much to say

And no one to hear it

The reason I keep quiet

With so much at stake

I always feel like a burden, let it silence me

You'll never understand

Why it's so hard to say

... I'll never have the words, I can't explain this hell

But what if it kills me

If I keep it to myself?

To myself

... I am not okay

And I need you to see it

I have so much to say

And no one to hear it

I am not okay

I am not okay

I'm never safe

It's not a phase

If I finally break

Would you still stay?

... Tonight the monsters in my head

Are screaming so damn loud

(I Am Not Ok - Citizen Soldier ®)

As the tears began to slow, he turned and slowly walked back to his pup house.

***

As I said this will be a short story. Just know it's ok to be, not ok. We all have our demons that haunt us. Please, if you need help, ask or this case, yelp for help. There is no shame in admitting your not feeling right. You're not a burden, you're not a problem, but most importantly, You're Not Alone. If you don't feel comfortable speaking with someone close to you or feel you don't have anyone, Call the National Depression Hotline at 866-629-4564. I for one care and understand the struggle. Also as a friend or family member, please if you see something, be ready to listen, not necessarily offer suggestions. The best thing you can do is show you care and let them know you care enough to be a shoulder to cry on.