Laughters echoed through the cream walls and floors primed with velvet wool. Whispers of goodnights came to conclude of what they had begun. Doors slowly creaked shut and slowly it had filled the halls into a ghost scene, to only hear distant conversations of those who have booked themselves into it.

          Warm air had escaped the lungs of an exhausted boy as he slowly sunk himself to the cool tiles; troubled clouds puffed up his head and dampened his spouts that has yet to actually do their supposed job.

          The day had ended already, though it feels like it was far from that for one guy. What lies ahead of him, sprawled on his already messy duvet, is a heap of paperwork. Printed in ghastly and dreadful ink, its scent emitting of fresh mail, Ryder drew closer to it as he has risen upon his sore feet. Picking one up, it had a streamline of digits and formal demanding requests, and the other had blaring red headlines and a confidential mail from various companies that were situated near his clothed knee.

          It looked worse than neon colors being splattered without any forethoughts on a plain canvas. Truly, it looked like an eyesore both for his eyes and his heart. Breathing out once more, he tossed himself to the mattress and crossed his legs and threw everything back onto the covers and hung his head back — completely thoughtlessly ruminating a way to dig his situation out from the pit he's stuck in.

          Despite his eyes being clearly pinned to the ceiling, his sights were much farther than that as his mind reverberated with ways on how to resolve everything. He's got the answers, but which one is ideal? Answers came by like a raging river with an abundance of fish, though presented in mass amounts, he can grasp neither.

beep.. beep..

          A white light illuminated his bedside table and vibrated continuously. It read "Katie" just below that time which indicated "10:47 pm". Picking it up, he hung his phone near to his ear and listened.

         "Hey," she began, her voice sounding faint and unsure. He replied with the same word, though more lifeless and lost; on the other line, he could hear her pen tapping against the wooden surface and the soft purring of Callie. The silence that fills the room that plays on his device somewhat gave him comfort, evoking him of his home that's miles away from where he is currently.

          "How's.. Everything on your line lately?"

          He remained quiet though, he was unsure of how to respond to her and weighed whether he should fess up his situation or not. So many words that have yet to be said, but for some reason, there was a conflict of an invisible seal wrapping him whole.

          "..You know. Same old. It's been going well." he replies, still motionless on the bed, as his right arm hung loosely on his right knee.

          Katie's line went silent for a moment, if it weren't for the subtle movements that made sounds that she've created herself, he would of believed that she had hung up already. He repositioned himself into a much more comfortable one and decided to hover his visions on the unattended bills as he asked "You good? Still there?"

          "Yeah. I just don't believe you're really feeling okay with that tone of voice. You know you can tell me anything, right?" he bit his lips in hesitation at her statement. Gulping the lump that's developed on his throat, he threaded his locks back and merely sighed in response.

          "Uhm.. Are you running short on money? I could transfer you—"

          "—Stop." a firm voice was transmitted through the line and took Katie by surprise, in the background, her cat's claws clicked against the floor as she scurried away from her, mistaking her for some threat. She could only blink in disbelief as she've never witnessed this sudden side of him.

          Back in the younger days, despite him already being on the edge, he wore such a convincing smile just to avoid the situation from getting much messier. Actually, she's already aware that he's been in a slump lately, and knew he could burst at any moment. The thing was, it was never definite and told herself to brace and help him through.

          It's as if you are expected to be bullet-shot in a few moments, but no matter how many times you render the thought of its coming, and no matter how many times you brainwash yourself until the feeling would go numb, the real deal's during the actual and still make you gasp in torment even when you're aware nevertheless.

          She looked around her soft-lit bedroom. It was quiet in Adventure Bay and was warm — much warmer than Ashmont — the crickets were out bowing a tune, and the city lights slowly extinguished themselves like weary lightning bugs that came to the realization that dawn was breaking.

          What a peaceful night indeed, but she couldn't ease her troubled mind, knowing that her friend — that's miles away — is carrying a burden all by himself. He wasn't tailored this way, not until that incident of course that probably scarred his poor young self. Ever since then, he lived a quiet life among the mountain tops, left with his dogs, and is only seen when in action.

          Katie hadn't heard much from him, the last time they caught up was during town events and some rescues involving her and Callie, but that's pretty much it. The only time that she would call him out of these events is when tax season rolls in town, or either when she has a hunch. Her reason for calling? Let's say it was the first one.

          "—I mean.. You've done enough already. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the help. But I don't deserve your kindness and—" Katie scoffed at his response, rolling her eyes in the process.

          "What kind of friend would I be if I don't help you? Moreover, wait for some kind of payment?"

          A grunt escaped him as he began to pinch his temples; his brows were scrunched together, and his eyes were shut tight and tried to keep his raw emotions from surfacing. Through a wavering voice, he pleaded that that was not the case.

          Of course, she saw right through his wall of lies, him curled into a ball in his lonesome throne as a rusted crown continues to corrode on his hands that hung loosely. She begged why couldn't he be so transparent with her like when they were younger — times when he'd tell her his frustrations regarding his parents, to how they'd always leave him for work, or not getting to eat any sweets past seven pm.

          He responded that these two situations vary greatly and that his old complaints were mere scratches. The issue he's dealing with is a disease that requires a lot of hard work to get rid of, if not fortunate, becomes a lifelong problem.

          "Why don't you accept people in when you're clearly hurting? What? So when you actually bleed or fracture yourself badly, you'll just shrug it off and reject all help? What is the problem?!"

          "CAUSE I DONT WANT TO LOOK PATHETIC," he yelled, finally bursting along with the hot tears that streamed down his cheeks. For the first time in a while, he cried like a five-year-old child with his blanket clutched in his hands, his chest rising and falling rapidly, and his sobs were ragged yet continuous.

          The other line had become quiet as the girl that's still on the line listened to him sob. It was not out of mockery or masochism, but rather, wait for him to speak or slowly suppress his rapid tears, knowing that he can't profess his thoughts properly as he'll only either cry more and choke within it, or the words will result in a garble that he could only understand.

          "..I don't want to Katie.. I want to prove myself I could stand on my own for my parents. I don't want them worrying and regretting when they should already be at peace. I don't want them to regret they left me, they had a very good reason why they did that — in order to help and raise me well."

". . ."

          "You think your parents had never gotten help? Of course, they had. What makes you think they conquered the world together? Or the reason why they have so many friends that both looked after you and helped them?"

          "But how am I supposed to? When the people I ask would smile sweetly and turn a back on me with knife smiles? I just can't live another day knowing they look so lowly at me.."

          His cries have slowly subsided and are left with the embers of it, now though, he was unconsciously reaching for a sheet of tissue, but to his dismay, the room wasn't supplied with one on a bedtable.

          As he went to fetch some from his bag, Katie had crossed her legs as she began to pet Callie, who had recently hopped onto her lap for her hourly dose of affection. A painful, yet nostalgic smile had threaded on her lips as she began to speak "Remember the time my dad had decided to work abroad? I talked about this to my friends the very next day, but to only hear rumors and covert humiliation."

          "I used to think like you, too. I was humiliated for being a typical Barbie that liked pink and had similar blonde hair, and was ashamed that we were somewhat broken — Dad's working abroad, mom and I remained at Adventure Bay — attending family days at school without him, while everyone else was completely normal, like you.." there was a brief pause in her sentence as she gulped her own lump — it was a package of tears from her heart to her eyes "I remembered how jealous I was at you," she laughs "But you comforted me despite the situation I was in. That's when I realized that not everyone will be on your side. What truly matters is that you've got someone. I got you and Mom to rant my frustrations at."

          Ryder took a moment to process what she was saying. He realized that he too, was jealous at Katie for having a mother who stood by her side when he had nothing at all. But he was realizing that maybe she's right. He's got her, the pups, and even the Mayor who'd invite him for tea or snacks. All of them would always know when he's upset before he could and would always try to console him, but he kept pushing them away.

          A scene flashed at him, he saw himself in third-person: he was clearly upset and everyone drew closer to him to help him, but he rejected such help and resonated so much with his pups; his selfish action was a slice of a dagger, and he now felt the immense disappointment of what it felt like to be pushed away.

          "I'm sorry I kept pushing you away and carried all the burden. I feel like a jerk for dumping my cargo to you. But I now understand that it doesn't hurt to lighten it by telling it to others. I see that now.." and like every after storm, a rainbow that's arched convex-wise appeared on his lips.

          "Just take things slow. I know you won't tell me everything, but I'll wait for you when you are ready. Just don't forget, someone's got your back." and right after the call had ended, a thread of five hilarious and cute stickers was sent in his name. He took a big sigh, not out of frustration though, but of relief. His true and deepest insecurities were yet to be said openly and to be dealt with, but it was slowly diminished after that conversation. From that, he learned something valuable.

          Everest and Eirwen stood on the pier. The gulls flew overheads and squawked busily. It was the day of departure as they've finally dealt with everything here. At their backgrounds, the PAW Patrol was readying themselves to board themselves on the boat; all their stuff was freighted on deck, and the only thing left to do were the goodbyes and for the missing Ryder to appear.

          "I promise," he began, clasping her lavender cheeks as they both locked their eyes with each other — his gray ones on her blues "I'll come to visit you. For now though, I just have to finish my business here." he then kisses her forehead and the couple is now smiling so smitten at each other.

          Before it could escalate into anything, Ryder's weary breaths were heard as he waved with a smile to everyone. It seemed he too, had unfinished business here and had only settled them recently. His appearance gave it away; from his disheveled hair, half-zipped backpack, and a bunch of papers clipped underneath his arms, it was as clear as day of his whereabouts. Or a snippet at the very least.

          She swiped her head back to him, who is still smiling at her "I guess this is my cue," she shrugs as she kissed him farewell on the cheek. "I'm glad you're doing so much better, Eve. I'll see you then!"

          With a heavy heart, she climbed onto the decks and looked out to him as she stood on her two hind paws. The clamor slowly grew louder, and it was finally time to go. The crew who owned the water vessel slowly packed everything up — closing the door, untying the ropes, lifting the anchor, and unveiling the sails. Soon enough, the white fox's figure shrank in view, but she could still see him smiling painfully now as he waved goodbye to her as if hoping she'd jump out of there and swim to him like of those movies.

          But she didn't. Instead, waved as well with half of her heart left on that very town. Before she could mentally prepare herself, the fog had covered up ever-snowy Ashmont and all she could see was the purity of the fallen clouds that slowly wavered together into a thick, solid cluster.

          She now could only sigh as she sat down on a vacant seat. Looking to her side, it was Zuma who was looking at her with an undefined expression. Unknowingly, she raised her eyebrows in interrogation and confusion, to which snapped the Chocolate Lab from his thoughts — a grin had appeared on his face afterward.

          "You must have really missed each other, huh?" the question had quietly escaped the canine that's beside her; it took her by surprise as she was already lost in her thoughts at that time. "I mean, who wouldn't? It's been years." she laughs as she looked back to the now curtained Ashmont and back to the ship. Unknowingly, it had landed on someone else who's surprisingly much more radiant than the morning star.

»»——⍟——««

          Every step that was made, a gloomy crunch of frozen water came into the senses as the figure slowly emerged into its den. He had his brows crunched and concealed his ash-like irises that were visibly fuming of anger.

         "Where the hell's Ratchet?" he demanded in a threatening and booming voice that gave an illusion of him smashing his fists to the rocky walls. Everyone in his pack looked at him angrily — mixed with repugnance, while some had meek looks that screamed intense fear.

          One of them sighed aggressively as they crossed their front arms and faced him "Obviously, avoiding you to refrain his time from being wasted, what else?"

          His seething eyes darted to the speaker — of stature that's taller than his, she had a fur that's darker than his, a shaggily styled coat, and a scar located on her lower right eye that's bright hazel that's darted right through his'.

          "So you do know his whereabouts?" he snarled, fangs showing to his side and threatened that things would get spiteful in time's being if everyone just decides to push all his buttons.

          Another scoffed, it was a male this time and had a similar appearance to the first speaker though had a much tidier output and said "Why do you act like he's the major culprit here? Weren't you the one that demanded to set the woodlands ablaze?"

          "Yes, I did. But not to harm people!" his words rendered as a joke to his pack that it got them genuinely laughing, getting one or two of them smacking their fisted paws in disbelief. Everyone caught tears in their eyes and all tummies ached from that terrible joke.

          "Since when did you care about humans' safety? This isn't your first time doing this. Remember that Eirwen."

          "Ooh! I think he's concerned because loverboy knew his concocted plan would harm his beloved!" a howl of mischievous triumph rumbled the den, it was all the white tod could hear — the zenith of humiliation. It weakened him at the awfully composed orchestra that's playing in front of him and wished to shun them all out and break their no-good muzzles.

          He could only stand still there with ghostly frozen sweat dripping around his forehead. The feeling was just plain awful as he felt so helpless and pathetic and belittled. The desire to flee kept running in his mind and his conscience had yelled him to do just as that. But it was like a damn cruel punishment — he was forced out of his own will to sit on the iron chair and witness everyone call out his faults and just mock him to their hearts' content.

          "This is why you're a horrible leader. You're horridly inconsistent and don't stand firm on your grounds, and your heart is as soft as a f*cking mallow, you know that right? That's why Ratchet is not here — he's figuring out a plan to supply us food — finishing the task of a leader. Oh, but what is our almighty leader doing? Oh, right! He's playing hooky!"

          His breath enraged and tackled the male fox out of utter fury. From the uncontrolled and overflowing ire, he had attempted to give him a scar of his own out of spite, but Eirwen's paws were only stopped by the one he tackled and smiled at him smugly.

          With all the power, he tossed all of Eirwen's weight to the wall and created a loud disturbing thud, the aftermath of it was a mere crack along the surface. Most of the members cheered his name, chanting "Valter! Valter!". The fox who owned the name drew closer to the bloodied Eirwen and studied him closely with pure disgust as he took hold of his quivering chin.

          "You should have known what to do Eirwen. Right from the very beginning, the answer's been in front of you and should've done that instead of fulfilling your family's crusade." he then let him go forcibly and strode to everyone else and left him bleed with all his insecurities that his backlashers slashed open. The last thing he saw were a few eyes looking at him. He couldn't make up what those meant as the last batch of the oxygen had been delivered; his bodily function shut itself down and blacked out.

»»——⍟——««

          It was four pm betwixt of the sun and the moon when they arrived Adventure Bay. The city was a bit quieter than its afternoon self, and it feels as though it's a surreal setting that came straight out of a movie — it being in a warm sepia filter with a few of its shops and lampposts already illuminating the dusk streets. Lull from the choir of the faint conflation of passersby came into field and neutralized the whole scenery from the organic rustles of the leaves.

          Without a doubt, they felt absolutely weary upon arrival, and the sight that's held in front of them was enough to convince them to slumber away until the very next day. Marshall though, had other plans and decided to put his desires aside for a while. Just for a little; and visit Turbot and check in on how he is hanging.

          Telling everyone of his future destination and plans, he bid them a temporary farewell and hit that gas pedal as soon as he finished. As he drove past these conifer and cedar trees, he breathed in the natural scent and felt his lungs so clean.

          Clasps of chains and thorns had slithered away out of his body as he came to realize of what he truly was — and so his blind came off to see no scratches painted on his body but mere hallucinations that he convinced himself to be true.

          The sunset-seeming-sunrise no longer meant something so sentimentally hurting to him, but rather, as good as the days too. He felt like he could run through an icy wonderland and not freeze at all, for the time had given him fortitude. And the flowers that had always been there became evident and greeted him as usual. No matter how many times will he drive these ever-changing roads that will always lead to part of his past, no longer had they stung him in agony; without a doubt will they be a part of him — forever — and will it leave a scar on him, but truly, he was free.

»»——⍟——««

          As the view of a hospital had pulled up into view, he shut his engine to halt itself. Soon, all that could fill up his senses were the soft rustling of leaves and faint hums of the birds. He took a brief look at the building in front of him and let out a sigh before completely proceeding.

          Inside, he was greeted with a waft of a heavily sanitized ground floor with a hint of caffeine from weary and stimulant-dependent workers, who nevertheless greeted him with the brightest smiles they could as their fingers hovered above the keys and had telephones on their shoulders.

          Placing his forepaws on the desk to meet their eyes properly, he queried if it was okay to visit Turbot, and explained he was a close friend of his.

          "Ah yes, of course! Marshall, is it?" To which he nodded at this "He's been telling me all about you, and has been expecting you!" The dally couldn't help but blush at this and smiled politely at the kind nurse.

          Before their conversation had concluded, the nurses reminded that visiting hours would be over by seven-thirty in the evening, unless there are any reasonable excuses. Marshall then said his 'thank you's and 'goodbye's and went to take the stairs. Horatio's room wasn't floors away, so he thought why not climb the flight of stairs instead?

          A few slabs of steps later and he was on the third floor already. He learned that he had always waited for his arrival on door 308. What lies beyond that door is something he longed to avoid and dread. But after that reflection and trip to memory lane, he wanted to make amends with him more than anything, and catch up with him from the lost time they've created through the years.

          Taking steady breaths, he confidently knocked on the door, to which he responded that whoever knocked may come in. The door swung in and surprised Horatio and Jake, who were beside him. Both looked at him as if he were a ghost, but not in an offending way, but more of a longing and i've missed you look.

          Horatio did not hesitate as he immediately had his arms open wide for him to dash in. Flooding with tears, Marshall leaped into his arms and lingered within the warmth that he wanted to feel for so long. These arms felt like they have been waiting for him for so long, and were made to fit just for him. It was different from Ryder and the others' as Horatio was his original savior, who had to heart-wrenchingly give them up for a better life. If it weren't for him, he wouldn't be serving smiles and meet such a wonderful team.

          Before he could realize it, the memories he suppressed for years to stop himself from hurting had broken free and made him break into tears of contentment. It was hot and full of precious memory that's closely knitted to his heart. In the background, Jake couldn't help but get sucked in into the heartwarming hug and did as so.

»»——⍟——««

          Over a cup of warm hot chocolate, they began to converse about all sorts of things as they attempt to subside their runny noses from all the earlier scene.

          It was a good thing the hospital had served hot chocolates; the soups weren't ready yet according to them, so for now, they could only provide them with a hot beverage. No toppings of whip cream, sprinkles or any marshmallows though, they prohibit too much sugar intake, no one minded though as long as they're by each other's side.

          But amidst the already cheerful atmosphere, Horatio's face slowly dimmed as his shoulders drooped too. Jake looked at him with an expression of somewhat familiarity, but Marshall on the other paw could only look at him with a questioning face.

          "Horatio," began Jake, to which the older man flicked this thought away and insisted it was nothing but a pang of hunger punching him in the abdomen. Despite spending the shortest moments with him, from afar, the two have learned his behavior and knew the concealment of truth.

          "It's from earlier, wasn't it?" Bluntly questions the forest-green-eyed man; the Dally had a look of surprise as his wide-opened eyes demanded for answers. Horatio kept shaking his head in denial and told him that it was really nothing. But in the end, the two didn't let this slide, so he gave in eventually.

          As he recounted of the earlier events, he felt embarrassed and burdensome to pass this problem on to them, when he is truly capable still after this recovery of his.

          "I'm back," trails the man as he heaved tiredly, though still had the ability to create such ruckus from a single door open. This startled Porter and made his hair rise; his fingers stopped operating the cash register and let out a sigh in disappointment.

          "You didn't need to visit Turbot to pay his debt, Peter. He's still recovering you know? I'm sure he will do that when he fully recovers." Porter says, as his shoulders began to relax.

          Peter, the man who entered the store, could only glare at him "You can't always be that nice Dad. Aren't you concerned that we'll only revert to our old lives if you keep this up? I wouldn't mind at all, but please not until Alex has graduated college."

          The older man approached him with wistful eyes and patted his shoulder to reassure him. He only brushed his hands off and walked over to the counter and inspected the notebook of all the recounts of people who have and haven't paid. There was one buyer left who hadn't fulfilled that promise, and Porter knew already what lies beyond that burning gaze.

          He blocked the doorway as Peter approached the entrance and exit of the store. Clearly, Peter was not having it and did not like one bit of his father's thoughts and demanded to be released from this store or sh*t may commence. But Porter stood firm on his beliefs and kept the doorway clogged with his whole body standing at the only exit. This had only enraged the son and grabbed him by the collar to make sure that they were both looking at each other.

          "Can't you at least appreciate what I'm doing to keep your health from deteriorating? I've gone to two f*cking meetings already to make sure none of them falls through to let mom finish law school, Alex finish education, and let you fulfill your long-life dream of opening a shop?!" The father could only look at him, gulping as he was tongue-tied.

          But the son did not do anything further and had just set him aside and marched forth to his last destination for the day. He hoped though, that the person he was looking for hadn't left. He heard that they're quite a big deal and is fairly busy due to their current occupation.

»»——⍟——««

          Very weary, Everest wanted to collapse her whole body into a fluffy duvet or bed. But her mind wouldn't and won't allow her to completely drift off to wonderland, and so she wandered outside of the lookout to witness the setting of the sun.

          It was almost five, and the sun's circular figure is about to vanish and leave only a trail of yellow, orange, and soon purple and pink blazes. She thought that perhaps staring out into the horizon would give her a sight to lull her to sleep.

          As the warm rays touched her lavender fur — wrapping its arms around her, she closed her eyes as she relished the feeling wholly. A flash of events that had happened over the past couple of days played in her head over and over again.

          From her unexpected adventure with Marshall, discovering his past and hidden hometown, meeting Eirwen, and finally knowing the genuine self of Marshall.. She suddenly opened her eyes as she realized that all of those.. Marshall was a part of it.

          She could only scoff and smile at this as she watched the sun set again, but this time only, it truly was gone. "What an odd guy." She unknowingly whispers to herself.

          "But I am glad though, that I've learned more about him. I guess things happen for a reason." She tells herself. In the midst of that tranquil moment she shares with herself; a man with a slightly darker complexion and brown disheveled hair approached her with creased brows. She greeted him hello and assumed he was lost. She was foolish for thinking it was that.