"S-stay away from me!" yelled someone with fearful eyes as tears streamed down his eyes. It burned his cheeks along with the old memories resurfacing with its acidic self. His throat strained from all the yelling and just kept sobbing in absolute pain; it had so many things to imprecate the figure in front, but he was torn between helplessness and ableness.

          His head pounded and felt as though he'll pass away from lack of oxygen as the emotional fluids choked him. He was unable to move, but could only shudder in fear as he boxed himself to a corner and covet himself with only his paws and pride.

          There was a pair of eyes staring him down, to which soon sprouted a pack of it — all had bloodlust glares and its teeth were stained crimson. They were all cackling and awaiting for his downfall, and in the meantime, took entertainment out of his pitiful and pathetic self, and he abhorred it greatly and wished to banish them away.

          "GET THE F*CK AWAY FROM ME." the voice trembled greatly and seeped with genuine blue flunk "YOU BRING OUT THE WORST IN ME AND I WISH I'VE NEVER MET YOU."

          Morning came like an unexpected fever. Scorching and unbearably noticeably pulsing through the closed lids. Skye drowsily and bitterly sat right to mentally prepare herself for the rest of the day. Raising her head, the day already began with a sour note as she banged her scalp onto the ceiling. She was about to brush it off, but an audible sound of her failure to realize that the place was much cramped irritated her to an extent.

          "Great," she breathed out heavily as she bit her lips back to say anything harsh "Just woke up and it's beginning horribly already." she then tossed the door open a little too violently, unable to correctly channel her emotions. Instant regret was painted upon her system the moment she realized that Rubble had witnessed her short episode.

          She quickly covered this up with a "hilarious" remark and lied she woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Fortunately, he bought the hoax and proceeded into the lookout for breakfast. The thing was, she realized how many holes her statement has, for instance, her kennel is cramped as it is and could barely fit any more stuff, so her only spot is the middle and had made sure that she limited the objects that are kept in there — of which are two of her plushies and a flower.

          Quickly dismissing the thought, making sure she won't further make a fool out of herself, she slowly emerged into the tower. Everything's decently normal, not the overtop normal what everyone usually is, but rather, are in a casual situation — chatting over a bowl of scrumptious kibble with animated babbles.

          Upon her entrance, Ryder greeted her over with a bowl that belonged to hers and settled it down. Smiling gratefully, she mouthed a thank you and proceeded with her meal, but she caught a momentarily whiff of scent that's not foreign to her. Discreetly glancing to her left, she found a familiar face that looked so caught up in night's disaster.

          His mere sight was enough to make her eyes water like an allergy amidst March's presence and retaliate by expelling herself from this tensed atmosphere by means of moving away from him. 

          "God, what am I going to do?" She whispers to herself as she felt wilting out of existence already. Rationality and irrationality fought over each other for dominance and power, but in the essence of the faulty vendetta, she instinctively pushed her bowl away from him and placed it towards Everest instead. Staying longer by his intoxicating occupancy made her feel all sorts of unpleasantries churning within her, and this potion that's being brewed within her made her nauseous. 

          "Skye?" whispers the Husky, noticing her abrupt decision of siding with her during today's breakfast. Her ear perked up and looked at her with those cherry eyes that belonged none other than the Cockapoo, herself.

          Though when she had to face her pelagic eyes, she was lost for words and decided to look away instead and oppose the need to share her recurring notions for a specific German Shepherd.

          "I just thought you were lonely!" She grinned through the lies that blacken her teeth's crevasses; the husky, though confused, awkwardly gave her a smile and welcomed her anyway. But she took note of this and faced Marshall once more to finish where they've left off, although, the topic isn't the same as the initial.

          Cautiously feeling her surroundings, she questioned the Dally if he is aware of her situation, knowing full well that he's closely knit to the German Shepherd -- who too, is closely associated with the Cockapoo herself.

          Hot and humid air escaped his lips with a crestfallen expression. Right away, Everest knew that this will be no candy of a conversation.

          "I kind of do," he began, while aimlessly rubbing his paws against the floor "But it's quite unclear of its roots. I can assure you that it's a lover's quarrel." He whispers.

          She nodded in realization and understood that given context. Now that he's mentioned it, the reason for this tense connection between them is quite unclear as it hadn't happened anywhere in front of their eyes. She now wonders when it happened; unfortunately, she could only assume it happened yesterday as they seemed to be fine up until now.

          Looking down, she realized that she had finished her meal and so has Marshall. So she looked to Skye and told her that they've finished and excused herself and the Dally. Skye nodded with a smile as the duo slipped away. But the Cockapoo had internal conflicts of her own decision and wished she would've stayed by her side instead.

»»——⍟——««

          "Okay," Marshall began as he placed his gaze on the Husky, making sure that she's on the same page as he is "Where are we going?"

          "We should pick a job that won't interfere as much with our duties as a PAW Patrol member, and a working time that won't be needing us until later than four pm."

          "Great idea. We don't want to appear too suspicious to others. I don't want them to get dragged into this." Everest nodded in agreement as she too, felt bad for pulling the others in for a dilemma of their own.

          "But what job would give us an opportunity to do that to pay our debt? Surely Peter expects an interest from me."

          Walking over to Everest's new vehicle, both canines hopped in and began to rev the engine to life "We'll drive around the town I guess, and spot for any hiring establishments."

          "It's a shame you have to have a part-time job to pay all the expenses. While I on the other hand, just need at least a day or a week to make ends meet."

          The dally only smiled at this as rushing air came and greeted him with the motion of the vehicle "It's alright. Cap'n did a lot for me and Jake. So it's only right for me to repay his kindness, y'know?"

          She too, warmly grinned in the midst of driving the vehicle. It was refreshing and warming to know that past these aggressive outbursts he recently displayed, he deeply cares for those people (and fellow canines) who are in his life and consider special.

          To her self, she wondered if this is a part of who Marshall truly is. Though she refused to give herself a final conclusion as these past few experiences she had gone through with him, he'd act so soft then turn into something so vicious when she accidentally hit a sensitive spot in him.

          He reminds her of a rose. So beautiful from far away, glistening beautifully with its bright red hue; so fragrantly standing there, she is to be lured in and is being deceived to know more and explore him well. But stand so near and he pricks you out of anger and possible defense, and he might promise you that it will hurt no more if you handle the situation more differently, but to only end in the same scenario, and the cycle repeats.

          Unfortunately for him, she won't ever allow herself anymore to be ensnared by his radiance no more. Thinking to herself, she decided to keep things professional between them instead and give up, as it seemed that Marshall wanted nothing more but colleagues.

          Unaware, someone else's heart writhes greatly of their propinquity from behind, their eyes on her back, admiring the natural halo that sits atop her and her whole body wrapping her warmly in these cozy glow that simultaneously makes his heart flutter and bitter.

          Over and over again had he yelled these words to himself "Keep your distance," as he is reminded of his own irrational spites, carefully guiding himself away from the same path Everest walks on, and rather, lead himself to a rocky and steep road instead. He is nothing but a scanty wild porcupine that should know better not to draw closer to such that deserves nothing but the whole world. Someone like him deserves adversity pricking him in every step, and may that his fate be, no more would he sought solace for himself.

          "But you feel fine now, right?" he blurted suddenly from the deepest thoughts. In front, he could hear her giggling at this impulsive query "Yes! I'm alright, why?"

          "You heard the doctor, right? You need to recover."

          "Recover, yes, I feel renewed. Plus, it's not like we'll be inhaling chemical fumes twenty-four-seven at our part-time job!" her eyes rolled in humor and the Dally somehow felt it in her tone.

          Although she may have felt better herself now, something within him just felt like those short period of recovery time wasn't enough for her. But he knew too well that she's stubborn like him and would refuse any suggestions from him. Perhaps this itching mind that's been occupying in his mind is a coveted guilt?

»»——⍟——««

          "This f*cking sucks," one complained as they kicked a pebble skipping to the ground with small bothersome clicking sounds "I have better things to do than serve a bunch of idiotic foxes that operate like Eirwen."

          "Shut up Anairis. Can't you f*cking shut that *ss of yours and be patient?" grumbled Ratchet — a fox who's adorned with the grayest of fur and most likely darker in the inside — with seeming voidful eyes. 

          In the midst of Ashmont's bustling place they stood and roamed aimlessly. It's the only place you can remain masked in plain sight. The city wasn't as busily polluted like the other progressive towns in Mydune, though it thrived and schemed similarly anyway.

          "Do remind me what are we here for again?" Valter questions, as he suaved his way into Anairis' shoulders and linked his head to hers'. Though the fox in question did not reply a single word nor had he reprised any emotions through aura. 

          Instead, had he persisted to traverse farther from the small cluster of foxes — its animated noise slowly growing distant and mute. Far ahead, he could see the disaster that he had orchestrated, the plan that almost went through if it weren't for Eirwen. Nevertheless, the sight had reminded him of his power and chance to rebound from this fall. His crown wouldn't shine so brightly if that weren't the case.

          As he was about to retract from his steps, he found something laying on the floor. What went through his mind, initially, was to curse at the object that lays idly — unaware that its presence was awry — reminding him yet again why he despised the doer of this to a great extent, but something written on it caught his eye.

          Picking it up, it appears to be a dull-colored red file folder. It was heavily wrinkled and its fiber joints were about to snap loose as if it were mailed lip-sealed. Inside it was a bunch of paper that was being held by a couple of fasteners; the paper was inked with lengthy and flowery words that made its upfront heavier and more headache-worthy than usual, and as an extra bonus, it seemed there was something clipped into the file.

          "What's that?" asks of the female as her brows raised in curiosity, intently locking her gaze on the said object.

          This caught Ratchet's attention too, though was unable to muster what was written on it as everything appeared blurred. The dark grey fox could only grin in delight. His purple irises gleaming in endless of possibilities and ambition.

          Both Valter and Anairis looked into each other's eyes with utter confusion, wondering what was written there to make a pleasant effect on him.

          As the lone fox that stood in front of them turned his head, his smirk grew and everyone sensed that the renaissance is to begin.