The sun shone on his face, forcing him to squint as he opened his eyes. "Morning, boy," he said, patting the German shepherd on the head. The pup yawned, wagging his tail. A dalmatian, a bulldog, a gray mixed breed, a cockapoo and a chocolate lab all continued sleeping peacefully as they got out of bed.

Stretching, he walked over to the window, opening it a bit to let in some fresh air. Sadly, living in the city meant the air was anything but fresh, but they made do. "Fetch the mail?" he asked the pup. The pup trotted off while he started making breakfast. For an apartment in the city, it was relatively large, especially for the eleven year old and his six dogs. Granted, it was still an apartment in the city, so it had it's drawbacks. For one, there was no laundry in the apartment, forcing him to take the elevator down five flights to the basement. Another was the technical 'no pet' policy, but he worked it out with the owner. But, there was one major advantage to the apartment.

It was soundproof.

"Pups! Breakfast!" he yelled. 24 little paws scurried across the floor, sliding into the kitchen. The dalmatian, of course, knocked them all over. "Ah, memories," the boy said, laughing. The pups smiled and eagerly ate their breakfast. "Eat up, we're heading to the park to meet Katie." Each pup's ears and tail perked, staring at him curiously. "I know, I know. Don't worry about it." Unsure, the pups looked at each other before staring back at him. He sighed, sitting on the ground, motioning them to come closer. "Listen, pups," he said. "I know it's been months since we've seen her, but you've got to get check-ups at some point. We're too far away to head back and I can't risk you know who finding out."

"But, Ry-" the shepherd shook his head. "Roger," he corrected, sticking his tongue out at the pseudo-name. "What if he finds out?"

"It's alright, Chase," he assured the pup. "It's been three months. We'll be fine." Chase nodded, as did the other pups. They all went back to their food, staring at Chase. It was the first time any of the pups had spoken since moving there.

***

"Roger!" Katie yelled, hugging him. Ryder winced, not used to his fake name. "It's been so long!" Ryder hugged her back, forcing himself not to tear up. "And pups!" They tackled her, licking her face and hands, occasionally barking. "I missed you too."

"Alright, pups, go play!" Ryder said. "Katie, wanna sit?" She nodded. The two sat together at a nearby bench. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you, Ry- Roger," she caught herself. "When will you come back?"

"When it's safe for my pups," he said, cautiously keeping an eye out. "This is the first time in weeks that I've brought them out here."

"I can tell," she giggled. The pups ran around with similar energy that Chase had when he was 'infected'. They were acting like puppies, playing, barking, running around. "That'll tire them out for a good while."

"I hope so," Ryder said. "How's the clinic?"

"It's good. Ever since you guys left, more people have been adopting animals and bringing them in for checkups."

"What about the rest of the town? And Goodway?"

"Everything and everyone is fine," Katie said, looking into his eyes. "But it would be better if you came back."

"You know I can't," he said. The two sat in silence for a while, watching the pups. Marshall had tripped for what seemed like the fifth time in thirty seconds, causing them both to giggle. "Any word on our hummingbird?"

"He hasn't made a peep and he hasn't left the nest, we think."

"He's planning something, I feel it."

"Roger." Ryder winced once again. "Even if he is, you're safe. The pups are safe. That's all that matters."

"But they aren't happy, Katie," he said with tears in his eyes. "I see it in their eyes when they stare at me. I hear their whimpers while they sleep. Their cries. The worst part is, they don't talk to me."

"But," Katie said in a whisper. "I thought the room was soundproof?"

"It is. They don't feel safe here. They don't like it here. It's hurting them. Humdinger hurt them." They looked at pups. Most of them had already started panting under the humid, August air.

"What he did was terrible, but you guys can get through this. You did it before, you can do it again." She drew closer to Ryder, barely speaking in a whisper. "You are Ryder and that is the PAW Patrol. No job is too big, no pup is too small."

Ryder smiled weakly. "If that were true," he said. "Humdinger would be locked up or dead right now." Katie sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder. They continued watching the pups, together.

***

"Honey," a man said.

"Yes, dear?" The elderly couple were sitting on a bench, not far from the pups.

"Don't those dogs look familiar?" His wife looked up from her magazine, staring at the pups.

"Yes, dear. They belong to that nice boy from the apartment above ours."

"No, I've seen them before, I know it!" He continued staring at them, wondering where he had seen them. "I've got it!" he yelled. Chase's ears perked. "They're the PAW Patrol." Those two words caused Chase to start barking frantically, gathering the other pups. They all ran over to Ryder and Katie.

"What is it, pups?" The pups tugged on his jeans, trying to pull him from the bench.

"I think they're trying to tell you something," Katie said. The same elderly man slowly approached them.

"Roger! How are you, my boy?" he said, shaking Ryder's hand.

"I'm doing fine, Mr. King, how are you?"

"Well, life ain't gettin' any better, but it ain't gettin worse!" His booming laughed echoed throughout the park. Ryder and Katie nervously chuckled. "Listen, I've been watching your pups for a while. They remind me of these pups I saw when me and the wife were vacationing in Adventure Bay."

"Oh," Ryder said nervously. "Really?"

"Yeah! They look just like those PAW Patrol dogs. Y'know, the rescue ones?"

"Sorry, Mr. King. I've never heard of them," Ryder lied.

"Well, that's alright. I just wanted to mention it to you. Enjoy the day!" He walked back to his wife.

"Phew," Ryder sighed. "Let's get out of here before people start connecting dots." Katie nodded, walking with Ryder back to the apartment.

***

Days had passed since Katie's visit. The pups were all healthy and even began speaking more openly. Ryder thanked Katie for that. She had assured them that they were safe in the apartment, even though he had told them countless times. He thought it had something to do with Skye being more trustworthy of Katie, being a girl. The two had talked privately for a while before she left.

"Mymer!" Rocky tried to yell. He held Ryder's phone in his mouth.

Ryder chuckled. "Thanks, Rocky. Quiet down, pups! Phone!" The pups instantly dropped what they were doing. They all went into Ryder's room, shutting the door, leaving Ryder with silence. Ryder stared at his screen. "Unknown caller? Eh, I'll let them leave a voicemail." Setting his phone down, he called the pups back out so they could enjoy the rainy afternoon watching movies. He relished in these moments.

Together, they settled on the couch. The air conditioning left the room freezing, so they huddled together under blankets. "What movie do you want to watch first, pups?"

"Lion King!" They all barked. Ryder chuckled. It was their favorite movie of all time.

"Alright, here we go." He pressed start. Immediately, all the pups began singing the signature intro, 'Circle of Life', and Ryder couldn't help but smile.

Although they didn't call this place home, as long as they were together, they could make the best of it.

***

It was nearly two in the morning when Marshall had finally fallen asleep. The pups were scattered around the room, all snuggled under their blankets, sleeping peacefully. Carefully, Ryder lifted the dalmatian, eliciting a whine from the pup. "Shh," Ryder said, placing a blanket over him and patting him on the head. He smiled as he watched each and every pup sleep. He yawned and decided he better head to bed too. Darn Netflix, he said as he crawled into bed.

One last check of his phone, he saw he had one missed voicemail. I forgot about that unknown caller, he thought. He pressed the phone to his ear, wondering who it could have been.

"Why, hello there, my boy." Ryder's heart stopped. "It's a shame you missed my call. Just wanted to let you know, you can't hide forever... Roger..." Tears rushed into Ryder's eyes as he threw his phone against the wall, shattering it into pieces. A million questions rushed through his mind. How did he get my number? Does he know where we are? Are we even safe here? What if-

"Ryder?" Marshall asked, poking his head through the door. "I heard a crash. Are you alright?" He trotted up to him, jumping onto the bed. "R-Ryder?"

Ryder didn't pay him any attention until he started licking his tears away. "Marshall?"

"Why were you crying? What's wrong?"

"I-" Ryder gulped. "I got a voicemail from someone."

Marshall tilted his head. "Who?"

Tears refilled Ryder's eyes as he looked at Marshall. "Humdinger," he whispered. "He's back."

Author's Note: Our favorite ex-Mayor is back once again! I'm surprised none of you said anything about it. He hasn't made an appearance in the last couple of chapters.

What would you say to Humdinger if he called you? What would you do afterwards, find a new place to hide or something else? Leave your comments down below, love hearing your opinions!

Things are getting real now. No more games. Are you ready?

~Dox

P.S. If you're confused by this chapter, go back and read 'PART THREE (w/ explanation). If you're still confused, message me and I'll happily explain.