Chapter Text
It was a beautiful spring day. The flowers were in full bloom, birds were chirping, and the kids at Glasshouse Primary were outside enjoying their playtime. Most of the kids were playing a big game where they were running a fairy kingdom and enjoying every moment of it aside from the occasional raid from a trio of terriers. But despite the large game, two kids were out enjoying their favorite game away from the hustle and bustle of the fairy kingdom and their politics. Rusty Kelpie and his best friend, Jack Russell, were enjoying their favorite game of army, something they loved to play together every week. Today they had decided to take a break from patrols and imagine that they were under attack from the enemy; a nefarious organization called the ‘Cookie Capers’. Outnumbered by invisible soldiers with long katanas, the duo decided they had to flee to safety.
“The enemy is gaining on us, soldier!” Rusty shouted as the duo ran from their imaginary pursuers. “We need to retreat to somewhere safe!”
Jack looked around for a hiding spot as he sprinted onwards. Grass? No. Behind a tree? Too small. Where can we hide?
Just then, he noticed a group of flowering shrubs. They were large enough to house both kids, and a great spot to lie in wait for an ambush later. This is great! No one could find us here!
Jack took a hard left and gestured at Rusty. “Over here! They can’t find us here!” He shouted.
The kelpie nodded as he ran over to the bushes, and the two dived in. They both sat there in silence as they watched their make-believe foes run past in their imaginary confusion. With the coast now clear, Jack emerged triumphantly from the bush. “I think we’re safe now, commander!”
The bushes rustled as the kelpie climbed out of them, and when he emerged, Jack noticed something unusual: Rusty was gasping for air as if he had just ran across the entire world. “Good job… soldier…” Rusty wheezed, trying yet failing to sound calm. Growing more alarmed by the second, he looked at Jack, who noticed the fear in his eyes. Something was very wrong, and they both knew it.
Without a single word, Jack ran over and hoisted Rusty on his back. “Hold on tight, Rusty!” He ordered. His friend gave a weak wheeze in response and dug his fingers into Jack’s shirt. Undeterred by the extra weight, Jack began running at full speed, bound and determined to help his friend out. Every stone, every puddle, every discarded toy, or wild animal… nothing would stop Jack from reaching his destination. He ran, and ran, and ran, not even stopping to catch his breath, as he knew he couldn’t. Rusty was counting on him, and he could feel his friend’s grip getting looser by the moment. Whatever was happening was getting worse, and that only pushed Jack to run faster. I can’t stop, Rusty needs me. I can’t let him down.
Soon enough, the school was in sight, and Jack made a beeline for their teacher. “Miss Calypso! Miss Calypso!” Jack shouted as he ran up to her. “Something’s wrong with Rusty!”
She ran over to meet the kids and took a quick look at Rusty. By this point his lips were turning blue, and he couldn’t even speak a single word. He looked to be barely clinging on to consciousness. Calypso immediately called triple 0, and assured the kids that help was on its way. Rusty remained on his back, unable to move from the tired feeling taking over. Jack sat beside him, unable and unwilling to leave him alone.
“It’s gonna be okay Rusty. It’s gonna be okay. Please, please hold on.” Jack said, attempting to assure Rusty as well as calm himself. He was holding back tears and wanted to cry, but he knew he couldn’t; not right now. Rusty needs me to be strong. He’s being strong right now, so I need to be, too. The next few minutes were spent at Rusty’s side, holding his hand, and sitting beside him. His friend began to calm down a little bit, and as the ambulance pulled up, he gave Jack one last weak smile, and finally drifted off into unconsciousness.