Chapter Text
10 years ago...
Four-year-old Y/n stood in front of the mirror, her eyes wide with excitement as she admired her reflection. Beside her, Maddie beamed proudly, wrapping her arms around her daughter in a warm hug. It was Y/n's first week of school, and Maddie had gone all out to make sure she looked absolutely adorable.
"Cutest kid in the whole class," she declared with a grin.
Y/n giggled. "Really?"
"Definitely," Maddie winked, giving her one last squeeze before straightening up. "Let's go show Dad."
Leading her daughter downstairs, they found Tom waiting in the living room, leaning casually against the armrest of the couch. His face lit up when he saw them.
"Well, look at my girls!" he said, kneeling to Y/n's height. He brushed a stray thread from her checkered skirt and gave her a proud nod. "Ready for school, kiddo?"
Y/n nodded eagerly. "Ready!"
"Good answer," Tom chuckled, standing back up. He slung an arm around Maddie's shoulders. "You gonna survive without her today?"
"I'll try," she teased, leaning into him. "But you better drive safe. No funny business."
"I'm always careful," he said dramatically, earning a playful eye roll from Maddie.
Since Tom was often tied up with his duties as sheriff, Maddie had been the one to pick Y/n up after school and walk her home. For the past week, it had become their little routine—simple and seamless.
Maddie cherished those walks, knowing they'd only last a while. When her schedule at the veterinary clinic kicked in, Y/n would have to start taking the bus home instead.
Every afternoon, Y/n waited at the bus stop with her classmates. The ride was filled with lively chatter as the other kids swapped stories about themselves, their hobbies, and their pets. Y/n listened politely, smiling at their tales.
But it didn't take long for her to realize something: while Jessica and Heather always had each other, Kevin and Matthew were always together, Y/n never really had a permanent friend of her own.
Maddie and Tom were made aware of Y/n's situation during a conversation with her teacher. When they gently brought it up with her, the girl simply crossed her arms and huffed, "My classmates are greedy and have stinky attitudes."
The two exchanged glances, unsure of how to handle their daughter's blunt reasoning. In the end, they decided to let it go, trusting she'd find her own way.
***
Y/n looked out to the skies from the roof of the waiting shed, and noticed that the clouds were slightly gray, indicating rain. She stepped back in the shelter and hoped it wouldn't pour as it would further dampen her mood. She was by her lonesome, waiting for the bus in silence — when all of a sudden, she heard a small whimper from her right.
Her ears perked up, glancing to the direction of the sound, and dismissed it when silence followed. Maybe it was nothing.
And there it was again, whimpers.
Y/n frowned, first glancing behind her to check for the bus. When it was clear there was still no sign of it, she followed the sound instead. Her little feet carried her forward, curiosity pulling her toward the source.
The cries grew louder as she reached an alleyway. There, tucked within a worn cardboard box, she saw it—a tiny, shivering puppy.
Her brows knitted in concern as she stepped closer. "Hey, little guy.
Y/n's heart melted at the sight of the little pup, its golden fur shimmering faintly under the dull sky. It let out soft, wobbly noises as it struggled to walk on its tiny legs. Who would abandon such a helpless creature?
There was no way she could leave it here.
Summoning all the strength her four-year-old self could muster, Y/n gripped the edges of the cardboard box and tried to lift it. She huffed and strained, but it was heavier than she expected. Not one to give up easily, she adjusted her grip, clasping both hands tightly around the box's folded cover. With wobbly steps and sheer determination, she managed to drag it back to the waiting shed.
Breathless but victorious, Y/n knelt beside the box and gently stroked the puppy's soft head with her tiny finger. The pup's whimpers quieted under her touch, though she guessed it was probably hungry.
The bus ride home was a bit of a challenge. The driver kindly helped her off when they reached her stop, earning a polite "Thank you" from Y/n. As the bus rumbled away, she discarded the box, deciding it was easier to carry the puppy in her arms.
The little creature wiggled slightly but soon settled against her chest. Y/n's steps quickened as she made her way toward their front door, her mind racing with thoughts of how to explain this to her parents.
Fortunately, Maddie was home. If anyone would hear her out, it was her animal-loving mom. Y/n took a steadying breath, determined to make her case.
With the full force of her four-year-old charms, Y/n managed to convince both her parents to keep the puppy. Maddie quickly identified the pup as a golden retriever, and just like that, he officially became part of their lives.
As Y/n gazed fondly at the pup, a wide grin spread across her face. Maybe this little guy was the friend she'd been waiting for.
"Your name is... Doomslayer Ozarian Borkmaster the Third," she declared proudly.
Tom and Maddie exchanged weirdly affectionate glances, caught between amusement and disbelief.
"But," Y/n added with a dramatic flair, "we shall call you Ozzy."
Tom chuckled. "Yeah, Ozzy is good."
"Ozzy it is!" Maddie agreed, laughing softly.
The pup let out a happy bark, as if approving the name himself.
***
8 years later...
Twelve-year-old Y/n stood with her hands on her hips, admiring the pop-culture posters plastered across her bedroom wall. From music artists to family-favorite movies, it was a colorful display of her personality. She grinned, absentmindedly bobbing her head to the music playing from her speaker.
With a playful spin, she flopped onto her bed, brainstorming how to spend her summer vacation. There were plenty of options: video games, movie marathons, trips to the public pool, or a fun afternoon at the dog park with Ozzy.
Or, a nagging little voice in her head suggested, you could crack open a book and get a head start on your next semester's lessons.
Y/n pursed her lips in thought.
Nah.
"Come on, Ozzy!" she called out. "Wanna go to the dog park?"
A happy bark echoed from downstairs — all the confirmation she needed. She chuckled, skipping down the stairs after double-checking that everything was turned off in her room.
The house was quiet, just her and Ozzy today since Maddie and Tom were busy with work. Y/n's eyes landed on the donut box sitting on the kitchen counter. Rolling her eyes, she muttered, "Donuts," before grabbing one and heading outside with Ozzy trotting happily behind her.
They strolled across the yard, Ozzy immediately diving nose-first into the grass. Y/n's gaze drifted toward a familiar spot near the front fence.
For months, she'd been leaving food out for stray animals using her allowance. Recently, however, she'd noticed the portions disappearing faster than usual. Must be a huge animal, she thought, completely unaware that a certain blue blur had been swiping the snacks for himself.
Tom wasn't thrilled about her habit, especially when raccoons rummaged through their trash. But Y/n always insisted on letting the creatures be.
The walk to the dog park was peaceful, with the warm summer breeze brushing past Y/n's face. Ozzy trotted happily beside her, his tail wagging like it had a mind of its own. The neighborhood buzzed quietly with distant lawnmowers and chirping birds.
As they passed by Crazy Carl's house, the eccentric man was out front, tinkering with what looked like a homemade trap made from bungee cords and a bunch of garden tools. His wide-brimmed hat cast a shadow over his weathered face.
"Out walking the mutt again, kid?" he called, waving a wrench in the air.
"Yup! We're off to the dog park!" she grinned, giving Ozzy's leash a little tug as he tried to sniff Carl's odd contraption.
"Better watch out for the Blue Devil!" Carl warned, his eyes wide and wild.
Y/n blinked. "Uh... Blue Devil?"
"You heard me! He's fast, blue, and sneaky as all get-out!" Carl jabbed the wrench toward the sky. "Been zipping through these parts, messing with my traps! But I'll catch him one of these days!"
"Riiight..." Y/n nodded politely, brushing it off as one of Carl's usual ramblings.
They continued down the path, her curiosity lingering for just a moment. Blue Devil? Weird.
Once they arrived at the park, Ozzy was practically vibrating with excitement. Y/n laughed as she unclipped his leash, letting him run free. He bolted across the field, ears flopping in the wind.
Y/n found a spot under a shady tree and plopped down on the grass, pulling out her phone. She scrolled through memes for a bit until Ozzy returned, his tongue lolling happily. He flopped beside her, showering her arm with slobbery licks.
"Ew, Ozzy!" she laughed, pushing his face away. "You're the worst."
Suddenly, a blur of blue zipped past the edge of the park, kicking up a gust of wind that ruffled her hair. Y/n sat up straight, eyes wide.
"What the—?"
Ozzy barked wildly, clearly having noticed the strange streak too. Y/n squinted into the distance but saw nothing.
"Probably just my imagination," she muttered, brushing grass off her shorts. Still, a weird tingle of curiosity lingered in her chest.
She stood up, brushing off Ozzy's fur. "Come on, buddy. Let's head back before Dad freaks out about raccoons again."
As they made their way home, Y/n couldn't help but glance back one last time, wondering if Crazy Carl's "Blue Devil" was more than just a wild story.
***