Chapter 11:

She stared hard into lab's eyes. There was something unnerving about how green the eyes were. She was not certain if the lab was truly friendly, or if it was hiding a secret. The lab led her down the hallway, pointing out the paintings and certificates. The lab seemed to have quite a long history, but certainly not one the lab seemed eager to tell her. She turned back, just to make sure the shepherd was following behind.

The lab led her and the shepherd to the dining hall, where the meal was waiting for them. The lab was quite above the rest, she thought, sitting in an elegantly designed chair. She watched as the shepherd carelessly sat down and picked up a chicken wing.

"So you are investigating those deaths, too?" the lab spoke sincerely. She was already biting into a flame broiled steak when the lab asked. She was uncertain if telling the lab the truth was a good idea. She tried to make an excuse of politeness and tried to fill her mouth with more steak. The shepherd, on the other hand, didn't think it all the way through.

"Yes. Do you know anything about the deaths? It would greatly help...a friend of ours."

The lab showed interest in the shepherd's reply. "Such a caring sheppie you are. Tell me, is there anyone else helping you? I mean, the more minds the better."

She began to see danger in the lab's green eyes. "Hey! We have good reason to believe you are directly involved in those deaths!"

The lab looked disappointed. "Is that so?" the lab sighed. The lab snapped its fingers. In a split-second, she felt a sting in her neck. She turned to see a dart, or at least, that was what she thought it was, she stared at the lab as her vision began to dwindle, before failing entirely...

"Is... Is that her?"

[August 29th – 8:28 pm]

Soapy opened her eyes; there was nothing of worth to see. She was lying in the rubble that was once a building, questioning the dream she had. It took her a moment to realize that she was not under any debris, but rather that night had fallen. "Ugh. My aching body." she moaned. Trying to recall where she was, she remembered the events of that morning. "Mickey!" She began digging through the wrecked remains, searching for the lhasa. "Mickey!" She cried in desperation.

Charlie ran over to the distressed Soapy. "Soapy! Are you alright?"

"Yes I'm alright! Where's Mickey?"

"He's fine. A bit battered and bruised, but he's waiting back at the junkyard."

Soapy raised from the remains of the building, slightly surprised on how terrible it went. "Wait, where's Crystal?" Charlie ignored her question and began to walk out of the wreck. "Hey! I said, where's Crystal?"

"That's not important right now." Charlie responded without looking back.

"Yes! Yes it is important!"

"No, we're much better off without her. Mickey told us about what happened, about Belladonna."

"Really?" Soapy questioned, annoyed. "You're bring that up again?"

"Yes. She's dangerous and you know it!"

"She saved Mickey's life, as well as mine."

"She put it in danger in the first place!" Charlie yelled as he turned to face Soapy. "Why can't you see that she is only hindering our progress?" He turned to resume walking to the junkyard.

Soapy stepped forward, "And why can't you see that she just wants to help? Why are you so...so...idiotic?" she yelled.

Charlie stopped. He began to growl, letting his sharpened teeth show. "What did you call me?"

Soapy turned silent. The insult had been so haphazard, she said it before she could think clearly. "Me? Say something? Not a chance." she meeped.

"Did you just call me 'idiotic', Soapy?" Charlie spoke. He turned to show his teeth to the already startled lab.

"No." Soapy nervously responded.

"Charlie!" a voice called out. Charlie's ears perked and turned to see Itchy running towards him. "Charlie, we've got a problem."

"What else?" Charlie muttered.

"It's Crystal!"

"Oh how did I guess." Charlie mocked.

"We need to get her back fast, Charlie."

"What? Why?"

"The police are keeping her, and the watches, at the vet! Think what will happen if the media catches wind of these watches. We might never get them back, Charlie!"

Damn. Charlie thought. And here I thought I'd be able to get rid of her. Charlie sighed. "Well Soapy, I...guess you're right."

"But of course I am. So where is Crystal? I know you said a vet, but there must be at least 10 in this city."

"The news report said she's at Magazine Street."

Soapy was caught off guard. "News report?"

"Yeah. The media's all over this. That's why we had to wait so long to come back for you and Mickey."

"Oi," Soapy sighed. "Then we better start moving." Soapy started a brisk run back to the junkyard, only to fall to a stumble part way. She groaned in pain before collapsing to the ground. "Ow! What the..."

Charlie chuckled and walked up to her. "You may not have actually broke your leg, but you can still feel the pain, Soapy."

"Yeah, thanks for telling me." she grumbled. She got up again and began to walk. "Itchy, go tell the others we're heading for Magazine Street." Itchy nodded and ran back to the junkyard. She began to walk, careful not to put too much stress on her leg. Charlie totted up beside her, looking over her with care. "You mood whiplash often, Charlie?"

"What- what are you talking about?" he chuckled.

Soapy glared are Charlie, not saying a word.

[August 29th – 8:50 pm]

Across from the Southern Animal Foundation on Magazine Street, Soapy and Charlie hid in the bushes, waiting. "C'mon Soapy," Charlie whispered. "Lets get in there and save Crystal already."

"No, we have to wait for the others."

"And why?"

"Are you kidding? There is two of us, and an entire staff in there!"

"So? I've took down entire police forces."

"A, that was 1996. B, that was dumb luck. We'd have to be wielding swords to take this place down!"

"Hey, that was pure skill. Sure, I had to improvise, I'll give you that." Charlie spoke, ignoring the glare Soapy was giving him. From the darkness across the street, Britney emerged, followed by... absolutely no one. Charlie turned to the lackluster calvary, then back at Soapy. "Yes, because having three of us is bound to make things easier."

Soapy ignored Charlie's snipe and spoke to Britney. "This is it? Where are the others?"

Britney sighed, "Mickey's still recovering, and Poppy and Tony are guarding him while Harli and Dale are off looking for Dante. It's just us three for this."

"Lovely." Soapy moaned. "Well, let the cavalcade of disaster begin." Soapy swiftly crossed the street to the shelter, scouting further still. Charlie and Britney crossed after her, both wanting to get the job over with as well. The three peered into the window, trying to make out as much as they could. But what they did made it all worthwhile.

"There!" Britney pointed to the desk in the solitary room they could see. "The watches."

"Well then," Charlie said, "should be simple enough. Break in, grab the watches, and run out."

"You're just trying every way imaginable to get rid of Crystal, aren't you?" Britney remarked.

"Well it seems you aren't as stupid as I thought." Charlie spoke under his breath, only to be slapped by the setter. "Yeah, I deserved that."

"What is it with you and Crystal?" Britney asked, annoyed.

"It seems that I am the only one who can see through the thinly veiled disguise. She is evil, and you just refuse to see it."

Britney was just mere seconds away from trying to strangle Barkin right then and there, but knew that'd get them nowhere. She instead tried to ignore him entirely, trying to find a way into the facility. "So we're just going to break through the window? Aren't we trying to be inconspicuous?"

"So then how do you think we're gonna get inside?" Soapy asked Britney. The two traded glances before staring up at the building, wondering.

[August 29th – 9:04 pm]

Crystal sulked back into the farther reaches of her cage. The cage was being kept in a very dark, bland room, so it really didn't matter where she was in the small confines: she couldn't see anything interesting no matter what. Just outside the room, Crystal could hear people talking, talking about her. Not enough to really tell what they were saying, though. But she knew there was a whole slew of facts about her it could be.

She wanted to sleep, but couldn't while she knew her fate was even less out of her control than usual. The entire day had been one bad moment after another. After the Belladonna fiasco, she wasn't sure if the others would even care now. She picked at her bandaging, trying to keep herself occupied until the organization eventually found out more about her past. Then it'd be euthanasia for sure.

"Well," she spoke to herself, "at least I'll have lived an interesting life." She tried to chuckle, but couldn't bring herself to do so. She curled up, longing for the days when her life was far simpler. The days before fate betrayed her. She saw the door to the room begin to open before stopping.

"So we're certain about it? But what... I, I understand." A veterinarian opened the door and walked in, holding what seemed to be a dead canary. The vet walked over to Crystal's cage, opening a door above and dropping the bird in before closing the opening quickly and locking it.

The vet lowered himself to be on level with Crystal before speaking: "Eat up, girl. Eat well." Crystal merely watched as the vet walked back out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar, letting a bit of light shine in, as well as sound.

"We're doing it no matter what you say, Jamar," a different voice spoke.

"Why? Why do we have to kill her!" said the voice that had moments prior fed Crystal, who gasped before beginning to cry at the confirmation of her thought.

"Orders are orders, Jamar. You know well enough."

"Yes, but now it is getting ridiculous!"

"Well if you aren't going to kill it, I will."

"No!" Crystal heard a struggle in the other room. She heard items get thrown, heard the two men throw punches and grunt. Crystal leaned up to the front of the cage as much as she could to try and see what she could. As she heard the struggle continue, the two combatants shoved themselves into the once dark room. Crystal saw the vet who fed her fighting for a gun with another man in a jet black suit. She tried to stay in the shadows as much as possible. But within moments, mere seconds, the vet shoved the other man to the floor and was about to run when the downed man kicked the legs of the vet, causing him to fall right onto the gun.

Crystal turned away slightly, but not enough to miss the shot. The gun fired straight into the vet's neck, splattering blood across the room, as into Crystal's mouth open with shock. The black suited man stood, looking at the murder he committed before turning to Crystal. "You're lucky that was my only bullet and that I was told specifically to shoot you." he spoke before starting to leave the room.

Crystal began to shiver with fear. Her time, after avoiding it many times before, had come. That is, until she heard some extra noises from outside her room. Extra voices. "Watch out, he has a gun!"

"Leave him to me." Crystal recognized those voices. It was Soapy and Britney.

"Hey! In here!" she yelled.

Charlie dashed into the room, calling back to Soapy and Britney: "Yeah, she's in here." Grumbling, Charlie walked up to Crystal's cage and opened the door above.

"Thank you Char-"

"Shut up and lets go." Charlie complained. Crystal decided it best not to argue and followed Charlie as he ran out of the room. Crystal could see the black suited man being attacked by Soapy and Britney, and she smiled knowing vengeance was being done.

"Alright, you got the watches, Crystal is free, now lets go!" Charlie yelled to the two. Soapy and Britney reluctantly stopped attack the man and ran with Charlie and Crystal, running to the front doors (which were stupidly left unlocked by the man). The black suited man, free of his attackers, ran into a back room, trying to find more ammo.

"You dogs are dead!" the man yelled as the animals ran out the door. The four ran back through the night, wanting to put as much distance between them and the man. But as they rushed through the streets, Soapy fell onto her belly, groaning in pain.

"Aw, damn it." Charlie muttered, running back for the fallen lab. The others stopped to turn and see Soapy on the ground. "Can you walk on it?" Charlie asked Soapy.

"No, at least, I can't run on it." Soapy whispered in pain.

"Crap." Charlie looked around, desperate to find a way to help Soapy. In the parking lot of the Dat's Grocery, a shepherd in a coat and carrying a deep green small duffel bag caught the attention of Charlie's eye. "Britney, help me carry Soapy over there. Crystal, go get its attention." Crystal, just glad that Charlie wasn't yelling at her, happily obliged.

Meanwhile, in the parking lot, the shepherd ran over to black Ford Explorer, desperately trying to open the driver door with no luck. "No." the shepherd muttered and ran for the driver's side second door. No good: locked as well. He looked back down Felicity Street before rushing to the other side of the SUV. But as he ran to the other side, he saw a small cat running up to him.

"Hey, mister," it spoke. "I need to ask you something."

"I don't have the time, I'm sorry." the shepherd spoke, trying to ignore the cat.

"What? You can't take some time to help a crippled canine?"

These words caught the shepherd's attention. He couldn't ignore a fellow canine in pain. "Where?" As the shepherd asked, he saw another shepherd with a setter carrying a lab. "I guess this cute labbie is the one in need?"

Though in pain, Soapy blushed at the compliment. "Yeah, it's me."

"Well what do you want me to do?" the shepherd asked, trying to pry open the passenger door.

"Well, do can you help us get her to safety? We're sorta in the middle of nearly being murdered." Charlie replied in his usual tone.

The shepherd tried the last door on the vehicle, it finally opening. "Yes." he spoke under he breath, taking another look behind him. "Fine. Get in." the shepherd quickly jumped into the vehicle and rushed to the driver's seat. Charlie and Britney, not wanting to carry Soapy any more, got into the back seat. Crystal was a bit more wary, but knew this was the only option and followed the dogs inside.

The shepherd pulled out a cordless drill from the duffel bag, and then tossed it into the back. "Say, could you find a flathead screwdriver in there for me?" he nervously asked before beginning to drill at the keyhole. Crystal dug through the duffel bag, searching for the screwdriver the shepherd asked for.

"Alright," she groaned. "Why do you need to be carrying around 10 sticks of dynamite?"

The shepherd stopped drilling, not only to look down the road, but also to address the cat's question. "For reasons you, quite frankly, don't need to know." he spoke before returning to drilling. Britney and Soapy traded glances again, wondering how trustworthy this shepherd was. Within moments, the German shepherd dropped the drill into the front passenger seat.

"Screwdriver." Crystal climbed out of the duffel bag and handed the shady shepherd the tool he requested. The dog took another look at the street and saw several dogs with weapons charging fast. Panicking, he tried to shove the screwdriver into the damaged keyhole, but his shaking kept him from doing so. In any other situation, he'd fight his way out, but he this was not 'any situation.'

"Look!" Britney yelled, seeing the black suited man out of the building and coming their way.

The shepherd tried to clear his head, succeeding only slightly, though. He shoved the screwdriver into the keyhole and turned. The engine tried to start, but couldn't. He tried again, same. "Come on, come on." He turned the screwdriver again, but the engine failed to start again. Trying to stay calm, he pulled the screwdriver a bit out and slowly turned it. The engine roared with life. "Oh thank you."

"Hey! Someone's stealing my car!" a man yelled from the store, readily dialing 911.

"Step on it sir!" Crystal spoke, and the shepherd floored it, zooming out of the parking lot and down Magazine street, just missing the suited man as the SUV picked up speed. The man took a few shots at the vehicle as it drove out of sight and turned onto Jackson Avenue. The Explorer buckled as it made the turn at such a great speed.

"Perhaps you should so down a little." Crystal suggested, annoyed.

"Not now, kitty." the shepherd spoke, getting irked from the unwarranted passengers. It wasn't supposed to go down like this. He drove up Jackson Avenue, each moment lost straining his patience.

"Not to trouble you," Soapy spoke, "But where exactly are we going?"

"You'll see when we get there." he answered as he turned left now onto the nigh empty St Charles Avenue, the SUV getting even nearer to flipping over. But as the shepherd sped along, he could hear the roar of sirens coming up behind them. He glanced momentarily into the rear-view mirror, only long enough to confirm his suspicions.

"Uh, you do know the police are chasing us, right?" Crystal spoke with worry.

"Of course I do." the shepherd spoke through his teeth. He stepped on the gas some more to make distance. He could see Louisiana Avenue coming up and slowed only slightly to make the turn. But as he did, he saw another police car joining the chase coming up on the road. He made the turn halfway and punched the accelerator, dashing onto the avenue, but into the wrong side of traffic. Nearly hitting a car head on, the shepherd swerved, almost hitting the tree that grew in the divide.

"Are you suicidal!" Charlie yelled.

"Minor setback." the shepherd growled, failing miserably to keep his cool. He kept driving, swerving to and fro to avoid the oncoming traffic before reaching an intersection and turning back onto the proper side of the road. The shepherd could see cop cars pouring in from the various roads connected to the avenue.

"They just don't quit, do they?" he said to himself. He occasionally switched into the wrong lane to hinder the chase, but it also increasingly frightened the passengers on board. Eventually, the shepherd drove the car onto Tolendano Street, further making Soapy and the others wonder where this cunning shepherd was taking them. But her train of though was interrupted by the shattering of glass.

"What was that?" she quickly spoke, startled.

"They're shooting at us." the driving shepherd answered, trying to keep his head low. "I'd suggest you stay down. Bullets hurt." The the shepherd sped up even more as the road merged into Washington Avenue, wanting to get off the road quickly.

He could see helicopter flying overhead. Great, now how am I gonna lose them? he thought as he raced down the pavement. As he approached the exit for Palmetto street, he could see spike strips awaiting across the intersection: the way he intended to go.

"Damn. Hold on, new plan." The shepherd moved off Washington Avenue and onto Palmetto street. Alright, time to improvise. The dog turned sharply right onto South Carroliton, once again risking tipping the vehicle.

Crystal slid across the floor of the car. "Must we continue doing this?" she spoke, getting slight motion sickness.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. I've never had to go this way." the shepherd responded as he drove along. "You wouldn't happen to know a better way to City Park, would you?"

"Well," Charlie spoke up, trying to be louder than the approaching police sirens. "Couldn't you just keep going straight until you're on Wisner?" Charlie knew where the park was, but he hadn't been there since his death. The driving shepherd shrugged and continued to drive, occasionally snaking to try to throw off the pursuit.

Aside from the wail of the pursuit, the inside of the SUV was quiet with tension. The chase raged on as the shepherd turned onto Wisner Boulevard. The twisting road cause the SUV to shift left and right, bringing out more worry. But as he drove along, he could see his destination in the distance.

"Arghh! There it goes!" he looked back at the pursuing cops. "We need to lose 'em. Setter! Take out everything in that bag except for the dynamite." Britney quickly did as she was informed, tossing item after item onto floor of the van. "Good, now: see the lighter? Get ready to light the explosives and then ditch the bag."

"What!"

The shepherd turned around, "Just get ready!"

"I'm not going to do that!"

"Look," the shepherd angrily spoke. "I didn't want you tagging along as it is! So you're either gonna do it, or I'll throw you out of the car instead!"

The shepherd did not notice that, as he was driving on an overpass, the car was about to run straight into a police blockade. Frightened, Crystal jumped for the steering wheel, sharply turning it left and sending the SUV into a U-Turn, making it only half way before starting to tip too far and it fell over the guard rail.

The SUV rolled in the air, landing on the two right wheels and in the middle of traffic below. In the confusion, the shepherd shoved down and the gas and Britney dropped the lighter into the duffel bag. The SUV dashed through the oncoming traffic, across the train tracks and into the thick trees and shrubs.

The police cars came to a halt, looking at the woods trying to see the SUV, with no luck. Suddenly, an explosion rang out from the small forest. Flames shot out, and smoke rose from the scorched land. A policeman stepped out of his car an looked at the carnage before him.

He sighed, "Such a shame when they die." he turned to the other cops gathered. "Alright, call off the search. We'll get to the car in a few hours to further investigate the explosion. For now, we can surely assume that the driver is now dead, if not seriously injured. Either way, they'll be of no harm."

The squad began to drive off, patrolling the city once again. The policeman took another look the the site of the explosion before hopping into his car too.

Character Credit:
Crystal, Misc - Charmyte
Soapy - Soapy
Britney - Wonderdog
Driving Sheppie - Navrex
Charlie, Itchy - Don Bluth/MGM