Giselle Walker

A large moving van had pulled up beside a small apartment building located in the downtown area. Despite the large size of the vehicle, the contents inside were few and quite small, only consisting of a small couch, chair, a couple small tables, and various other necessities of everyday comfort. Two men had lowered the ramp, and began emptying the contents, carrying them into the building, and to the apartment where they would eventually be positioned.

A car had also parked along the curb, where a young woman was now standing, watching and directing the men where to go. Her light honey brown hair was pulled back into a messy bun to allow the cool air to reach her skin. This had been a very busy day, with getting everything in order, then actually arriving and getting things settled and where they should be. It was hard work, but she was that much closer to being able to just sit at home with a good book and relax. She brought her two younger sisters with her to Sparkling Creek, but they were off with their new horse at the corral. She figured they would be okay there by themselves.

Finally catching a break for herself as the moving men carried in the last of the furniture, she leaned back on her car and breathed a deep sigh of relief, before reaching into her pocket and pulling out a cell phone. She dialed her parents' number and waited for them to pick up. The conversation that followed was mostly exchanges of 'how are you?' 'are you okay?' and 'did everything work out?' After assuring her parents that she and her sisters were indeed alright, she closed the phone and stuffed it back into her pocket, as she once again leaned back on the car and took in her new surroundings.

This was going to be home, if only for a while.

Matt Anderson

Matt cursed under his breath as he got back into the truck once more. He had already searched all of the properties close by their own ranch, asking anyone he saw if they had seen the pup. No one had… So, he had decided that he had better head towards town and see if he could find her there. If that pup kept running off, he would have to start keeping her tied up or on a leash while they were outside. He had never had a dog that liked to run off so much. Most of his dogs knew to stay close and did not even try to stray too far. But not Cara. No, the little Rottweiler pup definitely had a mind that was all her own.

Since being here he had found her all over the place, from the other ranches to the apartment buildings down town. And since he had not found her anywhere in the country part of Atroe City, he had now headed to the downtown area. It worried him that she might be here, since there were so many strays in the area and cars with drivers who would not even try to avoid hitting the pup. His first stop was the café then the restaurant. The employees there all said they had not seen her.

Next place on his list was the apartment building. The pup was a very social little being, so she went mainly where there were people. Once to the building, he saw a moving van pulling away and a woman standing outside the building. He pulled the truck to a stop and parked along the street. Then he got out and approached the woman.

Hey, you haven’t by any chance seen a Rottweiler puppy around here by any chance, have you?

He knew that the little pup would not pass up the opportunity to approach the woman or the moving men if she had seen them. She just loved attention after all, and who would not pay attention to such a cute puppy? Not many people. Though, her breeding was what worried him. He had heard tale of a fighting ring here in the city and he knew that if any of those involved with that found the pup, they would snatch her up in a heartbeat despite her tags and such. He waited for a reply to come from the woman as he looked around for the pup while waiting.

Giselle Walker

Giselle noticed a lone cloud starting to make its way into her field of view, and the air begin to shift the slightest bit. The cloud was of the lightest of grays, but Giselle knew that their looks could be deceiving and that where one cloud appeared, more were bound to follow. She would need to call her sisters and let them know how things were going, and that she would probably be by to pick them up later. They probably wouldn't want to leave the corral.

She stood there for a while longer, lost in her thoughts, a small smile tugging the very corners of her lips as she began to think of yet another small chapter of her life. It would be spent here in this Valley, and it would be great. Especially since she had to finish her schooling here.

She was about to pull her cell phone back out the pocket of her thin jacket to call her sisters when she realized the man was walking towards her. She noticed the car just seconds before but hadn't paid much mind to it, figuring they just lived here too or something. Turning to him, she listened to what he had to ask her, and then shook her head. "No, sorry. I haven't seen a puppy here," she answered, looking at him. "Do you need any help searching for it?" she then asked, willing to help him in his search for the lost puppy if he needed any. Heck, she had nothing to do now that everything that needed done was.

Matt Anderson

Matt noticed that the girl had taken out her phone right before he had approached her and he hoped that he had not interrupted anything by approaching her. In truth, all he really needed was a second of her time, just enough to ask her a quick question and to get a quick answer. Though, the answer that she did give him was not one that he had been hoping for. He had hoped that she would say that she had just seen the pup and that she was hiding just around the corner. But, she said no that she hadn’t seen her. Though, then she added the question on, asking if he would like some help looking for her.

I would greatly appreciate some help, ma’am

He spoke in that southern accent that his whole family possessed. He had run out of ideas as to where the puppy might be. Usually she was at the restaurant, the café, or here… But she was at none of those places. He glanced around once more before speaking.

She has to be around here somewhere… Her name is Cara if you spot her and call her, she should come running… Friendly girl even though she hasn’t learned how to mind yet. The name’s Matt, by the way.

Usually he had great manners, with southern hospitality and such, but he was getting kind of worried about the pup. So, while his manners were still good he was not his normal charming self right at this moment. He moved a few steps away to look down the alley on one side of the building, not seeing the pup there either…

Giselle Walker

Giselle really wasn't bothered by the man's appearance. After all, she could just get a hold of her sisters later. The two probably wouldn't mind at all, since they were probably off having fun over at the Corral. She hoped they weren't getting into trouble or anything, although they were actually very well behaved-- most of the time. It was usually only around Giselle herself that they would have a go at her. Don't cause a scene, she could always remember their mother saying as she scolded the girls.

Giselle was suddenly brought back to reality by the man's voice again. At the acceptance of her offer to help him look for the puppy, she smiled warmly and nodded. She actually had no idea where to even begin looking, save for Downtown itself. "Cara, okay." she replied, repeating the name for herself. She thought that it was a lovely name. Taking in all of the information about the puppy that would help her, she spoke again. "Oh, and I'm Giselle," she said, "I'm new to the Valley. Any ideas where to look?" she then asked him. If they didn't find the dog in time, then Giselle thought she could enlist the help of her sisters.

Matt Anderson

The whole while he was waiting for some sort of reply from the girl, he was trying to figure out where the pup might be. Though, he was coming up with no ideas right off the top of his head. So, he figured that they might as well just look up and down this street first then they could go from there. Had his own sisters not been at the Corral today looking at a new horse, he would have enlisted their help. Actually, they had called him and said to bring the trailer but that would wait until he found the pup. Kayla and Bethany would understand. He heard the woman mention the pup’s name and say ok, showing that she would remember that. He nodded then continued to describe the puppy to her, she was your typical three month old Rottweiler puppy.

Her introduction was then heard and he shot her a smile as he replied.

Pleasure to meet you, Giselle.

She then said that she was new to the Valley and asked if there was anywhere in particular that they should look. He thought for a moment before glancing around once more.

I figure we might as well cover this road first, peek in all the allies she has a habit of knocking over trash cans. And anywhere that there is people.

He looked at his cell phone momentarily and saw that he was way later than he had said he was going to be picking up the girls, and he hadn’t even picked up the trailer yet. Oh well, they would find something to keep themselves busy. And if they got too tired of waiting they would call him again or call Luke instead.

Giselle Walker

Giselle herself was beginning to come up with places and little landmarks that she'd heard of or seen herself in the area. Luckily, she did possess a large map of Sparkling Creek Valley in her car in a small compartment box, which was where she also kept all of her other things. First aid, snacks, that kind of thing. After all, she didn't want to get herself lost. Especially not lost and a bad situation.

"Same," she replied, before turning attention back to the matter at hand. She listened intently to the description of the puppy, being sure to remember every bit of it just in case she really did come across her. "I could take the one end of the road, and you could take the other?" she suggested, wondering how long it would take to scout the areas and find this lost puppy. No matter how long it took, Giselle was sure that her sisters wouldn't care, or even notice that she wasn't calling. She took out her keys and locked her car before slipping them back into her small handbag, which had been slung around her shoulder. Whatever he decided, she was ready to go with it.

Matt Anderson

Matt heard his phone ring from his pocket as he waited for a reply. He took it out and saw he had a text from Kayla and he sent her one back telling her the situation. Then he put his phone back in his pocket and looked back to the woman as she spoke.

Sorry bout that, my little sisters just got them a new horse at the corral and I was supposed to bring the trailer to pick it up…

He knew that he did not have to apologize for his phone, but he was not the type to normally answer his phone while he was having a conversation with someone else. Though, he had known that sooner or later his sisters would be wondering where he was. The woman’s suggestion to split up and look along both ends of the street sounded good to him.

Sure, that sounds good to me. Then we’ll meet back here.

He went off in the direction closest to him and began to look for the small black and tan pup in every alley way he could see.

Paige Walker

Paige silently wondered if he should maybe just go and take the trailer. After all, his sisters seemed to have been expecting him. However, she then also realized how important a puppy was, especially a lost puppy, and went back to the task at hand. She nodded in acknowledgement about his sisters, and then agreed to his next words. "Okay." she replied, before turning and heading off in the opposite direction down the other end of the road.

At each small crevice-like alley between each and every building, she peered into the dimness, searching for any disturbances such as an overturned trashcan or moving piece of fur. She mostly saw cats, then nothing, and then a few more of the furry stray felines. Finally, she was nearing the end of the street, and looked into one more alley, calling out the puppy's name once more. "Cara!" she called, hoping that the lost pup would turn up sooner or later. She wondered at that moment if Matt was having any luck himself. If she found nothing, she would have to turn back and report her findings-- nothing significant.

Matt Anderson

Matt had gotten a text back from Kayla, saying that they would wait and to just let them know if there was any news. That was when he saw the woman take off in one direction and he turned to look in the other. He called for the pup as he walked along, worried that something might have happened to her. It was not like her to not be in one of the usual places. Though, he made it to the end of the road and had seen nothing.

Cara had been sniffing around behind one of the trash cans when she heard a woman's voice calling something that sounded like her name. Immediately she perked up and peeked out from behind the trash can. Her stubby tail wagged to and fro quickly as she spotted the woman. Eagerly, the little black and tan pup bounded up to the woman without the slightest hesitation.

Paige Walker

Paige was about to turn back as she thought nothing was there. She thought she had heard some movement, but figured it was just another alley cat. She was turning, when suddenly, she caught the sight of something a little thicker than a thin and ragged feline. This was a dog! A small one at that, and it raised her hopes. A large smile spread across her features as she realized that this was indeed the puppy that they were searching for. She bent down to meet the puppy as she came bounding up, delighted that the youngster wasn't hesitant to approach her. She bent down and if the pup would allow her, lifted Cara in her arms. She would then turn and begin the trek back to her car, where she would hopefully soon be meeting Matt again.

Matt Anderson

Matt was beginning to get frustrated when he did not spot the puppy anywhere. Though by the time he made it back to the truck and the building where he and Paige had gone their separate ways he saw that she was now returning with the wiggly little pup in her arms. A smile crossed his lips as he reached out to rub the pup's head affectionately when she reached him.

Thanks a lot, she can be such a pain sometimes.

He spoke with that same southern accent but any worry was now gone from his face and voice since he now saw that the pup was safe and sound.

Paige Walker

Paige was glad that they finally found the puppy, and she was now safe and sound. She went to hand Cara over to him, breathing a deep sigh of relief. "No problem!" she said, waving it off. "I used to have a dog that was just the same," she then said, before looking at him again. "Now, don't you have to meet your sisters? Don't want to keep you any longer than necessary." she stated, giving the slightest of nods. She still needed to get the furniture all organized in the new apartment, but thought it could wait.

Just then, she said "One moment," as she pulled out her cellphone again. She looked at it, and then began texting away furiously, fingers pounding at the small letters. She was telling her sisters that she would be by to pick them up soon. Actually, by the looks of it, in probably half an hour. Then she shut it and slipped it back into her bag. "I'm going to be picking up my own sisters at the corral, too." she said.

Matt Anderson

Matt took the pup from her as she held her to him. The pup squirmed like many happy puppies did when they saw their masters. The girl then replied that it was no problem and that she used to have a dog just the same. He shook his head at this.

None of my other dogs ran off like this when they were young.

He spoke truthfully. Then the girl spoke of him having to meet his sisters and he nodded. He better get going. Though, before he could say anything she said one moment and he stopped and waited as the woman texted on her phone. Then she said that she would be picking up her own sisters at the corral as well. He got an idea then.

Well, since we are going to the same place, how about I give you a lift then you and your sisters can stop by the ranch for dinner? As my thanks for your help.

He was not meaning to put her on the spot or anything but he was just being hospitable. After all, she had said they were new here. And he had seen the moving van pulling away when he had gotten there. So, they probably wouldn't have had time to get groceries or anything. And he was sure the girls wouldn't mind adding a few to the table for dinner.

Paige Walker

Paige shrugged when he mentioned how none of his other dogs had ever run off. She figured it had been a dog with an incredibly strong prey drive or something, as she remembered it was a husky or some other breed like that. It was so long ago. However, she soon forgot all about the dogs when he mentioned giving her a lift to the corral. It did make perfect sense, but she still took a moment to think about it. She didn't want to intrude, and then even bring along her sisters. But he offered, and she didn't want to just turn down his hospitable offer.

She nodded after her moment of silent thought. "Well if we wouldn't be a bother, we'd all be delighted," she said thankfully. Honestly, she didn't have any food in the new apartment. Nothing but some old snack foods, and certainly nothing very nutritious. She knew she seemed to be neglecting the idea of going to the store, but she was exhausted from the entire moving process.