Bonnie

Amber led the group to the Bay and sniffed around the area. Bonnie followed, with Sophia the mule at her side. "They must be around here somewhere..." She said to Ethan.

Ethan & Starlit Eyes

You took all our hearts
With your smile,
And left a legacy untold
You conquered life and fear,
So you see there was no room for you to grow old!

Starlit had her nose to the ground, but she had never been good at tracking, or else she would have followed this trail the moment Charlene went missing. The trail led along the road that was paved several hundered yards up from the beach. It led half a mile from the beach before the distinct odor of burnt oil and driving fluid left the road.

Although it meant nothing to Starlit Eyes, Ethan took note of a faint pair of tread marks on the road; obvious skid marks from someone slamming their breaks.

The scent trail led down past the shoulder, and down into a steep embankment chocked weeds and stands of young trees. At the bottom of the embankment, hidden from the view of the road, was a ruby-red car.

"Master!" Starlit yipped, spotting the familiar color, though the car's shape wasn't so recognizeable anymore. "Master?" The hybrid slowed down, her tail lowering as she neared the wreckage, her voice taut, "Master...?"

Ethan picked his way down the hill, ducking and crawling under twisted branches and thick foliage. It wasn't until he was halfway down the hill that he saw the car, "They found something!" He shouted, and hurried the rest of the way down.

Starlit whimpered as she circled the broken vehicle, stepping over shattered glass and twisted metal as she tried to find away into the mangled thing. "She's in there..." The hybrid whimpered, pausing near the front of the car, although she knew her master was gone. She could smell death.

By the time Ethan reached the vehicle, he didn't need to get near it to wonder if anyone was alive. The vehicle was so twisted and distorted, he knew no one could have survived it. What he didn't know was that Aralyn was not in there.

Now you are free
Free to roam the skies
Now and then visit me
With your Starlit Eyes

Bonnie

Amber barked when they reached the vehicle. Bonnie rushed to the trashed car and clenched her teeth, finding that she soon had to look away. "I don't think she's alright." She said, trying to hide her sorrow. She didn't want to look like a baby in front of her friend. "Is the girl in there?" She finally asked, not wanting to step closer. She had seen enough death in the past month.

Sophia tossed her head and reared, spooked. "Don't go near that thing, Bonnie!" She brayed. "Don't touch it!"

Ethan & Starlit Eyes

Starlit's composure continued to collapse, her eyes widening and her chest feeling as though it were on fire. Her breath seemed to be sucked right out of her lungs, choking her voice, "N-no! Sh-she's fine! SHE'S FINE!" Starlit whimpered, the howled out, rushing back to the car and pawing madly at the grotesque metal. "Help her, she needs help!" Starlit continued, digging her paws so madly at the twisted metal that the pads began to bleed. "Please, help her!"

Ethan began to climb back up the hill, unable to stand the sight or the hybrid's frantic howling. "Ben is not going to be happy." The man sighed, flipping open his phone, first to call 911. Oh, how he dreaded the next call...

After a few minutes of trying to get into the car, Starlit Eyes took a few steps back, looking painfully to Amber, "She was... my best friend... I-I need her..."

Bonnie

Amber looked back at the mule. "Sophia! We need your hooves!" She called out. Sophia sighed, but walked closer and kicked at the door, trying to get it to open, while Amber comforted Starlit.

Bonnie walked away, her back to the wreck. She couldn't stand to see what was inside. She mumbled something to herself, that probably sounded like gibberish to anyone who could hear it.

Amber looked into Starlit's eyes. "She has gone to heaven." She said softly, and this was all she said.

Ethan & Starlit Eyes

Ethan followed after Bonnie, a bit surprised by how protective he was feeling over her now. "...yes, I'd like to report a single-vehicle wreck. Just past the 15 mile marker on Speary Road..."

Starlit shook her head slowly, "...but, I... I need her... she can't... she's... she's not dead..." The hybrid stammered back in a strained whisper, looking towards the car, and then to Sophia, "Wait! No, you'll hurt her!" Starlit cried out, rushing towards the mule, "Stop, you'll hurt her!" Despite Sophia's efforts, the metal was so badly gnarled and crushed that it would take heavy cutters to get it open.

Snapping the phone shut, Ethan approached Bonnie now, trying to read into her expression and confmort her if she seemed distressed. "There's nothing more we can do here. How about..." He looked upwards, then blankly to the surroundings, trying to think of something, anything, to do besides just stand around by the wreck, "...we can go to a restraurant? Get something a little something to eat or drink."

Ryan Sohmers & Ethan

Ryan was nearby when dispatch sent the call out about the crash. Within minutes, his squad car was cruising down the road, sirens blaring.

Leaving Bonnie's side for a moment, he headed towards the squad car, waving his hands to signal this was the site of the crash. "It's down there." Ethan motioned towards the ditch as Ryan parked the car and got out. "Her dog came across it while we were taking a walk." Mostly the truth. "It's a mess down there. The car's been there for at least a week."

Ryan shook his head in dismay, always hating this part of the job. "Thanks for your help." He said, before heading down the slope to get a look for himself.

Ethan took this time to call Ben. After a moment to gain his composure, he dailed the number, "Ben, I’ve got bad news."
There was silence on the other line, prompting Ethan to continue, "We found Charlene’s car… A friend of mine, Bonnie…
She’s dead, Ben. The dogs were following her trail, and we came across her car. It a mess, we can’t even get into it.
I’m sorry, Ben..." Click. The other line went silent. With a heavy sigh, Ethan put the phone away and headed back towards Bonnie.

Bonnie

Bonnie, staring at the ground, still mumbled to herself. "Yes...let's get out of here...to the restaurant..." She replied to Ethan.

Sophia had since stopped kicking the mangled car and walked to her owner. The mule nudged Bonnie with her nose in an attempt to comfort her.

Amber stood next to Starlit Eyes, nuzzling her gently. "You may stay with us, if you'd like. I'm sure you'd like to meet my pack." She said softly.

Ryan, Ethan, & Starlit Eyes

As Ryan disappeared down the hill, Ethan put an arm around Bonnie's shoulder in a comforting gesture as he began to walk towards town. Not wanting to go back to Charlene's house, he figured on getting his truck later on.

She shook her head at first, "I can't leave her..." Then the hybrid's eyes fell on Ryan, sparking a bit of memory. They had rescued him a few years ago; yes, she and Flurry had. He was a friend of Charlene's. Now her dear Master was not alone. "I... I think I would like to go with you." Starlit added after a moment of thought, ready to follow Amber.

Ryan didn't recoginze Starlit Eyes, for the hybrid was badly emaciated, and her fur distorted with matts and cockleburs. As the others began to depart, he waited for help to arrive.

Bonnie/Sophia/Amber

Bonnie walked away with Ethan, leaving Sophia and Amber to do what they wanted.

Amber wagged her tail and pointed off into the distance. "My house is over there." She said, walking towards her home. "So far, my master only has me and two other dogs; one of them will have pups soon. And there's Sophia, of course." She paused and looked around, making sure she was going the right way. "Bonnie's sister is staying with us for a while." Then she continued on.

Sophia followed the hybrids, hesitantly, at first.

Ryan & Starlit Eyes

Starlit gazed blankly in the direction Amber motioned, scarcely hearing what the other said. At the mention of pups though, she gave a forced smile. She did love pups. "Thank you." The hybrid whispered quietly, before following after her.

Ryan watched the group go.