(THE STORM)

Ryder let the pups sleep inside tonight.

The storm had rolled in fast, like it had been waiting just beyond the horizon for the sun to set. Wind slammed against the Lookout windows, rain streaked the glass in sheets, and thunder rattled through the tower so hard the lights flickered every few minutes.

Rocky sat near the window, watching the downpour with a grimace. "Good thing we're inside. That storm looks wet, wet, wet."

Skye pressed her paws to the windowsill, staring out at the dark sky. "I hope it doesn't cause too much damage... or we're going to have a huge clean-up tomorrow."

Zuma let out a low whistle. "If the ocean gets any rougher, the docks are gonna look like they got punched."

Ryder tried to smile, but he was still tired, still carrying the leftover weight of his nightmare from the night before. He'd kept busy all day, forced himself to act normal, but storms did something to him. Something about the darkness, the sound, the feeling of being trapped inside his own head.

"Alright, pups," Ryder said, keeping his voice steady. "Time for bed."

A chorus of whimpers followed.

"Aw, Ryder, do we have to?" Rubble complained—then immediately yawned so wide his whole face scrunched up. "I'm not even tired yet."

Ryder laughed softly. "I think otherwise, Rubble. And if this storm lasts all night, we'll probably have work in the morning, so you pups need rest."

One by one, they settled in. Marshall curled up first, already half asleep. Rocky tucked himself in with a sigh. Zuma dropped onto his side like he'd been unplugged. Skye and Chase lingered a second longer, glancing out at the storm like they didn't trust it.

Chase looked back at Ryder. "You're coming to bed too, right?"

"In a minute," Ryder promised. "I just want to check the weather monitors."

Chase didn't love that answer, but Ryder's voice sounded calm enough, so he nodded and finally followed the others to the TV room.

Ryder climbed to the top of the Lookout alone.

From up there, Adventure Bay looked like a different place—dark, blurred by rain, lit only by scattered streetlights and lightning flashes. The river below was louder than usual, swelling from the storm.

Ryder's eyes tracked the water automatically... and then he froze.

There was someone down there.

A figure moving along the river's edge.

Ryder leaned closer to the glass, heart thumping.

Why is someone out there in this? It's way too dangerous.

Lightning flashed and for a split second the figure was clearer—small, stumbling, struggling against wind and rain. Ryder watched them run a few steps, then slip. They hit the ground hard and rolled down the wet slope.

Ryder's stomach dropped.

Without thinking, he grabbed his jacket, yanked it on, and headed downstairs.

He passed the pups quietly, careful not to wake them. Chase was asleep with his head on his paws, breathing slow and even. Ryder hesitated, guilt flickering in his chest.

I'll be quick, he told himself. I'll be right back.

He slipped into the garage and hopped onto his ATV.

The moment Ryder drove outside, the storm swallowed him.

Rain slammed into his face like needles. Wind shoved at the ATV. The road was already slick, shining under the lights like ice. Ryder squinted, trying to see through the downpour, trying to keep the figure in his mind as a target.

He drove toward the river, slowing every few seconds to scan the shadows.

Nothing.

The rain was too heavy. The darkness too thick.

Ryder's grip tightened on the handlebars.

Maybe I didn't see anyone...

He started to turn back—then a voice cut through the storm.

"Help me! Please!"

Ryder snapped his head in the direction of the sound and sped toward it.

He didn't realize he was getting too close to the cliff.

He didn't see the tree until it was too late.

Lightning struck with a crack that split the air in half, and the tree in front of Ryder exploded into light—then crashed down.

Ryder swerved, but the ATV hit the fallen trunk hard.

The impact launched him.

One second he was gripping the handlebars, the next he was flying, weightless, stomach in his throat, rain in his eyes. He tried to twist, tried to catch himself—

And because he was so close to the edge...

Ryder went over.

He slammed onto a narrow ledge below, pain ripping through his side, his head, his shoulder. His breath left him all at once. The river roared beneath him like it was angry, like it was waiting.

Ryder tried to move, but the ledge crumbled under his shifting weight.

His fingers scrabbled against wet rock.

He couldn't get a grip.

Ten minutes earlier...

Chase woke up the second he heard the garage door.

Not fully awake—more like his instincts snapped him up.

He lifted his head, ears sharp, listening.

Then he heard it: the ATV starting up.

Chase's stomach twisted.

Ryder wouldn't go out in this storm... not unless something was wrong.

Chase stood, heart pounding, and peered out the window just in time to see Ryder's ATV headlights cut through the rain.

"What are you doing...?" Chase whispered.

He didn't hesitate.

Chase launched into his police cruiser and sped after him.

The storm hit Chase the moment he left the Lookout, rain soaking his fur fast. His headlights didn't do much against the sheets of water. The rain killed most scents too, muddling his sense of direction.

Still, he pushed forward.

Ryder's tracks were fresh.

Then Chase heard it—faint, swallowed by thunder.

"Help me! Please!"

A girl.

Chase's chest tightened. Ryder must've seen her... he's going to help her.

Chase pushed the cruiser faster, but the world erupted in lightning.

The tree struck.

Chase watched Ryder's ATV slam into it, watched Ryder fly—

"No!" Chase screamed.

He skidded to the cliff's edge, paws slipping in mud, and looked down.

The river below was violent, churning, foaming. And there—barely visible through rain—Ryder on a narrow ledge.

Chase leaned over the edge, voice tearing through the storm.

"Ryder sir! Can you hear me? Are you alright?!"

Ryder groaned, trying to lift his head.

His hand moved.

Then the rock gave way.

Chase watched, helpless, as Ryder slipped off the ledge and vanished into the raging river.

For a second, Chase couldn't breathe.

His body wanted to jump. Wanted to dive.

But even Zuma couldn't survive that water right now—not in this storm, not with the current this strong.

Chase let out a sound that wasn't a bark, wasn't a whimper, wasn't even a howl.

It was pure fear.

The girl—soaked, shaking, staring in horror—ran closer.

"I'm so sorry," she cried. "I didn't mean—he was trying to help me, I didn't—"

Chase turned, eyes blazing, but his anger didn't have a place to land.

Because Ryder was gone.

Chase looked back at the river, heart cracking. He forced himself to speak.

"We will find him," Chase said, voice trembling. "But we have to get out of the rain."

The girl nodded weakly, teeth chattering.

Chase helped her into his cruiser and drove back to the Lookout like his life depended on it.

Because it did.

When they arrived, the girl climbed out slowly, still in shock.

Chase led her to a small room off the side hall. "This is the guest room," he said, voice tight. "You can stay here tonight."

She hesitated. "I... I don't know what to do."

Chase didn't either.

He just turned away before she could see his face break.

He walked into the TV room where the pups slept in a pile.

For one second he stared at them—peaceful, safe, unaware—and his chest burned.

He didn't want to wake them.

But Ryder was in the river.

"Pups," Chase said loudly, voice shaking. "Wake up."

Groans filled the room immediately.

"Ugh... Chase... it's still nighttime," Zuma mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

Chase swallowed hard. "Ryder is in trouble."

Every pup snapped awake.

Skye sat up so fast she nearly fell over. "Where is he? Is he okay?"

Chase tried to speak... and the words almost didn't come out.

"He left in the storm," Chase said, voice breaking. "He... he went to help a girl. There was lightning—there was a tree—and Ryder crashed. He fell off the cliff."

The room went dead silent.

Chase continued, barely holding himself together.

"He... fell into the river."

Skye covered her mouth with her paws. Rubble made a small sound and curled into himself. Rocky's eyes went wide like he couldn't process it.

Zuma sprang to his feet. "Then we go now. I can swim—"

Marshall grabbed him before he could bolt. "Zuma! Are you kidding me? That river is deadly, especially in this weather!"

"We can't just leave him!" Rubble's voice shook. "It's Ryder. He could still be alive. He could be hurt!"

Chase sank down, shoulders shaking. "I... I wasn't fast enough," he whispered. "I couldn't save him."

Lightning flashed again, bright enough to turn the room white for a split second.

Then the power cut out.

The Lookout went dark.

Rubble whimpered.

Chase looked at all of them, voice low and deadly serious. "We will search the second the storm clears," he said. "Right now... it's not safe for anyone to go out there."

The pups didn't want to obey.

But when they looked outside and saw the storm ripping across the hill like it wanted to tear the world apart...

They knew Chase was right.

And somewhere beyond the rain, beyond the dark river, beyond the cliff—

Ryder was missing.