Chase woke up early the following morning to prepare for the day ahead. He walked out the door as soon he heard a truck horn go off. He walked out and saw a truck with a flatbed, which is helpful to move vehicles. Leaning against it was a young man, no older than thirty. He had a baseball cap, a white tee, and blue denim overalls on. He greeted Chase with a grin.
"Thanks for doing this for me," Chase said. "How can I repay you?"
"Don't worry about it," the man said. "You helped me out so much. I should be the one thanking you." He took off his cap and studied it. "So you're leaving town today?"
"Yeah, I think it's time for me to go back," Chase replied.
The man looked behind Chase to the white German Shepherd at the doorstep. He waved, and she gave him a half-hearted grin. "How are they taking it," the man asked.
Chase looked back. "I don't know, TJ," Chase replied. "Angel thinks that my old family will not accept after being gone for so long. Junior doesn't want me to leave yet."
TJ looked back at Chase. "And what do you think?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure what to expect," Chase confessed. "I know that they might be mad at me for leaving, but I hope to be able to fix that."
"Well, if you ever need anywhere to go, you will always be accepted here," TJ said. "Well, I will get your cruiser down from my truck. And the store owner, I forgot his name, he packed you some food for the trip. Wasn't it like four hours or something?"
"I think so, yeah," Chase replied.
"Well, he prepared some sandwiches for you. I think they're peanut butter, but I'm not sure. Anyway, he wishes you the best of luck. All of us do."
"Tell everyone I say thanks," Chase said.
"I will," TJ said. He finished taking Chase's cruiser off his truck, said his goodbyes, and left.
Chase looked over his cop cruiser. Ever since he last used it, he had grown so he wouldn't have fit in it anymore. Chase had some mechanics to help make it bigger. "I have never seen anything like this," the mechanics have said. "Whoever built this was a genius" Yes, he is, Chase thought.
He got in the vehicle and turned it on. He was going to go on a quick drive around the block when he felt someone watching him. He turned his head towards the little German Shepherd staring at Chase with sadness in his eyes. "Hey, Junior, what's wrong?"
"Do you have to go?"
"You know I do," Chase replied. "Do you want to go on a ride?"
"Yeah," Junior replied with a half-smile.
He jumped into the passenger seat, buckled his seatbelt, and Chase sped off. Chase enjoyed the feeling of going fast in that cop cruiser, and from howls and cheers coming from Junior, it seemed he liked it as well.
He took a few laps around the block with the siren on before stopping in front of his house. He took a deep breath. "I missed that feeling," he told himself.
Junior jumped off and ran around the cruiser. "That was the most awesome thing ever!" he shouted as if he was trying to have the neighbors hear him. "You used to drive it every day?"
Chase laughed. "Well, not every day, but pretty much."
"Awesome. I want to do the same thing when I grow up."
Chase hopped out of his car. "Well, keep on listening to your mother, and you can."
"He's right, Junior," Angel said. "If you are a good pup, you will grow up to be a strong pup."
"Maybe even stronger than me," Chase said.
"So, will you pay attention to me?"
"Yes, Mommy," Junior said. " I will."
"Okay, now say goodbye," she said. "Chase has to get going."
Junior's smile faded because He didn't want Chase to leave. He ran over to Chase and hugged Chase. "Please stay for a little while longer."
Chase hugged Junior back and kissed his forehead. "Aw, buddy, you know I would, but I have to go see my family and friends."
"But we're your family."
"I know you are," Chase said. "Ever since you were born. But I have to see my other family. They might need me. But I promise I will visit one day."
Junior sniffled. "Okay," he said. "I love you."
"I love you more," Chase said. They released from the hug, and Chase hugged Angel. "Thank you for everything, Angel."
Angel kissed him on the cheek. "Of course, Chase," she said. "We're family, no matter how far away. And I brought you something to remember us by." Angel showed him a photo she had in her paw. IN the picture, Chase, Junior, and Angel were at the park. Junior was on top of Chase's head, smiling at the camera. He had one paw covering Chase's left eye. With the other eye, Chase was looking at Junior while smiling. Angel was right next to them, laughing at the situation.
Chase stared at the photo. He had forgotten about the time they took that photo. It was Junior's first birthday, and they took him to the park to celebrate. "This will never leave my side," Chase promised as he grabbed it. He gave them both one last hug and got into his cop cruiser.
"Goodbye, Junior, Goodbye Angel," Chase said.
"Goodbye," they said in unison. "We love you."
"I love you more," Chase repeated.
Chase started his engine and drove off. He turned his head enough to see Junior running after him, but the car was too fast from the little pup, so he stopped at the end of the block. It broke Chase's heart to have to leave them like that, but he had no other choice.
He looked forward and drove onto the highway. He passed a sign that said:
ADVENTURE BAY 235 MILES
JAKE'S MOUNTAIN 240 MILES
FOGGY BOTTOM 276 MILES
ADVENTURE CITY 545 MILES
Chase took a deep breath. "Time to go back," Chase said. On the road, he thought about the last time he saw the Paw Patrol. The day of his 'death.'