Chapter 9: Normal

Bingo was sitting at a small table in kindie, kicking her legs. “Alright, kids! Everyone, grab a piece of paper. It’s drawing time,” Mrs Retriever announced.

Bingo was excited. She quickly ran over to the line for paper. She sat back down. Then, a familiar but haunting feeling came over her. She remembered sitting at that same table… drawing. She started to cry a bit.

“Hi Bingo!” Bingo’s best friend Lila sat beside her with a piece of paper. Bingo sniffled, but Lila didn’t notice. “What are you going to draw?” She grabbed crayons from a small cup in the middle of the table.

“Uh… I don’t know…” She wiped her nose. “I’m sure you’ll think of something! I’m going to draw a butterfly. I saw an orange one in my yard this morning. Like you!” Lila smiled. Bingo smiled back. “That’s good!”

“Hmmm. I think I’ll draw…” Bingo looked around the room for a bit before stopping on her friend.

“You!”

…

"You heard it here first! A large incident on Legacy Way has caused a backup near the tunnel entrance. Luckily, several members of the community were able to-"

Brandy turned off the TV with a remote and sighed. She was doing the dishes, looking out the window at the birds, sweeping, folding clothes, and dusting by herself. She also checked her phone often.

“Nothing new in terms of chores, huh?” Brandy asked.

“There’s definitely something new though…”

“It’s hard to describe- Like, every room I walk in feels bigger than it actually is...”

“Emptiness… I guess.” She chuckled slightly, partially out of embarrassment.

Ding-

Brandy quickly pulled out her phone. “Finally.” Her delivery driver was outside with her food. Usually, she would go out to eat. She liked trying out many new restaurants in case she got into a relationship again. She’d have the perfect place to go for every craving.

A knock at the door made her jump slightly. She was somewhat confused but didn’t do anything…

Knock Knock Knock

“Ughh. I specifically said in the app to just leave the food by the door.” She walked over to her front door and took a deep breath before putting on a smile.

“Hii-”

A young dog was at her door holding a bag.

“Hello, ma’am. Is this house 331?”

“It is. Thank you.” Brandy reached for the bag.

“Ok!” He exhaled. “Sorry, I know you said that you wanted the bag to just be left outside, but I wanted to make sure I was at the right place-”

“Ohh, ok. Well, you made it.” Brandy reached again for the bag, still smiling.

“Yeah! Got pretty lucky, I guess. I didn’t see any- Oh… My bad. I didn’t see the numbers by your door.”

“Hahaa—Yeah, the numbers are pretty faded, I guess.” She reached out again, her smile and patience stretched.

“Oh! My dad could help! He does-”

“That’s ok! Everything is ok! Thank you!” Brandy grabbed the food and slammed the door. She put her back to the door and looked down at her food. Just as she’s about to open the box inside, her eyes quickly dart upwards at the living room.

Putting her food on a table beside her, she started pushing around furniture. She put her hand on her hips and looked around.

“Mmmm. Not quite-”

She continued for a few minutes. By the end, it was practically a new room.

“That’s not bad!...”

“I think-”

…

"I think I found something!" Bandit yelled to his coworkers. "Wait..." He sighed. "False alarm. Sorry, fellas!" He heard some laughing and groans. He put his head back down, scooping a small soil sample and putting it in a baggie."

He took out a Sharpie and wrote notes on it. Then, he wiped his brow and looked around the site. The few trees that were blowing and the near silence calmed him.

“You’re here, Bandit… supporting your family… supporting. your. family.” Bandit whispered to himself.

“Hey! You already sweatin' out here, Bandit?” It’s not even that hot out ‘ere. Bandit turned around. “As a matter of fact, I think I should put on a coat- Gettin' a lil chilly-” He laughed, putting a hand on Bandit’s shoulder.

If anyone else made that comment, it would’ve struck a nerve. But Bandit just laughed, partially at his unknowingly dark comment.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it. I can only hope to be as strong as the great Angus.”

They both laughed. Bandit hadn’t so much as chuckled for the past few days, so he appreciated his coworker.

“Whatcha got there Bandit? I thought you were a dog mate. This looks more like you’re trying to start a garden.” Angus pointed at the hole Bandit started.

“Oh, you know. Had some trouble getting to sleep last night. So-”

“Hey, I’m only messing mate. Just trying to get that ego down a bit after you found that newsworthy skeleton last week.” Angus laughed again, without Bandit this time.

“Well, I oughta get back to work before the boss has me on a stick. G’luck Bandit!”

"You too, Gus!..." Bandit was hoping he'd stay for longer. He would've skipped work entirely if Angus even mentioned lunch. Instead, he picked up his spade and stuck it in the dirt.

Vrrrrr Vrrrrr

Bandit quickly took out his phone, throwing the spade to the side. Sighing, he whispered, “I need to change that lock screen…” He tapped on the call notification.

“Calypso?...” He answered the call.

“Hey. Bandit here…”

“Uh huhh…”

“Right…”

“She did what?”

…

“What is Apple Adventure?” Mackenzie tilted his head at Bluey.

"You know. It's like... an adventure... with this apple I found!" Bluey responded, holding a plastic apple she got from the classroom."

"Ok- Sure!" Mackenzie was slightly unsure. "Can I be a-"

"Great! You're going to make a great sword dog." Bluey smiled. "What about you guys?" She looked at Rusty and Indy.

Rusty replied, "I guess... What does the apple do?-" Indy nodded.

"Huh..." Bluey looked at the apple for a minute. Then she had an idea. "It gives us powers!” She said with a smile.

“Ohhhh,” they all said in unison.

Bluey took a bite. "Ok! Now I'm a magical dog!" She picked up a stick off the ground. I can cast spells with my magical wand. I also have wings.

“Ooh, let me have a bite!” Mackenzie reached for the apple.

“Noo! You can’t eat this apple. I already have its powers… Plus, you’re a sword dog!”

Mackenzie was confused, but Indy chimed in before he could speak. “Ooh, if that’s a magic apple, could I have a small bite to get my powers? I want to be a magic dog!” She smiled.

“Noo, I’m already a magic dog Indy.” Bluey put a hand on her chest.

“Ok… Indy’s arms fell to her side.” “Hold on, why can’t Indy be a magic dog?” Rusty questioned. “Yeah, and do I have to be a sword dog?” Mackenzie added. “I guess I could be a magic pony instead! Neighhh.”

Bluey was getting annoyed. “No. You all will just have to find your own… power foods.”

"What!? Where are we supposed to find any of those?" Mackenzie questioned, tired of Bluey’s rules.

“I don’t know… maybe there’s a magic garden or something?”

“You made the game! Shouldn’t you know where they grow?” Mackenzie pressed her further.

“I want to be the magic dog. Ok?” Bluey erupted, throwing the apple on the ground.

…

“Uh… do you want to play hospital Indy?” Rusty slowly turned. Ok!” Indy lit up again.

“No!” Please don’t go!” Bluey grabbed Rusty’s arm.

“Bluey! I don’t want to play Apple Adventure, just play with Mackenzie.” He tried pulling his arm away.

Wait! I’m sorry… you… you can be a bow dog if you want!” She frantically tried to convince Rusty to stay. Now she was using both hands to hold on.

“Blueyy!” Rusty pulled harder. Suddenly, their grips broke, and both children fell backwards. Indy gasped and ran over to help Rusty up. Mackenzie followed.

Bluey scratched the back of her head and looked at the trio.

“Are you ok, Rusty?” Mackenzie asked, lifting him to his feet. “Yeah, I’m fine. What about…”

Bluey wasn’t there.

“Bluey? Bluey!? Aww, Bluey, come back!” Rusty tried yelling for her.

She vaguely heard Rusty’s yells behind her, but she didn’t stop. She ran to the nearby trees, crying.

-End of Chapter 9-