Story Collab: Incredible Journey Part 1

Summer was at its finest this year. The sky was a bright blue, like that of a fresh robin’s egg. Along the skyward descent, white clouds lazily ghosted along, slow and easy as if there was not a care in the world. Though, that was pretty much the case around here. Nothing but lazy days in the sun and relaxation at the home. However, today was a different day. The family were off to go camping. It’d been a fresh idea of awhile but with how everything was, there was never much of a good opportunity to head off.

Despite Avin’s discomfort of heading off, with some cajoling from his mate Ester and cousin Snow White, in the end, he’d ended up coming along with them. Lucas was on cloud nine almost as he scampered after his father, whirling between Avin’s lean legs and soon spiraling around Ester. The sheep dog merely grinned sloppily at her boy though encouraged his antics.

“Slow down kiddo,” Avin said, ears perked and blue eyes following his bundle of joy. “They won’t be leaving without us.”

Lucas slowed to a halt for only a moment, ears picking up much like Avin’s. “I know but I wanna see Spike already! We were gonna plan out what we were going to do on the trip! He says…”

He rambled on, Ester rolling her eyes at the eager youngster. “You just want the front seat, that’s all.”

Lucas paused and offered a woof, ears dropping. “Nuh. But it’d be cool though…”

Avin snorted, amused. “You’re much too little for that now. Spike too. Now, you better behave on this trip. Last we need is you traveling hundreds of miles like great great grandma and grandpa.” His lips were quirked, teasing. Ester nudged her mate before continuing along at his side.

It wasn’t long before they finally reached the Boltteen household. The car was already packed up and ready to go, camping supplies filling the truck to the brim. Lucas broke away from his folks in search of his aunt Snow White and best friend Spike. The pup bounded along, as if his paws were spring-loaded springs. He swerved around, running under Aaron’s legs. The reptile gave a started jolt before looking down to watch the brown blur whiz off.

“Hey, hey Spike! You there?” Lucas slowed to a halt, nose wrinkling as he looked about, green eyes scoping the grassy area. Silence. Though, that wasn’t the case for long. His ears perked when he suddenly heard a high-pitched bark. Then, a weight on his back as he was tackled. “Omf!”

Lucas turned his head to see the half-breed on his back, claws lightly digging into his shoulders blades. There was a smug look upon the male’s face, reptilian teeth exposed. “Spike one, Lucas zero. I’m still in the lead!”

Lucas rolled, the tubby pup trying to dislodge the older boy. “Not for long!” He declared, paws reaching to swat the half-breed’s face. Spike easily rolled away, skipping away into the grass. Lucas was slow to pursue, the pup easily losing his cousin in the grass. “Where’d he…?”

“Attack!” Again, the blue-colored mutt came, jumping and knocking Lucas to the floor. He hurried back into the strawy foliage. Lucas was caught by surprise, back on the ground.

“I’m… I’m going to kill… you,” Lucas huffed, rolling back to his paws. “Once I… Omf!” Spike appeared from his side again, pushing the gray-brown pup to the ground. He was pinned on his back.

“Need a hand?” Spike offered soon after. Lucas wasn’t sure to trust him, though nodded his head. He offered his paw, Lucas reaching to take it only to find that his cousin had withdrawn his clawy hand back.

“You’re impossible,” Lucas panted, tongue lolling as the boy got to his feet.

Spike just shrugged. “Not my fault you’re just so slow. Let’s see… whats the score again? Oh yea! Spike four, Lucas zero. New record.” He grinned again and Lucas grunted.

“Remind we why we’re friends again…?”

“Cause you can’t live without me and I’m just that awesome?”

Lucas stared at him blankly for awhile before the sounds of their parents took away their attention from one another. The boys turned, eyes staring off at the shape of Snow White.

“C’mon you two. If we want to make it to the site in time we better get a move on!”

Lucas nudged Spike’s shoulder. “Just remember, what you got in bulk, I have in brains!” He was grinning cockily and Spike rolled his eyes at that.

“Please, like that’ll get us anywhere. Now, I dunno about you but I wanna get going, come on!”

With that, the two pups hurried after Snow White, the white-furred dog smiling down at the boys. They playfully nipped each other, pushing each other and bantering, care free.
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The car ride wasn’t too long. Though, the boys were growing restless as they watched houses vanish away, exchanging the suburbs for grassy slopes and forestry lands. Lucas had never seen such beauty before, after all, he wasn’t one to leave the neighborhood much. Spike on the other hand, wasn’t as shell-shocked as his younger cousin, he was exploring on a daily basis, whether he had permission or not.

When they’d finally arrived, it was noon and the family exit the vehicle. Aaron leaving the horse trailer behind as he followed after his mate and in-laws. Spike and Lucas were the last to leave, however, Lucas was stopped by Spike who was staring at the forest around them with interest. Lucas never did like that look, it always meant some kind of trouble for himself.

“Spike…” Lucas cautioned.

Spike didn’t respond, just offered a toothy grin. “Oh c’mon. Why not have a look around? We won’t be too long. Once we come back, our parents won’t even notice we’ve been gone. They’re going to be busy setting camp up with Penny. C’mon Luke!”

Lucas was tempted, his green eyes staring from Spike to the shapes of their family from behind. Well… perhaps it wouldn’t hurt… “Okay. But only if we get back as soon as we can.”

Spike seemed to leap in joy, tail brushing his heels as it wagged. “Cuz, have I ever told you how cool you are right now?”

“Well…”

There was no answer as the half-breed took off, carrying himself into the foliage. Lucas felt an adrenaline rush, the pup following at his cousin’s heels. Though, in all their excitement… they hadn’t noticed the family return to the car, completely unaware of the pups who had wandered off. There was too much to do, and they merely assumed the kids were still in the back seat…

By the time the children had reached the site once more, they found they were gone. Lucas gaped. “Spike… where?”

Spike shook his head. “Erm… stay calm. They probably didn’t go too far. I bet they’re right over those hills there! Yea!”

Taking off, Lucas followed, fear choking him as he hoped Spike was right. Once they had reached the hills, there was nothing but open plains. Lucas was nervous and looked at Spike for answers. Spike said nothing, just chewed the corner of his mouth. “C’mon, lets keep looking. They gotta be here somewhere! Stop looking so nervous!”

The duo traveled, crossing the grassy plain, unknowingly wandering farther and farther from their family. Once they’d reached an open ridge, rock beneath their paws, they came to the dire realization:

They were lost.
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A collab between and me. A story collab this time. She'll be drawing and writing part two. Its going to be all a surprise about what happens next. We're going to surprise eachother and add on to what the other wrote

The WIP. Btw, this is so the theme of this story: [link] :l