Chapter Text
“Hey, Dee Dee!”
A dalmatian pup stood in the front window of the house, paws pressed against the glass, peering out in curiosity. Another pup soon joined by her side.
“What's up, Dizzy?” The second pup queried.
“Look at that thing out there!” Dizzy gestured towards a pet carrier sitting on the curb outside their house. “What do you think it is?”
“I dunno,” Dee Dee replied. “But I think I see a dog inside it. Maybe we should go check it out!”
Dizzy nodded, and the two scurried out the front door.
They pattered up to the carrier and peered in through the barred door.
All that could be seen in the darkness was a little furry ball curled up in the corner
“Helloooo?” Dizzy addressed the furry ball. “Are you alright in there?”
No answer, just the sound of wheezy breathing as the back of the furry ball rose and fell.
“What's the matter?” Dee Dee asked in concern. “Why aren't'cha sayin' anything?”
More silence...
Dizzy tried again to get the creature's attention. “He...Hello--”
“Shhhh...” A weak voice whispered from within the carrier. “No bark...get p-punished...”
“Punished?” Dizzy tilted her head in confusion. “By who?”
The creature inside the carrier slowly popped up its head and turned around, revealing itself to be a beagle puppy. Their face looked tired and emotionless, and yet still had a hint of fear in their eyes. The beagle seemed to be attempting to make sense of their new surroundings.
“It's okay!” Dee Dee assured the beagle. “No one's gonna punish you!”
The beagle slowly rose and turned their body towards the door. They began sizing up the dalmatian pups that stood outside.
“There you go!” Dizzy chimed with a smile. “I'm Dizzy, and this is my sister Dee Dee!”
“What's your name?” Dee Dee asked.
“Na...Name...?” The beagle echoed curiously.
“Y'know,” Dizzy replied. “What does everyone call you?”
“C...call...me...?”
The beagle sat puzzling for a moment. They then raised the flap of their right ear, revealing a tattoo of some numbers.
Dizzy squinted and read out the writing on the beagle's ear.
“B...1...2...5...6...1?” Dizzy recited. “Hmm...That's an awfully long name.”
“How about we call you 'Bea,' for short?” Dee Dee suggested cheerfully.
“Yeah, 'Bea!'” Dizzy concurred. “That's a pretty name!”
“B..Beeeaaaa...?” the beagle whispered.
They pointed to each pup.
“Di...zzy...Dee...Dee...”
They then pointed to themself.
“Beeeaaaa...”
“That's right!” Dee Dee nodded. “C'mon, let's introduce you to the family!”
Dee Dee opened the door of the carrier, causing Bea to make a high-pitched howling sound.
“C-CLOSE DOOR...CLOSE DOOR...”
“Ah!! Sorry!” Dee Dee quickly shut the door and locked it once again.
“Maybe we should get Mum and Dad to help...” Dizzy said, worriedly.
“Yeah,” Dee Dee turned towards Bea. “Don't worry, we'll be right back, okay?”
Bea just sat there, still shivering, as the two pups re-entered the flat.
A few minutes later, the dalmatian sisters re-emerged, along with an adult dalmatian couple.
The two adults peered into the cage.
“Oh dear...” the female, Delilah, murmured with a concerned expression. “You poor little pup...”
“Let's get you inside and checked out,” the male, Doug, gently proposed as he picked up the carrier's handle with his teeth and lifted it up.
Bea began screaming as if they were being tortured.
“It's okay, sweetie,” Delilah said in a calm tone. “I promise we're not going to hurt you. We just want to make sure you're healthy.”
Bea wasn't the least bit convinced, however. They continued to scream as they entered this strange new house.