User blog:SaenihpNnylf/Show Me Your War Whistle Chapter 3

It was only a few seconds before Lifty, Flaky, and Spunky arrived at the park and Lifty parked the van. "Friends are going to lose their minds when they see us together," Flaky said as they got out of the van, holding Spunky's leash.

"Who cares what they think?"

"Well, I do. Unlike with you, most of them are my friends."

"Why do you care what they think though? I may not have much experience with friends recently but I think that if they're friends worth having, they won't care who you spend your time with," Lifty explained.

"Yeah, I guess that's true."

"Just try not to worry about it. Unless you aren't happy?" he asked.

"No, I'm happy. I want to get to know you."

"Okay then," he said relived.

"So, tell me some about yourself," Flaky pressed.

"Well, there's not really much to know about me. I'm a career thief but you already knew that. I don't really like it but it's our only source of income. Raising and selling Spunky and the other dogs was our first attempt at earning money honestly in years."

Flaky wasn't sure what to say but came up with a better question. "What about you're past then?"

"My past?" Lifty thought about it before answering. "Well, believe it or not. We used to be law abiding citizens working various jobs and receiving a ration every week like everyone else in this town. But Shifty and I were more… idealistic than that. We didn't like being Lumpy's slaves and refused so we lost everything. Just as Lumpy always threatened. After a while, we realized that starving to death is the worst way to die, even in this town but we didn't really have any way to earn money legally anymore so we had no choice but to take up a life of crime."

"Wow that sounds like a rough life."

"It is but it's our own fault really."

"Yeah, but why didn't you do something more honest?"

"We were forbidden from getting any real jobs ever again."

"Forbidden?"

"Yes, by Lumpy and he owns everything. Our options were virtually non-existent."

"That's not fair to you two."

"No, it isn't but since when was anything in this town fair?"

"Yeah, that's true."

"We know that better than anyone. Not only because of that but we have the lowest survival rate in the whole town."

"Really of the whole town?"

"Yes, really, we've only survived... about three days since the beginning of the curse."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. We don't know why."

"Bad luck?"

"That's really the only explanation."

"I'm so sorry."

"You're the only one who's ever really cared. Everyone else just sees a lowly thief."

"You're so much better than that."

Lifty smiled a bit. Not his usual mischievous grin but a real smile. "That really means a lot to me, Flaky."

"Really?"

"Yes really, it means a lot that someone actually cares and sees better of me."

"Of course someone does."

"Not of course. You're really the only one."

"Well, I am here for you."

"I knew there was a reason I liked you. You're really nice."

"Well, thank you for saying that."

"You're welcome. It's only true."

"Most just see me as a coward."

"I don't think you're a coward. In a town like this, you have every reason to be afraid of everything. Besides, if you were a coward, you wouldn't still have Spunky here."

"Yeah, I guess that's true." She said petting him.

"I'm glad you did keep him. They're really good dogs when there's no whistling."

"Yeah, he's a good dog and actually, I decided he could be used as a guard dog." Flaky explained.

"That's genius."

"I thought so. I can really use one."

"Well, I am glad you have one."

"That doesn't make me a coward?"

"No, it makes you wise."

"Some others would disagree."

"Well, I'm not them."

"No one's ever said that before. Not even my best friends."

"Well, then they need to open their eyes."

"Yes they do. Some people call it paranoia but I prefer to call it common sense."

"That's what it is."

"Which apparently isn't very common in this town."

"Well if you can't die forever you lose it most of the time."

"Well, I never will."

"I'm glad you won't."

"You should really talk to some of my friends. Especially Cuddles."

"How bad are they?"

"Well, Cuddles is my best friend but he can be the worst! Always putting me down and calling me a scardy-cat. I even heard that he insulted Giggles by comparing her to me! Not only that but sometimes he'll literally drag me to do something scary with him."

"That's not a best friend."

"Well… I…" Flaky sighed. "No, no it is not."

"So then why do you let him do that?"

"Well, we were best friends for a long time, before the start of the curse. He was a lot different back then and so was I. We were practically the same as each other. I guess I fooled myself into thinking he was still my best friend."

"Time goes on though and friends change."

"I really should have seen that."

"Sometimes it's hard."

"Well, while he's the worst. I wouldn't say I have any good friends really."

"You have us."

"I'm glad I have you now."

"I'm glad to have you too."

"So, before this, all you had was Shifty?"

"That's right, and Shifty was far from the best brother I could ask for but eh, he's my brother. Kind of stuck with him."

"You had each other."

"Yeah, it would have been much worse alone."

"Yeah, I bet it would have."

"Especially since not only do we not have any friends but everyone in this town but you actively hates us. This way we share the hatred together out of one doggie dish."

"I'm sorry."

"Well, I can't really blame them. We've robbed every single one on them but you and Splendid and he's just doing his job. We've done plenty to earn that hatred."

"Yeah but you had no choice."

"They don't know that."

"You could tell them.

"They wouldn't take the time to listen."

"Some may."

"I doubt it but I guess I could try."

"You don't have to if you don't want to."

"No, if there's a chance it'll work I'll try it but I have to be careful who I try it with."

"Yeah, you would."

"Yeah, some of them I was really brutal to."

"I can imagine."

"Sniffles might be able to work, Nutty too. Though, I'm not sure I'd wanna be friends with the candy addict."

"Well, he could be cured."

"That happened once before and he became just as addicted to something else. It was not a pretty sight."

"I can't imagine."

"Yeah, it's better to not try to cure him again."

"I see."

"Still, it could be worth a shot to try talking to him."

"Okay, we can do that but later."

"Yeah, let's just focus on having fun on this… whatever it is."

"Hard to tell."

"Well, maybe we'll figure it out by the end."

"Hopefully we will." He said as friends started to see them

The air filled with whispers and Cuddles suddenly pushed his way up front, his eyes wide, unsure if he was more surprised to see her with Lifty or Spunky. "Flaky, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I'm walking with my dog and my... boyfriend." Lifty blushed at being called her boyfriend.

"You mean the THIEF and the MURDER dog." Cuddles growled in hatred and Flaky had never heard him growl before. "I thought you were a coward but now that there's something to actually be afraid of, you're brave to the point of idiocy! So I ask again, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I already told you Cuddles! Things are changing."

"Well, you're stupid! Your 'boyfriend' is nothing but a dirty rotten thief!"

"Don't talk to Flaky that way!" Lifty suddenly defended. "You're supposed to be her best friend but from what she's told me, you're just an all-around terrible person! And yes, that is coming from me!"

"What gives you the right to judge me or my friendship with her?!"

"The fact that I'm her boyfriend now so it's my right, no, my duty, to protect her."

"Like you care about anyone but yourself."

"You don't know anything about me. I do to care about Flaky."

"You're just taking advantage of her gullibility."

"She's not gullible. Now, if you don't shut up right now I'm gonna make you regret it." Lifty put two fingers in his mouth and warned. "I know how to control the 'murder dog'. Say one more word about her and you're dead."

"She is gullible if she trusted you two over me."

Lifty only growled. "Don't say I didn't warn you." He turned a confused Spunky to face Cuddles and whistled hard. The dogs eyes went wide and an evil look came over his face.

Flaky immediately cowered behind Lifty and the crowd that had gathered fled as Spunky leapt at Cuddles. Cuddles tried and failed to dodge as the dog sank it's fangs into him.

Spunky almost gleefully tore into Cuddles stomach. He dug almost through him before hoping out of him barking. In between his paws was Cuddles' spleen. He barked happily.

Not finished yet, Spunky went over and started pulling on Cuddles' oversized ear. He pulled at it shaking his head back and forth. The tortured rabbit screamed, just barely alive at this point. Soon with a sick POP his head came off.

Spunky instantly returned to normal with Cuddles' death still chewing on Cuddles ear. "Spunky, come here boy!" Lifty called, patting his legs.

He barked happily and ran over linking him when he got there. "Is it over?" Flaky asked, looking around him and throwing up when she saw his corpse.

"Yes, and I'm sorry for scaring you," Lifty said.

"No, it's okay," Flaky said in a tone that said she meant it. "Um… thank you for defending me like that."

"Of course I did. You're my girlfriend," he said.

Flaky smiled. "Well, I guess we figured out what this is."

"Yeah, I guess we did. If that's okay?"

"It's better than okay. That makes me very happy."

"Me too," he said, smiling.

"So far, you've been a great boyfriend."

"I try."

"I can only hope I can be as good of a girlfriend to you."

"You are." He said

"How though? He was insulting you too and I didn't say anything."

"You are here," he said.

"What do you mean?"

"I've never had anyone there for me but my brother."

"Well, I'm glad to be here for you"

"I'm glad to have you."

"I'm glad to have you too. Everyone else can be so mean to me. Though, you two were mean to me too during the Christmas play."

Lifty rubbed the back of his head knowing exactly what she was talking about. "Oh yeah, I'm really sorry about that. Lumpy made us do it."

"It's okay, you didn't want to do it right?" she asked.

"Of course I didn't."

"Okay then, apology accepted and I'm sorry for popping the life raft and getting you both eaten by sharks." She apologized. "That was an accident."

"It's okay; here at least these things happen."

"Still, I should have been more mindful of my quills. It's not like they're new."

"You weren't paying attention."

"Well, thank you for understanding. No one else did, they all buried me alive."

"They what!?"

Flaky's lower lip started wobbling. "I-I got back to the island just relieved to have survived the sharks but everyone was looking at me so pissed and evil and they… they…" Flaky just burst out crying. "Oh Lifty it was terrible! Why would they do that to me?"

"I don't know."

Flaky just crumbled down onto her but letting the tears fall with abandon, letting out everything she was feeling about her so-called friends. "Why is everyone always so mean to me? What did I ever do to them to deserve it?"

"Nothing you are the sweetest Friend here."

"Then why?" she asked, still crying.

"I don't know. We've all changed because of this curse it could be anything. It could just have been mob mentality." Flaky just kept crying and Lifty bent down and hugged her, being careful not to impale himself on her quills. "It's okay, Flaky. I'm not going to let anyone get away with being mean to you ever again."

"I am sorry I couldn't help you the same way," she said.

"You will be able to."

"You sure? I'm a coward."

"Haven't we already been over that you are not a coward?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"And I meant it when I said that."

"Okay, I trust you."

"Good, are you okay now?" He asked, wiping her eyes.

"Eh, almost," she said.

"What can I do to help?"

"Just be here," she said, looking up at him.

"Don't worry; I'm not going to leave you."

"Thank you; I really like having you around," she said, before kissing him. Lifty was surprised by this but did kiss her back. She ran her hands through his fur and pulled him a little closer.

Lifty wrapped his arms around her, accidently pricking himself but didn't let that break the kiss. Which he was happy for as Flaky became more daring.

Neither of them dared to break the kiss until they were both blue in the face and when they did have to break, they stayed just as close. "That was ...something." Flaky said not sure what else to say

"It definitely was. And it definitely was NOT the mark of a coward."

"I guess not."

"I know not. That was very daring of you."

"I really wanted to do it."

"Well, I'm really glad you did."

"I am too," she admitted.

"You seem to be feeling much better after it."

"I really wanted to do that."

"Well, we'll have to do that again."

"Yes we will." As if to remind them of his presence, Spunky jumped up at the pair, licking Flaky's cheek. "Yes and we both have you too."

They finally broke apart from the embrace and Flaky immediately noticed that Lifty's hand was bleeding and realized what happened. "Oh no! I pricked you! I'm so sorry!"

Lifty just shook his head. "No, I pricked myself on your quills. There's a huge difference. You have nothing to be sorry for."

"But you're bleeding."

"It's okay. I've had much worse."

"I suppose so yeah."

"Look, Flaky, it's not your fault at all. I should have been more careful off your quills."

"If you're sure then."

"I am sure. I could use a bandage though," he said, hoping that getting him one would help her feel better about it.

"I can get you that. Just wait here," she said, before running off.

Lifty was surprised to see how fast she ran. "She's almost as fast as I am..."

She was back in fairly quick order with bandages. She immediately started bandaging his hand. "There is that better?" She asked.

"Yes it is. Thank you for the bandage."

"No problem."

"So, how are YOU feeling now?"

"I'm alright actually. Not stressed."

"Now that's good to here. I don't like knowing you're stressed."

"Thank you for caring."

"It's hard for me not to."

"I'm just not used to it," he said.

"I know you aren't but you'll get used to it."

"And you'll get used to being more open."

"I'm sure I will, too."

"We are good for each other."

"I'm glad we found each other."

"Me too." He said smiling

"So… what should we do now?"

"Continue our walk?"

"Yeah, lets."

Meanwhile, Flippy had just gotten home from his own walk without Sparkles feeling a bit unsure, having caught sight of what happened to Cuddles and noticing how much it looked like Sparkles. He wasn't sure what to think and that made him even more questioning of the whistle in his jacket pocket.

Must be something I just forgot about. Still, he thought he remembered Lifty or Shifty, he didn't know which, whistling before that other dog went crazy. That was suspicious. Somehow, it was even harder to explain away than the knife and grenades... He seriously needed to figure how these things ended up on his person. He certainly didn't remember putting them there and had no reason to have them but, for some reason, he didn't want to get rid of them.

He thought about talking to Lumpy about it... "Maybe I should. Can't hurt." He sighed He went over to his phone to call his psychologist and set up an appointment as soon as possible.

He was penciled in for later today. He had nothing on his schedule today so it worked perfectly. He decided to wait.

He went over to Sparkles, though a bit nervous. "Good dog?" He asked

Sparkles just tilted his head and trotted over licking him. He jumped a little and so did the dog. Sparkles whimpered a bit, unsure why his owner was acting this way. "I'm sorry boy I'm just jumpy," he said.

Sparkles just yipped and cuddled against his leg. "Yes I'm alright now mostly." Sparkles just cuddled up closer to his leg, glad that his owner was okay now. He continued to pet the dog passing the time and calming his nerves.

Before he knew it, it was time for his appointment. "I'll be back, Boy," he said.

Sparkles only barked in response. He smiled feeding him a treat. "Just be a good boy when I'm gone, okay?" Flippy reminded, unable to get the image of Spunky out of his mind.

He barked and licked his hand before he left. "I shouldn't be too long, Boy." He headed off to his therapists office. It wasn't too far and he had the time so he decided to just walk instead of taking his jeep. It kept him calm and right now, he really needed that.

He smiled as the sun. It was a beautiful sunny day, as per the norm in Happy Tree summer. He enjoyed the few peaceful days. Though he could call it far from peaceful, at least the weather was. Sometimes things here are nice. He thought

Soon enough, he arrived at his therapist's office. He smiled and headed in. He was surprised to find that Lumpy wasn't there to greet him right away as normal and wondered if he was early. He looked he was on time.

Eventually, Lumpy did come over. "Op, time already? Sorry, Flippy, I was just looking for your file but I can't seem to find it anywhere, which is weird because I normally keep those so organized."

"It's okay. I'm sure it'll turn up."

"It should. Let's just get started, I remember more than enough to make it through the appointment."

"Alright, where do you want me?"

They headed over to the same room in Double Whammy and Flippy settled down on the chaise lounge. Once there, he sighed "Start whenever you're ready," Lumpy encouraged. "What brings you into my office?"

"I've been worrying more often lately. You see, I just got this dog, his name is Sparkles, and he's a great dog and all but earlier today I saw this dog that looked just like him but turned vicious when Lifty whistled and I'm worried that Sparkles may be the same."

Lumpy, of course, remembered being attacked by Fliqpy and a dog that he said was his pet and knew it must be the same. "Has your dog attacked you?"

"No, never, I haven't seen him specifically go that way but I'm sure he might."

"What makes you sure?"

"The dog in the park looked just like Sparkles. Also, there's a whistle in my pocket. I don't know how it got there."

"You don't?"

"No, I don't remember putting it there. I also have a knife and grenades that I have no memory of or real reason to carry around."

"That's distressing."

"I know. I think it might have something to do with my passing out. It's like there's these big periods of my life just missing."

"Just missing for no reason?"

"Yeah, I'd pass out and wake up somewhere else. Not only that but whenever I wake up, everyone else is dead. I know it's Happy Tree Town but that's still pretty weird isn't it?"

"Yes it is." He sighed carefully.

"I mean, what does it mean?"

"Well this will be hard to explain."

"Hard to… you mean you know what's wrong with me?"

"Yes I do or the basics of it."

"What is it then?" he asked, anxious to know what's wrong.

"You have a split personality."

Flippy wasn't sure how to respond to that. "A split personality?" He tossed that around in his head a few times. "So… like, there's basically another friend in here?" He tapped the side of his head.

"Yes, basically. It's not just that. About everyone being dead, you've heard of Fliqpy, right?"

"Yes, I have."

"Well, that's the other personality..."

"You mean that monster who always kills everyone in sight? No, that can't be him. I refuse to believe it."

"I'm sorry but it's true."

"No, it can't be... I…" Flippy realized something and suddenly jumped up, hiding behind the chaise lounge. "Get away from me! I don't want to hurt you."

"It's okay you are unlikely to right now."

"How can you know that? I could become Fliqpy at any moment!"

"No only when triggered."

"So, how can he be triggered then?" Flippy asked, standing back up.

"It's things that remind you of blood or explosions."

"Oh, well... I guess that makes sense."

"Yes, I would hope so."

"So, how can I avoid it?"

"Just try to avoid anything like that."

"Well... it should be easier now." Flippy moved back to the chaise lounge, sitting back down.

"Feels odd huh?" Lumpy asked.

"Very. I'm still not comfortable with this. I don't think I'll ever be."

"I can see why you wouldn't."

"I mean, technically, their blood is on my hands too."

"Yes, but not really in this place."

"What do you mean?"

"Well with the curse it's not like they were dead forever. "

"True but it's still terrible. I'm at least glad I don't have to die very often myself but I don't like the thought of him killing friends. My friends even."

"Yeah, I know, but there is only so much you can do."

"Just try not to think about it." Lumpy advised. "I mean, I have more kills than everyone in this town put together and you don't see me complaining about the blood on my hands."

"You do?"

"Yes, I do!" Lumpy said, feeling quite proud of that. "That's why I basically own this town."

"Whya re you so happy about that?"

"Because it's why I basically own the town!"

"But friends don't like you most of the time."

"Eh, it's a small price to pay. I always wanted my own town."

"Even at this cost?"

"Aren't we here to talk about you? Not me?"

"Right sorry so what do you recommend I do?"

"Well, try to remember that, though you share a body, you and Fliqpy are not the same bear. You did nothing to kill all those friends."

"So, what if he comes out again?"

"Well, none of the techniques of preventing the flip out we tried worked. I did find a way to bring you back but it's not anything you could do."

"What's the way?"

"It may sound ridiculous but all you need to do is dump water on his head."

"Wait, seriously?"

"Seriously. That's why you were suddenly all wet in the middle of one of our sessions."

"Well, that's odd."

"Odd or not, it works. Even though it would give them the ability to avoid him, I'd advise against telling anyone anything you learn here. They'll just avoid you all together if you do. Even Cuddles is afraid of Fliqpy."

"So I'm just supposed to keep this secret?"

"I think that would be the best. You don't want to be alone right?"

"Of course I don't. "

"Then yes, keep it a secret."

"I suppose."

"I'm sorry but that's the way it has to be."

"I just don't know what to do now. "

"Try not to let him run your life. You're the only being on earth he can't hurt, unless you let him."

"Why does he hurt everyone?"

"Well, I can't say for sure because I obviously can't sit him down and have a conversation with him about it but I do have a theory."

"Okay I'm listening."

"Well, again, it's just a theory but I think he thinks he's still in the war."

"Still in the war?"

"Yeah, I mean, he only ever takes over when something reminds you of war and his first instinct is to kill everyone in sight. It would make sense if, to him, the war never ended and everyone around him is an enemy soldier."

"So could he be reasoned with?"

"I doubt it. You can't talk with him at all and everyone else he'll just continue to see an enemy soldier."

"Maybe, I could try in my head."

"I suppose you can try, it's not unheard of but it's extremely rare for this disorder and since you didn't even know he was there, I'd say you're in the majority."

"Do you know a way to try?"

"Just try to close your eyes and focus on talking to him in your mind. You can either do it here or at home alone."

"For your safety I should go."

"I'm not afraid of Fliqpy. Besides, I wouldn't have shown up for an appointment with you unprepared." Lumpy held up a bucket of water that Flippy failed to notice before.

"Oh, okay then, I'll try." Flippy closed his eyes and tried to focus on communicating to Fliqpy. He wasn't really sure how else to start it so he settled with a simple: "Can you hear me?"

"Who are you?"

Flippy was relieved to have any response but had to remind himself what Lumpy said about him being the only one he can't hurt. He wasn't quite sure how to answer though. "Um well… this is kind of hard to explain but I'm… you."

"What do you mean you're me?"

"Like I said, this is hard to explain but you… we have a split personality. That's why you keep passing out. At least, I'm assuming that what you do and I'm the other personality."

"How can I believe you?"

"Well, what I said about you passing out is true isn't it? And you always wake up somewhere else?"

"Yeah, these things happen in war."

"Okay, first of all, no, they don't. Second, you're not in the war anymore."

"The war is on. I know that, I was brought in."

"Actually, the war's been over for twelve years."

"That can't be!"

"It's true. Those you've been killing… they're innocent civilians."

"They were enemy soldiers!"

"How do you know that for sure?"

"I saw them."

"You can't always trust what you see."

"I don't trust you."

"But I'm you..."

"I don't know that. You're probably just a trick by General Tiger."

"No I'm not I swear!"

"And you expect me to trust you on that? That's exactly what a trick by the Tiger General would say!"

"I'm not him though!"

"Then you're one of his men!"

"Why would he target you?"

"Because I'm one of the best and he knows he can't beat me at my best. Especially now that I have that dog!"

"What dog?"

"I don't really know. He just started being there when I woke up. He's very vicious. Attacked me the first time but I've teamed up with him now and we're much better together."

"How do I prove that the war is over?"

"You can't because it's obviously not. I know what I see."

"No, you know what paranoia shows you."

"I seriously doubt I could have imagined an entire war."

"Not the whole war but the last twelve years."

"Still a lot to just dream up and I still can't trust you."

"I'm telling you we are each other."

"And I'm telling you that's crazy talk. You really expect me to believe that?"

"It's the truth."

"Then make me believe you!"

"How!?"

"Show me something that proves the war is over."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. I don't remember anything before the war."

"Then what am I supposed to show you?"

"That's for you to figure out."

"And if I do?"

"Then we'll see but if you can convince me, I'll stop. I don't kill civilians."

"Okay then."

Flippy opened his eyes and turned to Lumpy. "Well… I was able to talk to him..."

"That's something."

"You were right about him thinking the war isn't over. He doesn't believe me but says if I can convince him then he'll stop killing everyone."

"Interesting."

"Now I just need to figure out a way to prove it to him and it'll stop him from killing everyone."

"Well, that could be rough."

"Yeah, I don't know how to show him. He doesn't even know what peace looks like."

"Good point."

"Do you have any ideas?"

"Not off the top of my head."

"Okay, well, could you try to think of something?"

"Yes I will. Wait! I just got an idea! Fliqpy doesn't trust you because he doesn't know who you are but if I could make myself look like someone he'd recognize from the war on his own side, like his general, maybe I could convince him."

"That could work!"

"So, what did your general look like?"

"Well, he was a moose with a few white hairs in his otherwise brown head."

"Oh, how convenient. That makes it much easier."

"He was also very tall and wore a blue uniform unlike our green ones. He spoke in a stern tone of voice most times."

"Perfect, I can definitely handle that."

"Yeah."

"So, all we have to do is change my fur color, get the outfit, and I'll trigger him and take it from there."

"You would do that?"

"Of course I would. As I said, I'm not afraid of Fliqpy and if all else fails, I still have this." He holds back up the bucket of water.

"Right, sorry, when do we do this?"

"No time like the present."

"Okay, let's get ready."

"I'll start with color."

"I'll find a uniform."

"Alright, let's get going then." They split up.

Soon, Lumpy was fixed up just to his specifications… well… almost... "Great work, you look just like General Moose. Except… uh… your antlers..."

"What about them?"

"Well, his both face up."

"Oh! I think I know what to do about that. That will be much easier to explain." Lumpy said and, without warning, broke off the antler that was facing down.

"Why did you do that?" Flippy asked, in slight horror, unsure if that hurt or not, not knowing much about mouse antlers, though he didn't seem to looking at his face.

"It's much easier to explain how I lost an antler than how one ended up upside down."

"Yeah, guess that's true."

"So, anything else that's needed?"

"You need to speak like a general, and then a trigger and a lot of hope."

Lumpy cleared his throat and tried sounding as Flippy said, "How's this sound?"

"That's pretty close."

Lumpy adjusted his voice a bit and tried again. "How about now?"

"That's perfect."

Lumpy stayed in that voice as he pulled out a small stack of ink blot tests. "Now for the trigger then."

"Pictures?"

"You'll see," Lumpy said and showed him the first ink blot which, to even a normal person, looked just like a dagger... then a bomb... then a mushroom cloud.

Flippy began to feel hazy. For once, he didn't even try to fight it as he felt himself blacking out and hoped this would work.

Meanwhile Lifty and Flaky were feeling happy a rare thing here. Especially for them but they really were. All of the sudden Lifty stopped and turned to Flaky. "What time is it?"

Flaky looked at her Cro-Marmot watch. "3:15."

"Shot, I have to go!" Lifty realized. "We have to sell another of the dogs."

"Could I come with?"

"You would want to?"

"Sure, I would."

"Well, okay, then sure."

"Yeah, it could be fun and I wanna spend more time with you."

"Okay, then I don't see why not."

"Great, so, you said we need to go now then?"

"Yeah, we should."

"Alright, let's go then," she said, and they headed back to the van.

"You know things could go a bit bad?"

"Can't they always?"

"Yeah..."

"Is there anything else or in specific you meant?"

"Not really

"Then I'm in just as much danger standing here," Flaky stated with a smirk, getting into the van.