Better With Time...

(July 4th Closed to Cadpig and Badger)

Badger shuffled her paws, looking around camp for something, anything to do. The sun was wonderful, so warm and sweet and calming compared to that foul rain. The dampness that had clung to everyone and everything for so long had finally begun to fade away. And the black-eared canine was sure that it was leaving everyone in a better mood. There had already been enough depression throughout the past month, and, like the rain, it had mostly vanish. Although, there were still the overflowing rivers and the water-filled gorge, but those would dry up with time. If only Cadpig could be like the rivers... The spotted dog thought, pausing and looking up to the sky for a moment. Right now, her adopted sister was on the ledge, and, honestly, she was at a loss. The mixed-eyed pup hardly knew what to do. First it had been the runt's best friend, then her father? Who would be next to go? Rolly? Darla? Pepper?

Sighing slightly, Badger continued on her journey through the camp, looking out for possibly Dusty, Rolly, Dodger, or Cadpig. Although, deep inside, the quiet pup already knew that her adopted sister wouldn't be coming out of that tent for any reason whatsoever. Honestly, at the moment, the black-eared canine had no hope for her adopted sister. As much as she had hated to admit it, she had to come to terms with the fact that the big-headed pup only seemed to be getting worse. And whenever she started getting better, she would only get another punch to the gut. "Pongo... Lucky... Cadpig needs you right now, so why did you have to leave?" She whispered, a half-depressed, half-confused forming on her face. "Please, just, somehow help me figure out how to help her. She needs you right now."

No response. Nothing. Did they not care? Was the welbeing of thier best friend and daughter just not important anymore!?!? That was it. She couldn't take it anymore. Turning around on her heels, Badger beelined over to Cadpig's tent, almost one-hundred percent sure that the big-headed pup would be there. It was only until the mixed-eyed dalmatian had reached the tent flap had she lost her confidence. In the blink of an eye, the black-eared canine went from angered and determind to nervous and worried. Poking her spotted head into the tent, her blue and brown orbs scanned for Cadpig, who was, as she had guessed, in the tent.

"Uh, hey Cadpig, how ya' doin'?" Badger woofed softly, taking a few pawsteps into the tent.

Cadpig just lied there her eyes looking more bloodshot then they had in weeks. She had been crying nonstop for days now and it was pretty evident to Badger and just about everyone. Cadpig was always the one to have a smile on her face and a song in her heart on the farm. But, now it was pretty evident that Cadpig didn't feel like there was anything to be happy about. There was just sadness, sadness and despair mixed with even more sadness.

She looked at Badger with a cold emptiness look in her eyes as she hugged the pillow she was holding even tighter. "Are you alone"? Cadpig asked plainly to Badger her words coming out as mostly sobs. She didn't mind talking to one pup, she had all ready talked to Rolly just a little. The one thing she didn't want is her whole family to be there. Especially not Perdita.She had been trying to keep her distance from her mom ever since that day. Why? Maybe Cadpig mostly blamed herself for not being there trying to protect him. I mean he was her father and she should have been there for him and yet she was nowhere. Cadpig moved over and patted the spot beside her wanting Badger to sit beside her.

"Uh, y-yeah, I'm alone," Badger stammered, quite shocked at how her sister looked. It was actually worse than she had predicted, eyes bloodshot and red, and a dank, musty stench wafting throughout the tent. Yes, the black-eared canine always was dirty and always did have mud, dust, or dirt on her pelt, but, despite all of this, she was an awfull neat-freak. Her tent was always in tip-top shape, and this... Well, this was just disasterous. The spotted dog actually worried for whomever shared the tent with Cadpig! Padding over to the sides of the tent, the young pup rolled up the window flaps, then headed back over to the door and opened it a bit. She figured it would be best to let some fresh air into the tent, and made sure to make a mental note to come back and clean the place up.

Looking back over to her adopted sister, the mixed-eyed dalmatian noticed her motioning for her to come sit. Walking over slowly, she flashed her sister a slight smile before sitting down next to her. Wrapping her black tail around her paws, Badger cleared her throught, wondering what to say. "Uh, h-how've you been?" She woofed softly, but, only two seconds later, wished she could have taken it back. How have you been? What kind of question was that? The black-eared canine though, rather crossly. It was quite obvious 'How Cadpig was doing,' and that could be described with two simple words: Not good.

Cadpig shielded her eyes as Badger let in the light from the window and opening the door. She had spent days in total darkness not letting just a Ounce of sunlight into the room. She looked around at the disgrace of her tent. "I'm sorry I couldn't clean this place up I just didn't have it in me" She said sadly. At the fairly obvious question Cadpig sorta stares at Badger with a look that screamed "How do you think I am feeling" She cuddles close to Badger and begins to sob silently on her shoulder.

Wincing slightly, Badger leaned over a gingerly licked her sister's shoulder. What was she to do? Honestly, the spotted female had always been beating up herself her whole life, and she had hardly gotten past that! Now how was she expected to pull someone else out of the darkness. Sliently praying for the slightest bit of strength, the black-eared canine gently patted on Cadpig's back, longing for her adopted sister to feel better. Then it hit the mixed-eyed dalmatian like the darkness had been hitting the runt pup for so long. Cadpig didn't deserve this, she had always been so zen and down-to-earth. She had always seemed to understand what and when to take action. This wasn't the Cadpig Badger used to know! "You know, you shouldn't be doing this, you're better than that," She whispered, her voice deadly serious.

A slight frown on her face and a stern gleam in her blue and brown eyes, the former streetdog continued, "I was always down on myself. I thought nobody liked me, that I had no friends, that I oughta just run away, because everyone else would be happier. So I did. I ran from my troubles and fears. I lived on the street, and it-it changed me. Not for the better, though, it was terrible, I starved and got attacked and kicked and yelled at. And all that could have been avoided, because, the whole time, I had people who cared for me. You and Rolly and Pongo and Perdita. Yeah, some pups may have bullied me, but I should have kept what was important in sight." Shifting so that Cadpig's blue eyes were looking into her own mismatched ones with her paws on the runt's tiny shoulders, Badger continued solomnly. "You- You're in the same situation. I miss Lucky and Pongo, but you have to keep what's imporatant in sight. There are people who still care about you, Cadpig. You have to be there for them. We've already lost Annabelle, Penny, Rebecca, Lucky, and Pongo, we can't lose you, too," The black-eared canine whispered, her voice going from firm to soft in an instant.

Taking her paws off Cadpig's shoulders, Badger sat back down and turned away from Cadpig, looking out the window. Honestly, the spotted female didn't have a clue as to where that had come from. She, herself, had never even thought of it that way! It was as if someone had taken over... Or given her strength. Thank you... The black-eared canine thought, looking out at the sky. Whomever had helped, whoever had cared, Badger was more than thankful.

Cadpig looks at Badger. "You just don't understand, you really don't. I appreciate you coming to see me and all. But, I just can't be strong not now. When Penny died I was Okay. When Annabelle died I was like Okay fine. When Lucky and Rebecca died, I was like "It happens" I tried to be strong. I tried ever so hard to be strong. But, there comes a point where you just stop trying. There comes a point that no matter what you do , things will never get better. There comes a point where the body just shuts down. Don't you think I want to be out there being strong for everyone? I just can't. I can't keep going around pretending that everything's Okay anymore. Cause the fact of the matter is Nothing's OK, not since we left the farm. I'm sorry Badger I can not be strong for anyone anymore. Tell everyone that I love them, but I just can't do it Badger......................................I just can't" Cadpig said sadly

A bit shocked, Badger kept her freckled muzzle shut. Honestly, she didn't know what else to say to her adopted sister. The spotted female's eyes stayed locked on the window, staring out at the rest of the camp. Everyone seemed okay now. Why was it just Cadpig that had to suffer? "You know, Rolly's going through the same thing as you," The mixed-eyed dalmatian stated absent-mindedly, "He lost his siblings and father, too. So did Spot, in a sense, and Wizzer, Mooch, Partner, Fuzzy, Darla, Cresent, Jewel, Fidget, and everyone else." Quickly glancing at the runt dalmatian, then back at the window, the black-eared canine couldn't help but frown.

"They're all suffering. All of us may not have shared the same connections with Pongo and Lucky as both of you, but, all the same, we felt pain," Badger woofed softly, but her tone was firm. "None of the animals I just mentioned are giving up," The black-eared canine began, jumping off the bed and looking up at her adopted sister. "And I suggest that you do the same. Or else, who knows, Rolly could be next."

(Sorry for the blahness and crappiness xP)

Cadpig turns away from Badger not wanting to hear anymore. She closed her eyes and sighs. No matter what Cadpig could do she couldn't help but think Badger was right about everything. Cadpig sighs sadly and rolls out of her bed and sits down beside Badger sadly looking to her as if saying "Fine you have won but, this better be good"