With Good Company: Big Apple Memories

  Grimm snuffled a bit as he woke up in his room on the ruined ship. He was pressed up against Einstein’s belly as usual, and he raised his head dozily, looking around. It was still pretty dark outside, and he could hear the waves softly crashing against the ship’s old wood. Slowly slipping away from the Great Dane to not disturb him, he stretched out in the middle of the room, looking over his shoulder and smiling at the dozy older dog.
  He was like a father figure, always willing to protect him, and he even helped in that incident not too long ago when his sibling, Adrian, had attacked him. He had led the Beauceron, Drake, to where the fight was and helped him escape. The young mix as really appreciative of the care Einstein showed for him, like he was his own kid. Ever since that incident the Dane had escorted him to training with Drake, and he had been getting stronger, faster, and more lean. But he was still young, and Adrian was still his brother, much to his dismay.
  Yawning hugely, he walked quietly out of the room to not wake Einstein, trying to keep his claws from clicking on the floor. He carefully walked through the dark hallway that led through back to his room, and he noticed the TV was on, which was strange to him due to how early in the morning it was. As he stepped out, he was cast into the glow of it, and he saw Dodger lying nonchalantly in the chair.
  “You’re up early Dodger, something wrong?” Grimm asked as he stepped up, looking at the TV. Dodger had the news up, and he knew why: it was probably the only thing coming through today. It happened often enough where they could basically recite what was said earlier in the day word for word due to repetition.
  “Nah just woke up early today. Seems you did too Grimm.” The mutt said, chuckling.
  “Nice observation.” Grimm joked. Dodger grinned and stood up, stretching and shaking on the chair before hopping down. “So, got any plans today?”
  “Not a one Grimm, we’re good in the food department and the TV is stuck on the news again.” The mutt rolled his eyes at the television in annoyance before looking at Grimm. “You?”
  “I just feel like going out into town, wandering around a bit, get my exercise.” Grimm said, heading for the door. Dodger followed him up on deck, enjoying the early morning breeze on his face.
  “I’ll come with you, I’m sure they won’t mind us going together for a morning stroll.”
  “Two heads are better than one, even if it’s just for a walk.”

  Instead of a casual walk, the duo went right down to their wild sides the moment they went into the city and spotting morning traffic. They rode on top of cars, jumped from hood to hood, and all in all causing a ruckus and angry shouting in their wake. They had a laugh, riding side by side on different cars before making casual jumps from car to car.
  Grimm had since learned how to ride and when to jump during his time with the gang, and even though other dogs looked at him like he was crazy he was enjoying the thrill, feeling the cool air run through his fur.
  “Hey Grimm, I think this is our stop!” Dodger called from the next car over, nodding at an upcoming street corner.
  “You got it Dodge!” The young mix called back, and soon he was following the mutt one car behind to where they needed to jump off to get to their destination. Soon both landed, quickly taking off away from the people angrily shaking their fists and yelling at them.
  When they were far enough away they slowed to a walk, lightly panting as they caught their breath. They started conversing what they would do with the gang once they got back to the boat, sidestepping the people walking around them. It was relaxing for both of them to talk to each other, especially for Grimm because it made him feel more accepted in the team.
  As they walked, Grimm noticed something darting through an alley that was hard to miss amid the dark suits of the people and dark of the morning: a large, tan dog skirting into an alley. He looked familiar, and Grimm stopped to think back. He remembered someone large when he was a puppy…
  “What’s up Grimm? Is something bugging you?” Dodger asked him, looking curious.
  “I thought I saw someone familiar.” Grimm said, concentrating hard. Maybe if he asked the canine he could get his answers. He started to walk fast, skirting people fast. The mutt behind him followed, wondering where Grimm was going. The memories of his puppyhood started coming back to the mix, and he got excited.
  “Slow down buddy, are you sure you know them?”
  “Positive Dodger, I’d recognize his face anywhere.”
  “Will he recognize you?”
  “I hope so, we last saw each other when I was a pup!”
  They darted down the same alleyway, and they saw a black-tipped tan tail go through a door. Grimm started to run, determined to catch up to his friend. He burst through the door, dodger right behind him. The canine inside jumped and he looked back at Grimm in surprise, seeming frozen from seeing the mix.
  “… Grimm?” Spoke the male canine, his voice deep, squinting his eyes as he matched the face of the young puppy he had seen years ago. He was a big Mastiff, very toned and strong looking.
  “Mike!” Barked Grimm, happily pouncing the Mastiff. He was surprised when he didn’t tumble the hound but instead got a perfectly good hug in. The big guy was grinning, pulling Grimm into a tight, crushing hug.
  “I missed you Grimm! How have ya been, where are you staying?”
  “With some friends of mine, I’ve been fine, I’ve missed you!”
  Mike glanced at Dodger and grinned wider. “Well if it isn’t Dodger. How’ve you been ya beggar hound?”
  “You know each other?” Grimm seemed surprised.
  “Been awhile since I’ve seen the big lug, but yeah we know each other.” Chuckled Dodger, clapping paws with the larger hound.
  “It’s nice to bump into old friends, especially two at once!” Mike said brightly.
  “Say Mike, how do you two know each other?” The mutt asked, looking from Grimm to Mike curiously.
  “It’s a bit of a long story, Dodge.” Grimm said, looking up at Mike. “I think we should get back with the entire gang. You know, so we don’t keep getting asked how we know each other.”
  “Good idea, Grimm. Better to say it once than say it twice, it saves time.” The large canine said with a grin, tail thumping the ground hard. The trio raced off, Grimm and Mike playfully shoving each other all the way.

  “Hey man! Glad to see your dopey face around here again!” Tito yipped as he bounced on his paws, trying to jump up and paw at Mike’s large muzzle. Mike smirked and sat, keeping his snout high above the furiously jumping Chihuahua.
  “C’mon Tito, we didn’t do push-ups together just for you to barely reach me, you gotta put some force into it!” He teasingly taunted, laughing. After some time he pinned Tito down, making the smaller dog yip.
  Einstein watched them for awhile before turning to his younger friend with a dopey smile. “So Grimm, you say you know Mike?”
  “Yeah, but it’s been awhile since I’ve seen him.” The mix said, smiling as he watched Mike keep Tito down, the latter canine furiously biting the Mastiff’s paw to get him off. Soon he let him up, and the small dog darted around and attacked his tail.
  “So why don’t you tell the gang how you two know each other, TV is out and the big lug likes a good story.” Dodger rubbed his paw furiously against the top of the gray Dane’s head, making his ears wiggle and his chops flop a bit.
  “Alright, but I was young, so it’s a bit foggy. Hey Mike, can you help me?”
  “Sure Grimm.” Mike replied. “Just give me one second,” with that, he flicked his tail firmly, sending the fast-speaking Chihuahua flying into a stack of empty boxes, “now let’s see… It was a few years ago…”

  It was dark when the young pup was running furiously down the sidewalk, trying hard not to look back at the canines pursuing him. He had taken one small bone for himself, and they were treating it like he had stolen an entire meal from their stores. They were rough dogs, and he had no doubts that they would hold the threats they were flinging at him as he dashed through the legs of the New York City pedestrians. He sharply turned into an alley, hoping to throw them off, but he ran right into a pair of thick, tan legs.
  “Oof! I-I’m sorry mister but I…!” Grimm’s maw gaped open, dropping the bone. A dusky orange eye was looking at him curiously, and a large head leaned down to his height. Grimm scooted back a bit, but he heard the growling of the searching dogs. Glancing up then back at the mix, the large hound spoke softly, his voice a bit squeaky but mainly gruff, a teen’s voice.
  “Are ya in a spot of trouble lil’ guy?”
  “Uh huh…”
  “How big?”
  “B-big dogs… All I took was this bone…” Grimm muttered. The big canine nodded understandingly.
  “I can’t stand bullies myself. You’re just a pup for cripes