The Rise of Lucas

Chapter 5

As Joel, still confused by the rapid shift in the dogs' behavior, carefully approached Lucas, the atmosphere strained once more. The dogs, detecting a possible danger, came to attention, their prior behavior replaced with a defensive stance.

Growls rumbled from deep inside their throats, and their eyes concentrated on Joel, a clear warning not to get any closer. The transition from passive to defensive occurred in an instant, reinforcing their commitment and loyalty to Lucas.

Seizing the moment, Lucas, now with an unexpected advantage, told Joel sharply, "Stay back. It appears my friends here have their own thoughts about you."

Joel, taken back by the rapid change of events, paused in his steps, recognising that trying to approach Lucas may end in an unpleasant confrontation with the guard dogs.

Lucas, seizing on the occasion, seized leadership of the situation. "Here's the thing, Joel. You're going to drive me to where my wife and kids are. No arguments, no tricky moves. Get your car ready."

Joel, feeling very angry and scared at the same time, tried all his best to evaluate his alternatives. The unexpected behavior of the guard dogs had changed the power balance, and for the first time, Lucas possessed a considerable edge over him.

With a very obedient nod, Joel, knowing the gravity of the situation, moved toward his car. The dogs, their attention firmly fixated on him, maintained their protective stance, a clear message that any effort to thwart Lucas's request would not be permitted.

With the tension still strong in the air apparent, Lucas signaled for the guard dogs to follow him, and, surprisingly, they willingly trotted behind him toward Joel's car. The formerly scary dogs now appeared like devoted friends under Lucas's surprising influence.

Joel, throwing careful looks at the dogs, opened the vehicle doors. Lucas, undeterred by the disbelief that hovered in the air, took a seat in the rear, surrounded by the two guard dogs who nestled down alongside him as if they were long-time acquaintances.

As Joel hesitantly got into the driver's seat, the reality of the odd scenario unfolding before them became obvious. Mrs. Groot, who had seen the whole incident, remained still, her mouth slackened in shock.

Lucas, now in a position of power, offered a stern nod to Joel. "Drive. We're going to find my wife and child."

Joel, his incredulity giving way to a combination of anger and resignation, started the car's engine. As they drove away, the guard dogs kept a constant watch, their commitment to Lucas creating an environment that defied the expectations of everyone there.

Mrs. Groot, still startled by the sudden change of events, could only watch as the vehicle, carrying Lucas and the guard dogs, sped away. The balance of power had changed, forcing her to cope with the implications of her scornful treatment of a man who, against all chances, had found an improbable alliance in the most unexpected partners.

The mystery guy, who had quietly witnessed the whole scene from his parked car, started his engine and began tailing Joel's car at a fair distance. His curiosity in the developing drama was clear as he drove through the streets, eager to be unobtrusive.

Onlookers, still in amazement of the unbelievable event they had seen, exchanged scared glances. Murmurs of astonishment and dismay swept through the tiny gathering that had carefully emerged from their hiding positions.

As Joel's car, carrying Lucas and the guard dogs, proceeded through the streets, the mysterious guy in the car following kept a careful watch. His look remained anonymous, buried behind tinted windows that obscured his thoughts and intentions.

Meanwhile, among the onlookers, bits of conversations conveyed the shock that remained in the air:

"Did you see those dogs? They turned from crazy to... friendly?"

"I never thought I'd see the day when Joel would be taking orders from anyone."

"What's going on? What did Lucas do to the dogs and why are they obeying him simply like that?"

The street hummed with a feeling of excitement and fascination as the strange convoy, headed by Joel's car and tracked by the unknown observer, progressed into the city. The unexpected friendship between Lucas and the guard dogs had made a lasting impact on those who had watched the show, their conceptions of power and control shaken by the scene they witnessed.

Joel, unhappily following Lucas's directions, drove to a local restaurant where he said Tonia and Lucas's kid were inside. The environment inside the car remained tight, the guard dogs sitting peacefully beside Lucas, their keen gaze expressing a feeling of devotion.

Lucas, happy with the facts, informed Joel, "You may go now. I'll handle everything from here." As Lucas shut the vehicle door, an abrupt change in mood happened. The guard dogs, now apparently unhappy to be left alone with Joel, started to whimper, their loyalty to Lucas clear.

Unwilling to ignore his newfound friends, Lucas pondered. "Hold on," he replied to Joel, "I'll take them with me." With that, he opened the vehicle door again, enabling the guard dogs to walk out onto the pavement.

Joel, now outside the vehicle, cast a look at the dogs, still flabbergasted by their newfound commitment to Lucas. "What's with these dogs, anyway? Now they don't want anything to do with me." he mumbled.

Ignoring Joel's query, Lucas directed the dogs to follow him as he headed towards the restaurant. The guard dogs, tails wagging, dutifully went following, leaving Joel sitting alone in the car, still attempting to fathom the bizarre turn of events.

As Joel watched Lucas and the guard dogs go, the engine of the car still running, Lucas turned back and informed him, "You may leave with the car. I've got new company now."

With that, Joel, left to contemplate the mysteries of the guard dogs and the unlikely friendship they had established, drove away. Meanwhile, Lucas, escorted by his devoted new friends, approached the restaurant, eager to finally reconnect with his family after years of absence.

As Lucas reached the door of the restaurant, he looked down at the guard dogs, understanding that it would be wrong to bring them inside. With a stern yet compassionate voice, he said, "Stay here, guys. I'll be right back."

The guard dogs, their devotion unshakable, stood dutifully outside the restaurant, their keen eyes following Lucas as he entered the noisy restaurant. People passing by couldn't help but sneak interested looks at the well-behaved dogs stationed outside, a contrast to their prior threatening appearance.

Inside the restaurant, Lucas surveyed the throng, hoping for any indication of Tonia and his kid. His pulse raced with eagerness and fear, the weight of the years of separation crushing down on him.

 However, the spectacle that unfolded before him left him  in total disbelief.

There, in a corner of the restaurant, Tonia sat on another man's lap, their position filled with a closeness that hit Lucas like a violent blow. The astonishment on his face was evident, his eyes widening in amazement as he took in the image of his wife being lovey-dovey with someone else.

The buzz of the restaurant faded into the background as the awful truth crept in.