“No, no, and no. Absolutely not!” Hod cried.
“Come on! It's for the best!” Clark pleaded.
“No, I am not going to dress up and pretend to be your pet while lives are at stake here!” Hod said, he was absolutely seething at the idea of letting Memo see her plan to fruition. It was madness.
Clark and Memo had told him it would be safer if he rested up in a carrier while wearing a doll shirt so if anyone questioned them Clark could say that his pet rat was sick and needed to go to the vet.
“This plan sucks! I'm not doing it!” Hod crossed his arms and Memo held up the yellow Hawaiian shirt that Clark had borrowed off a souvenir doll on the shelf.
“You'll look so cute in this though!” Memo coaxed and Hod paused, considering it.
He shook his head though, “No way. Why not just take all the rats in the carrier and leave?”
Memo sighed, “Well, we have a lot more rats that joined us after Smork met his deserved demise, they definitely wouldn't fit.”
“Yeah,” Clark added, “I'm also the closer so I can't leave yet and nobody will cover unless it's an emergency so if I take some rats then I can't come back for more.”
Hod was desperate for another solution,
“Can't you just let me hide here in the tissue box until you close?”
“I mean...technically...” Clark began but Memo shot him a glare.
“No, just put the shirt on Hod...please?”
Hod frowned at her, “Are you just trying to get me to wear people clothes?”
Memo looked sheepish, “No...”
Hod sighed, “So if I wear the shirt can I stay in the tissue box?”
“Yes!” Memo cried before Hod even finished.
“Fine.” He held out his paw and Memo grinned so big he thought her face would crack.
Unfortunately for him the shirt fit perfectly and Memo squealed with delight.
“You look so cute!” she laughed and Hod sighed again through his blushing; the sound of her giggling was doing things to his heart.
He'd do anything to hear that sound every day.
How she could find a moment for such nonsensical joy in the darkest of hours was a miracle in itself.
She really was a wonder.
“So what's the evacuation plan? How can we get the pack out of here?” Hod asked.
Memo was fighting a grin, “I think if we....sorry I can't take you seriously in that shirt.”
“Ugh, Memo!” Hod cried.
“Sorry! Sorry!” she took a deep breath and steadied herself, “Okay so while you were out cold I sent the guards to spread the news and sound the alarm. Everyone should be on standby. We kind of got stuck though on the part where we sneak a bunch of rats out of a Get-Go without being seen.”
“How many rats are there?” Clark asked.
“Eh, like 75?” Memo guessed.
“Jesus!” Clark cried, “You guys stay busy back there!” he pushed his finger through the opening he made with his thumb and pointer finger to mimic a lewd gesture.
“Very funny, Clark” Memo said with an eye roll but Hod blushed deeply, avoiding eye contact.
“Can you fit 75 rats in your car?” Memo asked.
Clark laughed, “I can't say I have much experience in that department but probably?”
“So really it comes down to timing. Can we smuggle a bunch of rats out of here before the exterminators get here?” Hod said, really wishing his leg didn't hurt so bad.
“Exactly.” Memo said.
“What if you take some rats out in small groups? Like, can we hide in trash bags or something? Can you get away with that?”
Clark perked up, “Yo! That's a great idea. Risky, but if everyone cooperates we can get every rat to safety.”
“Okay, so start filing them out a few at a time into a trash bag and let Clark take each group to his car instead. That's brilliant Hod!” Memo cried.
Hod shrugged but a smile lit his face, “Let's start the plan now.”
The rats were filed out then in small groups based on size and strength, and in-between customers Clark gently carried the bags out, setting them in his car.
On the third go-around one of Clark's co-workers looked up from their phone, “Dude how much trash is there to take out?”
Clark froze, but thought quick, “Ah man, I'm trying to clean out under the register. It's gross up there.”
The co-worker made a face and went back to scrolling their phone, “Ew, they definitely don't pay us enough to be doing all that but whatever.”
Clark sighed with relief but knew he would need a different plan to continue their inconspicuous efforts.
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“Hod!” Clark whispered, “We need a new plan! Sam's on to me, I can't keep going out with the fake trash.”
Hod peeked out from the tissue box, “We're running out of time, how much longer until close?”
Clark glanced at the clock, “Thirty-six minutes.”
“Shit, I'm out of ideas other than making a run for it and that's not a very good one” Hod replied, “Can you talk to Memo?”
Clark nodded, “I'll check in.”
Hod waited, quiet as a mouse, until Clark returned.
“That girl is a genius,” He said, all smiles, “We're gonna cause a distraction and get everyone out in one last go.”
Hod felt his anxiety rise, “What kind of distraction?”
Clark held up a dusty DVD case, “I'm gonna put on Rat Trek. Sam loves this show. They'll never notice a thing.”
Hod groaned, “Between you and Memo's plans we are all gonna get killed.”
Clark stifled a laugh, “Nah, bro, we got this. Let us do our thing.”
Hod gave a nod and a sigh, “Okay, I'll try and trust your judgment. Please be careful.”
Clark winked and gave a thumbs up before disappearing with the DVD in hand.
After a moment Hod saw the TV turn on, the familiar show beginning.
“Rats....the final frontier.” The voice-over called dramatically and Hod felt a pang of nostalgia burn him to the core.
He'd give anything for this whole thing to be just a nightmare. He'd love to wake up snug in his bed knowing he was safe but a follow-up thought reminded him that he wouldn't have met Memo if it wasn't for all of this and he was glad Clark had been brave enough to warn them and put himself on the line for their safety.
Most humans cared little for the lives of the unwanted. The pests and the plague carriers would always be demonized and hunted.
Hod smoothed his whiskers, knowing there was nothing he could do to change that but even if nobody else accepted him for who he was, maybe he could learn to love himself just as he was. He deserved that, right?
And maybe if he was very lucky, Memo would be there to support him too.
Things would be okay, he told himself, they'd make it out.
“Time to go! Everyone is out now.” Clark's voice pulled him out of his daydream and his heart began to pound in his chest.
Clark held up the carrier and Memo was inside.
She hopped down and helped Hod to crawl inside.
He took one last look at the room and at the register counter, letting the memories wash over him like rain.
They would be okay.
They would survive.
Clark zipped up the carrier and Memo gave Hod a hug, taking him by surprise.
“We did it!” She cried.
Hod hardly dared to let himself believe it and he smiled but his anxiety was still high.
He heard Clark finishing up and saying goodnight to Sam.
The carrier was lifted and they were off.
Clark rested the carrier on the passengers seat of his car and the rats waited quietly as he drove away, taking them to a new home and hopefully a new beginning.
Clark pulled up behind the second Get-Go and cut the engine.
“So, how are you getting in?” he asked and Memo chuckled.
“We'll find a way, don't worry. We're rats, remember?” She said.
Clark smiled, then looked sad, “Damn, I'm gonna miss you guys.”
“You can come visit us!” Memo said, “I'm sure this wont be the last time we see you.”
She looked at Hod and frowned,
“Whats the matter? What are you thinking?”
Hod swallowed, “I...I don't think I can make it inside with my broken leg.”
Memos eyes widened, “I'll carry you, or I'm sure we have enough bigger rats to help! We can make a litter...”
“I can't risk anyone's safety. Not this time.” Hod said, his eyes sorrowful but determined.
“Come home with me” Clark said, “You can stay with me until you're healed or honestly you can stay forever. I've always wanted a pet.”
Hod teared up, looking at Memo and knowing he'd have to choose between where his heart wanted to be and what the best plan for the safety of the pack was.
But he knew already there was no real choice.
He had always wanted the packs safety, even if it meant setting aside his dreams for a while.
Hod turned to Memo,
“I think Clark has a point. A good plan would be for me to stay with him. What if something happens and my leg gets worse or doesn't heal properly? I'd be of no use then.”
“That's not true!” Memos eyes were bright coals, “We'd figure it out. We'd be okay!”
Hod nodded, “Yeah, I know you'll be okay. You'll be great leading the pack and keeping them safe.”
“No...” Memo trailed off, emotion clogging her throat, “Will you come back?”
Hod swallowed, “Maybe.”
“Hod” Memo closed her eyes and they heard Clark open the back door to help the rats out.
“It's going to be okay.” Hod tried to smile, “I'm sure Clark would let you visit?”
Memo sighed and took his paws in her own, “Will you just ask me?”
Hod stared, drawing a blank, “...ask you what?”
Her eyes watered, glistening with vulnerability and emotion “Will you ask me to go with you?”
Hod blinked, his mind going quiet.
His thoughts disappeared and then slowly, piece by piece began to form again like bright magnets clicking into place.
His world shifted and the colors behind his eyes burst into a thousand shards of hope exploding like fireworks.
“Memo!” he breathed, the song of his mind blaring a tune of pure joy as his heart hummed along at the sound of her name.
He knew it was selfish. Knew there was no-one better to lead the pack. Knew she should stay and support their pack,
But he wanted to be with her more than anything and he hadn't dared hope that she'd want him too.
“Will you come with me?” he asked.
Memo grinned, wiping her eyes, “Yes.” she said, “Yes, I'll go with you.”
“Who's going to...” Hod began but didn't finish because Memo gave him a great big hug. The kind of hug that puts pieces of yourself back together. The kind of warmth that spreads all the way to your toes and warms your soul.
It was spectacular.
He blushed, his heart aching at the way she felt in his arms.
“Um. Can I ask you something?” he said, knowing it was now or never.
She looked up at him with shining eyes, “Yes?”
He took a deep breath, “Do you like me? I mean, I know you're my friend but do you like like me?”
Memo backed up a step, “Hod, you idiot, of course I like you.”
She laughed through her tears of joy and Hod found himself unable to articulate anything else as tears streaked his face too.
“I really like you.” He choked out and Memo beamed, her joy nearly palpable.
“Then lets go. We'll figure the rest out on the way.” Memo said, taking Hods paw.
The car door opened and Clark slid into the drivers seat.
“So...I got two rats now?” he said knowingly.
Memo and Hod exchanged glances,
“Yeah, if that's okay?” Hod asked.
Clark started the engine,
“Right on.” He grinned and pulled away from the Get-Go.
“I'll check on the others as often as I can and anytime you want to visit, I'll bring you back.”
Memo knew her family would understand and she knew she'd see them again.
She knew they'd do the best they could and the pack would be safe.
She leaned against Hod and he put his paw around her.
“Come on guys, let's go home.” Clark said, “My roommates are gonna be stoked.”
And so they rode on.
To safety.
To a new love.
To a new chapter.
And to a new beginning.