"Talking to myself

Now crying as we part

Knowing as you leave me

I also lose my heart"

- George Harrison


Towering spires, sunset, prisms of light. Bustling traffic, and a thousand mammals ambling off in all directions.

Judy pounded along the street, concrete meeting grey-furred feet. Her usually bright amethyst eyes were downcast, ears pressed firmly against the back of her head. Ignoring the throngs (and the occasional glance at her ZPD uniform), the rabbit rounded a corner and headed towards her apartment.

Their apartment, she reminded herself; her throat tightened slightly.

The doe headed up the flights of stairs, the sound of her feet bouncing off the walls and echoing around her. She passed several mammals: badgers, deer, leopards, but never payed them so much as a glance.


The key slipped into the lock and the door swung silently open. Shrouded in half-darkness, a flick of the light switch illuminated the room. The apartment itself was modest: an open kitchen/dining area leading to a small balcony, separated by a sliding door, a couch and TV to the left and a single bedroom to the right. Still, better than the old one at least. The doe still remembered the smell of the ink, the coarse paper and jingle of keys as they signed the purchase agreement; the two of them scraped together enough money for a place to themselves. It wasn't much, she thought, but both she and Nick were more than happy.

Nick.

Her fur bristled.

Not in the kitchen. Not on the couch. "H-he's s-till here," Judy whispered aloud; deep down, the doe knew she didn't believe herself. "He m-must be. H-he he can't j-just leave."

The bunny threw open the door to their bedroom, bedsheets clean and perfectly made. She edged apprehensively towards the coffee table beside the bed, and picked up the framed photo resting on top.

The two of them. She in her pink flannel shirt, he in one of his lurid Pawaiian numbers, posing casually atop a rolling green hill. Both blissful, seemingly without a care in the world. Judy was sure she could sense the moment: a gentle breeze, Nick's russet-toned arm wrapped around her. The fox's musky scent, charming smile and sparkling green eyes. "I love that shirt Carrots," he'd cooed affectionately, "it matches your eyes!" She often laughed at his corny complements, but found them adorable in their own way. A faint smile crept onto her lips.

Judy felt a shiver run across her neck. The rabbit spun around, expectant, ears erect.

Nothing.

She came crashing back down to reality. Her ears fell again. The doe crossed back to the kitchen table, photo clutched between her paws. She set it down gently and fished her phone from her pocket.

4 missed calls: ZPD.

She ignored the notifications. Terrible pain welling in her chest, she brought up her list of contacts, and scrolled downwards. Until she reached one in particular:

Slick Nick xx

Nose twitching, she steeled herself and tapped the "call" icon.

Her sensitive ears picked up a faint buzzing. The doe rushed towards the sound. There, perched beside a cushion on the couch, was Nick's phone, caller ID displayed on the screen:

Carrots xx

Judy's heart sank; the phone ceased buzzing, leaving her in silence. She tossed her phone on the couch alongside her partner's, before tugging her ears firmly over her eyes. Tears now stained the grey fur of her cheeks. The cold, unfeeling truth finally setting in, she slumped into the corner of the apartment, knees drawn up to her face.

Low, heaving sobs filled the room.