Chapter 1: Starting a New Life
Vincent's P.O.V.
I sat down on one of the seats on the airplane as the plane makes its way to Zootopia. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect when I land there because I've heard that it's the most amazing place to live where both predators and prey live in harmony that is until a rookie bunny cop made some misinterpreted comments about predators going back to its natural instinct, which kinda threw me off and it led to all predators leaving the city and then when I heard that this secretary sheep was responsible for the whole conspiracy, I had thought to myself, 'How long did this chick stay in office with that segregration mindset?'. If I had been there myself, she would get a warrant out for her arrest and threw her wools in jail for who knows how long.
As I looked at the clouds at the window, I thought a lot about my sister being in heaven a lot because I know that she's in a much better place now with no pain, torture, turmoil and abuse that she had endured. I just wished I had been there for her more and took that jerk down while the S.W.M.A.T. team were handling the other fugitives. It had been a year and a half now since that night and I'm still carrying a whole lot of guilt over what had happened that night and it still gets to me everyday.
I looked at the picture of both of us when we were young and silly on my phone and I just focus on the good things and the memories I have with her. But even that won't take away the pain that I had to endure and I know that this is gonna affect me for the rest of my life. I could still hear her voice of encouragement ringing in my ear every day and she would always give me words of encouragement when I'm sometimes down on myself.
I know that if she was here right now, she would always tell me that I can do anything I set my mind to and also go after it because I never give up.
I took a deep sigh as contemplate that thought on my mind and I put on my earbuds and play my music on my PawPhone and just listened to a few songs that really speaks to me about what I'm going through in my life right now, but also hopeful that I can push forward to take this job opportunity because being a police officer has always been something that I wanted to do when I was 6.
"Attention, passengers. Please keep your seatbelts fastened as we should be arriving to Zootopia a few minutes ahead of schedule." the flight attendant said, announcing through the speakerphone.
I twirled my whiskers around because I get a little anxious about what surprises await me at the Zootopia Police Department when I get there and I just hope that I can take full advantage of this chance and redeem myself on what I could've done that night back at Bunga Town.
Several minutes go by and I looked up at the sky and I see a huge town from a distance, although it looks tiny from above 10,000 feet and I could tell that my life will be completely different to start all over and I took a deep breath and whispered to myself, 'This is it...no turning back.'
"Welcome to Zootopia. We will land very shortly on the runaway. Please make sure your belongings remain on the upper cargo on top of your seat." the flight attendant responded.
We landed on the runaway of the airport and once the plane hits the road, I was just embracing myself for what's to come afterwards and the minute I got up on my seat, I walked off the terminal and as I exited off, I saw that the Zootopia Airport was huge. I was not prepared as to how big it was, but there's a lot of different species coming and going from tigers, bunnies, sheep, rhinos, wolves, bears, weasels, lions, foxes and many others like a diverse group of species all over the place.
But I could tell that this is gonna be my new home from now on.
"Welcome to your new life, Vincent." I said, in a half-whisper.
After I got settled in and picked up my bags from the baggage claim, I walked out of the airport and as I did, I was surprised to see what the city looks like outside of the airport and I took a deep breath of exhilaration and just had no idea what else is gonna happen. Just then, I saw a taxi coming towards the front of the airport and I put my bags in the trunk, got in the cab and drove off. As we departed from the airport, I took a look at the window and we reached all over Zootopia and to my amazing surprise, it was much bigger than I thought it was. Tall skyscrapers, huge buildings, large space and places where everyone is a united front for the community.
It's gonna be a huge task to protect and serve this new environment, but I know that this will be done no matter what happens. Soon enough, the taxi cab followed this big moving truck and before I could even ask, the truck pulls over and the cab does the same too. I blinked my eyes for a few seconds and the taxi driver looked at me and said, "This is your new place."
I tilted my head a little and I got out of the cab and realized that some of my old friends from Bunga Town were helping me with the move to my new apartment room and it just showed that they still have support from me in what I'm gonna do in Zootopia.
Minutes later, I walked over to my new apartment room with keys in hand and when the landlord opened the door, it was in a little bit of small space, but it does have a kitchen, living room, bathroom and a bedroom and most of my furniture and everything else is perfectly set in the apartment room. Some of my old friends helped out with setting the flat screens on both the living room and my bedroom while most helped with setting the bed together, moving the couch, tables and many other furniture items.
I was just unpacking my stuff after the furniture was set together, like my clothes, DVD's, VHS tapes, kitchen stuff and whatever random items. After everything was set up, it definitely looks like home afterwards and I showed so much appreciation towards my old friends as I thanked them for what they did for me. We gave each other big hugs and most of them wished me luck at the new precinct and before they left, we had to take a few selfies of each other, settling into my new home.
After they left and headed back to Bunga Town, it was just me and when I dropped my bags to the ground, the first thing I did was to sit down after a long flight and just take it easy for a while because I know that tomorrow is gonna be my first day at the Zootopia Police Department and I'm physically ready for everything that's coming my way. Mentally, same thing. I hope that emotionally that I'll redeem myself because I know that this will never be an easy task...and I've seen it all before.
All of a sudden, I received a text from the Zootopia Police Department that reads 'Vincent Panthera, welcome to Zootopia! We hope that your flight from your hometown to here was fulfilling. We understand that you need to unwind after a long flight. You will be joined with a few new recruits as well first thing tomorrow morning. We have already got your work resume from your former precinct and are impressed with your success. We are looking forward to see what you got at the Zootopia Police Department. Report bright and early at 7:00 AM tomorrow morning. Chief Bogo.'
After receiving the text, I already knew that this is gonna be for real and I'm just preparing myself for what's gonna come and I know I'm gonna bring my A game at the new precinct. I may be new at this environment, but when I set my mind to something, I'm gonna do it and put my heart, soul, energy and life into everything I bring out 300%. Whatever I was taught back at Bunga Town, I can bring it here in Zootopia.
"I'm up for the challenge." I said, very determined.
