Zootopia: Parallel lines
Chapter 2: Close Encounters
The day was hot and without any cloud in sight, the scorching orb above burnt the streets and buildings below with no mercy. You must be crazy or mentally ill if you decide to spend your day in Sahara square during spring days. But For the citizens of Zootopia, this was the usual deed. Or at least for some animals that were adequate for this kind of heat.
The 2 passengers of a black van realized that it was a bad idea to be inside a metal vehicle under the sun rays. The inside was like an oven, they would be a pair of burnt charcoal if it wasn't for the AC cooling system refreshing the two animals.
Vivian Carter and Jason O´Neal were assigned to hopefully recruit Nick Wilde as the newest recruit to their corps of agents. These two have been following the fox and his bunny companion all morning. Watching carefully all his actions, his movements, and doing so from the concealment and safety of their black van.
"Ok, we´ve been following these two for about 3 hours." Huffed the visibly annoyed Buck. "Why are we doing this again?" Asked Jason.
"We want to recruit Nick, so we're following him." Replied Vivian without even eyen Jason. Her sight fixed with a pair of binoculars.
"Right, Fantastic, let me rephrase my question. Why are we following him EVERYWERE without doing anything?" Yelled at her in annoyance. He has been inside the vehicle for hours and the heat was starting to get unbearable.
"Ugh, We want to talk to him when he´s alone! We don't want to let that bunny know what we are doing don't we? Jeez, Sometimes I think your head is empty." Vivian hissed.
"Hmph, and why we don't want to let that rabbit know that we are abducting his partner?" The buck asked without caring at all.
Vivian gave a heavy sigh and lowering her binoculars, wondering why she has to deal with perhaps the worst agent she could possible think of. "Recruiting, not abducting, moron, and we don't want her to know because she will tell her boss everything and that will give our boss a rough time with the ZPD, That's why, Jason." She replied with a heavy tone.
"Ha! Let me guess. It has to do with what happened between Samantha and Bogo 7 years ago?" The buck chuckled with amusement while playing with the steering wheel, remembering the tale he heard from the chief analyst a while back.
It was well known that Samantha Varkkas and Bogo didn't mix. During a case, Samantha had to work with Bogo, in person, in the same room. That didn't go well. The way she thinks is completely different than Bogo. She ended up throwing a mug filled with steaming hot coffee to his face, and in response he turned her brand new car upside down. And of course, a lot of yelling and cursing. Since then, they can't even think of each other without bursting into rage.
"Exactly, You know how Sam gets when she´s angry. We don't want that, NO one wants that." Vivian said. She remembered how it is when Samantha is furious. Things near her tend to fly and shatter into million pieces. The idea made her shiver before returning to her binoculars.
"Come on Nick, give us a window. What are you saying? What are you thinking?" Vivian muttered to herself. She was sat the edge of her seat, never taking away her eyes from the red fox. "Just send that bunny far away. Come on, what are you waiting for?" Vivian then locked her sight into the rabbit accompanying Nick. She saw the little rabbit as an obstacle. "Why is she so close to him? Stop looking him like that! Don't you have some vegetables to farm?" Thought to herself. She didn't want to admit it but she was starting to feel jealous. And the worst part is that she didn't know why.
They continued with their task. Following slowly and carefully the fox. Every twist or turn he made, they did.
The Blue Jewel Park was filled with life and enjoyment. The place was enormous, it was covered in grass and palm trees. Animals of all sizes enjoyed walking here and there. Some of them enjoyed a simple walk, others were cycling in special designed roads parallel to the main cobble stone path. Others were having picnics and having fun with all sort of activates. But what made this place so popular was at the very center of the park, which was a crystal clear blue pond giving the park its namesake. It truly made a contrast against the rest of Sahara square.
On one edge of the park, a fox and a rabbit were walking together, enjoying the sun and themselves. Both of them looked like they were having the time of their lives. Not caring of anything but solely of themselves at that particular moment.
"I'm telling you, that's the last time I drink an espresso. It's too bitter! Yuck! I still have the taste in my mouth." Judy said while making a disgusted face.
"Oh come on, carrots. It wasn´t as bad as you recall it. You just need to find the flavor within the drink" Nick explained, moving his paws as if he was smelling an imaginary coffee mug.
"The flavor? If I want to taste something as bitter as that I´ll use your ugly shirts as water filters." Judy replied.
"Careful, you might get what you wish one day…and what do you have against my shirts?" Nick chuckled. He then spotted an ice cream cart in the distance, and beside were a couple of tables with seats, and the best part, they have umbrellas, providing a much desired shade.
"Hey, speaking of flavors. Want an Ice cream?" He pointed the cart.
"OH yes! You bet" Judy replied with enthusiasm.
Both of them walked towards the vendor and after buying a vanilla ice cream for Judy and a blueberry Popsicle for Nick, they sat on one of the tables beside. The seats were facing at each other. The table and the two chairs were made from wood but they were surprisingly comfortable. Not to mention the shade the umbrella above provided was as refreshing as the treats they just bought.
"Carrots, Last time I paid, why do I have to pay again?" Nick protested.
"Uhm I don't know" Judy said with bringing a paw to her chin "Maybe because this morning you said you were going to be a total gentlemen?"
"OH right, now I remember. But the good thing is that it's only for today sooooo you are paying next time" with that, Nick gave her a wink and resumed eating his Popsicle.
Judy just laughed and replied "you ass" while returning to her ice cream.
It was odd how their relationship worked. They insult, complain and laugh at other but in a friendly way. The only way you can treat a good friend, and for her, Nick was her best friend. She remembered when they met. She laughed in her mind recalling the peculiar adventure she had with him. At first they couldn't even stand each other, hating their guts with passion. And now, they are inseparable.
They did everything together. They spent their free time watching movies, eating, dining, and even working but always together. She even brought him to meet her family. She was glad that she met him 2 years ago. Not only did she get to know him better but she also saw things in him that she didn't see the first time. She found it amazing how he was always right. How he always taught her new things. How he always listened to her when she felt down or when she was sad, how he always had a solution and how he gave her comfort either physically or emotionally. He made her feel and know that she wasn't alone in the world. Sure, her family always did that but he was special somehow, He make her feel special. She couldn´t explain it. And for that, she admired him.
She heaved a sigh thinking of what her life could have been if she had never met him. Just the idea made her flinch. She found herself staring at the fox in front of her, eyeing his arms, covered in a layer of orange fur that seemed to glow with the sun to his neck that was even fuller with fur but softer, His chest that was slim but solid, making him look tall and elegant. Then her eyes followed the line of his neck to his snout, long and thin ending in a very smooth jaw line, moving her sight above were his long and pointy ears, which twitched randomly, and made her giggle. But what caught her gaze were those big emerald colored eyes. That shimmer like authentic gem stones. Gorgeous indeed.
Then she heard someone was talking to her, a very familiar voice.
"Hello? You heard what I said? Are you still in this planet? Earth to Hopps space station, anybody there?" Nick waved a paw in front of her. He was genuinely concerned by her friend lack of reaction.
She never realized that she was staring and that Nick was talking to her. She quickly composed herself and pretended she wasn't staring at him.
"S-Sorry hehe, I was…Thinking about something. What where you saying?" She replied nervously, she could feel her cheeks turning hot. She only hoped that he hadn't noticed her embarrassment, playing with her left ear using her left paw.
"I said, your Ice cream is melting, genius" he pointed his claw at her paw. Judy then lowered her vision to find that her ice cream was indeed melting and her whole paw was covered in a thick layer of vanilla.
She quickly used a napkin to clean the mess of her paw. Judy asked to herself what happened. Why she lost herself that way? Before she could question herself further, Nick spoke.
"Ok, whatever you were thinking was pretty important….Are you ok?" There was a hint of concern in his voice.
Judy noted this and replied swiftly "Nah, don't worry, I-I was just thinking on that report we didn't send."
"Are you seriously thinking about work right now? Seriously, carrots. Work isn't everything, you know that?" Nick replied, slightly disappointed that his friend was thinking that in their free day.
"Y-yeah, it has been bothering me since yesterday, crazy right?" Judy explained.
Nick just eyed her for a second. Almost knowing that there was something else inside the bunny´s head but he decided to shove it off and let her be.
"Yeah, right. Oh by the way, it's getting late, its 2:36 already" Nick said while scrolling through his phone.
"Late? For what?" Judy asked with doubt.
"Um the movie? Remember? We bought the tickets yesterday. Carrots, you're in dreamland today."
"Oh right, I totally forgot…." Judy said, still concerned about what just happened. Shaking her head she asked "So, are we going or what? The movie starts in almost 20 minutes. Think you can drive us in time, foxtrot?" She teased.
"Is that a challenge?" Nick replied, cockiness already building in him.
They both left the table and walked towards where Nick left his car, which was a few hundred feet. When they finally arrived at his car, Nick gave a look, admiring for the thousandth time, his beloved car. It was an old 2 door muscle car, bright orange with 2 black stripes that went all way down from the hood to the trunk. The tires were big and thick with the rims a bright chrome. The car yelled a 70´s vibe from all the angles.
For Nick, this was one of his loves of his life. He adored his ride with passion. Judy on the other paw, wasn't a fan. She never understood why some animals love cars so much. It was almost bizarre how you could love a piece of metal and rubber so much? Sometimes, she thinks that Nick cares more about his car than himself.
She opened the passenger door, hoping in and closing it without effort.
"Whoa! Careful with the door! You are going to scratch the paint!" Nick protested while entering the car.
"Aww I'm sorry, I didn't want to scratch your ugly 4 wheeled trash can." Judy joked, knowing he always over-reacted when something happened to his precious car.
"It's a classic!" Corrected Nick. He turned the key and the car came alive. The heavy growl of the engine surrounded the cabin. Once in gear, Nick stepped on the gas as hard as he could and the car launched forwards with a massive acceleration.
"SLOW DOWN!" was the last thing Judy could say.
Meanwhile, inside a black van.
"Holy antlers! This guy is fast!" Said Jason, which was driving. He and Vivian were following the orange car since it's sprung up to 80 mph from the park a while back. But Jason found quite difficult the task. The orange car was faster than their van, which was bulkier and heavier, they couldn´t keep the pace for much longer.
"Don't lose ´em!" Yelled Vivian while holding for dear life to the passenger seat. Every corner the fox took, they did, but not as easily. They were following them at a high speed and Jason finally managed to keep the speed a steady pace but suddenly the orange car took a sharp right turn. He wasn't expecting that and kept going forward. Jason tried to spot where the fox went, by searching another alternative route. Maybe he could take an alley and intercept them. His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden yell of the white vixen beside him.
"RED LIGHT RED LIGHT RED LIIIIIGHT!" Vivian screamed at the top of her lungs. Jason hit the brakes and the vehicle skidded, the tires squealed and smoke formed behind the van. Before the van could collide with the small yellow car ahead, it stopped violently.
"Damn! I lost him" Jason said.
"That and you almost killed us you big idiot!" hissed Vivian. Letting herself fall on her seat "Let's try this again tomorrow. I know where he is going"
"Yeah, whatever you say, Carter." Huffed the buck. Turning the van back to base.
Vivian knew that she could try again tomorrow. Besides, her Intel sources never failed her, and she knew where Nick Wilde next destination was going to be. And the best part was that he was going to be alone.
Rainforest district, 11 am.
The rainforest district was the best place to be on a hot day like this. The many trees provided a refreshing shade and the artificial rain system made the whole thing even better by cooling the breeze.
A familiar black van was parked beside a huge shopping mall; the Platinum Tree Mall was an enormous structure. It towered many feet above the ground and was shaped like a giant tree. Shops, stores and restaurants were comfortably placed inside the structure.
Agent Jason O´Neal was waiting lazily in the driver seat. Eyeing for the second time the crowds and trying to spot the elusive Nick Wilde. Frustrated by his failed attempt the day before, he was in a particularly bad mood.
"Any sign of the fox from up there, Williams?" Asked the buck through his walkie talkie.
"Negative, O'Neal. Not a single red tail in sight" replied the gazelle Agent. Alex Williams was assigned with this "recruit" operation the night before due the lack of results. The gazelle was scanning below from the roof of a building across the street through a camera which was equipped with a big and long lens. He could see lots of animals of all sizes but not a single fox.
"Hey Carter, anything yet? Any Foxes down there aside from you?" Asked Williams.
"I'm afraid not. Patience guys, that's the key" She replied while taking a sip of her iced tea. Vivian was dressed in a casual pink shirt, white khakis, a hat and a pair of shades while she had her walkie talkie well hidden in her belt with a cable attached to an earpiece. She eyed the endless crowd that was before her.
"Patience? Since when did you have patience, Carter?" O´Neal mocked Vivian.
"Since your wife cheated on you, Jason" Replied Vivian without caring of the feelings of her partner. She was starting to get enough of Jason. She never liked him. The reason was because when she began her career as a FBI agent, Jason gave her a hard time due her being a fox. Telling her that foxes can't be trusted and she was a mistake. Constantly reminding her that being a FBI agent was all about trust and confidence, something that foxes are not known for. He stopped bothering her with time but his words left some bitter memories in her, and she won't forgive or forget.
"HAHAHA Damn, Carter! That was harsh!" Williams said, laughing at the white fox response.
Vivian and Alex could hear the buck growling through their radios.
"SHUT UP WILLIAMS! Carter! You better watch your mouth, you little fuzz ball or I´ll-"
"Or what, O´Neal?! You've been an ass the moment I crossed the door of the FBI and I have had enough of your bullshit you pathetic doe!" Vivian cut him off. She was getting furious and she won't let this buck step on her again.
"Who are you calling Doe? You little piece of-" He was about to finish his insult when Williams cut them off.
"Enough Ladies! Our fox showed up. Exiting a jewelry store 20 feet from your position, Carter."
Vivian´s ears sprung up and she turned her head to the direction her partner said. And there he was, Nick Wilde. She watched him as he walked at her right just a few feet from her. It was the first time she was this close to him. It was alien to her, the animal she has been spying and following for the past 6 years was now a few feet away from her. She even could smell his essence which smelt like cinnamon. She regain herself and started following him closely but not too much.
"I'm following him now. Stay alert"
Following him, she kept herself at 6 feet away from his back. She would be well hidden thanks to the crowd surrounding them. It was then that she could study him better. She took a look at his features, or what his back side could offer at least. His arms and back were typically average for a fox but she couldn´t help herself but eyeing his butt for a while, maybe a little more than a few seconds. Then she looked at his attire, he wore a red t-shirt and beige shorts. He walked with a very "sassy" way, almost swinging in his walk. What caught her eye was what he was holding in his right paw, a small paper bag with "Dalton brothers jewelry" labeled. Odd, does he use any kind of collar or ring? She thought. She brushed that thought away because it wasn't important and continued following him. A new thought formed in her head "Where is he going" muttered to herself.
Vivian kept following Nick for a while. It seemed that he wasn't going anywhere in particular, just walking to random places. Vivian thought for a second that Nick was playing with her, and that he knew that she was following him. Before thinking further, agent Williams spoke.
"So, Carter. What makes you think this guy will accept our offer? I mean, why are you so sure?" Asked the gazelle from his radio with genuine curiosity
"Well, for instance we pay way more that the ZPD, we have better bonuses and we have less restrictions when it comes for our job. In short, we are better in everything, Alex. The pathetic ZPD can´t be compared to us" Vivian replied coldly. The way she described the ZPD made her remember why she joined the FBI, the reason why she hated the ZPD.
All of a sudden, Nick turned left and entered a furniture store. Odd, why would he want to enter such a place? Vivian thought. She hurried and entered the store as well, but he was nowhere to be seen. Worrying, she desperately searched for him in the store. She could only see customers and furniture in display.
"Guys! I lost him!" Vivian reported through her walkie talkie.
"What? You said you were following him. How could you possibly lost track of him?" Replied Williams.
"I don't know! He just entered this store, I followed him in and now he´s gone!" Vivian said, she was starting to get frustrated and worried. Losing him for the second time? No way.
"Oh oh! There he is! Outside the store, near the trash bin. 40 feet away from you"
"What? How? I…what?" Vivian muttered to herself before regaining herself and resuming the pursuit. She spotted him again but he was far away from her. This guy was sneaky she thought. She will not miss her opportunity again.
It was almost like Nick was playing with her. On a moment he was in one place, and the other, he was in another. It was making Vivian mad. She was considering the plan B, which was shooting him with a dart gun and drag his body to a safe location.
While thinking on this, she lost Nick again and before she could ask for help to her companions, Nick was 3 feet away from her and he was walking towards her. She froze, not reacting even if the red fox was coming closer and closer with each step. Nick just walked next to her instead of colliding, making direct eye contact with her while he walked, he passed so close to her that she could even felt his fur brush against hers.
After the close encounter, Nick just walked to a service door that was a few feet away. The door displayed "Employees only". He opened it and disappeared inside. Vivian realized what happened and then the realization hit her; "He spotted me and he is getting away". Without thinking twice, Vivian launched herself towards the door. Inside it was what she was expecting. Looking both ways she saw a long corridor with long pipes that ran along the hall. Nick was nowhere to be found. Did he get away this time? She took her paw to hear ear to activate the radio device
"Guys I think I lost him for real this time, I can't find him" She said.
"….."
"Guys?" No response, only static was heard in the radio channel.
"….."
Maybe the batteries died? She thought. Immediately she searched her belt for the radio but she found nothing. DID I DROPPED THE WALKIE TALKIE?! She started to get worried but before she could die of a panic attack, someone spoke to her
"Looking for this?"
Vivian took a 180° spin only to find Nick behind her. He then waved something that was in his paw. A walkie talkie very similar to hers. She immediately took the cable of her earphone and searched for the other end only to find that her radio was gone. He took it…..How? Then she remembered. He must took it when he passed beside her a few moments ago.
"Alright Snowball. You are going to tell me who you are and what you want with me because I can arrest you" Nick said with a serious tone.
Vivian was dumbfounded. He knew that she was following him. He played with her the whole time and he took her radio. She knew he was good but not this good. With a smile she replied.
"You are better than I expected. Nicholas Wilde. I´m Agent Vivian Carter, FBI" Said Vivian while showing him her badge. "I´d like to speak with you about an offer."