A/N: 5/4 Readers agree that this story is amazing and also that I am bad with fractions.
And stop comparing it to Ghost! There's no Whoopie! Or Haunted Mansion! Eddie Murphy can kiss my butt.
Disclaimer: Turns out you can't hire a ghost to steal the rights to Zootopia. Disney has an ARMY of them! Stupid Tower of Terror.
Chapter 2 - A touch of doubt
Walking briskly, she clutched the paw leading her forward more tightly for fear of being left behind. It was a silly thought as they would never be so cruel as to abandon her, but one she had nonetheless. A hearty laugh brought her mind back to the present as she and the mammal in front of her began to run gleefully, abandoning all sense of decorum and fleeing the sight of those who would protest their inappropriate actions.
Giggling happily, she reached out with her other paw and grasped the one holding her tightly. She heard a merry laugh before the impressive strength of the one in front of her sped up and raised it's paw. Her feet now dangled in the air as they whipped around corners and blew through the open doors onto the grounds.
Lowered just enough for her feet to skim the grass, she squealed happily as the morning dew coated blades tickled her hindpaws. It was too much for her to stand and she pulled at the paw, attempting to slow the mammal down enough to regain her footing. After a few more meters and several giggles from her lips, they eventually did slow, allowing her to get her feet back on solid earth. Breathing heavily, she turned her gaze uop to the mammal before her, seemingly unconcerned with their blurred and shadowy appearance. She knew not what they looked like but felt deep down that she knew who they were.
Dropping the paw, she lifted the hem of her dress and took off running across the grass, inviting her companion to pursue her. She was swift of feet and strong of leg, but twas not enough for her to escape, hearing the rustling behind her growing closer with each step. A heavy pant drowned out her softer breathing, labored though it was. The shroud covering the mammal began to creep over her as they threatened to overtake her. She could never hope to outrun the taller mammal with their longer stride, so she turned sharply to her right, catching her pursuer off guard leaving them tumbling to the grass.
She laughed gleefully as she regained her lead ahead of her companion. Pushing her stride even faster, she moved for the garden patio, knowing that should she make it, she would be the victor and safe from the mammal's wretched torment of paws tickling her sides until she cried for mercy. She was within a few strides when the sound of large paws slapping dirt and grass reached her sensitive ears before she was embraced and brought lightly to the ground, just shy of her goal.
She pleaded with the shadowy character, all but in vain as the undefined paws began assaulting her sides eliciting shrieks and squeals from the smaller female. They paused in their torture to allow her to gain back her breath, patiently watching while her breathing returned to normal. Reaching up her paw slowly, she brought it to within inches of the other mammal, letting them come the rest of the way. Through the darkness, eyes flashed. A maw opened revealing fangs though it did not startle her. Instead, she turned her head and tipped it back, exposing the soft flesh of her neck. With a lunge, the shadowy being latched its deadly teeth around her throat.
Her eyes snapping open, Judith quickly sat up, her paws once again searching her neck for any sort of markings, from teeth or otherwise. Her skin was intact, no tears or scarred flesh greeted her digits and her paws came away clean. It did little to help calm her breathing, however. Though she had just woken up, the rapid breaths she was taking forced her to lay back against her pillow for fear of fainting.
Waiting for the wave of dizziness to pass, Judith reflected on the dream that had woken her from sleep. Like the one from the night before, it felt so strange and yet at the same time eerily familiar. Almost as if it were a memory with missing gaps which were filled with blurred and vanishing mammals. And the snarls. The teeth. Why do those feel so...real? She was so confused by her dreams that were so strong that they were carrying over into the waking world.
Deciding she had spent enough time dwelling over her own imagination and feeling well enough that she could stand without the Earth spinning beneath her, the bunny clambered out of bed and debated straightening the bedding. While residing in her parent's warren, she had been made to follow a strict regimen, which straightening her bed was a part of. Now, living alone in a very large manor with the likelihood of anyone ever seeing her bedroom being nonexistent, she tossed away the rules she had been made to follow for so many years. Her bed would remain as it was each morning that she awoke, even going so far as to act as a kit in defiance by needlessly messing it further.
Rummaging through her knapsack, she pulled out one of her remaining clean dresses. Removing her nightgown, she carelessly discarded it onto a nearby chair, not at all concerned with the mess. Having been raised in a home of so many rabbits, cleanliness was not only preferred, but required. Her home would remain as clean, but she could afford to be lax for a day or more.
Walking over to a nearby mirror, Judith admired her nude form. She had never been one for wearing the restricting undergarments her mother would purchase in town on the rare occasions they made the time. She would accept them and thank her mother before burying them into the deepest recesses of her dresser. Her nightgown was sufficient to cover her to prevent a chill and she always made sure to waken before her mother or father could see that was unclothed beneath the gown.
Gazing at her reflection, clad only in her fur, she let her paws rest on her hips, cocking them to the side. She knew she was a rather fetching damsel. There had been no shortage of suitors for her paw back in Bunnyburrow but none of them had been what she was looking for, especially not in a mate. It had certainly aggravated her mother, much to her amusement and also guilt. She would spend many days in contact with neighboring families with eligible bucks to arrange a meeting between Judith and the 'unlucky buck of the week' as her brothers had taken to referring to each of the bucks as they came empty-pawed and left the same way.
Running her paws down her bosom, Judith cupped her breasts. She had always felt they were a bit small for her figure but with her slim form it was not very noticeable to others. She wondered if somewhere in the village there would be a buck that interested her, that she might tempt to follow her back to the manor for a night or two. Rabbits were very devoted life partners, but only once they found that partner. At times when still young and searching, it wasn't uncommon for two rabbits to mutually seek out a warm body they might have a brief dalliance in order to release their pent urges. Having been too busy to ever seek out such a relationship, Judith was overdue a release and hoped there would be some handsome young bucks nearby.
A sudden heat between her legs had the doe releasing her chest with a slight gasp. While she had been fantasizing about what she might find in town, her paws had been busy kneading her breasts, softly squeezing them until her arousal had reached a point that she became aware of her actions.
Smiling softly to her reflection, she gave her own paws a light patting. "Judith. For shame. I am very disappointed in you. We both know it would have been far harder to stop had our paws drifted lower." Offering herself a wink, she turned away to begin dressing. Though she skipped the garments while she slept, heading out into the world was a different matter. Pulling on the uncomfortable garment over her toned legs, she couldn't resist letting her digits trail along her thigh, eliciting a shiver and a purr from within her throat. I very much hope that there is a worthy buck. I may even settle for a doe, though finding one who would come back with me would be most difficult.
Gathering her chemise from the end of the bed where she had draped it the night before, she slowly pulled it on. It was comfortable, something which she was overly grateful for, but it was one of her least favorite articles simply because of what would come next.
Picking up her corset, Judith grimaced in distaste at the offending contraption. Most of her sisters had found it useful to accentuate their assets, make them more appealing to the local bucks, but she had always found it constraining and rather agonizing. She needed to restrict her breathing or she would find her ribs starting to ache as they futilely strained against their wood and cloth prison. Nevertheless, she laced it as was customary before slipping on her forest green knee length dress.
Leaving the master bedroom, Judith stepped out into the hall, ready to begin a new day. Glancing down to adjust her bodice, she caught a small movement out of the corner of her eye. A small door at the end of the hall had opened slightly. Wary of potential unwanted guests, she moved as quietly down the corridor as she could, unsure how she would handle herself against an intruder in her home. A few lengths from the door, she could see it now wavering slightly, in and out as unoiled hinges let out a soft groan of protest. Shakily putting a paw out to grasp the wood, she slowly dragged the door open.
Darkness was all that greeted her. The room was small, she could tell that much, however she would learn nothing more unless she faced the dark and reached her paw inside. Staring into the blackness, she thought of her father and how he never let fear get the better of him. Her brothers who always stood tall when challenged. Her mother, for whom she had so much respect, who never backed away when there was something she needed to do. Calling on their strengths which flowed within her much as the blood of the Hopps family did, she shut her violet eyes and thrust her paw into the darkness.
She felt immediately foolish as her digits wrapped around the wooden handle of an old broom. She had stumbled across the room where the servants, presumably smaller mammals if the size of the room was any indication, kept their cleaning supplies. She also could feel a flow of air coming from the back wall of the storage closet. Pressing her paw up against the wood, she felt the breeze flowing through. Over the years, small cracks had formed in the walls and the broom closet was positioned over an exterior crack. The small flow of air had been what was opening the door, most likely dislodging the latch some point in the night.
Shaking her head at the silliness of the situation, she shut the door making sure the latch was tight this time and turned, ready to start her morning. What she saw left her gasping. The hall. This is the hall. Turning her gaze downwards, she felt her mouth open in shock at the carpet beneath her feet. Faded and scuffed after nearly two centuries of use or neglect had worn down some of the pattern, but Judith could see the red and gold weaves running along the carpet. Snapping her eyes to the floor beneath the all-too familiar rug, she was once again stunned to find the mahogany floorboards right where she expected them to be, though dull and chipped in places having not been cared for in decades. Slowly lifting her head, her eyes swept the hall expecting to see dozens of paintings lining the walls, but there was nothing. Or so she thought until a slight fade in the paint on the walls. Oval and square faded marks, left behind by many hanging portraits.
Judith was straining beneath the corset as her breathing became too rapid for her to control. Stumbling back to the master bedroom, she swiftly shed herself of her dress and reached for the straps, nearly tearing them in half with her desperation to be set free. Finally, the corset loosened and she breathed in deep lungfuls of blessed air, the easing of the pressure on her chest being feeling like that of a godsend.
How? How could it be the same hall? I dreamed of that corridor before having ever seen it? "This is not possible," she whispered to herself. "I must be going mad. I'm sure there must be some sort of explanation." Tilting her head she focused on what little she knew of dreams and waking knowledge influencing them, though nothing came to mind about dreams acting as premonitions, if that's what it indeed was. Shaking herself at the realization that she had no answers to give herself, she quickly threw her dress back, leaving the corset back on the bed.
Hurrying from the room, she forced herself to keep her eyes forward, not letting them glance towards the hallway which suddenly had her feeling nervous. It was not fear she was experiencing, more so of an unsettling feeling that all was not as it appeared. Could Catherine have been right? Could the manor be... Stopping at the top of the stairs, her paw on the railing, she shook herself letting her vanished smile return with amusement. "Surely not. Pure nonsense is what that is. There are no such things as spirits. The town most likely started the rumor of the haunted manor to bring in visitors and it unfortunately spread until no mammal wished to purchase it."
Satisfied with her conclusion, Judith scampered down the staircase, feeling a bit more cheerful. She just needed to remind herself that there was always an explanation and the supernatural were stories told to frighten children. Opening her front door, she stepped out into the early morning sun and locked up her new house before heading into town. Looking back at the manor, Judith smiled at the impressive structure much as she had the day before when considering purchasing it. "There's always an explanation." Her smile faltered as she remembered the phantom teeth around her neck. I hope.
Well, I shouldn't need to worry about my figure. Traveling this path alone will do wonders for my health. Though she came from a family of farmers and her body was rather strong, her endurance was rather lacking when it came to continuous travel. Panting slightly by the end of her journey down the cobblestone path, Judith paused for a moment to catch her breath. She was surprised by how much exertion the travel took that morning when the previous days had seemed effortless, though she supposed that had much to do with her excitement hiding her exhaustion and the fact that she had spent so much time yesterday running through her new house and wandering the shops in the village center.
Resuming her trek towards the town square, she was filled with the realization that the list she had written the night before had been left on the kitchen countertop. Turning her head back towards the gates, now closed and locked, she waged a silent war within herself as to whether she should return and retrieve the list or continue to the shops and hope her memory was well enough to purchase the necessary items she required. Deciding the latter was more efficient, she continued onward.
Her first stop was the baker on the corner. Long before she had reached bakery she had caught the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her that she had rushed from the manor without preparing herself a breakfast. She would have to make sure she grabbed an extra pastry to eat on her way to her next destination. Ringing the bell as she opened the door and stepped in, she kept a bright smile on her face, determined to make a good impression in her first interaction with the townspeople. With the shop being on the medium to small side, we was surprised to see a buffalo coming out of the back room, drying his hooves with a rag. "Good morning, miss," the deep voice of the mammal boomed. "What can I get for you on such a lovely day?"
Judith had never heard of a buffalo being a baker but she had a feeling there was much to this town that would challenge her misconceptions. "Good morning, mister...?"
"Hornsby. Johnathan Hornsby." Though his voice and physique implied a much more aggressive mammal, his large smile and careful movements told of a gentler bovine. "A pleasure to meet you, miss...?"
"Oh, forgive me." Extending her paw, she felt it engulfed by the giant hoof stretched over the counter. "Judith. Judith Hopps. I just moved to Lunar Haven yesterday and I'm afraid I have not stocked my pantry with enough food to avoid needing to travel into town each morning."
"Well I would hope that our quaint little town did not lead to you wishing to avoid all of us," he chuckled boisterously while moving about his shop, stacking bread loaves. "I can assure you we are not all like Lucas."
"Lucas? I do not believe I know of that name, though I must confess I have spent only enough time in town to rent a room at the inn and speak to Catherine to arrange the purchase of a home." It was strange to think that only two days ago she had set her sights on the town of Zootopolis, the glistening city seeming to be the promised land that she believed would be where she belonged. Having disembarked from the train on the off chance that the small town just shy of the city limits might offer something of interest, she now stood in her new home, her manor not even a mile from where she stood.
"Indeed? And where did you hail from before, little lady?" Bristling slightly at being called little, she realized that it was not meant as a slight as most mammals would be considered 'little' to the massive buffalo.
"I was, until as of yesterday, a resident of Bunnyburrow. I'm afraid I was rather a disappointment to my parents for wanting to find adventure and new experiences rather than work the farm with my siblings, of which I have an abundance." Her previously joyful mood slumped a little at the thought of her parents somber expressions when she had left on the train.
Leaning over the counter so as to get as close to the bunny as possible, he spoke in a kind tone. "Don't worry over your parents, little one. No parent is truly disappointed in their child. Fearful, yes. Concerned, most assuredly. But never disappointed. Your parents want only the best for you and if they truly did not think that seeking answers so far from home was best for you, they would have found some way to prevent it. I'm a parent myself, child. Trust an old father when he says that your parents love and miss you deeply."
Trying to keep the tears from leaving the recesses of her eyes at the buffalo's kind and uplifting words, Judith blinked her eyes rapidly while her ears lay flat against her back. She knew he spoke truly and that soon she would need to contact her parents to let them know she was alright. Perhaps for a visit. Or invite them to my home. The idea of her sisters and her mother being led into her own manor was enough to banish the tears and replace them with a gleeful look. Remembering exactly why she was there, she quickly cleared her throat. "Yes, thank you for your words, sir. I shall certainly take them to heart. I do however need to still purchase some of your delicious smelling pastries and bread." The mammal behind the counter smiled as he began gathering up her order with each item she pointed to. "By the way," she started, remembering the name the shop-owner had started to mention, "who is Lucas?"
Snorting, though careful to not do so over the loaf he was currently bagging for her, Johnathan let an annoyed expression cross his face. "Lucas is our resident troublemaker. He spends most of his days scaring the chickens into a frenzy or finding ways to put naughty words on the fences around town. He once-..." For a moment, the annoyed look was replaced by one of merriment. "He once shaved Mr. Goatell's beard off while he was napping on his porch. Quite a thing to see, watching an elderly goat chase after a teenage rabbit."
"This Lucas is a rabbit?" Judith was shocked at the idea of such a hooligan being from her own species. None of the bucks back in Bunnyburrow ever acted in such a manner. "Do his parents do nothing to quell his behavior?"
"I'm afraid not, miss. His mother passed a few years back and his father never really recovered. Threw himself into his work as a logger and the drink whenever he reaches home. The boy mostly fends for himself. Just turned sixteen years as well so even the school marm has no authority over him." With a shake of his head and a sigh, the male's eyes turned dark. "No, I'm afraid there's not much that can be done for the lad now." Though concerned for the boy's well being, much the same as she would of one of her brothers, the doe decided she should continue with her errands. Thanking him, she hefted her bag now overflowing with baked goods and turned to leave. "A word of caution, young Judith. You're a very pretty sight I imagine for a rabbit. There are several bucks, Lucas included, that would attempt to take advantage of your kind heart. Take care not to let sweet words sway you. You have a good head on your shoulders. Please make sure you listen to it."
Reminded of her father and the advice he often gave to her sisters regarding other bucks, Judith offered the baker a small but genuine smile before bowing out from his shop. Meaning to have been in his shop for a very short time, she was surprised to come back out to the market to find it in the chaos of small children running every which way. School would begin soon enough so that the bunny may move about more freely, but until that occurred she sought refuge within the shop next to the bakery she just left.
Thankfully the baskets scattered around the small room were overflowing with vegetables, something she needed until she was able to get her own garden planted. Adding a large basket filled with carrots, lettuce, and radishes to her already overflowing arms, Judith decided she was going to need a way to carry all of her produce and bread home without having to return for multiple trips. Thanking the merchant, an elderly doe long past her farming days, she turned to make her way back to the square when the sight of another mammal entering from a back room caught her eye. A young and rather handsome buck, most likely the older bunny's grandson she imagined. Remembering her desire from earlier that morning about bring back a rabbit for a small dalliance, she let her eyes rove over the male. A rather impressive specimen of their kind, she admired the strength of his arms he no doubt built up from his work in the fields. It was when she reached his eyes that her interest waned and turned to a slight disgust. The all too earnest leer coming from the buck was undesirable. She was interested in a dalliance, not in being someone's conquest. Inclining her head and sending a polite nod to the new lapin, she quickly hurried out.
Now mostly empty of children save for those too young to attend school who accompanied their parent during morning chores, Judith was able to view more of the shops nearby. One directly across from where she stood brought a smile to her lips. Not only would it solve her current problem, the armfuls of food now stacked dangerously high, it would also satisfy a necessity that she would have needed to purchase eventually. Taking a step forward, her foot leaving wooden planks for cobblestone road, she felt a slight bump to her leg. Looking down at the tiny kit that had accidentally ran into her outstretched limb, she cooed on the inside as the child mumbled an apology before chasing after his friends. Smiling softly at the tiny kits playing together, the image of her own younger siblings jumping on one another swam into the forefront of her mind. She couldn't help but feel a small amount of homesickness. Her family would no doubt be worried about her, where she had traveled, if she had arrived safely.
Shaking the thought from her mind, the young bunny carefully made her way across the market, making sure to keep her food balanced properly. Walking into the store, she was surprised to find no one manning the counter or in the rest of the room. "Hello? Is there anyone here?" A loud commotion, that of a heavy object falling to floor, followed by a muffled yelp came from one of the doors behind the counter. A flustered beaver entered the shop, straightening a pair of large spectacles on his nose and rubbing an elbow gently.
"Yes? Can I help you, miss?" Having just been roused from his normal mid-morning rest, the mammal was still feeling a fair foggy in the head and was hoping the young lady was merely lost so he could resume his sleep.
"I would like to purchase one of your bicycles." The beaver's head quickly perked up, all thoughts of sleep forgotten. Bicycles were not new to the world. Even in Bunnyburrow they had become commonplace, though the more modern styles were worth more coin than the older ones more often used by the rabbits of the town. However, any mammal that wanted to own a bicycle already did, and the beaver was finding it rather difficult to make ends meet.
"You-you would?" He did not recognize the rabbit standing in front of him which, after living within the town for well over two decades, told him that she was either a visitor or a new resident. Judging by the overly large amount of food in her paws, he assumed the latter to be most likely. She nodded quite enthusiastically.
"I would, indeed. I've found them quite useful in the past and, assuming I am able to gain employment in Zootopolis, it would greatly help make the journey easier." Fiddling with the remaining coins in her dress pocket, Judith wondered if she would have enough or if she would be forced to return home to collect some more. The beaver, not having seen a customer in his shop for several weeks, was having some difficulty deciding on his next action. If he raised the cost in order to help with his declining business he might scare away any chance he might have to sell anything that morning. Wrestling with himself, he chose to keep the costs the same.
"Well, you're free to choose any that you see. The cost is all the same, ten coin." Though the price was a bit high for her liking, the knowledge that in a small town he must see very few mammals in his shop mollified her. Looking at the collection scattered throughout the shop, she first looked at the violet one, her favorite color that tended to match her eyes, but it felt wrong to her this time. Next her eyes caught one of pale pink that reminded her fondly of her sister, Sarah. She was halfway to it with her paw outstretched when one in the back drew her attention. Longer than the rest and a russet color, she could not understand why she felt such a strong pull towards it but she did not question the feeling as the last time she felt such a strange and uncontrollable desire led to her owning her own manor.
"I would like that one," she said pointing to the odd-looking bicycle. The beaver raised a brow but said nothing, simply wheeling it out from behind the rest to stand it by the door. Placing down ten coin and an eleventh for a large basket to place on the back, Judith placed her food purchases into the woven container and left after thanking the shopkeeper.
Mounting her new contraption, she set off for home, her shopping done for the day. She felt a pang as she realized she had not managed to find another body to keep her warm that night, but there was always tomorrow. She spent the rest of the day organizing her pantry and cleaning the rooms of dust and the cloths covering the rest of the furniture. It was not a simple task as she realized the downsides of owning such a large home was that there were so many rooms it may take her days to clean everything.
Once the sun had gone down and her oil lamps had been lit, she allowed herself to stop for the evening. Making a light dinner of carrots and bread, Judith tended to the fireplace. Before too long there was a roaring heat and flickering lights cast into the room. She had some difficulty moving one of the chairs closer to the fire as everything in the manor had been designed with mammals larger than herself in mind, but she managed to get it a few feet closer in order to feel the warmth better.
Throwing a blanket and one of the books she brought along up on top of the chair, she clambered up alongside and snuggled in. Though she may not have found a bedmate for the night, she had no trouble keeping warm, the heat providing much comfort. Soon she found her eyelids growing heavy, her eyes unable to focus on the printed words before her. The book fell from her paws as her eyes closed and her breathing slowed.
Sometime later, she was woken by a sudden chill in the air. Wrapping the blanket tighter around her failed to help as it permeated down to her very bones. She stared in puzzlement as the fire dipped from roaring flames to mere embers before her eyes. Judith jumped in shock as a cold deeper than she had ever felt was laid across her cheek. Snapping her paw up, she gasped as it met a force keeping her from touching her face. The cold dragged upward with Judith's paw traveling with it. Just before it left her fur, she felt a split that let her digits slip through. The cold suddenly vanished, leaving her digits splayed against her own cheek. That felt almost...like…Bringing her own paw in front of her, her eyes widened as she traced the split between her digits.
The embers before her in the fireplace roared into flames.