Chapter 8
"...Like I said, there was no evidence linkin' him to the murder… Yes, I understand yer only thinkin' 'bout the students' safety."
Detective Rudy kept a polite and almost pleasant tone while speaking on the phone, though the rapping of his long claws on the table and the twitching corner of his mouth betrayed the opposite.
It was most certainly obvious what was going through his mind, especially to the young white-coated Arctic wolf that was busily reviewing several reports and documents at an adjacent desk.
"...Right, and I must thank ya kindly fer lettin' me check out the crime scene…Yes… Unfortunately, that's not how things—Hm? Yes, sir, I completely agree… Hm…Listen, another case has just come up… No, it can't wait. Thank ya fer yer time. Call me again when anythin' new comes up. Goodbye."
The sloth bear quickly hung even as the animal on the other end begged him to stay on the line.
"Grr, I've had up to here with that stupid, old cat!" He vehemently exclaimed, almost crushing the phone's receiver in his shaking hand.
"Was that Cherryton's principle?" the Arctic wolf asked, without looking up from his papers.
The detective then slammed the handle back onto its base. "Worried 'bout the student's lives, huh? Then, he shoulda jus' let us do our jobs instead of coverin' the whole thing up!"
"Well, to be fair, a carnivore sitting next to a half-eaten body does look rather incriminating."
"*sigh* Yeah, but it was pretty obvious from our findings that it was jus' another case of 'wrong place, wrong time'," detective Rudy heaved, slumping back into his chair as he adjusted his spectacles.
"Yes, I saw your report. The lack of herbivore's blood found on his clothes and in his vomit stains certainly indicated as much. Plus, the testimony of the school's security guard not 'smelling' any alpaca blood on him further proves that fact."
The young canine then looked up from his work as he continued. "Still, I can't really see the relevance of noting the former suspect's reaction to your 'home-made spicy curry'."
"Oh, didn't ya know? Carnivores tend to lose their sense of taste fer anything 'cept meat after devourin' someone," the sloth bear said matter-of-factly. "Had to be doubly sure so I could get a better feel on how to approach the kid durin' questionin'."
"Oh. I…was not aware of that," the Arctic wolf said in surprise. "Hm… But, sir?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you absolutely sure we can take his testimony at face value? Considering what I saw in his family's history—especially his father's— he could easily have been—"
"Gonna have to stop ya right there, son," detective Rudy interjected as he extended his palm forward. "I'm fully aware of his old man's past, but it ain't a good idea to profile someone based on parentage or species. Yer more likely to make the wrong call if yer not careful."
The detective then gave a sober look towards his junior. "Us carnivores are already under a lotta scrutiny as it is. 'Specially in this day and age."
"... Mmm, right. I'll keep that in mind, sir."
The young wolf resumed his previous scouring of reports soon after, albeit in a more solemn and deliberate manner.
The sloth bear then leaned his head back, sighing deeply as he removed his glasses. A killer's still on the loose and our only witness can't remember jack s$#& about 'em. No more clues, and our resources are kapoot. Ugh…
It had been quite some time since detective Rudy hit a dead end during a case, while feeling frustrated and powerless to overcome it.
Where's a Beastar when ya actually need 'em…?
…
Lunch had finally begun, which was a welcomed relief for the young lion. It was unbearable sitting in the classroom with the other students staring and whispering throughout the entire lecture. It most certainly didn't help when his neighbors from either scooched their chairs away from him like he was carrying a deadly virus.
Still, he was glad his long-time friend was still treating him normally, and not as a pariah. It actually made him look forward to eating today's hearty vegetable stew and grilled cheese sandwich with him, even though he wasn't too hungry at the moment.
"Hey. Check it out." Baako lifted his sleeve to expose his arm while he flexed. "Go on, feel and tell me what you think!"
Rob tentatively reached his claws and gently squeezed between the boar's bicep and tricep. "...I-it's definitely a l-little bigger… a-and more toned th-than last time."
"Heh! A whole inch and a quarter," he boasted confidently. "Pretty soon, I'll get even bigger guns than you."
The young lion couldn't help but smirk imagining his five foot tall friend strutting around with pumped, twenty inch arms. "Yeah, th-that w-would b—would be something…"
Baako's grin faded slowly as he pulled his sleeve back down. "It was that bad, huh?"
"Hm?"
"I don't think I've ever heard you stutter this much before, even when we first met."
The young carnivore reached for his mouth almost in embarrassment. Baako was right—it has gotten worse.
He's had this speech impediment since childhood—starting from the day he lost his father. For a while, he couldn't even form a full sentence without stammering or freezing up, thanks to his intense trauma. It had gotten much better since his aunt and uncle got him into speech therapy, but now it seems his progress has reverted quite a bit.
"S-sorry about th-that…" he mumbled.
"Eh, there's nothing to be sorry about," Baako dismissed with a wave. "It's just another quirk, in the end."
"Y-yeah…"
"So, did you see the guy who did it?"
Rob flinched from the sudden flashback of that large animal bounding towards him, which thankfully ended quickly.
"...Mmm-Mmm. I can't… r-remember."
"Why? You hit your head or something?"
Rob nodded.
"Huh. Well, that sucks…" Baako sighed. "Would've definitely helped to set the record straight with everyone."
"Set w-what straight?"
"Well…" Baako paused as he crossed his arms. "There's been a nasty rumor floating around that it was you who ate that alpaca guy."
The young lion's mouth fell slightly open as his eyes widened in disbelief. "W…What?"
"I know, right? There was nothing in the school paper saying you did anything. But, with you suddenly going awol the same day it happened, people figured you were involved."
Rob slumped back in his chair. So, it wasn't just his change in appearance that caused everyone to avoid him—they actually believed him to be… a killer?
"B-but, I… I d-didn't—"
"It's okay, bud. I know it wasn't you." Baako casually exclaimed. "The fact you're here and not put behind bars is proof enough. Right?"
"Um, y-yeah…" Rob replied.
"I knew from the get-go it was a load of B.S. I was like, 'Pffft! Yeah, right. Rob's too much of a wuss to do something like that.'"
"Uh—W-wuss?"
"C'mon, dude! The only thing tough or scary about you is that huge, buff body," the young boar laughed. He then reached up and began pinching Rob's cheeks. "Even with the new bada$&-looking scar, your face still looks like a wittle teddy bear's."
Unng—B-Baako, stop it…!" Rob whined, slowly swatting the boar's hands away. He just didn't understand why Baako felt the need to tease him every chance he could get. He supposed that it's better than having him being fearful, but still…
The young carnivore's greenish-gray eyes then rested upon Maria, who was chatting and laughing with her group of friends several tables away. She noticed Rob's gaze, briefly looked slightly downward, and gave him a very stern look. He flinched, realizing the ewe was observing his barely-touched stew and sandwich, and proceeded to quickly cram the food into his mouth.
Baako could only stare, bemused and amused at the sight of the lion making himself almost choke.
…
The final bell of the day had rung and the students quickly secreted themselves into the hallways. Normally, there would be a steady stream of animals, going opposite directions on either side. This time, it gradually parted in the wake of a young, princely red deer toting a bouquet of flowers, walking in a dignified manner.
Many of his fellow students—especially the females—could not help but cheer in adulation as he moved past. With his striking gaze and confident poise, it was no wonder that everyone was certain he's destined to become the next Beastar.
At first glance, it would appear that the antlered herbivore was carrying himself effortlessly. Today, however, he was putting much more effort than normal.
That's right… Just… one step at a time, he firmly thought to himself. This pain…is nothing. Nothing compared to what's been placed on my shoulder. Never forget: you are…Louis, the noble red deer. You will be the one who will someday lead this society.
As he continually chanted many self-affirmations—which were practically becoming mantras—Louis' steps came to a halt at the sight of an abnormally large lion standing near the end of the hallway, with his back turned to the deer. Though his appearance had changed somewhat, it was very easy for the herbivore to identify who this was.
"You know, you really shouldn't be blocking the hallway—"
"Waaah—!"
Louis flinched, taken aback by the giant feline's shriek. He had almost lost his concentration and his footing.
"Oh, L-Louis. I-it's…it's you," the young lion nervously stammered.
"*ahem* Any particular reason for just standing around, Rob?" Louis asked, recomposing himself.
"U-umm, well… I-I was planning to c-come and visit… h-him today. Y-you know, p-pay my—pay my respects." Rob nervously wrung his claws as he cast his eyes downward. "But… I k-kinda just f-froze up as I g-got closer and… w-well…"
The red deer quietly sighed in exasperation at the carnivore's timid mien. He wasn't sure if it was out of guilt—if the rumors surrounding him prove true—or genuine anxiety that was keeping Rob planted in one place. All he knew was that this big oaf was barring his path.
"Well, if you're still feeling so anxious, then it's probably better that you turn around and get yourself to the club room," Louis said as he walked past.
"N-no! I'll… I'll come. I m-made a promise to m-myself that I would. I owe—I owe him th-that much," Rob asserted. "J-just… give me a s-second to calm myself… a l-little."
"Suit yourself," the red deer said without turning his head.
At the very end of the hallway was a jammed and broken set of twin doors with yellow police tape strung across several ways. At the base of it was a portrait of a white-wooled alpaca surrounded by dried bouquets of flowers and an assortment of different bottles of drinks.
Kneeling down, Louis carefully placed his own floral arrangement by the picture and closed his eyes, as if in prayer. A few moments later, he could easily sense the lumbering presence of the lion as he clumsily dropped to his knees next to him.
For a while, neither animal spoke.
"...Tem." The antlered herbivore's ears twitched slightly at Rob's break in the silence. "I was… a-actually looking forward t-to watching him p-play the water…s-spirit."
"Oh?"
"Yeah… h-he's actually one my… my favorite c-characters, you know? Even th-though he d-didn't like fighting, and knew tha—knew that he was g-gonna lose to Adler… he s-stood his ground, a-and fought bravely for w-what he th-thought was right."
"Hmm."
"... I c-couldn't help but f-feel inspired w-whenever Tem t-took the stage—b-besides you, o-of course. Like, maybe I can b-be strong and brave like that, too, a-and change myself f-for the better… But…"
Rob paused for a while, which slightly irked Louis who was waiting for him to get to the point.
"...I didn't ch-change a thing. Tem was r-right there in f-front of me and he s-still… Why am I still s-so—so weak?"
What? Louis' blood immediately began to boil as soon as those last words fell from the carnivore's mouth—his teeth grinding together while his fists clenched. How dare you? Someone like you, who has the body and strength of a monster, has absolutely no right to—!
The red deer's face, which began twisting with anger and indignation, quickly shifted towards one of shock and bewilderment as he glanced sideways at his larger classmate.
Rob, the lion and tiger hybrid, was openly weeping.
Louis had always despised carnivores, especially large cats, and was well acquainted with their prideful and chauvinistic nature. Some don't even bother hiding that greedy glint in their eyes whenever they would see potential prey.
Rob, however, expressed none of these traits, and his clear-colored orbs were devoid of any speck of hunger or avarice whenever he would speak to an herbivore.
The deer also knew those tears weren't for show—as he personally can attest how atrocious the young lion's acting skills were. He couldn't help but find it…disturbing and abnormal for a beast to mourn in such a way. Just…what manner of creature is he?
"Unngh, s-sorry. I kn-know I shouldn't be… c-crying like this. I-i-it's just, y-you know…" Rob sniffles while messily wiping his tears with the back of his hands.
Louis sighed inwardly as he scowled. This is ridiculous…
He then proceeded to stand back up, gingerly shifting the weight on his feet.
"Well, once you're finished here…and have gotten yourself together, come straight to drama club. We have dress rehearsal and opening night in the coming days, so I need you to touch base with Dom and the rest of the PR department to know what needs to be done. Understood?"
"*sniff* O-okay..."
With a final nod, the red deer sauntered down the hall, leaving Rob at the makeshift memorial. He then furrowed his brow as the bones in his left ankle began to creak and pop with each full-weighted step.
"Hmph. I can't help but wonder if you truly understand what it means to be weak," he mumbled curtly, turning his head only slightly towards his rear.
Author's Note
Phew. Chapter ended up a little longer than usual, but oh well.
While looking up stuff for my characters, I remember watching a video of Chimera the liliger being fed a whole deer. Everyone expected him to dig in immediately, but he ended up just sniffing it, making faces like he was gagging, and shaking his head. One of the caretakers even tried put it up to his face, and he immediately jumped away like, "Eeeww, it TOUCHED meeee!" The big baby even started to whine about it.
They ended up calling the 600+ pound cat a "pansy a$&" and giving carnivores a bad name. *insert "Write that down!" meme* Haha!
