Serendipity's Shadow
Rated T
Chapter 13
Judy, after Tia's interrogation, allowed herself to rest her eyes. She knew Nick, she knew him well. She knew enough to know that the cars surrounding them were also Nick's men. That extra security blanket, though not asked for, was appreciated. After all, she's been up since 4 A.M. that day. And Judy knew it was well past 2 A.M. now. Plus, if being frank, she needed to calm her heart after talking to Nick.
Tia watched as Judy dozed off. Seeing Judy in complete comfort put Tia in a sense of calm. Yes, she had questions for Judy. But she also felt some pity for the rabbit who seems completely worn out. Tia was tired too, but more so on a mental level. While Judy seemed exhausted both mentally and physically. Because of this Tia felt like her questions could wait a little while.
"We'll be at the district crossing shortly." Their driver stated. "Please inform Miss Hopps, Miss Mustela."
Tia reluctantly gave the resting bunny a slight shake.
"What?!" Judy jumped awake ready for combat.
"Relax!" Tia urged. "We're nearing the district crossing."
"…oh." Judy relaxed throwing her head back against the seat. "Sorry."
"It's fine."
"I'm so ready for bed." Judy yawned.
"Same." Tia agreed mimicking Judy's yawn.
Their ears twitched hearing the individual drops of rain hit against the car in a soft rhythm.
"Rain Forest District." Judy stated. "It's been a while since I've been here."
"Really?"
"My work normally keeps me in Zootopia's inner city. The last time I've been here is…" Judy paused trying to remember. "Four months ago, to question a witness about a robbery."
"We are here." Their driver announced.
Tia looked out the window in expectation.
"Uh…are you sure?" Tia asked seeing nothing but a road that leads to a dead end.
"Well, we'll have to use the lift." Judy teased.
"Lift?"
Judy ignored Tia's question, grabbed the offered umbrella from the van driver, and stepped out into the rain. And Judy being Judy wasn't about to leave Tia hanging. So, she rounded the car onto Tia's side so they could walk under the umbrella together. Tia automatically just followed Judy's lead as she was escorted out and away from the van.
"Judy?" Tia asked. "What are we doing? There is nothing here."
"That's not entirely true." Judy simply stated.
Judy walked off to a nearby rock that apparently was…fake. As Judy lifted open a panel that revealed a switch. Judy without hesitation flipped the said switch before closing the hidden panel. A squeaking sound like a rusty wheel sounded from the treetops. Tia looked towards the direction the sound was coming from.
"What?" Tia asked aloud.
Judy laughed at Tia's shocked face. Though it was a sympathetic laugh. Judy was in Tia's shoes too when she was first shown this place.
"I told you we had to use the lift."
Tia could only nod while her mouth slightly hung loose.
An actual lift that could easily hold an adult elephant descended from the trees. It was made of metal from the floor, safety railings, and a canopy.
How has it not rusted in this rain? Tia couldn't help but wonder.
Once it descended all the way down it touched the ground with a soft thud. Judy walked up to the lift with no hesitation. Tia was still dumbstruck for a moment. But feeling the cool raindrops hit her head, cause Judy had the umbrella, knocked her back into reality. And with quick haste followed Judy up onto the lift. It was at this moment too that Tia noticed the van hadn't left yet. In fact, three more cars seemed to be parked behind it. And the driver of each vehicle watched them like hawks. While others were monitoring the area around them.
"Judy?" Tia asked pointing to the scene.
"Ignore them. They'll leave once we are up, inside, and dry." Judy stated sounding annoyed.
"How do you know?"
"Cause I know him."
"…Are you going to tell me who he is?"
Judy looked at Tia contemplating how to answer.
"Yes." Judy answered. "It might bring you more comfort than you realize."
What's that supposed to mean? Tia wondered.
Judy ignored Tia's perplexed look and handed her the umbrella's handle. Then Judy turned to a nearby panel, just her height, and pressed a set of buttons.
"Hold on." Judy cautioned Tia.
With a few quick shakes, the lift began to…lift. As they made their way up to the drenched canopy above. Tia stood completely still, scared to move even an inch. While Judy just tapped her foot in a steady rhythm slightly wishing the thing could move faster.
They eventually came to a stop. Judy opened the door and then helped Tia stepped down.
Before them, was a moss-covered path with a few decorative stepping stones. It led to a wall of ivy that surrounded a door. The door instantly made Tia think of a cozy-looking cabin her grandfather used to show her in books as a kid.
"Is that it?" Tia asked.
"Yep."
Judy leads Tia to the door confidently. Once in front of the door, Tia noted a number pad was placed under the door handle. Judy, not even fazed, was placed in a seven-digit combination. A loud thud came from the door signaling the two mammals. Judy with a sad smile turned the doorknob while giving the door a slight push.
"Welcome to your new home for the next week Miss Cynthia Mustela." Judy declared.
Tia was the first to step in upon Judy's insistence. Judy wasn't even remotely concerned that someone could be lying in wait inside. This building was more secure than the ZPD itself. That honestly, when she was first going to move in, she was a little jealous at how this house outshone her place of business.
Tia observed the building's structure. It was a cozy home, though the darkness made it hard to really appreciate anything, its simple door deceived its size. A flight of stairs leads to an upper level while another leads downstairs. White sheets were covering various items of furniture. A boxing bag hung in a far-off corner.
"Come on." Judy led Tia upstairs. "I don't know about you. But I'm too tired to even think about cleaning. If you wanna take a shower the water should still be on. And I'll check the circuit board to get the power back on."
"Okay." Tia simply nodded starting to feel how heavy her eyelids became.
Tia continued to follow Judy as she led her to a grey door.
"This will be your room." Judy turned on her phone's light as the second floor was just too dark for her non-predatory eyes. "The bed has blankets, sheets, and pillows. Everything you need to sleep on."
"Okay." Tia yawned.
"I'm going to check the circuit board while you get comfortable. My room is right across the hall." Judy pointed to the other grey door. "And that one a little further down in the bathroom."
"Okay."
Judy nodded understanding her companion was losing a battle against sleep. So, she walked off down the flight of stairs again leaving Tia to her devices, which were none. She found the circuit board in the laundry room. And with a simple flip of a few switches, they had power again.
"Okie dookie." Judy cheered for herself.
Once she finished giving herself a pat on the back Judy headed back upstairs. Judy had given Tia the spare bedroom. She originally wanted to give her the master bedroom. But that thought of having someone else sleep in what was once theirs, even though they're no longer together, seemed wrong. Plus, Judy was too tired to allow herself to dive into old memories as she entered the room. And besides slipping off her clothes to sleep in her underwear Judy just couldn't care now. She was too tired, and sleep was calling her name on a very soft bed.
Judy slept peacefully, so did Tia, even though deep down both knew it was gonna be hard. Tia's location was leaked. Judy's apartment was ransacked. And now both were in a building that neither imagined they'd ever step foot in. Judy especially knew tomorrow was going to be hard as she had to combat all the warm and cold memories in this house. But that was a tomorrow problem.
