June began backing away.
"Who are you?" Victoria asked, her voice quivering.
"I'm from Intel A.C.S., a branch of the security system. And according to my records, June needs to come with me."
Victoria looked back at June, clearly torn by leaving her re-found friend.
Despite the growing urge to turn and run, something about the wolf intrigued her. "Don't worry about me, Victoria. I can handle myself." She stepped forward, the intensity of his gaze drawing her forward.
"But…"
June looked over at Victoria. "I promise. I'll be back." With that, she walked away with the wolf.
What was she doing? Was she crazy? The questions echoed in the back of her head as she strode confidently alongside a complete stranger.
As they walked through the night and past the shadowy trees, June commented, "not much of a talker, huh?"
He didn't reply. He didn't even look at her.
"What's your name?" She prodded.
Still no response.
At last they came to a clearing. A railroad and train station split the landscape. Parked beside the train station was a black car. "Get in the backseat," the wolf growled.
June obeyed, and the wolf got in the driver's seat. He started the car, and then pulled across the railroad tracks and began their journey into the night.
With nothing to say, June stared out the window and let her mind wander. Despite having just woken up from a long slumber, she felt her eyes slowly growing heavy…
Hunter glanced at the backseat. The human must have fallen asleep.
Her case… it was so similar to his, except hers lasted a longer period of time. They never figured out where he disappeared to that week, or what caused him to black out. Exactly a year ago he woke up on a bench in the city and walked into the office, much to everyone's surprise.
Roxanne's reaction hadn't been what he hoped, however. The fox didn't embrace him with a giant hug or even a kiss. Just surprise. That's when he truly realized his dream was shattered. He would never have her. The fox wasn't interested in him. At the moment, she couldn't even take her eyes off Gruu, a young tiger that joined their crew, much to Hunter's distaste.
Since the day he woke up and walking into that office, he had never been the same. All hope was lost, and anger and hate clouded his vision. He hated his job, he hated being around the others. Yet he couldn't walk away…
June awoke when the car jerked to a stop. Looking out the window, she saw soft streetlights illuminating a plaza. Darkened shops formed a circle at the edges. In the center sat a fountain with a mystical looking statue perched on top.
The wolf opened her door. "Get out," he said.
She obeyed, and followed him to an alley. Halfway down, he reached out and opened a hidden door. June stepped inside.
Within, there wasn't much to see. It appeared to be a small dark room with plenty of crates.
The wolf walked around a wall of crates, and following him, June was surprised to see a staircase! How much stranger could it get? Where was he taking her? Curiosity killed the cat.
At the top of the stairs was a door. The wolf opened it, and surprisingly bright light flooded the darkness. Once her eyes adjusted, June saw a bear sitting at a computer, and a fox and tiger relaxing on a couch. A black and white dog stood in the opening to a hallway. All animals had their heads turned to the arrivals.
"Is that who I think it is?" The dog asked.
"Yeah," the wolf growled. "It's her."
What was June getting herself into?
Let me know what you think! Good, bad? I'd like to know! Thank you for reading.