Chapter 10: Drop off

Delta lent against the alley wall humming Gazelles latest hit while idly playing with his jacket zipper. A habit that quickly drove those around him mad but fortunately he was alone at the moment. It also had the benefit of helping him ignore the chaffing coming from the shock collar securely fastened around his neck. At his feet rested a shabby old rucksack that he hadn't used since high school. It was the beginning of another night in the great city with mild temperatures and a cooling breeze gentle ruffling the painted dogs fur. The air was filled with the sound of a million car engines and an equal number of horns mixed with the odd shouted obscenity.

It was a Wednesday which meant it was time for Savannah's weekly supply run, a tradition that Delta made sure to follow. Every week the painted dog would make his way to the surface with a rucksack full of supplies for his masked vigilante friend. The tatty rucksack that he'd dug out of the back of his wardrobe would be filled with food, clean clothes and any new gadgets that Giuseppe had been able to either make or find. Though Savannah always seemed most thankful for the fresh underwear.

Checking his watch Delta sighed "Late again" He'd been lurking in this alley for half an hour already and Savannah was yet to make an appearance. He knew it wasn't her fault of course. Being the cities most wanted fugitive came with certain issues that could impact anyone commute to work. But the painted dog had plans tonight. Plans that involved a certain small, furry brown trouble maker. A goofy smile spread across Delta's lips as her thought about the doe. She could be a paw full at times, the time she had drawn a series of doodles all over a weeks worth of reports being but one example. Bazooka bun had gone down in legend at the ZPD. But he wouldn't have her any other way.

It was still early in the evening and the cities wide variety of bars, clubs and pubs were only just waking up but even so small groups of mammals were beginning to make their way towards downtown hoping to first in line. Each one excitedly chatting about all their poorly throughout drunken shenanigans they'd gotten up to on nights gone by, and were going to commit tonight.

As the minutes ticked by Delta began to grow restless, reaching up to tug slightly at his shock collar. Checking his watch again he saw 50 minutes had now elapsed. If it took much longer he'd have to call it quits and try again another day. It wouldn't be the first time but Savannah only got a weeks worth of gear at a time so there was limit to how long she could last without a fresh drop. But the longer he waited the greater the chance that one of the small groups of mammals would notice a predator lurking in an alleyway with a full rucksack. Shock collar or not it wouldn't take long for the ZPD to close in. "Where are…"

"Boo"

"Gah!" The painted dog jumped out of his fur. Spinning around he reached for his sidearm, only to find it missing.

In front of him stood the giggling, masked form of the phantom. His tranq gun spinning on one of her fingers. "Jumpy tonight" she giggled.

"And your late" he shot back slightly annoyed.

The maned wolf smirked "Feisty too. Don't worry Delta I wouldn't leave you hanging." Handing the weapon back to the painted canine Savannah turned her attention to the battered ruck sack at Delta's feet. "Whats in the bag?" She asked, ears perked and tail rapidly wagging.

Though still somewhat annoyed Delta replaced his side arm and pawed the bag over. "The usual, Tinned fruit and vegetables. Boil in the bag bugs and fresh clothes." The painted police mammal detailed as the maned vigilantes peered into the bag and began to sniff for any hidden treats. Delta was about to continue when Savannah squealed in delight, reaching into the bag and pulling out a fist full of peanut butter pretzel bites. "Don't say I don't get you anything nice and please don't tell Echo either." Delta chuckled as he watched the maned wolf begin to devour the salty, nutty treats.

"Don't worry Delta your secret is safe with me" She replied with a full mouth making the painted dog shake his head. Savannah knew how protective the painted bar keep was of her favourite snack. The maned beauty took several moment to savour the salty and nutty flavour that permeated her mouth. It had been so long since she got any food that wasn't just boil in the bag or ready made. Humming to herself she plopped another paw full into her muzzle "So good"

Her reverie was interrupted by Delta suddenly feeling like a third wheel. "Should I give you 2 sometime alone or…" She didn't speak instead turned her back towards him, pushing more pretzels into her maw.

Shaking his head Delta reached into his jacket "Then I guess you wont be wanting this" he smirked, before revealing the ruined exterior of the carrot pen from his pocket. "I wanted to be sure it didn't get broken or lost" He explained.

"It works?!" Savannah slapped a paw over her muzzle, as the two canines glanced towards the entrance to the alley.

Delta couldn't help but pinch the bridge of his muzzle. "Kind of. You need to plug it into your phone or laptop and use their speaker."

"Did he say what was on it?" Her excitement clear.

Delta paused. A pensive look on his face. Savannah looked over at her friend his expression tempered her excitement. "No but he said you should listen in private" Delta had been somewhat disturbed by Giuseppe's unusual behaviour. The squirrel had heard and seen a lot, you tended to when unlocking other mammals computers, so for him to be uncomfortable said a lot.

The news of Giuseppe's reaction to what was on the device worried Savannah. Her favourite tech expert had spent many hours detailing and laughing about the many weird, embarrassing and down right horrible things he'd seen over the years. But it also gave a reason for her excitement to return "Well it means I must be right then. This thing is important"

He may have never been a detective but had spent enough time around and helping them to know the frustration that came with any investigation. But kept his misgivings to himself not wanting to ruin Savannahs mood. Unfortunately this led to an awkward silence between the 2 neither really sure where to go while still ruminating on the pen and their friends reaction to it.

Until Savannah remembered something "Don't you have plans tonight?".

Checking his watch Delta's eyes widened "Shit I'm late." The drop had taken half an hour and given the fact that Savannah had been much later than planned meant that Trisha would be getting off shift in under 20 minutes. Turning he raced from the alley calling over his shoulder "see you next week. Good luck!"

"Say hi to Trisha for me!" The vigilantes called after him with a slight chuckle. Once more the maned beauty inspected the pen and it new jack lead plug. Excited yet apprehensive as to what it contained and what it would mean. Placing the item safely into her pocket and returning her mask over her muzzle, she then climbed back up the drain pipe she had descended earlier and back to the roof tops of the great city.

As she did a hyena watched her from his hiding spot. As the vigilante disappeared out of view the spotted canine stepped out from behind the pile of rubbish and dumpsters at the end of alley. His spiked jacket caked in grime and dirt. Raising his phone, a surprisingly modern I-carrot he'd 'found' a week ago, he punched in a number he was well versed in. "Hey Shenzi. I got somin good." His raspy voice chuckled into the device.

One quick visit to his flat to remove his infernal collar and Delta was on his way to meet up with his date.

All the while attracting more than his fair share of attention. It was rare to see a mammal this happy in the nocturnal district, merrily half skipping half dancing down the street humming cheerfully to himself. Vagrants and the locals watched the odd sight with a degree of interest and worry. An aardvark standing on his front porch drinking a home-brew shook his head in despondency, believing another young mind had fallen to the under hive of the city. Yet as his tail vibrated Delta really couldn't have cared less. His mind was only focused on one thing or more specifically one bunny. The odd couple made sure to ear mark one night a week for just themselves. Something Echo was more than happy to accommodate.

But tonight was even more special as it was their anniversary. Delta and Trisha weren't married but everyone else just thought they may as well be and to mark the importance of the evening the painted dog had a very special night planned for his beloved. Firstly paintballing. Trisha never was one for fancy dinners or simple movies oh no. Paintballing also held a special place in the couples hearts as it was where they first met back in collage. Although they wouldn't start dating until much later, they still held that day in special regard. Following this it was off to Stevens fryer, a dinner right next to the entrance of the tunnel system under the city. From there they would spend the rest of the evening exploring the honeycomb of passages and caves that snaked it way under the metropolis.

This couple didn't do normal. As if a painted dog dating a bunny wasn't evidence enough.

The 2 had received more than their fair share of cruel comments and even treatment from others. Nothing physical but some restaurants would refuse to serve them and one theatre even insisted that the pair not sit together. But neither of them cared so long as they had each other.

The thought somehow made his tail wag even faster as a wistful sigh escaped him.

Delta had just one more stop he needed to make before heading over to the 10-7. The Otterton florists on Chiroptera avenue. The painted dog always made a point to by her flowers even though she would always insist she wasn't a flowery bunny. He was a gentle mammal after all and this also had become another little ritual of theirs. He'd present the flowers to which Trisha would playfully scowl and complain "I'm not a girly bun" to which Delta would cheekily reply "Humour me". She would take the beautiful bouquet while grumbling something about a dump pup, but wouldn't be able to keep a cute smile from her lips as she buried her nose in them.

Arriving outside the 2 story flower shop and home Delta paused to think about the poor owner. Mr Otterton had been one of the original 14 mammals to go missing and later be found having gone savage. As a result his family and shop had been forced to relocate under the city. Many prey had been giving predator owned businesses a wide birth anyway and it had been even worse in this case as Emmett had actually gone Savage.

However in this case no physical retaliation ever happened to the family of otters as evidenced by the appearance of the shop. Where as the rest of the street consisted of badly maintained dwellings either missing; window, doors, pieces of wall or where just straight up collapsing with peeling paint and splintered wood. The Otterton's shop was pristine. Not a single mark was present on the landscape windows allowing potential patrons to view the amazing bouquets on offer. The white paint on the oak front door and window frames had yet to even fade as was the same for the red and cream awning over the front of the store. It didn't even have a slight crease to it. It was as if the Building had been plucked from downtown and plopped down in its new local.

It seemed having Mr Big as a client came with perks.

As he thought about the problems facing the family of otters his ears twitched, suddenly noticing the lack of sound coming from the street. Now that he thought about it since turning the corner the painted dog hadn't seen anyone. Surveying up and down the street he saw, no one.

None of the locals leaving for a late night shift, or staggering home after a day on the ale. Even the inconspicuous black car full of polar bears normally located at the end of the street was missing. Checking his watch Delta saw it was almost 7pm "Strange" he quietly mussed to himself. But ultimately shrugged. The nocturnal district never really ran to any time table anyway and besides no one would mess with Mr Big's favourite florist.

The small bell above the door chimed as he entered but the rest of the store was quiet and empty. The beautiful, delicate smells of every conceivable flower came together to massage the canines delicate nasal cavity.

Every conceivable flowers covered every inch of wall space while others hung from the ceilings in basket. The floor was a classic black and white chequerboard pattern made of glossy ceramic tiles. Much easier to clean up any mishaps that way. The centre of the store was clear allowing costumers to reach the counter at the far end of the shop while on either side of this walkway where 2 tables. Set up like raised flower beds allowing patrons to inspect the various plants that could be added to any custom bouquet. The whole scene always calmed the painted pup when he saw it.

Except today. The feeling from outside remained, even if he pushed to the back of his mind.

Making his way to the counter he noted the complete lack of any other mammal. Just like outside. Though Mrs Otterton couldn't be too far away judging by the sound of the T.V. in one of the back rooms. Pressing the bell on the counter Delta waited patiently for the owner of the shop to appear. A small wait was normal. Mrs Otterton was a very busy otter having both a successful business and 2 kits to look after, especially on her own.

Knowing that it could be a while Delta pulled out his phone. The usual, love sick smile coming to his muzzle upon seeing his wallpaper. A picture of his bunny from their last trip to the beach. The image of his brown beauty in nothing but a rich blue bikini had his trousers getting a little tight but the best thing about the pic was he wasn't the one who set it as his wallpaper. Delta was able to tear his eyes away long enough to send a message to Trisha telling her he would be on his way soon, before returning the device to his pocket.

There was still no sign of the lovely otter though. Not even a call from the private part of the building to tell him she was there.

He could still hear the T.V, but that was it. His tail stilled, ears pricked and fur began to puff up.

"Hello? Mrs Otterton?" He called anxiously, the alarm in his head ringing in his ears. "It's me Delta. I'm here for my order"

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"Ma'am?"

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Becoming increasingly worried Delta slid around the counter. Peering down the hallway everything seemed as it should. Yet didn't. Pictures and furniture all where it should be. But no sign of life. The passage still well lit, yet it felt...dingy somehow. He couldn't smell anything out of the ordinary either. "Ma'am are you alright?" The painted dog called out to the door at the end of the hall, slightly ajar with the sound of the evening news emanating from it.

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He began to move down the corridor, while keeping his foot falls as quiet as possible. Instinctually reaching for his tranq pistol he cursed himself for leaving it and his duty belt at home. He wanted to run. To retreat as far from the building as possible. But if Mrs Otterton needed help she needed it now.

Coming to the door at the far end of the hallway he paused. Peering through the crack in the door, trying to get an idea of what was inside.

The homely space was mostly lit by the flat screen against the far wall upon which the lovely Fabienne Growley was reading the latest news. Pushing the door open just a bit more he caught a glimpse of a pair of otter feet, jutting out from the sofa. And they showed no sign of life. His eyes widened and he sucked in a breath. Listening intently he tried to hear her breathing but the television drowned it out, if it was present.

A sudden stinging erupted in the painted dogs neck. As if a giant wasp had attacked him.

As he whirled around he found his balance abandon him. A fast acting sedative taking effect. Stumbling back he crashed into a side board, sending a vase and flowers shattering to the floor.

Heart rate rasing. Eyes closing and balance failing Delta tried to stagger back to the front door. Only to trip on the carpet, collapsing to the floor.

He attempted to move. But the drugs were too strong and his muscles failed. Slumping to the floor he waited for whatever happened next. Once more his thoughts shifted to Trisha trying to focus on her and not what was happening. Her smile, her laugh all the things about her that gave him joy. As Delta's vision began to blur and the darkness began to creep over him a steel foot jabbed his side, flipping the drugged canine onto his back.

There he got a look at his attacker. An image that would burn itself into his subconscious and haunt him for many years. A wolf in a brown biker jacket and combat trousers, with a pair of glowing golden eyes. "You" The painted dog croaked out. The wolf didn't respond. He simply observed him, waiting for the painted dog to pass out.

Delta tried to deny him. To fight back by simply staying awake. But it was a hopeless fight and as his eyes finally slipped shut and darkness enveloped him the wolfs eyes continued to burn brightly.