Stephanie's heart was pounding hard in her chest as she approached the Crystal Mansion. It was just after two in the morning, and the building was shrouded in darkness, except for the half crescent moon hanging in the sky, and the dim glow of a few lights that illuminated the windows on the first floor.
The young wolf was decked from head to toe in black, her goldish-green eyes and the ruffled white fur of her muzzle being the only things that stood out otherwise. Her turtleneck sweater hugged her figure tightly and the black hoodie she wore over it helped to flatten down her ears to further simplify her silhouette, while her sneakers and cargo pants would allow for plenty of easy movement during her break-in.
As she approached the gate, Stephanie could feel her nerves kicking into overdrive. It was made of wrought iron - coated, of course, in solid gold - and stood just over twelve feet tall, with a security camera perched on top. Two antelope guards were positioned a few feet away, their backs facing her while they listened to updates through their earpieces.
Shuffling in the shadows the far corner, Stephanie quickly but carefully clambered up the gate, making sure not to get her leg or clothes caught on the sharp spires while she made her way over the top to the other side. Although there was a soft, sprawling flower bed below that may have cushioned her fall, she knew better than to risk potentially making a noise that would get the guards' attention, so she quietly climbed downwards just as she'd done when ascending.
The big, beautiful garden on the premises was a convenient, well-shadowed shortcut to the back entrance of the mansion, and Stephanie tiptoed through it without detection, eventually reaching a footpath was lined with various sculptures made in Jimmy's likeness. These busts and statues kept Stephanie slightly on edge as she made her way through, subconsciously dreading the thought of the real Jimmy coming out from behind one of them and catching her in the act, but thankfully this didn't happen as she finally reached the back door.
Knowing that it was already locked, and another security camera was hanging down right above it, Stephanie planted herself right against the wall and looked up, seeing the slightly ajar, second story window that was just about fifteen feet above her. The ornate, gold-plated gardening lattice on the wall was just high enough for her to climb right up to the window sill, allowing Stephanie to pry the window just open enough to get herself inside.
This was a bathroom - one of at least five - which led right into the main hallway to the grand staircase in the centre of the building, and after making sure no one else was around, Stephanie quickly bolted upwards to the third floor. Despite it being cast in darkness, it was still abundantly clear that the Crystal Mansion was truly an architectural marvel, with its gleaming, smooth marble floors, polished alabaster marble walls, and a single, sparkling chandelier - made, once again, of solid gold - dangling down from the ceiling.
But Stephanie wasn't in the mood to admire it as she ascended the stairs. While it had certainly been a magnificent prison she'd been staying in for the last several years, it was a prison nonetheless, and all she wanted to do was rescue her most precious cargo and get out of there.
Finally, she reached the top of the staircase, seeing the door to Porsha's room directly opposite Jimmy's. She could faintly hear the older wolf's snoring from behind his door, so Stephanie made sure to be quiet as she turned the handle on her daughter's door and slowly pried it open.
Despite only just tucking her in a few hours prior, Stephanie couldn't help feeling a little overwhelmed seeing the four-and-a-half-year-old fast asleep in her bed, draped in Stephanie's own fluffy red dressing gown. After taking a brief moment to process this, Stephanie then went over to the closet, pulling out a small, turquoise-coloured backpack, and began frantically shoving some of her little pup's favourite toys, clothes and drawing books into it.
She was so caught up in the moment that she didn't even notice the door behind her prying open again, or the silhouette of the figure that was slowly approaching from behind until their hand finally grabbed her shoulder.
"GAH! Get away from me, ya filthy son of a - Mmfh!"
Stephanie continued muffling as the figure covered her mouth with their other hand, her eyes going wide point when she saw who it was.
"Ssh, be quiet!" Suki sounded desperate as she glanced back to the door, making sure they weren't being watched or heard. The saluki gently closed it over with one hand, before picking up a smaller pile of Porsha's things and shoving them into the backpack. "She's not gonna be able to carry this on her own, so you need to travel light."
"Wait, Suki, you... you're helping me...?" Stephanie was still overwhelmed, but she was put more at ease when the saluki looked back to her and cupped her face affectionately.
"Hmm... what else would you expect me to do...?" Suki then zipped the bag shut. "Oh, and uh... and Jerry gave you the severance money, right...?"
"Y'mean the hush money? Uh, yeah... y-yeah, he did. Seven hundred grand."
"Good, now you need to get outta of this city and never ever come back!" Suki took Stephanie's hand, looking the wolf right in the eye. "Do you understand...? Never!"
"Uh, okay... okay, yeah, I understand..." Stephanie tried to reduce her hyperventilation and calm herself down. "Suki, he... he was gonna keep Porsha from me..."
"Yeah, and when he finds out you took her, he'll have his thugs all over the city looking for you!" Suki let out a soft sigh as her eyes misted up a bit. "If they track you down, Stephanie, chances are they're not gonna be bringing you back here... especially not in one piece."
Stephanie nodded, then clicked her tongue. "Ah shoot, I gotta get another ticket."
"Children under five travel for free." Suki cut in bluntly. "Porsha won't need one."
"Oh yeah... yeah, Porsha..." Stephanie pursed her lips. "Yeah, that's uh... that's what I was talking about."
"Just as long as you're gone by morning, he won't be able to track you. From there it's up to you, but all that matters is that you just get outta here."
Stephanie then went over to the bed, wrapping Porsha up in the fluffy bathrobe and holding her close to her chest as she went back over to the saluki. "Alright, come. Let's get going, then... you don't gotta pack anything, do ya, Suki...?"
Suki hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering with emotion, before finally letting out a small, defeated sigh. This made Stephanie sink a little, having already realised what the saluki was going to say.
"I can't..." Suki looked down. "I'm sorry. I really wish I could, Stephanie, but... but y'know, my brother, and his wife, they'd never -"
"No no, it... it's okay, I get it..." Stephanie pulled a small smile, titling Suki's head slightly to give her friend a kiss on the cheek. "We're really gonna miss ya, though..."
"Hmm... I got you into this life, Stephanie." Suki pulled the wolf into a hug, making sure not to crush or wake up the little one sleeping in her arms. "It's only right I help get you out of it."
"I'm never gonna forget ya, Suki..." Stephanie sniffled, tightening her grip while she returned the embrace, before finally pulling away and draping the backpack over her free arm. "And neither is she... I'll make sure of it."
"Yeah..." Suki removed her glasses while a few small, bittersweet tears dripped down her warm, beaming face. "Alright... now you better get going..."
Stephanie nodded, and carefully made her way out the room and down the stairs. Suki watched silently as the wolf reached the bottom floor and headed for the back door, making sure not to alert the guards outside or the little pup still sleeping in her arms.
It certainly still hurt to see her friend go after all this time, but Suki knew it would be for the best. And she could hope that Stephanie and her precious little Porsha would be safe and happy wherever they ended up.
It must have been early morning now, judging by the sun that was peeking through the slightly ajar curtains. Since Stephanie took off, Suki had been lounging on the couch in front of the TV, a blanket loosely hanging off her legs. But despite the comfortable setting, she hadn't gotten even a minute of sleep, instead sitting upright while a thousand thoughts raced through her mind.
The sound of the front doors opening, followed by an overly-enthusiastic tune being idly whistled, alerted her to Jerry's arrival, so she quickly straightened up and gave a small, quiet wave to the cat as he entered. Jerry raised a curious, but not quite suspicious, eyebrow at this apparent civility - being used to a much more dismissive response from the saluki - but after a moment he pulled a small smile and returned the gesture while making his way upstairs.
"Oh boy..." Suki whispered quietly under her breath, glancing upwards to the higher level as the lights came on, and the slightly creaky door to Porsha's room was pulled open. "Three... two... one..."
Jerry's high-pitched gasp cut the tension like a knife, and the cat's quick, frantic footsteps became audible as he darted out of the room. He had seemed unusually cheery when he first arrived, despite the horrible thing his employer had done mere hours beforehand, so Suki did somewhat appreciate seeing Jerry's happiness being immediately dashed by his discovery. But knowing where he was going next, she knew things were about to escalate very quickly, so she got up off the couch and made her way upstairs right as the cat entered the opposite bedroom.
"Mr. Crystal, wake up!"
"Gah! Jerry...?!" Jimmy's tone struck a balance between startled and annoyed, and Suki held back behind the doorway while Jerry tried to explain himself.
Suki knew from past incidents that her employer didn't like to be disturbed during his sleep, especially not by Jerry, and the news he was about to hear certainly wasn't going to help his mood.
"I know, I'm so sorry to wake you up, sir!" Jerry was still slightly breathless as he spoke a mile-a-minute. "It's Stephanie! She's broken into the mansion, taken your daughter and she's leaving town right now!"
"She's WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT...?!"
Suki couldn't help stifling a chuckle when she heard Jimmy leap out of bed, prompting a high-pitched shriek from Jerry as the poor cat finally saw what the blanket had been covering. But she quickly straightened up when her employer stormed out of the bedroom, tying the sash on his black and gold bathrobe.
"I want them found and brought back here NOW!" He snarled angrily as he stormed down the stairs, Suki anxiously trying to keep up with him. "Then I want ya to find the deepest hole in the city, dig it deeper, and put her in it!"
"Y-yes, sir..." Suki nervously cleared her throat. "I'll do what I can, Mr -"
"I don't care what you can do! That bus does not leave that station!" Jimmy bellowed, picking up a marble bust of his likeness and shattering it against the wall. "When I get my hands on that little thief, I'll... oh, I'll tear her to shreds! No one makes me look like a fool! NO ONE!"
Stephanie kept her hood up with her sunglasses on as she entered the station, concealing just enough of her recognisable face to avoid making a scene, while not covering up enough to look suspicious or attract attention from the security present.
Pulling her two suitcases with one hand, carrying her sleeping daughter in the other, and with the gym bag of money and the backpack of Porsha's things hanging off her other shoulder, the added weight would certainly be a hindrance if Stephanie found herself having to run. But with no sign of Jimmy's thugs and her escape route still a few minutes from it's scheduled departure, it seemed she wouldn't have to resort to that, so she made a quick stop in one of the various food stalls that were lined up across the station.
"Alright... let's see here..." She quickly surveyed the display of various cooked pastries and breakfast items that hung above the till, before finally spotting a familiar image. "Ooh... ya don't do that French toast to go, do ya...?"
"Oh yes. It takes about two minutes to reheat, ma'am..." The tortoise behind the counter answered.
"Perfect! Yeah, I'll take two to go, please..." Stephanie passed over some cash while still holding onto Porsha with one hand, chuckling at the little one still lying asleep. "It's her favourite, so..."
After packing the two containers of cooked food into the backpack, Stephanie made her way across to a neighbouring stall to buy a few other essentials - namely some water, juice and various candies and chocolates - before pricking up when she heard the voice over the PA.
"12-21 for Sealattle, leaving in fifteen minutes."
"Oh crap, uh... y-yeah, this is everything, thanks..." Stephanie quickly paid for the confectionaries and let the chimpanzee vendor drape the bag over one of her arms, before grabbing her suitcases again and heading off towards the terminals.
At least a hundred thoughts were still racing through her head as she went from a speed walk into a sprint - Jimmy, Suki, the thugs - but she managed to focus all of those thoughts onto just two things: the bus, and Porsha. That was all that mattered right now, and as long as they reached the terminal in the next five minutes, everything else came second.
"Alright, we're rolling out here!" The giraffe in the driver's seat stuck his neck out of the bus to make this announcement, before closing the doors and taking off from the 12-21 terminal. "Whoa!"
The sharp SCREECH! of the bus making an emergency stop sent most of its passengers jolting forwards, some of the smaller animals even falling out out their seats. A minor ambience of confused and concerned murmurings broke out among the passengers as they all looked to the driver's window, seeing the big black SUV that had pulled out in front of them a few seconds prior, and the darkly-dressed leopard and wolf that were now approaching.
"Open up, right now!" Kendall demanded as he hammered his fist on the door, his vicious scowl showing enough of his fury even with the sunglasses covering his eyes. "You better not be hidin' her in there!"
After taking a moment to reassure and calm down his passengers, the driver opened the doors to let the two hostile individuals in, remaining seated as they made their way towards the passenger area. Kendall remained at the front of the bus, baring his teeth viciously to intimidate the animals all staring fearfully at him, while Roman made his way towards the back to confront their escaped fugitive.
"Mrs. Crystal! Hand over the girl, and you can... wait..." The leopard cut himself off as he turned around to face his partner again, with his raised eyebrows making it clear that his eyes were wide with both shock and horror beneath. "Where the hell is she...?!"
Stephanie couldn't help but chuckle as she watched this scene unfold from the back window of the 12-16 bus. It had left the station ten minutes before the 12-21 was scheduled, just allowing her to see the later bus being stopped and searched through by Jimmy's thugs in the distance.
She exhaled with relief as she sat back on her seat and looked down at the two tickets in her hand, casually crumpling the Sealattle one that Jerry had given her. She'd bought the second ticket in cash, so it's purchase couldn't be traced to her account, and since children under ten travelled for free, she didn't need to buy another ticket for her precious little stowaway.
The bus was about an hour into its journey when Porsha finally woke up, yawning gently as she rubbed one of her eyes.
"Morning, sleepy head..." Stephanie whispered warmly, pressing her little one's nose like a button. "How ya doin'...?"
Porsha pondered what was happening for a moment or two, though she barely seemed to notice the fact that she was on a big moving vehicle instead of her own bed. But after this brief silence, the little wolf pulled a small scowl and crossed her arms, shuffling a few inches down the seat to make some distance between them.
"Hmm... well, what's gotten into you? Huh, Little Miss Grumpy?" Stephanie chuckled gently, turning her daughter's pouting little face back towards herself. "Somebody wake up on the wrong side of the... the uh... bus seat thingy?"
"What do you care...?!" Porsha snapped, though for some reason she sounded rather hurt.
Nevertheless, this tone of voice did take Stephanie off-guard. But being in too good a mood to reprimand her little one, she remained casual and sweet.
"Well, I care cause I'm your Mommy, and I love ya, sunshine."
"No you don't!" Porsha said, tearing up a bit as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "You don't even want me. You said it!"
"Didn't want ya...?" Stephanie scoffed. "Porsha, when'd I ever say something like that...?"
"It was when I... I got outta bed, cause I heard ya fighting with Daddy..." Porsha sniffled, hunching forward as she lowered her ears. "And ya said... you said you Rugrat me!"
"Rugrat...?" Stephanie couldn't help stifling a chuckle, before her eyes widened when she realised what Porsha had just mispronounced. "Oh... regret...?"
"Is it… is it cause of what I said on Valentine's Day…?" Porsha sounded choked up while she began to wring her hands together, holding back even more tears. "Cause I didn't wanna make ya sad, Mommy, I was just -!"
"Oh no... no no no, baby, I didn't mean it like that... aw, c'mere..." Stephanie gently pulled the little one into a hug, kissing the top of Porsha's head. " I didn't mean it like that at all, sunshine. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, and that's something I do mean, baby."
Porsha looked up at her with still tearful eyes, analysing her mother's face for any hint of dishonesty, but all she saw was love and warmth in Stephanie's gaze. Now fully convinced, the four-and-a-half year old then wiped her nose with the front of her hand before returning the embrace, burying her head in her mother's chest.
While time seemed to slow down all around her, Stephanie was sure she must have held onto her little one for a good few minutes, though having thought she'd lost Porsha forever only a few hours prior, she certainly wasn't in any mood for letting her go now. But when it was apparent that the little pup was feeling slightly crushed, Stephanie loosened her grip and placed her daughter back beside her on the actual seat.
"Wait... why are we on a big bus thingy...?" Porsha spoke up again as she looked around, having only finally noticed the unfamiliar location they were sat in. "And where's Daddy...?"
"Oh..." Stephanie's eyes widened a little, and she crouched down to be closer to her daughter's eye level. "Well, uh... y-y'see, Porsha, Daddy... he's, um... well, he's not... ugh..."
After spending the better part of thirty seconds stammering to herself, Stephanie finally thought back to another conversation she and her little one had previously had, the very same conversation that had prompted this little getaway in the first place.
"Do ya remember those big changes I told ya about, Porsha...?" Stephanie's face lit up a bit when her daughter nodded, then she took both the little one's hands in her own. "Well... this is it! We're makin' those changes together. Just you and me, sunshine!"
"Really?!" Porsha gasped, already overwhelmed with excitement. "Wow, I can't believe we're... wait... but... b-but where are we going, Mommy...?"
"Hmm... we're going home, sunshine..." Stephanie chuckled warmly as she reached back into her pocket. She then fished out the recently-stamped ticket for Porsha to see, letting the little pup squint a bit to study the words printed onto it.
Bus Number: 12-16
Departure Time: 7:50am
Destination: Calatonia