Animal Instincts

Chapter 7

Tessa's POV

It's my first day at the ZPD and I already have drama stirring up. That little bunny needs to stop poking her nose in other mammals business. That's one thing I hate about bunnies, they're so nosy. Once I got home I took a hot refreshing shower, changing into some black shorts with a white tank top. Afterward, I decided to look through Nick's personal files for my mission. I spread all the papers across my coffee table in the living room. I sat on the couch and started looking through his files.

Full Name: Nicholas Piberius Wilde

Gender: Male

Age: 27

Height: 4ft

Weight: 80 lbs.

Appearance: Slender fox, red fur, large ears, cream muzzle, dark purple nose, green eyes, light green Hawaiian shirt, dark indigo necktie with red-and-blue stripes, brownish-gray pants

Special abilities: Night vision, great sense of smell, business savvy

Relatives: Mrs. Wilde (deceased), father not identified

Everything so far seemed to be true. I didn't get to ask Nick about his parents today. I thought it would be too early to ask anyway. I barely told him anything about me. He did most of the talking.

My life is far too complicated to explain to anyone. Every time I explain my tragic backstory to someone they feel really sorry for me and want to keep me company or help me. I don't need help. I'm independent and I've been like that since the tragic day I turned 16. That was a day I wish I could just erase from my mind forever.

I soon broke from my thoughts when I heard my doorbell ring. Who could that be at this time of night? Raising cautiously from my sofa, I made my way towards the front door. Slowly opening the door I was face to face with a tall creature dressed in a baggy trench coat and a fedora hat covering his eyes. The only thing I could see was his nose, which was jet black.

"Who are you?" I asked warily, eyeballing his appearance.

He was holding a folder in one of his paws and a wallet in his other.

"You don't recognize your own boss?" the creature taunted in a deep voice.

"Mr. Licks?" I took a step closer, squinting my eyes. I was trying to see was it actually him. "If it's you, what's my sister's name?"

Mr. Licks is the only mammal I talk to my sister about. He took us in when I was younger. A few weeks after that tragic day. He's like a father to me. A replacement one at least.

" It's Gertrude, Agent Woods. Now let me in!" He growled impatiently.

I held in a whimper, letting him in. Out of courtesy, I asked him if he wanted anything to drink, but he refused. He followed me into my living room and in the process started removing his hat and large trench coat. He had on some blue jeans and a casual black collared shirt. Mr. Licks was my boss and also my foster dad. He's also the most wanted criminal I was talking about earlier at the ZPD. Yeah, I know, it's shocking. I'm the adoptive daughter and working for the most wanted criminal in Zootopia. Big deal.

He stood at a towering 6'0, had shaggy ginger colored fur, has black tipped ears and tail, very muscular, and has mesmerizing sapphire eyes. He took me and my little sister, Gertrude, in when I was 16 and she was 8. He found us sleeping under a local park bench one night. He had his henchmen roaming the streets for some reason. I never bothered to ask why. That day forward he accepted us as his own two pups and adopted us. He owns a major corporation called the Fugitive Recovery Agency on the outskirts of Zootopia.

He trains young boys and girls like me to become bounty hunters and track down mammals that have wronged him in the past. I was the top student in all my classes. Since he was my 'father' he was more strict on me than the others, but in the end, it really paid off. I did my first mission when I was 18. My task was to assassinate a billy goat named Randy for stealing money from my father a couple years back. It felt freeing finally using a gun on a real target. The rush of adrenaline was amazing. Seeing my target collapse to the ground made me feel victorious.

"I wasn't expecting you to be here," I started, sitting down on the couch next to him.

"I know, I should've told you. I just wanted to see my little girl," he pulled me into a hug, forcing my face to press right into his large chest.

I inhaled his scent. He smelled like vanilla. I hugged him back, rubbing my head up against his chest. "I missed you."

"I did, too," he softly kissed the top of my head. "So tell me, how did your first day go?"

I pulled myself out of his embrace and sighed. "It went great, but there's this annoying bunny, who's always on my tail."

"Judy Hopps?"

"Yeah," I paused. "How did you know?"

"I have eyes, everywhere, Tessa." He replied flatly. "You should know this."

"Sorry," I laughed nervously, eyeing the folder he still has in his possession. "What's in the folder?" I pointed a finger to it.

He handed the folder to me and I opened it. It was another personal file, but it's was Judy's.

Full name: Judy Laverne Hopps

Gender: Female

Height: 3'10

Weight: 35 lbs.

Appearance: Slender rabbit, gray fur, pink nose, purple eyes, blue police uniform, black ballistic vest, light gray knee pads, black utility belt

Special abilities: Sharp hearing, speed, agility

"Oh, thanks, da- I mean sir." I had to catch myself.

"It's okay if you call me that, Tessa. Just because I'm also your boss doesn't mean I'm not your father." He said softly with a sincere smile.

I smiled brightly at him. "Okay, dad."

It felt funny calling him that. Even though it's been four long years I always called him sir. It's just a habit I guess.

"I noticed with this bunny she seems to be very close to Nick. I want you to gain her trust and try to at least be her friend." He ordered me.

I groaned, "But she's acting like a bitch to me on the first day!"

"The first day is always bad," he reasoned. "You have all week to figure out what to do. Go to the park, movies, anything. Just gain her trust. It'll be easier for you to get to Nick."

"Why can't I just shoot her in the head and call it a day?" I grumbled.

"No, Do as I say, Tessa."

I thought about it for a moment, then replied, "Fine. I'll try."

"Don't try. Do it!" He snapped, raising up from the couch as he grabbed his trench coat and fedora hat.

"Hey wait," I followed him to the front door. "How's Gertrude doing?"

He turned around to look at me with a nervous look. "Uh, s-she's fine." He muttered.

One of my ears flopped down in concern. "Are you sure?" I asked warily.

"Positive," he kissed the top of my head before closing the door, leaving me by myself once again.

Well, I guess my mission tomorrow is to win Judy over. Just great...