Private Detective Axel Collins leaned back in his chair and took a long drag of his cigarette as he scanned the note that had been left in his mailbox. It was written in tiny, dainty letters and read. I'm sorry to bother you, Detective Collins, but I hear you're the best detective there is. I have reason to believe my husband has been murdered. I went to the cops, but they didn't take me seriously. I don't have much money to pay you, but you're our only hope. Sincerely, Mrs. Honeycake. Axel twirled the card in his fingers. Business had been slow for the past couple of weeks. "A murder case could be fun," he muttered.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRgr1KQFfH
...
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmeJe7qJs5
The next afternoon, Axel arranged a meeting with Mrs. Honeycake. He stared up at the clock as time ticked away. She should be here by now. He thought to himself, Maybe this is all some kind of prank. Just as he was about to leave, he heard the sound of a tiny pitter-patter approaching his office. He got up to see what was making the sound. To his shock, he saw a raccoon standing on two legs wearing a floral Easter bonnet and carrying a basket of muffins. He blinked twice to make sure his eyes weren't deceiving him. She was undoubtedly real. "Um, there are no pets allowed in here! Axel shouted down the empty hallway.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmyEMNfqn6
"I'm not a pet!" The Raccoon said indignantly.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9kPHP0Xbl
Axel pretended not to understand her.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHQe2vui0G
"You can't fool me, detective. The weasels downtown told me all about your ability to communicate with animals."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFACWzi9cn
Axel silently cursed himself. That's what he gets for trusting weasels. "Yeah, well, my therapist says this all in my head, so..."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsdjgmYLCJ
The Raccoon shook her head disapprovingly. "You know, humans think they're the smartest creatures on this planet, but they sure are ignorant about a great many things."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCR9PpwmjO
Axel massaged his temples and let out an exasperated sigh. "What do you want from me?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaZes6jMAf
"I am Mrs. Honeycake. I left you a note about my husband."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8rXcSVeT8
Axel pulled the note out of his pocket. He glanced between her and the note. "I didn't know raccoons could write."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlYpzGmQFc
"Of course, we can! We don't have opposable fingers for nothing."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMgIX6P3Op
Axel fought the urge to bang his head against the wall. This was just his luck. Of course, yet another animal needed his help. He wanted to tell her to leave. Nothing good had ever come from him helping animals.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKqPlNv4RN
He grew up in a small hunting town up north. He was born with the terrible curse to understand animals. It's nothing like the movies. There's nothing magical or whimsical about it. Every day he could hear the animals beg for mercy followed by the sound of gunshots. The memories still made him shiver. Sometimes he'd sneak out at night and free animals from the local hunting traps. At the time he'd thought he was a hero, but now he knew better. They wouldn't last long with those injuries. He only prolonged their suffering. Everything came to a head when he staged a jailbreak at the fur factory. He successfully managed to free several of the foxes, but security apprehended him before he could make his grand exit. He can still taste the blood from the beatings he received when the town discovered what he did. "My apologies, Mrs. Honeycake, I can't help you."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7r4feYxLl
"What? I came all this way, and you're not even going to listen to me?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhQpPPPVrA
"I'm sorry, I can't do this."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICxKm87gnj
"But you said you'd help!"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThxaseRmIA
"That was before I knew you were a raccoon."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzYfhQBFM0
She crossed her arms. "Do you have something against raccoons?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEYmt1wRRz
"No! It's not that! Everyone back home thinks I'm crazy, I don't want to be a pariah here too. I'm trying to start over."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW2Ao7rL3u
She set down her basket and gripped his hand in her paws. "Listen to me detective, You are the only one who can give us animals a voice. If you don't help us no one will. All I want is closure, can you do that for me?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP63mEfUyq3
He pursed his lips into a thin line and sighed. "Fine, I'll hear you out, but I can't promise there is anything I can do."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC6f8grX4k
"That's all I ask."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHgI6JTysu
...
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRu4WcLaTy
He led her into his office and hoisted her onto the tall chair across from his. He flipped open his notebook and took a bite of one of her famous cranberry orange muffins, savoring the delectable mix of sour and sweet. Who knew raccoons could bake so well? He swallowed his bite and then spoke. "Tell me everything."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKL8z4bTjD
"It all started with the lawnmowers. It's all their fault!"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FzFXgBBsI
Axel scribbled down Lawnmowers? Into his notebook. "Can you please elaborate on that?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EHTxva3V8
"Are you familiar with Lawnmower Supply Corporation?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6kRlw9MRX
He twirled his pen. "I've heard of them."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTEKfKWdkM
"They bulldozed our burrow to build their new location downtown, and we used our fundamental right to protest."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bqwixklpi
"I don't believe the United States Constitution protects raccoons."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlVVzmkbEe
"Well, it should!" She huffed. "We weren't just going to sit there and let them steal our home from us, so we tried our best to inconvenience them. Nothing serious, just leaving paw prints in wet cement and hurling moldy tomatoes at their construction site, nothing that justifies murder."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HeQ8nYuIu
Axel gave an understanding nod and jotted that down in his notes. "Tell me more about the night of your husband's murder."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELmScotjzZ
"We were scavenging for dinner in the dumpsters at KracDonald's when I heard the sound of scraping, followed by my husband's scream. I rushed over to see what was the matter, but when I got there, he was gone."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AtDfxuzPc
"You suspect foul play from the Lawnmower Supply Corporation?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo6f9shNTu
"I know they did! After my husband was taken, I saw one of their trucks race out of the parking lot."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKgL2Y8d2c
"Interesting. I'll go to the scene of the crime and see what I can find."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfxoHNAkjg
...
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PfFOP4Y9j
The scent of fryer grease and soggy fries clung to his nostrils as he investigated the alleyway behind KracDonald's. He seldom ate here due to their overall lack of vegetarian options, and he was even less inclined after sifting through their moldy garbage. He shined his flashlight around the dumpster, searching for any signs of a scuffle. Sure enough, the dumpster's interior was covered in jagged claw marks and clumps of grey and black fur. He hopped into the dumpster to get a closer look at the evidence.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4bXlGCG4T
"Excuse me, sir. This is a reputable community, and we don't permit dumpster diving here. Why don't you go to the city instead, I'm sure they have much better garbage there."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4B7Y8xRs0
Axel turned around to confront the voice. "I'm not dumpster diving, I'm just looking for something."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7Ky57crKF
"Well, whatever you're doing, it's not allowed here." The man softened when he spotted Axel's badge. "Oh, you're a detective. Are you here to finally round up the vandals that have been sabotaging the local land development?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcarYv5Hli
"My business is confidential," Axel replied as he climbed out of the dumpster. Axel finally got a good look at the person who'd interrupted his investigation. It was a middle-aged man with overly-gelled hair and teeth that were just a little too white, his appearance was almost unsettling, but Axel couldn't place why. There was a small logo embroidered on the left pectoral of his polo shirt. Lawn Mower Supply Corporation. Next to it was a name tag that read: Ronald. Axel probably should've lied and said he was here to catch the vandals. Maybe then this man would be more forthcoming with any information on Mr. Honeycake.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjCRLWfmAm
Ronald let out a dissatisfied grunt, clearly not used to being told no. "Get out of the trash, son." His harsh, commanding, tone sent a jolt of panic down Axel's spine. It made him feel small, like he was a child again.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3VxTnihlv
Axel gritted his teeth. "I am not your goddamn son!"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEpUsBqk0L
"Woah there, it's just an expression. There's no reason to get upset."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVshNb1AkdW
"I'm sorry, I suppose I overreacted," Axel mumbled.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQovm6qlRN
The man let out a long sigh. "I've got to get back to work." He glanced back at his green truck with the words Lawnmower Supply Corporation pasted to the side. The back seat of the truck had been torn to bits, and stuffing was falling out of every crevice.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IrAxi5EvS
"What happened to your backseat?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vSshmNnRn
Ronald chuckled, but he couldn't keep the perturbed edge out of his voice. "You're a nosy one, aren't you, Detective Collins?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoTZUzgGPx
"Answer the question."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DA3lokTzq
The man raised his hands in surrender. "If you must know, I had some trouble getting my cat to the vet."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH95VjYzW7F
Axel raised a skeptical eyebrow but didn't question him further.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLQIgcot1J
"I really must be going now."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6HhPI2LJ7
"I think I'll swing by and do a quick sweep of the store if that's alright with you."
A look of panic flashed through his eyes, but he fought to keep his expression neutral. "You should come with me; I'll give you a ride, and I can give you a personal tour."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xUJDftN7O
"That's not necessary."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzIqGt8NEs
The man grabbed his wrist. "I insist."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBmsD4BuVr
...
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoBWJwoZdY
They drove to the store in uncomfortable silence. Axel kept one hand on the pistol concealed in his jacket, in case things went south. With his free hand, he jotted down the truck's license plate number from memory.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAkMAGJO3D
Ronald glared at him through the corner of his eye the entire drive, but Axel refused to be intimidated by him.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ264b2cZMpM
When they reached the store, the driver slammed the brakes a little too hard, sending Axel lurching forward. "We're here, he announced, stepping out of the vehicle.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLkhgScaTj
Axel quickly trailed behind him into the store. The first thing that caught Axel's attention as he entered the store was the sweet, earthy smell of hay and oats drifting from the hefty bags of feed. If he knew one thing about raccoons, it was that they never leave a snack untouched. If Mister Honeycake did manage to get in here, he would've gone for the food first. He squatted beside the food bags to see if they had been tampered with in any way.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgICHaA8ct
"Hey, Gus! Get over here!" Ronald shouted across the store.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSXhV87i09
A frazzled-looking young man with thin wire glasses and long curly hair he kept tied in a low ponytail came jogging toward us. He wore a white Lawn Mower Supply Corporation polo shirt with a grease stain on the front. "Good afternoon, sir. What can I do for you?" He panted.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc9nI3VXbv
Ronald slapped Axel on the back a little too hard. "This is Detective Collins he's interested in looking at some lawnmowers today. Why don't you give him the tour?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ9xezZFdM
"Wow, really? No one ever wants to take my tour!" Gus exclaimed.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEuTlidaw0
"Make sure he gets the chance to see everything," Ronald said with an impish grin smeared across his lips.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVOQg79eYB
The tour went on for a grand total of three hours. Gus rambled for an eternity about everything from spare tractor parts to the difference between every single brand of fertilizer. With every passing second, Axel felt his soul die a little bit more. If he had to listen to another overly detailed description of a lawnmower, he was going to commit arson right there and then. He suspected this was intentional. Lawnmower Supply Company wanted him to leave and never come back. Which was exactly why he was going to do the opposite. If they were trying this hard to deter him he must be getting close to something they didn't want him to find. He stood there patiently and forced a grin throughout the entirety of the tour.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduq6xzpmrc
When they reached the gardening section, Axel heard a strange noise coming from the vent. He pressed his ear up against it, and sure enough, he heard the distant echoes of something scratching and chittering.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaOcxelzwi
"Please don't touch that," Gus warned. "Ronald will be mad."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dTCNnatiy
"Oh yeah, what's he hiding down there?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ9gNaGGp4
Gus's face flushed bright red. "Um, nothing! Why would there be anything down there? That's ridiculous! Ronald hates it when customers get their germs all over the vents, that's all. I promise!"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsYnbvmKs1
"Oh sorry, my bad," He said, unhanding the vent with every intention of coming back to investigate later.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVPcKO6jd3
Gus appeared to silently congratulate himself, thinking Axel fell for his obvious lie before continuing his tour.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0vnLKu5mw
When they finally reached the end of the tour, Ronald was there to greet them at the front door. "Well, hello there Detective Collins. I hope you enjoyed your tour," he said.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCKjuZsJ5L
"It was delightful," Axel replied through clenched teeth.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikuWUZ9bkC
"Have you decided which lawnmower you're going to buy? We're having a big sale today."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYQqT6csDd
"I live in a city apartment, so I don't have any use for one, sorry." He wasn't sorry, not even a little bit, but Axel didn't want to further anger the powers that be at the Lawn Mower Supply Corporation.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiU7TUfGsE
"Then you're in the wrong place, friend. All we sell here is equipment for lawns and gardens, and if you don't have either, I'm afraid there's nothing for you here." Ronald practically shoved Axel out the front door. "It was nice meeting you, Detective Collins. Have a nice life." Ronald ushered him outside and slammed the glass door behind him, leaving Axel alone on the sidewalk. He had to suppress the urge to scream. Ronald may be the most aggravating human being on planet Earth. Very few people had the power to rile him up like this, but Ronald was far too reminiscent of the people from his hometown who always made him feel less than.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uIWDGV1RF
Axel slumped down on the curb in defeat; there was no way he could investigate while Ronald was breathing down his neck. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a fox wearing a green striped scarf, watching the chickens through the window with a ravenous look in its eyes. A drip of drool slid out of its mouth as it panted loudly.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk35X1Dm65E
"Hey! Can you salivate a little quieter? I'm trying to think!" Axel snapped.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvEHBc05Ht
The fox huffed. "Humans are so rude."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkFS6COW1w
"I'm sorry, I'm just really stressed right now."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD7cp4jkCz
The fox squinted, assessing him closely. "You can understand me?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrwxsi8rQP
"Yeah, I can. It's a unique quirk of mine. I've been able to do it ever since I was a kid.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFEJR89mXY
The fox extended their paw for him to shake. "My name is Pip Foxberry, it's a pleasure to meet you, kind sir."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWntJAAjlp1
"Detective Axel Collins," He introduced himself.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk6JDo2sTy
Pip spun around in excited circles! "Oh, my God! Really? My friends are never going to believe this!"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSuXCEAeBm
"You're acting like I'm a celebrity or something."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWRvwkVZC6
"To us foxes, you are! You're the one who staged the breakout at the fur factory. You're our hero. There aren't many kind humans left in this world. Thank you for being one of them."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw05e9ie1hP
Axel had never thought of it that way. He'd always assumed his crusade was worthless, and all the foxes were killed anyway, but if what Pip is saying is true, at least some of them made it free. Maybe all the beatings weren't for nothing. It can be so isolating when you're the only one who cares for others, but perhaps it's worth it to stand up for what's right, even if you're standing alone. "Hey Pip, are you willing to do a favor for your favorite hero?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqys2X5rLN
Pip let out a thoughtful hum. "I could be persuaded to assist you if you purchase me a Krappy Meal from KracDonald's."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqtjFNFAu2
"Deal."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFBt1TWxvG
They returned under the cover of the night, right before the store closed. They waited patiently until Ronald's truck pulled out of the parking lot before hatching their grand scheme. Axel threw on his hood to obstruct his face as he entered the store with Pip tucked snugly inside his jacket. He kept his head down as he slunk past Gus and the other employees and made his way to the vent in the gardening section. Sure enough, when he placed his ear against the vent, he could still hear the sounds of whimpering and claws against metal.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4J0zSn0xg
"You were right! There are animals trapped down there!" Pip's muffled exclamations could be heard from inside Axel's jacket, causing a family of shoppers to give him a wary side-eye.
Once the family had moved on to another aisle, Axel pulled out a screwdriver from his left pocket and unlatched the vent. He fastened a night-vision camera around Pip's neck and hoisted him into the vent. "It's your turn to be a hero now."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmRDezCRBW
Pip shimmied through the vent in the direction of the sounds, before popping out on the other side.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUDuTHDLUQ
"Alright, Pip. What are we looking at here?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7dO1o8EaH
"I'm in the basement furnace room. There are these huge cages lining all the walls."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbejLuHX01
"Do they have animals in them?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO3cj46en7
"Most of them do," Pip said as some feral cats hissed in the background.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg72ZqkHWsF
"Do you see any raccoons?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefGk25aIf9
"Let me see..." Pip replied, creeping closer to the cages. "Yes! There's one right here!"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf9HWmohqB
"Great! Ask them if they are Mister Honeycake," Axel instructed.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJWuwatRI4
"Hello there, are you Mister Honeycake by any chance?"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjrr9YBkJ7
"I am. Who the hell are you?" A gruff voice responded.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlBCnry3aY
"Your wife sent us," Axel explained. "We're here to break you out."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vUapAOsQ2
"I always knew the Missus would pull through."
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBz5FQZSvc
Their celebration was cut short by the sound of footsteps approaching.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTdhqCrRNd
"Hurry up, Pip!"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgayXCsiDpJ
"I'm trying," Pip whined as they tried to finesse the lock with their teeth. "Got It!"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJNORtrehx
Axel let out a sigh of relief. "Amazing job! Now come back to me!"
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhJkyx2BzX
The two critters scurried into the vents and climbed to meet Axel on the ground floor. Mister Honeycake's chubby body didn't maneuver through the vents as easily as Pip's did, but they both managed to reach the top. Axel grabbed one of them in each arm and sprinted out the front door, abandoning any sense of stealth he previously had. He didn't stop running until they were safely in his car with the doors locked. He slammed on the gas and sped out of the shopping plaza. Once they were on the road, he finally took a moment to breathe.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimphBo4uFm
"Are we really going to leave all those animals trapped in there?" Pip asked.
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4GGTrKMab
"I'm sorry, Pip. It's too risky to go back for them now, but thanks to you, we have camera footage, so we can report them for illegally capturing wild animals. We will bring them justice for their animal cruelty, I promise." Axel meant every word he said. This wasn't the end, he was going to do whatever it took to keep these animals safe, but first, he had a couple of raccoons he needed to reunite.
ns216.73.216.68da2
