The Fuzz: Prolouge
#1 of The Fuzz
She rushed hurriedly down the hall looking for a place to hide. Preza had just gotten the call from her very disgruntled "landlord." With a sigh of relief she came to the door of a utility closet. With a quick look around she made sure that no one was in ears shot, and hurried inside.
Grumbling she dug into her pocket, "I can't believe this." Fishing out her cellular phone she punched in the number.
"Hello?"
"Hello, it's me. I said that I would call you back." Preza held her breath waiting for it to begin.
Her landlord's gruff voice bellowed over the line. "...I already told you; you are late on your payment, and this is the last time I am willing to put up with it!"
Preza's ears flattened, and she visibly winced at the scolding. What had she done to deserve this? She had nowhere else to stay in this new town, and it had been the cheapest hotel she could stay at. Sure she could be a bit messy, but she was always kind to the other guests who came through. She knew the ins and outs of it, knew the staff, even the landlord's wife seemed to appreciate her presence around the hotel. So why this? Why now?
"Mr. Gwalz, please. I had to go through my training, and the department withholds paychecks until the training is complete. I know that my first paycheck wasn't very big but I tried to make up for it." It was true; she had volunteered to help with the maid duties. However Mr. Gwalz had refused her offer, wanting a payment instead. "I get paid this Friday, I can-"
"No," cutting her short from saying anything more, "I want you to pick up your belongings, and be out of here by the end of the evening. That is my final decision."
The low continuous tone, then the click of her phone automatically ending the call sealed the final judgment of her latest living arrangements.
Preza's heart fell. What was she going to do now?
After eating his lunch the Arctic wolf was quite satisfied and ready for the rest of the day. He strolled past the utility closet, his ears picking up a hushed voice coming from beyond the door. Pausing in his stride he turned slightly. His ice blue eyes narrowed on the metal frame of the door. Were people trying to make out in there again? Listening to the conversation inside he could tell that there was only one person in the room. A female voice, and she was on the phone. But with whom? ...Gwalz? From Gwalz Hotel? He leaned in closer listening more intently to the private conversation.
Preza reached for the door handle, deciding to put off her financial and living arrangements till later on that night. Throwing the door open she marched out of the room and straight into the solid chest of her fellow officer, Hybrin.
Hybrin stepped back as the door flew open, nearly missing his snout. Suddenly his arms were full of a violet haired silver tabby. Hybrin blinked, baffled as he looked down into the clear blue eyes of the department's latest transfer. "P-Pa-Preza?"
Preza blushed furiously at her situation. What he must have thought she was doing in there! She had heard the stories about two officers getting caught in the closet months before she arrived. She quickly pushed herself away from Hybrin's lupine form, her mind racing to come up with an explanation. "I-it's not what you think! I was taking a phone call!"
Hybrin was even more confused by the sudden loss of warmth, and Preza's panicked words. He felt the strong need to calm her nerves, and speak to her rationally. "I-I know."
"I got a call at my desk, and I had to take it- but not there-" Preza paused in her ramblings. "You know?" She let out an embarrassed laugh. He must have heard her talking, and come to the conclusion on his own. "Sorry." She felt her cheeks getting hot as she peeked through her bangs at the white wolf standing in front of her.
Hybrin gave her an uneasy smile still sensing that she was nervous about something. "No problem."
"Well I'll see you later then!" Preza turned on a heel and hastily shuffled away, hoping to spare herself any more humiliation in front of the veteran officer.
Hybrin scratched the back of his head. The new recruit sure was jumpy. Then again, after hearing what had just happened, he knew that she had her reasons. She was new in town, barely had any money, and she had just gotten out of her training. Things were hard on her as it was, and now she was being kicked out. If something didn't change soon Hybrin knew that Preza might have to transfer again.
"So, are you looking for a place to stay...?" Before he knew it, Hybrin was grabbed by the collar, yanked into the utility closet, and shoved against the door by the petite young tabby.
Preza's blush went to her ears. She nervously looked around to see if anyone was paying attention. Making sure to lock the door behind them she let out a sigh. "Were you eavesdropping on me?" Preza practically hissed the words as she glared down the wolf.
Hybrin blinked, "What? N-no!" He hadn't meant to overhear, he just had. "With ears like these it is hard to ignore things." He chuckled, now a bit nervous himself. To prove his point he rotated the white pointed ears set on top his head.
Preza watched the display and gradually loosened her grip on Hybrin's light blue uniform shirt. "You overheard by accident?" She gave him a look that said she wasn't completely buying his story.
"By accident," Hybrid nodded assuringly.
She didn't know why, but Preza found herself believing him. Whether it was instinct or something else there was something in Hybrin's demeanor that Preza knew she could trust. Reaching behind Hybrin's hip she turned the silver metal bar, silently unlocking the door.
"If you like to you can move in with me..." He took a deep breath, wondering how to continue. "I know that if the department finds out about it we could both get fired. But I'm sure we can figure something out. Besides, it sounds to me like you could use the help."
Preza tried fighting back her tears. She didn't want this, not from a fellow officer. It was bad enough that he knew of her situation to begin with. "I don't need charity-"
"This isn't charity," Hybrin snapped. Charity was the last thing on his mind. "Everyone has seen your scores through training. You have something in you that most veterans wish they had. You have potential to go far in this department." Taking a deep breath he turned and walked out the door.
He thought that she had potential? Preza was taken aback by the complement. No one in her previous department had ever sounded so encouraging toward her. Was she really that good, and didn't know it? She had always gotten high marks on tests, but when it came to the field none of that seemed to matter. She couldn't pull ahead. In this new department she had hopes that things would changes. It appeared that they had, but now this. Steeling her reserve Preza walked out the door. "Hybrin!"
He stopped, hearing his name called half way down the hall. Turning he rose a dark eyebrow, waiting.
She smiled, "Ok."
It was like that that the two officers Hybrin and Preza began to plan their new living arrangements.
Hybrin lives at a house, but uses a P.O. Box for his mailing address. He allows Preza to use the street address for her mailing address so that no one in HR can find out they are living together. Preza uses the bus to get to work while Hybrin drives. So they arrive at different times to work. Leaving their co-workers with the impression that they live separately. But how long can this ruse of theirs last?