“Daddy! Mommy! Look! A Bear!”

A little black haired boy was shouting at his parents and jumping up and down in the backseat of their minivan. I groaned and shielded the side of my face with my hand. I was on my way to the Sheriff's office and had to stop at an intersection. I was waiting for the green light when the minivan stopped beside me.

“I want one!” The boy demanded. No, you don’t!

I took a quick look at the car on my right and the boy’s face was plastered on the car window. He was waving his little hands at Hera vigorously. I looked in my rearview mirror and the little runt was waving back with a clawed paw, aping her fan.

*chuff*

“Come on. Turn green, please.” I appealed to the traffic light.

When I decided to bring the stubborn bear to the job interview, I forgot that maybe a bear on the back of a truck might cause problems. Of course, it will cause problems, who am I kidding.

I glanced back apprehensively at the minivan but the parents were ignoring the boy like they were used to him making things up. I was thinking of going back but I didn’t want to be late for the interview.

“That’s nice joey.” The father said woodenly while he was looking at the traffic light. The dad clearly did not believe the boy.

The light finally turned green and I stepped hard on the gas pedal. The tires squealed and the truck shot like a missile. I took one last look on the rearview mirror and I saw the parent’s shocked faces. The bear was facing at the minivan and was still waving at them. I took a shortcut and hoped the parents in the minivan didn’t call the cops on me. Goddammit, Hera!

“Dude! Look!”

“Sooo Cute!”

“That’s Animal Cruelty!”

--

I parked in front of the Sheriff's office’s brown two-story building and turned off the ignition. I groaned when I recalled the spectacle that I caused in town. A biker Orc even tried chasing me for a couple of blocks. I got out of the truck quicky and frowned at Hera. I looked at the time on my holoscreen and I was a little early for the interview. I was racking my brain on how to keep the bear out of mischief. I can’t leave her outside or people passing by the street would panic and call 9-1-1. I finally said “Screw it” and decided to bring Hera with me inside the building. I just make something up if they ask why a bear was following me.

“Hera, let’s go. Come.”

The bear cub didn’t need convincing and she ungracefully jumped off the truck, face planting on the road. Hera rubbed her face with her paw at looked at me accusingly. I rubbed her neck and walked to the door of the building. She followed me hesitantly but stopped at the double doors and she was grunting nervously. I trained her not to go inside our house and I was confusing her. I coaxed her to come inside and I walked confidently into the building.

The Sheriff's Office was converted from an old hotel and inside it looked like a hotel lobby. The interior was marbled with wood accents and the walls were painted in beige. It had a very classic and cozy feel to the place. On the left was a glass double door leading to main offices and the right glass double doors were where the receiving room, holding room, and the small jail cells located at. Between them was the stairs for the second floor and a wood-paneled hotel type reception desk. There some people lining up at the desk and they were predictably alarmed when they noticed us walking towards them.

“Jesus Christ!!” “What tha Fuck!”

“Run!” “No! Don’tcha move!”

“Git it away from me!”

As I expected, the lobby was in chaos when they saw the bear. The people were falling over themselves trying to get away from Hera. I winced at the scene even though I knew this was going to happen. I saw a frowning old bearded sergeant was behind the reception desk with the sign -Sheriff's Office-. He took a good look at us and then his mouth twitched in amusement. The sergeant turned to look at the frightened crowd who was still shouting in distress.

“SHUT UP!” “I SAID, SHUT UP!” The sergeant bellowed at the panicked crowd. The people quieted down. Hera was trying to hide behind me from the commotion. She really was a shy bear.

“Haven’t you idiots seen a bear before?” The sergeant was glaring at the huddled people at the corner of the lobby and the way he said, it was like a bear walking into the Sheriff's office was the most normal thing in the world.

“But, Sarge! That a fuckin man eatin bear! It’s gonna fukin kill us!” The head of a deputy popped up behind the reception desk he was hiding from.

“No, it’s not. Kowalski. That’s a tame bear you goddamn pansy. Stop hiding. You’re a deputy for chrissake.” The sergeant said, his voice full of disdain at the hiding deputy. Deputy Kowalski fearfully glanced at Hera and his head disappeared again behind the desk. The sarge glared at the deputy one last time and turned his head to us.

“What can I do for you kid?” He asked me, his face was amused again. I was so impressed with the sergeant that I wasn’t even insulted when he called me kid.

“Sorry for the trouble, sir. I’m here for the interview.” I gave him an embarrassed smile.

“Call me Sarge. You’re a little early. That’s good.” He nodded and glared at the silent crowd. He then pursed his lips and examined us while twisting his beard. He nodded and moved to the side of the large desk and walked out of the reception counter.

“Come on, I’ll walk you to the Sheriff. Kowalski, watch the desk.” The ordered the still hiding deputy and gestured us to follow him. We trailed the sergeant to the left glass double doors and entered the main office. The people in the lobby shifted away from us when we passed them. The main office or bullpen was filled with desks with deputies working on them. A deputy was sitting on the desk and was facing us when we came in. His eyes went wide and swore in alarm. I thought the bullpen must be soundproofed because the people here didn’t hear the commotion outside. The other deputies looked up from their work and saw us walking. They also had the same reaction.

“Fuck!” “What the hell!” “Bear!” “What a cute bear!”

“Settle down, people!” “Holster that weapon, Barnes!” “Settle down!” “Nothing to see here.”

The sergeant ordered the startled deputies as we passed by on our way to the Sheriff. He also slapped the hand of a deputy who was starting to draw her weapon. He glared at her and the deputy shrunk away from the sergeant. I liked the sergeant’s quick thinking and reminded myself to be always on his good side. The way the other deputies hastened to comply with his orders, the sergeant was very respected here. Or maybe they were more terrified of the sergeant than the bear. He led us to the waiting area near the secretary’s desk and Ms. Norris’s spectacled face paled when she saw us. Her eyes widened and she tried holding back a scream. I raised my hands to settle her down and she calmed down. I gave her my resume and her hand was shaking when she took it.

“Okay. See ya later kid and good luck.” The sergeant winked and shook my hands and I nodded to him. “Thanks, Sarge.”

“Uh. Please take a seat Mr... Hunter was it? I’ll call you when we’re ready.” Ms. Norris said to me. The little secretary chewed her lower lip and was staring at Hera.

“Thank you, ma’am.” I took a seat near the door of the sheriff's office. The bear was sitting in front of the secretary and I called Hera to sit near me. She loudly sniffed at Ms. Norris and moved in front of me and laid down. The secretary was giving the bear quick glances while she did some paperwork. The sergeant came back later with a donut in his hand and confidently gave it to Hera. The bear was eating the treat loudly and was groaning with pleasure. The sergeant was probably showing off to the watching deputies but I didn’t mind. We were attracting a crowd but the sergeant told them to get back to work and they scattered like flies.

“Mr. Hunter, the Sheriff will see you now.” Ms. Norris said to me putting down the phone receiver and she entered the office hastily glancing at the Hera. I stood up and contemplated what to do with Hera. I thought it was better to let the Sheriff know about Hera right away and not hide the fact that I had a bear following me around. I shrugged tapped at the napping bear with my foot and she followed me into the office.

The Sheriff didn’t say anything when Ms. Norris asked us to take a seat in front of his desk. He was glaring at us red-faced and I was sitting in the chair sweating buckets. He was just staring at us back and forth and I guessed that he probably won’t accept me for the job. I knew bringing Hera was a bad idea but I didn’t know what to do at that time. The petite Ms. Norris cleared her throat and the Sheriff started squeezing the stress ball vigorously.

“You do know how to make an entrance. I’ll give you that.” The Sheriff conceded. I didn’t respond and only gave him a little-lopsided smile.

“I called the people you listed on your resume and they say you’re a good hunter. They even said that if I didn’t want you, they’ll recruit you themselves. I don’t really go hunting, so I’ll trust their word,” He gestured at my resume. I’ll thank Bill and Mr. Darren later. “I’m a bit concerned with your age though.” He rubbed his jaw while studying me.

“I’ve been hunting since I was thirteen, sir. I’m also a good tracker. I tracked that Silver Wolf by myself for miles and it took weeks. No hunter was able to do that.” I defended myself. I didn’t mention to the Sheriff that hunting also involved a lot of luck. I was also flattered with what they said about me.

“Well, I’m a man of my word and I said I’ll give you the job if you want it.” The Sheriff continued after a long pause and sighed. “You still want it right?” he added a little hopeful that I would say no.

“Really, Sir? Yessir. Thank you, sir!” I said hurriedly and I was a little shocked that they were still offering the job to me. My first real job! I grinned widely. I AM THE LAW!

“Alright, you're hired.” The Sheriff sighed and stared at the bear again. “By the way. About the bear. Are you going to bring it with you?” He asked.

“Hera? She’s… Uh...” I was trying to make up an excuse so she can come with me. Then another great idea surfaced in my mind.

“She’s a K-9 Bear, sir.” I said confidently but that image was marred when a big fat drop of sweat fell from my forehead.

“A what? A K-9 bear?There ain't no such thing!” The Sheriff guffawed slapping his hand on the desk and Ms. Morris giggled a little. My face turned scarlet and I felt my neck heat up.”Hahaha! A K-9 bear!”

“She’s my hunting partner sir. We’re a team. I need someone to watch my back and she’s it.” I explained truthfully. I was playing with the idea weeks before and the more I thought about it, I liked the idea.

“A K-9 bear? Really? But, don’t call her a K-9 bear. She’s obviously not a dog .” The Sheriff control his laughter. “She’s tame, right? She won’t attack anyone...Well... You got her into the office and I didn’t hear any gunfire. I heard blood-curdling screams though.”

“She’s a good bear Sheriff. Really!” I assured the Sheriff. Hera helped out by chomping her jaw loudly and showing her sharp teeth.

I looked back at Hera who was sitting attentively watching us talk and I was silently pleading for her to behave. She surprised me when she moved to where the secretary was standing. A scared Ms. Morris stepped away from her but was blocked by the file cabinets and was unable to retreat. Hera prodded Ms. Morris’s hip with her muzzle for a rub and the secretary looked at me helplessly. I wasn’t really worried. Okay, maybe a little.

“It’s okay. She wants a back rub.” I encouraged her and she extended her hand slowly and gave her a rub.

“See Sheriff! She’s very nice.” I grinned at the bemused Sheriff and I promised to buy Hera lots of treats. I’d like to imagine that she understood us, but that’s a stretch even for her.

“Fine. But, just one incident of any aggression and both of you are gone. Understood?” He warned me. I nodded hurriedly.

“Right. I want you to follow Miss Morris for some paperwork and welcome aboard.” The sheriff stood up and extended his hand. I shot out of the chair and shook his hand. “You’ll get your badge and gun after passing the tests, eval and others.” He looked at Ms. Morris who was now comfortable with Hera and was giving her good rubs.

“Thank you, Sheriff! I won’t let you down!” I was grinning widely.

“See that you don’t. Miss Morris?” The secretary gave Hera one last rub and motioned me to follow her. We got out of the office and I stood near the door not knowing what to do next.

“A K-9 Bear. Hahaha. Wait till they h...” The Sheriff was pounding the desk again and picking up the phone.

Ms. Morris closed the door and cut off the laughing Sheriff. She told me to follow her and walked to a group of deputies talking near an empty desk. When they saw us approaching them, they fled immediately. She deposited me on the desk and piled a dizzying amount of papers for me sign.

“Read and sign this, please...And this...”

Hera was following the secretary around while she kept on adding numerous forms for me to fill up and sign. That earned her another donut and I concentrated on reading the paperwork. Most were contracts, personal information forms, waivers, background check, and etc. Finally, after all the paperwork was signed, it was time for orientation.

I was sitting in the conference room and was listening to Sergeant Stone briefing me on the job details. I left Hera with Ms. Morris and I thought that will make the other people more comfortable with her. I also found out that Sergeant Stone was my boss and was in charge of the hunter squad. He was the sergeant who helped me out earlier. I found it funny when he mentioned the hunter squad because I was the only member of that squad.

“If you see someone committing a crime detain them or call for backup, but wait for a regular deputy to arrest the suspect. That’s not your job. Understand? We can’t have you writing arrest reports all the time. If you really ‘need’ to arrest someone, do it and use your judgment.” I nodded. I am not quite the law after all.

“When you respond to a 10-91, that’s the code for Dangerous Animal, and if someone interferes with your job. Arrest them. That can be very vague and if you have doubts, call me. Understand? Good?”

“By the way, don’t forget to register your bear at the animal control office. I’ll give them a call after this briefing.” He reminded me. I nodded eagerly.

“You must always be professional in...” He continued without missing a beat.

I grimaced when he informed me that keeping dangerous animals without a permit was a felony. I wondered how they classify the different animals. A dog could easily kill you like a wolf if the dog wanted to, yet people can still keep them without permits. They gave me a pass because they saw that Hera was very tame. They never saw Hera take down that hog. I chuckled at the thought. But I’m taking her to animal control after I’m finished here just to be sure.

The briefing was tedious and after we were finished, Stone gave me a thick binder of local laws for me to memorize. I was to start on Monday and I was very excited about it. I collected Hera from a crowd of female deputies who were giving her rubs. She was blissfully enjoying the attention and grunted in disappointment when took her away from her adoring fans. I bought donuts from a bakery nearby as a reward for her good behavior. She kept sniffing the box and saliva were pooling on the floor in the bakery. Two brave halfling teens asked me if they could pet her. I hesitated a bit then nodded and watched Hera carefully while I held her collar just in case. I relaxed when she allowed the halflings to rub her and I released the collar.

Donuts in hand, we proceeded to the animal control office and had her registered. They said Sgt. Stone called them earlier. The reaction from the officers there were more muted considering the job they had. A few more rubs and we left there shortly. We arrived at the house and it was almost dinner. Hera wanted her donuts immediately but I told no. She can have some after she ate her meal. During our dinner, Dad congratulated me on getting the job but mom was a little guarded with hers. Mothers.

“Here you go you greedy guts” Hera was eagerly eyeing the donuts after dinner and she ate them happily. I left Hera on the porch while she was in a sugar-induced high and I went inside the house. I wondered if bears get diabetes.

--

I was finally sworn in as a deputy after weeks of training, evaluations, test, firearm qualifications, and other things that I had to pass. Those weeks were the most rigorous days that I have ever experienced and I was proud that I was able to pass them all. It was also a lot more satisfying than graduating from high school to be honest. And today was the day I would finally start working as a deputy.

I was standing in front of my locker and I examined the clothes Sgt. Stone gave me. The short-sleeved shirt was your average khaki deputy uniform but I was given jeans instead of the regular khaki pants. I asked my boss about it and he told me that they were more durable for our job. I thought about it and it made sense. An emergency may take us to wooded areas and rugged terrain. I wore the uniform and my khaki hiking boots. I tucked in my shirt and stared at the issued gear.

The gave me a 9mm sidearm and I sneered at the small caliber. Our squad was also issued gauss rifles but I already had one and I declined the rifle they offered. My personal rifle was more advanced than the issued one. I wondered if they bought them from Tordan. Probably. I wore the utility belt and clipped on the gear. The radio and the gun holster were the only gear on my belt. I stored most of the other gear in my storage. I found out that some deputies bought their own Storage Mods and that was what they usually carried on their belts. I thought about wearing the vest but I wore my leather jacket instead. My leather jacket was equal to the vest and I trusted it more. There were two velcro patches on the top front of my bear leather jacket. I tried sewing the patches with a needle but that didn’t work. So I hot glued them on the leather instead. I velcroed my name patch on the right side and I straightened it when I thought it was crooked.

“Dammit, Rook! Hurry it up! The briefing is about to start!” A deputy yelled by the door and I hastily attached my badge. I inspected myself in the mirror and looked at the badge. It was really crooked but the deputy bellowed again. I took one last look at the pentacle shaped badge that says -Sheriff- - Dorset County- - Deputy Hunter - and ran to the briefing room.