Your auburn foxy-woxy hot boyfriend petted you softly as you sat with him.

It was relaxing; he made you feel safe. You watched with sleepy eyes as the animals danced around the deck and talked amongst themselves.

In the distance, you could see lights from another harbor. Nick said that was the final stop and end of the half-day river cruise. But wow, this harbor was much larger than the one you left from. Nick explained that it was a big import and export area and that it bordered the Canal District; an area dominated by islands.

The large piers had actual container ships along them! As your ship drifted closer you could make out animals carrying boxes off it and sorting them. On another side, a fisher tied off her boat as she retired for the day.

A few shops and buildings with colorful signs like MISTY'S were nearby. They must cater to this shipping hub and the animals that pass through. There were also hotels and apartments with bright windows built low in the wide trees.

"Remember that shipment that Mr. Big was gonna ice me over?" Nick asked nonchalantly.

"Mhmm."

"It came in on that ship. We'll grab it once we're off."

"Oh!" You shifted, your head leaning on his chest looking up at him, "What is it??"

"I'll tell you on the way back." He said as he patted your head.

Mmm okay Nicky~. I'll agree to anything if you're giving me head pats.

Nick continued and explained that he also had the van ready for you to drive back into town. Jade dropped it off at the harbor earlier today. That's how you would get the packages back to... wherever he was taking it.

"Welp, time to bid adieu to our friends," Wilde whispered as he moved you off of his lap and stood up. Awww, you liked snuggling.

But you obliged and got up anyway. A slight drizzle began as you tossed goodbyes to the animals you'd met. The ship was soon pulling up to the pier and workers were securing it. Once the ramp was placed for you to exit, you were the first ones off.

You shivered as your feet touched the cold concrete. Puddles of rain were forming as the drizzle increased. Welp, that's what you get for visiting the Rainforest District.

"Want to bring the van to the loading area?" Nick pointed to some open parking spaces near the start of the shipping pier.

"Oh! Sure! You'll let me drive your van?"

"As long as you don't wreck it," Nick held out the keys for you and double pressed the lock. Your ears flickered to the right upon hearing it beep.

"I'll try my best!" You took the keys.

The other animals began to get off the ship and head to their destinations. A few had their cars parked here while others took elevators back up into the canopy. The parking lot was connected to a tunnel nearby that lead, presumably, to other districts.

You came up to Nick's van and unlocked it. As you hopped in, the familiar scent of Nick floated in the air, which was lovely. Also Jade's. Because she had recently driven it here. Hmmm... that better be all she was doing in this van...

But the warm and dry interior was too comforting to think about that right now. You glanced out the rearview mirror and saw Nick chatting with a dock worker.

Once no one was in the way, you backed out of the spot and made your way to the space Nick had pointed at earlier. You made sure the back of the van faced the pier for easy loading.

However, as you looked around through the windows and mirrors, you couldn't find Nick. A bright lightning bolt flashed across the sky, illuminating the entire van for a split-second. Thunder followed, erupting throughout the air, startling you.

Geez Nick, let's get going! We don't need to be sitting out here in a hurricane. Or cyclone. Or typhoon? Do they get these here? TundraTown got blizzards every now and again...

You continued to spy out of the window for a sign of Nick. The rain was now coming down even heavier. It hit the van at sharp angles as gusts of wind whipped past.

That's when you noticed a group exiting the cruise you had been on. They were the crew! You recognized the leopard waitress from earlier. Her name was... Stephanie! That's right. She must be done for the day.

Awww. She's getting absolutely soaked out there. That sucks.

You heard the back doors open and the sound of wind and rain increased greatly, echoing through the vehicle. You swiveled around in your chair to see Nick rapidly placing boxes into the van. He was drenched! His shirt stuck to his fur and water dripped down his face and off his nose.

You immediately felt a pang of guilt. He was out there getting soaked and you were sitting in his dry car. Crap, you should've gone out to try and help him.

Wilde slammed the back doors shut and jogged around to the passenger. He quickly jumped inside, splashing you a little, and closed the door.

He reached into the back seat and pulled up a colorful towel to which he shoved his face into. He rolled it around his head and ears and patted his shirt down.

"I'm sorry Nick! I could've helped you!"

"It's okay. I didn't want you to get soaked too," he mumbled into the towel.

"Well, alright I guess. Thanks."

"Anytime!" Nick said as he popped his head back up.

His fur was ruffled and puffed up in all different directions. You couldn't suppress laughter at his disheveled appearance.

"Okay, Fluffy," You mimicked his nickname for you sarcastically.

"Harr-harr," Nick said as he threw the wet towel on you.

"Agh!" You fumbled with the towel and then tossed it in the backseat. Nick chuckled at the scene.

"Alright, where to, Wilde?"

He pointed ahead toward the tunnel, "Alright. This is simple. Just take the tunnel to--"

A blood-curdling scream from outside of the van interrupted Nick. You felt the fur on your neck rise up and your ears flicked to the right. Nick and you jumped to look outside with wide eyes.

Animals were fleeing in all directions and yelling. In the dark rain, you could make out a figure... but... they were on all fours?

Another flash of lightning brightened the sky, showing for a moment a face you recognized. It was Stephanie! But... not the Stephanie you knew. Her face was clenched into a snarl showing all of her massive teeth.

"What?! What is wrong with her?!" Nick exclaimed as he looked around wildly.

Instinctively, you reached over and locked the doors to the van, "I don't know!" You replied in a panic.

You both watched helplessly as she chased off her crewmates. Then, her head turned until her constricted pupils locked onto your orange van.

"Uh, Y/N..."

Your body froze as she stared into your eyes. She looked like a savage beast! Like something from your high school textbooks that described the era before predators and prey evolved. And that was utterly terrifying.

"Y/N!" Nick called, "We need to go! Now!"

The leopard roared and began to sprint toward his side of the vehicle.

You snapped out of your thoughts, "Right, right!" And switched into drive.

Time slowed down as Stephanie jumped toward his window and ripped her claws down the glass. Her sharp nails caused a screech that stung your inner ear and made you shiver. The van's wheels spun in the water as you slammed on the gas.

Nick lurched away from the window and onto you. The wheels caught the concrete and you tore across the parking lot and into the tunnel. You saw the leopard run after you for a moment through the rearview mirror. But then she stopped and hissed, apparently giving up.

Your boyfriend sat back up in his seat, breathing heavily. You were breathing heavily too.

"What happened to her?" You asked Nick desperately as you drove through the tunnel. The lights on the sides of the tunnel flew past.

"I... I don't know!" He replied with wide eyes.

You eased up on the gas a little as you tried to calm your breathing.

Nick turned around to confirm no one was following you, "I think... I think we're safe now, though."

"So what's the plan??"

"Let's just get back to your apartment. It's closer than my place. We'll just make the delivery another time."

"Whew. Okay."

Nick reached out a paw and rested it on your leg. "Hey. It's okay. We'll be home safe soon."

You smiled weakly at him, "I hope so."