"If Tomorrow Never Came"

The first year in the force she had made many mistakes, like all rookies do and she had the scratches and scars to prove it. She didn't regret any of it though, the failures and successes that she had made is what has shaped her into the mammal she is today and after what is soon 3 years as an Officer she is glad that the need to prove herself had slowly dwindled.

Judy Hopps had shown everyone around her that she is a force to be reckoned with, catching criminals no matter their size and solving cases that most wouldn't have touched. First bunny to ever be a cop and had a fire in her that would never falter until the day her heart stopped beating, she just wished it hadn't been so soon.

She had been lying in the limbo between being asleep and awake for some time; it had been the norm for her for as long as she could remember, always waking a few minutes before the alarm went off. She stretched her limbs with a groan as she turned around to sneak a glance at the clock to her right.

"Mmm... 04:57" she mumbled tiredly to herself.

Her alarm wouldn't go off until 05:30 and with a big yawn she squeezed her pillow then settled down to enjoy the final half hour she had before duty called. The 33 minutes flew by quicker than she would've liked and when the alarm started beeping she quickly smacked the top of it to silence the machine.

She took a few seconds to stretch the stiffness out of her muscles and switched from her baby blue sleepwear she had gotten as a present from her parents when she had turned 24 a few months back and put on some underwear. Snatching a bottle of juice and an apple from her mini fridge, the juice which was a mix of orange and carrots contained some sugars and vitamins which gave her the boost she needed before she could grab a real breakfast down at the precinct, the apple was if the juice failed her during the train ride there.

Closing her fridge she took a step back to grab her uniform, the apartment she lived in wasn't the biggest, okay it was tiny but for a bunny her size Judy didn't need something big. With her large family she was used to cramp areas and small rooms, but it was times like this where she cursed her small living area. She had turned around and smacked her foot straight into the desk which sadly wasn't the first time, the alarm clock flew straight of the desk landing upside down and hitting the key for the radio to start then bounced under her bed.

"Confound that blasted desk!" she shouted while gritting her teeth and clutching her foot.

Meanwhile the radio which was lost in her mind during the pain had started blasting electric guitars at the highest volume the plastic machine could offer, which wasn't appropriate at 5:39 in the morning. She grunted as she dropped to the floor to reach under the bed and grab the darn thing, while her paw was grasping for it she recognized the song, Ramstein a metal band that consisted of six Rams. Definitely not her kind of music but a large number of her adolescent brothers loved the band and listened to them every day.

A shout could be heard coming from her neighbors next door, simultaneously a voice started coming from the radio

"Du, Du Hast, Du Hast Mi-" the final part was lost as she had grabbed the cord and ripped it out of the socket.

But the damage was done and she winced as she heard her neighbor Bucky smack the wall while shouting.

"IT'S FREAKING 5 IN THE MORNING RABBIT SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!" his voice gravelly and muffled through the wall. She was about to apologize when a second voice sprung up.

"BUCKY IT'S 5 IN THE MORNING AND I'M TRYING TO SLEEP SHUT YOUR DAMN NASTY TRAP!" Pronk yelled with a furious shake in his voice.

Despite her aching foot her paw quickly flew to her mouth to suppress a giggle that was about to escape her, Pronk hadn't woken up by the music but because of Bucky's shouting and they were now screaming obscenities at each other.

Despite the pain and tiredness there was a big smile on her face, she was in a good mood and the strange start of the day wouldn't change that. She sipped on her juice while pulling on her uniform and vest, she always had around 30 minutes to spare each morning and she used that time to wake up and make sure she was never late.

"Goodbye and see ya later!" she shouted at her neighbors and they went quiet for 2 seconds before they continued their onslaught of insults for each other.

Arriving at the station she took notice that there was still 15 minutes before her shift started, just enough time for a breakfast and some minor chitchat with her friend Benjamin and like most days she found the large cheetah inhaling some sort of pastry at his desk.

"Morning Ben!" she said happily and gave him a small wave.

He quickly swallowed whatever he had in his mouth gave her a wave back and was about to respond when the phone rang out forcing him to pick up.

"Officer Benjamin, Precinct One what can I assist you with?" he answered routinely in the phone.

"Better leave him to it and grab a bite." Judy thought to herself as she felt her stomach rumble, the Juice can't sustain her for long but it does the job.

She gave a smile and a wave to the fellow officers she passed on her way to the cafeteria, she almost feels blessed that breakfast is free at her precinct. She grabs her usual, black coffee, oatmeal with shaved carrots and a protein bar. She already have her assignment so there was no need to check in at the bullpen, the next two weeks she was to patrol the lower streets of Savannah Central. There had been some commotion there lately and Chief Bogo had decided to increase the police presence there, you could say she drew the short straw but she didn't mind as long as she could help people and didn't have to sit still so she was content.

After finishing her breakfast she felt full of energy and ready for the day, with a skip in her feet she waved to the cafeteria ladies.

"Thanks for the food it was great like always!" she said with a raised voice to make sure they would hear her.

"Thanks for the praise Hopps, stay safe and have a good day ya hear?" One of the chefs responded, a lovely cow by the name of Samantha.

"Always do Sammy!" she yelled as she walked out of the dining room, it was large place, she hadn't counted but there must be around 200 seats for mammals at various sizes. Black and white checkered floor with red seats could be mistaken for an old diner in some regards if it hadn't been located in the corner of a police station.

She made for the locker rooms, although they could take the uniforms with them home, the more dangerous or fragile equipment has to be left at the station after each shift. In her case it was a taser, a new nasty concoction of spray that incapacitates mammals quite effectively if sprayed in the face or close to and lastly her Radio. Before being allowed to carry the spray or the taser they have to feel how it feels like getting hit with it, it's important to know what they utilize before using it on someone else.

Taser was unpleasant but that new spray was pure hell, Judy got borderline blind with tears and snot running everywhere and a burning sensation that felt like she had gotten boiled water thrown at her face. All in all very efficient at taking down dangerous criminals and it has saved her life multiple times.

On her way out she saw that Benjamin was having another conversation with someone over the phone, pretty nasty by the looks of it.

"I understand Ma'am, no I – yes I can see that as well bu- Ma'am please list-" he kept being interrupted she heard, mammals who call in to the station usually just have complaints or other grievences, emergency calls don't go through Benjamin.

She gave him a knowing look and a small wave goodbye as she walked past his desk, he responded by making a silly face and pointing at the phone then smiled as he gave her a wave goodbye.

It was a beautiful day, sun was shining but the wind kept her cool as she patrolled the streets. Her route had taken her to the city park which is one of her favorite places, the grass reminds her of home, if she closes her eyes with some music in her ears and to a certain degree ignores the city smell it feels just like the fields at home. The Park was packed with animals, some just rushing past but the majority just sitting on blankets and enjoying their time with friends and family.

Close to one of the larger fountains in the park she saw a lemonade stand manned by a large beaver, although the wind was pleasant the sun still left her feeling a bit parched.

"Everything looks fine so far and a quick drink can't hurt." She thought as she looked around to see if there was any commotion going around.

Seems fine, she looked towards the stand and noticed a small queue in front of it, as she stood in line she saw some children jumping and waving at the rabbit officer. Being the first bunny in the force had given her some fame, so sometimes there are occasions where she is recognized, she's even been asked for autographs a few times.

She was about to wave back when she heard someone call out for her, Judy turned around to see a young Deer looking at her nervously.

"Officer, there's this uh, a h-horse down the street he... he doesn't look too well M-Ma'am." The young Buck stuttered. Standing and trying to seem respectable, she guessed he couldn't be older than 11.

"Hello there, I'm Judy what's your name?" she said as she moved towards him pulling her paw out to give him a pawshake.

"Brandon, uh I'm Brandon." He said looking little bit better as he shook her paw.

"Nice to meet'cha Brandon, could you explain the situation with that horse?" she brought out her write pad and pen to take down notes.

"Uh yes Judy- Officer uh Ma'am eh, he's just down the street. You can see him from here." The young buck said as he pointed towards the location of the horse.

She could see what he meant about the stallion not looking too well; he was walking back and forth scratching his mane also seemed to be having a very upset conversation with himself and had plenty of spasms that looked very much like tics.

"Thank you for the help Brandon, could you give me your last name? I just want to make sure in case we need a witness" Judy said with a serious look.

"Oh uh, yeah it's Bucksson, original yeah I know right? Brandon Bucksson." He said scratching his neck giving her a nervous look.

"Once again thank you Brandon, I'll go down and see what the situation is with the Stallion!" giving him a wave she walked in a brisk pace towards the mammal in question down the road.

Something must've happened for the young Buck to be so nervous, although getting closer she could imagine that anyone moving past him would be very uncomfortable seeing as he was being very loud.

"Hello Sir! Sir? Excuse me Sir!" despite calling out for him Judy didn't seem to get any reaction, either this stallion was deaf or very distracted.

She went to give him a small nudge to get his attention when he swiftly turned around looking terrified as he met her eyes.

"W-who are you? What do you w-want from me? No I know who you are! You're going to take me back aren't you!?" the horse shouted at her while taking small steps backwards his hooves doing weird twitches every time they touched the ground.

"Sir? I'm not sure what you're talking about, I'm Judy. Some mammals were worried about you so I just wanted to see if everything is alright?" Reaching out her paw to see if she could get him to calm down.

"You know what I'm talking about, I can see your u-uniform! I know your game r-r-rabbit! You think I escaped by being g-gullible?!" shouting at the top of his lungs the stallion then did some strange grunts and noises.

"Sir please calm down, I'm not here to take anyone away I just want to talk alright?" she pleaded.

She took notice that the mammals around had started backing away and watching from afar, which was good that means no one could be injured by this deranged stallion.

"I'm warning you! I'm not going back to that place! They just slice you open and take what they need! NO MORE!" he whined with a voice that had suddenly turned high pitch and saliva frothing from his mouth.

If she hadn't decided on it before she's certain now, this mammal is not sane and needs to be taken into care. She's reaching for her radio when the stallion twitches and rushes for her throwing a kick towards her chest, she dodges to the side but the kick instead hit her straight on her right paw gripping the radio and she could feel the crunch of her fingers breaking.

With a grunt of pain and a quick look at the useless paw and the missing radio she takes her functioning paw and gets the spray out.

"Calling for them to grab me huh? You think I was born yesterday rabbit? You're not catching me!" his screams echoed between the buildings and he charged her.

Judy saw his charge and quickly sprayed him, the spray of liquid hit true on its target filling his face with orange liquid. He started screaming and flailing his limbs wildly, a random kick grazes the side of her head which throws her towards the ground. Pumped full of adrenaline she quickly tries to catch herself with the closest limb she have which just had to be her right one, despite all the adrenaline the pain of her paw made her scream out as she landed on it.

"I'm gonna kill you rabbit! I'd rather DIE than go back!" he shouted between agonized breaths as he continued to flail around moving closer towards her.

Disoriented from the kick and paw hurting like nothing she's ever felt before she grabs the taser from its holster with her left paw aims and fires, the needles don't connect and bounces of the skin. With the spray having limited effect and the taser not connecting she's about to make a run for it, the size difference being too great she quickly learned once your resources are wasted you retreat and call in for back up.

She never got the chance though when a hoof connected on her knee sending her sliding back on the pavement, this time though she barely feels the pain over all the adrenaline but she can see and feel the knee bending in the wrong direction. Crawling backwards to try her best to put some distance she is aware of a siren getting closer, thank god some of the mammals watching called for help.

Knowing she really shouldn't have but the kick had left her dazed she took one glance to where the sirens was coming from when she felt something hard strike her chest, she was sent flying into the street and she had difficulties getting lungs into the air.

"Shit, shit shit that's definitely a punctured lung and more." She grunted and wheezed to herself clutching her chest.

She sat up and gave a gasp as she heard the shrieks of a vehicle braking at high speeds.

If only it hadn't been so soon.