Guarded: Neon Sunset Ep. 01

Tracey's mother gave her a disappointed look as the young cat quickly fled the scene. "Tracey..."

"I told you I didn't want to talk about it. I love you, Mom but you need to learn to let this shit be." The younger wolf growled the words, heat, and fury dripping in her voice.

The older wolf cast her gaze away but said nothing. Several awkward moments passed before Tracey collected her teacup and took a sip of the tea, letting out a soft controlled sigh. "I replay that moment in my mind over and over again. I've found dozens of scenarios where I could have made it better."

"You can't keep tormenting yourself like this, it's been almost ten years, Honey. That period of species strife has all but ended," She spoke the words gently to her daughter.

"Yep, sure is a great world we live in. Just flowers and sunshine." Tracey rolled her eyes as she finished off her tea and set the cup down.

"Helen wouldn't want to see you like this, Tracey." The mother wolf huffed at the younger one as her ears flicked up.

"Yeah? You talk to her recently? I would ask her myself, but Heaven's a bit far away, I don't think she would hear me." Tracey pushed away from the table and tossed a twenty on it for terrifying the poor cat. "C'mon Mom, I need to see you off and go talk to Mac."

"Fuck me! Why does she always have to bring that up?" Tracey snarled the words after dropping her mother off. Her car was one of the few things she spent up on in her life. A restored muscle car from a time when Helen would have been in her twenties. The late wolf would brag to her about the car and how she drove it in her younger days. A few years after the incident, Tracey found and restored one of the aforementioned cars. The old vehicle had a bright blue paint job with a white racing stripe going down the top center of the car.

Tracey dialed the sound system up, letting the heavy beat of the rock metal she was blaring drown out her thoughts. The white wolf focused on driving and turned her mind off, just letting the music fill the cabin of the car while she made her way to her company's office.

Pulling into the parking space in front of Mac's office, the wolf climbed out of the car and armed it with her remote key before stepping through the doors. A small pudgy sheep was at the front desk filing her nails when she walked in. The ewe looked up with a bored expression on her face. "Hi, Tracey. Boss has been waiting for you."

"Uhuh, with bated breath I'm sure. You doing alright Stephanie?" Tracey asked to be polite, already moving past the desk towards the office.

The sheep gave a shrug and went back to her nails. "I can't complain, what good would it do if I did?"

"I hear that," Tracey called back towards the secretary before rapping at the door a few times.

"C'mon in, Trace." A heavily southern accent drawled out from the other side of the door.

Tracey bumped the old wooden door with her hip as she opened it, knowing it liked to stick on its frame sometimes. "How did you know it was me, boss?"

"Saints alive girl, could hear that monster of a car you got from a mile away!" Mac was a big guy, like a really big guy. He sat behind a massive wooden desk and even sitting he was as tall as Tracey was standing. He wore his typical work attire which consisted of blue jeans and a white button-down shirt with a tasseled brown leather vest. He wore a large rimmed western-style hat on his head and large folded down brown ears could be seen beneath the brim of the hat.

She huffed proudly and put her hands on her curvy hips. "Well, she is one of my biggest sources of pride."

The bear grunted and nodded to a chair across from his desk. "Well, take a seat little lady, I've got a doozy of one for you this time..."

"This is so fucking stupid..." Leo grumbled the words while his personal makeup artist applied the little blue and white stars to his cheek. The makeup girl was a llama with bubblegum pink hair and slightly drooped ears similar to his own. The llama gave a frustrated sigh and grabbed his chin forcing his mouth closed so she could work and correct the star he just ruined.

"Leo, baby... this is a good PR move, your fans will love you even more for it!" Max squeaked the words out while reaching into the cooler of ice and fishing out a bottle of water.

Leo snarled and started to talk but the llama grabbed his chin, giving him a stern look before continuing her work. The ram rolled his eyes and remained silent until she finished the work.

"Look, Leo, You've never been to this town before. It's a good business move, and again, think of your fans," Max spoke the words cheerfully as he moved over to the makeup chair and presented a bottle of water to the ram as the llama moved away.

Leo glared at the llama once she turned her back before snatching the bottle of water from the rat. "It's a stupid PR move! We've already sold out for tomorrow and Saturday, why waste my time with this when no one can even buy tickets?"

"Think of your fans Leo, this will ensure they want tickets next time too!" Max gave a wide grin to the ram as he drank the water.

Leo glared at the rat and tossed the empty bottle off his manager's head with a hollow thunk. "I already sell out stadiums and concert halls, I don't need to be wasting my time appearing on some podunk local morning show!"

Max fidgeted on his feet as one of the technicians banged on the door of the dressing room. "Five minutes!"

"Fuck off!" Leo yelled back at the door with a glare, then rolled his green eyes before climbing from the chair and looking himself over in the mirror. "I swear to the gods, I don't deserve any of this inept bullshit from you people..." The idol practically growled the words as he checked his eye shadow.

"Leo, baby, you look great! They're going to love you!" Max wrung his hands and grinned at the ram while flicking his tail about.

Another eye roll was his answer as the ram tapped the heels of his boots on the floor to make sure the fit was good. He tugged at the waist of his snug pants which rested a few inches below his exposed navel, checking the fit of them as well. The pants were tight and hugged his hips, leaving nothing to the imagination. They clearly showcased the young ram's firm muscled backside, a small fluff of his neon blue tail showing outside of the material. Each leg of the pants was a mishmash of blue and black, the two colors meeting against the bulging crotch.

Leo snapped his fingers at Max sharply. "Jacket!"

Max already had the black and blue jacket ready, jumping up on the seat Leo had been sitting on to reach him. The manager slid it over the idol's shoulders and arms. Leo pulled the material on, the leather of blue and black, lining up with the pants design.

He zipped the jacket up just a few inches, leaving most of his smooth chest and abs bared. Max circled around the idol snapping in little buckles that made the jacket and pants connect together to form a complete ensemble.

Leo put both hands on his hips and took in a deep breath, his eyes closed in focus. Several moments passed and the ram snapped his sharp green eyes open and looked at himself in the mirror with a wide bright white grin. "Alright! Let's do this!"

"Yeah!" Max chimed in raising a fist in the air.

Leo gave the rat a wide cocky grin and they shared a fist bump before the idol strode out of the dressing room, like a prince making an entrance to the grand ball.

The music set concluded with everyone screaming and cheering, a tiny crowd of a few hundred locals that had gathered at the studio. Leo could easily pick out the few die-hard ones out of them, seeing some wigs of blue and white. The keyboard player the studio provided was missing beats left and right through the whole performance, leaving the idol wondering if this little showing did more harm than good for him.

"That was amazing! No wonder you're a household name!" The host of the morning show exclaimed as he applauded and took a seat at a little cushy chair near a coffee table. A mug sat on the small table in front of him, made to look like morning coffee, but the liquid in it was clear. Leo didn't imagine it was water in there.

"Thanks, James. Happy to be here! The bay area has always been a place I love to visit." The ram spoke the words cheerfully with a bright smile, taking a seat on the sofa across from the host. 'If I never come back to this podunk city it will be too soon,' The ram thought to himself as he grabbed a bottle of water and began to drink it, his throat parched from the singing.

"So, tell us about your tour, uh... should I call you electric, or blue?" The morning host asked the idol as the audience gave a laugh, he was a black cat with sharply pointed ears and a black tail lazily coiling about.

"Blue is fine, James. Yes, our tour is dotting all over the country in several major cities. We've been on the road for about a month. The whole thing will take about half a year." Leo made sure to grin and look into the camera several times. The fans erupted in screaming at one point and he gave a wink and pointed out one of the ones that had dressed up.

"That sounds like a lot of work! Now, this is the third studio album that you're on tour promoting, is that right?" The cat asked while picking up his mug and taking a sip.

"That's right, James." Leo gave a grin and awkwardly shifted his gaze towards the side of the stage where Max was waving at him and giving a thumbs up.

"So this isn't your first tour but we're one of the biggest cities on the west coast, how come you never made it here before now?" The host asked with a purr in his voice.

"Well, James. My manager is an idiot!" The idol spoke the words in a playful singsong voice and everyone erupted in laughter. "Seriously though, we couldn't get any venues cleared for this city on our first tour. I guess I just wasn't popular enough last time." Leo drooped his ears with a mock pout.

The crowd groaned their disapproval of him saying he wasn't popular then some random teenage girl screamed, "I love you, Blue!" and the rest of the audience began cheering and screaming all over again.

"I love you too!" Leo responded, putting his fingers and thumbs together to form a heart.

"Well, we're almost out of time, anything you want to say to your fans out there, Blue?" The cat prodded, his ear flicking at the prompt from the stage manager to move it along.

"Buy my new album!" Leo called out cheerfully, then waved a hand as he gave a grin. "I'm kidding, just remember I love all of my fans and I will always appreciate your support. Remember I'm nothing without each and every one of you!" The crowd roared its approval and the lights dimmed slightly on stage.

"Thanks so much for being here, Blue! We'll be right back everyone!" James called out to the audience as the stage dimmed further.

Leo heard the audible click of the mic going dead and pulled the piece from his ear before leaning over like he was casually talking with James. "Seriously, what the ever-loving fuck was that?" Leo asked the cat pointedly.

The cat blinked in shock and looked at the idol in confusion. "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"

"I waste my time appearing on this little shit show, giving an interview with someone who obviously hates their life so much they gotta drink during their work. So you fuckers provide me with some low talent schmuck on the keyboard, that can't even keep up with me while I try to give your idiot viewers a free show?" Leo spat the words out venomously as he stood from the stage couch.

"I uh... I'm sorry about that," James stammered, looking shaken from the encounter.

"I didn't want your fucking apologies. I'm so fucking done with this..." The idol grumbled the words and stalked backstage, moving to the dressing room and slamming the door.

A few moments later Max pushed into the room and quickly shut the door. "Leo, baby. That was beautiful!"

"That was shit, Max!" Leo growled as he already had a washcloth and was wiping the makeup from his face. "Fuck... keyboard guy was a joke. I had to put the whole getup together for one fucking song..."

The rat drooped his ears and winced, drumming his fingertips together silently, letting the ram go off on his tangent.

"You found me a bodyguard yet?" Leo grumbled as he looks in the mirror, using another wet cloth to wipe the paint off his curled horns.

"Oh! Yeah, I contacted an agency when we first got here. Told them we needed their very best and someone that was willing to travel with us!" The rat chirped out proudly and put his hands on his hips.

"Uhuh... I deserve the best. You told them money isn't an issue?" Leo called back out, starting to clean his other horn off while still looking in the large lighted mirror.

"Of course, Leo, baby! Only the best for the star!" Max spoke out in an excited tone of voice.

Leo rolled his eyes and threw his jacket off right in Max's face. "Fuck... well, I hope the guy they give us is at least competent, it would be a nice change of pace from the rest of you people."

The white wolf sat there in the chair, her fingertips together forming a peak as she took a moment to choose her words carefully to her boss. "I'm sorry... what the fuck did you just say?"

"I said, he's a pop star. I reckon they call them idols nowadays. Fella by the name of Electric Blue," Mac huffed the words back with a lazy tone in his voice.

"Never heard of him," Tracey called out while looking bored with the idea already. "Mac, I watch diplomats and fucking politicians. Not sissy little pop stars!"

"I know that, but they asked for my best, and they are offering a hell of a fee. You're the best I have little lady." The bear pushed the proposed contract across the desk.

She snatched the paper up and gave it a whistle. "Son of a bitch, that's like... ten times what I would normally make on a job." The bear gave a nod then a startled grunt as the wolf pushed the paper back to him. "Pass."

"What? You can't be serious, Trace." Mac pushed the contract back towards her and growled, "You couldn't ask for a better offer, and I need my best on this!"

Tracey pushed the form back, both their hands on it in the middle of the desk. She was now on her feet leaning over the desk to meet the bear's eyes. "I don't give a fuck about the money, I don't do this for a paycheck, Mac. I do this for the adrenaline kick and the chance to kick someone's ass that has it coming!"

The bear gave her a flat look. "You know little lady, statistically... you're more likely to encounter problems escorting a celeb than you are a government type."

Tracey clicked her tongue and glanced down at the contract again, scanning it over. "Six months... that's doable... can pay the rent up ahead of time. Hmm..."

"So will you do it?" Mac asked in a hopeful gruff voice.

"Mom needs new siding on her house," Tracey growled the words as she pushed the contract back towards the bear. "Higher."

Mac let out a heavy rumble of a growl, "It's already ridiculous, and you said the pay didn't matter!"

"You pay for the best, that's how it is. I know what cut you're making from this. Five thousand more on top and we deal. You say no, I walk out the door and you can put your second rates on it." She tapped her finger on the signature line.

"You're worse than a stubborn ass mule!" Mac snarled the words and snatched the contract up, altering the pay rate with a quick flourish of his pen.

"I've known plenty of agreeable mules in my time, I will have you know," Tracey growled the words as she signed the contract and gave the bear a wide grin. "Guess I better go get ready. I'll see you in about six months, boss."

"See you in half a year, Stephanie!" She called out as she trotted out of the office.

"Yep, don't die horribly out there," The sheep huffed out while buffing her nails.

Tracey took a seat in her car and began placing some calls and making arrangements. Several minutes later she finally pulled out of the parking space and onto the interstate. "Yo!"

The bleeping sound rang out from her phone through the sound system of the car. "Good afternoon, Tracey. It's four tw-"

"Call mom!" Tracey barked out. The sound system made a connecting click sound and began to ring.

"Hey, honey. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, but I've got a new job and I'm going to be away for several months." The wolf spoke out to the open car as she merged onto the interstate.

"Oh..." Her mother's voice grew silent.

"Look, I want to have dinner with you before I go. Can I pick you up?"

"Of course you can, Honey. I will start getting ready now."

"Mom. I don't want to talk about certain things, understand?"

"... I understand, honey."

"Also, expect a contractor to come out to the house to show you some samples tomorrow," She grinned wide as she spoke.

"What are you talking about, honey?" Her mother asked skeptically.

"You will see. Anyways, I will be there in about forty minutes." Tracey reached to her phone and ended the call, the cabin filling with angry rock music once more. The dog gave another hungry grin at the thought of an exciting gig for once, she hadn't had a proper altercation in over a year.

Her mother cried at dinner, made her promise to call her as often as she could, begged her to be cautious. The usual schtick before she left on a long assignment. Tracey slipped into her tiny apartment with a tired huff. It was already after ten and she had managed to beat the rain home.

After Kicking off her boots and stripping down to just her bra and panties, the wolf made her way into the kitchen. She collected a shot glass before walking over to the dresser and pulling her pendant off. The silver chain was draped over the picture frame and she reached into the dresser to withdraw a bottle of white rum. Pouring a shot, she held it up in salute towards the picture before downing it, feeling the burn fill her on the way down.

"What the hell..." She poured a second shot before putting the bottle away. "One for Mom too," she gulped down the faintly sweet liquor, the burn sliding down her throat as her tail wagged a few times. Tracey took a relaxed huff through her nose and moved towards her unmade bed. "Yo!"

"Good eveni-"

"Alarm! Zero nine hundred hours!" She barked the words out before flopping face-first into her pillows and sheets.

"Alarm set for; Nine AM." The monotone voice called out over the TV Tracey had never bothered to turn off.

The rum numbed her mind just enough to fall into slumber, her aching shoulder feeling numb as well as she drifted into darkness.

Rain poured down, it dripped off the short jagged locks of her red hair while she stood there. Her right shoulder was covered in dressing and her arm propped in a sling. Her left leg was similarly dressed but covered by her black pants. They wanted to give her a wheelchair but she refused, instead standing there bracing on a crutch.

A freshly covered grave lie before her, a large tombstone that read; 'Helen G Sherry. May she find peace and comfort in heaven with her son and husband.' One plot over was Helen's son a date of over twenty years ago when he was killed in the line of duty as a police officer, before Tracey had even been born, it was predator-hate related. Then two years after his death, another plot beside Helen's of her husband who succumbed to his grief of losing his son and killed himself.

All the other mourners had parted once the rain grew too heavy, she had been standing here for well over an hour alone. None of the other Sherry family come to mourn if there even were any, just government officials and friends.

"I failed you... promised to protect you..." Tracey gritted her teeth, her voice coming out raspy as she looked up to the sky, her cheeks drenched in rain and tears. Her voice sounded foreign to her. It had been the first words she had spoken in days.