[...]

“KING!” A gruff voice roared.

The tiger’s ears twitched when he turned around. A moment later, a furious-looking Chief Bogo, his uniform covered in dust and splinters of wood, ran out from the alley. The cape buffalo pointed his tranq gun on the tiger breathing heavily.

“Arthur King,” he growled and glared daggers on the feline.

“Well, well, well,” the tiger replied with a big smile. “Isn’t that Sergeant Bogo?”

“It’s Chief Bogo,” the cape buffalo countered. “Let her go!”

“Chief? Well, isn’t that quite a promotion,” Arthur said amused. “Congratulations. I always thought that wolf would make it to the chief of police. Wait, I almost forgot. He is gone.”

“LET! HER! GO! NOW!” Bogo growled again and fastened the grip on his weapon. “And don’t you dare to talk about him.”

“Well, Bogo,” Arthur groaned. “You and I both know that this won’t happen. And we both know that she will be dead the moment you fire your first dart on me.”

“And you know that if you kill her, there is no way for you to escape,” the cape buffalo countered. “You are trapped here, and you know it. Just let her go and surrender. This is your last chance.”

“Ch… Chief?” Aliya whispered weakly and looked at the cape buffalo with a pleading expression. The stoic mammal’s stare moved to the distressed rookie, and there was a hint of fear in his eyes. And even if it was there only for a moment, it was noticed by the evil feline.

“Yea, Chief?” Arthur repeated, now amused. “Do you really want to let her die. Should I snap her tiny neck right here? Cut her throat with my claw? Or do we let her bleed out slowly like that mutt you called partner.”

“ENOUGH!” Bogo growled, but he lowered his gun a bit when his whole body began to tremble.

“That’s a good boy,” Arthur commended victoriously. “Now the young lady and I will join my friends inside. You will stay right here. One wrong move and I swear that… AHHHHHHHHH!!!”