Chapter 30: Chapter 29: Little Raccoon
"Panda Law?" Peter chuckled.
"Maybe," Big White tilted his head. As they approached a garbage dump, a pungent odor hit them immediately.
"Wow, that stinks. Go check for any mice."
"Alright, precious giant panda," Peter wrinkled his nose, holding his breath as he stepped forward. Instead of mice or stray cats, he found a small animal with dark rings around its eyes—a raccoon, its eyes glowing green in the darkness.
"No mice, but there's a cute little raccoon here. I wonder how it got in," Peter said. This area being close to the suburbs, residents often spotted raccoons scavenging in their yards and streets.
"Did you bring raccoon food?" Big White asked.
"Of course, I packed everything you mentioned," Peter nodded toward his backpack, which contained cat food, peanuts, dried fish, cheese, pasta, fruits, and raw meat.
"Try luring it out with food. I'll ask if it remembers seeing the person you described."
"Okay, I'll give it a shot. It's really cautious. I wonder how it tolerates the smell here," Peter said, extending a hand toward the raccoon.
"Don't worry, I just have a few questions. Would you like this apple? Or maybe some peanuts?" He offered a fresh apple and a bag of peanuts to the raccoon.
"Hiss!" The raccoon bared its fangs, eyeing the masked stranger warily.
"I'm really not here to harm you. Just relax, alright? I don't have your favorite cat food, but these are just as good," Peter continued, trying to soothe the raccoon, but it remained cautious.
"You might as well just grab it. It might decide to bite you otherwise," Big White suggested from outside.
"I thought animals liked me," Peter sighed, then swiftly grabbed the raccoon's scruff, pulling it out.
The raccoon struggled, letting out cries reminiscent of a fox.
"Let me go, you leotard-wearing weirdo! I'm just looking for food!" it yelped.
"Hey, we're not here to hurt you. We just have a few questions, and in return, you'll get lots of food," Big White reassured the raccoon.
The raccoon paused, surprised. As it was gently placed on the ground, a panda face with a bamboo hat loomed over it.
Seeing the panda, the raccoon tensed, lying flat on the ground, eyes fixed on the newcomer.
"Relax! I'm Big White, and you can be Rocket," Big White introduced himself.
The raccoon's ears perked up, recognizing that it was indeed being spoken to.
"Who are you? I've never seen you before. Did you come from outside? And why are you wearing human clothes?" it asked, still on guard.
"I'm just passing through and have a question for you. Want some food? It's all yours if you help us out," Big White offered, placing the apple and peanuts in front of it.
The raccoon eyed the food, tempted.
With a creature communicating with it and sensing no harm, the raccoon relaxed slightly.
"All this... for me?" it asked, still unsure.
"Yes, just answer a few questions. If your information helps, there's more where that came from," Big White promised, pointing to Peter's backpack. "We've got plenty of food."
"Go ahead, ask," the raccoon replied, gathering the food before it. Seeing they didn't object, it became much more docile.
"Did you see a human running this way three days ago, wearing sunglasses? They might have seemed panicked," Big White asked, keeping the description vague.
Raccoons, known for their intelligence and problem-solving skills, often remember details for years.
"Three days ago? Let me think," the raccoon pondered, motivated by the promise of more food.
---
"I remember! Two humans passed by then. One fell down and didn't move, while the other ran quickly, wearing dark glasses," the raccoon recalled excitedly.
"Really? Which direction did he go?" Big White asked, surprised by the quick find.
"That way!" The raccoon stood on its hind legs, pointing to a road on the right.
"Thank you!" Big White said, turning to Peter.
Peter, having witnessed the exchange, looked confused but realized the raccoon had given them the direction.
"Looks like luck's on our side. This area's not busy, so the raccoon's memory isn't cluttered," Peter noted.
"Great, let's head over there and find more clues," Peter said, energized by the lead.
"Wait, let's reward it more. We might need its help again," Big White suggested, nodding to the expectant raccoon.
"No problem," Peter agreed, pulling out more apples and chicken from his backpack, offering them to the raccoon.
"Thanks so much. These are all for you," he said.
While the raccoon couldn't understand Peter's words, it sensed his gratitude.
But food was its priority now, as it happily hoarded the feast before it.
"Mine, all mine! Enough for the winter!" it chirped.
Seeing the raccoon engrossed in its meal, Big White motioned for Peter to follow the raccoon's direction, ready to continue their search until they tracked down the criminal's hideout.
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