It was late in the afternoon as many different animals were going about there day. The city of Zootopia was home to thousands of different mammals ranging from the small mouse to the large elephant; the city where anyone could be anything they wanted, no matter how small.
As all the animals walked by few paid any attention to the van that was parked in the alleyway. A small sand colored fennec fox quickly ran up to the van and scurried inside, slamming the door shut behind him and locking it.
"HAHA FINALLY" he said to himself as he happily ogled his latest score.
The small fox's name was Finnick and he was overjoyed from his latest score. It has been 6 months since his former best friend Nick ditched him to become a cop. Without Nick's charm and people skills, everyone saw through Finnick's scheme which ended up with him getting bruises and claw marks. If ditching him wasn't bad enough, Nick even had the audacity to slip money into his van now and again: as if Finnick was some charity case. Out of spite Finnick would take the money, although he would never let the other fox know it. However even with the money it was still tough for Finnick to get enough to keep the van gassed and food in his belly, which meant he had to resort to things such as petty theft.
Today's score however was something more than food or gas money. Since he had no stable income Finnick couldn't afford luxuries like an apartment or insurance for his van. His latest score however gave him something that he's been wanting for a while: the newest iPaw.
Earlier that day Finnick just walked around the city waiting for the right target. He finally spotted the latest version of the phone in the hands of a wolf sitting at a cafe. Finnick watched his target for half an hour making note of the password on his phone. Once the wolf finally got distracted he took the opportunity and went for the phone. However without Nick to keep targets distracted Finnick was met with a hard kick from the wolf that sent him flying into the bushes. Kicking Finnick was probably the worst thing the wolf could have done, as it gave him enough distance to sneak away with the phone.
Once back in the van Finnick didn't waste anymore time as he proceeded to pop the back off the phone and went to work.
"Ok just need to pull this out….good now just replace this with this and…DONE. THANK YOU WEASELTON" he muttered as he tinkered with the phone.
It was because of his "friend" Duke Weaselton that Finnick learned how modify the phone so it couldn't be traced. Along with the tech lessons Finnick also bought a charger and a proxy sim card so that it would trick the phone into thinking he had a paid subscription.
Finnick slid the cover back onto the phone and swiped the password in. Happily, he started playing with the phone and getting familiar with it. It only took several minutes for him to get familiar with it; he was already somewhat familiar with them from when he used to play on Nick's phone.
He lied back while slouched against the side of the van playing with his newly acquired phone. The phone was a perfect thing for situations like this when he had to be quiet. He couldn't blast his French rap as he usually did due to the fact the ZPD were probably looking for him and the loud music was a magnet for cops.
Holding his bruised side the fox stretched some as he felt paper at his fingertips. Looking down he could see that it was an envelope.
*ugh*
Finnick knew exactly what it was. He unsheathed one of his claws and opened it up. Unsurprisingly there was $60 in there just like the last several times. To go with the money Nick would always put a picture of himself with a smug grin just to rub it in Finnick's face.
"Smug bastard" Finnick said as he threw the photo into the pile with all the other pictures Nick sent.
He had met Nick 7 years ago when he tried to sell Finnick a faulty vacuum. After a lengthy conversation about Nick's mother and an exchange of angry snarls, the two foxes soon realize they each had a common goal of hustling others for money. Soon after they successfully pulled off their first score together Finnick and Nick became fast friends. Finnick remembered all the times they had to drive away when a hustle went wrong. He couldn't even count the times they ate take out in the back of his van and all the time they had on the road together before they came to the city.
"I gave that prick seven years of my life and how does he repay my…by stabbing me in the back so he can chase after that bunny he knew for less than a week" Finnick said out loud
Shutting his eyes, Finnick remembered clearly when Nick left. It was right after he finished helping that bunny girl who tricked Nick into helping her. When he saw Nick coming walking up to his van Finnick figured they'd be heading out to do another hustle. However after they had a chat his hope turned to rage.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOUR GONNA BE A COP !?" Finnick shouted at Nick "WHAT ABOUT OUR HUSTLES?!"
"Look I'm sorry Finnick but this is something I have to do" Nick said back "I can't do scams with you anymore"
At this point Finnick's rage finally broke as he took the spare apartment key Nick had given him and hurled it at
"GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY VAN YOU PRICK, I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN" He shouted as Finnick had his fangs and claws exposed using what little restraint he had left to hold back his murderous intent. "YOU'RE DEAD TO ME"
As the night went on Finnick just played with his new iPaw. Apparently the wolf was really boring as all the phone had was the basic apps that came installed on it. The only saving grace was that the internet still worked on the phone. However that eventually proved to be boring after a few minutes.
Finnick checked all of his favorite French rap artists. The only thing that had really changed was a new album for some and announcements for concerts that Finnick could never afford to go to. With a defeated sigh he looked over to the pile of pictures.
"Fine you win, but only because I'm bored"
Finnick still remembered Nick's old number from the times he got to mess with Nick's phone. After adding it to contacts he opened up the texting and sent a message
Finnick: Hey
Nick: Who is this?
Finnick: I'll give you a hint you stabbed him in
the back to go chase that bunny girl
Nick: Oh mini-me how ya doin :)
Finnick: Fuck off, the only reason I'm talking
to you is because I'm bored
Nick: Either way you're still talking to me ;)
The rest of the night Finnick kept texting Nick as they exchanged basic things like what they were doing and how their day went. Finnick accidently let it slip that he was using the newest iPaw.
Nick: Oh you got the iPaw6, how'd you get one of those
Finnick: Fuck you I know what you're trying
to do with the cop routine
Nick: Aww c'mon I wouldn't arrest you. Don't you trust me
Finnick: No no I don't. Not anymore
Nick: Aww that hurt little buddy what happened to that baby I used to know and love [Photo sent]
Finnick looked in horror at the picture Nick sent. It was him in that elephant baby outfit from the last hustle they pulled together.
Finnick: FUCK YOU DELETE THAT
FUCKING PICTURE
Nick: Aww but its all I have to remember you :)
Finnick: I SAID DELETE IT YOU
DUCKING BASTARD
Nick: ok ok fine don't get your diaper in a knot
"Damn auto-correct"
After Nick said he would delete the picture, the phone's screen went darker as the low battery warning popped up. Finnick sighed knowing he'd have to find a way to charge it tomorrow because of the van's lack of charging equipment
Finnick just chucked the phone aside as he stripped down to just his underwear, lying in the pile of blankets he called a bed and falling asleep.
He couldn't move. All he could make out was 2 massive figures. He was looking up at both of then and they were looking down at him. He realized that one figure was holding him. He had no idea what the figures wanted but he could tell they didn't mean any harm. One of the figures then put a mass around the other and got closer.
Finnick suddenly woke up. According to a clock outside the van it was the middle of the night. He shifted himself only to realize he was covered in a cold sweat
"Weird ass dream" he groggily muttered to himself as he moved to a dry spot and went back to sleep.