Chapter 4
The sun just got down and the streets lights were already on.
If one were in good mood, they would take advantage of the night to start of the weekend great.
If one's day was amazing they would enjoy the night with their friends and family.
If one's mind is clear they could easily make the night even better than they imagined.
If...that was the case for that one.
A small sand colored fox was sitting at the corner of a balcony, his head was on his knees, and arms lock inside. He was wearing a red headset, keeping his ears up but it still looked droopy.
Finnick's day hasn't gone good since morning, it was supposed to though.
The day was still young, instead of being in school, the small fox was out and walking to the place where he knows that will make the day really interesting, the bar at Slum Avenue.
Zootopia may be the place where animals can get along, where dreams can be made and be whoever they want to be. But that's not how things always work out. The slums...there's always a small part in every district, it's where one would say...the place of a low life.
In early days this was the place where he and Nick spend most of their free time, with other fellow con artist and thugs. It was always a rowdy place at night but at times like this, it would be just like any other bar, when you're down this is the place to get you back up and running, nothing like a few drinks can't help.
Finnick was expecting at least a few familiar faces, Nick knew everybody (or maybe just a lot) in Zootopia but that didn't mean it was the same for the small fox, his not as sociable as the other one.
He was already getting some attention when he reach the area, animals were glancing at him for some reason. Maybe they though the things inside the bag he was carrying was worth something? They're gonna be so disappointed.
The area was just as he remembered it the last time he was here, and that was when Nick was gone. A gloomy atmosphere, random animals were hanging around, smoke was everywhere and bad influence just reeks out of each corner. The ZPD doesn't even patrol these places anymore.
He got to the bar and opened the door, just like any other day the animals would just ignore him and be with their business, but from the looks of things... It's going to be different.
P'Harvey is the name of the bar, just like anyone would imagine its pretty old school, covered in old wood, everything creaks, the smell of alcohol and grease already soaked into the hard wood.
There were only a few animals inside all pretty buff, probably discussing their plan for the day, and slowly one by one they glance at the small fox, having an irritating look at their faces. Finnick ignored this and went straight to the counter, hop into a stool and ordered a drink.
The bartender, a bull, puff smoke from his snout and ignored his order and continued to clean his utensils.
Guess the bull was in no mood doing his job? What great service they have here, wonder what happened?
Finnick just sat and closed his eyes, enjoying what he could for the time being.
"Well well well, what do we have here?"
Finnick turned his head towards the voice and saw a big brown bear standing in the middle of the bar he just wore a casual getup fitting for a thug, all of the other animals were glaring at the small fox. He didn't do anything and just stared at the bear until he spoke.
"You're Finnick aren't yeah?"
"Who wants to know?"
"All of us really, but for now...let's have a little chat"
He gestured him to the back door that leads to an alley. Finnick knows exactly where this is going but why was it going to that? He knows he owns some animals some money but this bear wasn't one of them, nor anyone inside the bar.
The back alley is just like any other alley out there, the stench of disposed garbage was bearable but it still wasn't something anyone would want to smell, it was pretty dim even though it was in the middle of the day. A couple of cats and raccoons were digging into the trashcan before the door was slammed open.
The bear held Finnick by the scruff and threw him at the corner of the alley, two tigers joined them in the area.
He landed on his side but quickly stood and kept posture, not knowing what these thugs are up to, but his not letting them get the better of him.
"So what you bozos want from me?"
"You're the small guy who hangs around Nick right?"
Finnick snarled at him, this really isn't looking good.
"We heard he joined the fuzz, and animals around here don't like the fuzz."
"If you have business with that guy you talk to him yourself, I'm not sending him a message for you."
"Oh hoho! You think we don't know why you're here!?" He snarled "Spying on us aren't you?! You know full well your kind are not welcome in these places!"
"Hey! I am not working with them!"
"Say what you want, we know full well that you're working with them, we saw you chitchating with that bunny cop in a police car. And what, coincidentally you're here?"
They saw him, with Judy!? When she pick him up yesterday...with the police car.
The tiger caught Finnick by surprise, he manage to lift the fox and slam him into the ground, pinning him so he won't be able to escape. His bag flew away from him.
"You boys teach this small fry a permanent lesson, Cops. Are not. Welcome. Here."
The bear left the scene and went back inside the bar, the other tiger came closer cracking up his joints.
Finnick was in trouble, he was pinned to the ground by the chest, couldn't break free and he can't breathe. He tried wiggling out but the tiger above him has too much pressure to keep him still.
He tried grasping for air but a quick stomp and a kick to his side sent great pain to his body causing him to lose more air, they didn't bother punching him since kicking did the work well.
They said a lot of harsh words but it didn't even made sense to the fox, he was to focus on the pain covering him, especially on the chest, he couldn't breathe properly.
He wanted to fight back but he couldn't, not until he breaks free from that tiger pinning him down. His not going to let these tigers think less of him, all because his small?! Think he can't handle a beating? Well they guess wrong, Finnick is a predator just like them, he had his fair share of fights and he knows full well how to bite back, hard. If only he could-
The tiger pinning him loosened and gave a swift kick sending Finnick stumbling to the wall. They laugh and gave each other a clap mocking the fox.
He was free. HA! He was free! And he could breathe! Breathe! Breathing is amazing!
Finnick stood up, slightly and slowly breathing in that disgusting air of the alley. Stretching his muscles and unsheathing his claws. He grinned at the two tigers then his face turned into a predator ready bite their prey, he growled at them, ready to fight back!
The two was surprise that the fox could still stand, but it didn't matter to them. They could easily outmatch him, something so small can never be a threat to someone as big as those tigers. But once the fox dash and went straight to one of the tiger's face. All hell broke loose.
It's been a good few minutes, and things had gone rough inside the bar, the bear had been loudly voicing his irritation for the ZPD and other goody goody of the town, and the other animals all agreed on all of what he said. Glass clung as they cheered for the free round the bear offered, but as time pass the bear felt off.
"Where are those two?"
"It's been quiet for a while now must be taking their time with the runt."
"Well the cops do need to know our turf. Sending one of their small fry alone was mistake."
All of them were still sober, fully knew that they need too, for them to execute whatever plan they have for the day.
"You'll be cleaning up whatever they left there you got that!" The bartender shouted. "It's a pain cleaning the mess you idiots make in these places."
"Yeah yeah, whatever you old fart." The bear said irritatingly, grabbing two bottles and headed straight to the back.
He was surprise at what he saw after he opened the door.
The alley was a mess, though it already was but it looked even more mess up than before. The trash were scattered everywhere, the run-down TV at the side got a good hole now, there was a big scratch mark at the wall, and the whole place smells even bad now mix with sweat. The bear gave a smile and a chuckle while imagining what the tigers were doing to the runt this whole time. But the two tigers were nowhere to be seen.
"Hey guys! Where you at?" He shouted, walking further into the alley "Got you guys' beer for a job well done, let me see what the runt looks like-!"
He got to the corner of the alley and saw a body lying on the ground, all bruised up. He was expecting a body yeah, but he was not expecting to see a tiger's body. It was still, but it look like it was breathing, so it was just unconscious. Next to the body was another tiger sitting upright against the wall, also look battered up but conscious, the tiger was puffing smoke from his snout clearly smoking the cigar he had in his paws.
"What the hell!?" The bear yelled.
The conscious tiger gave the bear a glance and raised his chin, taking another round on the cigar and exhaling it slowly.
"The kid knows how to fight."
Barely escaping those tigers, Finnick limped while he walk away from the crime scene, a paw on his side, tail stayed motionless, ears laying low, taking another route to avoid being seen by any other animal who would take advantage of his state. His body ache with pain, it's been so long since he had been on a fight, nostalgia came running to him when a certain part of his body flinch.
Dragging his bag on the ground, not bothering to lift it up, he thought of a plan B to where he'll spend his day, since P'Harvey is now a big NO zone.
Maybe there are other bars that he could try? Maybe not a good idea...due to his state, someone might just call the hospital on him.
He has an idea but it means he has to walk the whole way, a task that seemed too dreadful to do, so taking the train might be a good idea.
He manage to get to the station with only a few concerned glances and comments, but it would have been better if they just ignored him. The train was quiet, full of strangers, he stood next to a pole because there were no more seats left. A lady spoke to him in a concerned manner offering her sit to him, saying that he needed it more than her because He look exhausted and beaten up, not commenting on the bruises she could see. He glanced around and notice other animals looking at him with the same concerned face...it irritated him. He brushed her off and moved away, not even answering her offer, he was in no mood to be taking any charity or pity from anybody. He kept walking to get away from the eyes staring at him.
He found an empty seat at a lesser crowded area and took it immediately. He used his bag as a pillow to hide his face and rest while he waited for his next stop, hoping for things to go slow and nothing to mess it up.
"Next stop Sahara Square, station 1"
Finnick's ears perk up when he heard his stop, he must have dozed off because he was completely leaning on his seat now.
He easily pass the crowd to get out of the train station, but the state of his body didn't make that as easy as it should be.
He didn't go to the town to have fun, he needed to lay down, and so he went straight to an open area where there were no animals around. He found an empty sand hill that seemed to be the perfect spot, and a conveniently abandoned umbrella that he could use.
The umbrella opened and he laid underneath it, using his bag as a pillow again. The heat was nice and warm, something his species enjoys. Exhaustion came to him, closing his eyes for a while to regain some strength...it didn't help though, it needed more than closing an eye to fight what his feeling right now. The events from earlier kept lingering on his mind, he felt the urge to just scream.
He felt Angry, because those tigers got the best of him. Irritated, for accusing him as a spy for the police. Rejected, because the very bar he'd been going to kick him out. All because what!? Because...because...Nick's a cop now...
And he drag him along with him!
He stood up and just walk in circles, mumbling words out of irritation.
"Why did he have to drag me into this!? He could have just let me be, I can go on by myself!"
He couldn't even understand his own words now. The air around him felt his wrath as he kick and punch it mercilessly, though his body ache he still did it.
"Hey look Finnick!" The small fox said, trying to imitate Nick's voice "I got a job! And it's just like my dream job! Cool huh? You know a good way to rub this in your face?
By dragging you with me and putting you in school! So you won't be able to do any more of this stuff you want to do!"
He grabbed a conveniently placed stick from the side and started hitting the ground with the strength he could muster.
"You're making me beat up sand!" He shouted on each hit.
He collapse back under the umbrella, and took a deep breath. This wasn't working, he was supposed to be relaxing, but all his doing is the complete opposite, releasing his pent up anger and making his head hurt. Maybe it would be better if he went...home...
Home...?
HOME!?
That wasn't home! That was just an empty room filled with more empty rooms! You know what he would consider his home? His van!
His van...
"MY VAN! Where the crap is my van!"
He got up and started hitting the ground with the stick again. This time he was screaming.
Nick took his van, his van! His life! He got that van to get away from everything! And he took it just like that because of what!? Legal reasons!?
In the midst of his fury, he hit his bag.
He stared at the bag with wonder for a moment and started hitting it mercilessly as well.
"Why am I even bringing this dam thing with me!? What's inside it anyway!?"
Pausing his violent act he grabbed the bag, unzipped it, and ransack it's insides.
Nothing of value, just like he thought. Some books and notebooks, a pen, lots of crumpled up papers and candy wraps and...
and...
...and...
...a lunchbox...with a note stuck to it.
"Hey Finni! Hope you have a great day, we made this for you! Hope you like it!
Stay in school! Love yeah!" The note said, with a drawing of a fox...and a rabbit at the bottom.
...
...
...
"Heh...stay in school...I should have done that." He said after he felt his body jolt in pain.
He opened the lunchbox and immediately he smelled the delicious food that awaited him. Fried carrot rice and fish fillet. His stomach growled right after, not noticing he was hungry at all, because he was too focus on something else.
He look back at the note and gave a very deep sigh. He kinda felt bad now, not in the physical way cuz he got beat up, but in a guilty way...
Nick was turning over a new leaf, and he wanted Finnick to be there with him...and here he is blaming almost everything on him...
Judy is a good influence on Nick...that's nice...
He took a few deep breath and let his thoughts calm down. Everything is just going the wrong way...maybe his not ready to turn a new leaf with Nick. The guy already done so much and his proud of him for that...while Finnick...hasn't done anything much...
He waved the thoughts away and focused on the food in front of him, he rubbed his eyes noticing that there were tears forming, once more he inhaled the scent and grabbed a spoon. He ate in silence, and stayed where he was for the rest of the day.
Dusk was here and so finally felt the need to get back...home? ...no, apartment.
His body still ache and he didn't really got all that pent up anger out of him. He'll just have to suck it up for now, and adjust.
He got to the building and to his surprise the white dog was there waiting for an elevator, great! He'll just tag along with him again so he won't have to limp throughout the staircase.
When they got inside, the dog press the 4th floor button, Finnick notice this but didn't gave much though, maybe his going to visit a friend...
When the elevator dinged and opened up, the fox left but the dog didn't, he was weirded out, so he glance back to the dog.
He was smiling and gave the small fox a wave, he click a button then the elevator closed...
He must had done that enough times with the dog for him to notice something...he didn't bother himself with that and went to his apartment.
And just as he had suspected the apartment was empty...just like always...
He grabbed a pack of ice for his bruises, his headset for his tunes and went to the balcony so he could continue enjoying the air.
The corner of the balcony seemed to be a nice spot to just sit, so he did. Placing the ice on his side, the headset on his ears and laid his head on his knees. He continued the day with quietness, with only his tunes to hear.
Nick got home to an empty apartment... That was a first for him, Finnick was always home when he got back. He dropped take out he bought on the table and continued to search the apartment.
Kitchen? No.
Bathroom? No.
His and Finnick's room? Also no.
Well that's all the room there was to search for, could he be at the park at front? The sun was already gone but his night vision would help him look.
He opened the balcony to take a look at the perfect view of the park, but he was stop when he slid the patio door open and heard a muffled music coming from the side of the balcony.
On the corner was a small sand colored fox, sitting curled up with a red headset on him. Nick gave a sigh of relief that his buddy was here, but he kinda look down?
Nick sat between the patio doors facing the living room and leaned onto Finnick giving him a nudge.
Finnick didn't respond though, so Nick nudge him a few times until the smaller one moved.
Finnick must have fallen asleep, cuz he gave out a big yawn after giving the bigger fox a glance. Slowly taking the headset off of his ears and lowering its volume, "Sup" he said, while rubbing his eyes.
"Hey mini finni" Nick replied smiling "So, what have you been- OH MY GOD!"
Nick was shock when he got a good look at the smaller one's face. He looked exhausted, his fur is all mess up, he has a bruise on his left cheek and his eyes were red.
"What the hell happened to you!?" Nick shouted, completely concerned for the smaller one, he haven't seen him all beaten up for years now. It brought back memories from their old days.
"Oh this? I...uhh...walk through a lamp post...hehe"
Both knew dam well that Nick won't buy that. He leaned in closer and gave Finnick a look of seriousness.
Finnick avoided eye contact, he scooted away to get some distance from Nick. The bag he was holding made a rustling sound, causing Nick's ears to perk up.
Nick grab Finnick's paw to give view to his body, taking a look at what that sound was.
"An ice bag!? Finnick what happened!"
"Nothing happened..."
"This does not look like nothing!"
"It's okay, I'm fine...I didn't broke any bones..."
Nick went on and on bantering the smaller fox, until he gives out the truth his not gonna stop.
"Nick would you just SHUT UP!" Finnick growled.
He stop at this sentence and stared at Finnick. He yelled, this must be something big. He knows the smaller one way too well to know that what must have happened must be something personal. So he stop at his bantering.
"It's like you don't even know me anymore! I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF! Capiche!?"
Nick notice that Finnick is breathing deeply now, tears forming, making the light outside reflect on his eyes...he look so hurt...and way to exhausted, arguing may just make his state worst. He took a deep sigh and gave Finnick his word.
"Alright, I understand." He compose himself and sat correctly, still looking at the smaller one. "I'll drop it for now...But I expect an explanation alright"
He learned this from Emmitt, he told some stories on how he handles his children when they get into some trouble. The trick is to don't push it, let them tell it when they want to. It's not gonna go anywhere if one of them is in a bad mood, it'll just make things worse.
Now it was Finnick's turn to be shock, he didn't thought Nick would just back off like that. He kinda felt bad now for shouting, but he really was in no mood to tell the whole thing, especially since Nick is somehow involve in it.
They stayed in silence for a while, only the low volume of the headset can be heard, it was indistinguishable but...was that rap music?
"Question though" Nick said, breaking the silence. Finnick's ears perked up, waiting for his question.
"After...all this" he gestured to his face. "How was the other guy? How he look like?"
Finnick just stared at the bigger fox, and slowly and quietly, he chuckled. Then it turned into a bit of laughter. Nick was smiling, happy that he got his little bud to laugh.
"You could say, they looks more mess up then me." Finnick was grinning, controlling his laughter so he could tell this part of the story.
"They!?" Nick was freaking concerned but he tried to hide it, so he won't break the mood.
"Yeah there were two of them! Three if the other guy didn't ran away."
Nick let the smaller fox tell his story, how he delivered his fist, claws and kicks. Finnick was a tough cookie, even Nick have second thoughts whether to anger the little beast. He knows how to push the little guy's buttons though, and it hilarious to do so.
The front door opened and Judy invited herself in. She notice Nick sitting by the balcony and waved at him.
Nick smiled and waved back, he placed a finger on his mouth signaling her to stay quiet. He nod his head to the side.
Judy was confused but manage to understand it, she could hear Finnick talking but she couldn't see him, he must be at the side of the balcony. She grab the takeout they bought and brought it to the kitchen, preparing it.
Nick watch as Judy grab the takeout and as she went to the kitchen, she changed out of her uniform and into something casual, she looked good on it, like she always does. Nick on the other hand hasn't changed out of his uniform.
Finnick's rambling died down, and Nick placed a paw on his head, rubbing between his ears. He felt the smaller one leaned on to his touch, he needed some comfort, Nick would love to give him a hug but Finnick wouldn't take it, so a pet on the head would do well for now, the smaller fox's tail was wagging when he did so.
"Wanna get something to eat? We bought takeout...pizza and some other stuff to be more precise."
"Nah" Finnick replied "I'm not up to it, maybe later...I still need some alone time..."
"All right I got it, alone time. We'll be at Judy's room okay? We'll talk more after."
"...okay"
He gave Finnick one last big rub and kiss him on the head. Finnick push him away right after. They both chuckled.
He got up and went to the kitchen to tell Judy to bring everything to her apartment, that Finnick won't be joining them for tonight. Judy was concerned but Nick knows the other fox well, so she'll ask questions later. After Nick got a quick change of clothing they grabbed the food and took most of it to her apartment.
Finnick didn't move from his spot, he now had mix feelings, not sure what to feel exactly, but what he does know is that his calm now, and things might go better now? That's still a mystery. He rubbed his eyes to clean off the tears, place his headset back on his ears and increase its volume, grabbed the bag of ice for his side, the ice melted though but it was still cold.
For the nth time today he sat and closed his eyes, hoping to just enjoy the atmosphere, one last time.
Hope you guys like it, Read and Review if you please~