Judy knocks on Nick's door before entering, expecting to see him bundled under the blankets. Only Nick isn't there this time. Even his things are gone. His sachle, his six shooters, everything. The only trace that any mammal had been there is his lingering sent and a note left on the pillow. With trembling paws, Judy opens the note. A shiny object falls out, making a tinking sound as it hits the floor. Confused, she picks it up. It is an unused bullet about as long as her palm, with his name inscribed along the length. Worry scrunches her face as she returns her attention to the paper in her other paw.
My Dear Judith,
I'm sorry I left in the middle of the night. Especially after
everything that happened yesterday. I have my reasons. If all
goes well, I will tell them to you. For now, I leave you a bullet
with my name on it. It is said that those who live by the gun,
there is a bullet out there with their name on it and that is the
one that will take their life. Most of us take a bullet and carve
our names into them, then keep them on us as a morbid good
luck charm. Mine I give to you, to either keep safe or use on me.
If I am to die I'd rather it be by your paws. It is the least I deserve
for hurting you.
Forever Yours
Nicholas
Her tears don't stop even when her mother finds her an hour later kneeling on the circular carpet. The bullet clutched to her chest in a death grip, the note forgotten on the floor. Bonnie cradles her grieving daughter to her as she reads the note herself. Her ears fall as silent tears slide down her cheeks at her daughter's plight.
"Oh Judith." Bonnie rubs her ears trying to comfort her as Stu walks in with Judy's siblings crowding the door.
"What should I *sob* should I do?" She buries her face in her mothers chest. All ears in the vicinity droop at her soft whimpers.
"I do not know." Bonnie whispers while Stu reads the paper she hands him. Hushed questions can barely be heard in the background. James at the forefront can only guess. None knowing what has happened.
"I don't understand. Why would he leave, abandoning her after getting our blessing?" He looks to his wife and grieving kit. Understanding hits and James' ears shoot up.
"It's the bandits heading this way. They think Nick cheated and want their money back." Judy glares, teary eyed, at her brother over their mothers shoulder. "Whoa, don't give me that look. I know he'd never cheat but a gang of bandits will use any excuse. Or none at all."
"But why run?" Stu cringes at the twin glares he receives from his wife and daughter. Two sets of burning amethysts bore into him.
"He would not run." Judy's ears fall down her back in hurt, again. "I just do not know what he is thinking... I need to be alone."
"Of course dear." Bonnie releases her and watches her climb into his bed, curling into a tight ball under the covers. She leaves, ushering everyone away. Before James can wander off Bonnie stops him. "Keep an ear tuned in and watch that door. When she comes out, do not let her out of your sight. I am afraid she will try to follow after him." He nods and returns silently to lean against the door. The hours drag on. There are times he thinks she has passed out, only for the sniffles to continue. Towards evening her sobs fall silent and James knows she has truly fallen asleep.
Morning comes and she awakens surrounded by warmth and his sent. Heart seizing in pain, knowing he is not there, Judy extracts herself from the covers still clutching the bullet for dear life. Eyes puffy and fur rumpled, she grabs the letters sitting on the bedside table before opening the door. A thump informs her that someone slept against it. Looking down, the intense blue eyes of her brother James greet her.
"I need to go into town." James extricates himself from the bunny burrito he made during the night and pulls her into a tight hug.
"Sending Nick a letter?" James lets her go when she gives his shoulder a light push.
"I am sending Gideon a letter. If Nick is not there when it arrives hopefully Gideon can send Nick's to him." She trudges slowly down the hall heading for the main door, James following closely behind.
"Wait, Mom made this for you." He hands her a tiny cotton pouch attached to a leather thong. "So you can wear Nick's bullet if you want."
"Thank you." She tucks the bullet safely in the pouch before putting the whole thing around her neck.
"You can thank Mom when we get back from town." He slings his arm around her shoulders and leads the way.
Sitting at the worn counter of the only bar in the Tri-Burrows is David Leaps. Next to him is a female Black Footed cat, her hazel eyes staring sweetly at the sheriff. A gentle smile graces her muzzle carefully obscuring her sharp teeth.
"So sheriff, anything interesting happen recently?" She asks the drunk bunny.
"Not much happens in the Tri-Burrows. That's why I like it." After putting the shot glass down, David smacks his lips in pleasure. The cat sighs in disappointment. "Other then that fox earlier this week, you've been the most interesting thing to happen in my time as sheriff."
"A fox was here?" Her ears prick forward at this.
"Was looking to buy provisions. Probably with stolen money. I was handling the problem when that Hopps girl interjected herself into the mix. Left my son in the middle of their courtship. Should'a known she was no good." He takes a swig of the beer sitting in front of him.
"What happened with the fox?" She asks mildly but the twitch in her ear betrays her interest.
"The Hopps girl took him to her family farm. Haven't seen him since. Guess he got his supplies and went on his way." She starts taping a claw on her lip slowly, thinking.
"What was the Hopps girls name?" He stairs sadly into his empty tankard before answering.
"Judith. She was supposed to marry my son but...where are you going?" The cat had stood up and placed a stack of bills on the bar.
"I've got things to do. Have some more to drink on me." She walks out ignoring his grin of pleasure. Walking across the town square, she stops and sniffs the air. She turns in a slow circle before heading into the light breeze coming from the town entrance. Two bunnies, a black buck and a grey doe, walk through as the cat's companion catches up to her.
"What'd you find?" The Meerkat looks at the bunnies, confused.
"He was here. Went home with a Judith Hopps. Bunny." She nods her head towards the bunnies. "His sent was coming from that direction. I bet you she knows where he's going. Get the Boss, we might want to acquire bait for our slippery friend." Her companion takes off, only drawing raised eyebrows from some of the older bunnies in town. After following the two bunnies through town, the black footed cat sees the Meerkat with another.
"Are you Judith Hopps?" Both Judy and James stop outside the post office and look at the spotted cat beside them. She is the same height as Judy.
"Yes?" Judy watches as the cat scents the air.
"You are special to Wilde, we can definitely use that." Before Judy can do more then gasp in shock her arms are pinned painfully behind her back, making her drop the letters. James reaches for the cat only to be kicked in the gut, knocking him away from his sister. As he gets up they are surrounded by twenty mammals of varying size and species.
"Let me go! What do you want?!" A crowd gathers as Judy struggles. A coyote walks up to her and sniffs close to her throat. Judy stops struggling with him that close.
"Hmm. Where's Wilde?" James scurries to get to Judy but is held back by one of the wolves in the group, a duff grey color with black socks. The coyote glances at James then returns his focus to Judy. "She will not be harmed as long as everyone cooperates. Now, where's your Mate?"
"M..Mate!?" She stutters in shocked confusion.
"Nicholas Wilde. Red fox. Ring a bell?" The one holding her asks snootily.
"He...he is gone." Fear runs rampant through her body, causing her noes to twitch furiously. Not for herself but for Nick.
"I know he's gone. His mark on you is old. Where did he go?" Judy closes her mouth tightly and shakes her head. The Black footed cat pulls Judy's arms up, causing her to yell out in pain, for refusing to answer the coyote. "No matter, we'll just bring you along."
"No please! Let her go!" James struggles to break the wolf's hold on him. This draws the coyotes attention. "He's going to Cactus Creek, three days from here."
"James! No!" The coyote turns swiftly back to Judy using the momentum to add enough force behind the hit to her gut to knock her out. The black footed cat lets her fall and moves aside so the other wolf in their group can sling her over his shoulder.
"Please! I told you what you wanted to know! Don't take my sister!" Their leader stalks over to James.
"And I thank you for that, but having his Mate will insure Wilde's cooperation. If all goes well she will be released." He turns and leads his group out of town.
"Tell your sheriff, I hope he enjoyed his drinks." The Black footed cat calls before catching up to her group.
Fury rages through his stocky brown body, white hot and aimed at the other rabbit in the small room. "You knew a group of bandits was headed this was and you still ran your mouth?!" Stu stomps around the sheriffs office in anger.
"It was only about that damned fox so what's the big deal?" David Leaps asks with his head in his paws, nursing a hangover. It was early afternoon, shortly after the incident outside the post office.
"You got my daughter kitnapped!" The volume of Stu's yelling causes the sheriff more pain and he winces. "Give me your badge." Paw extended, voice low and threatening, Stu stairs down the former sheriff.
"You can't just fire me single pawdly. You need at least one other founder of the Tri-Burrows to agree, and I don't." David looks at him smugly.
"However, I do. Turn over you badge." A mostly silver grey rabbit of elder years enters the room. His voice strong but light.
"Christopher Bounds! What brings you here?" David shrinks in on himself.
"Your incompetence." Cringing more from the authority in the elders tone, David removes his sheriffs badge and gives it to Stu. "As punishment for the damage you have caused, I order that none of your kits or grandkits will be allowed to even attempt becoming sheriff."
"But they did nothing wrong!" Despite his pounding head, the Leaps Patriarch stands his ground for his family.
"True. However they have learned from you, and as such will most likely be the same kind of sheriff. I will not have this happen again." The elder bunny taps his cane for emphasis.
"I understand. What of those that come after?" David slumps back into his chair, wilting in defeat.
"The punishment ends with your grandkits. Their kits may try." Finished with his task, Christopher heads back out the door.
"Who should we have as the new sheriff?" Stu asks the retreating rabbit.
"If your daughter's fox can bring her back, offer it to him." David sputters out a protest that dies on his lips from the deadly glare Stu gives him.
"You better pray Nicholas brings her home." With that, Stu slams the door on his way out. Reminding David painfully of his hangover.
The first thing Judy notices upon waking is the throb in her middle. The next thing is the voices. Multiple murmuring voices she doesn't recognize. Confusion turns to panic as she remembers the events at the town square. Tears slide down her silky cheeks when she discovers her paws bound behind her back.
"Good, you're awake." She stairs fearfully at the coyote watching her. A leather strap catches her attention. Her eyes widen when she recognizes what he holds in his dusty paws. The pouch for Nick's token in one, the bullet in the other. "An odd keepsake to leave your sweetheart."
"Please give that back!" She struggles to sit up and manages it all under the watchful eyes of the bandit leader.
"I will, but first tell me. Why a Fox?" He tilts his head at her curiously.
"What do you mean?" Weary violets regard him with caution.
"Why be mated to a fox?" He elaborates.
"We...we are not mated!" Despite her fear, heat rushes to her cheeks tinging them a red that is easily seen through her fur.
"Not completely, no, but you intend to complete the process eventually. So I ask again, why a fox and not another bunny?" He faces her fully, observing her.
"Why do you care? You plan on killing him anyway." She refuses to let him see her cry more even as his silence confirms her fears.
"It's an odd pairing. I was just curious. No matter, here is your trinket. Dinner will be ready shortly." After returning the bullet to the pouch then placing it around her neck, he leaves her to her thoughts. Looking around she notices the guards watching her. When the coyote returns with a bowl of soup she ignores him, effectively refusing the food. Stationed in a loose circle with cacti and tumbleweed scattered between them. As night falls and the stars peak out, Judy looks up and prays it will all work out without either of them dying.
Nick looks upon the town most believe to be abandoned. Some buildings crumble along the outside and no movement along the roads. Trepidation fills him at the thought of his upcoming task. As he walks through the dirt street, large ears pop into view from the saloon.
"'Bout time you got here Nick. You better have a hell of a reason for making me wait." A sand colored fennec fox calls out while exiting the building. Deep voice booming.
"Boy do I ever. Hey Fin, is Gideon around?" Nick looks over the other fox's ears as they enter the saloon.
"Right here. What can I do for ya?" Out from behind the bar walks a plump red fox.
"Trouble is coming this way. I happened to beat a coyote boss of a group of bandits at poker. Now he's after me." Nick sits with them at one of the few tables in the room.
"How does that make you late?" Finnic asks with narrowed eyes.
"That doesn't but a Lady does." Both the other foxes ears prick forward at this revelation. Gideon sniffs the air.
"You found yourself a vixen?" The sandy colored fennec smirks at Nick.
"Not a vixen. A doe from Bunnyburro'." Gideon looks at him, his face paleing. "Which doe?"
"The one you're thinking of, Judith Hopps." Nick watches Gideon's ears pin to the side of his skull while tensing at her name. Finnic watches with interest. After a strained minute Nick lets him off. "Relax. I have no right to get angry at the scars when she's already forgiven you."
"She has?" Gideon inquires with a hopeful look.
"She never held it against you." Nick observes Gideon visibly relax into his chair. "Apparently she chewed out everyone that ran your family out of town. Told them about your father beating you and that dear sweet mother of yours."
"I should'a known. She was always too good for that town. Has the biggest heart around. How'd you catch her eye?" He is genuinely intrigued.
"You'll have to ask her that. If she still wants me, and her father doesn't kill me." His ears fall and a pained expression crosses his face.
"What'd you do?" Finnic's curiosity gets the better of him.
"When I heard those bandits were headed to Bunnyburrow looking for me, I dipped out. Right after I got her parents blessing too." Gideon's shocked look makes Nick hang his head in shame. "If all goes as planned, her family will be so mad that they'll tell the gang where I'm at and they'll leave her alone."
"You got it bad. Never seen you this way before." Finnic grumbles at him with amusement.
"What're ya going to do if it don't go as planned?" Gideon is reluctant to ask. Finnic nods his head, also wondering.
"It depends on what that coyote decides to do with Judy. They do anything to her I don't like, they wont live long enough to regret it." He bares his teeth in a snarl of anticipated anger. Finnic snorts his approval and Gideon nods in his willingness to help. They set about making plans for the inevitable encounter.
Judy collapses on the ground, exhaustion and lack of nutrition leaving her with no energy. Her dusty rose dress is ragged along the hem and is covered in the grime of travel. She warily watches as the group of mammal outlaws set up camp with excitement. After a bit, their leader walks up to her with a bowl of veggie stew.
"You should eat. You're not used to this kind of travel." He holds up the spoon, same as all the other times he's tried to get her to eat. Her stomach grumbles in its demand for sustenance.
"I can feed myself if you will untie me." He shakes his head still holding the spoon.
"We tried that and you ran. Can't have our insurance policy escape before our prey is caught now can we." He chuckles when her stomach grumbles again.
"I seem to remember not getting very far." She watches him place the spoon back into the bowl.
"Doesn't matter, I can't risk it. So you either eat now or continue to go hungry." He stairs silently, waiting for her decision. The only sound between them is the rumble from her belly. Still she refuses the food. When it is obvious she wont eat, the coyote puts the bowl down and pulls a strip of cloth from his pants. She watches with suspicious curiosity as he walks behind her. "Face forward and open your mouth."
Her ears shoot up in alarm and her eyes widen. She opens her mouth to scream only to have a wad of fabric harshly shoved in. Before she can work the offending material out he ties it in place. Tears of indignation trickle down her face and she tries not to gag.
"If your brother was telling the truth, your fox should be in the town just over that ridge." She looks to the rocky hill not even a mile away. Her heart constricts with worry. "Mike!" Without taking his eyes off her he calls over the lone fox of their group. "Watch her. The rest of you get ready. We're scouting the town."
Time passes. The sun sinks below the horizon, ushering in the night. 'Mike' watches quietly, eyes roaming over her form lecherously. He downs his cup in one go then walks up to her. She can smell the alcohol he added to his coffee. Her ears fall, her eyes widen, and she trembles when he runs his paw along her cheek.
"So soft. No wonder Wilde wants a piece of bunny tail." His paw trails along her neck and tugs her dress strap down. "How far does the white go?" He grunts and whines loudly clutching his paws between his legs. Judy struggles to stand and stumbles towards the distant hill. Her poor eyesight and uneven terrain make it hard for her to navigate. Before she makes it twenty feet, she is tackled to the ground. Scrapes and bruises cover her front, formed from the rocks and plants of the area. She hears him snarl and feels his claws rip the skirt of her dress. Strangled cries escape around the gag in her muzzle. Claws graze her thighs, barely touching. Then nothing but a thud and pained whines.
"You were told to watch her! Not touch her!" A gruff voice snarls behind her. Rolling over, Judy sees the coyote leader standing menacingly over Mike. She rises shakily to her feet, dress in taters and covered in branches of sage but still covering her important parts. The coyote turns to her. The rage in his eyes makes her shudder but she stands her ground, glaring at him. "Brave bunny, however it is not you who I am angry with, for now. Someone get her a blanket!" A warm heavy weight rests on her shoulders, stretching down to her ankles. Quiet whimpering draws her eyes to the fox on the desert floor. Half his face is mangled, bleeding from multiple lacerations. Her pupils dilate and her world goes black.
AN: For those wondering, Nick did not cheat. He is very good at reading mammals. That is extremely useful in poker. You can tell if they have a good or bad hand.
Also I feel slightly stupid. I decided to check out how my story looks to all of you and discovered that the lines I put in to break apart the sections are not there. So everything looks like it all runs together. That is not how I wanted it. So I'm trying something new to separate them. Hopefully it works.
