Chapter 4 – Dead End
We arrived at the residence of the Thump family within twenty minutes. The house was located right outside the Meadowlands in a small, kinda run-down community. The house was older, but it looked pretty well-kept compared to the others in the area. The family was made up of eighty rabbits. When I heard the number, I thought that was a large family, then I remembered that Mom has over 300 siblings. The name, Thump, sounded vaguely familiar, but I wasn't able to put my tongue on it.
We walked up to the door, and Dad knocked. "Officer Wilde here for the investigation," Dad said.
The door quickly opened and a female rabbit about forty years old stepped out. Her face lit up when she saw Dad and me. "Nicolas Wilde? Is that you?" she asked.
"Yes it is," Dad said. "And this is my daughter, and now, intern, Nicole Wilde."
The rabbit covered her mouth as her eyes started to water. "Little Nicole? Oh, it's been so long!" she said. "How's Judy and Kenny doing?" she asked Dad.
"Very well," Dad replied. "Judy had an injury at work, so she's taking a vacation for a while. We've actually adopted another fox, little Josh."
"Oh really? I bet he's a little angel; just like Nicole was."
"I'm terribly sorry," I interjected. "But I don't know what's going on."
"Oh! Silly me!" the rabbit said. "I'm Nancy Thump. I was your caretaker when you were in the orphanage."
When she said "your caretaker", it brought back another flashback.
"I will be your caretaker."
"Um, won't you come in," Nancy offered, noticing my distant look.
"Thank you," Dad said, going through the open doorway. I snapped out of it and followed Dad into the house.
"Won't you sit down?" Nancy offered, gesturing to the sofa in the living room.
Dad sat down, and I sat beside him. The sofa was obviously made for rabbits and similarly-sized species. The sofa sank down under both our weights, and our knees were nearly in our faces unless we folded them out to the side.
Once we were (somewhat) comfortably seated, Nancy cut straight to the chase.
"Tell me what you have on my kids," she said.
"Unfortunately, not much more than when you were at the station yesterday," Dad said.
Nancy looked a bit saddened at the news.
"Which is why I came here today," Dad continued. "I was hoping to possibly get some clues from you or someone in your family."
"As far as I know, there were no witnesses," Nancy said, shaking her head. "We don't have cameras in this area of town, and our neighbors aren't the most friendly."
Dad handed me a tablet. "Look up police records coming from this area for me," Dad said.
"Got it," I said, opening it up and beginning looking through the files.
"Can you please tell us what you know happened?" Dad asked Nancy.
"Well," Nancy started, thinking about it. "It happened on September 25th, between 6 and 9 pm."
"Sorry to interrupt, but you said between 6 and 9 on September 25th?" I asked.
"Yes," Nancy confirmed.
"Between 8:48 and 9:12 there were eight calls to the ZPD complaining about a semi truck parked with the engine running in the middle of the street."
"That fits the time slot," Dad said. "Were any details given?"
"It's reported to have said "Weather's Tires" on the trailer," I said.
"Were there any mammals around the truck?" Dad asked.
"It says—" I paused, scared and shocked at what it said. "Two white wolves in all black."
"Looks like he's back in business," Dad said. Turning to Nancy, "I'm sorry I have to cut this short, but I think that may be the break we're looking for."
"I'm glad to have helped, Nick," Nancy said. "Please just bring my kids home."
"Will do, Nancy."
Five minutes later, we were seated in the cruiser.
"So what now?" I asked.
"We visit Weather's Tires and see what they have to say," Dad said. "Problem is, I have a vague idea of who the owner is."
"We'll just have to find out," I said.
"What do you mean you 'don't have one'?" Dad asked, getting frustrated. "How do you deliver tires?"
"Oh we have trucks," the female otter seated behind the desk said. "Just none from thirty years ago. We replaced them all five years ago."
"Well there are eight witnesses saying one of your trucks were parked on a residential street," Dad said, emphasizing his words to get his point across.
"I'm sorry officers, but we sold all fifty trucks and trailers of our fleet five years ago. Only one is still in our possession."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Dad asked, starting to get very frustrated. "Take me to see it!"
"That's just it," the otter said. "It's at corporate—in Cowlifornia."
"Cowlifornia!?"
We had gotten to the Weather's Tire warehouse thirty minutes ago and were led to several offices around the place, each as unhelpful as the last, until we got to the manager of the Zootopia warehouse.
I was standing off to the side, watching Dad try to get info on where the truck could be.
"Where the heck in Cowlifornia?" Dad asked.
"The owner, president, and CEO has it as a publicity vehicle. He takes it to races and car shows to promote the company."
Dad ran his paw down his face. "Ok, so can you get me the address to corporate?"
"Here's the business card. It's on the back," the otter said.
"Thank you," Dad said, looking at the card. "We'll be leaving now. Come on, Nicole."
We walked out of the warehouse and to the cruiser. We got in and Dad sighed heavily.
"Are you ok?" I asked.
"I'm fine; just a little frustrated is all," Dad replied. "If the truck still belongs to the company, which I think it might not after this, then they'd have to drive it from Cowlifornia to here and back in less than a week. It's doable, but why would a tire manufacturing company kidnap rabbit kits?"
"It doesn't make sense to me, either, Dad," I said. "Do you think it's someone with a look-alike truck?"
"That's my hypothesis."
It was getting late, and we were just following any lead we could, but they all lead nowhere. It was dead end after dead end. I was tired. Dad was sitting at his desk, looking through documents. I was sitting at Mom's desk. I was doing the same as Dad, but I started to doze off. I was soon transported to a year ago…
One Year Earlier…
"Where are you going, Nicole?" Mom asked.
"Just for a walk, Mom," I said. "I'll be back in a little while."
"Alright," Mom said as she laid down on her and Dad's bed.
I went outside and walked a little way down the small road. I turned back and looked at the travel trailer we had been staying in. Our house had been damaged in the big storm that blew through here five days ago. Dad had taken Kenny and Josh to a friend's house for the day, and me and Mom stayed at the RV park.
It was late evening—the perfect time for a walk. I walked all the way to the entrance of the park where there was a convenience store. I bought a soda and a candy bar and snacked on them as I made my way back. On the way, I noticed a weird noise behind me. I turn to look and I see a white wolf in all black walking about twenty meters behind me. I ignored him, just thinking it was another person staying at the park.
I went for a similar walk every day for the next week. It felt good to get out of that cramped trailer and breathe the cool fall air. It was rejuvenating.
After a week, late at night, I woke up. I checked my phone—it was three in the morning. I slowly and quietly climbed out of bed so as to not wake anyone up.
It was the first frost. It came early this year, but the first few frosts always make me feel cold, no matter were I am.
I grabbed my coat and slipped it on. I didn't get my phone, because I don't think anyone would call at this hour.
I made my way out the door and into the chilly air. I figured a walk would help me recover. My winter coat had already started growing, so I won't be super cold.
After I had been walking for about fifteen minutes around the campsite, I heard someone breathing heavy behind me. It was that wolf from before. I had noticed him observing me anytime I went on a walk. It was odd, but I figured he was just sitting outside to enjoy the air as I was. But this time, he was out observing me—at three in the morning!
I knew instantly that this guy was not a friend.
"Nicole," Dad said, gently easing me out of my slumber.
"Hmm? What?" I said, blinking to get the sleep out of my eyes. "What time is it?"
"It's almost one in the morning," Dad said. "I'm sorry we stayed out so late, but I really wanted to find the—"
"No, Dad," I said, stopping him. "I loved doing it."
"Good to hear," Dad said, giving me a kiss on my forehead. "But we need to get home and get some sleep."
"Sounds good," I said, getting up and stretching.
When we arrive at home, Dad and I both went straight upstairs and got ready for bed.
As I get undressed, I notice my scar in the mirror again. I run my paw over it, feeling the texture of it through my fur. "Some caretaker," I whisper to myself as I climb into bed, drifting off to sleep…
One Year Earlier…
I started running away from him, but another, identical wolf jumped in front of me, knocking me to the ground.
"Don't worry, little vixen," the one in front said. "It won't hurt ya!"
I quickly clambered onto my paws, but as soon as I did, the one in back wrapped his arms around me, capturing me. I breathed in deep to scream, but he clasped one paw over my muzzle. "No screamin' gonna happen tonight." he said. "It'll all be over soon," he said as the one in front put a bag over my head.
He released my muzzle, but I was suddenly too sleepy to scream. I felt him releasing my chest and I fell to the ground, but I couldn't move. I couldn't hear anything—my ears were ringing and giving me a headache. I soon blacked out.
When I open my eyes what feels like a second later, I am in a cube-shaped storage room with walls and floor of concrete. The ceiling has some steel girders going across it and an air duct strapped to the bottom. There was one door on the left side of one of the walls. I get up, and I stretch, feeling sore all over. I have a terrible headache, but I feel I need to move. I try to open the door, but there isn't a handle on the inside. There is a small window, but it's too high for me to see through it.
I look about the room, but all there is in here is an empty crate and a steel bucket. The crate is big enough for me to climb up into and curl up into a ball, but I didn't want to do that.
I sat down in the corner farthest from the door and pulled my legs up to my face and began sobbing.
I knew exactly what had happened—I had been kidnapped. In a few days' time, I'd probably be sold off into the sex trade, being treated like a slave in some foreign country I couldn't locate on a map to save my life. What I couldn't believe was how stupid I was to take a walk in the middle of the night.
I didn't have my watch, or my phone. All I had was the clothes on my back.
After what felt like hours later (which it probably was), the door opened and a middle-aged red fox stepped in.
"Nicole!" he said with a smiling expression with his arms out like he was going to hug me. "It's been too long!"
I just continued to sit in the corner, staring at him. I knew from his accent he was from another part of the country, but I didn't know where.
"You don't know me. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Zane Weather. I will be your caretaker."
I covered my face back up and started crying again.
"Oh, come now, Nicole," Zane said, crouching down in front of me to look me in the eye. "I have some food for you." He set down a brown paper sack beside me. "I'll come to check on you in a while," Zane said, standing back up. "I'd get to eating if I were you; the food'll get cold if you don't hurry." And with that, Zane shut the door behind him, locking it tight. The sound of the door slamming made a terrible echo in this small, concrete room. I had to cover my ears to keep from going insane from a splitting headache.
The smell of the food draws me as I look inside the bag. The contents are a few small pieces of boneless fried chicken and a bottle of water.
I eat the chicken and drink the water. I didn't realize how hungry I really was until I ate the food.
When I was done, I began sobbing uncontrollably. I was alone, afraid, cold, and lost. I didn't know if I'd ever see my family ever again.
I awoke to the annoying sound of my alarm going off. Groaning as I do so, I silence it and climb out of bed. I got dressed and went downstairs.
"Good morning, Nicole," Mom said as I walk into the kitchen.
"Morning," I said, still sleepy. I open the fridge and get out the milk jug. I grabbed a glass and filled it with the cold, white liquid. I put the jug on the counter and began to down the glass' contents into my throat.
"Thirsty this morning, are you?" Mom said as she set a bowl of oatmeal in front of me.
"I guess so," I said, setting the empty glass down and began eating the gooey oats.
After I finished my breakfast, I go back to my room and get dressed. I grab my backpack and head downstairs. "See you later," I said as I step out the doorway. I walked down the sidewalk towards the bus stop, still reflecting on one year ago.
I find it kind of hard to believe I don't have more mental illnesses from that than I do.
I arrive at the bus stop. Brandon was already there. "What's up?" Brandon said.
"Nothing much. You?" I replied.
Brandon just shrugged his shoulders. "Meh."
I laughed and gave him a punch in the arm. "Yeah right."
Later that day, at lunch, me and my group of friends were seated at out usual table. I was beginning to space out, thinking of many things.
I hadn't realized I had been so sheltered for so long. I had always heard of evil mammals and how twisted they were, but until I had been kidnapped, I never knew how evil they truly were…
One Year Earlier…
The lights in the room were never turned off, and they were bright. Like, really bright. They'd give you a headache just by looking up too much. It was hard to sleep in the cold, concrete room. At least I had my coat; it helped some. Eventually, I fell asleep. It was a deep, but fitful sleep. I didn't know sleep could be deep, but you could still feel everything around you. When I started to wake up, I felt a warm presence sitting beside me. It was comforting. The warm body stirred, and I opened one eye. The warm body was Zane! I instantly jumped up and growled, only to be greeted with an electric shock coursing through my veins. The shock made me drop to all fours.
"What..." I asked, out of breath from the electricity. "What was that?"
Zane chuckled as he held out a remote. "T.A.M.E collar," he said. "It's a piece of history, don't you know?" Zane offered a paw to help me up, but I slapped it out of my way as I got back onto my feet. I had never stood in Zane's presence. He was a bit taller than I expected. He had an air of power; it seemed as if he loved having power over me. He was probably abused when he was young and now wants power.
"What history?" I asked, facing him with no fear.
"Hmm, getting brave, are we?" Zane said, looking me over. Zane reached a paw out towards my chest, but I grabbed his wrist, stopping him. "Very brave I see."
"Don't you dare," I said, trying to sound intimidating.
Zane smirked as he moved in one quick motion, twisting my arm, turning me around and making me defenseless. Zane pushed me to my knees and pressed a button on his remote to give me a slight shock. "But very foolish." Zane released my arm and I crawled over to a corner and pressed my head into my legs. "You know," Zane started. "The T.A.M.E collars were first used in the early 1940s by the Nazis in their concentration camps. It has since been adopted by nearly every country for their prisons."
"And why does that make this a part of history?" I asked in an angry tone.
"Because, dear Nicole," Zane said. "This particular collar is military surplus from the Soviet Union. An original 1952 model. And it is still in perfect condition."
I buried my face in my paws and began sobbing. I couldn't hold it any longer. I was terrified. I had no idea what Zane had planned for me.
"Nicole?" Todd said, waving his paw in front of my face.
"Huh? What?" I asked.
"You were kind of blacked out there for a minute, Brandon said. "You ok?"
I sighed. I had never told any of my friends what had happened last year. I figured now would be a good time. "Remember last year, in October?"
"Yeah," Tia said. "What about it?"
"Remember I was gone for a week and a half. I said I was sick, right?"
"Yeah, you had the flu," Tia said.
"I didn't."
"What did you have?" Brandon asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing." I sighed. "I was kidnapped."
"What?" everyone asked at the same time. "How did it happen?" "Were you ok?" "Who did it?" were all questions that were asked. I don't know who asked what.
"I don't want to go into details," I said. "But let's just say it was traumatic." I took a deep breath as memories from it came rushing back. "And me and my dad are doing a kidnapping case at the ZPD. There are times when dèjá vú comes around for me."
I started to regret telling my friends about the kidnapping. They asked questions for the rest of the day. I tried to answer them or deflect them, depending on how the answer would play out in my head.
By the end of the day, I was tired of all the questioning.
As I laid my head down on my pillow, the dream continued…
One Year Earlier…
When I awoke from my slumber, I felt different. The concrete room was still the same, but there was something about it that was wrong. I stood up and looked around. As soon as I did, I instantly knew what was wrong—I was wearing something different. I had some shorts and a t-shirt on.
As if on cue, Zane opened the door and stepped in. "Good morning, Nicole," he said.
"Where was I when this happened?" I asked angrily, pointing to my clothes.
"Hey," Zane said, putting his paws up in surrender. "It wasn't me who changed your clothes. It was my mother."
"Your mother?" I asked, dumbfounded. "She's in on this whole thing?"
"What'd you expect? Some early thirties fox was just gonna kidnap a sixteen-year-old vixen on his own?"
"Actually," I said. "That's exactly what I'd expect."
Zane bowed his head. "Tsk, tsk, tsk." Zane put a paw on my shoulder, but I jerked away. "Specist against your own species. How tragic."
"I'm not specist against anybody!" I protested. "Just you."
"I'm touched," Zane said, putting a paw over his heart and smiling.
"Why are you so weird?" I asked.
"Oh, well now I'm hurt," Zane said, keeping his paw over his heart but he made an exaggerated sad face.
My anger rose and I shoved Zane, only to get a shock from the collar.
"Oh, I forgot to mention the collar also reacts when elevated anger is detected," Zane said. He didn't even flinch when I had shoved him. He didn't even move! "It'll only be a little longer before you'll get—no, never mind."
"Never mind what?"
"Exactly."