The rainforest district was a vast expanse of foliage and green. Everywhere she looked, there was more green, more leaves, more fog. Grey dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves, leaving a patchwork on the leaf-covered ground.
Judy's fur was slick from the humidity, while Nick's tail was puffed up to the size of the Rodent State Building.
"Vine and Tujunga," He read off the signposts. "We're here."
"First time someone pronounced that right," She muttered under her breath.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Judy nearly glided past the many vines and leaves, hopping nimbly from one to the next. Nick just sort of stumbled from leaf to leaf, and occasionally gets smacked by one.
Eventually, they come to a dark treehouse, wrought with lanterns and vines.
Tentatively, Nick rapped on the door.
He stepped back.
A chain rattled somewhere inside, and the door opened a crack. The inside was dark.
"Hello? Mr. Manchas?" Nick tried.
Judy crept forward slowly, a flashlight in her hand. Slowly, the door creaked open, and she slipped inside.
One second. Two seconds.
Nick heard her scream and burst through the door. A black panther was crouched low on the ground on all fours, his green eyes gleaming. A jagged scar went across one of them.
Judy stood near him, her eyes wide, but strangely, she didn't look afraid. She looked shocked, but not afraid.
She saw him watching and it passed. She was just a scared little bunny now.
The panther pounced savagely, and Judy grabbed Nick and ran.
"Before he – he did that," She panted, as they both scrambled for their lives, the panther hot in pursuit, "He told me that Otterton did that to his eye."
"A little otter – he – he did that?" He gasped.
The panther growled, a low, primitive growl. Despite the heat, Nick shivered.
"He went savage!" Judy choked out, desperately trying to keep her footing.
The path was turning slick now, and he was having trouble running. Just a moment after he had that thought, Judy screamed and slipped, catching her foot on a vine. She tugged frantically on it, glancing at the panther. Nick stopped and tried to pull her free, but he was too late.
Manchas leapt for them, claws outstretched. Judy screamed again and covered her eyes, but something clicked into place for Nick. All fear forgotten, his claws came out, and he scratched Manchas on the face. The panther stopped for a moment, surprised its prey fought back, and came back harder.
This time Nick barred his teeth, determined to protect Judy. Without waiting for another attack, the fox wrestled Manchas away, ramming his shoulder against the panther's. He roared and clawed out wildly, and caught Nick on the shoulder. His uniform tore a slit, but he hardly noticed.
He was focused on fending off this stronger, bigger foe. Oh, why is today the day I'm don't bring my handcuffs?
He was tiring though, and Manchas managed to nick him again in the ear. A gentle buzz of electricity came from the collar, and suddenly Nick remembered.
He looked back at Judy, who was paralyzed, staring at the vicious fight. The remote hung loosely by her belt, her paw well within reach.
"Use the collar!" He shouted at her as he fended off another attack.
She managed a few blinks and a gasp of air.
"USE. THE. COLLAR!" He shouted again. His cut arm was nearly useless at this point.
Shakily, Judy snatched the remote from the belt, but she was hesitant, as if she didn't want to hurt him.
He growled. "Do you trust me? Use the collar!" The panther was circling now, ready for another attack.
Judy's paw hovered over the button.
"TRUST ME!" He yelled, just at Manchas pounced.
Judy pressed the button with all her might and turned away. Nick tackled Manchas just as electricity flooded him. He made it flow into Manchas, and he saw the tips of the panther's fur becoming singed.
Flecks of static swam at the rest of his vision, and he was sure his claws were digging into the ground, but he managed to choke out, "Don't stop!"
Judy was breathing rapidly, taking shallow breaths. Her paw didn't dare leave the button until she couldn't hear anything anymore. Finally, she turned.
Nick's uniform was tinged red, and the cut on his ear was going to leave a scar, but Manchas looked worse. They were both unconscious, but Manchas wasn't used to Judy's collar yet, so he got the harder hit.
Judy ran over, gently pried Nick away from Manchas, and laid him on the ground gently.
She saw the spot of blue on Manchas's neck and cursed herself. Of course she knew. She knows everything.
Why would I ever assume that I can get away with helping a ZPD officer? I'm putting our whole plan at risk! And for what? A thrill? An adventure?
She scanned the trees for the gunman, but she didn't need to bother. She knew Bellwether sent Doug. He's their – is Bellwether's go-to fixer. Anything that needs wrapping up, he does it. That includes making any animal go savage, and indirectly causing any murder.
Judy's confident about his abilities. After all, she trained him.
Still, that little spot of blue confirmed everything she feared. Bellwether doesn't need her anymore. She's seen it happen, multiple times, with anyone who's dared to go against the plan, the plan they've been working on for so long, but she never imagined it would happen to her.
Judy thought she was indispensable.
Apparently not anymore.
This also means she has no backup, no support, no resources, and no one left to care about whether she lives or dies.
Thanks to Bellwether, she's all alone now.
No, that's not true.
She has a hit out for her.
Someone does care whether she lives or dies.
It's just that everyone she's ever known will be out to make sure she dies.
