Chapter 9
It had been four days since his run in with the bunny. The one who smelt so heavily of flowers and fear. The smell of her still excited him. It was the closest he's been to her yet. He's been watching, assessing, practically salivating. None of the other bunnies, none of his other hunts would live up to the excitement of the delicious grey bunny with black tipped ears.
The smell of fear was all over his den. In every crack and crevice he could get a whiff of somebunnies absolute terror, that he would practically have a flashback. Running, biting, clawing, screaming, crying. It made him so, so excited.
Until that bunny had gotten away. Paws clenching he recalled how close he had been, how much the hunt had thrilled him. Knowing he couldn't let her get away he did what any good predator would do. He continued to hunt, continues to watch her. He was going to be prepared this time. He was not going to let her go again.
The hunt of his life would be Judith Laverne Hopps, and he couldn't wait until they were face to face again.
Judy's cries had stopped and her shuddering body had stilled. Gently rubbing the small bunny's back, Nick quietly slipped back into cop mode.
"Judy, do you remember anything from your attack the other night? I know the local police have probably asked already- but I need to ask." He felt like he was invading her privacy, like he shouldn't have to ask.
"They have. But I want to tell you too. I- I don't know why but I trust you Nick. I believe you can help." Judy shifted in his arms, but didn't move away. "After we talked I was so excited I couldn't stay at the stand. All I could think about what you, and those missing animals and how I was so excited to help you on this case. Things at the stand got too slow, so I walked back to the bakery. I decided to see if maybe Gideon would like some help with anything. We ended up cleaning and closing up shop together. He lives pretty close to his store, so I started the walk home alone. I knew it was a long walk, but I was still pretty excited. But as I got further from the store and town I noticed something was wrong. There was this- this smell. It was just wrong.. And I heard somebody following me. I continued walking because I didn't want them to know that I knew something was going on. But the animal following me just continued to get closer. I got scared and started running. I just-" Judy's breath seemed to stop, for a moment Nick thought she was going to start crying again. But when she resumed her voice was strong, braced, she didn't seem scared. "I just didn't want to die. I was so close to the stairs when it got me. It just felt like a red hot searing pain. Right across my side, it knocked the wind out of me. I couldn't move, I couldn't hardly think, Nick. I just. I was in so much pain, I was so scared. I laid there, I could feel the life just- just sinking right out of my bones and it just stood there. I couldn't see it, but I could feel it. There was just this, well, it was a feeling. Rolling off whatever animal attacked me. I don't know why it didn't take me, or kill me. I just know I woke up in the middle of the forest. I walked until I couldn't walk anymore. Then I recall you, kind of like an angel. Then I was in the hospital. I felt like I had been hit by a bar on wheels."
By the end of Judy's recollection Nick was tense. His heart beat fast, his fur stood on end, and his paws were sweating. How could some animal do this? As a whole animals had moved forward in so many ways. It sounded like Judy had been hunted and whoever did this, liked it. Nick recalled the smell of pure rage and lust.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Carrots. That's just wrong." Nick distractedly started rubbing her back. His mind had drifted back to the "what if" situation.
"Nick?"
"Yes Carrots?"
"I think you ought to refrain from calling me Carrots. I also think we have a case to solve. If Eric is dead that means you have other injured, or worse, bunnies."
"Oh, that's what the backup is for sweetheart. You won't believe who is on his way to town."
A/N sorry, short chapter, but it's late and I have work in 5 hours (literally) but this conversation kept running through my head and I just needed to get it out. I was going to continue but I think the next chapter is going to be very long because you finally get to meet Nick's partner in crime…fighting. Judy also gets to (finally) join the investigation and we find out what happened to the other missing bunnies! Don't be mad at me, I'm sorry. But I promise you another chapter very, very soon.
Also, thanks again for all the reviews, favorites and follows! Anything you take the time is the wind beneath the wings of this story. It's all for you guys!
