Chapter 11

( I have went back and edited the first ten chapters. There isn't much of a change in the story, it still flows about the same. I hopefully made it easier to read and cleared up some errors. I will try to post chapter 11 tonight. Thank you and please let me know any suggestions you have.)

"Oh I wanna see you again

But I'm stuck in colder weather
Maybe tomorrow will be better
Can I call you then"

It was dark inside. A damp, musty smell hit his nose immediately. It felt warmer, but that could just be that the wind was finally blocked. He could hear the timbers of

the old barn creak and groan against the raging storm outside. Chains and straps swung slightly from the rafters, mostly from the motion of the building than any

breeze that permeated the building. His eye adjust quickly to the much darker interior. He could see seven doors to his left, spaced evenly. To his right there was some

farm machinery he wasn't familiar with and ten doors. At the far end of the open space there were two tractors, both John Deer, one slightly smaller than the other. He

listened intently, he couldn't hear any one moving about down there or above. This he didn't like. Except for the amber glow of a light through the windows outside the

barn could be completely abandoned. He looked at a two tier flight of stairs to his left that led to a door above. And then he noticed something that brought the smallest

bit of hope. Snow. Not wind driven snow, but snow that had fallen off someones boots as the walked across the dirt floor and climbed the stairs. He almost called out

Judy's name but stopped himself, while he trusted the grandpa and believed with all his heart none of this was motivated by evil or perverse ideas he did not wish to give

up any element of surprise he would have.

Quietly he walked to the stairs, testing his weight on each one, seeing if they would creak. Keeping his paws on the edges to lessen the chance of unintentional noises.

As he got to the top of the stairs he stopped. His old friend, self doubt and crippling fear decided to show up. What if you're too late? They are both in there, frozen to

death and it's all your fault. Why didn't you go back and get the real hero's to come help. What if she died while he was coming here, after all there was only one set of

foot prints on the steps. He may have had to leave her frozen corpse out in the storm, only to be found during the spring thaw. What if she is alive and all you can do is

watch her die? Because You don't know what to do! What if...what if they are both fine, and now she has a new hero? What if STOP IT! Goddammit Nick, stop it.

You know what to do. Now open the damned door and do your fucking job. Quit throwing a pity party. Do. Your. Job.

He slowly turned the knob on the old wooden door, there was a distinct "click" he could do nothing about, even though he tried to put pressure on the latch to prevent

it. The door creaked quietly enough though as he opened it and peered in, taking in these new surroundings. The door opened facing the back wall from where he came

in, to his right there was a wood stove. Around the stove sat two chairs with clothing on them. In the amber glow of some kerosene lanterns he could see one chair had

a flannel shirt, jeans and socks arranged on it in a way to facilitate drying, the other had a ZPD uniform, size adorable bunny. Hung on a rope of some sort above the

stove were two jackets. He saw some shoes on the floor close to the stove as well. In front of that was a sofa, torn and well used. There was Judy! She had a crimson

stained bandaged visible on her head. That was all of her he could see, otherwise she was well wrapped in blankets. It took all he had to not sprint to her at that very

moment but still being a officer first he filled in the rest of the picture that was missing. to the far right wall just beyond the wood stove and his bun there were two

bunk style beds with bare mattresses. Further up from there was a section of wall jutting out with a door, likely a bathroom of sorts. Toward the front of the building was

a counter and cabinets, stove, and just past the two windows a refrigerator. He peeked his head around and saw a table against the left wall was a table. On the table

looked to be a older communication radio of sorts and a strikingly large hare. He wasn't sure exactly what the difference between a hare and rabbit was but this guy

looked like he could be a linebacker on a clawball team. He had that cornbread fed farm boy look. A blanket was draped over him and his head was laying on the table.

Nick wasn't sure if he was alive or dead. Then a thought of terror hit him, he wasn't sure about the same when it came to Judy either. He quietly slinked over to Judy,

putting a paw on her neck he felt she was warm and seemed to have a strong pulse, good! He went over to the hare and carefully reached out to do the same. Suddenly

the hare looked up and stared back at him with a look of confusion. And, maybe, anger?