Chapter 12. Rush Hour

Black and gray clouds had begun to cover Zootopia's skies, especially in the arid zones of the big city, such as the Sahara Square and Savanna Central. Meanwhile, in a dead-end street, near Jumbeaux's Café, there was a female rabbit and, in front of her, three little foxes tied by a rope. Ex-Officer Judy Hopps was interrogating the skulks.

"S-s-so, do you know him?" Judy asked excited. "What a relief! He was a friend who helped me crack the missing mammals case but... it didn't end very well and I've been looking for him since the conference. But you actually know him, aren't you?"

The three little canids saw each other grimacing.

"Of course, yes ma'am, he's our closest friend! What do you wanna know?" said the gray fox and leader of the gang with a smirk.

"Fantastic! Well, first of all, I would like to know: How is he? Is he okay?"

"Yes, yes, he's fine, great, the old Nick had never been better."

"Oh... I see, it's nice to hear that and, do you know what he has done lately? Does he keep doing…?" the doe moved her paws trying to choose the right words. "You know, his hustles? Or does he no longer do them?"

"Ha ha, of course yes, bunny!" said the brown-furred fox. "That rascal still sells Pawpsicles and does many other hustles like... ouch!"

The leader of the foxes nudged him in order to silence him.

"Actually, not everything has been so good; the business isn't go well, for all of us, you know?"

"What do you mean?" Judy asked.

"Everyone thinks we predators can go savage at any time and no longer trust us, much less a fox. If they never trusted one before, there's no way they believe in us now."

"Heavens... I get it, but I had no idea," the doe murmured sadly and guiltily. "By chance... Haven't Nick tell you about me, have he?"

The foxes saw each other again with malice.

"But of course, he has talked a lot about you, the officer Judy Hopps who found the missing animals, of course, he hasn't stopped talking about you for a single day."

Judy's ears rose in happiness and she drew a big smile on her little face.

"R-r-really? T-that's great! I didn't think he… and me… and he… well," the doe couldn't hide her happiness after hearing Nick missed her too. "That's wonderful. And what did he say about me?"

"Nick said he hates you," answered the leader with his eyes closed and a big smile.

"He miss…! Excuse me, w-w-what did you say?" her ears began to droop slowly.

"Finnick's friend is beyond mad at you. There's not a single day he doesn't stop cursing your name since watched you at TV, bunny," said the swift fox.

"It couldn't…" Judy's nose started twitched and her ears had been already down.

"Oh yeah, now I remembered, he told us about a dumb bunny that betrayed him, Nick couldn't expect more coming from a stupid prey. He didn't stop complaining about how annoying was that ungrateful doe and how much he hated her for mocking him" said with impertinence the honey-color fur fox.

"Enough…!" the female's voice was about to broke off.

"Yeah, yeah," the leader commented cynically. "Nick cursed your name like there's no tomorrow and said a lot of swear words, some of them I didn't even know, but he kept saying over and over again: 'I wish never had met that dumb bunny!' or some like that"

At that moment, it was heard Judy's uncontrollable sobs and saw a little tear shedding down over one of the bunny's cheek.

"Hey guys, do you remember any other insult Nick said about that Judy Hopps? I recall well: Dumb bunny"

"Carrot Brain!"

"Ugly Ears!"

"Idiot Fluffytail!"

"Crooked Teeth!"

"Stupid O'Hare!"

"The worst friend I ever…!"

"PLEASE ENOUGH!"

Judy shouted out about to burst into tears, her face showed a terrible pain and the tears she was trying to do not shed, had run down through her cheekbones and fallen to the floor. The gray fox and the swift one was laughing out loud and mocking her, but the honey-color fur vulpine restrained himself when he looked at her sad and hurt visage.

"P-please… it's enough," she said in between sobbings. "I get it."

"Boo, boo. What's up, bunny? Aren't you a little old to cry?"

"That's everything you wanna know? Wouldn't mind you set us free already?"

Judy approached them with some tears over her face and released the three foxes.

"T-t-thank you, boys," muttered with a broken off voice, "Thank you so much for your… sincerity. P-please, stay out of… more troubles"

"We won't listen to a stupid bunny who told the whole city we predators are dangerous," replied the leader acidly.

"I s-suppose… you're right… I'm sorry so much," she kept sobbing shattered.

"Boo, boo, boo; Get out our territory already!"

Judy couldn't resist anymore, turned around and went away running with her heart ripped into a million pieces, feeling a big shame and guilt because of her job as a police officer had caused a lot of trouble to many animals in the city, but what hurt her the most was to know someone like Nick hated her so much and she couldn't bear it. Judy ran, ran out as fast as her legs allowed it, moving her away from the alley that revealed bitter trues.

"Leader," said the kit fox, "weren't we too cruel? We made her cry, isn't that the same thing those 'delightful' chipmunks from down the lane do us all the time? Aren't we doing the same?"

"Of course not! We just took revenge, probably that bunny was the same or worst that those little bastards."

"But…"

"Look, I don't want to talk about this anymore," he yawned, "I'm sleepy. Let's go to school"

A rabbit couple came from Jumbeaux's Café happily carrying a plastic bag full of tiny popspicles.

"Stu, Don't you think you bought too much of these 'Pawpsicles'?" questioned Bonnie.

"Oh, honey, didn't you see those puppy eyes the little one made? He was so adorable! Moreover, the story about he trying to get enough money for his 12 siblings and her sick mom really got me."

"Darling, you were pretty naive, he probably just said that to sold us the popscicles."

"I know, honey, but, if is true? Also, it weren't very expensive nor bigger, I think we can eat them back to Bunnyburrow."

"Stu, you bought 30 of those things!" she sighed, "Whatever, I admire your kindness and your golden heart, that's why I love you so much," said while she gave a nose kiss to her husband.

"And I love you too, honey," answered with a sickly-sweet voice.

Mrs. Hopps was about to give Stu a proper kiss when her ears raised.

"Judy's back."

Both rabbits saw her daughter ran out of the alley crying. Right away, Bonnie dropped the bag of pawpsicles and came to aide the young doe. Stu remained stunned and just watched from the distance.

"Sweetheart, Judy, are you alright!? What happened?"

"I wanna go home, I wanna go home…"

The youngest bunny couldn't resist anymore and bursted into tears again, Judy's mother embraced her without thinking, trying to give comfort.

"Calm down, Judy; I'm here for you, don't hold back, just let it go, cry, cry all you have to," said in a sweet tone meanwhile she was rubbing with care her daughter's ears.

"Ahhhhh…!" Judy wept uncontrollably. "I wanna go out of here, mom! I wanna go home, I just wanna go home! Ahhh… ahhh… ahhhh..."

"Oh, Jude…" her father said with sorrow.

Stu wanted to comforted her to, but he knew in that kind of situations it was better her mother take care of it. Judy kept crying bitterly some more minutes and Bonnie never left her side until she calmed down a bit and sobs began to ease off.

"I wanna… go home… mom..."

"Yes sweetheart, we leave immediately. Stu! Turn on the truck!"

"Yes, honey. We left this city just now, Jude!"

The oldest rabbit put his paws on the steering wheel while her wife was helping her daughter to enter the vehicle. Minutes later, the three bunnies left the café and the bag of pawpsicles behind. Black clouds and silver linings only made the gloomy outlook look more depressing that it seemed.

Outside the Grand Pangolin Arms building, at Savanna Central, a fox and a cape buffalo got inside the police cruiser.

"Dammit!" cursed Bogo.

"What's up, sir?"

"It's high noon! Traffic jam at Savanna Central is a hell, we'll arrive with Hopps in an hour at least!"

"Sir, we don't have much time! Carrots is about to go and I don't think she and her parents take too long to eat. We need to hurry up… Quick! Let me take the wheel!"

"Are you nuts, Wilde? I ain't going to let you drive my baby, it is like the police officer soul. If I don't even borrow my car to my wife, I won't lend my baby to you, Wilde! By a long shot! Especially for the fox who was about to set fire the ZPD for a bunny!"

"Well, unless you know how to arrive to The Big Carrot and go through Sahara Square in less than 20 minutes, I'm the guy!"

"You're bluffing, Wilde. It's ridiculous, no one could beat the traffic jam from here to there in less than an hour!"

"Try me!" Nick said defiantly.

"Did I smell a wager?" asked Bogo, trying to intimidate the fox.

"Not at all, but if it's the only way you lend me your precious "baby", it will be a pleasure to get easy money from you."

"Say how much!"

"30."

"Pfff, novice. I don't bet with less that 50."

"I wanted to be kind with a venerable old mammal, but if you wanna get serious, I offer you 70."

"100 and it's a deal."

Nick thought about it a while, then smiled, looked at the cape buffalo with confidence.

"We have a deal, sir?"

"Done."

Both mammals shaked paw and hoof in agreement. Suddenly, Nick stood up over Bogo's legs and take control of the huge steering wheel which was about his size.

"What the heck are you doing it, fox?"

"I can't reach the pedals and there's no time to make modifications; just push to the metal and don't release it, I'll do the rest."

"You better know what you do, if you make my baby a single scratch, I'll make you polish it with your tongue! Got it!?"

"We only bet that I was going to arrive at the place in less than 20 minutes, not anything else."

"You sonnova…!"

"Calm down, sir, I'm going to hand back your baby in one piece; but you know, we need some epic tunes first…"

"Wait, fox, don't…"

'Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh… Try everything! Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh… Try everything…!'

Nick turned on the patrol's stereo but just right away it listened Gazelle's latest song. The fox looked at chief Bogo raising an eyebrow while the cape buffalo was looking away.

"Gazelle, really?"

"Well, uhh… it's because… yesterday I took Clawhauser to his home, and because he was devastated I let him choose the music. It's not like if I like it or something!" said nervously.

"Suuuuuure. If you don't mind, I prefer something more… dangerous!" after tuning something more dynamic in the stereo, Nick asked: "Are you timing me?"

"Give me a sec… there you go, I'll start the stopwatch app once you step on the gas," said the chief with a hoof over his phone.

"Alright, just one more thing," the fox put on his shades and smirked, "Let's rock 'n' roll!"

Chief Bogo put the pedal on the metal at the same time Nick was driving, some change gears later and the car was going top speed.

"What are you doing, Wilde? Light is red, we have to…"

"Oh no sir, this is a patrol car and this is an emergency," he said while turned on the sirens, And we are in a hurry!"

"No way, fox! What in the world are you… Wilde!"

Bogo's patrol moved forward like a greased lightning across the city's streets and before it reached a traffic signal, ran a red light without stopping while Nick dodged the cars that scattered after hearing the police sirens.

"Wilde, you freaking lunatic, stop this madness!"

"It's too late to back out, sir. I gonna arrive at that restaurant in 20 minutes or less…"

"Watch it, watch it!"

"I already saw it!"

The police cruiser had avoided a car that had braked in front of them suddenly. The fox only smiled while chief Bogo cling to the patrol's seat and scared to death.

"It's a wager, and believe me, I never have lost a bet, not if I'm one hundred percent sure I gonna win."

"F-f-freaking bastard!"

Nick continued maneuvering skilled the cruiser, navigating and avoiding cars, motorcycles, buses, and even bikes, until he came across a jammed street. Chief Bogo let go the pedal and the car lost speed.

"What are you doing? Keep hitting the gas!"

"Are you blind or what? Told ya, there's always a traffic jam at Central Savanna at this time, it's really a pain in the tail."

"And I told ya, I know this city like the back of my paw! Speed up, I just see a shortcut."

"You're gonna kill us, imbecile! The path is blocked, the only way is against traffic and… wait a second… No, no, no, no, WILDE!"

The fox turned left abruptly and cross the sidewalk and moved forward in the opposite direction. Many cars started brake right away or dodge them, while Nick advanced and honked the horn.

"Out of the way! Excuse me! Official Police Business!" shouted out the vulpine without stopped honking. "Please, sir, help me, use the loudspeakers or do some…"

"Holy cripes, Wilde! The only thing I gonna do is put you behind the bars right…! Ahhh!"

Chief Bogo yelled hysterically when he saw a semi-trailer that was slowing down in front of them; quickly, Nick made a brusquely turn to the left and with a speed return he came back to the right direction of the street, among insults and curses of other drivers, even some pedestrian were about to be hit by the police cruiser. Before the fox straightened out the patrol, the vehicle crashed against a mailbox and a trash can, but it didn't stop move out.

"My baby!" grumbled the cape buffalo, "Fox!" yelled Bogo gritting his teeth and trying not to choke the sly vulpine.

"Bah, it's just a tiny scratch, it goes out with a little of—"

"Shut your mouth, Wilde! This ends now!"

"Come on! We are more than half the way. The stopwatch displays twelve minutes and I go—"

Chief Bogo braked the patrol immediately.

"Sir, what are you doing!? We are almost there and…"

"I told you, Wilde, just look at the jam."

Ahead of them, there was huge vehicle congestion. The fox checked both ways and suddenly, something caught his attention. Nick changed the gears and turned to look at Bogo.

"Push a pedal, I changed to reverse."

The cape buffalo obeyed immediately and the police cruiser went backward while Nick was turning the steering wheel.

"Finally you listen to reason, you were… wait, what the hell are you planning now?"

"Told ya already, I know this city as the back of my paw, we'll take a little shortcut through the park," he changed gears once again, "Let's go!"

"You really don't know when to quit, do you? And you're really dumb! Zebra's Park traffic it's ten times worse and you'll take too long just to circle it. Let it go, Wilde. It don't worth a wager."

"You know I don't do this for that silly wager, but if I've already told you I can get there in 20 minutes, it's because I'm going to do so!"

The patrol car moved forward at top speed with a fox more than ready to try everything and with a cape buffalo on the verge of get a heart attack. The police cruiser was one block to the huge urban park of about 400 acres that worked as a natural division between Savanna Central and Sahara Square.

"Godammit, Wilde, forget it already, we never make it! Just look at your right! Going around would take us ages!"

"And who talked about circle it? I said the shortcut is 'through' the park."

"W-w-w-what? You insane bastard! I.I-I-I'm going to lock you up in jail two no, three no, five years if you…! Ahhhh!"

With zero doubts, Bogo's baby traveled down the sidewalk and then invaded Zebra Park's grounds; the police car was driven over the green areas where mammals were hanging around with peace until they had to disperse when an all-terrain vehicle disrupted their activities.

Nick drove dodging trees, rocks and other natural obstacles while Bogo didn't stop throwing curses to him without losing the grip of his seat.

"Wilde you little piece of…"

"After crossing the river, we will have reached Sahara Square, and The Big Carrot it's just some blocks ahead!"

"R-river!? No freaking way, fox. This ends… Argh!"

Nick pressed one of the buffalo's tight with his own feet, preventing him to pull out the pedal.

"Trust in me, sir."

"You gonna kill us, you maniac! Stop this already! Wilde, Wilde! Holy cow, WILDE!"

The police car didn't stop and advanced faster than ever, it traveled down a steep slope that worked as a ramp and made the vehicle was flew away and raised some foot over the ground, while Nick was smiling with confidence, Chief Bogo yelled hysterically and scared to death all the time the vehicle remained in the air, immediately, the police cruiser fell down over a body of water and keep moving forward.

After the strong hit, Chief Bogo opened his eyes trembling like a newborn calf and right away noticed his baby continued advancing just like that over Zebra Park's channel of water.

"River, uh? More like a stream that stay almost dry at this season. Didn't I tell you? I know this city pretty well," said Nick cunning, "And check your phone! Savanna Central to Zebra Park in 10 minutes, it must be a freaking record!"

After passing more blocks in a sort of moderate speed, the fox informed Bogo they had arrived. Suddenly, the cape buffalo hit the brakes and his baby, full of scratches, leaves, branches and with muddy water stains stopped instantly.

"Oh, furballs, 21 minutes! I think I'm a bit rusty. Well sir, a deal it's a deal," Nick took out his wallet and handed over some bucks to the buffalo, who was still in shock. "Well, there you go. Sorry for the inconveniences, but hey! I have a pal at the DMV. My friend Dash knows the best mechanics of the city and he can get you a good price if you tell him I send you. Thank you, sir."

The fox got out of the damaged car and ran pretty fast to the restaurant while Chief Bogo looked with surprise the stopwatch app, displaying that only had passed 18 minutes. The cape buffalo took a big breath and dried the sweat from his forehead.

"I'm too old for this crap."

The Big Carrot was a vegetarian restaurant, visited most of the time by prey and a few omnivorous predators. It was a diner with a rural and rusty touch that contrasted with Zootopia's modern buildings, however, it was the perfect place where foreign mammals felt at home.

From the distance, a fox, wearing a scruffy tattered purple shirt with catsup stains, was running as fast as his leg allowed him toward such place. Nick didn't know if the bunny he was looking for many days ago would be there, but that day he was decided to give everything to amend things.

Without stopping, he watched the cars at the restaurant's parking lot and he found a blue farm truck, which in words of Judy's landlady, she and her family had left the building in a car with such description.

He finally came into the rusty style shack, looking at both sides with a single prey in mind. Inside, everything was made of wood, the walls, the floors, and even the tables and chairs. It had the vibe of a rural diner you can find along a highway outside the city. The restaurant was full of rabbits, hares, and some other short stature mammals, so Nick had difficulties to locate a special bunny among many of them, but finally, he had just found her, or her back, at least.

The doe was chatting pleasantly with a bunny couple in front of her at the corner of the diner, but immediately Nick knew she was his Carrots, her long ears with black tips and her unmistakable small frame that radiated optimism and a good vibe only could belong to his dear friend. He ran toward the table with no more time to waste.

"Judy!" the fox called her by name without using any nickname.

Nick grabbed the girl by the shoulders and she turned around right away.

"Judy! I'm glad I've finally found you! Look, this is… a long story, but listen to me: Please, don't leave me...! Errr, I mean, don't leave the city, please! You'll regret it if you… you… just…"

The vulpine shut up suddenly when he looked at the doe's eyes, eyes that looked at him with horror, and at the same time, her ears were drooped, her nose was twitched and her pulse was raised without control. Nick noticed too late that her irises were light brown instead of purple. She wasn't his Carrot, she wasn't Judy.

"AAAAAIEEEEEEE!" the doe shout out with deep terror.

Each one of the diners turned to look for the source of that disturbing noise.

"IIIIIEEEEEEE! I-i-it's a-a-a fox!"

"I'm sorry!" Nick let loose the girl right away. "Please don't yell, I'm so sorry, I thought you were someone else— Argh!"

Nick tried to apologize, but the doe tossed him some water from her glass and ran away.

"You filthy fox, get your damn claws off my daughter!" menaced him an adult rabbit wearing a country hat and clothes.

"I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't pretend to scare her, I just confused her with…

"Watch out, darling! His shirt is full of blood and… and…" the rabbit's wife warned him. "Oh my gosh! H-h-h-he… he is a savage predator!"

"What? No, I'm not, ma'am. Look, I made a mistake."

"You're damn right you made a mistake, freaking pred!"

"What? Ahhh! AAARRGGHHHHHHH!"

The furious doe's father hopped over the table, took a fox away repellent and sprayed it into Nick's eyes with no remorse. The fox just cried out in pain and covered his irritated eyes with his paws.

"Everybody run for their life! It's a savage fox"

"OH DEAR LORD, HE GONNA EAT US ALL!"

"Somebody call the police, the firefighters, the army, whoever!"

"Get away, filthy pred, I don't let you put a single claw on my daughter, my wife or any other bunny here!"

"Argh, my eyes! Ugh! Ouch! Ahhhh!"

Nick felt a horrible discomfort in his eyes, but when tried to move away, he tripped with one of the chairs and fall over a tablecloth, tossing away plates, tumblers and dishes. The chaos unleashed in the little diner. Many bunnies got flustered, some of them ran away, others prepared to protect themselves for a savage predator.

"The monster is down! Finish him!"

Three bucks and the doe's father leaped on the fox and started biting, scratching, punching, kicking and even jumping over him. Nick was defenseless and couldn't concentrate because of the ocular irritation and the excess weight, but after a minute, he used all his strength to raise up and got rid of the not so heavy bunnies.

"Please, stop!" Nick pleaded. "Let me alone!"

"Take that, vile fiend!"

"Ah…! AAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

One of the bucks who was tossed away, came back and took a taser and gave to the vulpine's sides an electric shock, knocking him down again. Nick only could cry out in pain and felt his body burned from his ears to his tail. Nick would have sworn the electric discharge was designed for elephants and not foxes. The vulpine kept being attacked mercilessly by furious and vicious rabbits who didn't listen to Nick's weak pleas.

"E-e-enough! Ple-please… stop… stop!"

"Wilde, what the hell it's going here? I watched many bunnies ran a— Wilde!"

Chief Bogo came in and immediately noticed many rabbits beating up a fox in front of him.

"Get away from him!"

The cape buffalo approached them and push aside the bunnies who were hurting Nick.

"Officer, I glad you came, this filthy pred…!"

"Shut your mouth and get away of him before I arrest everyone!" shouted out with anger.

"What are you talking…?"

The police chief moved the doe's father and other lagomorphs away from Nick and tried to stop the rest, while a hare continued hopping over the fox's weakling body.

"Take this, and that, and that too!"

"Stop… stop… I said STOP!"

Nick roared aloud furiously and intimidatingly, and despite his pain, he stood up right away, took the little hare by his neck and pounded him against a wall, and, with his free paw, he got his claws off and menaced the buck with them.

"H-help!"

"See? It's a savage predator, told ya!"

"Wilde, let it go, right now! Wilde!"

The fox was beyond mad and full of rage. He held the little lagomorph showing his fangs and claws, this in addition with his red eyes irritated by the fox repellent and the shattered shirt stained with fake blood, he seemed like a real wild mammal.

The hare was speechless, only was twitching his nose uncontrollably and stared the predator with pleading eyes waiting for the worst. Nick was very bewildered and breathed irregularity, he really want to hurt the little critter and unleash all the pain and suffering those awful bunnies caused him. But, when he noticed the scared eyes of the weak prey, he remembered the face full of horror of the brown-eyes doe he met back then, and at the same time, he brought to mind a pair of purple iris that watched him in sheer terror the same way some days ago. Everything was crystal clear for Nick at that time.

"Wilde, set him free, now! Wil—"

Chief Bogo had pulled out a muzzle and was about to use it in Nick, but stopped when looked at the fox's sad and defeated face. The vulpine let go from the heights the little hare, turned around, left the diner and slammed the door.

"Wait, Wilde! And you… All of you should feel ashamed of yourselves! And what is this? Fox Away? Do you know this and any other product that encourages discrimination is illegal in Zootopia? I should put all of you behind bars!"

"What are you talking about? Didn't you look at him?" Said the doe's father. "That fox was about to eat us all and you let him go without..."

"Silence! He was not. And I'm pretty sure he didn't intend to hurt anyone in the first place, probably he just defended of your aggression, and, unlike all of you, bunnies, he just bared his teeth and don't attack you! Mr. Wilde was helping me in a police investigation, he is not a savage predator."

"But the bastard attacked my daughter and…!"

"Actually, papa," the doe spoke. "The fox only frighten me, but he never hurt me, I think she called me 'Judy' but he just scared me, I'm sorry dad, but those big fangs and the claws and… and..."

"Oh dear…"

"Judy Hopps, she is the girl we are looking for, she's look-alike you, he probably confused…"

"Judy Hopps?" interrupted a waitress. "Are you talking about the super bunny cop who cracked the missing mammals case?"

"Yes, I am. Do you know her?"

"Not at all, but I heard she is from the same town as me, Bunnyburrow."

"Damn!" cursed Bogo, then sighed. "I hate to trust in rumors, but it seems our best clue so far. I listen to you."

Nick wandering some blocks ahead of the diner very annoyed and blinking his eyes, trying to bear with the pain that didn't go. He walked a bit more until he found a vending machine, then, inserted some coins and chose a bottle of milk; after took little sips, he tilted his head backward and poured some of it into his eyes like if it was medicine, then he put down the bottle and rubbed with both paws.

"Wilde!" exclaimed chief Bogo when he was some feet next to him. "I'm glad I found you, for a second I thought you left and… wait a second… What is the milk for…" The cape buffalo thought about it some seconds while the fox stayed quiet. "Oh, I see, how do you know milk it's a good remedy to calm pepper-gas effect…? Don't tell me," chief Bogo said with a sad tone. "This isn't the first time they attack you like this, isn't it?"

Nick didn't reply. He poured milk into his face again a kept rubbing his eyes.

"I deeply regret about what happened back there, we should have come in together and prevent this unfortunate incident, but well, if you don't mind, I think I know where is Hopps, it seems she lives in Bunnyburrow and…"

"Enough."

"What are you mean? I told you, she…"

"I said that's enough!" yelled furiously, spilling milk over the sidewalk with rage. "To hell with all this! I quit."

"What? Listen, Wilde. You can't give up now, for a, feh, a little mishap, I don't think…"

"It wasn't just a 'Feh, a little mishap', it was for everything! I'm tired of all this, I'm fed up of looking for Judy, if the world didn't want we meet again, good for me! I'm very weary of all this crap. So, I leave!"

The vulpine rubbed his face one last time, turned around and walked away from the cape buffalo. Chief Bogo didn't last too long before followed him again.

"Goddammit, Wilde! What the hell is going on with you? What happened with that crazy little mammal that investigated desperately about Hopps, fought against the whole ZPD and even drove dangerous around the city? And all for what? For the stupid yet noble mission to meet again with his friend, girl friend or whatever she means to you! You can't throw the towel when you are about to bump into her again!"

"Well, just watch me! And let me alone, go to put ticket or eat donuts, I don't care…"

Chief Bogo blocked his path, crossed his arms and stared him with a grim face.

After all the crazy stuff happened today, I don't thought you were the kind of mammal that chicken out at the first big trouble he encounters.

"I don't give a damn about what you think about me; get lost and leave me alone, the body is killing me and I just wanna go back home…"

"I won't let you get your way so easily! Answer me, isn't she really your friend? Do you really don't care? Why after all the insanities you did today, you quit just right now? Why!?"

"Move out!"

"Why!?" Bogo shouted out with rage.

"Move out my way, dammit!" exclaimed as furious as the buffalo or even more.

"Why, you filthy fox, why!?" he yelled mad at him, taking Nick by his shirt with brutality.

"SHE NEVER WAS MY FRIEND!"

The fox bellowed with all his strength, leaving Bogo speechless, the buffalo didn't have more option that set him free.

"I lost my time looking for something that didn't exist! I was an idiot!" kept saying with a strong voice, full of rancor and bitterness. "I thought I finally had found someone understands me, but I was wrong, I was so naive! Those freaking bunnies opened my eyes, how I was so dumb? Rabbits are all the same, no, every mammal in this city are all hypocrites, especially ex-officer Hopps! They talk about equality and that in Zootopia anyone can be anything, but when they saw a scary predator like me, guide themselves by stereotypes and judge you before even know you, and carry fox repellents or muzzles and pretend to give you a paw with a fake smile and… "

"Wilde!" Bogo cut him off. "You can't allow this affect you, the bunny brawl was an accident than only happened once, you shouldn't generalize everyone just by…"

"Accident? Once!?" Nick cried out irascible. "This has been the story of my life since I had use of reason! Let me tell you something, sir. Maybe a big prey animal like yourself never had difficulties to get along with other mammals, but for a fox, the life sucks since you born, don't matter how much push yourself, no one and nothing give you a chance. You were right in something, sir, this wasn't the first, and probably neither will be the last time someone attacks me like this, but time ago I learned how to bear it, to hide my feelings and never let 'em see that they get me; everything was awesome until that meddling bunny entered into my life and made me think, for a moment, I could be accepted to be a fox, that I didn't have to continue pretending," complained with sorrow. "I was looking for that perfect bunny cop with the guileless idea that she could change my life for the best… but everything was time wasted, nothing had changed. Nothing!"

"Wilde… I have… no idea…"

"I was a fool that got carried away by the charms of a sweet carrot farmer. Do you know why we distanced? Why we had an argument back then?" asked Nick sadly. "It was because what she said at the press conference, I felt betrayed by her statements, but her words weren't what hurt the most, what crushed my heart was her answer after I face her about if she really thought that about all the predators, about me. And you know what she told me? 'You're not like them'. Ha! Hypocrite. Then, when I asked if she was too afraid to me to carry around a fox repellent with her, if she really thought I might try to eat her," Nick's voice faltered, he gulped, then continue. "Her reaction was everything I needed to know, it was the biggest betrayal I have received in my life, I finally knew she feared me since the very beginning, she stared at me with those fearful eyes and full of horror, the same ones the doe or the little hare looked at me at the diner. Or the very same look you gave me when were about to put me that awful muzzle!"

"Wilde… I am not... "

"Each one of you saw me as a monster!" Nick shouted out aloud, about to have a breakdown. "I don't wanna see that dumb bunny again, nor will continue with a quest that never must have been made. I don't wanna see her face again full of hypocrisy or that make me feel like scum… I won't let it happen again. The hell with this, the hell with everything!"

The fox spat on the floor and turned around furiously.

"Wait a second, Wilde, please, don't make it personal, don't go… dammit, Wilde!"

Chief Bogo ran toward Nick who moved as fast as he can. The cape buffalo tried without success persuade him, but he couldn't make him think otherwise. And frankly, Bogo can't help feeling bad for the bitter experiences Nick shared grudgingly.

Almost outside Zootopia, the sky was full of dark clouds and little drops that menacing in becoming a strong rain. At the city limits, where there wasn't building or skyscrapers, just green fields and tiny houses, Bogo's Police cruiser stopped outside a huge abandoned factory, Nick's home.

"It's here?" asked the chief.

"Yes..." replied Nick with a hoarse tone.

"Listen, Wilde."

"Save your breath," he interrupted raising a paw. "I know what are you gonna say, and my answer is still the same. I don't wanna keep looking for her."

"Fuh," bellowed the buffalo. "Whatever. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me. And don't worry about the ZPD incident, leave me that to me."

"Meh, do what you want."

The fox opened the passenger door and was about to get out when a big hoof stopped him.

"Leave me alone already, I have nothing more to…"

"I'm sorry about what happened today, I hope you could clear your mind and take a better resolution with a cool head. Even if the things didn't go well, it was nice and… errr… an honor to collaborate with a civilian, and a fox. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Wilde"

Nick pushed aside the enormous hoof and exited the car. His fur got wet almost instantly by the rain, but he didn't care; after that, he turned back to close the door, but after have sighed, spoke one last time with the buffalo.

"Thank you, chief Bogo."

The vulpine closed the door, seconds later, the patrol car cleared out the scene as fast as it came.

Nick walked unhurriedly in spite of the drizzle until he finally reached the factory's rusty door. With serenity and patience, he finally came into a room with the lights off, but he didn't care, he could see in the darkness anyway. Without stopping, Nick tossed away his keys and cellphone over a worn-out sofa, then took off the ruined and stained shirt and threw it into the trash bin, but it didn't enter. After that, he bent down on all fours and shook off rainwater from his fur, then stood up, sighed heavily and tilted his head backward.

"GODDAMMIT!" yelled with fury. "Why, why I was so stupid!"

Nick continued shouting and regreting, he tried to not explode and cool down, but it was impossible, he was pretty mad about the way the things happened and he unleashed all his frustration and defeatist feelings in a violent way.

"Argh! Goddammit, goddammit, goddammit!" pounded many times the place's wall. "Ah, ah… aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!" he cried out in full rage while feeling the need to shatter something because didn't find a better way to get rid of his negative emotions. "I'm a big imbecile! How could I had wasted my time like this!? Why I was so naive!? I never should have involved with that darn bunny, nor allowed get so close to me! My life was simple and tranquil before met her, I had to guess she wasn't different from others, I never had to lower my guard! Why, why… why!?"

The vulpine tossed away every tiny object in his way: plastic dishes, cans of food, clothes or items from former hustles, everything. Finally, he came into his bedroom opening the door with a kick, blinded by rage. He had entered with the intention of defusing tensions, but his blood boiled and he needed more than never to get everything off his chest, so he kept throwing out object from his bed and dresser while was using cusswords with his hoarse voice until, from another dresser next to the bed, he looked at Judy's carrot pen, approached and took it with vehemence.

"Grrrrr… stupid dumb bunny… I… I… I wish never have been met you!" he yelled with all his might and hate.

The fox tried to crash and shatter the little plastic carrot, but his lower paws tangled between the bed sheets; he tripped and dropped the carrot pen, but fall over his front paws, preventing to hit the floor.

'I'm Nick Wilde, I make two hundred bucks a day, Fluff. Three hundred and sixty-five days a year since I was twelve, and blah, blah, blah, tee hee~' laughed a sweet voice coming from the pen.

"Ca-Ca-Carrots?"

The pen recorder played an odd message with Judy's voice. The bunny had repeated Nick's confession in a mocking way. At that moment, all the hate and resentment the fox was feeling seconds before vanished immediately when he recognized the warm-hearted girl's voice.

'Hi Nick, did you really think I still have your confession? Don't worry, I deleted it long ago, it was the least I could do and blackmailing wasn't my thing anyways; also, I noticed long ago it wasn't necessary. Maybe I'm naive or we don't have much time to meet each other, but I think I know who really you are, the true yourself. If you're hearing this record, maybe you are doubting about the idea of being a cop, believe me, I would like you to be my partner; I know this isn't like your dream of being a Junior Ranger scout but, I think it could be the beginning of a new life for you… but that your choice.'

"Ca-Carrots…" said being moved by her words.

'Nick, I want you to choose what you wish, but, no matter what decision you take, I want to keep in touch and still be friends, you are a great partner, a loyal and noble fox that, changed my life and the way to see the things. Thank you for your friendship and support, Nick. Love ya, sly fox, hee hee.'

The recording finally has finished minutes ago but Nick still was overwhelmed by the sudden discovery. From his eyes, already some tears that shouldn't be there were appearing, however, in less than a minute, a wave of feelings took the fox with the guard down and started crying.

"Judy… Judy… goddamn… I'm… I'm a big fool… What… what have I done?" Why!? Why I got carried away by my emotions!? Why did I let the hate and rancor making me do something so stupid!? Why didn't I act better before? Why I didn't look for her directly or even give her a call, why I was so coward!? Why did I give up and let her run away so easily!? WHY, WHY GODDAMMIT, WHY!? AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Nick shouted out hysterically and cried, cried like he hasn't done it too long ago. He always had tried to hide his feeling and promised himself never shed a tear again; Nick was able to keep his promise until this day, but this time, he couldn't resist anymore those bitter feelings, he tried in vain didn't cry, but was impossible. He felt terrible, like a stupid and coward fox that didn't have the courage to contact her before, he had huge remorse and helplessness for had given up. The vulpine fall down over his knees and punched the floor many times.

"Why!? Why am I so dumb!? Why everything I do turns out wrong!? Why I can't found a bit of happiness!? Why it's so hard to take the right choices!? Why can't stop ruining everything I do!? Why did I born this way!? Why, why!? WHY AM I A DUMB FOX, WHY!? AAAAHHHHHH! AAAAAAHHHHHHHH! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Nick covered his face with both paws and kept shouting and crying bitterly. Tiers and the sense of failure slipped down his cheeks, while shouts and yells of desperation didn't stop coming from his muzzle. The fox kept crying his eyes out and slowly, he layed over the floor and continued to lament uncontrollably and for longer.

Without stopped to sob, he reached out his arm and took the carrot pen, moved it closer to him and hugged it firmly, trying to get a little of comfort doing this with the last memory of his friend, but deep inside hurt him the most to know he probably it was the closest he will be to that unreachable bunny, the one he felt farther than ever.

He felt a huge nothing and a deep fear because once again, he was feeling the horrible sensation he had been ignoring all these years: Loneliness.

Author's note:

Hello there. Keep ya waiting, huh? I'm sorry, but as you already have noticed, this chapter was HUGE, I don't think I have translated so much text in my life. It was a complex process, especially this chapter full of action, some laughs, many tears and odd feelings; but anyway, I know I took too much time to translate this one, I confess I stopped paying too much attention to the English version and focused on my Spanish stories, but don't worry, I don't pretend to abandon this fanfic without an ending. There are still two chapters to go! Thanks for your patience, I'll try to update this baby soon, it probably will take its time, but I don't want to let another year pass.

See ya next time, folks!