(AN: Hello everyone. Sir_RedFox here with another installment of The Long Hustle: Vol. 1.
Quick Update: Want to thank everybody for being so patient while I try getting these chapters ready for posting. I'm hoping to post at least more than one chapter(s)/installments each month. Also, since it's the month of Halloween, a Evil Dead chapter will be installed.
Quick Story Recap: I know it's been over a month since my last posting of this story. But in the last chapter, we got to see what Judy was up to in Bunny Burrow. The chapter ended with Judy learning that she is pregnant with Nick's child.
As always, please leave a review if you can telling me your likes, dislikes, and what would make the story better. Please do inform me of any grammatical errors in this chapter so I can fix them as quickly as possible. I know one of my biggest flaws is staying in the present tense, and try really hard working on it, which is why I try to use four different editing programs. Again, thank you all so much, and enjoy. - SirRedFox)
Ch. 20, Broken Reflections:
It was lights out, to the inmates at The Jungle. Most inmates lay in their cots wide awake, staring into blackness. Instead, Nick continued with exercise sit-ups.
Done, Nick faces the etch drawing of some mammal on his cell wall. The sketch Nick carved made it look as big as Skeeter. If Nick were to get into any fight, it would be with that damn crooked tooth hippo. Nick, taking his fighting stance and fist raised, punches at the drawn on target.
Nick starting off with a few soft punches. Not caring with aim or technique. He lets his momentum build up.
Punch after punch, he moves his fist faster and punches harder. He hits the drawing on the side, where, depending what mammal it is, would be a broken rib. He punches low and at the knee, which should cause most mammals to collapse on to the ground.
Even though Nick grew better at throwing a punch, he still lacks in a lot of ways. For starters, he was punching at an imaginary target, which is all fine and dandy. The problem though is in the real world, targets hit back. Knowing one's attack style becomes relevant when the fight is halfway through. Never the less, Nick continues punching at his mark.
Punching away, Nick thought about his last meeting with Skye. How she told him that Reynolds was dead, placing them back at square one which is Nick staying in prison. Thinking about the whole situation made him thrust his fist harder and faster at his ideal target.
Scrambling in Nick's head were the constant thoughts of the whole situation. It was stupid to get my hopes up, Nick thought as he punches harder. For a mere moment that he thought everything would work out, which angered God almighty and made sure that such hope is snuffed before him.
All these thoughts swarming in his head. Nick was losing concentration on his punches. Nick's right fist hits the wall at a wrong angle, causing a bad scrape to his middle knuckle. Nick winces in pain and shields his right first with the other hand and brings it in close to his body.
His hand felt wet and looking down he could see that his fist was now bleeding. His fur soaking up the blood. On closer examination, Nick could feel the burning pain. It was nothing he couldn't handle. His middle knuckle taking most of the lousy blow, hitting the wall at a wrong angle. A blood-soaked flap of skin and fur hanging off his mid-knuckle.
Nick could feel his bloody knuckle burning hotter and hotter with pian. His hand shaking, Nick takes in a deep breath and grabs hold of the bloody flap of skin and fur. With one great exhale, Nick, in one quick jerk, rips the blood-soaked flap hanging off his middle knuckle. Baring his teeth, not wanting to yelp and make too much noise. He could feel the fur on his hand become more drenched in blood.
Nick places his hand under the faucet sink in his cell. Letting the cool stream of water clean the gash in his knuckle. The running water serviced against the hot stinging pain he felt from the wound. As dark as his cell was, Nick uses his natural given night vision to watch as his red blood swirls down the drain.
"Hey... Nick?" Jay calling out in a whisper from the cell next to him. "Everything alright over there, buddy?" asked Jay.
Nick tears a long strip of fabric from his bedsheet. He folds the piece with care over his wound, before wrapping tight around his fist. Nick finishes off his homemade First Aid bandage with a tight knot, to not unravel.
"Yeah Jay," Nick said. "I'm fine," finally answering his jail cell neighbor. "I lost my focus and banged my knuckle pretty bad."
"You ever thought about, not doing that?" Jay cackle through the cement wall he had only, moments ago, been punching.
Nick lets out a small sigh of laughter. "No," He says, still laughing and catching his breath. "No never thought about doing that, but I'll keep it in mind from here on out."
"So what's got you so distracted," asked Jay. "Bad news from the outside?" Jay questions him.
"Yeah, I guess you can say that," Nick said, not wanting to engage in conversation, but rather dodge the discussion altogether. Nick listens while laying down on his bed and plopping onto his pillow.
Jay's laughter cackles louder, then dies down. Not wanting to be too loud to catch the guard's attention. "What happen?" Jay asks. "News of your gal on the outside cheating and keeping secrets from you?"
"No," Nick says. "Don't have a girl on the outside... well, not anymore anyway. Besides, I was the one to always be keeping secrets" Nick says. He thought of Derek, still in a coma and handcuffed to a hospital bed. The result of what happens, when he keeps secrets from Judy. "She's too nice of a girl to hold any type of secrets." Nick shuffles in his cot and lays on his side, hoping to fall fast asleep.
Judy sat in a chair in Bogo's office. The chair was so oversized for her small stature. Judy could not help but feel like some little kit that's been called to the principal's office. Bogo sat behind his massive desk, clearing space for himself.
It was pretty late in the night from when Judy left Bunny Burrow. She went straight to 1st Police Precinct in Savanna Central, Zootopia. It was what Bogo suggested after Judy called and told him about her particular position. As far as she knew, only her and Bogo are aware of her predicament. Being pregnant.
Judy has been pregnant a little more than a month now. Usually, the development process for a rabbit is a month, give or take. But she wasn't pregnant with another rabbit. No, part of what she was caring was also part fox. The act of a predator and prey being able to conceive are rare. Judy figures that she has another month before the baby was due.
After telling Bogo, he orders her back to the city within a weeks time. A week's time to not cause suspicion to her family and not leave during the night without a word. Judy presented her return to Zootopia as good news. Claiming to be clear and they need her back on the force sooner than they thought. Judy, packing up her things, including the positive pregnancy with the dark blue plus sign being visible to see. Judy thought it best to keep such a massive secret to herself and not tell her family. She doesn't want them knowing, at least not till she talks with Bogo. Besides, a pregnancy isn't the easiest thing to hide, or explain.
Judy wraps the pregnancy test in her bundle of clothes. Packing all her stuff into her suitcase, which seems close to springing open and causing her items to fly out. Telling her whole family goodbye and giving one last visit to Derek. Boarding the five o'clock train to Zootopia and waved out to her family, who had come to see her off, as the train push forward.
The sound of Bogo's office door from behind her opens and closes. Judy turns, wanting to see who had entered. Standing there near the door, Agent Savage and Agent Skye. Both looking professional as always.
"Judy" Skye cried out to her. Skye strutting towards her in high heels, wanting to grasp hold of Judy in a hug. Judy got off the oversized chair she sat on, meeting Skye halfway. They embrace in a warm hug. Looking over, Judy sees Jack move over to the side of the office, next to a cushioned bench.
The office door opens again. This time, walking in, Nala and Wilford. Nala wore her uniform, while Wilford wore a ZPD issue hoodie and sweatpants. Judy had to take a second look at Wilford and his new altered appearance. She couldn't help but giggle at the bald-headed timber-wolf, holding two rolled up comics in his hand. From what Judy could tell, it was a new issue of the Purrnisher and Deerdevil.
Breaking away from her hug with Skye, Judy approaching both Nala and Wilford. She embraces both in a hug. In her time away, never realizing how much she missed the two of them.
Once again the sound of the door opens, but this time it closes with the sound of a loud "SLAM!" catching everyone's attention. Standing in front of Bogo's office door, with the small window blinds swinging back and forth, was ZBI Director M.
The Director stood there in his ZBI suit. He didn't say a word or even give a pep. In his right hand, hanging low, held his briefcase. His breathing was heavy, and his eyes showed no joy or happiness in seeing Judy.
Director M. leaning down drops his briefcase to the floor with a "thud." He loosens the tie around his neck a bit. "Is everyone present?" The Director asks, giving a loud, harsh cough into a handkerchief.
"Almost," Bogo says, taking a stand behind his desk. "Doctor Basile and Terra are finishing up their work downstairs. They should be up soon."
"For Aslan's sake," the Director said in a huff. Pacing to the center of the room. "They only work two floors below us. You would expect them to be the first two up here."
"Like I already said, Director," Bogo said. "They are finishing up their work and will be along shortly."
The door opens, and Basile and Terra walk in. Basile standing atop Terra's right shoulder, like a hiker clinching to the side of a mountainside, peering out at the vast wilderness. Hard to believe that Basil would be one of the few mammals that would be so daring and adventurous to do so.
Terra hurries inside and closes the door behind her. Her and Basil were still wearing their forensics get up. Terra wore her regular plaid green scrubs, this time with a headband tied on. She rushes through the door. Basil wearing the same, with the exception of the green cap and a white lab coat over his green scrubs.
A few things Terra were about to blurt out a few things. Wanting to apologize to everyone to keep them all waiting. The second thing she wanted to shout out how happy she was to see Judy back in Zootopia. It was Chief Bogo who stood up, with an outreached hand, stopping Terra from uttering one word.
"I understand that a few of us are happy to be back here," Bogo said addressing the small crowd that has gathered. "But this operation, that we have started has hit..." Bogo can't help but let out a sigh of defeat before continuing. "Has hit more than a couple of bad snags, making things harder for this operation to go along. Our most recent is being the horrific assassination of Gary Reynolds. Shot and then set on fire, any trace of evidence, destroyed."
The Director stares out of the office window and down at what little of Zootopia he could see, and giving a big huff. It was a bit hard to tell whether the noise he made was out of anger or disappointment. Listening to Chief Bogo, Director M. did not turn his head to confirm such series of unfortunate events. Everyone already knew it.
"And now," Bogo said. "There is some new information that might put a damper of this operation." Bogo turns to Judy, offering her the chance to tell her secret.
Taking in a deep breath, Judy closed her eyes and gave a stern nod to Bogo. Standing up, Judy's long ears flopped down behind her with the build-up of nervous attention on her. She took a few steps forward, wanting to put herself more toward the center so all could hear.
"During my stay in Bunny Burrow for my leave of absence, I learn some... news." Judy wanted to say exciting news but didn't. Usually, when one shares something of such importance, they would share it with a tone of excitement. Judy didn't know how to feel. If it were only Nick and her, she'd feel only joy and excitement. Now? Now all she felt was a mixture of upsetting emotions.
"I discovered," Judy trying to continue her story. "I'm pregnant. Pregnant with Nick's child." Judy looks around at everyone in Bogo's office. Wanting to see what expression was on their face.
As expected, all the female mammals making loud gasp and squeals and trying to cover up their excitement with their hands. The male mammals in the room only look at Judy with wide, surprised eyes. Or, at the very least, stunned expressions on their faces from such news.
"Well," Basil being the first one to actually say anything. "Congratulations to you my dear," he said. Basil starts digging into his white lab coat, for something. What it was he was trying to dig out, Judy did not know.
From Basile's inner coat pocket, he pulls out a mouse-size Calabash smoking pipe. The pipe had a white ivory bowl for the tobacco and Blackwood, attached and curving upward from the base of the container, mouthpiece. Though Judy could not see it, the ivory bowl of the pipe was already packed with Basile's tobacco. Basile dug into his pockets, pulling out a box of matches to strike. Striking the red sulfate tipped match and igniting the shredded brown leaves in his pipe.
"And how did Nick take to this news?" Basile asks. He puffs on the pipe, making red embers burn inside the ivory bowl. Basile takes his lips off the black mouthpiece, letting the smoke stream out his nostrils, like some dragon.
"That is actually what we are here to discuss," Bogo said. "As of now, Officer Wilde is still acting undercover. This news could cause him to act unreasonably. Meaning he could blow his cover, or demand that we take him out of the operation completely."
"Well, she's going to tell him" Nala spoke up. Everyone, other than the Director, turns to her expecting more. "I..." she stammers, now that all eyes are on her. "I mean pregnancy isn't something you can hide."
"And Nick has a right to know," Agent Skye said. She seemed to be talking to the Director. Whether Director M. was listening or not, was hard to tell. The tall suited moose continue looking outside.
"Besides Chief," Wilford said. "The moment Clawhouser finds out about this, he's going to want to tell everyone. And, though I love the guy, he's not the best at keeping secrets."
Judy takes a look around the room. She could feel a hot and sick feeling in her stomach. Not knowing if it was her nerves, or the baby growing inside her. "Seems like all this might as well be on the flip of a coin," she says.
From the side of the room, by the window, came disturbing laughter. Starting off soft and growing louder with hysteria. Everyone turns to the attention of Director M. staring out the window.
His laughter slows down and grows soft. "The flip of a coin..." he chuckles, banging his fist against the glass window, but not hard enough to break the glass. Director M. turns to face all in the room. "If I had to some up this whole operation," he said, "flip of a coin would be it. The flip of a coin, where we are always losing."
"No longer will we be flipping a coin to decide our outcome," Director M. said. His laughter replaced with a harsh, stern tone. "Because this is how things are going to work from now on," he said.
Director M. steps closer to the center, for all to hear. "Since the beginning of this operation, the faith that I have put into the ZPD and those I believed to be my best candidates of the ZBI, have done nothing but cause countless fuck ups."
Director M. circles the center, like a vulture deciding what dead carcass to start with. Approaching, and standing between Nala and Wilford. "Let us start with the two of you," he said.
"The two of you seem so out of touch with reality that if I didn't know any better, both of you must think you are are on some stupid buddy cop show. Filled with all the stupid cliches, one can images" Director M. says.
"Officer Wilford," Director M. says turning to the timber wolf. "Out of the two of you, you are the worst." Director M. gives Wilford a stern look before his eyes glare down at the rolled up comic in Wilford's hand. Director M. snatches the Purrinsher comic out of the timberwolf's hand.
"You take on this uncover assignment in The Jungle, not because you have the skills to pull such an operation off, but because your mind is in this delusion that you can be something close to a hero. When the reality is, you are nothing more than a second-rate cop with a badge" Director M. says as he takes Wilford's comics. In one great force, Director M. rips the comic straight down the middle. Now in pieces, Director M. tosses the torn comic back at Wilford.
Director M. takes a step back to the center. Judy watches as he gives a few more heavy coughs into his white handkerchief. Director M. moves over to Terra with that moose smile of his.
For Judy, it was hard to imagine the type of fear that Terra was experiencing as Director M. looks down upon her. Though Judy could see that Terra was trying to look strong in front of him. Terra stood tall and at attention in front of the Director. She grasps hold of a clump of fabric on her pant leg scrubs she wore, to keep herself from shaking.
Director M. grabs each of Terra's arms, giving them a tight squeeze. Director M. smiles as his grip on Terra's arms becomes tighter. Terra, hoping to show no fear, clinches her fist tighter to her scrubs pants.
"You, my dear," Director M. says addressing Terra. "You should be proud of yourself. Learning that you would be apart of this operation, I was so sure that you would be the first to fuck up. So be proud of that, for now. Because as far as I see, It's only a matter of time before you do screw this whole operation."
"Director," Basil says, speaking while taking a deep breath of tobacco from his Calabash pipe. "I decided to bring Terra into this operation without any approval from anyone else, not even Chief Bogo." Basil inhales another puff of tobacco.
"So, if you want somebody to toss your anger at, then it's me you should be talking to," Basil says. "That is unless you enjoy yelling at innocent women that have done nothing wrong."
Director M. turns his attention to Basil, still smoking and standing on Terra's right shoulder. He lets go of Terra's arms and bends forward to be eye level with Basil. "Oh, I haven't forgotten." Director M. says. "The moment your little cheetah assistant here screws up, you'll be going down with her."
Basil, staring into the eyes of Director M., doesn't say anything. Instead, Basil exhales a large puff of tobacco smoke right into the Director's face.
The cloud of smoke disperses. Director M. stands there, his lower lip quivering with anger. "How is it that no one as crushed every bone in that little insignificant body of your's." Director M. says.
Basil gives the Director a cheeky smile while still puffing on his tobacco pipe. "You're more than welcome to try, Director," Basil says. "But, you'd be more of a failure in doing so, than how you see us here at the ZPD."
Director M.'s face showing clear anger. He forces a smile on his face as he stares at Basil. "I wonder what's bigger?" M. says. "The IQ you have in that tiny head of yours, or your goddamn ego?"
Basil smiles. "Now that's an enigma even I can't seem to solve." Basil's smile grows more prominent as he puffs on his pipe.
"You cocky little..." Director says. It was becoming clear that M. was losing to his own anger. "Goddamn rodent."
A loud "SLAM!" comes from Bogo's desk. "All right, that's enough Director M.," Bogo says. Standing up behind his desk, ready to face Director M. "You have no right to come in here and start sprouting out loose accusations of my officers," Bogo says. "Or to my forensic team. I'm asking you to stop this rant of yours now."
"Chief Bogo," M. says. "I am far from done. Though speaking up, I..." Director M gives a great big cough into his white handkerchief. "I assume you would love to go next?"
Director M. gives another loud, harsh cough into his white handkerchief, spitting up pink phlegm. He wipes away the wet spittle from his crusty moose lips. Standing up straight and adjusting his suit. "Before even coming to this shit stain of a precinct," M. says. "I've heard nothing but good things about how efficient you are at running your precinct and the officers under your command."
Judy watches as Director M. steps up in front of Bogo's desk. He grabs the desk edge with a firm grip, staring down Bogo. She could see that Bogo was having none of it, and did not back down from M.'s stare.
"And yet," Director M. says. "The moment we get a possible lead on this case, that, fat fuck," spitting out the words 'fat fuck' with vile hatred and points hard at Bogo's office door. "The one you have positioned at the front desk. Hands him over to a group of mammals that turn him into an over-charred burger. Have you seen him now? He's downstairs on a metal slab, or whatever we were able to find of him. In fact, we're still scrapping up whatever remains we can off the fucking asphalt in the alley we found him in."
"Enough!" Bogo shouts, silencing M. "I will not stand here and let you berate the mammals under my command."
"And you will have your chance to speak when I am done," M. says. Judy sits as quiet as she can. Not wanting to draw any attention to herself. That is, till Director M. turns to her. Judy curls her arms around her body as if wanting to protect herself from Director M.'s volatile observations towards her and everyone else.
"And you, my dear Officer Hopps," M. says with a calm, but cold piercing tone. "You and that fox made the biggest screw up on this operation more than anybody else. You only didn't realize it until now. So, let me make this as clear to you as I can."
The Director leans down at her. Like he had done with Basil. "If you tell Officer Wilde that you are now with child, and Officer Wilde decides to blow his cover and have us pull him out. I promise you that the ZBI will press federal charges against you and Officer Wilde for disrupting a federal investigation. I will have your badges stripped from you. By the end of it all, you will be lucky if you can get jobs as a couple of mall cops."
Agent Savage leaps out of his chair. "Director isn't that a little..." The Director leans back up, turns, and gives a harsh glare at Agent Savage. The glare made Savage freeze mid-speech. "Isn't..." Jack tries to continue. "Isn't that a little harsh? It's not like she planned on getting pregnant."
The Director points his bone hoof finger at both him and Skye. "Don't think for a second that you or Agent Skye are clear of the chopping block. I was going to talk to the two of you in private, but since you intend to speak out, we'll go ahead and get this over with, " The Director says, straightening his suit as he does.
"Agent Savage, Agent Skye," The Director says. The gray and black striped rabbit and the snow white fox stand at attention in front of their superior. "The two of you are my highest ranking officers. But, based on how the two of you have operated on this whole operation, the two of you are now on my personal shit list. And don't think we haven't found out about the partnership you two share in the bedroom." Looking close, both Jack and Skye took in a gulp of fear.
"And..." the Director, catching his own breath, continues. "If I don't start seeing results from this Goddamn mess the two of you have created, I will have no problem replacing either of you and enforcing retribution."
Director M. steps in close to Agent Savage, putting them an inch apart from each other. "Agent Savage I will transfer you to some location where the sun never shines and makes the temperatures of Tundratown seem like a day at the beach. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes..." Savage hesitating to answering. "Yes, Sir."
Director M. moves in front of Skye like he had done with Jack. "And you, Agent Skye. Your father and I go way back. He could have helped you become one of the top agents with the snap of his fingers. Yet, you choose to rise through the ranks on your own, making him so proud of you. So how do you think he'll feel when he finds out that his daughter, one of the top ranking agents of the ZBI, becomes nothing more than a common secretary?"
Skye stands there in silence not sure how to answer. Director M. presses her for an answer to give him. "It would..." Skye starts to say. She was trying hard to hold back tears in her eyes. "It would break his heart, Sir."
"I imagine it would," Director says. He turns his attention right back around to Judy. He walks back over to her, adjusting his suit and coughing up more pink phlegm into the white handkerchief. "I wasn't finished with our conversation, Officer Hopps."
"By all means officer Hopps, you can tell Officer Wilde that you are pregnant." Director M. says. "But, if you tell him and he blows his cover. I will not only strip you of your badges but the federal funding that pays the medical bills of your comatose brother. Along with providing him with any type of legal help, when he does wake up. Anything else I can think of, I promise I will strip away. So it's your choice."
Looking around the room, Judy could see that everyone was quiet. She can tell from the looks on their faces, they all felt sad and defeated. Most look down at the floor not wanting to make eye contact. "Well," Director M. says. "I believe I've said all that needs to be said. With that, I will take my leave."
The Director straightens his tie, picks up his briefcase, and exits Bogo's office. Everyone remains quiet, even after the door closes. The only noise being the door blinders tapping hard against the door, as they swung back and forth.
Nala was the first out of everyone to finally say something. Commenting that if one decides to look up "prick" in the dictionary, all that will be there is a picture of Director M. Most gave a small chuckle at the joke.
Judy wasn't sure what to think or feel of it all. Terra who was being comforted by Basile was the first exit through the office door. Right behind them were Nala and Wilford. Judy saw, right before going, Wilford taking a sad look at his torn comics, before tossing them into the trash bin.
She could've stayed and talked to Chief Bogo, or to Jack or Skye. But turning around, she sees Bogo pull a bottle of whiskey out from the bottom of his drawer to his desk.
Judy felt like she should go in and talk to him, but she did not want to, at least not for now. By the looks of it, Bogo shared the same mutual feeling.
Judy left Bogo's office and walks out of the ZPD building. All Judy wanted was to crawl into her car and go. But, go where she thought. Judy did not want to go home to the apartment that she and Nick have. That place is too empty and saddening to her right now.
Judy, instead, turns the keys to the car on, backing out of 1st Precinct's parking lot, and drove. She drove throughout the night, still not having a single clue about where she was leading herself to. Judy did not want to stop and kept driving. She drove through Savannah Central, driving through the Tundratown District, and onto the Sahara District. Judy kept driving through the entirety of the Zootopia.
It was not till the "LOW-FUEL" light started blinking and making beeping sounds that she had to stop. Finding the nearest gas station, Judy takes her car and pulls up to the gas pump. Looking around her, Judy had no idea where she was. The only thing she knew was that she was somewhere in Zootopia, and that was all Judy knew. Judy did not even have the slightest idea what time it was. Late, was the only answer she had for herself.
Judy could feel herself growing tired. Yet, she had no intention of going home. With her back against the car, as gas still pumps into it, Judy leans back and rubs her eyes till it hurt to rub. Looking up, Judy could see a sign across the street. She knew where she was now.
The sign read: NOTTINGHAM DRIVE. Judy knows where she is now. She's in the Nocturnal District of Zootopia. And it seems she's not too far from Nick's old neighborhood. Marian, Judy thought.
Judy, finishing filling the car, sets off down NOTTINGHAM DRIVE. She drives at a slow pace, searching for the right address. Judy remembers Marian's address from all the times her and Nick have come to visit.
It was not long before Judy found what she was looking for, 1883 NOTTINGHAM DRIVE. Judy slows down the car to put into park. It was cold and quiet outside, but she could see lights from inside. Marian had to be, she had to be.
Judy walks up to the door gives it three hard knocks. Nothing happens. Judy prepared to knock again, louder and harder when she heard the sound of a door lock unlatching. The door swings open. Standing there, in the doorway, was Marian Wilde still in her scrubs gear.
"Judy?" Marian said, sounding surprised by Judy's visit. Her fur looking frizzled, and her eyes seemed droopy. She more than likely has come off a long shift and had gotten home no more than thirty minutes before Judy's knock on the door.
"Hello, Marian..." Judy said. She was finding it hard to speak her words. "Can, I, come in?" Judy asked.
"Of course, dear," Marian said. "Come on in and out of the cold." Marian waves her hand inward for Judy to follow.
Inside, Judy looks around the small apartment living room. Marian had a few lamps on, emitting a warm yellow glow. Judy, seeing an empty spot on the small couch, sat down. Having a clear view into the kitchen, Judy could see Marian working in front of the stove.
"I'm actually glad you showed up," Marian said. The teapot kettle on top made a high pitch whistling and blowing steam out of its nozzle. Marian moved the kettle with a rag. She poured herself a cup of tea, steam rising from the cup. "What you like a cup?" Marian said.
"What...?" Judy looks up at her, a bit confused. She sees the hot cup of tea in Marian's hands. "Oh, no," Judy says polite like. "I can't drink anything with caffeine in it."
"Caffeine?" Marina said with a little chuckle. "I got off a ten hour plus shift at the hospital. The last thing I want is caffeine. No, it's calming herbal tea."
Calming. That's what Judy wanted. Hearing the word brought some ease to her mind. "In that case, I'll take only a small cup." Judy watches as Marian return to the kitchen and comes back out with another cup of tea for her.
Judy takes the steaming cup of tea from Marian. Closing her eyes, she places the cup under her lower lip. The hot steam damning her fur felt so relaxing, Judy did not want it to end. The aroma that the tea gave off was intense. It felt so strong that just one good sniff seemed to clear up her sinuses, throughout her entire head.
Marian takes a seat in her favorite chair beside the couch. Marian was already sipping away at her tea. "Like I was saying," said Marian. "I'm glad that you happen to show up. I've wanted to talk to you about Nick."
Judy opens her eyes back up again to look at Marian. "Oh," she says. It was the only thing Judy felt like the words she could make with her mouth.
"I know my son has done..." Marian pauses. Thinking the best way to articulate what she was saying. "Some illegal things in his past. But what they are saying now, based on all the serious charges, it doesn't sound like my son at all. And, the fact that you were with him always made me feel like I didn't have to worry. Because if he did consider doing anything wrong, someone, you that is, would be the one with the moral compass to steer him in the right direction."
Judy sits there still, taking in everything that Marian was saying. "I've been trying to get more hours at the hospital," Marian said. "figured, if I made enough money I could hire a private detective to help out. I know it's a long shot, but at least it's something. But, Judy, I have to ask. You believe he's innocent don't you?"
Judy could feel her hands shaking at the question. She places the cup of tea on top of the coffee table in front of her. The feeling of sadness was washing over her. Judy closes her eyes as if that will help hide her feelings and emotions. "I believe..." Judy says. "I believe..." It was no use, she could not hold back her tears no longer.
Judy burst into tears. She rubs her eyes, till they turn red, and whips snout dripping from her nose. "Yes," Judy manage to say through her sniffling. "B-b-but, I don't know what to believe anymore."
Judy was so taken by her emotions, she didn't even realize that Marian had gotten up, moved, and sat back down beside her. Judy only notices when Marian wraps her arms around her, giving Judy comfort. "I don't know what to do anymore. I feel lost, and I feel like no one can help me" Judy said, through her emotions that seemed to be flowing all at once."
"Judy..." Marian says almost in a whisper. "I'm here for you. I'm right here. What's wrong?"
"I'm pregnant," Judy said, bursting into tears. Trying to gain control over the tone of her own voice. "I'm pregnant, and it's Nick's" Judy cries. "I shouldn't even be telling you this. But for once, I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do, and I'm scared." Judy turns to Marian, expecting to see the shocked expression on her face, hearing of her pregnancy. Only, instead, the look on Marian's face wasn't that of shock, but, of concern.
Before Judy could cry another word, Marian wrapped her arms around Judy and brought her in closer. "Shhh..." Marian whispering softness into Judy's ear. "I'm here," Marian said. "You're scared, but you're not alone. I promise we'll figure something out, and I'll always be here for you."
Hearing Marian's words made tears burst from her eyes, and burying her head into Marian's shoulder. The scrubs on Marian's right shoulder became wet with Judy's soppy tears and snot running from her nose. Marian rubs and pats Judy's back for comfort.
Judy, tears still sniffling, curls up on the couch. She lays her head down on Marian's lap while Marian pats the fur on Judy's head backward. Though making Judy feel like she was a little kit again, she could not deny how comforting it made her feel.
Judy, since first learning of her own pregnancy, felt calm and safe. Marian repeats over and over for her that she was there for Judy and isn't going anywhere. She also said, repeating her promise to Judy that they will figure out what to do. Before passing out, Judy made her own commitment to Marian.
"I need to tell you something," Judy said. "I need to tell you everything. I'm not supposed to, but you are the only one I think can help me, and understand. And if anyone deserves to know, it's you. You deserve to know everything, Marian.
(AN: Judy is taking a big risk in coming to Marian in good faith. Hopefully, it proves to be the right move. In the next chapter, we return back to The Jungle from Wilford's perspective. Seeing how his investigation of the Jungle is working out and sees the horrible hazing done by the guards.
To those that are curious as to why this chapter is called "Broken Reflections," is because Director M. acts as this broken mirror towards everyone.
Again, if possible, please leave a review telling me what your likes, dislikes, hopes, and what your overall opinions are for this chapter. Your comments make me want to make things better for you, the reader. Until next time, SirRedFox signing off.)