Noah sat there in fear in the dark house in the jungle tree, his muzzle strapped tight but the owners of the resident. Coal, Scales and Gruffling were outside the room along with the other foxes. They had been hiding there ever since the murder.

Alex was comforting Noah.

"Mr. Fury's taking a long time," said Noah worriedly but hopefully.

"Never coming back," whispered Alex happily.

"What?" asked Noah but Alex shushed him sharply.

"I made an anonymous call to Mr. Big. He's never coming back as far as I know."

Noah was relieved. He did not know who Mr. Big was but he must be that powerful to hold Fury way from him.

"The fox in the sunglasses has been arrested too," added Alex. Thought you ought to know."

"Mr. Big too?"

"No, the ZPD. Pretty soon that police fox will come and take you home."

"Why don't you come and live with me?" asked Noah. "You can start your life again?"

"Nah," said Alex. "I know I've spent half my life stealing and picking pockets. I don't wanna be a son of cops at the moment. I wanna make an honest living, then I will come and find you."

Noah looked sad but nodded.

"But I have you to thank, pal. You were right; I was wasting my time trying to please someone who didn't care. Fury can't hurt any other fox anymore."

"He's here!"

They heard Coal announcing all around the room outside. "Brent's back!"

Noah gasped.

Alex sat closer to him and wrapped his tail over him and put his paw around left arm.

After a few minutes, with growling behind the door, it opened and there stood Brent Stripes, only without his eyepatch. The surrounding of his eye was coatless and his eye a frightening red. Noah pressed against the wall, teeth gritted in fear and breathing heavily.

"Where's your damn master?" he growled at Alex.

"Mr. Big's got him," replied Alex bravely.

"Good riddance to him," said Brent crossly. "You're both a living hell to my life. This kid had to get himself arrested, you had to accept his offer to follow Patsy."

He reached out for his pocket knife. The two cubs gasped in terror when the fading sound of sirens grew louder and louder.

They all rushed out to peer out the window. Squad cars were pulling up from down below and the drivers were stepping out. Also being let out was a handcuffed rabbit.

"Skips," said Stripes under his breath. "Another traitor."

Aloud he said "We cannot have this other kid giving us away with his voice of panic. Where are you, Sly?"

Sly was crouched in the corner of the room guard by Alex holding a baseball bat.

"You're not taking his life, you savage!"

Stripes growled furiously.

The foxes were in surprise at this courage.

"You all heard," said Alex. "If he takes one more step, I will tell the cops out there that he's here. I'll rat him out with any hesitation! He killed Patsy! He can't kill Noah! If he was t attempt he'd have to get through me first - even if I shared jail with Skips for murder! TO HELL WITH HIM!"

"YOU LITTLE SON OF A -" began Stripes bringing his knife out but with a huge whack Alex walloped his scarred eye with the bat making him roar with agony.

As he lay on the floor groaning Alex grabbed the knife, dashed to the open window and flung it out.

"HELP!" he screamed. "HELP! HE'S HERE! STRIPES IS HERE! SOMEONE BREAK THE DOOR DOWN! HELP, SOMEONE PLEASE!"

The police charged to the tree and to it's entrance along with many others who lived in the district throwing rocks and stones at the windows.

"MURDERER! GIVE UP, STRIPES! YOU'RE SURROUNDED!"

"BRENT STRIPES!" announced Bogo through the megaphone. "COME OUT WITH YOUR PAWS IN THE AIR! YOU'RE UNDER ARREST FOR THE MURDER OF PATRICIA STRIPES!

"We're done for!" wailed Scales.

"The kits and all!" said Gruffling.

"Shut up!" snapped Coal.

The kits had already disappeared through a hole, leaving the burglars with Stripes, Noah and Alex.

Stripes grabbed Alex, threw him in the backroom and bolted it.

Then he grabbed Noah, squeased him into his belt, and climbed to the ceiling, punched it, and climebd through the branches of the tree.

"DON'T LEAVE US, BRENT!" wailed the burglars. "I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS!"

Bogo was still warning Stripes through the megaphone.

"FURY AND SHARDS HAVE BEEN TAKEN, STRIPES! AND YOU WILL BE TAKEN VERY SOON!"

"LOOK!" screamed Francine the elephant pinning to the tree tops.

Everyone screamed in horror as they saw Stripes climbing through the tree tops with a muzzled fox cub.

Stripes climbed higher and higher with Noah strapped on his belt. Attempted gun shot were aimed at him. He shot back at them in return, one hitting one of the cops in the arm. Noah couldn't bear to ask what was going on.

"GO THE OTHER WAY!" screed Skips down below. "THER'ES ANOTHER ROAD!"

The police didn't stop to ask. They made for the next road. Stripes reached the top but was in a forest full of vines. It was a challenge to wander through the upper jungle but he soon came to the edge of a bare, thick branch. The police had already arrived and were looking up.

"COME DOWN, STRIPES! AND LET THE BOY GO!"

Brent stepped back a few times, charged to the edge making Noah close his eyes. Stripes made a huge leap and landed onto the branch which snapped under his weight.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHH!" Noah screened as he and the tiger toppled toward the police.

Stripes panicked too;

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-CRACK!"

Bellflower screamed in horror covering her eyes as the lifeless tiger swung all around in mid air, a vine hanging him from the neck.

Noah was still shaking from the experience as he grabbed hold of a giraffe's neck to bring him down to safety.