Hey everyone, this is a continued and re-edited version of my (very) old story from my previous account. Sadly, I forgot the login details for it, so I can't continue it there... I hope you like it! If you like it let me know, if you think it could be better, let me know too! Feel free to PM me. The title of each chapter is insipred by a certain song that I found inspirational.
I don't own anything.
Everybody Hurts
-R.E.M
The room was barely lit by the single light on the ceiling. It flickered from time to time, but it gave more than enough light to illuminate the older snow leopard in a red prison jumpsuit sitting underneath it. He was sitting on a small metal chair and was cuffed to a simple metal table with both his arms and legs. Two empty metal chairs were placed on the other side of the table. The room was concrete and grey with only large mirror on one wall. He was sitting completely motionless with his eyes staring sideways towards the glass pane, like he knew that something, or someone, was there. His stare was definitely the most queer thing about him. One of his eyes was blue, like the deepest reaches of the ocean. The second was green and shiny like an emerald. His stare was cold and motionless, with just a little hint of danger in them. The only noise that filled this cold, and empty room was the methodical ticking of a simple watch on the wall.
Suddenly, the door to the cell was opened wide and a very red, young and lean fox in an expensive dark suit entered with a hunched rat in a worn-out grey suit with a briefcase. They were flanked by two wolf guards in black military fatigues and assault rifles. The prison guard who let them in, a hippo in riot gear, closed the door and stood at it while the wolf guards stood on one of his sides and behind him. The other two mammals took their seats in front of him and the fox said:
-Good morning Mr. Snow, my name is Mike Clawson from the Zootopian Internal Affairs ministry. My partner here Saul Rodent. We are here to interrogate you about the events that happened during the last years here in Zootopia which led to the creation of the Zootopia Liberation Corps and the Zootopian Civil War. All of your testimony will be recorded and put as evidence in front of the Zootopian Military Court. Do you have any objections Mr. Snow?
While the fox was introducing them, his partner opened his briefcase and took out a microphone, recorder and a small laptop. By the time the fox was finished, the whole setup was complete and silence fell on the room again.
-I have no objections and will testify truthfully. To the best of my abilities… and your expectations.
The leopard said in a calm baritone. A small scowl went through the foxes face, but it quickly disappeared.
-Very well Mr. Snow, please introduce yourself and begin your testimony.
Snow complied and said:
-It all began, 10 years ago…
The leopard started his story while the pair behind the table listened closely. Just like a particular fox and bunny in police uniforms behind the wall of glass.
Ian Snow stood at the Zootopia Transit station in Downtown. After 3 long years, it felt good to be home. After 3 years in the middle of freezing nowhere, it felt good to feel some warmth.
-It's weird for a snow leopard to think that.
He thought and laughed loudly.
He attracted a few curious stares. At more than 6ft and 180 lbs of muscle he was still a noticeable sight in Zootopia with its elephants and buffalos. Wearing a dark green dress uniform and a large backpack he stood out among the civilian population of the city. He eagerly awaited the moment in which he could come back home, not only to change, but also to see his beautiful girlfriend and young cub.
He didn't want to leave them, but his studies at the Zootopian university were not cheap and his strong sense of duty and patriotism forced him to leave his family for what seemed like ages. However, he didn't consider the time he spent in the army as lost. He liked what he did, plus, he was only 28 with a good education so he had his whole life ahead of him. He had a small flat Downtown close to Tundratown. It was not much, but thanks to Catherine it really seemed like a cosy home with enough space for a young rascal. Although his son Peter was only 5 years old, he already was fiercely independent. "Just like his father" Catherine used to say.
He started his walk to his sweet home. He did not tell his girlfriend and son that he was coming back- it was supposed to be a surprise. He knew Cat all the way from high school and they have been a couple all the time since college. After such a long time, Ian decided that it was the time to ask her THE question. He found a beautiful ring in a jewellery shop abroad- in one of the icy cities in the far North. And as his work paid quite well, and abroad was pretty cheap for a Zootopian, he could get one with a large, locally sourced diamond- as clear as the snow through which he trekked for years. He was also eager for Peter to get his present. He also got it abroad- it was detailed, wooden carving of a wolf.
-The locals where such nice people in hindsight. They may not have had much, but they still gave me this gift. I do not understand why the Polar Liberation Front would want to bother these poor people.
He pondered all the way back home and barely realized that he arrived home when he stood before a five floor apartment building in which he and his family lived. His flat was not large. But with a room for him and Cat, a small room for Peter, a bathroom and a living room connected with a kitchen. They had all the necessary utilities as well as a large TV and internet- so they were considered civilized by their neighbours.
-Good Morning Mr. Snow!
An old landlady, an antelope greeted him standing in the doorway.
-I didn't see you for such a young time, it is so good to have you back! Of course, only if you will pay the rent…
She said with a devilish grin. Ian retreated a little and held his paws up defensively.
-I wouldn't dare to be late with my rent Mrs. Antler. I may have been to war, but I'm not brave enough to bother you and smart enough to know better.
He said and grinned.
The antelope laughed and the leopard joined in. Ian really liked the old landlady. She loved to joke and was really nice and wise. She used to say "When you will be as old as me, you will stop worrying and you will see the greater picture. You see, it's too late for me too worry, I will simply die before I have a chance".
-So how was the North my dear?
-Horrific, even for a snow leopard.
He said and they both grinned.
-But now I am home, and I'm ready to settle down and start the work on my PhD.
-Good grief, you never give up do you?
She said while shaking her head in disbelief.
-Anyways, go to your family young man, I took enough of your time and I am also a busy lady.
She said and walked past him. Ian said his goodbye and started jumping upstairs going multiple stairs at a time. He arrived on the 3rd floor where his flat was and put his ear quietly to the door. He could hear the muffled sounds of Cat playing with Peter. As it was a Saturday, he knew that neither of them had places to go, but he was still grateful to find them up and at home. Ian decided to joke a little and rang the doorbell instead of using his keys. He instantly heard the ruckus quiet down.
-Who's there?
Cat exclaimed from the room.
-The postman, ma'am, I have a package for you. The nice landlady let me in.
Ian said while changing his voice to a deeper tone so Cat wouldn't recognize him. He could hear her muffled steps as she approached the door and opened it. To her bewilderment, she wasn't facing a postman, but her taller-by-a-head boyfriend.
-I'm the package dear.
Ian said and grinned. While Catherine was getting over her shock Peter shouted from the living room:
-What does the postman have mommy?
He ran up and jumped from excitement as soon as he saw the unexpected guest.
-DAAAAAAADDDDDYYYY!
The cub jumped onto Ian and hugged him with all his strength.
-Woah there big man, watch it, you will make me fall.
Ian said while picking up Peter and putting him on his shoulders. Peter looked almost exactly like his father. He was quite big for his age and was growing fast, although he was nowhere Ian's height. He was dressed in kids clothes- some superhero t-shirt and plain jeans. The only thing in which he differed from his father where his eyes- charcoal black, smooth and shiny like his mom's. Meanwhile, Cat got over her initial shock and also jumped on Ian to hug him. She was also a snow leopard, but was shorter and slimmer. Her facial features were smooth while Ian's were rugged and she had amazing feminine curves. Her passion for running and swimming were most likely responsible for that last part. She looked amazing in her black leggings and a blue blouse. In Ian's eyes, she looked as young as she was 3 years ago. And now this woman began kissing his nose and lips. Ian grinned and then hugged and kissed her back while Peter was playing with his dad's ears.
-Okay, okay, enough of the corridor love, let's go inside.
Ian said while carrying Cat in his arms and Peter on his shoulders.
-Watch your head big man.
Ian said to Peter. And with that statement, the whole family was finally back home.
Ian didn't flinch while he was telling the story. Only a small tear was glistening in his left eye while he was looking into the distance. Meanwhile, the fox was watching him and the rat was typing. The fox noticed that the tear was the only emotion Ian has shown throughout this whole time.
-Mr. Snow, I cannot possibly imagine how your personal life stories may be valuable evidence in front of the court.
The fox said. The leopard slowly moved his gaze onto the leopard in a way that made the fox flinch uncomfortably. The guards noticed that and they gripped their weapons tighter and moved closer.
-If you came prepared Mr. Clawson, you would understand the significance of that story and connect the dots.
Ian spat those words out with tangible contempt.
The fox didn't flinch this time but the guards grew even more agitated. The red-furred mammal signalled them to stand down- and they relaxed.
-I am very aware of your history as well as the history of your family, but even with my preparation, I still fail to understand the significance of these events, so, please, continue.
The fox stated.
-Very well, allow me to continue the story without senseless interruptions then.
The leopard said now calmly and emotionlessly.
There was no end to greetings, hugs and kisses. Everyone was thrilled to finally be together.
-Now there kiddo, I have something for you.
Ian said mysteriously and reached into his bag. Cat giggled in response and Peter could barely stand still from anticipation.
-What is it dad?!
He asked full of excitement.
-Here, I brought you this all the way from the far North.
Ian said and gave the wooden wolf from his backpack. Peter grabbed it quickly and grinned towards his parents.
-Thank you daddy! It's amazing, my best friend is a wolf!
Peter exclaimed and jumped to hug his dad.
-I want to show him that as soon as possible!
-Well then, what are you waiting for, it is a toy after all, so go play with it.
Ian suggested. Peter suddenly realized how many precious seconds of playtime he had lost and rushed to his room to call his friend about the toy, murmuring something about how Howl Eye and how will he meet Captain Buck and the Iron Fox.
-How did you know?
Cat asked in her soft voice.
-Know what?
Ian asked inquisitively.
-That he will like the wolf.
-Well, we did sometimes have signal and when I had a minute, I would read all your e-mails and texts. I was, and am, glad that Peter has so many friends. Especially this young wolf- Charlie was it? He seems like a really nice kid.
Ian explained.
-Yes, Charlie Growl, contrary to his surname he is really nice and gets along with predators and prey alike. Peter is his best friend, next to this shy and small doe- Anna.
Cat said and kissed him on the muzzle.
-Kids do not really see the differences between different species. "If you are nice and want to play, you are my friend"- maybe we should learn from children not the other way around.
Ian suggested while deep in thought.
-Maybe you are right, but although I missed your philosophical ponderings, I want your attention back.
-Attention of your boyfriend who wants to learn from children.
-Yes, him.
Cat said slightly annoyed.
-Child lesson 1! You're it!
Ian suddenly exclaimed, poked her and starting running away. Cat looked astonished for a while bit soon became furious and started chasing Ian around the living room.
-Hey! It's not the time for tag!
She shouted.
-Then why are you chasing me?!
Ian riposted while laughing.
-Because you started it you childish piece of fur!
Cat shouted again. Ian suddenly stopped and caught her in an embrace which allowed her to start furiously poking him.
-Ow, stop, Cat, Ow, that's enough! Ow, you win, I surrender! Please treat me honourably, I am your prisoner.
Ian exclaimed while putting his hands up. Cat complied and stopped poking her boyfriend. They noticed that they fell on the ground just inches from the scattered Pawgos.
-Woah, I could imagine getting shot or stepping on a landmine, but I wouldn't want to land on one of these.
Ian joked and Cat poked him in response scowling.
-I agree, but don't joke about getting hurt like that you dummy!
She chastised him and stood up. She turned around to say something to her boyfriend, who, to her shock wasn't up yet. Instead he was kneeling on one knee and was holding an engagement ring inside the velvet box. Cat gasped.
-Catherine Clawmanov, will you marry me?
Ian asked as smoothly as he could. Cat meanwhile was staring at him shocked yet again.
-Stop with the surprises, or I will die of a heart attack one day.
She said and scowled again. Now it was Ian's turn to be dumbstruck with her answer. He was still kneeling and staring wide-eyed at his girlfriend. She suddenly exploded into laughter and tears in the same time.
-Look what you did you dimwit, you are making me cry! Of course I say YES!
She said through tears. And she pulled him closer to kiss him.
-After that, things returned to normal. I had started my work on the PhD under a military scholarship. After my undergraduate in Economics and Politics and my masters in Politics I was ready to deepen my understanding of the city I lived in and to help it in its march towards a bright future. I had time and motivation to delve into the problems of the city on a deeper level. My work took the title of "Historical Analysis the Zootopian Political Economy in the XXIst Century." My studies was based on applying economic concepts to differing population demographics in Zootopia cross-referenced with philosophical and cultural trends to examine the effect it had on the social cohesion of our city- determined by a set of scales. I became aware of the socio-economic differences between the different individual species as well as predators and prey. The hidden, mutual racism was seem throughout income and wealth gaps in every part of the city. For example, the predators compromise around 10% of the city's population but constitute 70% of the 1% of wealthiest individuals and own more than 40% of entire wealth of Zootopia. However, the predators are also the majority among the poorest citizens in Zootopia. Meanwhile, the income and wealth distribution of the prey was very egalitarian. Also, housing in Zootopia is heavily divided between predator and prey species even though the business centre is very diverse. Predators dominated the rich city centre and the poor outskirts of Zootopia while prey was centred in the suburbs. The differences carry into education. Although schools in Zootopia are integrated, most of children have their primary schools in their respective "enclaves". Together with the fact that predators and prey have differing philosophical views and independent culture, including history and customs, that means that…
-MR. SNOW! WE SHALL NOT HEAR ANYMORE OF THAT TREASONOUS AND CRIMINAL PROPAGANDA! YOU HAVE DONE TOO MUCH HARM WITH IT ALREADY!
The fox roared. The leopard remained calm, professional and still. He looked at the fox again who was up on his legs and shaking from anger.
-If my beliefs are agitating, please inform me.
Ian smoothly said with fake politeness. He seemed somewhat amused at the foxes anger and was lightly mocking him. The fox took an deep sigh and said with a forced calm:
-Continue then Mr. Snow, but do not mention your work for the time being.
-Naturally.
Ian replied and a small smile briefly appeared on his lips.
Ian was celebrating his 30th birthday. Peter was 7 and Cat was his wife for two years and the deadline for the defence of his thesis was coming fast. However, he wasn't worried. He researched everything on the topic, went above and beyond in his research and could defend his work in his sleep. In other words, Ian was living the dream. After singing the classic Happy Birthday, they all sat down at the table.
-Honey, remind me, when is your thesis defence?
Cat asked suddenly, intrigued. She wore her special white summer dress especially for today. It was elegant but also pretty casual. It contrasted severely with Ian's black shirt and dark pants. Ian didn't answer for a while because Peter was struggling to put a birthday hat on his head.
-Ummm, it's in two weeks, why do you ask?
Ian said while trying to assist his son.
-I'm just curious, I mean, it is a very big day for you.
-Yes, yes it is, but don't worry, the chancellor said that if I do a good job, I can count on a teaching position at the university in the Politics department. This means you will not have to work overtime anymore.
Ian informed while still being distracted by his son.
-I have no problem with working, thank you very much, I do enjoy it in fact. Working in a bank is not as boring as people make it out to be, especially since I studied hard for it.
Cat said and smiled slightly, remembering the "good old days".
-I know, I know, if you remember, we were dating at this time, we even sat in some of the classes together.
Ian joked.
-Hey kiddo! You got the hat on!
Cat was about to scowl at her husband, but a six foot two snow leopard with a yellow birthday hat on looked ridiculous. Especially since the hat was slightly crooked. She laughed instead.
-Stop talking about work! You adults are so boooooring, even on birthdays!
Peter exclaimed and now both of his parents laughed.
-You are right sweetie, adults are boring.
Cat said while laughing.
-Moooom, stop laughing, it is time for Plan C.
-Plan C?
Ian asked surprised. His wife winked and left to the kitchen. He could see her digging in the fridge. When she turned around, she had his favourite cake in her hands- pure chocolate. Not very sophisticated, but incredibly tasty nonetheless.
-Was Plan C Plan Cake?
Ian asked and Cat and Peter nodded vigorously and the male snow leopard could not help but grin.
-Let's dig in then!`
Ian exclaimed. The cake was swiftly divided proportionally to the size and hunger of the family members. Ian couldn't resist the urge to fling a small piece of the cake at Cat. She wanted to scold him but her son threw a piece of cake at him making her scold them both and comment:
-I have two children in this house!
As expected, both male leopards were amused. However, luckily for Cat, the rest of the dessert was peaceful and no one was flinging chocolate all over the room. After the consumption, time came for the present. The family was not very wealthy and it was pretty small. Ian's parents died while he was doing his masters and only Cat's dad remained. But he had dementia and was in a foster home. Ian's parents died of old age and Cat's mom had cancer and died when Cat was in college. Her dad's situation got worse shortly after. She was considering dropping out and taking care of her dad and went back home. Ian remembered that clearly. However, she came back as her dad, still with a clear mind, demanded that she comes back and has a life of her own. All he wanted was her to visit him from time to time, which she did quite often, although it was becoming harder and harder every time. Their friends were not here at the moment. They both had their own friends as well as common ones with which they had good times. Ian had his mostly from college and military and he would meet them later in a pub as Cat was merciful and let him go today. So, for now, he only had presents from Cat and Peter.
She brought it from a secret hiding spot in their room and Ian instantly noticed that it was wrapped in nice, white paper with a red ribbon around it. He was intrigued and his son was trying to sneak a peak of it under his father's arm. Ian was so impatient that he decided to claw the paper off instead of unpacking it nicely. Cat only groaned in response. Inside was a photo album made out of fine and expensive paper. Everything, from the pages to the cover was high quality. It was both pleasant to feel and to touch-just like Cat herself. There was also a nice watch, not extravagant or ornate, but its silvery, metallic simplicity was alluring to Ian. He was intrigued, but not as much as Peter who was jumping around trying to get a glimpse of the presents his father got.
-What is it? What is it?
He was inquiring very loudly.
-I got a watch!
Exclaimed Ian happily.
-It's so you always know when it's time to come back home on time.
Cat explained.
-That's so cool! When can I get a watch?
The naïve cub asked while tugging his mother.
-When you will be older, and you will have all these adult responsibilities like dad.
Peter scowled at the thought of responsibility but smiled again after seeing the photo album that his dad was now going through. He asked curiously:
-What is that?
-It's a photo album sweetie.
Cat explained patiently.
-Like the ones on the phone?
-Yes silly. But this one is on paper so you can really touch it. And it looks like your mom took every picture we had in our phones and asked some poor fellow to print that brick.
Peter asked and Ian answered while grinning. Cat giggled and flipped a page of the album. There were a lot of pictures all the way from high school. Ian could see the 10th grade picture of his and Cat's class- when she was a shy, new kid in school. He also saw the picture from their first date that Ian took while Cat was trying to hide her blush. He saw the picture from their university fresher days and one from their graduation. There were also pictures of Peter- all the way from his birth in which a tired Cat held him in her tender paws. However, there was one picture that stood out. It was from their wedding- Cat in her snowy white wedding dress, Ian in his black tux and Peter in his, sitting on his dad's shoulders. All of them smiling. Forever frozen in time and pace, without a clue of what may happen. Below it read: I'm waiting for more moments to capture… Signed: Cat.
The snow leopard paused his story. He became apathetic and scanned the room without a visible purpose. After a short pause he spoke again with melancholy in his voice:
-But you know what happened to my family later. It did not go as we planned, it never seems to…
-You did pass your defence though, you passed it splendidly.
Spoke the rat for the first time.
-You shed light on problems bothering our city from a perspective previously unconsidered and offered revolutionary solutions. It was a breakthrough for many…
-SAUL RODENT, WE AREN'T HERE TO COMPLIMENT THIS EVIL IDEOLOGY!
The fox shouted, he was visibly furious again. Ian looked coldly at the canine and he became calmer under this intense stare.
-Apologies, we are indeed not here to discuss your policies, just as Mr. Clawson said. We are here to know what exactly happened and how it affected our current situation. So, Mr. Snow, please tell us what EXACTLY happened.
The rat said seemingly undisturbed by the outburst of his partner.
-Peter died. That is all. Some drunk maniac hit him with a car when he was walking with his friends back from school. A mammal killed my 7 year old son and then ran away because he was "scared". Was not Peter scared when he was laying in a pool of his own blood calling for mom and dad because he couldn't feel his little legs? Peter wasn't scared, he was horrified, he was just a small cub he had his whole life ahead of him. He died even before it started. It was cut brutally short and the last thing he remembered was me. He died calling for me, his dad. He died extending his tiny paw down the road, hoping that I will appear at the last moment to save him. I didn't. Trust me, there is no larger pain that having to bury your own child. Especially if you feel guilty and responsible for it…
After this monologue, there was a long silence. Everybody put their heads down, even the guards- except Ian. Tears swelled in his eyes for a second. He kept his head straight and stared into the distance. After what seemed like minutes, he spoke again:
-I still had my wife with me though, that kept me going on. But she was as devastated as I was. Even more. She carried this child herself, took care of it while I was gone. It was the greatest joy in her life. But alas, it was taken away from her. She couldn't cope with it. On her 31st birthday, the first without Peter, after I sang her "Happy Birthday" she cried and went to the bathroom. I found her soon after, she has hung herself from the lamp using a towel.
The silence seemed to deepen. More tears swelled in Ian's eyes as he finished the story.
-I had nothing meaningful left. What use is your sense of patriotism when you have nothing to protect, why should you teach the young if you and your family have no future yourself? All that was left were two lonely snow leopards. Me sitting in the chair, trying to explain to Cat's father that she was no longer here. But he did not understand. On the few moments of clarity, when he remembered he had a daughter, he only asked when will she visit- a visit that would never come again. I felt even sadder for him. He didn't even know that his only daughter was gone. His own family decimated by disaster. Stuck in hellish bliss, he sat and did not even have his own mind to keep him company- he too was dead. I was truly and utterly alone, surrounded by death. It is truly ironic that I, most likely to die was forced to live while my family slowly rotted in the ground.
The snow leopard emphasized the last sentence with bitterness.
-Ekhm, Mr. Snow, I am aware that this is a difficult moment for you, but we do must move on.
The rat said professionally but with a visible hint of sympathy in his voice.
-It's okay Mr. Rodent, I know how to cope. But I am afraid, in order to proceed, I would like to request a short break.
Ian said calmly.
-But sir, we really do need to finish the testimony as soon as possible!
The rodent insisted.
-I am aware, and I have respect for you and your job. However, I had enough memories for now. Contrary to the popular opinion, I have feelings too.
While Ian said it, a singular tear streaked across his right cheek all the way down to his chin, only to slowly drip down to the cold, concrete floor. No one seemed to notice that, not even the characters behind the mirror. The rat was too busy packing while the fox was staring at the room blankly. Finally, the hippo in riot gear opened the door to let the interrogators and the wolf guards out. While the rodent hurried out the room, the fox lingered and looked back at the figure on the chair. Their eyes connected for a second and then the fox left. The door creaked and the lock was turned. Ian Snow was left alone in the small room yet again. He slowly turned his head towards the mirror and stared at it. Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde stared right back.