How long has it been since he had a restful night's sleep? What went from a night or two to four in a row. What you can take for one or two days of sleepless nights, three or four is too much. His eyes went to the fat red letters on the alarm clock. Four in the morning. He sighed. He wouldn't be able to sleep anymore, so he decided to get up and go take a shower. Shifting the sheets, he sat up in bed first. He ran his paws over his head and stared at the floor. Being deprived of a good night's sleep was only going to cause trouble. And if, it hadn't already caused them. On the third day, the signs began to show. Unbearable headaches, devastating physical fatigue, and slow movements. Even four cups of coffee a day no longer helped him stay awake. But if he took a nap, the nightmares would start again. Even Judy had noticed the changes in his behavior. Looking at her, keeping a smile, and saying that everything was fine, were already words that even the doe couldn't believe. However, he was thankful that she was understanding and cared about him without questioning him too much. But it couldn't go on like this. Nick knew that something was going to happen. He knew that dreaming the same thing repeatedly for days in a row, was no longer a dream, but a warning. Taking a deep breath, the fox got up and headed toward the bathroom. The bath was not enough, but at least it calmed his insides. Or so, it thought.

The vehicle was upside down. The taste of blood in his mouth left a bitter taste in his heart. He was wounded. But not dead. The toppling of the car had been huge and even he didn't know how it had happened. Then a terrible thought struck him. Judy! He turned his head away and didn't see his partner at his side. Startled, he searched everywhere with his eyes, but without success. Besides, upside down, and the glass cracked, his field of vision was not the best. He would have to undo his belt. The fall would not be big, but he would get hurt. It was nothing, however, compared to the pain he heartfelt at not knowing about his partner.

It was already expected that the belt would not be easy to loosen, given the circumstances. Time was needed and he was wasting a lot of that time.

Come on!

After a few minutes, the belt gave way and Nick fell backward onto the roof of the car. He complained about the sudden pain but soon straightened up. The other obstacle would be the door. Opening it would be another problem. It might break the glass at his side, but it would only bring serious damage to his already injured body. So, the door. Nick straightened up and with his foot, kicked the glass in it. Two or three times until it shattered. The way was clear. So, he thought. After passing the door, he stood up. He turned to his right side since in front of him the dense trees would not be an option for a path. However, he did not move that way.

"One more step and she die!"

Anger and shock were present in his expression. Besides, he was at a disadvantage.

"Do as you are told and there will be no consequences."

Nick did not speak. He only assessed. The height difference was quite large, but no impediment. The problem was firearms. A pistol and a rifle.

"Compared to your little pistol, this rifle does bigger damage!" voice wry and amused.

First problem, the bear and the rifle. Second problem, the Wolf and the pistol. The third problem, the hostage. Nick didn't have much of a choice.

"She tried well, but as you know, smart rabbits, but size disadvantage!" The wolf switched, amused at the situation.

Judy kept quiet. The gun on her head was not helping. The arm around her neck, at any movement, could choke her. In her eyes, the tears of anger because she was not able to do anything in that situation.

"Be a good fox and come closer."

Nick's eyes met straight into Judy's, explaining that he would have the solution. Judy replied for him not to do anything that would harm them both. But even though the present situation was disadvantageous, Nick had the solution.

A fist with force ran into the innocent wall. Even the warm water wasn't calming him. Although awake, the images were so vivid in his head and he couldn't forget. The dream was always the same, practically. There might be one or another different situation, but he would always be in the overturned car and his partner in the paws of the wolf. Wounded. Bloody. And unable to defend herself. He always woke up in the "solution" and prayed that the dream would not continue into Judy's death. Since, he knew, in every dream, fears are presented.

Perhaps a psychologist could help?

That would be a great option since four sleepless nights were driving him crazy.

Unaware of the whole situation, but worried, was a doe who these four nights slept deeply and always woke up refreshed for the next day's work. But as soon as she met her partner her good mood gave way to a sad expression. Judy tried to ask him what was wrong with him, but Nick diverted the conversation into a simple "bad night's sleep", "no big deal", etc., etc.

Today I will skirt the conversation differently.

She was determined to find out what was going on. She held back for the next few days as she didn't want to upset him, but her partner's actions were making her too worried, and it might condition their work. However, Judy thanked the universe for the cases of those four days, which were simple patrols, and nothing much had happened. For she would know that if such a thing happened, Nick would not be in a position for a quick response.

After her shower, the doe put on her uniform. Just like every day, she and Nick would go to the usual café near the large central park of Zootopia ten minutes from the department. After taking one last look in the mirror, Judy picked up her cell phone. Surprised she was when on her screen appeared a message from Nick. Usually, she was always the first to text. Unlocking the screen, she clicked on the message and read:

"Good morning, Sunshine!

We will change coffee. I need to get some fresh air. I'll wait for you at the Iris bakery, next to the Sapphire bank.

Kisses, Nick."

Judy was surprised. The bakery they usually went to, was his favorite. Shrugging her shoulders at the strange change of bakery, she replied with a yes, and that she would be there in ten minutes. Locking her cell phone again and grabbing her keys, she left the house.

The weather was pleasant. The spring breeze was inviting. The joy of the mammals in the streets was contagious. But at one of the tables on the terrace of the Iris bakery, the atmosphere was all but joyful. Judy had arrived and Nick was already seated. She greeted him as he did. She sat down and the waiter approached to question what they wanted. Nick ordered a double espresso and Judy limited herself to an orange juice and a croissant. The waiter obliged and went to take the order.

"How are you?" Judy questioned fearfully to the fox in front of her. Assessing, she realized that he was worse than the day before.

"Fine!" a simple reply. Such a usual answer, it shocked the doe when she first heard it in that dry, emotionless tone. "And you?"

"Fine." Her answer was also simple, but the dryness in the word was not there. There was, rather, a concern before her partner.

The waiter interrupted the awkward atmosphere between the two when he brought the order. After placing things on the table, he turned away and Judy tried once more.

"Nick, ah..."

"It's no use, Carrots. I've told you repeatedly that I'm fine."

That was the last straw for her. Judy wanted to keep calm. She tried. She tried hard to give the space, but if there was a problem, she wanted to help him, and he was being stubborn.

"Enough!" Judy didn't shout, but a closed fist hit the table hard, making the juice in the glass cup shake. Such an action drew a few stares there, but she didn't care. "Four days Nick. Four days you are not doing well. Your movements are slower. You've been sleeping in the corners of the department and even the coffees don't help you. Are you going to tell me what's going on or not?"

Nick could have been shocked by the doe's action, but he already knew that patience has its limit, and she even met the deadline of not bothering him well. But still, he was unwilling to talk. Not that he didn't trust the partner he loves so much, but it was an issue that even he didn't know why was happening. He needs professional help. Even if he told Judy, it wouldn't help his sleepless nights. Since as soon as he closes his eyes, the same images torment him.

"It's no big deal. It's just my stuff. Things I have to deal with myself, and I don't want to involve anyone else."

That was enough. Judy didn't even touch her breakfast. She stood up and pulled her chair over. But before she went on her way, she said what she should have said already.

"I thought that besides being co-workers, we were friends."

And she made her way to the department.

Nick sighed. He would know that someday they would get argued. It even admired him that a year had passed and neither of them had had a fight. But there's always a first time for everything and the fox knew it was his fault. But, yes, he could tell her. Only that wouldn't help him at all. It would worry her even more. Nick pulled his wallet from his pocket. He left a note on the table and stood up, bringing his double espresso with him. He would apologize to her later. He knew that if he went running after her, his apology would be rejected.

To be continued…