Chapter 5: The Bounty

"The best way to describe a Cowboy is, mud, blood, guts and glory…" ~Unknown

Unknown Location

Bucky Callahan, the leader of the Bloodhounds, strode through the empty, abandoned saloon. Tables were overturn and fallen chairs littered the ground. Every time his boot touched the ground with each step that he took, pieces of glass from broken bottles and cups broke underneath him. Dust wafted through the air as sunlight attempted to break through the boarded-up windows. Making his way to the empty bar, Callahan placed a paw on the table and leaped over it, leaving a clear print behind. He turned around, knelt down and grabbed a bottle of alcohol and stood back up.

Unscrewing the lid of the bottle, Callahan took a deep draft. Once he was done, he slammed it against the table, causing droplet of liquid to splash out and land on the floor. He sighed with satisfaction and nodded his head. It was a good day and the lupine was in a good mood. Pawsteps from outside broke his thought, and the lupine looked up with a start.

Charlie Vane and four other lupines walked inside, all resting their paws on their revolvers. After they looked at each other for a couple of seconds, Vane took a step forward and swallowed nervously. "Boss…Minho just got back from scoutin' Wolfgorge. He was walkin past the Sherriff's station and…" Vane paused, knowing that his leader's good mood would be broken quickly.

Callahan gestured for his number one wolf to continue. Vane shrugged and spoke, "Word's got out that One-Eyed Jack is still alive. There's a bounty on his head."

The lupine leader was silent as he registered the news. Suddenly, he started to chuckle. Unsure of what to do, his followers, started to laugh with him. When Bucky's laughter became louder, they echoed him. As soon as he started to laugh, he stopped and there were a couple of seconds of delay until his followers realized that he stopped laughing.

Once the laughter died off, Callahan looked at Charlie and then back to Minho. He pointed a finger at Minho. "Since you're the one who found out 'bout Jack. Take some wolves and bring him in."

Minho nodded and smiled broadly, happy to be given a huge responsibility. "Yes boss." The grey lupine turned around and started to leave the room. Callahan's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Alive, Minho. Bring him back alive."

"Whatever you say, boss."

The wolf left the saloon and stepped outside in the deserted street of the ghost town. The afternoon sun blinded him momentarily, and the lupine smiled broadly again. He imitated Callahan in a low voice. "Take some men and bring him in!" He changed to his own voice, "Oh! Ho, ho! I'll bring him back alive and turn him in… Maybe I'll get a promotion!"

Switching to Callahan, "Good job Minho! I knew you could do it."

"Thanks boss… say, could I have the bounty money after we're all done with him?"

"Of course Minho, here, have some of the finest food and wine. These are all from my larders, my new second in command!"

Minho's imagination was broken, when watching from several feet away, Vane spoke up. He had followed Minho outside and overheard his entire conversation to himself. "Oy, Minho… Do not screw this up."

Minho nodded quickly and turned around. He made a face as muttered underneath his breath, "No good, stupid Charlie Vane… Followin' Callahan like a lap wolf… Yes boss… at once boss… would you like me to lick your boots boss?" He shook his head and looked at the sun. Marking its position, Minho hurried, calling out, "Seaeyes! Vargas! Xavier! Hyser! We've got a job!"

Once the wolves gathered around Minho, the lupine spoke "Right. We need to find One-Eyed Jack. He's been last seen hangin' around Hanging Rock. We need to bring him back here, alive. It's 'round several days ride from here. So… mount up!"

Within a few minutes, the wolves were on their horses, racing out of the town and across the plains, heading for Hanging Rock.

/

Hanging Rock

"One-Eyed Jacks are wild." Doc spoke.

Judy chuckled and nodded her head. "He's a strange one, that's for sure."

Nick shrugged. "He's harmless." The fox paused as he looked back as he thought for a moment. "Usually."

As the bunny and the fox urged their horses into a trot, Judy spoke over the noise of the hoof beats, "So… how'd you know Jack?"

Doc chuckled. "That's a long story. The short answer is," he nodded his head knowingly. "I knew him before he… well… before he is what he is."

"Insane?"

"That's the nice way of saying it. Anyways, I was in Pork Pass, a small town at the base of Stonehills. You know the place?"

Judy nodded, prompting the fox to continue. "I paid his debt…" after Judy looked at him inquisitively, Nick nodded. "Like I said, it's a long story. But after his debt was cleared, he always did favors for me. Then he started to go off the edge and that's when I stopped seein' him." The fox shrugged. "I thought he was dead, until I passed through Antelope City. Saw his face on a bounty poster."

"How'd he get involved with Callahan?"

"Good old Bucky used to use him as a scout. Then Jack broke a deal with the wolf and 'scaped. He's been living in the wind ever since."

Judy nodded, then a thought struck her. She stopped her horse and looked at the vulpine. Doc trotted several feet away and once he realized that she wasn't next to him, he turned Midnight around, a quizzical look on his face.

"How'd you know about this?"

"Jack told me. That's also how I found out his penchant for scotch." Nick chuckled and as soon as he did, he went silent. Using his hat to block out the sun, the fox squinted and urged Midnight to take several steps forward. Once he arrived next to Judy, he nodded in the direction that he was looking at. "Is that a dust storm or is someone headin' this way?"

The bunny turned around and looked back. She nodded. "To small to be a storm. There's several animals." She looked back at Nick. "What do you think they're doing?"

Nick shrugged. The two animals watched as the group of riders got closer and closer. They came from the east and was heading in their direction. But at the last minute, the group veered off towards Hanging Rock and to Jack.

Doc looked at the bunny and was silent. Judy nodded, checked the position of the sun and found that it was becoming late afternoon. The farmer turned and looked back at her partner and after reading his expression, she shook her head immediately.

"No… We are not going back for him."

"We have to, Judy. He's helped us."

"I don't care. This is his mess."

"They're going to kill him."

"Good! Grave robbin's a serious crime!"

Nick rolled his eyes and shook his head. "You're tellin' me that you'd leave an innocent rabbit at the hands of bounty hunters?"

Judy chortled. "He may be a rabbit, but he's not innocent!"

Nick was silent. Finally he nodded his head. "Alright, Judy. It's your call. You wanna start headin' back to Bull Run?"

The bunny sighed and looked back behind her towards Hanging Rock. After taking several seconds to think, she groaned loudly, wheeled her horse and urged Breeze to the landmark. Nick smiled to himself, and unconsciously took off his cowboy hat. The setting sun behind him seemed to cause the bunny to glow. After hitting his hat against his leg, and putting it back on his head, Nick patted Midnight and urged him to follow his partner.

Several hundred feet away, Judy slowed down Breeze. Climbing off the saddle, she looked at the horse and whispered, "Quiet."

Breeze nodded slowly, and stood still as the bunny grabbed her rifle from the saddle. After making sure her revolver was still in her holster, she turned around and saw Nick climbing down. Instead of meeting her, the fox grabbed a lasso from his saddle. "We're gunna need this." He whispered. "It's for his safety."

Judy nodded and watched Nick place the rope around his neck. She turned around and made her way towards the cluster of boulders, aware that Nick was right behind her. She stopped at the base of the rocks and looked at the fox. "You ready?"

After checking his revolvers and looking inside his pouch that was on his left hip, Nick was satisfied. Finally, the vulpine gave his answer with a nod. Judy turned again and started to climb up the boulders and made her way to what she assumed was the center of the slanting rocks.

The center was nothing more than a dirt pile. After she arrived, Judy looked back and saw that Nick was right on her heels. The bunny moved again, and as she walked and climbed over the rocks, the familiar sound of digging became louder.

She laid down flat on her stomach on the boulder and watched the scene. A shuffling noise was heard, and Nick copied her action, a half-smile still evident on his face. "Do you have a plan?" He whispered.

Judy shook her head. "I was going to wait for them to arrive, then watch it play out."

"A good plan as any, I guess."

The familiar digging noise was still heard. In front of the grave, a bottle of scotch still remained. The group of riders from the east became bigger, and bigger. After a couple of seconds, they finally stopped their horses, and climbed down.

Judy squinted, trying to see what kind of animals they were. Finally, she leaned to Nick and whispered, "Wolves. I see five of them."

Doc nodded in agreement as he watched the group. The leader, a grey wolf, took a step forward, his hand on a revolver holstered in his gun belt. He called out, his deep voice cutting across the digging sound. "Hey, you down there!"

One-Eyed Jack popped his head out of the grave, one eye blinking. "Who are you? Don't come any closer! I'm armed!"
The wolf chuckled. "We've come for you, Jack. A mutual friend of ours want to talk to you, then we're going to haul you to jail for the bounty prize."

"What friends? I've got no friends!"

A false expression of hurt flashed across Nick's face as he scoffed softly. "No friends huh?"

Judy elbowed the fox in the side sharply, causing him to close his mouth. She turned her attention back to the gravesite. Jack had disappeared into the grave and the wolf sighed. "Alright boys. Take him in."

The rest of the wolves climbed down from their horses and strode forward, their revolvers out. Determining that it was the time, Judy stepped up, using the setting sun to her advantage. "Oh I don't think so, boys!"

The wolves stopped and was momentarily blinded by the sun. Shielding their eyes, the grey wolf spoke, "Who's that?"

Judy spoke, "I'm up here!" the wolf followed the sound of her voice and looked up. He saw a small figure standing on top of a rock, and watched a second figure stand up next to them. "Whaddyer want?" he demanded.

"We're here for the bounty. One-Eyed Jack's ours."

At the sound of his name, Jack looked behind him. "Marm!" He screeched with joy. "I'd knew you come back for old Jack!"

As Judy spoke to the group of wolves, Nick examined the scene before him. A sick feeling crept into his stomach. He leaned sideways and whispered, "Weren't there five of them?"

The bunny stopped her sentence and looked over the group. One... Two… Three… Four… She nodded. "I counted five."

"Then where…"

A sound of the hammer being pulled back on a gun interrupted the fox. He felt the smooth barrel of the revolver against the back of his head. A snarling voice spoke, "You take one false move. I'll blow your head out."

Nick smiled. "I'd rather you'd not do that, friend. I'm quite fond of my head."

"Then get movin… fox." He spat out the last word. Judy sighed and nodded. She turned to her left and walked down smooth stone. The three animals made out of the cluster of rocks and made their way to the grave site. At the sight of them approaching, Jack disappeared into the grave again. The wolf prodded the fox forward until they were at the foot of the giant hole.

"On your knees, fox." When Nick did not move, the wolf turned his gun around and slammed the butt of his revolver into his back. Doc grunted and started to cough, eventually falling down to his knees, raising his paws up in the air. Judy remained standing as when Nick was on his knees, the vulpine fell to the same height as the bunny.

The grey wolf looked at the two animals, with his revolver out. At the sight of their leader, the rest of the lupines did the same. When it finally registered to him that they were a fox and a bunny, he started to chuckle. The chuckle became laughter and the wolf laughed so hard, tears started to roll down his face. After gaining control of his exultation, he spoke, "A bunny… and a fox were going to snatch Jack?" He chuckled. "A bunny… and a fox… teamed up to be bounty hunters and wanted to take Jack?"

Minho shook his head and walked towards the two animals. After kneeling down, the wolf stroked the side of Judy's face and growled playfully. He stuck his tongue out and licked her. As the wolf was doing so, Judy shot Nick a murderous look. The fox quickly shook his head.

Not yet. He mouthed. Using his eyes, he looked down next to him. Judy followed the fox's gaze and saw that it rested on the full scotch bottle. Nick then quickly shifted his gaze towards Jack, who was still in the hole. Judy looked inside the grave, and saw that he was digging. A small mound of dirt appeared next to him, and underneath the ground, something white appeared.

When Minho was done, he stood back up and smacked his lips thoughtfully. Finally he nodded his head, and spoke. "Keep her alive. I want her for myself. Kill the fox and push him into the grave, then take Jack."

"Wait!" Jack screeched. As Minho looked into the grave, the rabbit spoke, "Why does anyone want me? How much am I worth?"

"Thirty dollars." Nick responded. That caused a whoop of surprise to be emitted from the crazed bunny. "Thirty dollars?" Jack screeched. "Can I turn myself in? I wanna use the money to get more animals!" He stared pointedly at Judy. "Dead animals!"

Minho rolled his eyes and pointed his revolver at the rabbit. "Get out of there."

"No can do. I need your help. It's quite deep down here, ya know? Give old Jack a paw eh?"

Minho sighed and knelt down, obliging. He pocketed his revolver and grabbing the edge of the grave, the wolf held out a right paw towards the rabbit. Jack smiled and with his right paw, acted as if he would accept the wolf's help. His left paw curled around the white item, and at the last second, Judy realized that it was a leg bone.

Jack grabbed Minho's paw and spoke, "There's something you need to learn sonny!" His voice reached an octave higher as he screeched, "No one can take Jack alive!" He swung the bone at the wolf and Minho saw stars at the bone collided against his jaw. He went limp at the edge of the grave.

Using the surprise to his advantage, Nick dropped his left paw, grabbed the scotch bottle, and in one movement, stood up and spun around, swinging the bottle, as his right paw reached for his .38 caliber and pulled it out. The bottle smashed against the side of the wolf's head and Nick saw that his eyes crossed over. The wolf crumbled into a heap. Stopping his spin, Doc took quick aim at a wolf, and fired. The wolf howled with pain as the bullet entered his leg, shattering the bone and ripping the flesh. Blood spurted from his wound as the lupine fell backwards.

As soon as she heard the bottle break against the wolf's face, Judy pulled out her revolver and took aim. Her first bullet took a red furred wolf out of commission. She moved her revolver, but the black furred wolf was quick. He dove sideways, causing her first shot to miss. But Judy was even faster. She had cocked the hammer and made a quick adjustment. The second bullet smashed through his forehead, snuffing his life out.

All was silent. Doc scoffed and spun his revolver around his finger before holstering it. He looked at Judy and smiled. "You're quick."

The bunny shook her head with amazement. "Doc… what you did was art!"

The vulpine shrugged modestly. "Ah… It was nothin'."

"No, seriously! You're fast. How you spun around and hit him with your bottle while pulling your gun? I've never seen anything like that before."

"Don't sell yourself short, darlin'. You weren't bad yourself. I haven't seen anyone hit a movin' target at speeds like yours."

Judy chuckled. "Years of prac…"

She was interrupted when a screech erupted from the grave. "Just get a room already!" Jack's head popped out. He looked at Judy and cackled insanely, "But if you don't wanna shack up with him…" he paused and cackled again. "Wanna step into my grave?"

Judy shuddered again, and Nick chuckled. He pulled the rope from his neck and handed it to Judy. "Wanna do this?" he asked.

Judy nodded. "It'll be my pleasure."

Jack leaped out of the grave and nodded quickly. "Yes! Yes! Please have her tie me up. Tie me up good, Judy! It's been many moons since I've felt the touch of a…" Jack lipped his lips anxiously. "Woman."

At the sight of Judy's expression, he cackled again, his screeching laughter breaking the silence. Judy strode forward, balling her paw into a fist, and with a quick move slammed it against the rabbit's jaw. He spun comically around once and fell to the ground with a crash. The bunny flipped him over, grabbed his paws and holding them together tied it. She moved on to his legs, and bringing them up, tied the paws and the legs together.

Jack finally spoke, "A hog tie, eh? I understand now, Judy. Yore just playing hard to get!"

Judy punched Jack and this time, the rabbit went silent. She stood back up and whistled loudly. Hoof beats was heard in the distance. After a few minutes, both Breeze and Midnight appeared. When both horses arrived, Judy looked at Nick and nodded.

"You mind?"

Nick chuckled and shook his head. He reached down, picked up the crazed rabbit like a feather and placed it on the back of Midnight. Judy climbed up on her horse, and before the vulpine did, he examined the scene before him. Two wolves were unconscious and the third was in a lot of pain. He walked towards the wolf and a half-smile appeared on his face. Nick raised his foot and pressed it against the bullet wound. As the wolf howled with pain, Doc's voice became low and dangerous. "Don't try to follow us. Go back to whoever you came from and stay there. If I see you again, I'll kill you."

The wolf nodded fearfully. "Who… who are you?

Doc shook his head. "That's not important."

With that statement, he turned around and climbed up onto his horse. As soon as he did, Jack regained consciousness and screeched. "Wait! I'm forgetting something!"

Judy sighed. "What?"

"That leg bone! It's delicious!" With that statement, the rabbit cackled insanely. Nick reached behind him and smacked him with the back of his paw. Wheeling his horse around, he urged Midnight into a trot, then a canter. Within a few seconds, both the vulpine and the bunny were racing across the plains towards the grassy hills. The sunset disappeared behind the hills, and the moon reappeared in the east.

/

Outskirts of Hanging Rock

Nick already had a fire going. They arrived back to the same campsite where they spent the night before. After setting up a fire, Nick pulled Jack down from Midnight and untied him. The rabbit said nothing as he moved his limbs around, willing for the circulation to come back. Finally, he held his paws out and Nick obliged. He took the rope and tied it back together, before connecting it with his legs. Instead of lying on his stomach, Jack was on his back, on the grassy hillside.

Judy sat with her back on the same smooth stone slab, a pen in one paw and a piece of paper on her leg. She had taken the saddle off Breeze and was using the leather as a table. After spending a couple of minutes to think, her pen touched the paper as she wrote,

June 29th

Dear Henny and Boys,

This past week has been a busy week and I regret to have not written sooner. Don't worry, I am okay and I think of you and the boys every single day. Well, you must be wondering what I have been up to. Like I said, it's been a busy week, if not crazy. After riding for three days, I arrived at a town called Bull Run. Bull Run is a quaint little town, with my friend Bogo as the Sherriff. You may remember the giant buffalo at the farm several days ago. That was Bogo.

Anyways, I ran into the same stoat that set fire to our farm, and guess what? He brought two of his friends! It was at Bull Run that I sent them all to the Great Beyond. May they find everlasting peace, or be judged harshly.

After dealing with the vagrants, I went into a saloon. I asked the barkeep if he heard of any word regarding Callahan. The barkeep gave me bad news, and then I heard a commotion. A fox, playing poker had been accosted by a raccoon and was being held at gunpoint.

I decided to step in and to help, but when I did, this raccoon, Raymond he was called, decided to insult me. Then the fox grabbed the raccoon and defended my honor. Yes Henny! A fox!

He approached me when the whole ordeal was over and he was different… for a fox. He's kind, and was very gentlemanly. He was very polite and we got to talking. It turned out that he had a lead. It was there and then that he offered his services, and because of how he handled himself, I accepted.

His name is Nicholas Wilde, but he insists on his friends calling him Doc. His lead was in the form of One-Eyed Jack, a jackrabbit with several screws loose in his head. He has taken a shine to me, and has followed me around like Breeze in search for an apple. We ran into some bounty hunters, searching for Jack.

Don't worry boys. I am fine. Like I said, your mother can take care of herself. It was during this fight that I learned Doc's other quality. He's very dangerous and very skilled with that gun of his. I think he and I will make a very good team. The rabbit says that if we need to catch Callahan, we need to get some help. He pointed to an animal named Cody in Tulare. Hopefully, he'll help me.

Samuel, keep listening to your brother. If he says to do something, you do it. I am very proud of you.

Morgan, I know it's hard that I am not at the house, but you're still in charge. Make sure to work the crops and listen to Henny for advice.

I love you boys. Be happy in the knowledge that I am always thinking of you and am one step closer in going home.

Love always,

Mom.

Judy placed her pen on the ground next to her and took the time to read the paper. Satisfied with what it said, the bunny carefully placed the paper in front of her writing utensil and placed a small pebble on its corner. Once she was assured that the paper was in a good position to allow for the ink to dry, the bunny stood up and picked up her saddle. She carried it and dropped it next to Breeze. She turned around and started to walk back to her spot.

As she did, she passed the jackrabbit. At the sound of her pawsteps, his one good eye opened immediately. "Marm…I'm cold."

Judy looked at One-Eyed Jack and slowly nodded. "Alright. Hold out your paws and I'll drag you to the fire." She took a step forward, and as she did, Jack spoke, "But I'm not that kind of cold marm."

Judy looked at Jack, confused. Realization struck her and she groaned with disgust, causing the jackrabbit to cackle insanely. Finally, she knelt down and spoke, her voice low. "I'm going to sleep. If I find you remotely close to me in the morning, I will hurt you. Is that understood?"

Jack wasn't listening. He was too busy leaning forward, trying to catch a whiff of Judy's scent. Once he did, he screeched loudly, "That's the stuff!" He fell backwards cackling insanely. The bunny rolled her eyes with disgust and threw her paws with surrender. She stood up and walked to her spot.

Once she arrived back to her stone, she was aware that a pair of eyes were on her. Judy looked across the fire, and saw Nick, laying on the ground, watching her underneath his cowboy hat. "You need somthin?" she asked.

Nick shook his head. "I don't mean to intrude, but who were you writing to?"

"My boys."

The vulpine was silent for several seconds. "You've got kids?"

"Th…" Judy caught herself. "Two."

Nick sat up and looked at the bunny, catching her mistake. He slowly nodded. "You meant to say three, didn't you? I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thanks." She stopped and thought for a couple of seconds. Finally, she spoke. "I was pregnant with him and there were complications during delivery." She sighed and continued, "What about you? Do you have kids?"

Doc was silent, and Judy looked over at the vulpine. He took a deep breath and after giving a sigh, rolled over to his side. As he did, he spoke. "I used to have one."

"What was their name?"

Nick didn't answer. Instead, he pretended to be asleep. After Judy realized that he wasn't answering, she laid on the ground, closed her eyes and within a few minutes was fast asleep to the sound of the crackling fire.

Doc sighed again, and reached into a pocket of a vest and pulled out his pocket watch. Clicking it open, Nick didn't look at the time. Instead he looked at the small inscription that was written. When he was done, he shook his head, closed the lid and placed it back into his vest. Adjusting the cowboy hat until it was covering his face, the fox fell asleep to the warmth of the fire.

/

Outskirts of Bull Run

The sun was already setting when Judy Hopps, Nicholas "Doc" Wilde and One-Eyed Jack arrived at Bull Run. They got up in the morning and when breaking camp, hurried away from the rolling hills and across the dusty plains. They made good time, as the sun started to disappear beneath the horizon.

Judy stopped Breeze, causing Nick, on Midnight to stop behind her. He looked at the bunny and spoke, "Everythin' alright?"

The farmer turned her horse around and nodded. She pointed at the giant tree that was in their pathway. "My camp's there. I'm going to pack up and rent a room at the saloon. Can you see to Jack?"

After the fox nodded, Judy continued. "See you in the mornin'?"

Doc flashed her a half-smile. "I look forward to it." With that statement, he urged his horse forward, and the animal galloped towards the town.

Judy urged her horse forward. Within a couple of minutes she was at her camp. The bunny climbed off her saddle and once she did, she reached into the pouch and pulled out a fruit. Breeze immediately turned around and grabbed the apple off her paw and munched happily. After she was done, she shook her mane and neighed, thanks.

"No, thank you." Judy spoke out loud as she crawled inside her tent. Satisfied with the fact that she didn't forget anything, she opened the tent flaps and looked at the horse. "You've done a lot the past few days."

Not as much as you and that fox.

She grunted with agreement. "Doc's an interesting animal."

And Midnight's handsome.

Judy stared at the horse and Breeze shook her mane as if to say, what?

The bunny chuckled, turned around and focused on taking her tent down. As she did, she spoke, "Doc's good…. With a gun. He's fast, dangerous and…" the picture of the emerald eyes, half-smiling vulpine appeared in her mind with his vest and dress pants. "Handsome."

If I had to guess, I'd think you're in love with him. Breeze nickered.

Judy spun around with a start. "What?"

The horse looked at the bunny, confusion on her face. What? I was talking to myself. I think I love Midnight.

"How could you be in love with Midnight?" Judy exclaimed. "You've only known him for two days!"

And you've only known Doc for two days

Judy looked at the horse, and Breeze widened her eyes as to portray her innocence. The bunny groaned, turned around and focused on her task. Breeze neighed joyfully at the sight of her owner's embarrassment. Finally, the bunny spoke up, "We'll never get together. A fox and a bunny? It won't be in the cards."

Woah, woah, woah. Breeze looked at her pointedly. Who said anything about marriage?

"Don't put words in my mouth."

You've only knew him for two days! Be sure to date him first.

Judy shook her head. "You're right, Breeze…. Wait… why am I talking to a horse about my dating life?"

Because we know love?

Judy chuckled to herself and finally took the last stake out from the ground. The bunny then put the stakes on the cloth that served as her tent. After rolling the cloth around the stakes, Judy tied a rope around it, and walked back to her horse. She secured the bundle on the back of her saddle and climbed on. As she urged her horse forward, a thought struck her. She leaned down and spoke, "Not a word about our conversation to Midnight."

I swear.

Satisfied with that response, Judy urged her horse forward. Breezed neighed with excitement and picked up her speed. Wind whipped against her face as they raced across the dark plains and towards town.

/

Bull Run

Nicholas "Doc" Wilde navigated Midnight into the boundaries of the town. As he made his way through, he dodged the animals who were milling around. A lot placed their paws on their guns as they watched the fox suspiciously, carrying a rabbit on the back of his horse. But they became relaxed as they realized that he was heading to the Sherriff's station.

Nick navigated his horse to the hitching post in front of the giant brown building. Unlike the first night when he rode into town, there was no one occupying the rocking chair. After climbing down, he patted the horse and grabbed the rope. He tied it to the post, and walked back to the saddle. With a heave, Doc pulled One-Eyed Jack and accidentally dropped the crazed rabbit.

Jack gave a squeak of pain as his body hit the ground. He glared at Nick and the vulpine shrugged. "Sorry."

The vulpine leaned down and with a small grunt, picked up the rabbit and threw him over his shoulder. Doc turned around and walked up the several steps, until he was at the front door. He shifted, and using his left paw, twisted the handle. Once he knew that it was twisted to the maximum, Doc used his left shoulder to push the door inward.

That was his mistake. As the door swung open, Nick stumbled forward. As he did, Jack's head hit the side of the door, causing the rabbit to screech with pain. The vulpine gained control of his footing and muttered, "Sorry again."

"Are you tryin' to kill me or something?" Jack screeched.

Nick chuckled at the rabbit, but his laughter stopped as he saw the stern glare of the Sherriff. The vulpine cleared his throat and spoke, "I'm here to collect the bounty."

Bogo stood up and glared at the vulpine. Nick stood up straighter and stared back. Finally, the Sherriff grunted. "Throw him in an empty cell."

Doc looked at the three cells before him. Giving a half-smile, he spoke, "Which one?"

"Are you trying to vex me, fox?" Bogo roared, catching the sass that crept into Nick's voice. "Put him in there, dammit!"

Nick strode forward and stepped through the cell. After he threw Jack on a mattress, he stood up straighter and stretched. Finally, the fox stepped back out, taking his cowboy hat off. "Jack's here and alive. Where's the money?"

"What money?" Bogo answered.

Doc nodded towards the bounty poster that was on the wall behind him. "Thirty dollars, alive." He read. "It says here that you will pay thirty dollars." The vulpine gestured towards the rabbit and nodded. "He's alive, so give me what is mine."

Bogo slowly stood up, his eyes full of hatred and rage. "You'll get what is coming to you someday… fox." The buffalo sat back down. "And as for the money, consider the rabbit as a favor for me for hitting my deputy."
Nick scoffed and bit his lips. Finally, he nodded. "Alright… We're fair now." He placed his paws on his revolvers, turned around and started to head out of the building. The vulpine stopped walking as Bogo called out behind him. "And fox?"

Doc turned around and looked at the Sherriff, silent. "I don't know what you're doing with Judy." The buffalo rumbled angrily. "But if you or anybody… and I mean anybody hurt her, you'll deal with me."

Nick slowly nodded and he answered, "I'm with her to catch Callahan and that's what I'll do. As for hurting her… you don't have to worry about that."

"Why?"

Doc's emerald eyes twinkled. Bogo's anger slowly seeped away as the silence passed between them. Finally the vulpine spoke up, his voice low, dangerous and full of truth "Because I won't let that happen. If Judy gets hurt on my watch… I'll be their huckleberry."

When he finished, he looked at the Sherriff, then the fat cheetah to the right of him, and finally at the antelope. "Bogo, Clawhauser… and whoever you are. I bid you goodnight." He turned around and pulled the door closed.

As soon as the door closed, Clawhauser chuckled. The fat cheetah held his paws open as the antelope placed some dollars onto his palm. After pocketing his new money, he spoke, "He's a dangerous one…I wouldn't want to cross him!"

"He's a fox, and no more than a bounty hunter!" Bogo responded in kind.

Clawhauser stood up and pushed the door open. As he watch Nick lead his horse towards the saloon, the fat cheetah shook his head. "Not this one…He carries death with him."

When Nick arrived at the saloon, he was pleased to see Breeze at the hitching post. After tying the rope to the post, he looked at Midnight, then back at Breeze. He patted Midnight's side and spoke, "Behave."

Midnight looked behind him and nickered. You're the one to talk.

Nick chuckled and walked up the steps to the saloon. He opened the door and was hit with the familiar scene. Animals milled around the busy room as music wafted through the air. A group of players were at the poker table to the left of him and in the corner, a group of vixens stood. But as soon as he took a step forward, the pig playing the piano stopped. As the music died down, the chatting did the same, as every animal stared at the fox. Suddenly, they broke into cheering and applause and the music resumed.

Nick looked around incredulously. As he made his way through the throngs of animals, he shook paws and felt as they patted his back. He finally arrived to the bar and saw Judy sitting alone, clapping her paws. "What's going on?" he asked.

Judy shrugged and the barkeep spoke up, "It's for how you handled Raymond. Word got around town and he's not been back for several days!"

Doc chuckled and looked at Judy. She shrugged again, and the fox sat on the stool next to her. "Were you able to get a room?"

Judy shook her head. "They're all full." She spoke. "I think I'm just gonna go back out and pitch my tent again." She groaned and rubbed her face with tiredness. "It's been a long day."

Nick chuckled. "A long couple of days." He stood up and turned around, leaning until his back was touching the counter. "Why don't you stay with me? You can have the bed and I'll sleep on the floor. It's already paid for."

"Is that okay? I don't want to intrude."

Doc shrugged nonchalantly. "It's fine. We've been through so much together the past couple of days already, and you deserve a proper bed." He gestured towards the stairs. "It's upstairs. Room 210. Here's the key."

After handing the key to the bunny, Judy smiled. "Thanks. I think I'll turn in."

"Good night."

"Night."

The fox watched his partner leave the saloon and walk up the stairs. Within a couple of seconds, she disappeared out of sight on the second floor. He smiled and sat back in his stool. The barkeep, who overheard the conversation, walked up to him, and handed him a bottle of whiskey with a shot glass. Finally he nodded. "So… you're going to score with the bunny tonight?"

Nick shook his head. "I wouldn't dream of it."

"Really? I'd thought…"

"Leave it." Nick's voice lowered, warning the barkeep to drop the subject. The dog nodded again and moved away, serving his other customer. Nick picked up the bottle and poured its content into the glass. He sighed and drank it, stopping to cough for a second. An image of the bunny appeared in his mind, and the fox smiled as he replayed the events of the last several days. Speaking to no one in particular, and nodding stupidly, Doc spoke,

"She's a bunny after my own heart."