Chapter 6: Shock

Nick and the doctor sat in the isolation room next to Judy for over 2 hours. Nick with his hand placed on the bed beside Judy from whom blood was being drawn sat in a chair holding a magazine with his other paw he read it turning a few pages every few minutes. From time to time he glanced at Judy, he knew he wouldn't wake up and be able to see her beautiful crocus pair of eyes but it was nice to see her face at least. He would so love to see on them that sunny and energetic smile that greeted him when he met Judy at the police station. All this was looked over by the doctor who occasionally watched Nick, lowering the medical book (which he was reading) to his nose so he could see the fox. After several minutes the Doctor put the book back on the shelf and with his fingers crossed watched the fox.

"If I may know" began the Doctor drawing the fox's attention to himself.

"Who is Hopps to you?" Asked the Doctor curiously. Nick felt surprised by the question, but felt nothing not to tell him.

"He's a friend of mine," replied the fox staring into her face. A modest, devious laugh appeared on his face.

"Just a friend?" Asked the doctor inquisitively.

"Yes, he's my best friend...why do you ask?" Asked Nick a little puzzled even more than before.

"Heh...well, forgive me...I like to look into the nature of others. You're awfully worried and concerned about her" replied the doctor laughing.

"That's all right. I treat her very closely, she has helped me out a lot" The fox replied sighing. He poked his gaze into the apparatus. Her heart rate was weak but steady.

"Come out on top?" The doctor asked curiously.

"Yes, you know... you see who I am"

"A fox..."

"Ah that's right, a fox. Before I met Judy I was running a scam and that's what I did for a living. It wasn't something I wanted to do, but because of my race, I couldn't find work anywhere. It's thanks to her that I have a normal job, a normal friend... a normal life " replied the fox.

"It must be a great feeling to have someone so wonderful by your side"

"Yes, exactly like that..." He nodded with a motion of his head to Nick. The doctor didn't ask anything more. Seeing Nick's tired face, he saw that it would be better if they sat in the room in silence for 5 more minutes. After that time, Nick could finish the transfusion and go home.

"Alright Mr Nick, transfusion complete" the doctor communicated. He closed off the blood supply to Judy, then sat down next to Nick so he could remove the needle. Like last time, the fox let out a short moan of pain, but it didn't last long. They both left the rooms a moment later and were finally able to remove their suits.

"It's okay, just remember. You may experience slight dizziness and the like for the next few days. Also, please drink plenty of water so that your condition doesn't get worse. That is all for today, if we know anything more, we will let you know " said the doctor. They went together from the same lift except that the doctor got off on the 4th floor and Nick on the ground floor. He said goodbye to the receptionist and then went to his car. The sun had already gone practically over the horizon. Single red layers of the sun could be seen sending out its last rays, the sky began to be dark black. It became quite chilly, the fox feeling the change of temperature trembled even as he got into the car, but inside all the time he felt relieved that he could help for Judy. It was very important to him. The only downside was that his head hurt from the procedure, but he didn't care. He was coming back slower than usual, but it was better for him. He had trouble concentrating.

When he got home he felt tired, but also excited about what had happened. He still felt a burning sensation at the stinging point, but the headache sensation faded more and more until it finally went completely silent. However, the fox still remembered to drink water. Before going up to the bedroom, he drank a few cups of tap water to stimulate his body. The water tasted suspiciously strange. It tasted really good, had a mineral-rich aftertaste and Nick felt he could drink even more of it if he had the urge.

He headed for the bedroom, where he stripped out of his clothes, which he hung elegantly on the wardrobe. He had a few days off ahead of him, so he wouldn't have anything to do with himself. On the one hand he felt up to it, he could take the job, although on the other the risk, he feared, that he might suddenly catch a cold thinking about Judy made it a better choice to withdraw from patrolling, at least for this week. Having a good mood, filled with hope for an even better tomorrow he went to bed and a few moments later he plunged into sleep.

The next day

The next day started very late for Nick. It was his best sleep for the next few nights. He couldn't remember when he had slept so well, when he opened his eyes he felt up to it, he was full of energy. The dizziness still bothered him a little, but he didn't worry about it. Judging by the strong rays of sunshine being sent through the window, it must have been sunny weather. The fox lay on the bed idly for a while, then after 5 minutes he decided to get out of bed to start his day. He was surprised when he saw the time on his watch was 11.00 a.m.

"That's probably why I feel sleepy" thought Nick. It was a late time to get up for him. For as long as he could remember he had always never got up later than 9 a.m., even when he wasn't a policeman he had to get up earlier to run some errands around town. When he got up, he dressed in the same clothes as yesterday and went to the kitchen to eat breakfast. He turned on the radio and prepared his breakfast, toast. Toast was practically Nick's daily breakfast, it was quick to prepare (which really counted when he had little time to prepare for duty), and really tasty. There was a commercial on the radio so Nick had nothing to listen to, but he didn't mind. He looked out the window at the people walking on the pavement in front of his house. He lived in a suburb of Zootopia, so he could see the metropolis from his window. His house wasn't the biggest, but that didn't bother him, the main thing was that it was cosy and enough for one person.

Soon the toast was ready, he took it and sat down at the table while listening to the radio, the morning news was presented.

"Let us now turn to the shooting at the Central South Bank in Zootopia. The perpetrators have still not been apprehended, police are doing everything they can to apprehend them. One of the top officers, Judy Hopps, was injured in the shooting. Her condition remains unknown..."

"Bloody media, even when they know nothing they have to speak out..." thought Nick when he heard the radio report. When he heard this news, thoughts entered his head again what if the liver turned out to be for transplant? That would be very bad news, after all who could give a liver for her? Instinctively he reached for his phone, there was no new message. He was a little disappointed, but he expected the doctor to call sooner or later. He had promised him that.

Midday

At noon, when Nick was terribly bored lying on the deckchair most of the time listening to music he decided that it wouldn't be a bad idea to go shopping, his fridge was practically empty. The shop was several minutes walk from his house, so Nick chose to walk for his physical and mental health. He needed a lot of peace and rest now. Although he felt relaxed now, there were gloomy thoughts in the back of his mind. On his way, he greeted his neighbours who were also spending this sunny day in the backyard. It was too beautiful weather to sit at home. When he reached the shop he searched for the most necessary products to begin with: bread, flour, eggs and the like. He was in no hurry to go anywhere, until the doctor called him.

"Bad time Doc" thought Nick picking up the phone.

"Good morning doctor."

"Hello, Mr Wilde. Can we have a meeting? It's quite urgent" The doctor replied seriously.

"Is something wrong?"

"Come in, we need to talk"

"Ugh...yeah, sure, I'll be there in half an hour" replied Nick. He immediately stopped shopping and went to the checkout with a few products. Nick was disappointed by the doctor's voice, he didn't speak as if something joyful had happened.

Fox didn't try to worry about it too much, but already his mood was not so enthusiastic. He laid out the goods on the till, then paid for the cashier, wishing her a good day. As he returned with the bag of groceries he wondered why the doctor had spoken in such a tone and not another.

"Maybe a worse day...maybe it doesn't have to be about Judy..." Thought Nick on his way home. He was hoping to hear good news when he got to the hospital. When he entered the house he put the groceries in the fridge and then grabbed his papers. After checking everything he closed the door and got into the car.

Half an hour later

When he arrived outside the hospital Nick's heart sped up. Although he had hoped to hear good news, he felt that this meeting would not end well. He had a feeling something bad was going to happen.

"It'll be okay Nick, it'll be okay..." Nick thought. He got out of the car and walked into the hospital. There were a dozen people waiting in line again to see a doctor, probably for some injections.

"Good morning Mr. Wilde" came from the side of the lift the voice of the doctor taking care of Judy.

"Hello doctor " replied Nick, once he was beside him. They both got into the lift and headed to the 5th floor.

"What about Judy?" Nick asked reflexively, but received no answer. The doctor sighed heavily, looked at the fox for a moment, then turned his gaze to the lift door again. This worried Nick, who would have been irritated already. However, he tried to keep his emotions in check. When the lift opened, they went in front of the isolation room where Judy lay.

"Mr. Wilde, last night the patient underwent a procedure, we checked to see what condition the liver was in."

"Well?"

"Ekh...let me get this straight...Hopps liver needs to be transplanted" sighed the doctor which shocked Nick.

It's a bit late, but I would like to wish you all a Happy Halloween ;)