Chapter 6: Kick in The Teeth

Nick's POV

"So where do your parents live again?" She says as we're walking down the street of the small town.

"Here in the rainforest district actually, they used to live in central zootopia, but they didn't like the traffic. My brother lived with them until he moved out of the house to go to school." I say as we pass a loud TV inside of a shop.

"Another shooting happened last night, sparking another riot, " The tv host says.

The other host continues…

"That's right, more riots are breaking out again after ANOTHER mass killing happened last night. Police say that it was a young lion who is responsible for it. The zootopia counsel is now considering TAME collars more than ever to contain the violence which seems to only be coming from predators."

"Wait riots? What are they talking about?" I ask while watching the news.

"Well shortly after what happened to you, more and more of the same thing have been happening around the city. The only thing different is that you're the only one that's ever been found alive. All of the others are usually dead when the police get there. There's also been enough of these lately that the city council wants to make a vote to go from the cards I was telling you about, to TAME collars. They will most likely be only for the predators but rumors say they might do it for everybody, prey and predator. And then you have these riots starting because they think the police aren't doing enough to protect people… its just a mess," She says, eyes fixed to the tv.

"Wow, I have missed a lot, Who knew so much could happen in only a year," I say, watching the footage of the riots.

"Yea I honestly believe the collars are going to be made standard at a certain age if they do it. Most prey think the collars would be a good thing, but obviously the predators don't really like the idea of being tracked 24/7." She's says still watching the tv. "But the prey out number the predator 10/1. So if a vote ever does come up….." she says looking from the tv to me." Many people blame you for starting it actually, because it never really happened before you."

"Of coarse they would, another thing to add to the many reasons why everyone now hates me"

"Yea, pretty much."

"So do you think these are directly connected to what happened to me?"

"Without a doubt, every scene is almost exactly like yours was when we found you."

"OK so if I'm the only one that knows what happens, wouldn't whoever it is that's causing this probably be after me then?" I say getting concerned.

"It is possible that they are trying to get you just as much as the police. Oh and another thing that's happened since you were gone, last week we got a new chief. Bogo finally resigned after 20 or something years. I'm not sure if the new chief even knows you at all. I don't even know who it is yet. But since he won't know you, he's only going to want you back in prison. He doesn't even know anything about you being in the force…. But for now let's just focus on getting to your parents house, we can talk more about this when we get there, "she says getting tired of the topic.

"Yea we should get going, I feel exposed out here in the open," I reply as I begin to walk away

Just then the tv starts to say more that catches my attention again.

"Breaking news! Only this morning the infamous Nick Wilde escaped from the zootopia state penitentiary. Along with him is Judy Hopps, believed to be kidnapped by him. If you have any information of their whereabouts, please contact the authorities. He is believed to be armed and dangerous. If seen call immediately, do not encounter." The tv says loudly.

"Well that's great, the whole world knows now," I say as I begin to walk away again.

If they are asking the public to help search then that means they mostly likely don't know we are here. God, I hope it stays that way.

"We're almost there, it has to be just through these trees, " I say cutting through some bushes.

"Did we really have to take the shortcut? This seems to be going into the middle of nowhere." She complains from behind me, trying to untangle herself from the mess of vines wrapping around her.

"Well if we went the other ways we might have gotten caught, they're definitely not going to search this way. And this is probably saving us hours." I say trying to justify my decision.

The excitement of seeing my parents is starting to get to me, as I get quicker at cutting through the vines and leaves. I haven't seen my parents in years, and our relationship hasn't been the best.

The last time I saw them I was leaving. I was broken and helpless. I had decided that the world was against me, and I didn't know what to do about it. My parents knew that I was more than what I thought I was, but of coarse me being the person I am, I didn't believe them. Too many times had I been let down by the people around me. So I left them and went to build a new life in zootopia, where I later found Finnick. It wasn't until Judy found me that I saw the light in myself again, and saw what my parents had tried to tell me all my life.

I hope they can forgive me for leaving.

As I start to get closer I notice that there is a faint smell of smoke in the air and lots of commotion coming from where the house should be.

I start to wonder what's going on, then I push through the last leaves to see something that should have only been in my nightmares.

My parents house is on fire. Flames are busting through the windows and through the roof. There are grey trucks in front and people everywhere , then I see my parents.

At first I was relieved to see them alive but then I take a closer look at what was happening.

They are on their knees with their hands tied behind their backs. Blood running down their faces into their already blood soaked clothes. Their clothes are ripped and torn, and a wolf standing in front of them.

I stand in shock at what I amwitnessing.

What the hell, I think just as Judy yanks me back into the bushes.

"Nick! I think they came here looking for you. You can't just go running out there, they might kill you if you do."

"They have my parents! What the hell am I supposed to do! Just watch them die!?" I said being as quite as I could while still yelling. Not like it mattered anyway, the fire from the house was drowning out any other noises.

I start to panic, what if they kill them! What if I never see them again! I couldn't live with myself if I never saw them again!

"let's listen and see what they are doing. But one things for sure we can't just run out there!" She says snapping me back into reality.

"Judy, I don't think I can just watch my parents be tortured!"

"Nick, there's not much you can do right now! They have weapons that I haven't even seen before! let's find out what they want, if they make a wrong move then maybe we can try to do something."

As much as I hated it, Judy was right. There was nothing that we could do about this. The tiny pistol in my back pocket wasn't gonna cut it.

I give in and stick my head though the bushes to listen. It took some effort because of the fire, but I could still make out some of the words said.

The wolf was still standing in front of my parents, this time I noticed he had a pistol of his own in his hand, waving it around while he yelled.

"For the last time, Where the fuck is Nick!" The wolf in front of my parents screams at them.

"We told you already, we haven't seen him in years, last I heard he was in prison!" My dad yells back.

The wolf looks down at my dad, then kneels down in front of him so his face is in my dads.

"Well, as of this morning, he's not in prison anymore old man. Do you think this is a game? That you can just not say where he is and be just fine? Well let me tell you something, I don't NEED you to find Nick. If fact I should really should just kill you now, is that what you want?" He says lifting his pistol between there faces. " So tell me where he is and maybe we can leave without anyone getting shot. But if you don't start giving us some answers, then someone is going to end up getting hurt!" He spits in my dads face.

The mammal looks between them, waiting for them to say something and when they don't, he stands up and looks back at his guards.

"Get these fuckers in the truck, we'll make them talk, one way or another. Let's head to the other ones house." The guards grab my parents and make them stand.

"You know what, " He looks back at my dad and without warning fires his pistol at him.

*BANG*

My dad screams as he falls to the ground, the bullet hitting his leg.

"That's just a taste of what's to come." the wolf yells at him.

I pull the pistol out of my pocket and aim at the wolf. Just as I'm about to pull the trigger, a hand reaches out and rips the gun from me.

I look at Judy who is now holding the gun.

"We can't fight them! We would get them killed if we tried."

"Judy, he just shot my dad! Give the damn gun, I'm gonna end this mother fucker!" I look back at where my parents are.

The guards pick my dad back up and drag him towards the truck with my mother walking slowly behind him.

They throw them into the back and slam the door behind them. Then the truck that the wolf got into starts to drive away with the others following shortly after.

"What did he mean by other ones house? Oh God please no." Judy says behind me. " If he did this to your parents then he's gonna do the same to mine!"

Wait, they don't know about her though so who would they….shit

"No Judy, they're not going for your parents, they're going for my brother! Do you still have your phone on you?" I say realizing I don't have mine.

"Uh yea just try to be quick, the battery is almost dead." She says, taking it out and handing it to me.

I quickly type in my brothers phone number, and shortly after hear the ring. He answers it and I quickly say what I need to say.

"Jackson, you have to listen to me!"

"Hello? Who is this?"

"Jackson, it's me, Nick! I need you to listen to me."

"Dick? Who's Dick? Oh wait, I think I remember. He's the guy who left his family because he thought he was better than everybody."

"Hey I'm sorry, I was wrong never should have left. But I don't have time for this! Just please listen!"

"Fine, but there is something I want to know. Where the hell are you!? And how did you get out of prison, it's all over the news!"

I put my hand on my face, why now.

"That doesn't matter at the moment. Listen, you have to get away from your house. There are people coming for you because they think you know where I am. These people don't mess around, they burned the house and took mom and Dad!"

"They burned the house? What the hell are you taking about?

"I can't explain right now, but you need to hurry. They are getting closer to you as we speak, just please go somewhere that you'll be safe."

"Ok but how long do I stay hidden? I mean I can't stay in hiding forever."

" I'll call you again when it's clear. For now, take food and whatever else you need and leave, you don't have long."

"Ok I'll keep my phone close by."

"Alright now I have to go, I'll talk to you later."

"Ok later."

I hang up and look at Judy.

"Nick that wasn't quick, that took 10 minutes." She says smiling at me.

"You really do care about your stuff too much don't you?"

"Well I'd like to be able to use it still. Oh and by the way, I'm keeping MY pistol."

"Fair enough, I did take it from you in the first place."I look back at my old home that was now destroyed. The fires have died down and are now replaced by ash.

I climb through the bushes and start to walk toward it, worried at what I'm gonna find.

I walk past the front gate, which is bent and misshapen. Most likely from the trucks ramming through it to get in.

I slowly walk up the front porch, which is barely still holding itself up. Once through the front door, I see my old life burned to the ground.

All of the pictures on the wall were destroyed. The couch, chairs, tables, everything, was burned and turned to charcoal. The walls were black and had holes burned all the way through in some places.

I tried not to cry but when I saw all of the things that I loved in my life gone, I couldn't hold back.

That piece of shit wolf did this to my family! Why the fuck do people want to make my life a living hell!?

As I'm looking around, I notice a white piece of paper laying on the floor in the center of the living room floor.

I pick it up and wipe the tears away from my eyes and try to read it.

Nick Wilde, we have your parents. If you ever want to see them again, I suggest you give yourself in. You have 72 hours to do so before seeing your parents again is no longer an option. You know where to find us, I expect to see you soon.

-ZPD