Serendipity's Shadow

Rated T

Chapter 18

A few days passed since that intriguing conversation. Tia dared not ask Judy for more information. Forcing the two into a comfortable rhythm around the home. Judy was always the first to wake up from a restless night. Then she would kill time for at least an hour boxing. Afterward, she would make breakfast for herself. When finished she'd continue to review both the new and old information involving Ermine's men. Of course, she didn't forget her objective was to keep Tia alive and well. So, she would take hourly breaks or at least close to hourly to check up on Tia. Around dinner time they would eat together. And thankfully it was about boring mundane topics. Then she'd go back to bed at the end of the day to fall asleep. Or at least try to.

Tia would wake up by the time Judy was done eating. She would shower first to wake herself up. Then she heads downstairs just in time to see Judy entering her bedroom. Tia officially figured out that Judy was reviewing some important information. Even though at first Tia thought Judy attempted to ignore Tia and the awkwardness from their previous conversation. Tia was very pleased that Judy in fact wasn't ignoring Tia. If anything, it seemed like every hour or so Judy would pop up out of nowhere to check up on Tia. After Tia would eat her breakfast, she would roam about the house. They were mostly blank, some were only partially painted, others had furniture still in packages. Sometimes it felt like an abandoned haunted home that was once filled with love and happiness. But then Tia would find something small, insignificant even, that made her feel warm and wholesome inside. Tia was careful not to mention these items to Judy in fear of pushing her too far. Even though she really, really, really wanted to know. Then, Judy would tell her it was dinner time. Tia especially made sure to keep her mouth shut about a certain Shadow. And after dinner, they'd retire to their respected bedrooms to sleep.

This was their rhythm that only they danced to as the few days passed. In four days, Ermine's trial would begin, and Tia would have to be escorted back into Zootopia. Judy waited anxiously for time to pass. While Tia prayed that Quick Shot wouldn't find her before then…or afterward, either. They waited, and waited, and waited until Judy got a message by 6 P.M. about Ermine's men.

Flush them out.

Judy jumped out of her bed in a panic running into Tia's room. Tia jumped in shock as Judy burst into her room.

"Judy? What's wrong?" Tia asked as Judy grabbed her arm pulling her downstairs.

"No time to explain! We might only have a few minutes!"

How, how did they find us? Judy's panicked thoughts ran through her head at rapid speed. This place isn't even located on the map. It can keep people out by simple means. But if they have big firepower or enough people to rush us out. It would be both mine and Tia's death sentence.

Judy pulled out her phone to send a quick message to the hacker.

S.O.S. TRACK LOCATION TELL NICK

Judy didn't bother to see if they received it. Because even if they did it would be up to Judy to make sure they stay alive till then.

"Tia, go to the back door. I'll meet you there. Don't go outside. Go!" Judy gave Tia a slight push before heading to the front door.

Back then, when Nick was showing Judy this place, he pointed out a neat little trick that the door could do. Judy took down the picture next to the door that hid the touchscreen. After setting the program Judy ran to the back door to meet with Tia.

"Judy!" Tia called. "What's going on?"

"Ermine might have found us. I'm not taking any chances. I rigged the front door. Now we need to get somewhere safe." Judy rushed out peeking outside the window to see if anyone was around. "Now, listen Tia. Out there is a hatch, that leads to a slide, that takes us back to the ground, and out of this tree. You need to follow me closely."

Tia swallowed her nerve before nodding to Judy.

"When I say go, we go."

Judy slowly opened the door looking for the lantern that marked the location of the hatch. Once she spotted it she checked the surroundings one more time.

"Go!"

The two mammals sped off. One following close behind the other as their life depended on it. Judy led Tia to an electric lantern that appeared broken as it flickered consistently. Tia watched as Judy cleared away some debris to reveal a camouflaged painted hatch that Judy quickly opened.

"Go!" Judy ordered.

Tia hesitated before Judy grabbed her again by the arm and practically threw her down into the tunnel/slide. It was at this moment an explosion went off at the front of the house.

Thanks for showing me that little trick Nick.

Judy jumped down the tunnel onto the slide right after Tia. She had no time to admire the booby trap that Nick insisted on installing to their front door. He wanted to make sure anyone who even thought about breaking in would regret it. Judy thought it was overkill. To sacrifice the front of their house just to prove a point. Now, Judy was just glad Nick didn't listen to her.

Tia's feet landed firmly on the ground. She checked her surrounding with eyes wide open in fear.

How did he find me?! That was all that Tia could think about after she heard the explosion going down the slide.

"Tia!"

Tia nearly screamed in terror as Judy had grabbed her arm again pulling her into the woods.

"What do we do now?" Tia asked.

"We lose them in the woods. A crew like them is bound to have a few hunters."

Hunters! Tia realized absolutely terrified.

Hunters were individual predators who have trained their whole lives to be able to track and hunt down 'prey'. Just like in the history books when everyone was nothing more than an animal. The only difference is that for a Hunter their prey is whatever they decide to be, prey and predator alike.

Judy and Tia ran amongst the trees trying their best not to trip over roots. When the distant sound of shouting voices echoed in their ears. The enemy was already following them. Tia was forced to look away from the frightening scene of searchlights when Judy pulled her behind a tree.

"Give me your clothes." Judy ordered as she began to strip.

"What? Why?" Tia asked utterly confused.

"The rain will make it hard for them to track. Wear my clothes and they'll think your me. While when I wear your clothes-"

"They'll think your me." Tia realized. "This is crazy!"

"They are here for you. Not me. Now hurry they're getting closer." Judy urged losing her patience.

Quickly the girls had switched clothes. Neither outfit fit well on the other, but neither could afford to complain about the discomfort.

"We need to split up there is a creek over there." Judy pointed in the direction. "Go to it and swim downstream it will eventually take you into town. It's shallow, slow, and small enough not to be dangerous, even in this weather."

"What are you gonna do?"

"…Lead them someplace a little more dangerous…Go. Go!" Judy yelled pushing Tia harshly into a run in the other direction. While in the near distance the lights had grown brighter, and the voices grew louder.

Judy waisted a second to make sure Tia kept running. Once Judy confirmed that she did she went off in another direction. Judy remembered it was a hillside that Nick and she had hiked once. It eventually led to an unstable cliff that hung over the dangerous rapids of the Rain Forest District.

Please let this plan work.

Meanwhile, Nick was playing a slow game of pool against himself. He was trying to determine the best angle to shoot when his phone rang.

"Well, well. What does my little hacker want to tell me today?" Nick mused as he read the caller's I.D. before answering. "Hey, man. What's-"

"Judy Hopps is in trouble." The voice of the panda interrupted his boss's speech.

His words threw the fox into panic drive.

"What?"

"Judy Hopps is in trouble. I'm tracking her location now. She told me to inform you."

Nick didn't hesitate to throw his cue stick to the ground before rushing to the elevator door.

"Send her location to the Ace Team, top priority is Judy's safety…and her friend too. Get the Beta Team to check out the house. And I want you to find out how the hell they got her location!" Nick ordered going into combat mode. "I'll join the Ace Team as soon as I can."

"Yes, Sir."

Nick hung up not bothering to say goodbye.

Please, please be safe Carrots. Nick prayed to whoever was willing to listen. Just hang on, I'm coming.