Chapter 4: I Will Protect You With Every Fiber Of My Being/A Discussion Between Two Regal White Animals
WARNING: Trigger warnings of abandonment, child negligence and abuse, discrimination, and possibly other things.
It had been months since Alex had been left at the orphanage, and he was very sad. Living at this orphanage was almost as horrible as living with the Wolfgangs. The only benefits were that he didn't have to wake up to the smell of rotting flesh every morning, he was fed on a more regular basis, and he didn't have to worry about getting killed. However, that didn't help fill the void of loneliness that he harbored within himself.
That morning, he was sitting in the main front room of the orphanage, when one of the staff there came in, leading a young brown-furred rabbit inside. "Kids, this is Arie. She's joining us from an orphanage that's in Tundratown." The staff member announced. Alex hid behind the leg of the staff member, afraid to come out. They had to pry her arms off of the leg and make her present herself. Alex gasped as he saw her fully for the first time.
Arie was covered from head to toe in black tiger stripes, and she had the claws of a predator-like animal. Her eyes were filled with fear, pain, and sadness. Alex knew instantly that she was a kindred soul, and that she needed him in her life, just as he needed her in his own. He walked up to Arie and wrapped his arms around her tightly, giving her a hug. Arie's ears perked up as she gripped Alex firmly, returning the affection. It was the first sign of caring that she had received in a very long time.
"B-brother? Will you… be my brother?" Arie softly whispered in Alex's ear as they embraced. With tears in his eyes, Alex nodded. "I will. I will be your brother. And I will always be here for you. I won't let anyone hurt you ever again. I promise, I will protect you with every fiber of my being." Alex swore.
Present day, Lionheart Manor…
"Kimba, my friend. Something's troubling you." Alex noted. Kimba sighed before setting his glass down. "It's my father." Kimba groaned. Alex nodded his head and gestured for the white lion to continue. "He's getting worse and worse. I remember when he promised to make Zootopia a better place when he began his campaign. Look at how well that's come out. Every single positive change that's come out of his campaign has come from either me or Dawn, and he won't give any of us the credit." Kimba growled in frustration.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Kimba. I know you and Dawn deserve the credit way more than your father does." Alex sympathetically responded. Kimba looked at Alex, and the white wolf could feel there was some sort of debate going on within his friend's head. He could practically see the gears turning.
"That's not the only thing I'm worried about. As the term progresses, Dawn's been getting more and more frazzled. I'm not sure how much more of my father she can take." Kimba worriedly said. Alex's ears perked up at this, and he stroked his chin fur thoughtfully. "The best you can do is support her, Kimba. I see the way you look at her: the expressions of admiration and affection sparkle in your pupils whenever you set your sights on her wooly head. You're in love with her, are you not?" Alex chuckled wistfully.
Kimba nearly choked on his wine, coughing with a shocked expression on his face as he stared at Alex. "H-how did you…?" Kimba spluttered, with Leah running in to check on them. "Do you need me or Master Alex to perform the Heimlich maneuver, Master Kimba?" Leah asked anxiously. A few more coughs and chest pats before Kimba shook his head no. "I'm fine, Leah. Thank you for your concern- ahem! I'm lucky to have a friend like you." Kimba told his servant, bowing his head to her as a sign of respect due to her lack of wool on her head from the chemotherapy treatments.
Leah Lambert was a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed at a young age. Her family was barely able to pay for the treatments early in her life, until one day Kimba saw her in the hospital and decided to help her, paying for the treatments. As a sign of gratitude, Leah went to work for the Lionheart family as one of their housekeepers. She developed a close bond with Kimba, and they continued to help each other and provide support.
Now, Kimba had to confide in Alex something that he had only told Leah. "I think that my father is up to something dubious." Kimba revealed. Alex's eyes widened and he coughed, swallowing the drink of water down the wrong pipe. "W-what!? What makes you think that!?" Alex gasped.
Kimba grimly nodded his head. "Every day when he comes home, he's been a lot more jittery and nervous. Dawn has also told me his behavior has become more erratic, and he's more prone to lashing out. He wouldn't be like this if he wasn't hiding something." Kimba explained.
Alex nodded his head. "I'll look into it if I can. Thank you, Kimba." Alex told him before standing up and heading out the door.
