just-a-guy-having-fun- Yeah, sorry about that! My device incorrectly formatted it and mashed words together and yada yada. Won't happen again, trust me on that!
Guest- Every 2-4 days I'd say (and thanks!).
Kitkats- I don't quite understand what you mean by "do anything", lol. But yeah, no spoilers here! And don't worry about fluff! There's plenty more of that to come! And still haven't decided on making a sequel or not.
Aldo B T- 1. ;) 2. Don't worry, there will be plenty to come in the future! 3. Later on, yes. 4. Honestly I don't really like tacos lol. 5. Don't forget sarcastic! 6. No spoilers! Soon enough! 7. Love tou too :D
Smile 456- In time! It's beginning to get suspenseful now, isn't it?
nick495- I didn't lose interest! I love reader well-thought-out reviews like yours! I'm glad you're liking it!
Guest- The buffalo was made to resemble a stereotypical school bully that's been held back quite a few years, lol. He was probably 15-16 when he was murdered by Nick's dad.
nick495- Maybe ;)
Guest- Sounds like an interesting character concept! I like the name "Elka" too!
Hello everyone, and welcome back for yet another chapter of Lost & Found! The story where one second you are reveling in extreme fluff, and then the next second the characters are seconds from death! Because you know...fiction? Anyways, enjoy the newest chapter!
Nick POV
We move sleekly and stealthily, trying our best to hide from any patrons around us that may recognize us as the three "criminals" who "forcibly" received ice cream from the parlor down the street.
My pulse is loud and fast as I know the potential danger of the situation; especially considering who I am and what I stand for.
"I'm being serious here" Kygo speaks, "how is reporting this bad even considered legal?"
We finally make our way out of the store without catching anyone's eye and we regather ourselves outside the doorway.
"I guess we should just..." I trail off.
"Try to get into the theater" Judy finishes for me, and I nod quickly.
"Not like we have any better options" I reply.
"Well, we could always use force!" Kygo advises, holding up a pistol from her belt to which Judy and I simply roll our eyes.
"Look, we're trying to see a movie, not start a war" I tell her, and she snickers with a shrug.
"Just saying, it's always an option!"
We continue our prowl towards the movie theater, cautious of our surroundings. All goes well until we reach the corner about a block from the theater, and then we spot several security guards scouting the area. I don't know if it's to find us, but it sure raises some amount of suspicion.
I tilt my head as I glance over at Kygo, looking for a solution.
"Any ideas?" I ask her, and she moves her eyes from me to the scene and then back at me.
"What do you take me for, kid? A miracle worker?" she asks me, obviously seeing no hope in making it there, "Can't we just go somewhere else? Is seeing a movie really that important?"
"Yes!" Judy and I answer in unison, and Kygo sighs.
"Alright, whatever. I can get you out of this, but you owe me" she states, and we resume walking towards the building.
I wonder if Judy thinks this is a date, I think to myself curiously.
I mean, I never clarified that this is an actual, romantic date or anything. I just asked her to see a movie with me!
No way she likes me that way. Remember what her dad said, Nick! You're not her type...
Judy POV
Don't jump to any conclusions, Judy. This is just a friendly hangout. Right?
It's safe to say that my emotions and the fear of the unknown are both starting to drive me a touch insane.
Still, not as insane as Kygo.
You need him, Judy. You won't be able to live if you ruin everything!
But I need to tell him! I mean, come one! I'm in love with the guy!
You can't risk it.
I don't have a choice!
Who says?
Too bad.
"Judy?" Nicks caring voice rings out to me, and I stare at him, flustered.
"Yeah?" I ask, realizing I had been daydreaming for more than just a moment.
"We can walk now" he informs me, pointing his non-injured hand to the blinking sign that has now changed from the "don't move!" to "walk".
"Oh, right!" I manage to say, and we continue marching towards the theater.
As we walk, the stares begin to project our way, and I walk a bit faster out of nervousness, accidentally bumping into Nick as I pace myself widly.
"Sorry!" I say, and he simply smiles anxiously.
"It's okay, but we do need to come up with a plan here!" he says, and Kygo suddenly joins in.
"I'll worry about the officers. Judy, buy the tickets, and you-" she says, pointing at the space in between Nick's eyes, "Sneak around back. It'll be theater fourteen. Trust me, I used to come here all the time".
I exchange one last deep glance with Nick as he begins walking towards the side of the theater, and I feel my throat tense up nervously.
"You sure he'll make it in?" I ask.
"Hah! Am I sure? No, I'm never sure about anything. But I mean, it's you two's only chance at having your beloved date!" she speaks to me as the guards begin to notice us.
"It's not a date!" I whisper back instinctively, and she claps her hands my way.
"Bravo! You sure do a great job at convincing, don'tcha?" she laughs.
As I fumble to find an adequate reply, one of the rhino-guards makes his way over to us and wastes no time in beginning a barrage of questions.
"You guys missing one or two more predators from your group?" he asks us menacingly, noticing that our group fits the description.
"Oh, no sir!' Kygo says with an artificial respect, pointing to her badge, "I'm an appointed bodyguard! I know what you're talking about. The group that harassed the ice cream parlor or whatever. Yeah, that's not us".
The officer places his hands on his hips and snorts out of his nose, trying to decipher if we are indeed telling the truth.
"Alright, officer Willis. Head on in" he grunts, and I glance over at Kygo as we walk quickly away from him.
"Willis? Is that your last name?" I ask in a slightly amused tone, and she squints her eyes at me.
"Don't ever mention it again. Ever".
Something about Kygo is actually genuinely frightening apart from her strong-looking build. She just seems to aggressive about everything, and she seems to be dead-set on strengthening her reputation as an intimidating bodyguard.
However, I can also see a lighter side to her. Perhaps she's been through a lot in life or something. After all I've been through in life, I've learned that judging the surface is quite pointless.
"Can I help you?" the elephant in the ticket booth speaks, and I clear my throat.
"Two tickets to see The Dark Road!" I say to him, handing him fifteen dollars.
He peers over the top of the counter down at us, and peers through his thick glasses, his eyes full of discrepancy.
"Okay" he states simply, resuming his usual position, slouched back in his chair.
Something about this elephant gives off bad vibes even as I stand before him, and I can't help but feel like his stare is one of condescension.
At last he hands us our tickets and we make our way inside, turning in our tickets to the confiscator as we try our best to look innocent.
We skip the popcorn line for now and head straight to theater fourteen, and discover that Nick has already saved us three seats.
I let out my apprehensive breath and walk swiftly to his side, sitting down in the comfortable chair.
"Took you guys long enough" he speaks jokingly, and I giggle.
"So, no problems getting in?" I ask, and he shakes his head slowly.
"Not at all. Makes me wonder why more people don't do it".
"I'm gonna go grab some popcorn" Kygo says, and I smile at Kygo's kindness to buy popcorn for all of us.
"Wow, thanks Kygo!" I call to her, and she tilts her head in confusion.
"Oh, you think I'm buying it? Hah! I'm using this!" she says, holding up my wallet, and I roll my eyes.
"Whatever" I reply out of lack of care. Perhaps it's because I'm with Nick combined with the fact that I absolutely adore popcorn.
You adore Nick too!
Shut up, mind!
You know you do!
Doesn't matter!
Just look at how cute his smile is!
I realize I've been staring at Nick for the past few seconds, so I shake my head in attempt to recollect my thoughts.
"So, what's this movie supposed to be like?" I ask my best friend, and he chuckles.
"Oh, you don't know? It's supposed to be ridiculously scary!" he claims, and I feel my stomach drop.
I may not be a cowardly bunny, but horror movies are not my thing.
"Oh, really?!" I ask, looking quite unsettled.
Nick takes note of this before he speaks again.
"Yeah, but don't worry! I mean, I'm here if you get scared" he assures me with his usual warm expression that just makes me melt.
"You gonna stop the monsters from coming out of the screen?" I ask him jokingly, lightly punching him on the arm.
"No...but I can still be here for you if they do come through the screen!"
I grin at him.
"I'm glad to know that".
Nick's Dad POV
"Sir, you need to talk! Now!"
It's been years since I last felt the urge to obey one's wishes, but I decide that in this case it would perhaps cause even more strife.
I glance around the interrogation room, pretending to think about my next words, although I already have it all mapped out.
"What was it you asked again?" I ask in my usual evil tone, glaring at the officer.
"Why?! Why did you kill the buffalo?! You don't care about your son! Why would you do this?!" he screams at me, and I smirk his way.
"Gee, you cops really are stupid" I respond in a snarky tone, and they electrocute me once more, causing my inside to stir up in a filthy mess.
"Tell me! Now!"
I lick my lips as I smile sinisterly, reveling in the feeling of actually being needed for once.
"I killed him because I hate my son, not love him! The one thing he wants is equality, and guess what this did? Huh? You don't know? Funny. It reinforced the...stereotype that we foxes are savage and untrustworthy. This is the worst thing I could've done to him!" I explain with a cackle, and I grit my teeth.
"You're...you're truly evil" the officer says to me.
"Well, you're right on that one. Nick, he's so spoiled! You hear what I mean?! He's been so...disrespectful to me. He's evil too. And my wife...neither of the deserve to life" I mutter without the inclusion of sanity in the slightest.
"Well, they aren't going to die" he tells me, and I interrupt him.
"Not by my hands" I say, "you hope".
"You aren't leaving this prison, Wilde".
"Oh, so you think that's it? I'm locked up for life and nothing else happens?" I ask him sadistically with a twisted smile, "Oh no, no, no, no, no! We have to be realistic here! And you can trust me on this one, chief: I won't be in here for life".
The officers glance at each other out of fear I detect, and then proceed to electrocute me once more.
Just wait until I get out of here, Nick! Just wait...
Nick POV
Nick! You can't be serious right now!
I expected the scary scenes to be getting to Judy at this point, but all she is doing is leaning back in her chair with wide eyes, keeping mostly silent.
The main problem isn't Judy, however.
It's me.
I never imagined that a movie could be this scary! Never!
My throat won't stop drying up as I eye the screen with jumpiness, and my ears can't seem to stop lying flat on top of my head in utter fear.
"Isn't this scary?!" I whisper loudly to Judy sincerely, and I guess she interprets it as sarcasm.
"Oh, yeah. Totally" she replies flatly.
"This is stupid!" Kygo yells loud enough for everyone in the room to hear her, "four dollars for this?!"
I try my best to act like I'm not freaked out, nodding my head quickly.
"Yeah, this is so...not scary..." I speak reluctantly, and Kygo snickers.
"You just look so not afraid right now Nick" she speaks in my direction, "wasn't Judy here supposed to be the scared one?"
I laugh robotically as I turn my head back to the screen, attempting to emulate a sound of sarcasm.
"Very funny, Kygo".
However, what happens soon after is not something I exactly expected.
I feel Judy's head rest on my shoulder, and I turn in shock to see that her eyes are closed, her breathing sounding slow and rhythmic.
She's asleep! On me!
I start blushing when I see Kygo winking at me, but I don't dare change my posture. I feel as if I'm falling thousands of feet through the sky, my stomach stuck in the air miles behind me. I feel like my insides are floating, and my mind is dizzy with a disorienting happiness as my throat becomes dry.
Just be cool!
After a while of reveling in the warm feeling of having Judy nearby, a loud scene splits the air around us, and Judy jumps up into a straight sitting position.
"Oh, did I-" she begins frantically. I can tell she is blushing profusely even in the dim theater light as I simply stare ahead at her.
"It's okay" I tell her, "I didn't mind".
She relaxes a bit and looks at me quizzically, leaning a bit closer so that I can hear her better.
"Y-you didn't?"
"If you're tired, I'll be your pillow. That's what friends are for...right?" I ask, and she smiles softly.
"Yeah, you're right...I mean...if you don't mind...can I?" she asks, and I understand the implications behind her words.
"Sure" I say, allowing her to lean on me again, and I observe as her eyes shut once more, this time looking a bit happier.
I can't focus on anything but her now. The movie doesn't matter to me one bit anymore.
There's a million questions zooming through my mind right now, and they all seem to center around one dream:
What if she does like me?
Don't be silly, Nick! This is something friends do all the time!
Are you sure about that?
Duh! You did this at the hospital too!
But she likes it!
So?
Quit being so ignorant!
I'm being realistic!
There's no way an amazing bunny like her could ever love a fox...
"There just isn't" I whisper aloud, thankful Judy didn't hear me and ask for the context of my words.
I'd rather not lose my best friend over something as trivial as love. Well, in this case, how is it trivial? This could be the best thing to ever happen in my life! Judy is the best girl on the planet, and I only have one chance to try...
After twenty more minutes or so, the movie comes to a close, and Judy wakes up slowly, rubbing her eyes.
"How was the nap?" I ask her nicely as she yawns, trying not to act weird about her lying on me in order to sleep.
"It was nice. Makes up for the sleep I lost last night" she answers.
"Why didn't you sleep well last night?"
She looks as if the questions off guard, and her eyes grow a bit bigger.
"Oh, um...caffeine. Yeah, that's it! I drank way too much coffee!" she answers quickly, and I stare at her in wonder.
"I didn't know you liked coffee" I say.
"Oh, yeah! It's totally one of my favorite drinks!" she responds as we begin exiting our aisle, carrying the remainders of our large bags of popcorn.
I hide behind Judy and Kygo as we exit, not wanting to gain any attention for being a fox. But I mean, what could they do anyways? Kick me out after I've already seen the move?
"Score one for the stupidest movie in years" Kygo mutters bitterly as we exit, kicking a lone soda can along the ground as we walk.
"I'll agree with that" Judy says, "but I mean, I still..." she trials off.
"Still what?" I ask curiously.
"Still...enjoyed it..." she finishes with a warm smile, and I begin to feel dizzy, drowning in the blissful paradise that is Judy's gaze.
However, our bubble of happiness is abruptly interrupted by a shout, and I instinctively duck, hearing a whirling sound fly past me.
The whirling sound turns out to be a knife, wielded by a rather large coyote.
"It's Nick Wilde! He needs to die!" the maniacal voice of the coyote before me screeches, and I tense up as Kygo steps in front of me.
His eyes are something close to black or dark brown; as dark as the energy he gives off. His hand is clutched around the knife tightly, ready to end me.
I notice that no one is trying to stop him, either. No one is attempting to take the knife from the man or shut the entire situation down.
Not even the security guard.
At first glance, it appears that the only people on my side are Judy and Kygo.
Judy stands in front of me as if she's trying to hide me from gunfire, and Kygo stands in front of her with a pistol drawn.
"Dare you to try" she tells him in a serious tone.
The entire street is still; not a soul looking anywhere else but at us. The air feels cold and still, like the hard stare of the coyote.
"What're you gonna do? Shoot me?! Everyone knows good guys don't kill!" he speaks to Kygo, his words laced with pure, raging hate and contempt.
"Oh, so you're admitting you're in the wrong here!" Judy yells to him, and he laughs.
"If that's what you want to call it!" he scoffs back, moving a touch closer to us.
"I'm warning you now! You come any closer and I won't have a choice!" Kygo yells to him, but apparently his listening ears aren't screwed on properly today.
"For the AAFE!" he yells as he sprints in my direction.
I brace myself, not from the violent coyote, but from the loud gunshots that ring out as my eyes shut tight. I don't want to see another animal die. I don't want a new inclusion to my nightmares; the corpse of a deranged coyote.
Gasps and screams erupt around us, generating quite a bit of fear around us. The judging, hateful looks of the many animals oppresses us, and I begin to feel hazy mentally.
"Aren't those the one's who robbed that ice cream place?" I hear a voice behind me ask, and my heart begins to beat faster and faster.
"We gotta get out of here" Kygo says, and Judy and I nod.
We run in the opposite direction of the coyote's body, tears streaming down my face. Sure, I didn't actually see the death of another animal. I didn't see the blood spilling onto the pavement, or hear the final breaths of the animal, filled with anguish.
However, the knowledge that another animal was just slain before me is quite a horrific thought. And worst of all:
An animal wanted me dead so badly that it chose to die.
Now, not a lot of stuff gets to me like it used to, but that thought is absolutely heart-wrenching for me.
And that's why the tears won't stop flooding from my eyes.
Judy POV
The amount of animals in Zootopia that would gladly volunteer to kill Nick is absolutely sickening. I mean, he's Nick! He's innocent, he's sweet, he's caring, he's perfect...
Okay, I'm not trying to sound too lovey or whatever, but he's done nothing wrong! If they are mad at Nick's father, why don't they take it out on him!? I just don't understand this.
We run a few blocks before we gather the courage to come to a stop, and my next action is one that I perform with little hesitance.
I wrap my arms around Nick and hold him closer than ever, rubbing my paws up and down his back as I feel him cry.
As much as I want to be, I don't think I'm ever going to be able to wipe all the tears away. Nick's life...it's just too hard for that. However, what I can do is everything I can to help numb the pain.
Before me, Nick's life was awful, but since then, he's told me this is the happiest time of his life. Why? Because of me. Because I'm his best friend.
"Shh...it's okay, Nick" I whisper to him.
"But-"
"No...", I say to him "I'm here for you".
I bury my face into his shoulder as his shaking begins to decline in intensity, and I feel his arms wrap around me, pulling me all the more closer.
"You don't deserve this" I tell him quietly.
"Neither do you" he says.
"If I had to go through the hottest hell imaginable, I'd still be your friend" I proclaim to him.
"Me too" he replies with a sniff as we separate, locking eyes once again, "I'll always be there for you".
It's very true to say that Nick's eyes go deep into the very pits of his soul. Everyone of his distinct qualities are reflected in the two irises in front of me as he stares at me with a deep care.
An animal, so full of innocence, care, compassion, kindness, wit, fun...you name it...attacked solely because of a label placed on him by others.
"Sorry to interrupt, but we kinda have an angry mob heading towards us at five o' clock!" Kygo informs us, and I feel a deep hatred for the crowd that seems to be following.
"Let's get out of here" I say, and we continue running as Nick texts his mother, asking her to pick us up a few blocks ahead.
If we can get the timing right, a getaway would prove to be effective. But if Nick's mom is too late, it's safe to say that more civilians will end up dead.
"Nick" I say to him as we move fast, and he glances over at me.
This is it, Judy. In case any of you die, he needs to know. Now.
"I just wanted to tell you that...that..."
He stares at me with eyes wide, his mouth slightly agape.
"That...I..."
At the last moment, I trip over curb and tumble into the grass.
Luckily, nothing is injured besides my confidence.
I was totally about to tell him! I was so close!
"Oh my gosh! Judy, are you-"
"Yeah, I'm okay! We have to keep going!" I tell Nick, stumbling to my feet.
"What were you about to tell me?" he asks me as I begin jogging.
"Oh...umm..."
You got this, Judy!
"I wanted to say that I...I...I'm glad I met you" I tell him, retreating from the confession for no real reason.
What are you doing, Judy?! You blew it!
"Oh, um, I'm glad I met you too, Judy" he replies, ignoring the chaos behind us.
Come to think of it, this is a very unorthodox place to be having an intimate conversation, but it matters little to me.
As we reach the meeting point a few blocks ahead, Nick's mother is already waiting there, and I thank our lucky stars.
Nick and I leap into the back seat and Kygo jumps in the front, causing Nick's mom to turn to hr in confusion, having never seen Kygo in her life before.
"Who is-"
"Mom, drive!" Nick tells her, and she steps on the gas pedal, leaving the crowd of demons in the dust.
"What's going on?" she asks us, and I ponder what answer would be best. Not "we're being chased by the AAFE" or "we got in trouble with the police"...
Instead, Kygo speaks for me.
"I'm afraid we may have started a civil war".
Wait, what?! Civil war?! What the heck are you talking about?! That's a bit of an exaggeration, right? Right?! Right?!There's only one way to find out...
Anyways, sorry for such a long delay in chapters. Just a busy week, I guess. I assure you it (most likely) won't happen again, and in case it does, here's me apologizing in advance:
I'm sorry.
Anyways, please leave any thoughts in the reviews (and I mean anything- I love reading the thoughts of the readers!).
Until next time!
