Author's Comment: Geez, I've been gone for a while! Curse schoolwork. Really takes a toll on the creative mind. Yes, updates may have a good amount of time in between, but remember: I won't abandon this story. I pinky-promise.
Anyways, the end is actually quite near. I plan on ending the story at around thirty chapters, give or take one or two, but man, has it been a fun ride!
Well, get reading! Don't let me stop you...
Chapter 24- A Matter Of Seconds
Kygo POV
I feel the ground beneath me as my eyes attempt to open, my eyes finally operational again. I can hear the soft rushing of cars passing on the streets in the distance, my eyes still burning intensely from the grenade-gas.
I'm alive.
My lungs fill with air a bit more difficultly than before, but it's better than nothing.
I squint through my swollen eyelids at my surroundings, managing to lift myself onto my knees.
What if it's too late?
I take a moment to gain my balance, finally back on my feet as I scan the area around me, eyes wide in caution. If I escaped, Vince will know eventually. I need to move fast.
Although I'm still quite dazed and wondering whether it's already too late, for once in my life, I have a mission I truly believe in.
Terrible events have turned Nick into an icon for the fox rights activists and have changed the society of this city for the better. As a witness to how senseless these animals can be, it's truly quite the sight to see others being accepting of a fox.
I assume that Vince is on his way to the Hopps' home to end them all. Although Vince is a master at misleading, he is no longer a mystery to me. I've learned his strategies, and I know where he'll strike next.
I begin walking weakly, wondering how I'm going to make it all the way to the Hopps' house.
And then I get an idea.
I wave my paw as I approach the street after passing through an alley or two, attracting the attention of a nearby taxi cab. I've always been pretty good with charisma and such, so getting a ride to my endangered friends should be no problem.
"Where to?" the driver, a middle aged baboon asks me.
"Uhm..." I grunt, settling down in my seat, eyes still burning.
I proceed to give him the address, and we're on our way. But there remains one obstacle to hurdle.
"Um, sir?" I ask as he drives, and he glances at me through the rearview mirror.
"Yes?" he asks me.
"I'm Kygo Willis, member of the ZPD" I inform him, "I just want to make sure you won't charge me for this".
He squints his eyes at me.
"An officer? You can't be older than a teen!".
"Ah, well" I begin, "I look young, yes, but I'm actually-"
"Is there an emergency here, or are you just stealing a ride from me and my business?" he suddenly asks me with a slight hint of annoyance.
"Yes, actually. Several lives are in danger" I say to him, "and I was...".
I have to come up with a legitimate story as to why I look so rustled, and a reason why my eyes are swollen.
"I was assaulted by a criminal back there" I finish, gesturing back in the distance with my head as he drives.
He nods slowly, although he still looks suspicious.
"Well, that's probably not the best place for me to pull up" he states, still masking a bit of disbelief, although it's obvious to me, "and didn't you pull your taser on him or something?"
I stare straight ahead with a frown, irritated by his questions.
"Long story" I snap back, "trust me on that".
He shrugs, continuing to drive.
"Alright then, Officer Willis. As long as you're who you say you are".
I shift a bit, recalling all the times I've lied about who I am. I recall the fact that I'm still searching for myself to this very day.
Who am I?
The question has yet to be answered, but perhaps today will be that day...
Perhaps.
Nick POV
I walk into the den after drinking a sip or two of water, too nervous to function properly.
Violet and Melvin could very well be dead by now, and I wouldn't be shocked if it were in brutal fashion. They both helped me through a lot in my life, even if it were the small things.
Like the day I was being thrown against a locker by a swarm of bullies and Violet sprinted into action, telling them to "knock it off!".
Well, she succeeded in scaring the bullies off, but I also remember the moment I looked into her eyes after the bullies were far away.
I remember sitting on the floor in tears, hoping that by some miracle, Violet would say something to me to indicate friendship; friendship that I couldn't find anywhere at the time.
But all she did was turn and walk away with a cold face, holding no intentions to befriend me that day. But then again, no one did.
Judy scoots over a bit on the sofa, making room for me as I slump down on the cushion, under a huge weight. The weight of the world seemed to disappear once I confessed my love to Judy, but now that two of my best friends are probably dead...
How am I supposed to feel?
There's something else that's bugging me though: a fennec fox, dead at the age of thirteen, shot down in cold blood. Not just that, but I've been hiding it from the one girl I care about the most, all in attempt to slow my world down for five minutes
or so.
It's clear now, however, that my world is forever chaotic.
"Nick?" she asks me softly, "I-".
"There's something" I say in a jittery way, "you need to know about".
She tilts her head a bit, perplexed by my statement.
"There is?"
I take a deep breath as she slides closer to me, knowing that there's something aside from Violet and Melvin that's seriously bothering me.
Stabbing at me.
Killing me.
The combined weight is agonizing.
"You know the kid who was shot?" I ask her, assuming she'll immediately know what I'm speaking of.
She stares into my eyes, knowing that this is a serious talk.
I scan the room one more time to assure that none of our parents are listening, and I see them standing in the kitchen, deep in a conversation of their own.
"Well" I begin, "it was Finnick".
Her spirits instantly sink.
"W-what?" she asks me with wide amethyst eyes, leaning forward a bit in disbelief, "how do you know?".
"Kygo" I reply quickly, "she told me".
Judy looks off out the window for a moment, and I know that tears are beginning to gather. The air feels quite heavy as I observe her gut-wrenching reaction, expecting her to hug on to me any second for comfort.
After a few moments, I lean towards her in attempt to hold her close, but she slides away swiftly, leaving me in a daze.
Only then do I notice her face, looking quite disappointed as she gazes at me in a huge range of emotions.
"You didn't think I knew, did you?" she asks me, "you hid it from me".
I stare at her, my mind in a cloud of blindness and shock.
"I-I...Judy..." I try to start, "I just wanted life to calm down for a bit until the next storm hit".
She chuckles cynically, holding her hands out in a shrug-like gesture.
"Nick, we're in the middle of a battle" she informs me, "life isn't going to calm down just like that!"
I've never seen Judy this frustrated with me, which further sinks my mood and state of mind.
"How long have you known?" I ask her, and she takes a deep breath.
"Heard you guys talking from the hallway that night" she tells me, "you and Kygo. I just wanted to see if you'd tell me too, and, well..." she trails off.
I immediately feel a ping of guilt.
"I'm sorry" I tell her truthfully, "I shouldn't have been so selfish".
She glances at me again as the words resonate within her, her face lighting up again; not in happiness, but in forgiveness.
"Nick, I'm not mad at you" she tells me gently, placing her arm on mine, "I was just waiting for you to finally tell me, and...I hated that you were fine with that being between you and Kygo. I mean, Finnick was my friend too".
I watch on a bit in confusion as she speaks, wondering her true feelings.
"You aren't mad?" I ask her, "I would be".
She sighs, turning her eyes back to mine.
"I can't stay upset with you" she informs me, "it's just impossible. But just, in the future, please tell me everything"
I nod, knowing to avoid this path in the future.
"And, about Finnick" she speaks, "I'm upset over it, but we have to remember that he died at the hands of a monster. I mean, we can't sit here and be sad about it. We have to take action and turn this into something good".
I nod slowly, trying to take in the recent sequence of events.
"I don't think he'd want that. He's had a pretty big impact on all of this 'fox rights' stuff, so he died for a bigger cause, obviously. I just hope my dad isn't behind all of that" I say, realizing that it would line up.
What if he sent in an assassin to shoot a child fox and the assassin simply chose the wrong child? What if he meant to kill me, and Finnick payed the ultimate price? I'd never forgive myself.
"I hope so too" she answers me, "that wouldn't do too well for the foxes of Zootopia".
I groan as I think more into it, overwhelmed with the negative possibilities.
"Deep down I feel like" I start, "my dad is more than just an abuser. I think he's been behind something all this time...he's been hiding something his entire life. Something else is happening, but I just don't know..."
Judy stares into my soul, contemplating the right words to say. I can tell that she is still emotional about Finnick, and that she hasn't forgotten about him; but I also notice the spark in her eyes that I've always noticed from the beginning.
She wants to change things; she wants to make a difference.
"Let's not think too hard" she tells me, "we've already done that enough".
I sigh.
"We can't relax" I tell her, "not with Violet and Melvin in danger".
She places a reassuring paw on my shoulder, rubbing it in attempt to calm me a bit.
"We don't have to relax" she speaks, "but we can talk for a while".
Suddenly I hear a loud knock on the door, and my mother makes her way quickly to it as I hold my breath, knowing that news on the current situation is possible.
I watch her open the door with curious eyes, mouthing a "hi" to the figure as they enter the house.
The figure happens to be a middle aged lamb; old, but only slighter taller than myself due to her naturally small stature.
"Nick" my mother calls to me, "come here for a minute".
I stand up uneasily and claw at the cast on my arm in nervousness, not knowing what to expect from this mysterious lady.
"Nick" my mom says once again, "this is Ms. Bellwether".
The lamb gives me a brief nod with a friendly smile, and I wave in her direction.
"Hello" I speak quietly, still stricken by the news regarding my two friends.
"Ms. Bellwether will be your..." my mother begins, "...councilor for a while. You've been going through a lot, so I thought I'd hire someone to help talk to you about your problems".
I blink a few times with a strange expression on my face, trying my best to discern the woman's true colors.
"I already have someone to talk to" I say, "I have Judy".
I glance over at my best friend...or girlfriend as I speak, gesturing to her as she stares over at us.
"Nick!" my mom speaks harshly, "now, I know you're stressed, but I'd appreciate if you'd give her a chance".
I take another look at the innocent-looking woman and shrug mentally, not seeing anything questionable about the situation.
"Sorry" I mutter, "I didn't mean to seem rude".
The woman lets loose a friendly laugh.
"That's fine, Nicholas" she chuckles to me.
Whoa! Nicholas? No one ever calls me by that name! Maybe she's a spy or something!
"Nick" I correct her, "that's...just what I prefer to be called".
She gestures to the sofa with a grin, neglecting my previous comment.
"Let's have a talk" she tells me, "your pal here can join in too!".
I give her a questioning look, raising an eyebrow.
"Isn't counseling supposed to be, y'know, confidential?" I ask her, "or is this some type of other counseling?"
She sits down beside Judy, beaming to herself ignorantly.
This lady doesn't seem too bright.
"Yes, but in this case, we aren't covering anything too touchy. And you said she hears everything about you anyways" she says with a wink, and I simply look indifferent.
"Whatever you say" I reply.
She turns to Judy with her robotic smile, causing me to feel even more feelings of uncertainty, combined with the emotions from all that's going on.
"Hello!" she says to Judy, "aren't you a cute little thing!".
Judy sneaks a bewildered glance my way before responding, not wanting to seem stuck-up.
"Oh, um...thank you, ma'am" she mumbles uncomfortably.
"So" I say timidly, trying to move things along, "can we get started?".
Abruptly, she lurches forward, focusing all her attention towards me.
"Yes, yes we can" she tells me, "as soon as the time comes".
Whoa, wait? The time comes? This is fishy! Something is definitely going on here...
"What?" I ask her, utterly baffled.
She laughs for a moment, waving her hand to assure me that she's just joking around.
"I'm just messin' with you, hun!" she informs me.
Something about this lady is not on point; I just can't figure out what exactly. She speaks in a strange, empty voice, seemingly masking her true emotions behind her artificial words.
"Oh, alright" I mutter in response.
"So first of all" she starts, holding nothing but a notebook and a pen, "how are you feeling at this point?".
I think back to all that has happened; my father leaving, meeting and falling in love with Judy, being nearly killed on multiple occasions, and all things in between.
"Um..." I begin, "I don't know how to even start..."
"Oh, don't worry!" she says, "I'm not strict about these things! Just give me a few words to partially describe what you feel at this point".
I scratch at my chin for a moment.
"I feel like I've found who I am" I speak impulsively, "but I also feel like I could lose it all at any moment now".
She nods, scribbling down unknown words onto the paper in front of her.
"Do you have any thoughts about the coyote that was viciously slain by your accomplice Kygo Willis?".
The question catches me off guard and I nearly choke on air, my eyes staring at her quizzically as I take in her words.
"What?".
She puts on a serious expression.
"Well, your pal did kill someone a few days back" she speaks grimly, "the police are searching for her now. According to many, the coyote was unarmed, and committing such an act is-"
"What?!" I nearly yell, recalling the events of the other day, "first of all, why are you asking me that, and second of all, where did you hear that?! The coyote had a knife! He wanted to kill me!"
She looks taken aback by my words, but recovers swiftly.
"This is according to multiple reports, and-"
"I don't care" I interrupt her, "I was there! I saw it with my own eyes!".
My voice is continually raising as I remember the mention of media bias directly after it happened; now finally seeing the reality of it.
"Well, moving onto the next question..."
"No, wait" I tell her firmly, adjusting myself into a firmer sitting position, "why did you ask me that?".
She looks almost worrisome as I finish my sentence, scratching down a few more notes as she readjusts her glasses.
"No reason" she mumbles quickly, "just what's written here on the notepad!" she adds, gesturing to the sheet of questions to ask me.
"I thought this was a counseling session, not an interrogation" I speak once again, not trusting this lamb in the slightest.
She simply shrugs.
"It's always nice to get some background information".
But I know better. Something is going on here, and it's only a matter of time before it's uncovered...
Violet POV
My palms won't stop sweating as we ride in the police car, my stomach twisting into knots as I recall the evil in my father's eyes.
I know where he's headed. I remember the hatred he boasts toward Nick and his former wife and the methods he contains in his sick mind to help inflict his will.
As we ride I ponder the theory that perhaps Nick is already dead, and that he's simply a ghost watching over me now. What if my father has found him and is now using the conventional method of torture to silence my brother once and for all?
"Violet" I hear Melvin's voice float to me again, "you're shaking".
I glance down at my own body, scared to even speak at this point.
"Well, what do ya' know" I whisper, "I am".
He looks at me with a face of concern, knowing the exact fears that linger in my mind.
"Nick is a smart guy" he tells me, "he probably knew your father would create a diversion. He's probably long gone by now!".
"Yeah" I respond, "long gone as in dead".
The officer sneaks a glance back at us as he drives nervously.
"You kids doin' okay?"
I bite my lip, holding back the awfully overwhelming concerns that I desire to let flood from my mouth as well as my eyes, clenching my paws tight.
"Yeah, but please hurry!" I manage to speak.
"I told you, I can't show up until the supposed threat has been neutralized" he repeats again, "I'd be putting you two in danger if I did".
I groan.
"But we need to make sure our friends are okay!" I voice to him, "can't you drop us off and give us some guns to use or something!"
I see Melvin's wide eyes glaring at me out of fear, knowing that running into a potential hostage situation with firearms is not a good idea.
But I'm desperate. I want to acknowledge Nick as my brother once and for all. I want to get rid of my excuse for a father.
"I'm afraid that's not an acceptable way to handle things" the officer replies with a slight chuckles, disregarding the situation, "not to mention I'd lose my job".
"We have more important things to lose than your job!" I scream, feeling tears beginning to form in my eyes.
Melvin immediately scoots a bit closer to me in the back seat of the police car, ushering me to calm down without speaking a word.
He rubs his hand down my arm, the officer still dumbstruck by my outburst.
"Shh" Melvin whispers, "don't worry. There's no good in worrying".
I suddenly find myself hugging onto Melvin, hiding my face in his side, the fear beginning to overtake me. I don't care who it is that I'm holding onto; I just need something to reassure me that I'm not about to lose everything.
And well, Melvin is certainly something. For some reason, I find a pinch of security as I embrace him, trying my best to forget my troubles for a second or two.
I guess Melvin isn't the worst thing to be hugging on to at this point.
Maybe he's the one I like to hold the most. After all, he is my best friend.
However, there's no way to discard the surging feeling of absolute dread that currently rules over my emotions. I've only known the two of them, Nick and Judy for a few weeks now. However, it's been an experience I never thought I'd have. I never imagined
having someone to talk to during tough times. I never imagined having anyone to run to. Up until this point I've been stone cold Violet, acting like she can handle life on her own without anyone else.
A few seconds after separating from Melvin, I take a few deep breaths, the interior of the car suddenly deathly quiet.
I catch a glimpse of the passing buildings and shops as we drive, feeling every possible sensation besides serenity it seems. The scene is far from calm; my emotions running rampant, my mind loose from it's leach.
I can't help but ponder every horrible, gut-wrenching scenario that invades my mind as tears continue to stream down my face, my paws clenched shut.
The fear of the unknown has always gotten to me more than anything, and today, it reigns supreme over my being.
Will they live, or will they die?
Nick POV
Ms. Bellwether passes me a sheet of paper nonchalantly, gesturing for me to pick up the pen on top of the coffee table as well.
"So, what I'd like you to do" she begins, "is write everything you are feeling at this point in time. Trust me, it helps to let all your emotions out!"
I take a moment to process her words, staring at her suspiciously.
I know there's something going on here, but I guess I'll just go along with it until I figure out exactly what.
"Um, okay" I respond, Judy sitting beside me as I begin writing with ease.
My feelings flow freely from my mind as I write, and I shock myself with my ability to engrave my feelings accurately on paper.
One night, I made a wish upon a star; a wish that one day, I'll have someone who cares. Of course, I've had my mother all along, but she can't be there for me at school. School. What a pathetic place.
My dad is a monster from the hottest part of hell. He is the one who tried his best to wreck my world and leave nothing left but ruins. He did succeed in bending me, but still, here I am. I've made it through all of his abuse.
Finally my dad left one night (which actually lifted my spirits), never to return home. Although he is still attacking me to this day, I will always fight back. I'll never surrender to him.
Then one day, I came across Judy. She completely changed my world from the moment I met her.
I realize that I'm writing more of a story than simply writing what I feel, but I continue.
We became the best of friends, and I began to realize that she was truly a wish upon a star. She was always there for me, and still is. There is simply no separating Judy and I. We're connected in a way that can never be torn.
Through all good thing, it seems, there must be a conflict to match. After school one day, I was nearly beaten to a pulp after being accused of taking someone's keys. I was in the hospital for a while recovering...
I glance at my nearly healed arm, recalling the atrocious attack.
...and eventually I was released back into the unforgiving world that I've come to know so...intimately.
Good word, Nick.
There's more than just me now, though. Because of the brutality of the situation, an uprising was created against fox discrimination. I'm wanted dead by thousands, and embraced by thousands as well.
After an actual hate crime in my school, I full understand now that discrimination cannot be tolerated any longer. Lives are being lost for no reason.
I kept hoping that perhaps my life would calm down, and it did for an hour or so.
And then my dad came back.
Not back home, but back into my life.
He hasn't given up. Not one bit. He has my friends now, and he wants us to fall into his trap. He wants us dead.
I simply can't comprehend the amount of hatred he holds in his veins, and hopefully I never will.
So, after all of this, how do I feel?
I stop writing, a million thoughts racing through my mind at once. I can't pinpoint exactly how I feel through words, so I begin drawing.
I draw for a full ten minutes, Judy and Bellwether watching me with intrigue. I don't stop for even a second, detailing the drawing with each and every emotion I feel I need to include. I feel my pulse pounding as I scan over my work, sitting back on
the sofa as I fully take in my art.
The paper portrays a boat on a raging ocean, the waves standing high over the masts of the ship. On the ship stand a group of animals, all identical, eyes wide in fear.
In the waters are numerous amounts of sharks, mouths open wide, teeth flashing white in the rays of the bright sun overhead, ready for someone to fall into the water; ready to taste blood.
And then directly under the boat is the largest shark of all, staring up at the floating ship with eyes full of devilish contempt.
And then, at last, I quote the constitution of our country written on the sail.
"All animals are to be treated equally in every situation, as discrimination will never be a part of our culture".
Suddenly, Bellwether jerks the sheet of paper away from me, crumbling it into a ball.
"Hey!" I yell, "what are you doing?!"
She stands up, moving towards the trash can with an indignant expression.
"That's enough art class for today" she tells me.
I swiftly move in and snap it out of her hand before she can throw it away, holding it close to me as I back away.
"You're not throwing this away" I tell her sternly, "so you can move on, or you can walk out the door!".
She suddenly stops walking and gains a smile across her face; not a smile of happiness or joy, but one that hides her true feelings.
"Don't worry" she says, "I won't be here long".
My mother steps in, creating some separation between us.
"That's enough counseling for today" she states, and I stand beside Judy, exchanging a glance of uncertainty with her.
"Please excuse me" Bellwether says as she walks towards the front door, "I just need to get some fresh air".
None of us speak a word as she exits, stunned by her mysteriousness. However, we all seem to silently agree on one thing:
She is hiding something.
Kygo POV
"You can let me out here" I tell the driver as we approach Nick's street, and he gently tugs on the brakes, bringing us to a stop at the side of the road.
"Your total is $11.85" he tells me, and I stop my paw an inch from the door handle, glaring at him in disbelief.
"You charge cops?" I ask him defiantly.
"I charge everyone" he says, "it'ssomething I like to call "my job'".
"I'll pay when I get back" I tell him, "there's an active crime scene that I need to-"
"No ma'am. I'm afraid I can't let you leave until-"
"Sorry, but there's people in trouble, and I'm required to help them. It's something I like to call "my job'".
I slam the door as I regather myself, chuckling at my response to the driver.
That was a good one, Kygo!
Then I remember why I had to be so frantic in the first place.
"It's time to prove my worth" I speak aloud, nearly jogging now.
I've always been on a search for who I am since... well, as far back as I can remember, so today, whether my life ends or not, I'll find that purpose.
I feel my belt to make sure I have everything I need, rubbing my eyes with my other paw, still trying to regain all of my vision.
Vince. He needs to die. He doesn't deserve to live anymore.
The scene from a while ago recreates itself in my mind, his taunting voice marking my doom.
Or so I thought.
He probably thinks I'm dead, doesn't he? Or does he have this planned out? What if he knew I would escape?
Everything is a sadistic game with him. There's no way to be certain.
However, one thing is certain, at least for me.
I'll do anything to get rid of him, even if it means the ultimate sacrifice.
Anything.
Vince POV
I jump out of the vehicle with my henchman, knowing that time is of the essence.
We already have all of our equipment gathered and organized, so all that's left to do is enter the right home.
Now, I hired Bellwether to stall them until I arrived, so if she's done her job, we should be in the clear.
We rush up the staircase and pass Bellwether as she gives us the "all good" signal, and I smirk to myself.
At last.
We move quickly but quietly, hearing the police sirens in the distance. After all these years, as I've said before, it's become a sound I resonate with. It has become close to me; part of me. I do not fear the sound, but it instead reminds me of who I
am.
We reach the door of the home, and I take a second to catch my breath.
All of my motives, impulses and instincts have led me to this moment. I can finally rid myself from this obsession; simply wanting to see my old life die.
I want to see them die. I want to watch them fade away.
And there's no more waiting.
Except mere seconds.
The suspense! It simply kills me! That's a pretty evil cliffhanger, isn't it!
I'll update as soon as I can (unless school steals even more of my time away), but we'll see where it goes.
Next chapter will be quite big (emotionally, event-wise, etc.), so be prepared. Like I said, after this FanFic, I'll be writing a story for another series, so any recommendations are highly appreciated!
Anyways, please leave any thoughts in the reviews, and I hope you enjoyed Chapter 24!
Until next time!
