Famous
Judy has thoroughly enjoyed the picnic he prepared for them. They had finished their lunch, fed the birds that were around, and strolled through the park paw in paw.
When the time came for her to go back to work, Nick walked her back to the go kart. They had been reluctant to part ways and found little excuses for them to stay together are a couple of seconds longer. And for the next hour or so, she had a contented smile planted firmly one her muzzle. What threatened her mood was his attempt at brushing off whatever happened today (not a good attempt either) but there was no way that she was going to get whatever it is out of him without seeming a bit too nosy. She just has to take her time and build up his trust in her.
Should be easy enough.
...
Nick whistled a merry tune and walked with a pep in his step that he hasn't had in years. He had something that he valued more than anything and there was no way that he would let it slip though his fingers. The drive back home had him listening to love songs the entire way and thinking about the future that he was eagerly looking forward to.
Nick whistles die down as he remembers that morning.
In reality, he had only one real option, and of course it's the one that he didn't want. What did he expect? That somehow Sandy could've done something that a fully outfitted team of medical professionals couldn't have done? He should just go to an emergency ward and tell them exactly what's going on.
He should go to an emergency ward and tell them what's going on Saturday.
Today he can't muster up the will power to go and declare himself and a dozen and a half mammals as a danger to the public who can't be trusted to be left out in the public and will need to go back into quarantine. And tomorrow he has plans with Clive that he'll have dinner with his family, and maybe he can even bring his Mom along.
Judy thought that she hid her intention of finding out what happened this morning well enough, but she still had a long way to go before she can hide something from him. And he wasn't even one of the more talented liars, at least compared to some mammals he knew. Every once in awhile she said something like "How was your morning?" or "You do anything interesting?"
Nick saw his condo coming up and decides to save those thoughts for when he gets inside. It's not like they're going anywhere.
When he gets in the lobby, he saw Kris sitting in a spot where he can see everyone.
And Kris definitely saw him.
He stomps toward Nick with his ears pinned, hackles raised, tail fur was standing on end, eyes narrowed, and a growl emanated from his throat. Gone was the polite and respectful todd that was Kris, and in his place stood an enraged mammal who had his sights locked onto Nick.
A left cross hits Nick in the same place that Judy had hit him earlier so fast that he didn't even see it. And if he thought that Judy hits like a hammer, then Kris hits like freight train. Nick goes down like a puppet that has its strings cut. The thwack of Kris' paw against his muzzle was clearly heard even when it was muffled by the fur between. His vision spins and his ears ring.
Mammals gasp at the display of violence from the taller Urocyon.
Nick growls as rolls over to his stomach and tries to get up but is interrupted by a kick to his side that rolls him to his back.
Kris is saying something but whatever it is gets lost in translation between his ears and his brain. The only thing that he knows is that his head hurts, and his side aches to the point of hurting whenever he tries to take a full breath. His growls stutter and hitch as his lungs struggles to get air.
"-to her?! She refuses to leave the room. And when I said that I was going to try and talk to you again she freaked out. She called you a monster."
He rolls back to his stomach and tries to get up again but he takes to slow as his body refuses to move any faster in order to avoid aggravating his side. But as he starts to get up Kris stomps on his back, sending him back to the floor.
Neither of them notice the bystanders calling out for someone to call nine-one-one.
Kris stands over Nick as he speaks "She doesn't look anyone in the eye, she doesn't talk to anyone, I wake up at night because I hear her screaming for you not to hurt her."
Nick struggles to get up a third time. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Kris lift his paw up to stomp again. He waits for when it's about to come back down, then he rolls out of the way. It hurt his side and back to do so, but not as much as it would've if it connected.
Kris just sent another kick to his side.
Nick mind fades away as he is struck.
Defend.
...
Precinct Two gets a call about an assault at a condominium in the western region of Deerbrooke. Being the closest Officers in the area, Bambi Dunagan and Copper Russell get the call to go.
They arrive in less than three minutes.
As they get out of their patrol car they hear screaming coming from inside the building and they rush toward the sound. Through the glass windows and glass doors see two Foxes on the ground, the Gray Fox had his legs wrapped around the Red Fox's neck in a triangle while his arm was locked in jaws. They both were snarling and growling, but the gray todd was the most distressed as he frantically struck the top of the red one's head in a desperate attempt to get the jaws to release. The horrified mammals in the lobby stay back and some of them even record the scene with their phones.
When the Gray Fox finally gets the red one to let go, he jumps far out of reach. As he nurses his arm, his injuries are now in view of the officers. He has the obvious injury to his forearm, he favors one leg over the other, and he has scratches in various places.
Bambi gasps in surprise as he looks at the red todd, he is on all fours and his eyes are the dilated eyes of a savage. Just looking into those emerald eyes causes a shiver to run up his spine.
Without any hesitation, both officers draw their tranquilizers on the Vulpine and fire. Both hit their mark and it doesn't take long for it to take effect and to render the small predator unconscious.
Bambi takes one look around the room and curses at the amount of phones that are pointing at them.
...
"Shocking video of a Fox going savage earlier today goes viral on social media. The video shows one of the Night Howler victims go savage after being assaulted by an unknown Fox. Two ZPD officers quickly subdued the savage mammal and no further statements have been made on how this happened there has been groups who have been vocal and are calling for the Night Howler victims to be quarantined once again." Peter Moosebridge's voice emanate from countless screens across the city.
Fabienne Growley is the next to speak "The video about to play is graphic in nature and viewer discretion is advised."
The video in question fills the screen and shows Nick as he begins retaliating against Kris.
...
"Boss!" The double doors of his office slam open, a lanky Coyote barges into the room.
He puts down his glass, and the scowl which seems to be a permanent feature depends. "What is it Petey?"
"You need to see this!" He holds out a tablet. And in that tablet was the video of Nick and Kris, which was paused where that was a clear view of Kris.
"Savage Fox attack in Deerbrooke."
"Not the title, look at the Gray Fox."
The frown slowly morphs into a malicious smile, showing all of the Cheetah's sharp teeth "After all this time, we finally found you."
...
An amethyst set of eyes watch the screen, horrified at what is being played.
Judy has been working the parking meters when her extraordinary ears catch the word savage from a T.V. in a nearby café patio. She saw him only a couple of hours ago, how can something so drastic happen in such a short amount of time?
Her radio blares to life and the voice of Ben comes from the little speaker "Officer Hopps please report back to the Precinct."
"Understood." She automatically responds, not really focused on what he just said.
The name Hopps causes the atmosphere to change, all those who hears now watch Judy from the corner of their eyes and try to subtly try to inch away from the Rabbit. They all recognize her as the only prey in Zootopia who went savage.
Judy ignores them all and heads back to the jokemobile and heads back to the precinct.
The ride back is a quiet one. The radio which normally plays music on low volume has been turned off.
Judy (who normally keeps her head on a swivel in search of whatever needs her attention such as the parking meters, or a civilian who needs assistance, or even a crook like Duke to pop around a corner) keeps her eyes on the road and her thought is occupied by the news. She begins to worry about how this will affect her, how this will affect Bellweather's other victims, and most of all how this will affect Nick.
And Judy has to wonder, will she go savage? It happened to Nick, and who's to say that it won't happen to her? She thinks of Emmitt Otterton and Renato Manchas even if she didn't know them personally. But she knew that Octavia Otterton went through heck with all the worry she had last time he savage. She didn't know anything about Renato, but she was there when he went savage. She imagines about all of the victims family and friends, and about how they have to endure another tragedy so soon after.
Now she thinks about her own family. All two hundred and seventy seven of them.
It's funny to think how hurting one mammal can affect many many others. Only seventeen mammals went savage, and with only three of them (herself, Nick, and Emmitt), two hundred and eighty nine mammals were affected, not including friends.
She surprised herself when she pulled in to the car lot, she had driven herself all the way back without paying attention.
Now to see what they wanted.
...
Emmitt opened the door to see a group of cops and some sort of health-care workers.
Another Otter wearing a blue cross on his black button up steps forward "Are you Mr. Emmitt Otterton?"
"Yes."
"We ask that you come with us. There may be some issues concerning your recent affliction. Anyone who wants to join you will be allowed but they must travel in another vehicle."
...
Renato looks through his peephole "Who is it?"
...
"This is Fabienne Growley with an important announcement. All those who have been affected by Midnicampum Holicithias, more commonly referred to as Night Howlers, are required to go to their local precinct if authorities have not yet approached you. You will be quarantined until thorough treating have concluded there is no lingering affects that could pose a danger to others."
...
"This is so unfair!"
"We already went through this."
"How long do we have to stay here?!"
Judy looks around from her seat. As time goes on, more and more mammals show up, all of whom she recognized as the other victims. But this time, there are others who are with them.
She thinks back in what happened since she got back. Waiting in the lobby was the Chief. He explained what was going on and told her that she was going on paid medical leave. She and the others will be out in a motel that has been rented out to accommodate them. It was located next to a hospital where they will undergo tests and they will be unable to leave without an escort.
But one thing she wanted to know is something no one knew, will this be permanent? Will it be like epilepsy where they have episodes? Was Nick a one off case? Will they degrade with no chance at recovery? Not knowing scared all of them.
