Noah's sight came clear and he began to make a familiar, villainous face.
"Really are wild aren't you, my dear? Hence your name."
"Fury!" gasped Noah. "Let me go home! Let me go home now!"
"Not possible, my dear," cackled Fury. "You see, we worry about you. We worry of your intentions to turn us in to your two friends."
"I promised I would say nothing! I said so when they questioned me! I keep promises! Honest!"
"Is he awake?"
Patsy arrived at the door.
"Patsy!" cried Noah trying to get up, but his bandaged leg stopped him. "Please tell him to let me go!"
"I tried, sweetie," she said apologetically. "But he threatened to have Stripes kill me. I never saw him kill but I daren't risk it. They allow me here to nurse your leg back to health."
"That'll do, Patsy," snarled Fury. "Go."
"I'm happy you're alive, Noah," she smiled.
"OUT!" shrieked Fury slamming the door.
"Stubborn whore!" he muttered.
"Hey!" shouted a voice from the other side of the attic. Skips appeared, looking dirty.
"Don't your dare raise your voice at me," growled Fury.
"The kid's five years old you twisted throw rug!"
Fury bent down and picked up a whip, lashing it at Skips' side.
He fell down, but didn't whimper.
"Don't hurt my friend," whimpered Noah.
"I will keep you here until you learn to be one of us," warned Fury
"I never will!" said Noah.
Fury glared and brought out the same steak knife he threatened Noah with when he caught him looking through his treasure chest. He pointed it at his face.
"There are many young foxes who attempted to turn on me, my dear," said Fury dangerously, still pointing the knife at Noah's face. "I've been merciful since you're only five. But those older, I framed and sent to Mr. Big and had them iced - innocent or guilty."
Noah gulped in fear.
"You stay here until I die," smiled Fury darkly putting the knife away. "Or until you die for that matter."
He left the room and locked the door.
Noah sat down and Skips sat next to him, staggering.
"He's only scaring you," he assured Noah.
"Are you sure?"
"I hope so to be honest. He threatened me in many ways since I was eight but he never did anything."
"You knew him since you were eight?" asked Noah. "How old are you know?"
"Turned eleven two months ago," replied Skips.
"So how did you meet this monster?" said Noah, disappointed to learn the truth of his evil heart.
"It's like living it all over again," explained Skips looking scarred from whatever his experiences may be. "My dad was a drunk and my mother was a - was a - Patsy was nowhere near as bad as her. Anyway my dad attempted to bite my ear off for stealing one of his cigarettes. I managed to get away and he argued with my mom who fought back and - I heard a bang. I knew I could not return. Many days I was homeless and penniless until I saw a fox in a wig performing tricks but they failed and everyone turned away due to the fact that he was also a fox. One prey slapped him on the face and I went over to help him. He introduced himself as John Fury."
Noah gasped.
Skips resumed:
"He told me that I must help him survive so he showed me how to pick pockets and made me promise to tell new foxes that it was to do with his magic and to say nothing of his name. I was the only rabbit he took in when he took in other foxes after me. Knowing his dark side, I wish my dad did me in too."
"Don't say that," said Noah. "Don't you ever say that again!"
"I just wish I was in your state now, Noah. I'd give anything for you to be with those cops again."
Skips suddenly began to sob.
Noah pulled him in and hugged him, wrapping his tail around him. Very soon, Skips began to calm down.
"I still promise to get you outta here," he said when he had stopped crying. "I will convince Fury that I will maintain his respect and resume my trait as the Skipper."
Noah hugged Skips tightly.
"You're the best friend I ever had, Skips," said Noah. "You and Patsy."
"I never had one like you," said Skips. "There is a lot of light when Patsy is in my life. Only darkened by Brent Stripes."
The lock rattled and Alex burst in with bread and water.
"Lunch," he said shortly.
"Give Fury a message," said Skips. "Tell him that I want to make up for my disobedience by bringing home as many wallets and purses as possible."
Alex looked suspicious.
"Why a sudden change of heart?"
"I've been telling Noah of my backstory reminding him how I am in Fury's debt."
After five minutes, Alex returned with Fury himself.
"So," he said looked Skips. "Alex tells me of your change of heart."
Skips nodded.
"You may prove your worth right now today, but Alex shall escort you to reinforce you don't try any tricks."
"I have so many tricks the others don't know, hence my name," replied Skips.
Soon Skips was gone with Alex, Noah in relief that Skips will now at least find Nick and Judy and tell them where to find him.
"In about two weeks my dear," said Fury to Noah, "that young fox in the sunglasses wants to take you with him somewhere. He says he is your uncle and knows of your father. No questions now but you will sleep well when you reunite with your father."
"So I will leave this place?" said Noah excitedly.
"Pretty much," said Fury slyly. "But your father is in my type of business, but I'm sure you'd rather be with him than an old fox like me threatening you with muzzles and knives."
He walked out of the room chuckling and closed the door behind him.
At least Nick and Judy would be involved soon. Nick was his real daddy, not a thief like his real daddy.
About ten minutes later, Noah heard the door open and made out Alex's panting from running fast.
"What's happened, Alex?" he heard Fury demand. "Speak up!"
"The Skipper!" cried Alex. "The ZPD! The Skipper got busted by the ZPD!"