Chapter 12:
Nick and Judy returned a little early, and a little tired, Sure was a long day eh fluff? Just glad to be home, you said it carrots. Hey guys, Glad to see you home, supper won't be ready for about an hour, you have time for a walk if you like, says Vivian from the kitchen. I run in, Mom, Dad, I yell as I hug them both. What do you think Squirt, want to go for a walk? YES, I reply. I run to the closet, and get my "walking Jacket". Now let me explain, we had been having bad movie nights for a while, and several of the movies had been old cop shows, With all the stereotypical clichés, and costumes. As mom and dad were still in uniform, my walking jacket was horizontal bars of white and black.
When we walked out the door, mom would put one hand on my shoulder, and I would walk slouched over with my hands behind my back. As we walked down the street, it looked like they were walking me to jail. Most of the neighbours knew of our routine, and just laughed along with us. Mom and dad would both turn on their body cam and film the "pursuit". For play back later when we got back. But this was just the start. About halfway down the street, I would look up at mom and dad, and in as low a voice as I could," You'll never take me in copper". And with that I would take off running. Mom would be the one to chase me, as dad just slowly walked along the street. Mom and I would jump, and bounce off just about anything. Some times she would catch me before the end of the street and sometimes not. When she wouldn't, (she was faster than me) I would run back towards dad. He would get down in a linebacker position, and try to catch me. Some times I was able to fake him out, and most of the time not. If I managed to get by, then I would let out a shriek, and put my hands in the air, like I had just won a goal. If he caught me however, I would get tickled to with in an inch of my life.
This night Rita was on her step as I ran past with mom in hot pursuit, "You go girl catch that little hoodlum". Rita laughed, and pointing at me "he went that away". On most nights Rita would give me a cookie and tussle my fur, when we walked past her place on our way home. I liked Rita she had a good heart.
Terry was having second thoughts about this location, it wasn't as dark, and it was in a better neighbourhood. But money was money, he just hoped that the buyers would get here soon. When he saw the other car come into the alley, he flashed his lights twice, the other car flashed their lights three times. Weither It was a deal gone wrong or a rival gang doing the heist, Terry knew he was in trouble when four mammals appeared, with guns, out from behind the dumpsters further up the alley. Terry threw his car in reverse, and hit the gas. Two bullets ricocheted off the hood while two went through the rad and one through the windshield. Terry barreled his way out onto the street, and as he turned the car, he noticed a kit on the ground with a police officer leaning over him. "shit, Shit" thought Terry as he threw it into forward and gunned it down the street.
Nick having witnessed it all called it in.
911 what is your emergency?
Yes, a hit and run has just occurred at the 2300 block of Harris st, requesting an ambulance, civilian hurt, Perp is driving a black late model four door Corsialla Lic plate TER-237 Heading south bound on Harris.
Can you stay on the line sir?
where is that ambulance?
Sir the ambulance is on the way, please stay on the line with me. ZPD has been alerted.
Nick then runs over to his wife and son, He sees that Daniel is still breathing, and there is no blood. All he wants to do is hold him, but his police training kicks in. "do not move an accident victim, wait for the ambulance". Nick then grabs Judy as she reaches for Daniel. Judy wraps her arms around Nick and they hold tight two each other.
The police were the first to arrive, with the ambulance a close second. The paramedics jump out with a back board, and slip it under Daniel, then move his arm to a better position, strap him down and proceed to load him into the ambulance. Judy tries to get in as well. "Sorry ma'am you can't ride with us". Out of my way you Moron, I'm his mother. The paramedic is taken aback by this, a rabbit is the mother of a fox? Nick comes over, Judy I'll meet you at the hospital. Nick looks at the attendant, what hospital are you taking him to? "Mercy General" was the reply. I'll meet you there, take care of our son. Will do Nick. Love you Judy, say Nick as the doors close and the ambulance peels away. The attendant can't believe that a fox and a rabbit were married to each other. As the ride progresses, the attendant realizes that Daniel is different, and begins to believe. How old is the kit? Judy gets a little frosty. Daniel is 17 months old, Natural birth? No, c-section. Does he have any allergies? Just to bugs and meat, he won't eat them. The attendant looks down at Daniel, well he appears to be healthy. Judy is getting a little upset at this line of questioning, and comments. Look I don't care what you think of Nick and I, this isn't about us but our son, and if one more speciest comment comes out of your mouth, I will arrest you. Before he could say anything else, they were at the hospital.
After the ambulance had left Nick felt a little more himself as he knew Daniel was being taken care of, the officers of precinct 3 were interviewing witnesses, when Nick remembered his body cam. Officers, I have a cam recording of the whole thing. Who did you steal that from? Fox. Nick got a bit riled at this but then went with his old standby, "never let them see they get to you". Well officer I didn't steal it, it's part of my uniform. A fox cop? That will be the day. Now why don't you move along and try to hustle some one else. Thank you, officer…. Woolton, that's officer Woolton to you fox! Nick pulls out his phone and dials…. That 's right sir, officer Woolton of precinct 3. A few minutes later officer Woolton receives a phone call. The officer in question answers his phone, talks a few minutes, says a few yesses, turns white, and hands his phone to Nick. Is this officer Wilde? It is Sir. This is chief Andihiem of precinct 3. Did you try to hand a fellow officer some evidence? Yes sir, I did. And did this officer refuse it? Well sir, he didn't refuse it, he thought I was making it up. And was this a police issue body cam? Yes sir, and final question, are you in uniform? Yes sir, I just got off work an hour ago, and I haven't changed yet. Thank you, officer Wilde, could you please hand the phone back to officer Woolton? Woolton listens a bit more, hangs up his phone, gets in his car and drives away.
The other officers from precinct 3, wonder what just happened. Nick is approached by another officer, I couldn't help but over hear a bit if that conversation, you have some video evidence? Yes, it's right here in my body cam, if you like we can down load a copy to your cruiser. That would be fine officer…. Wilde, Nick Wilde. Is your partner Judy Hopps? Actually, it's Judy Wilde. Oh, my, Judy and I went to through the academy together. So, she's married to you? Yes, going on two and a half years now. Wow that is so cool. Do you guys live around here? Just up the street actually. Nick getting a bit testy, asks if this could be moved along. Right sorry, let us just hook this up…there we go. After a few the video comes up showing the whole scene. Wait is that Judy? Yes, it is, why is she chasing that kit in a prisoner costume? Well that's part of the game Judy and I play with our son. Wait, you adopted a son? No, he's our biological son, and I need to get to the hospital. At this the officers ask Nick if he needs a ride, Nick says no, and points to the cruiser down the street. He thanks the officer and heads home.
Mom Nick calls, here dear, where is everyone? I heard some sirens earlier, is everything ok? Mom there's been an accident, Daniel got hit by a car, Judy is at the hospital with Daniel now. Her Hands fly to her muzzle, we have to go, grab your coat mom, were leaving now.
So here I am having the time of my life "walking" with my parents, When I hear a popping noise. I look towards the noise, and noticed a black car coming at me. I am still moving forward at this point, and I know I can't stop before the car hits me. So, in a desperate measure, I jump up, and push off from the fender of the car with my paws. This In turn causes me to do several back flips. On the second time around I land flat on my back and head, my right arm hits the mailbox leg, and breaks. I don't actually remember the breaking part, as I had already blacked out when my head hits the sidewalk.
I woke up in a strange meadow. It was beautiful here, so calm, so peaceful, so loving. I felt like I had been here before, but where is here? Hello Daniel, a voice says behind me. I turn around and see the most beautiful, and graceful snow leopard. Hello who are you? I have no fear of him, as all I can feel is peace. But before he can answer, I break down thinking I must be dead. Am I dead? I ask. He just bursts out laughing, far from dead Daniel, and my name is Gab. Hello Gab why am I here? Well Daniel I live here. And where is here? Here is the meadow, it is some where between life and dreaming, and life and the great beyond. What is the great beyond? I can't tell you that, no one living may know. What I can tell you, is that all people when their time comes, they go to the great beyond, no exceptions, good, and bad. Am I dying? No Daniel, you are not dying. You decided to stop here on your way to dreaming. I decided? Well yes, anyone can stop here, but few remember. Will I remember? I hope so, as you need some teaching.
Well yes, above all else what do you wish to learn Daniel? I thought back over my short life, and asked for the one thing that bothered me the most. Can you teach me how not to hurt anybody? That is a tall order Daniel, as we hurt others even when we are not aware of it. Then I thought back to what dad had said, how I had a gift. Can you teach me how to use my gift properly? And what gift is that? Dad said I can project my emotions; can you teach me how to control it? I can, but you all need to learn control. All of us? Yes, I'm referring to your littermates. What you and they can do right now is on an instinctual level, but you need it under conscious control. What you did to the lions was like using a baseball bat to swat flies. It works, but not very efficient, and requires a lot more energy. And where does this energy come from? Mostly from you, that's why you were so tired afterwards. Now Daniel, I would like to continue this conversation, but there are mammals waiting for you to wake up, and they are worried about you. How do I get back here? Just remember I told you this is halfway, just remember how it feels, and it can draw you back in. And my littermates? They will follow you, if they are linked to you. Farewell for now Daniel, we will meet again.
Well Miss Wilde, it appears that Daniel got off lucky, he has a broken forearm, and a nasty bump on the back of his head. a slight concussion, no internal bleeding, and a few scrapes, but all in all he is in good shape. It could have been worse, but I am glad it wasn't. We would like to keep him here, over night for observations. Thanks, Doc, for all that you have done. Can I ask, Is Daniel your child? Yes, he is. The reason I ask is that he has some bunny attributes, and some fox attributes. Well that would be because his father is a fox. A fox? Daniel is a hybrid; his DNA says he's 60% fox and 35% bunny. Wow, I didn't even think it was possible. Right, we are moving him to the children's wing in a few minutes. Immediate family members are allowed to stay with him. Thanks Doc, I'll let my husband know.
Nick and Vivian join Judy in the hospital room. Nick hold Judy close as she finally breaks down. It's all my fault, cries Judy. It's Not your fault, says Nick rubbing her back trying to get her calmed down. It was just an unfortunate accident. Did they catch the guy? Yeah, they caught him. Not hard to miss a broken-down car, with bullet holes. I would like to get him alone…. Not happening Judy, if this guy sees the light of day anytime soon, I'll be surprised. He has several traffic violations, reckless driving, driving with undue care and attention, speeding, felony evasion, drug trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a restricted weapon, making a controlled substance, and just being plan stupid. At the last one Judy just laughs softly. Oh, Nick what if we had lost Daniel? We just found him. Judy starts to cry again. Nick just holds her tight, as this thought was on his mind too.
I slowly swim back to conciseness, With a throbbing in my arm and head. I can hear my parents and Vivian talking in hushed whispers. I croak out one-word "Bathroom". Vivian picks me up, and takes me to the bathroom. She helps me do my business, as I have no sense of balance at the moment. Once done, she puts me back into bed, and curls up around me. I start to cry, Sorry mom, dad. Gab's words came back to me. "sometime we hurt others even when we are unaware of it". Vivian just strokes me, shushing me, not your fault Daniel. Vivian looks at Nick and Judy, go home you two, I've got Daniel. You two look like you could use some alone time, Suppers in the oven, go. Mom and Dad get up, come over and kiss me and Vivian good night, we'll pick you guys up in the morning. They then leave lost in their own thoughts. I drift back to dreamless slumber.
Sir Subject "J", has been in an accident. How bad is he? Not bad Sir, a broken arm, a bump on the back of his head, some scrapes, and bruising.
Can we get him out of the hospital and back here? No Sir the grandmother is with him. What if we take the grandmother too? I would advise against it, as Nick and Judy are two of the best cops in precinct one, and I believe that they would not rest until we were caught. Right, let's not rile up the cops.
All right was there any reaction to the accident from the test subjects? No Sir, no reaction at all. All right continue as before.