Chapter 25:
So, here it is about a week before the start of the carrot festival, and I'm learning to be a carrot farmer. It seems all of the rabbits in the burrow helped with the harvest, except for those who watched the younger ones. Vivian volunteered to be one of the watchers and I was elected to be a picker. Now I'm no stranger to workouts, but this job worked a whole new set of muscles I had never worked before. I now could see how mom had such strong leg muscles, when you pick carrots you grab onto them with your hands, and Not using your back muscles or your arm muscles push up with your legs. This in effect pulls the carrot out of the ground. I found it was the most efficient use of energy. But it sure did work those leg muscles. After picking a carrot I would drop it on the ground, or if a basket was close by, I would drop it into the basket. Any that were dropped on the ground, were picked up by younger bunnies and put into baskets. The adults would put down empty baskets and pick up the full ones. As we were in a very temperate zone, carrots could be grown all year round. As we pulled the field empty, adults behind us would plow, rake, and fertilize the field, and plant carrot seeds. This was a very efficient way to farm. On average it took us about 6 hours to pick a field clean. We were then free to do what we wanted the rest of the day.
On the first day I missed breakfast, so I was hungry when I finally got to the field. (I didn't know about the second kitchen). When I pulled my first carrot, and stuck it in my mouth, I got some strange looks, but when I started to eat it, I got even stranger looks. I guess no one figured out that I was a vegan, they were expecting me to eat bugs, or worms even. (how revolting).
In the afternoon I work on my pictures of farming practices. Picking of carrots, plowing the field, pumping water. Yes, they still had an old fashion pump for washing the carrots. I could tell, you would never get fat working om a carrot farm. I even draw some pictures of the kits at play. Some times I even join them in play. The first time I did my exercises, I had the kerfuffle stare at me oddly. They watched as grandma and I did the forms. Some even used us as climbing posts, talk about distraction. After a few days some started to emulate us, so I started to teach them the isometric forms. They were easy to teach, and a lot of fun too.
Finally came the week of the fair, we still had farm work, but Stu decided we would all go to the fair on Thursday. This worked for me, the watchers (there were six of them) had been watching all week for a chance to grab me, but no opportunities presented it's self. Now you would think it would be hard to get us all there, wrong, Stu made a train out of the wagons and the tractor, and got everyone that wanted to go, to the fair, there in one shot. It was big and long, but there was a parking lot strictly for trains. By far Stu's train was the longest.
This was exciting for me I had never been to a fair before. The sights, the smells, the rides, the games. We wandered the fair, grandma and I taking it all in. As the family dispersed, grandma and I became more isolated. I won a few prizes at the games, and went on one ride before they moved in. I gave grandma the signal that they were coming. We deliberately made sure none of the family were around us, so we would be very tempting targets. As far as their plans went, it was perfect for them. At the last-minute grandma turned as the pig put the trank in her neck. At the same time, she punched him in the nose. I heard his nose go crunch, as Vivian hit him. Blood blossomed everywhere, the trank entered my neck, and I kicked the mammal who did it, shame I didn't actually break it, but I was told that he limped for days. They then handed me off to a fox. It didn't look weird that a fox would have a fox kit sleeping on his shoulder. As they made their way out of the fair with me, no one questioned them. They all piled into the van they were driving and left the fair. The pig had dragged grandma behind one of the washrooms and left her there.
Vivian came to, and looked around for me. "Daniel", she cried. "Have you seen my grandson"? She asked several people; they all just shook their heads no. Eventually word got to the fair security and Grandma was escorted to the security kiosk. She was frantic by this time. (she was playing her part really well). Security searched the fair, as word got back to Stu. Stu and family, then helped in the search.
Head of security, the Sheriff of Bunny Burrow, looked at Vivian and asked, "what happen"? Vivian looked at the mammal, "I was tranked you moron, Daniel was abducted. How do you know he was abducted? He is a special kit; he is a fox and bunny hybrid. He was running away from some people when he was found the first time". Upon hearing this security went into high gear.
"Who's manning the north gate? I believe that would be Kevin, Sir". He then picks up the radio, "Kevin, Come in Kevin. What's up Sheriff? Has a fox kit left the fair grounds? Not under his own power, he was being carried by a tod sir. Don't you think it's a little early for a kit to be worn out? Now that you mention it… Can you describe the tod? Not really sir, he was just your average tod, but come to think of it chief, I did notice that the kit seemed to be limp in his arms, but the strangest thing was I could have sworn the kit had rounded ears". "Daniel", screams Vivian as she faints away. "Kevin, did you get the plate number by chance? Ah, no chief I really didn't see anything I thought would warrant a second look. It was a white van they drove away in though. Ok, thanks Kevin".
Vivian wakes up and starts to cry. "Can you describe Daniel for us? Daniel is about 2 feet tall, orange and grey colored, with bunny feet, and rounded ears, he also has a bunny style nose. All right people we have an abduction, I want all roads out of the Burrows blocked and all white vans searched. On it chief. Don't worry ma'am, we will find him. Oh, I have to tell him parents. Well let's not get to hasty at this point, we will get them. No, I don't believe you will". With this Vivian pulls out her phone and calls her son.
Nick and Judy were having an average day, when the call came in. "Hi mom, how's the fair going? Whoa slow down mom. WHAT? All right we will be there as soon as we can. Judy, I have to call the chief, Daniels been abducted". Chief Bogo had been expecting the call, but it still came as a shock when it arrived. "What's this about an abduction Wilde? Chief, Daniel has been taken from the fair in Bunny Burrow. That's out of our jurisdiction what can I do? Chief can you call someone? We need more help than the local sheriff can supply. I can call the Z CIA , but no guarantee that they will get involved. Please chief, can you call? Any help would be better than none. All right, I'll call. Thanks Chief. Oh, Wilde's I know I won't get any work out of you, so take the cruiser to Bunny Burrow, but no lights or siren, got it? Thanks Chief, we owe you. Damn right you owe me, you will have to make up the shifts you miss. Got it, and thanks again". The chief picks up his phone and dials a rabbit's number. "It's on", is all he says.
Judy drives as fast as the law will allow and they arrive in Bunny Burrow about two hours later. They find the command post has been setup at the Hopps farm. As they come into the yard, Vivian rushes to them. she had been waiting for them. She breaks down as she hugs Nick, "I'm sorry, so sorry, I could not protect him. Slow Down mom, just tell us what happened". So, Vivian tells about being tranked, and breaking the nose of the pig who did it. "Good one", said Judy. But she can't tell them more as she was out. Stu and Bonnie come out of the burrow and hug Nick and Judy. "We'll get him back guys I know we will. Do you have any recent picture of Daniel"? asks the sheriff as he walks over. Nick pulls out his wallet and hands the sheriff a picture.
"Well my word, Judy Hopps, what brings you here? The abduction of my son, Sheriff. Your son? Yes, sheriff the abduction of Nick and I's son. He's your son? Yes, sheriff he is, by now you know he is a hybrid, a bunny and a fox hybrid. And it's actually Judy Wilde sheriff, as of three and a half years ago. You married a fox? He's not just any fox, he is Nick Wilde, my partner and mate. I'm sorry guys I didn't mean any offence, it's just interspecies relationships don't happen to much out here. Well get use to it, it's happening more often than you think". Just at this moment a car comes screaming in the drive and comes to a gravel grinding halt. Peter jumps out of the car, and runs to embrace Vivian. Vivian and Peter kiss and embrace. "I told you sheriff it's happening more often than you think". Judy and Nick walk over and embrace them both. "God guys, I came as soon as I heard. Have you found out anything? Sorry Peter we just got here ourselves. Are you hurt Vivian? No Peter, they just tranked me, but I did break the nose of the pig who did it. Way to go love".
"All right people settle down, the clocks ticking we have approx. 52 hours to get into position as the power to the compound will be cut at 22:00 on Saturday night, these are the mammals we are there to rescue". He hands out copies of my drawing of my siblings, DeDe, and me. Try to save as much information as you can from the compound. Also, we have two cheetahs of interest, please try not to kill them. Everyone else is fair game".
"How did everything go? Splendidly Sir, we got "J" and got away with minor injuries. Minor injuries? Yes Sir, Snouts got his Snout broken, you've wanted to us that for a long time, haven't you? Yes Sir, it is kind of fun. And Harry got a green stick fracture of his tibia, he was still able to walk away, but he was in a lot of pain. Have "j" put back with the others, and resume normal operations. Very good, Sir". (from the files of the institute)