Chapter 3. The Savage Within
Judy's POV
I sighed, wiping my sweaty brow. The afternoon sun was beating down relentlessly on my fur. It was a particularly hot day in Bunnyburrow. Also a day for gardening blueberries. After all, they were in season.
I arched my back, popping a few vertebrae back into place. I'd been on my hands and knees collecting blueberries all morning and half the afternoon! I looked down at a few, rolling them around in my paw.
"Blueberries. Nick..."
I sighed, dropping them in the basket next to me. I'd been home for a week now. And I was really missing Nick! Sure, it was wonderful to be with my family and friends. But it just wasn't the same as being with my best friend.
"And your crush!"
I shook my head to clear those stupid thoughts. I had absolutlely no right to be thinking like that. Espcially not since-
"Judy? You ok?" Frederick asked, popping up from behind another blueberry bush.
I jumped in surprise. "U-Um, yeah! Just fine."
"You seemed distracted. Something on your mind?" He walked up and rested a paw on my shoulder. I smiled reassuringly.
"I'm alright. Don't worry about me so much."
Frederick nodded slightly. Before walking away, he kissed me lightly on the cheek. I sighed, going back to picking blueberries. Ignoring the soreness in my paws, and the immense pain in my heart.
Once I had finally finished working, I began trudging my way upstairs. I was so exhausted from work I chose to skip dinner. I flopped on my bed, burying my face into the pillow. Turning my head to the the left, I spotted my phone on my nightstand. I bit my lip, contemplating what I should. After unplugging the charger, I dialed a number and waited.
The phone rang a few times before the other line came to life. I heard a gentle yawn come from the other end, making me giggle a little.
"How's it going, Nicky?" I teased.
"Not much. You, Carrots?" Nick asked.
"I'm laying down. Had an extremely long day of picking blueberries." I bit my lip before saying the next part. "It made me think of you."
"Nice to know. Why'd you call?" Nick completely blew off what I said. It hurt my feelings. But, I hid it by continuing talking.
"So, what are you doing this fine evening?"
"Number 1. It's not 'fine' becuase it is raining outside. Number 2. I'm on the night shift" He explained.
The coldness in his tone was unnerving. He never talked to me like that. What was up with him? Was he still not feeling well? I hadn't talked to him in a few days so I wouldn't know.
"Oh, the night shift. Cool. Like I said I'm just resting."
"Tell him, Judy. It's now or never."
I breathed in deeply and let it out calmly before speaking. "Nick. there's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?" He said, sounding uninterested.
"I-I...I'm getting married."
Nick's POV
My breath hitched in my throat when I heard what Judy said. Married? Had the bunny her parents introduced her to been that impressive? What did that bunny have I didn't!?
My migraine returned suddnely, making me groan in agony. I gritted my teeth and squeezed my eyes shut. I could feel my claws starting to dig into my desk.
"Nick? You still there?" Judy asked.
I had dropped my phone on the floor. I slowly picked it up, still growling with pain. "I-I gotta go now, Judy."
"B-But, aren't you g-gonna congratulate me? Or at least tell me how you feel about it?" She sttutered.
"No! Just...bye."
I hung up before she had a chance to say anything else. I was not only in too much pain in my head, but my heart was hurting twice as much. I almose felt like I'd pass out if it got any worse.
I tried to stand up from my chair, but ended up collapsing on the floor. My groans of pain started turning into feral growls. I felt my claws beginning to unseath themselves and my teeth to sharpen. I attempted to scream for help, but it turned into an evil howl. The savage I had been trying to hold back, was finally released.
Third Person POV
Chief Bogo stood at the front desk, looking over the paperwork Clawhauser had been working on. He jerked his head up when he heard a loud crashing noise coming from Officer Wilde's office. He took his glasses off and frowned slightly.
"Officer Bounds?" Bogo asked.
"Yes, Chief?" The young rabbit responded, lifting his head up.
"Would you go check on Officer Wilde? I hear noises coming from his office. And when you're finished, remember to lock up."
Officer Waterson nodded and jogged over to Nick's office. He gently knocked on the door, not wanting to be rude and just bust in. When no reply was heard for a good twenty seconds, he slowly opened the door.
Nick's office had been completely trashed! It looked as though an ambush had occured. Waterson was about to call in Chief Bogo, when heard what sounded like growling coming from behind Nick's desk.
Switching on his flashlight, he slowly approached it. Once he'd walked around it, he found Officer Wilde up against the corner. His back facing the rabbit.
"Officer Wilde? Are you alright?" Waterson asked, cautiously approaching him.
When he got no reply, he tried again. Reaching out for the fox. "Officer Wi-" The fox suddenly spun around, facing the bunny. Waterson gasped in shock, as he saw the fox's normally emerald eyes...were blood red.
If Chief Bogo hadn't walked out of the building already, he would've heard Officer Waterson's peterified screams. And he would've seen the blood that splattered acorss the office door.
"The evil that you feel, is anything but not real. For what lies beneath the skin...is the savage within."