Chapter 4. The Terrible Truth

Judy's POV

I slowly blinked my eyes, adjusting to the morning sunlight streaming through the window. I sat up, stretching and yawning. After I'd slid on my bunny slippers, I walked to the bathroom out in the hallway. I sighed once I saw my reflection. My eyes were red and puffy from crying.

Nick hanging up on me had hurt more way more than I thought it would. I just didn't understand. He's never acted that way towards me before. So, why the sudden change? I was far too tired to think about it. Espcially since I didn't have any food in my stomach. So I headed downstairs to make some coffe and have a bite to eat.

Once I reached the bottom step, I trudged my way to the kitchen. As I started up the coffe maker, I pricked my ears up. The TV was on, and I could hear my family's voices coming from the living room. I decided to see what was going on, so I walked into the room.

"What's going on, guys?" I asked, still rubbing my eyes a little.

Frederick turned to face me, worry written on his face. "Judy dear, you need to see this."

I squinted in confusion before walking closer to the TV. Upon doing so, I spotted the familar leapord reporter on ZNN. My eyes widened in shock at what she said.

"On exclusive news, Officer Andrew Waterson Bounds of the ZPD, was found brutally murdered this morning. The young rabbit was reported to have suffered fatal bites and claw marks to his entire body. The injuries were far too gruesome for fellow officers to go into great detail about. But, they have revealed the bite marks to match that of a fox's. And further suspicion has arisen, since the DNA discovered on the dead rabbit officer, matched that of Officer Nicholas Wilde. This has caused all to ask, 'Are we going to continue to allow the enemies, to be out heroes?' We are awaiting further information on this terrifying and heartbreaking situation."

I felt like my heart had stopped. All feeling in my body had completely left me. I hadn't noticed I was backing up until I nearly tripped over my mother's decorative table. A feeling of horror and dread passed through my body, bringing me to my senses.

"H-How could this happen?" I murmured to myself.

I had to get an answer. My mind was so fuzzy I hardly noticed when I'd packed all of my things and gone scrambling out the door. What snapped me out of my daze, was when I jumped in the car and prepared to start the engine. Only to have the keys snatched out of my paws. My dad stood and glared at me.

"And just where do you think you're going?" He demanded to know.

"I have to get back to the ZPD. And I have to find Nick" I quickly explained.

"Oh no. You are not going after that...that..savage."

I gasped in shock at my father's words. Was he being serious? He'd met Nick multiple times when I came to visit in the past! So why was he acting this way?

"Dad, please. Nick is my best friend. I can't just-" I ended up cut off.

"Judith! You are forbidden to go after that fox, and that is final! I will not have you ending up like that other rabbit!" Dad shouted.

My eyes widened in horror. I shook my head and snatched the keys back. "I'm sorry, Dad. But, I need to find him. It's my duty as an officer. And as his friend."

My dad looked at me with evident pain, non understanding, and anger blazing in his eyes. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "So that's how it's gonna be, huh? So be it. Frederick!"

Frederick had been standing a few feet away from my father alongside my mother, and a handful of my siblings. He gave my dad a look I couldn't read.

"B-But Mr. Hopps she-" Frederick was silenced as my dad gave him a threatning look.

I squinted in confusion as Frederick reached into his coat pocket. "I'm sorry, Judy." I gasped and fell to the ground suddenly, as something hit me right in the arm. As my vision started to fade, I looked down to see what it was. It was a tranquilzier dart.

When I woke up, my surroundings were dark and damp. My vision slowly adjusted to the poor lighting. Once I had my bearings, I took a look around. It was none other than our basement. A very deep burrow that went a good few feet underground. The air was incredibly stuffy. But, that was the least of my concerns.

I slowly stood up, my body feeling rather achy and woozy from the affects of the dart. My eyes widened as I recalled all that happened. And it suddenly became very clear as to why I was down here.

"Oh no, no, no, no" I mumbled to myself as I ran over to the door. It was bolted shut.

"DAD! YOU LET ME OUT OF HERE RIGHT NOW!" I screamed, banging on the metal door.

"I'm sorry, Jude! But this is for your own good!" He exclaimed.

"You don't understand! You're not helping! You're endangering Nick! And possibly other animals!"

"No, Judy! YOU don't understand! Going after that wicked creature will get you killed! And I refuse to let that happen. So, until you've learned that, you are to stay here."

With that dad began walking away from the door. Ignoring my cries and pleas for him to let me out. Eventually, I leaned my back against the door. Sliding down it till I was sitting on the floor. I began to think about how bitter Nick had treated me on the phone last night. And how that just may have been my last talk with him. I soon curled up in a ball, cursing myself for not telling Nick the truth.

"I-I'm so sorry, Nick. I never got t-to tell you...that I love you. And t-that I never wanted to marry Frederick. I only s-said yes becuase I thought you didn't love me. A-And...I guess I was right." And with that, I buried my face in my knees, and began sobbing my heart out.

Third Person POV

The rainforest district was eery and silent at night. The animals there all slept peacefully in their homes, as the moon shined down upon the land. Unbeknownst to the sleeping town, in the depths of the forest, a young rabbit was running for her life.

The teenage rodent was running as fast as she could through the thick vegetation. Her heart was pounding and her aderanaline was coursing through her veins. Her face was stained with tears, and her clothes were covered in splatters of her own blood.

The poor thing was hysterical with fright. Especially knowing that he was enjoying her performance. His dark chuckle rang through her ears, terrifying her all the more. She attempted to quicken her pace, but it was difficult with her leg being torn the way it was. And eventually, she fell to her knees. Unable to run any longer.

"Poor, poor little bunny. Has she gotten tired?" The voice taunted.

"P-Please..just leave me alone. I-I can't do this anymore" She whimpered, gasping for air.

"Do you give up?"

"Y-Yes! Just k-kill me now!"

The chuckle rang through the air again. The bunny was still panting for a second, until she felt a paw press up against her back. Her whole body froze with fear. Her screams of agony were deaf to the ears of those resting, as she felt the claws of the creature dig into her flesh. She felt the monster- no. The savage's mouth press up against her ear. And the very last words she heard, were this.

"It's all Judy Hopps fault that this happened."

One final shrill scream echoed across the jungle. Then the eery silence returned.