Chapter 12

Drip Drip Drip

There were quiet voices talking that Judy cannot make out what was being said. Then she remembered the event at school and was knocked out. The terrorists! She bolted upright so fast that the IV needle got disconnected, causing pain and her scream. There are some people surrounding her in what appeared to be a hospital room. She recognized Chief Bogo, Officer Jason Clawhauser, and the lion EMT, who were all staring at her because of her scream of pain. She listened for the source of the dripping sound and found that it was from the IV bottle as one of the nurses, a female deer, entered the room and reattached the IV back to her left arm. She noticed that Nick was not in the room.

"What happened?" Judy asked, "I thought I was a goner and become a 'rabbit stew'. And, where is Nick?"

"It was Emily who did the rescuing," Clawhauser answered, "I punched the one who hit your head from behind with his rifle butt. Husky and I fought some more cats while Emily took you out. Husky tried to get Wilde but was ambushed by other cats and I managed to get Emily and you out in time before the Army paratroopers arrived and all hell broke loose. So, Wilde and Husky are MIA as this time."

"Emily?" Judy asked. The lion EMT answered, "That was me, Emily Leon. We never had a chance to introduce to each other. You have saved my life earlier and, I had just saved yours. We are now even."

"Oh, Thank you, Miss Leon," Judy said.

"You are welcome," the lioness reply, "Call me Emily."

"Okay, got it," Judy smiled, "How long was I out?"

"About 3 hours," Emily answered.

Judy looked around the room again. "Where's Maria?" she asked.

"I got her to Finnick, explained to him that you two are friends and came back for you," Emily answered, "He calmed her down with his signing. I believe that she is still with him down at the Zootopia Convention Center with other kids. The parents are meeting the kids there."

"What about the school and those terrorists?" Judy asked, "And Husky and N – I mean, Wilde?"

"The Army are taking care of that for us as we speak," Bogo said as he crossed his arms, "Last I heard there was still some fighting over there. It's all over the media now. It was lucky for us that we got every kid out of there safely. No one left behind except Husky and Wilde. We glad that you did not end up as a 'rabbit stew' for the Naxi scums if it wasn't for them. Since both Husky and Wilde are predator species, they should be okay for the time being."

Judy could not prevent herself from crying so she grabbed her legs and cried. "Oh, Nick," she cried quietly. She gasped as someone hugged her and noticed it was Emily, who hugged her gently.

"It's all right, Hopps," Emily soothed, "From what I heard from others that both Husky and Wilde are tough because of their hardship in the past. I heard that Wilde could make some good hustles so hopefully, he could hustle his way out or something. I am sure they will be fine."

Judy nodded as she wiped her tears from her eyes. "Sorry, guys," Judy said and they waved her away, saying it was all right.

"Are you close to Officer Wilde?" Emily asked. Judy opened her mouth but Clawhauser interrupted, "Yes, they are couples. My cousin, Ben, told me about them."

"Really?" Emily remarked, "That's cool. One of my cousins married a tiger but not a prey species."

"Yes, they developed a special bond when Wilde helped her with that Savage case couple years ago."

Judy's face grew red as she had enough of it.

"Okay, that's enough, Chewhauser!" Judy resorted. "It's my private life! And, I am going to have a serious talk with that cousin of yours!" Everyone, except Clawhauser and Judy, laughed heartily.

"All right!" Bogo barked and everyone looked at him. "I think it's time for us to take a leave and give Hopps some rest." He turned directly to Judy, "You take the rest of today and tomorrow off so give yourself some rest, you hear?"

"Yes, and what about –" Judy began but Bogo cut her off, "Don't worry, Hopps. The army is aware of our missing officers and is looking for them there. It will be awhile, so take it easy, all right?"

Bogo gestured at Chewhauser to leave the room. The nurse also left but told Judy that she would be there whenever she needs her; she nodded to the nurse as Emily stayed.

"Judy – Can I call you 'Judy'?" Emily began and Judy nodded, "Don't be embarrassed about your relationship with Wilde. I have heard about your Savage case and it's really awesome that you two work so well together. I can tell that you love him. I hope the army will find him soon."

"Yea, thanks," Judy said with a sigh, "But I'm worried about him. I don't know what I can do without him."

"Okay, tell me a bit about Maria," Emily said so she could distract her from Nick, as she crossed her arms, "Is she your relative or what?"

"Oh, no," Judy laughed, "She's my neighbor's deaf daughter in my hometown, Bunnyhollow. I've known her family since I was a kid. I had played with her older siblings when we were kids before Maria was born. I am not that close to her but as we both live in Zootopia, I'm the only one she knows outside of school in town."

"Ah, I got it and what about this Finnick?"

"He's Nick's friend," Judy answered, "When I first met him, I thought he was Nick's son because of his height. Long story."

"Oh, how do you know he knows sign language?"

"Nick told me about it just before I handed her to you at that school, I didn't know until that moment. I'm glad that Nick thinks quick on the spot so we were able to get her to safely and he was able to keep her calm."

"Ah," Emily said as she uncrossed her arms and lean against the bed's edge. "While you were out, Bogo mentioned that they will add obstruction of justice charges against Edward for withholding information about bombs at school as well as accomplices to those Naxi group. They are gathering some more information on Edward from Nick's friend, Alex. Do you know them?"

"Oh, damn," Judy moaned, "I know them. Alex is Nick's close friend from childhood. Edward is Alex's nephew. It's hard for Alex, his wife, and Nick as they are close, from what I heard from Nick."

"Oh, speaking of his wife…" Emily pondered, "Is it true that she is a prey species because Bogo mentioned something about threatening life against his wife?"

"Yes, she is," Judy answered with a smile. "She's a Capybara. She has helped Alex with the upbringing of Edward and despite all those hard works, he always ended up in wrong crowds and, eventually, joined the SPS group. Alex and Molly have two own children and they turned out just fine. I met them recently and they are a charming family with a 'bad seed'."

"Oh, I can't imagine that!" Emily said, "I wonder why this is happening to such family."

Judy laid back on her bed, pondering about them. "I wonder what would I do if that happens to me. Must be difficult, especially for Molly."

"Yes," Emily agreed, "Do you think you will be able to get out and go visit your deaf friend at the Convention?"

"We have to check with the doctor to see if I can check out or not first."

"Okay, want me to go and get the doctor or the nurse for you so you can check out sooner. Then we can –" Emily began but got interrupted by Clawhauser storming into the room.

"Quick!" Clawhauser said, "Turn on ZNN!"

Emily grabbed the remote control and turned on TV. There was a breaking news on ZNN.

"– and we are awaiting for their video as the SPS terrorists are sending to us to our email. We should – just a moment," the newscaster said as someone from the side handed them the paper and resumed,"Okay, we have just received a streamed video from the SPS terrorist occupying at Zootopia School for the Deaf," the newscaster said, "We need to warn you that this video may offend or cause distress to you and family. Here it is…"

The video came on, there were two knelt blindfolded officers with bonded paws behind – Judy recognized the shorter one as Nick. Two cats holding them as the Fuhrer looked at the camera.

"Our brave soldiers have captured these traitorous predator police officer," the leader said, "We have demanded that they join us and they refused. So, we have judged and found them to be guilty of treason against us and we demand that your government bow to me as your Fuhrer within the next 60 minutes. Otherwise, these two traitors will die without honor and become our banquet tonight!"

"NOOOOO!" Judy yelled as she jumped off the bed, disconnecting the IV from her arm again, cutting her arm but Judy ignored the pain as Emily held her tightly and Bogo and the nurse returned to the room.