Stormford Correctional Facility loomed in the distance. It was still miles away, but it was so big it stood out in the desert like some huge ancient creature that irresistibly drew the eye to itself. The tiger across the aisle from Nick snarled in anger, then looked over at him. "See that, cop? They put it out there on the other side of Sahara Square because even if you escape, you still have the desert to cross. No one's ever made it out. They get caught, or they die." Nick didn't even look at him and the tiger sneered, "Don't matter to you, though. We're going to kill you."
The bus finally made it and Nick walked out, gasping in the unaccustomed heat. After the air-conditioning, it was like standing in front of an open furnace and he felt light-headed as the guards, a pair of leopards, took him and the tiger inside, where they were searched, issued prison clothing, and taken to their cellblock. The tiger watched eagerly as the guards walked away, waiting until they went through the cellblock door before going up to Nick and pushing him against the bars. "This is it for you, cop."
Several other prisoners crowded around and an angry hum went up. The fox struggled in the tiger's grip but he knew it was hopeless. Even if he could get loose, the others would finish him off. The memory of the first time he ever saw Judy Hopps flashed across Nick's mind, standing up for him against an elephant so he could buy a popsicle. Judy wouldn't want him to go down without a fight, and for the first time in his life he bared his teeth and bit another animal, drawing blood.
The tiger howled with pain and unsheathed his claws and Nick flinched. Then the big animal slammed into him and his head hit the bars. The fox dropped to the floor, shaking his head to clear it, and a huge polar bear lifted him to his feet while another bear dragged the tiger away through the rapidly dispersing prisoners.
Nick forced a grin. "Thanks."
The polar bear brushed him off. "You okay? Mr Big don't want nothing happening to you. We knew you was coming in but we wasn't expecting them to move on you this fast."
"Neither was I." Nick felt the back of his head and winced, noting with relief that at least there was no blood. "I'm good. Thank Mr Big for me, will you?"
"Sure." The polar bear clapped Nick on the back and the fox's knees buckled. "He wants you to know you got nothing to worry about. As the partner of his granddaughter's godmother, you're safe as long as you're in for."