Chapter 13

Nick used his crutches to get onto the stage and he looked out at all the people who came. He saw Judy and her family, Chief Bogo, Jag, Frost, Jefferson, McHorn, and a lot of other coworkers. He saw Oscar, and a bunch of his parents' friends. He saw several of his aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives. He saw Finnick, and even saw Bucky and Pronk! They had been in an argument before it started. It ended with them yelling at each other to shut up as usual. Nick saw Viki in a wheelchair with an oxygen tank on the front row, next to where he had been sitting. Next to her was Jim, Viki's husband. Nick cleared his throat and began, "Jeff Wilde was born on September 5, 1950, to the parents of Greg and Holly Wilde. He was raised in Zootopia and attended high school here. During that time, he met my mom, Marie Cunningham. They became a regular sight together at school, even though they were bullied for being foxes. They got married on June 6, 1970, and had their honeymoon in the Caribbean. Marie Cunningham was born August 12, 1951, to the parents of David and Dian Cunningham, the eldest of three children. She grew up in Zootopia and attended high school here as well, where she met my dad. I was born on June 12, 1982. My sister, Viki, was born January 21, 1994. When I was about five, my dad was drafted into the military. He signed a fifteen year contract. During that time, he was home only once a year, usually in the early spring. I didn't see a whole lot of my dad growing up. I went to high school and graduated with just above a passing grade. After that, I moved out and hadn't seen much of my parents. They moved out to the country with my sister for her to go through school there. I would only occasionally contact my parents or Viki, and I regret that now more than anything I've ever done. I'll always remember that my mom always said to me growing up, 'Always follow your dreams.' When I was older, I asked why she said that, and she said it was because she regretted not following her dreams when she was my age. Eventually, because I was a fox, I gave up trying to be different, and became a stereotypical fox. My mom would always tell me that I should try to be something more. I regret not listening to that advice sooner. My dad taught me many things you would need to survive the world, such as self-defense, pistol and rifle shooting, and how to find food in the woods. He taught me many things that I will never forget. I hope all of you will find something and make it right before it's too late." Nick stepped down and sat next to Viki, as she was being helped up to the stand by Jim. Viki picked up the small wireless microphone and cleared her throat. "My name is Viki Wilde-Worth. My parents are Jeff and Marie Wilde, and my brother is Nick Wilde. I was born January 21, 1994, in Savannah Central Community Hospital. My brother was about to start middle school when I was born. I always looked up to my brother, and I always followed him. When he moved out, I looked to my mother, because my dad still had several more years of his contract. We didn't have very much money growing up, but we moved to the country anyway once Nick left the house. I grew up going to school in the country, and out there, people aren't as bigoted as in the city, but they still are nonetheless. I had more freedom as a fox in the country, and during high school, I met Jim Worth. My dad's contract finally went up and he came home and got a good paying job, and with his pay as a Brigadier General, we were able to build a new house. We lived there for several years, but I missed Nick. I went to college after marrying Jim. I would go visit my parents any chance I got, but I still wanted to see Nick. I saw him a few times, though. After my parents finally found where Nick was, they went to visit, but I couldn't go. There was a term paper due that I couldn't skip. The next few weeks I was free, and I went back home. My parents told me that Nick was coming over with his partner from work. I was so excited. When Nick came that day, I was so happy to see him. I became good friends with his partner, Officer Judy Hopps. After they left, I stayed for a few days longer, but after a while, there was the..." Viki started sobbing. "We were tortured by a lion because he said..." Viki took a few deep breaths. "Nick had him arrested and took everything away, so he was..." Viki paused. She covered her face in her paws. She looked back up and continued, "He was going to take everything away from Nick. He had his minions beat me up, and had our parents..." Viki looked away and choked. "...poisoned." Viki said quietly. "They died peacefully, holding hands, the way they would have always wanted to die." Viki wheeled away from the podium and sobbed. Jim came up and helped her down. Nick was crying too, and so was Judy. Nick didn't feel well, but he sat through the rest of the service. Nick would have been one of the pallbearers, but he was in no condition to carry a casket. At the cemetery, Nick, Judy, Viki, and Jim stood there for hours after everyone else left. "I won't leave you again, Mom. I won't leave you again, Dad," Nick said.

Author's Note:

I just want to clarify, both Nick and Judy have four fingers on each hand. Comparing to a human hand, they don't have pinkies. So when Nick said he lost his two middle fingers, they were the finger next to his thumb, and the one next to that. That makes two fingers left. Just wanted to be clear. Sorry for such a sad story, but it will get happier soon, but you'll have to endure a little more sadness. Enjoy! (If you're reading this, you probably knew it would be sad, didn't you? I just put the "Sorry for a sad story" part because I was giving the latest version of the rough draft to a friend, and she said it was really sad. (The friend has a cameo later in the story. And in the sequel.)(Wow! Multiple parenthesis within each other!)(Is that legal?)(Probably not.)(Why am I talking to myself in an Author's Note?))