Author's note: This got a bit...dark. So quick warning, not rated T for the sake of it.
It took a bit to track down Weaselton, seeing as he had spent awhile on the sidewalk in introspection. Now the fox was crouching in the shadows, listening to a conversation going on behind the next corner. One was the scratchy voice of Duke, and the other was deceptively deep, making it hard to place a species.
Nick continued the slow pace forward along the wall, pressed up against it, trying to stay as quiet as possible. Which was severely hindered when every step he took stuck to the ground, leaving a sticky red residue.
"I got your stuff for the last two months, risking my neck to get some bulbs for ya."
"Ain't much of a neck to risk." The deep voice replied, obviously irritated at the mammal in front of him.
When Weaselton spoke again, it was with a more polite tone, as if trying to calm his employer, "look, you know what, I'm good. I'll just leave and won't tell anyone about the Night howlers... as long as I'm paid."
Nick froze, not sure if he had heard right. If so, then this was more than flower robbery. Having reached the of the hall, Nick peeked around the corner, snout down and ears back as to show as little as possible of himself.
He was positioned behind the other mammal, a ram by the look of wool and horns, but it wasn't the identity of the dealer that startled Nick but the petrified look on Weaselton's face. A moment later and he found out why. Clasped firmly in the hoof of the ram was a sleek looking gun aimed squarely at the weasel's chest.
"I don't think you understanding this works. You don't make demands. You don't get to tell. And for that matter, you don't get to know." The ram forced out through gritted teeth, all annoyance vanished replaced by anger, enforcing the threat by prodding the weasel.
"Whoa, hey now, let's not get hasty." Duke sputtered, trying to back away from the weapon "I mean
come on, Dug, it's me Duke. I haven't failed you yet." His voice now placating, continuing his way backwards.
"You were caught by a rabbit." Dug accused looking annoyed again at the weasel for suggesting innocence.
Weaselton instantly went into a round of excuses and insults but was abruptly cut off by Dug slapping him. The weasel fell to the ground by the unexpected blow, a red welt already forming underneath the fur.
"And I can see why," Dug scoffed, before turning slightly away from the weasel, gun still pointed squarely at the weasel, and pulled out his phone. Dialing a number into the phone one handed, the ram brought it to his ear and waited as ringing filled the subway.
Nick needed to help, but what could he do? Looking around he noticed a hanging light above the ram and weasel, tilted and barely hanging on from a wire. Following the air with his eyes he saw that it ran along the ceiling to the wall on the other side of the entrance. A plan slowly formed in his mind, he just needed to get Duke's attention.
Seeing his chance at Dug's distraction, Nick leaned out a bit further. Duke was now curled on the floor in a fetal position, scared from the blow and death at gunpoint. Nick waved at him. Weaselton didn't seem to notice.
He stepped out a bit further and waved again. This time Weaselton looked up to see the fox and his eyes widened in surprised. Nick pointed to the light above him then made a cutting gesture, and quietly made a falling gesture. Weaselton looked confused, but slowly nodded.
Nick was about to step out of his hiding place when the ringing suddenly stopped, bringing him to a halt.
"Ay, boss, I've got a problem." Dug said into the phone, then waited for a reply. Nick leaned in slightly trying to hear the other speaker, but only heard a static filled grumbling.
"It's about that weasel, that delivers." A moment of static then, "Yeah, that's the one. He's tried to threaten me with releasing information." Nick snapped out of his daze. He needed to help the weasel, even if he didn't like him.
Stepping fully out into the open, Nick started to creep along the floor to the other side of the hall, a small sticking sound coming from every step. He was halfway to the cord when dug spoke again.
"Right boss. He'll be dealt with." Ending the call, Dug shoved his phone back into his pocket before turning to look at Duke. "Well, well looks like you're not as important as you thought."
Nick couldn't see his face, but he could hear the smile from his voice, malicious and happy at the others plight. He didn't have much time, stepping faster he reached the other side.
"Wait, come on, we're friends. Big D and little D. You wouldn't hurt Duke." Nick could hear the pleading in his voice as he tried to reason with the ram.
"Nah." It was all Dug said before aiming the gun directly at Duke.
Nick looked at the cord in front of him trying to figure out how to cut it. If the wire was live, then he'd get shocked, but he didn't have anything else to do so with. Flexing his claws, he went into slash at the wire when a loud bang slammed through the subway.
Nick yelped and swiveled around to see the smoking barrel of Dug's gun still pointed at the unmoving body of Weaselton. He hadn't gotten there in time. The weasel's unmoving body was testament to that.
He had to get out of here. He had to get out. Nick turned around and started towards the exit when he accidentally kicked a can lying on the floor. It skidded away from him, tinkling, and clanging around, the sounds reverberating loudly after the silence. He was screwed.
Dug spun around to see the can stop its bouncing and roll next to the exit. Nick could hear Dug swear loudly, but he was already sprinting up the stairs, three at a time, to the top. He had to run as fast as possible. He needed to get to the exit before Dug saw him.
He could hear the loud clops of hooves sounding behind him up the stairs and put on a new burst of speed. Around the corner, to the right, down a corridor and slammed right into an open door.
Nick came to a crashing halt as he slammed into the bathroom door. His entire body ached from the impact but the sound of Dug made him ignore the pain and stand up searching for somewhere to hide. Not the bathroom, that would be the first place he would look, and the end of the corridor was to far away to reach.
Looking down, Nick saw an open vent about a foot above the floor. Well, it was his best option. Sinking down to his stomach Nick started to crawl inside the vent, the dust from the floor started to blow up from his heavy breathing and tickled his snout. Before he could stop himself, Nick let out a loud sneeze that echoed through the vent and back out into the subway.
"What was that?!" Dug's voice rang through the silence, "I know you're here. You might as well come out."
Nick heard how close the voice was and quickened his pace into the vent. His feet had been a meter in, when Dug's voice sounded again "come on, fox, I know you're here. Just come out and I won't hurt you."
Nick almost snorted at the absurdity of that statement but stopped himself as the clopping of hooves sounded from behind him. He couldn't turn around to see Dug, and he didn't dare move farther in case he made some noise. His only option was to lie there and hope he wasn't found.
The realization that his entire life depended on luck came crashing into him. He had never been truly in control of his life, but there was always a way out if things turned nasty. Now, however, he was completely stranded in an abandoned subway station, alone.
Nick held his breath. The sound of spandex rubbing against itself came from behind him. He could imagine the ram bending down to look into the vent, the satisfaction in Dug' voice as he found his target, then the bang that would end his life.
Nick squeezed his eyes shut, preparing for the inevitable. Dug muttered something from behind then the distinct sound of an old door opening sounded.
Nick slowly breathed out the air he'd been holding. His heart was beating a thousand times a minute. But oddly enough, he was calm. He had almost died and yet, he was calm.
All the other scams and plans had completely left him, and all that was left was himself and the things he still wanted to do. He wanted to get out of his current way of life. He wanted to talk to his mom. He wanted to become better, and above all else, he wanted revenge on Dug.
But it wasn't going to happen stuck inside an air vent. Nick started to crawl forward through the vent. It was extremely dusty and cramped throughout, making him want to get out as soon as possible.
It didn't take long before a turn to the right showed some light at the end. Turning, Nick quickened his pace wanting out as soon as possible, but as he neared the opening he realized where it was taking him.
The floor, a gray tannish color, had been stained red from Dukes body, the offending substance pooling around him in a sickening puddle. Nick position only showed him the weasel's feet, but he knew that there wouldn't be a head to look at any way.
He didn't want to see what had happened, but he also didn't want to stay in the subway anymore. Making his decision, Nick inched himself forward until he could grasp the edge of the vent and dragged himself out. He stood up, keeping his head downward, and started to edge his way back to the exit when the duffel bag that Duke had caught his eye.
In all the excitement of being chased down by a murderous ram and crawling through the ventilation, he had almost forgotten why he had followed Duke in the fist place. Duke had mentioned the night howlers in connection with the plants. All he needed was to grab them and then figure out why Dug needed them.
Changing direction, nick started to slowly walk towards the bag when the sound of clomping sounded from far off. Nick straightened, eyes widening, and if his fur could, turn slightly white. He needed to get out of there, NOW. Problem was the exists faced each other and Dug would see him if he tried to run that way.
Making his decision on the fly, Nick ran forward and grabbed one of the bulbs protruding from the sack and started to for the train tunnel when he tripped over something. A loud thump and 'oof' followed his impact on the ground.
A shout sounded behind him, and Nick scrambled to his feet and started a full out sprint to the tunnel. He didn't want to look back, nor was it advisable, but he did so anyways. The sight of what he had tripped over would haunt him to his dying day.
Nick tore his eyes away from the gruesome sight and jumped off the meter high wall into the tunnel. He could hear Dug coming down the stairs, but he just kept on running with the bulb clutched tightly in his paw.
It took him nearly half an hour to get out of the tunnels and back into the open. Slumping down against a cold wall in the tundra biome, the sweat on his body already making him shiver, Nick pulled out his phone. He needed a ride, and he needed a friend.