Copper jolted upright in bed. The last bits of his dream still lingering in his mind. The image of a red collar burned in his mind's eye. He didn't know what it meant, but he knew it was important. Copper pushed it to the back of his mind. Right now it was time to figure out a way to break out of this joint. He sat there for what seemed like hours, but in reality, he stewed in his mind for only a few minutes. Some time later, he came up with a plan. He would try to manipulate the guard into giving in, and allowing him his freedom. Yes, that was the plan but, it was a matter of how he was going to go about doing it. He noticed that there was a new guard sitting where Officer Strong had been. This new guard was in full uniform with his walkie talkie on the table turned at a low volume. He had a binder that was open to a page that couldn't be seen from Copper was sitting. He sighed loudly attempting to get the guard's attention. The guard shifted in his seat clearly not paying any mind to what was happening around him. "Ummm excuse me? Officer? I'd like to speak with you." Copper said as innocently as he could. The guard let out an obvious sigh of annoyance as he got up slowly and, mumbled a string of profanities under his breath. "Yes? How can I help you?" The guard said sarcastically. His body jiggled as he trudged to Copper's holding cell. He was a rather round man with an extra chin to spare. His name tag labled him as Officer Penton. The man was known to be quite lazy today, and didn't bother shaving the patchy beard he was growing. He wasn't going to see the president. He was rather a short man standing at a mere five foot three with a slightly impatient temper but he liked to believe that compared to most he was the most mild-mannered cop on the force. As he trudged over to Copper's cell, voices as usual came from random cells around the cell block that Copper was held in. Some shouted profanities, and some shouted death threats, most though were just empty threats. Others cried out in protest and some miscellaneous comments could be heard. Copper flinched at some of them but he tried to block them out as best as he could, as the officer walked up to the bars Copper began to grip them tightly making his knuckles turn white playing up the act. Officer Penton walked up to the cell, and scowled telling Copper that either he hated his job or he didn't want to be here talking to some kid. "Did you by any chance read my file?" asked Copper not trying to be blunt but as soon as the words left his mouth he regretted it. Officer Penton raised his eyebrows slightly. "Yeah why? What do you want to know?" He asked almost irritated. "I don't know, I'm just curious," Copper said truthfully. "Where am I?" He asked trying to get as much information as he could. Officer Penton rolled his eyes sarcastically. "Why do you wanna know kid? Is it really that important?" He sighed. Copper pretended to think about it for a second. He then nodded. "You owe me that much." He said getting a bit annoyed. The officer grunted and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Copper could see beads of sweat forming on the police officer's brow and upper lip. Penton gave a deep sigh before answering. "You're in the Kansas State Penitentiary for Juvenile Delinquency. You're miles from home kid." He said flatly. Copper's eyes widened with this new information. His face went paler than normal and he stumbled back a few steps practically falling onto his behind. He quickly regained his balance and brushed a light brown lock of hair from his eyes. Did he hear the cop correctly? "Well do I at least get my one phone call?" He asked his voice now seemed small and distant. There was a knot forming in his throat. Copper swallowed hard but the knot stayed. The large man with the patchy beard grunted even more loudly getting progressively more annoyed with every passing moment. "Alright kid but make it quick." He said as he took out a ring of keys and unlocking his cell and sliding the door wide open creating a lot of noise which stirred even more commotion from the miscellaneous voices as well as adding new ones to the mix. Copper's hands shot up to cover his ears as the noise of the cell opening slid open. Once it was over Copper stood there for a moment unsure what to do. He peered out from the cell and took a few steps out before following Penton to the payphone that was hanging on the wall. "Alright kid, just dial five and the number you want." He said stepping to the side. Copper picked up the receiver and dialed the number for the Old Lady Tweed's house. The line connected. A voice he didn't quite recognize answered. It was a girl's voice sounding a lot younger than the old lady's. It must be Vixen's. "Hello? Vixen listen. I'm in jail about an hour and a half away from where you are. Can you put either Tod or Tweed on the line?" He asked quickly. But as soon as he asked the question Vixen had hung up. Copper stood there in silence with the receiver on his ear as the busy tone sounded. He hung up the phone and walked over to Penton who gave a smirk and motioned for Copper to follow him back to the cell. "Well, looks like you've lucked out with this one kid." He said with an ironic grin planted upon his face. Copper grimaced and walked back to the cell, Penton following close behind. "Listen, I see this kind of thing all the time. Its not too bad after a while. Hopefully someone will notice back home where you've gone." Penton with a slight twinge of sympathy in his voice. The ironic smile still planted on his face, he closed the door to the cell as loudly as he opened it before. Copper plopped down on the floor unsure of what to do now. Vixen hung up on me. Did she know if it was me? I didn't say it was Copper but I'm sure she would know my voice well enough to not hang up the stupid fucking phone! I hope she tells Tod or at the very least the old lady! GOD why does this sort of thing always happen to me? Copper thought to himself. Tears had begun to well up in the corners of his eyes. He was lucky that his cell one only built for one person. He wiped away a tear that had escaped and rolled down his cheek quickly; hoping the cop wasn't looking. Copper couldn't help but to cry at this point. Not bothering at this point he let the tears flow freely. It felt good to cry. It felt like years since he last cried. A few minutes later he sniffled and wiped away the last few tears and a line of snot that was running from his nose with his sleeve. He sighed and pushed himself off the floor and onto the bed. Taking off his shoes, he crawled into bed. He woke up several hours later to someone, Penton probably calling out his name. "COPPER!?" He shouted as he walked down the hall. "Damn that son of a bitch. Judge wants a court date in the next few days. Damn you little fuck!" He muttered to himself. Copper screamed himself awake. The memory of Cheif snarling at him like a savage. Teeth bared and his stance ready to pounce, Copper watched Cheif leap out and bark and attempt to bite someone or something. It was too much to bear. Coppers eyes shot open and he sat up. A layer of sweat coated his skin. He brushed a long strand of wet hair out of his face. The image of Cheif's bared teeth and lunging at something burned even brighter in his head than anything else.
