Ch. 14: Taken

Ironclaw and Arachnid had disappeared by the time the ZPD had sweeped the museum.

Nick had vanished after arriving at the precinct, Judy ultimately decided to give him some time to calm down before she called him. In Bogo's office she showed the buffalo and Percy her pictures of Arachnid's file.
"He's been hypnotizing all these animals, and they don't even realize it."

"How can you remember then," Percy asked her, she had already told them about her meeting with the monkey.

"He wanted me to remember," Judy guessed. "He's trying to scare me."

"And you're not," Percy asked.

She was but she wasn't going to give up. She was a police officer and she had vowed to protect Zootopia. But she had also vowed to herself that she would look after Nick and that didn't turn out so great.

Bogo let Judy go while he informed the rest of the officers about Arachnid's file and Percy made a public broadcast that mammals needed to be on the look out for him, but refrained from mentioning Ironclaw. Judy didn't know if that was a good idea or not, animals should know when a dangerous criminal was on the loose but it would also cause panic; if Ironclaw approached an animal hopefully they'd see her claws and glinting eyes and know to run the other way.

Judy picked up her new key from the landlady and walked into her room that was exactly the same as she had left it.

She pulled out her phone and dialed Nick's number for what felt like the twentieth time. Once again only the voicemail answered her.

"Nick," Judy practically begged, "Please call me, I need to talk to you. I need to know you're okay."

"Who's Nick," one of her neighbors yelled through her wall.

"Her fox boyfriend," the other answered just as loudly. "He probably dumped her."

"He did not!" Judy told them just as loudly. "And he's not my boyfriend!"

"Don't deny what's obvious to see!"

"Like how you deny you leave the empty milk carton in the fridge!"

"I didn't!"

"Liar!"

"Shut up!"

"You shut up!"

Judy let out a groan and lay on her bed, wrapped the comforter around her and curling into herself, sending Nick one last message before the revealed secrets and danger of the day drew her into slumber.

.

One week later

Sven and Winter stepped out of the car and onto Sahara Square. Sven walking with a skip in his step, his fox assistant following calmly behind, they were off to visit Charlie who had texted that she had free time and wanted them to come for dinner.

"I'll never get used to this weather," Winter said, the hot sun bearing down on thick white fur. "But you act like it's nothing, sir."

"Ah, Winter my dear," Sven let out a happy sigh, "When you've found your soul mate your love is like a fan for your heart. I can't even feel the heat."

Winter smiled fondly, "It's been a while since she's invited us to her house. Actually, it's weird that she texted. She told me she loved hearing your deep burr over the phone."

Sven grinned cheekily, "Yeah…but I suppose, knowing her, she is actually elbow deep in work but wants to see me."

"I suppose," Winter shrugged.

They arrived at Charlie's door and rang the doorbell. But there was no answer.

"Maybe he's listening to music," Winter mused as Sven opened the door.

The hallway was dark and uneasiness immediately set the two on edge, something was wrong.

"Charlie," Sven called, again no answer. "Charlie, are you here?"

"This is a nice house."

Sven and Winter went stock-still, paw steps were echoing through the house. Out of the living room strolled a large lioness clad in black smiling at them will all the innocence of a lamb.

Sven took a step back and pulled Winter behind him, "Where's Charlie?"

"That pretty little cheetah? Oh, don't worry she's fine. Well…except for the fact she's in a relationship with a prey." She spat the last word out like poison. "But I will soon remedy her of that tragedy. Or rather, she will."

"Ironclaw," Sven spoke up, looking at her glinting claws. "I've heard of you."

"And I've heard of you," the lioness replied, turning her back on them. "Sven Jingle, what a successful reindeer you are. It makes me sick, the world is beginning to revert to the Stone Age and you are going right back to where you belong: in the belly of a predator."

"If you want to attack me go ahead," Sven replied calmly. "But I assure you these antlers aren't just for decoration."

Ironclaw looked over her shoulder with a grin on her mouth, "Oh yes, you wouldn't hesitate to strike back if I attack you." She pointed a deadly claw down the hall, "But she's a different story."

The two mammals turned their heads and Ironclaw's grin widened when she saw the looks on their faces.

Charlie was on all fours, snarling rabidly at her mate and friend, her eyes blank.

"Charlie…" Sven's voice cracked.

Winter grabbed his arm and dragged him to the door, he offered no resistance. The cheetah lunged, Winter slamming the door shut just in time, Charlie crashed into it with a painful snarl. By the time Ironclaw opened the door the two animals were in their car, leaving a dust trail as they drove away.

She sighed and looked down at the pacing cheetah in disgust. "Predators these days, you've all become so fat and slow. Pathetic."

.

It was with no small cry of relief that Judy removed her cast, her leg fixed like brand new. Hopping in place she dressed in her uniform and headed toward the precinct, she was ready to go and finish this Ironclaw case.

And she was ready to finally see Nick again.

Over the week she had stayed in her apartment, resting her leg and trying to get over what had happened at the museum, Nick had only texted her once or twice every day to inform her he was still alive.

Arriving at the department her eyes immediately narrowed in on Nick who was standing at the coffee pot. For a second she allowed herself the joy of seeing he was okay, his fur wasn't on end, his paws weren't shaking, and he didn't have that awful fear in his eyes. He looked normal, like nothing had happened.

Judy gave a quick nod to Clawhauser who told her hello before walking over to her partner and punching him in the gut.

"Ow!" Nick yelped, staring at her with an affronted look, "Good morning to you too, Carrots!"

"Where were you," she demanded, "I kept trying to call you but all you could do was send me a couple of texts that said you're fine? You had vanished an entire week."

"I just needed time to myself to clear my head," Nick replied, still looking slighted. "We did almost die, you know."

"And I needed you," Judy stopped herself from wailing the words. "And I was hoping you would've needed me too. I was scared… It's all my fault that happened to you, and then you were screaming at Percy going on that you think we think you're like Ironclaw, and then you vanished without a trace!"

"Carrots," Nick began but didn't look like he knew what to say.

"NICK! JUDY!"

The two officers whirled around to see Winter running into the precinct, her fur on end and eyes wide. She raced over to them and seemed to break down as she went, she fell against Nick's shoulder and started to sob.

"What happened," Nick asked, his face a mix of concern and confusion as he placed his paws on her shoulders.

"Charlie-Charlie she…" Winter took a shuddering breath, "Ironclaw has her."

Judy's jaw dropped, "Where's Sven?"

"In-in the car. He can't…he hasn't spoken since… that lion was in her house! And she did something to her that made her wild and attacked us!"

"Arachnid," Judy breathed, fear for the innocent cheetah making her heart race. "Nick, go get the chief, I'm going to go get Mr. Jingle!"

Outside she found the car, Sven was sitting in the passenger seat, his eyes hollow as he stared out the window, when Judy opened the door he didn't react.

"Mr. Jingle…it's me Officer Bunny." She reached her paw out to touch his arm. "Winter told me, we'll get Charlie back. I swear it."

"Her eyes…" Sven breathed, "Those weren't her eyes."

Judy's throat closed and she tried to take a breath, "Can you, can you come inside? Answer some questions?"

"Winter can answer any questions… I can't even take care of the animals I love."

"Please," Judy spoke quietly, "You don't have to talk, but I think it's best if you and Winter stay together. She's upset too."

Finally Sven nodded he stepped out of the car and followed Judy inside without a word. Bogo was talking with Nick and Winter, the arctic fox eyes streaming with tears. They had the two victims sit down and Winter explained what had happened, Bogo sent a team to Charlie's house to try and find any evidence or clues.

Meanwhile Bogo decided Sven and Winter needed to stay somewhere safe, knowing Ironclaw would be after them.

"I know someone," Judy told him, "Leave it to us."

Nick gave her a droll look, "I know who you're thinking of and once upon a time I may have been against it but then I remembered you don't listen to me."

"I'll start," Judy promised him. "But I really can't think of any better place that would be safe from Ironclaw. Besides, it's been a long time since I've visited my goddaughter."