Chapter 4

At the moment I have just finished my two week April break and am back at school. I will try to upload at least once in the midweek and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I will be doing a lot of revision in the next three weeks as I have my real Science GCSE coming up so I will be putting more focus on that. Once my exams have finished I will try to upload every night. I hope you understand my predicament. Now on with the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Zootopia

I was woken up by my alarm like every morning. Except this wasn't like every morning. No I was still a fox and I had woken up in the hotel I stayed in. It was 6:30 am. Why am I up so early? I used to have a paper round back on Earth but now I don't so what was the point. I realised that I needed school equipment. You know the sorts: bag, pens, pencils, rulers etc.

I soon found a shopping centre and quickly found the things I needed so I left. I must be the only 15 year old here right now. What time is it 7:30. School starts at 9. May as well go get breakfast and head to school. I wonder how my day will go. If I just play it cool and keep my cards close to my chest it should be fine. It's not like my old school. I won't get bullied. Just act natural and you will be fine.

I arrive at school at 8:45. I headed to the Principal's office so I could find out what class I would be in. I knocked on the door. "Come in" shouted the Principal. "So you must be Josh" the warthog said addressing me. "Yes" I answered nervously. Why was I nervous you may ask? This warthog was at least 3 times the size of me. "Officer Wilde has told so much about you and I see we may have a promising student on our hands." "Well, I've always used the term you get out what you put in and you get what you give and I will always try my hardest in everything. Even when others may see this as a lost cause." "Based on what Wilde has told me, I will place you in the 11th grade to begin with before we can gather your IQ and other areas. Your classes will be 11.1 for everything now quickly the subjects you want to do plus English, Maths and Science. You will be pulled out of one of these lessons for an IQ test." "Okay, thank you very much." I said as I filled out the sheet hand it to the warthog. Interesting fox thought the Principal. He never stereotyped but he knew others did and he hoped he could change the fox stereotype.

Okay what do I have first? English great, I thought sarcastically. Even though I was articulate I enjoyed few things in school. Now where is it? I had no idea so I decided to ask a cocker spaniel who was willing enough to lead the way. "So what is your name?" I ask casually. I could strike up conversations but I never really started them. "The names Elijah but people just call me Eli. What's your name? He asked in return. "My name is Josh. I have come from another city and have moved in."

We arrived at English. I was reunited with the Principal who introduced me to the rest of my class. The class were anxious about me but I just brushed it off and let them discover me on my own. The English lesson was tedious and time consuming. First day and I had to write an essay on Shakesdeerian views. The day continued on in this sort of manner with Eli showing me round and an IQ score of 178. After that I dad to explain the theory of relativity in science.

I got my lunch but as I was walking away I bumped into a cape buffalo. I tried to apologize and make my escape but he didn't take lightly to me bumping into him. "What the fuck is your problem. He shouted at me." "Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it, it was an accident okay." "Yeah you'll be sorry when in a minute." I'm getting a real sense of déjà vu here. On impulse I shot this remark. "Just because you have problems doesn't mean you should drag other, innocent people into them and make their life hell just so you can feel better." Wrong thing to say. Shit, shit, shit. "I know you've had a troubled life. You're not the only one. There are people here who understand you're your situation." "Like you would have a clue about the complications I have to face." This seemed to be working, just keep it going, and play it cool.

"No you're right. I don't know your complications but it doesn't mean I have my own. When I was eight years old I lost my family and my close friends in a gas explosion. I was the only one to survive as I was fetching my games from the basement. I was treated for PTSO before social services handed me over to an orphanage. I stayed at the orphanage for three years until I was kicked out. For four years I was moving from hotel to hotel. Scamming people out of their money. It was the only way I could live. One day I was discovered by the ZPD and I was arrested but after finding out I was homeless they let me go and are now finding me my own apartment."

"I'm sorry for causing you problems and on my behalf I will tell you my share of stories. I was born into a troubled family. My parents had an abusive relationship. My dad was an alcoholic whereas as my mum could hardly take the nightly beatings. One night when I was 6, my mum walked out on me. I don't blame her. The drunk bastered has done nothing from me over the years. Once he found out my mum was not coming back he started his beatings on me. First it was only minor, verbal abuse. But now, its physical harm and psychological damage for the rest of my life."

"You need to call the police." I told him with both worry and concern. "If I did my father would kill me. He has a shotgun under his bed." "Okay I have an idea." "You do." His look of relief meant a lot. "I have the numbers of 2 ZPD officers. I will call them and hand the phone over to you once I get a hold of them. Sound good." He nods so I make the call.

Nick hears his phone ringing so he answers this. "Hello, Officer Wilde speaking." "Oh hi Nick, it's me Josh." I say verbally greeting Nick. "Oh hey Josh, is everything okay at school." "Yes say no. I mean I'm fine but I have found someone who isn't." "Oi, Nick put the phone away whilst we're on duty" whispers Judy, which is inaudible to me. "Sorry but this is important." "Fine okay" she sighs. "Nick I'm going to pass it over to (what's your name, Tom he replies) Tom and he's going to explain.

"Hello this is Tom." "Hi Tom, this is Officer Wilde of the ZPD and I've heard about something concerning you and I would like you to explain." "My father beats me." "Judy stop the car, I need to make notes about a domestic abuse situation." Judy slams on the breaks and pulls over.

"The beatings are every night. They range from using force to purposeful neglect and verbal abuse. If I reported this directly he would kill me he's threatened. He almost killed me when he took nighthowler on his free will. I'm scared for my well-being. My father is an alcoholic and has never worked in his life claiming welfare and spending it on booze."

"Thank you that is all we need to know." Turning to me Tom says a simple "Thank you." "It's nothing, no one should have to live through things like that." "Thank you Josh, I consider you an actual friend and not just a sheep who follows me around all day. I'll change my ways. I'm guessing you're new as I've never seen you before. I'm wondering if you want to try for the basketball team after school." This piqued my interest and I replied. "I'll go, I mean what's the worst that could happen?"

The answer for once was nothing. Everything would go well.