Slamming the door shut behind myself, I tossed my groceries onto the counter and set about putting them away. Once my task was finished I paced for several minutes, trying to work through the pros and cons of what I was considering doing. After five minutes of pacing and getting no closer to a conclusion, I threw my hands up and stalked over to my wardrobe. Yanking a pair of black cargo pants out along with a plain black vest and a black hoodie, I got dressed, shoving my old clothes into a back pack to take with me just in case. Rushing to my desk I pulled all my files on the trafficking ring I had managed to amass and shoved it and the surveillance pictures I had gathered into a small black satchel. Draping the bag across my body and donning the back pack, I tucked my tail under the hoodie and pulled the hood up, pausing to check my appearance in the mirror quickly before turning and throwing the window open and exiting my home onto the roof of the neighbouring building.
Bounding across rooftops I made my way to the last place I saw Judy and Nick. Halting at the edge of the roof of the café I saw the two enter after we had separated to go our own ways, I peeked over the lip and grinned when I saw the two just leaving. Keeping an eye on the pair I tailed them, desperately hoping they would go somewhere I could talk to them. Annoyingly the pair seemed to be patrolling the main streets and avoiding the alleys. Giving up on hoping they would just wander somewhere I could approach them, I leap a building ahead of them and then quickly descended the fire escape into the alley next to it. Leaning against the wall I waited patiently and sure enough moments later I saw them passing the end of the ally. "Hey cotton tail!"
The rabbit froze and turned to peer into the alley, her gaze tracked straight over my shadowed form, missing me entirely. The fox however focused on my form after a single sweep of his gaze across the alley, "You! What do you want?"
Grinning I said "I came to give you this." Dangling the satchel on one paw I saw the two eye it warily, "it wont bite. Its just information."
"Information on what?"
"Your traffickers. I heard you were the ones put on the case, so I figured I would give you everything I managed to dig up."
"Thank..."
Nick interrupted "what's the catch?"
Grinning I said "I want to help."
"No way, your a criminal!"
Scowling I stared hard at the bunny and then said "oh and he wasn't?" Jerking my thumb at the fox standing next to her.
"Nick is an exception!"
Snarling I snapped "oh so if its your fox boyfriend its okay, but any other fox and your not interested!"
"B...boyfriend?"
Nick talked over a stuttering, red faced Judy to say "you're a fox?"
Mentally cursing for giving that little piece of information away, I spun on my heel, bag clasped against my chest and made a beeline for the darker end of the alley. Retreating into the shadow was something I had always done when threatened, after all it was far easier to attack when the enemy couldn't see you.
Weaving between the trash bins I internally raged at the injustice of it all, I just wanted to help but nobody would let me. Jumping over a bin lying on its side, I stumbled as I landed. As I continued to run I felt sharp pains racing up and down my lower leg, radiating from my ankle. Now with a noticeable limp, I continued to flee from the two cops that were still busy chasing me. Tearing around a corner I spotted a half open door, not bothering to think more about it I ducked into the dark doorway and slipped behind some boxes. I heard two sets of footsteps race past not even pausing at the door. Quickly pulling out my spare clothes, I changed swiftly.
I had just turned to leave when I clipped the top box with my elbow, sending the whole pile crashing to the ground. The boxes themselves wouldn't have made much noise however they all appeared to be filled with files making the boxes very heavy, they made quite the BOOM as they all tumbled to the ground spilling paper everywhere. Wincing I grabbed some paper intending to try and shove it back in the box and set it right however as I glanced at the paper in my hand I froze, the face of one of the most recent missing mammals stared out at me. Quickly grabbing more papers I noted the same thing more missing mammals, ramming handfuls of papers into my bag. I gathered as much as I could, not even scanning each page, just filling my bag as fast as possible. The sound of heavy footsteps had me scrambling to find cover. Spotting a tiny side unit, I yanked the door open and when I found it empty, squeezed into the small space.
Carefully pulling my phone from a pocket in my pants I dialled Judy's number. I may not like the bunny much at the moment but I did still want to be a cop, and that meant helping the arrogant carrot muncher solve the case. The phone rang three times before the rabbit picked up.
"Judy?"
"Vicky? Is that you? Why are you whispering?"
"Oh Judy, I found the traffickers again and it...it might be a base of theirs, and I'm stuck...I...I cant go anywhere they'll see me! What do I do?"
"Sit tight Vicky we're coming. Uh do you know where you are?"
"Oh...uh...yes. I cut through the alley by the bakery on sand street, if you follow it along you'll see an open door, I'm in there. Please hurry I don't...don't know how much longer I'll be able hide for."
"We're coming Vicky, we're coming!"
Hanging up the phone, I pushed the door open a crack and peeked out. Spotting a large polar bear I hadn't seen before, I lifted my phone and snapped a quick picture. Wincing at that loud 'click' the phone made, I quickly shoved my phone back in my pocket. Just as the polar bear turned to look at the cupboard I was hiding in there was a loud 'crash' followed by "Nick! Are you okay?" from outside. The bear whipped around towards the door, trowing up an arm and slamming the door shut with a very ominous sounding 'thud'.
My ear twitched as I registered the creaking of the stairs, preceding a grey wolf as he ambled towards the bear. "What was all that?"
"Oh someone came in here and knocked our files over, then they ran out and fell over something else in the alley, sounded like they had an accomplice."
"Sounds like the clumsiest mammal in all of zootopia."
"Probably was, after all 'you can be anything in zootopia'"
The pair dissolved into gravely laughs. The bear patted the wolf on the back and said "come on Grey lets go back to our poker match. We can sort these files out later, its not like their going anywhere."
Both started laughing again as they disappeared up stairs. Slipping out of my hiding spot I started grabbing files again and placing them in my bag again, when the satchel was full and wouldn't fit anymore I emptied my disguise out and started filling my ruck sack. Scooping up my discarded clothing I started pulling on my disguise clothes over the ones I was wearing now. A few minutes later with two heavy and full to bursting bags slung across my body, I made my way over to the door. Pulling on the handle I felt icy dread pool in my stomach as the door refused to move, heaving harder I was desperate to get out.
After my futile attempt at hauling the door open I turned looking for another way out, however the only other thing in this tiny back room was the set of stairs that the bear and wolf had gone up, in the corner. Seeing no other choice I started ascending the wooden staircase, slowing as I heard voices. Slowing considerably I listened intently however the conversation wasn't relevant or interesting, so I continued to creep up the steps.
Halting just bellow the top step and crouching down, I peeked over the edge scanning the room. There were two windows I could escape from, one had a wall and fire escape opposite it which would make a descent much easier however the window was shut. The other window was wide open but the next building was quite a distance away, approximately seven meters. So the next building was likely across a road and looking like a shop front, didn't have a convenient fire escape to up or climb down.
Carefully studying the two mammals present in the room, they appeared to be absorbed in their poker game. Creeping up the last step I stood for a second completely out in the open, before I ducked behind the worn looking couch. Cringing I stepped over empty pizza boxes and other take out cartons, spotting a lone fork lying abandoned on the floor I scooped it up as a precaution. Pausing at the end of the sofa, I peeked out and saw the two mammals were now between myself and the window leading out to the alley. Ducking back out of site I paused trying to think of how to get them out of the way, clenching my fist I felt the metal fork dig into my paw. Grinning when the idea started to take shape, I hurried back to the other end of the sofa closest to the stairs. Lifting the fork I hurled it with as much force as I could down the stairs, grinning when I heard a faint thud followed by a very loud crash.
The two mammals groaned and stood making their way down the stairs, and as soon as they turned their backs I was moving. Bolting across the room towards the window, I pulled at the catch but it was stiff and looked like it didn't want to move. Loud music exploding from my phone set my heart pounding, silencing the phone and wrenching on the window latch I gave up quickly when I heard foot steps pounding up the stairs. Swearing violently I turned and backed up as far as possible and then took of running for the other open window, ignoring the throbbing in my ankle.
"Grab them!"
Ignoring the shout form behind me, I jumped onto the window sill and bunching my legs launched myself from the window sailing across the busy street bellow. Gasps and screams echoed from bellow, but I was focused on the window ledge of the shop opposite. Stretching my arms out I braced myself for impact, and as I collided with the wall I curled my claws into the soft white wood of the window sill. The wood next two my right paw exploded with splinters and chancing a look over my shoulder, I could see the wolf aiming a rifle right at me. Cursing I pulled myself up and started climbing as quickly as I could using mouldings and little ledges here and there as paw holds.
Scrambling onto the roof I started running, another bullet pinged of the ground next to my left paw. I wasn't as lucky with the following one it landed solidly in my right side. Yelping loudly I wavered and for a moment I thought I might fall but with a drunk looking stager, I managed to save myself and continued to limp as fast as I could towards safety. Dropping into the next alley I started limping towards the club, trying to stay out of sight.
Five minutes later I arrived sweating and bleeding heavily on the back door of the club, lifting a paw I hammered on the door. Which was quickly wrenched open, spotting the pale worried face of Reg I smiled and said "hey, I got shot." Then everything blurred and the black spots that had been merrily dancing on the edge of my sight seemed to multiply and expand to fill my field of vision, falling face first into the peaceful oblivion that offered a release from the burning pain in my side, I passed out.
xxx
Blinking rapidly I tried to sit up, and immediately afterwards regretted that action, pain wracked my side. Gasping and flopping back onto the bed, I twisted my neck so I could scan my surroundings. Spotting Reg curled up in the chair next to me, I didn't get much further in my investigation instead I said "Reg? Buddy, you awake?"
Stretching and yawning the otter replied "well I am now! How's your side?"
Smiling I said "oh just fine, I should be back on the stage by tonight."
The otter scowled at me and said "you may be able to con the badge of a cop but you can lie to me Vicky, how bad does it hurt?"
Grimacing at the ever omniscient otter I said "not that bad like a five, if that." At Reg's very unimpressed look I amended my statement "okay *huff* somewhere around the region of unimaginable agony and the 9th ring of hell. Happy now?!"
Reg grinned and said "at least now I know you can't be in too much pain, you haven't lost your sense of humour yet. That tells me how much pain killer to give you, so sit tight I'll be back with it in a sec." Jumping down from his chair I watched the otter pad across the room and vanish into the kitchen.
Blinking I peered around myself and finally realised I was in Reg's apartment, which was on the floor above mine in the little building we both called home and work. Taking in the tasteful decor and the large flat screen in the living room area, I had to say I was impressed.
When Reg came into the living room I said "you got a nice place here Reg!"
Flashing me a grin he replied "yeah why do you think you don't come in here often, I don't need you moulting on the couch!"
"Hey! I resent that comment!"
Snorting Reg shoved a handful of pills and a glass of water and said "just take the pain killers and shut up."
Smirking at my friends sarcastic sense of humour I muttered "whatever you say. Water weasel." Grinning widely when he scowled at me, I chugged the pills and water. Swallowing hard to get them down, I grimaced at the nasty after taste. "Blegh that was nasty, what were those?"
"Pain killers. And a strong sedative."
"What?!"
"You need to sleep to heal and knowing you, the second my back is turned you would be up and about and not resting like you should, so sedatives."
"Rrrreeeggggggg, why did you...do this...I..." I could feel myself drifting off again, "hate...you..."
I was barely awake when I heard Reg laugh and say "I know you love me, and you know you love me too."
"Asshole"
Reg's laughter followed me as I fell back into unconsciousness.
xxx
The next time I woke up I was alone, sitting up I noticed instantly that my side didn't hurt nearly as much. Reaching down and pealing the edge of my shirt up, I saw a swath of bandages covering my waist. Huffing I dropped my shirt and carefully swung my legs over the edge of the bed, slowly lowering my paws to touch the ground I carefully shifted some weight onto them and instantly felt my left leg protest. Grimacing I put most of my weight onto the right leg and rolled to my feet, swaying and slightly unsteady I made my way into the kitchen and poured myself a glass of water. Dropping onto the nearest chair I started sipping the water, staring mindlessly at the wall as I thought over everything that had happened.
Sighing I grabbed the TV remote and clicked the large flat screen on, deciding to see if there was anything of note on the news. The image that came on the screen startled me, mostly because it was me. Well me in disguise, the footage showed a figure clad in black jumping out of a window on the second floor of a building and soaring across the street. Landing against the shop opposite and then climbing up the wall, while being shot at, then being hit and making a wobbly retreat.
The news continued following this up by questioning people about the mysterious figure, most said they didn't know me and had never seen me before. However there was a small family of otters, where the mother said she recognised me from when I saved her and her child from getting hit by an out of control car. Then there were others, some shop owners who remembered me preventing a robbery and such. The program concluded with the snow leopard anchor suggesting that zootopia appeared to have a hero and a remarkable one at that.
For several long moments I stared at the screen, disbelieving of the fact that people now thought I was a hero.
"Careful! You watch that too much and you'll get a big head."
"Reg! Where were you? And more importantly where did they get this footage from!?"
Sighing the otter said "someone heard shouting and was trying to use their camera to zoom in on the window so they could see what was going on, when they saw you come running towards it they pressed record and then managed to get the whole thing on camera. Which they so kindly handed it over to the reporters and the police, so you are going to need to be careful and maybe lay low for a couple days."
Grumbling I nodded grudgingly, not happy at all but I could see the logic in his request, it wasn't like I was in any shape to be jumping roof tops any time soon. "So do you have any food in this dump? Cos I am starving."
Muttering about ungrateful house guests the otter went about making some breakfast.
Author note: So here is the next chapter, hope its okay. Please read and review, cheers.
-SL xxxx
