A/N: Sorry about how long it took for this to come out. I've been really busy for a while getting ready for studying abroad. On top of other things, it's left me not a lot of time to work on this. It's not dead, I promise!
Though the initial shock subsided, the burning continued. Todd still couldn't open his eyes, but he could tell he was in a car, and he could hear Dakota say "Todd, we're taking you to the emergency room. We've called the police and they're going to meet us there. As far as we can tell you were sprayed with fox repellent, but we don't know for certain that it's not something worse." She was doing her best to keep her voice calm, but urgency and panic tinted her tone.
"Thank you," Todd croaked.
The drive to the hospital passed as quickly as it could, mostly in near silence punctuated by Dakota sporadically telling Todd where they were or giving assurances that he'd be fine. After a few minutes, Todd felt the car come to a stop. In an almost motherly voice, Dakota said "We're here."
His door opened, and Todd felt Hubert guide him out of the car. Hubert and Dakota led him across the parking lot into the emergency room. The sounds of other animals sick and in pain filled the waiting room. He was led to what he assumed was the check-in area.
The voice of someone that Todd presumed was a nurse said "What's the nature of your emergency."
"While out campaigning he was sprayed with something. We think it's just fox repellent but we don't know," Dakota said.
"You might be waiting a little bit. What's the patient's name?"
"Todd Renard."
There was a slight pause. "Todd Renard? Actually if you don't know what he was sprayed with then we should get him in sooner rather than later. A doctor will be with you in about ten minutes."
"Thank you," Todd said, still hoarse. Something sat uneasily in his chest about the whole exchange. Though she didn't outright say it, Todd could tell he was getting special treatment. He didn't have to see to know that he was not the most seriously injured animal there. At the same time, the continued burning in his eyes and sinuses needed to stop. Todd sat in an uncomfortable silence, unhappy about accepting special treatment but unwilling to turn it down, until a voice announced "Todd Renard, the doctor will see you now."
Todd was led down a hallway into a room, and guided into a seat. "Mr. Renard? My name is Anna Woolworth, I'm your doctor. Can you tell me what happened?" Her voice was practiced and gentle.
"I was going door-to-door and-" Todd broke into a small coughing fit before he could finish. "Could I get some water please?" he asked as it stopped.
"Of course," He heard a sink running and felt a small paper cup put into his hand. After a drink, he continued. "I was sprayed with something; fox repellent I think but I didn't get a good look before…"
He felt the doctor gently touch his face in order to manipulate his head. After a moment she said "Looks like it, and a pretty heavy dose too. Looks like you've got some burns. Nothing serious, but it's going to be uncomfortable for a while." Todd felt some sort of wipe across his face followed by some relief from the burning. "Here, follow me," Anna said, taking Todd's paw. "I've brought you to the sink. We're going to flush out the spray from your eyes. Lean over and try to open your eyes as much as you can."
After a few minutes, Todd was able to keep his eyes open more or less normally. The irritation was still there, but at least he could see. Standing by him at the sink was a ewe in blue scrubs. She was holding a small bottle of eye drops.
"If the irritation gets too bad, use these," she handed Todd the bottle.
"Thank you," he said.
"Of course. It's my job," she smiled. "Plus, if you're out there proving foxes can be trusted, someone's gotta do the same for sheep after Bellwether," she said the name like a curse.
"You're doing a great job Dr. Woolworth," Todd said. On the way out he said "Thank you again."
As Todd, Hubert, and Dakota returned to the lobby, a fox and rabbit in blue entered from the opposite direction. Both parties spotted each other at the same time, and quickly made their way to one another.
"Officers Wilde and Hopps!" Todd called out, his voice getting stronger but still fairly weak.
"Mr. Renard, we'd like to speak to you about the attack," Judy said. A moment later, a flashbulb went off.
"We may want to find somewhere away from prying eyes," Dakota said, gesturing to the first of what was sure to be several reporters and journalists to arrive on the scene.
"Agreed," Nick said. He turned toward the receptionist and called out "Do you have a more private place we can talk?"
The nurse seemed caught off guard. "U-um yeah, hold on just one moment," she disappeared for a moment before coming out from the door Todd and his friends just left. "Follow me."
She led the group down a hallway to one of the doctors' break rooms. Though they wouldn't kick out the occupants, they did commandeer a table in the corner away from the main area.
Taking out a notepad, Judy began. "Mr. Renard, can you describe for us exactly what occurred when you were attacked?"
"Well I was going door-to-door campaigning. I came up to this guy's door and gave my pitch. He didn't seem interested, but he didn't seem hostile - or at least no more so than anyone else-"
"What exactly do you mean by that?" Judy cut in.
"Well, most mammals aren't thrilled about being bothered at home, so there's kinda a baseline hostility that is to be expected. It's usually not a barrier though. But after I started on my pitch this guy called me a predator supremacist and sprayed me with fox repellent."
Nick scowled as Todd's story went on. "I can't believe…" he muttered under his breath.
"Do you have any information regarding his identity?" Judy continued.
"Yeah, he's a male goat named Chuck Cabra. I have more information about him in my satchel, which I guess is still in the car," Todd said.
"Let's go get it then," said Judy.
"Todd," Nick said as the group rose from the table. "I changed my mind. I'll endorse you."
"Nick…" Judy said.
"Officer Wilde…" Todd said simultaneously. He smiled. "Thank you."
As they walked down the hallway, Dakota pulled Todd aside. "There'll be a media circus camped out in front of the exit. Do you want to find another way out?"
As the first cameras spotted them and the first flashbulbs started going off, Todd thought for a moment and said. "No, now seems like a good time for a press conference."