Chapter 11

February 29, 2016

Day XIV

16 days to execution

1127 Hours, Cafeteria

"All right, you slobs, get your grub, then sit down and shut up!" I went to get in line, but…

"Oh, look at the newbie," came a voice from behind me. I turned to look, and to my despair, it was polar bears. Joy.

I really don't much care for polar bears, but that was my own fault. I shouldn't have crossed Mister Big, but that was twenty years ago, and when Judy had become the godmother to little Judy, Fru Fru's daughter, I'd thought that we were now on good terms. Looks like I was wrong, judging from my current predicament. Four bears were now surrounding me, and I was hoping that I'd make it out of this alive. I'd be lucky to make it out that way, and in any better of a state than critical condition, well, that would be a miracle.

"Look who it is, Kevin," the largest of the bears said, pointing at me. "Well, hello, Nicholas. Fancy seeing you here. I thought you were on the coppers' side now."

"I am, Kevin. Please don't hurt me, all right. I mean, they're going to zap me to death in just over two weeks, but I think they want me alive until then, my friends. So if you don't mind, I'd like to be left in peace. Besides, I made amends with Mister Big, so what are you fellows going after me for?"

"If you were on the coppers' side, then what in Zootopia are you doing here?"

"You know Bellwether got out, right? Somehow, she's sitting in the mayor's chair again, only she's not, if you get my drift."

"Bellwether's the mayor under an alias, we know."

"If you fellows know that, then do you care to tell me what else you know?" I asked.

"After lunch, Wilde."

"If I can. Death row inmates are automatically in twenty-four-seven lockdown."

"Then how'd you get here?"

"I've been a little angel, so they decided to give me just these twenty minutes of freedom, which, by the way, are almost up, so I have go," I whispered.

Kevin nodded, then replied. "All right," he said, nodding. Try not to get yourself killed, would you?"

"I don't know what I can do about that, but I'll try," I replied. "But on a similar topic, what are you four doing in here?"

"We work for Mister Big, so what do you think?"

"I think…"

"Okay, you five, break it up! Wilde, Officer Penbrooke will escort you to your cell. As for you bears, move it!"

Just a few words of advice- when a warden says that you'll be escorted to your cell, a more appropriate term is frogmarch, paws pinned behind my back.

Chapter Twelve

Twenty Minutes Later

Judy's (Alaina's) Cell

I had just dozed off when…

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"I'm up! I'm up, warden!" I shouted. "What is it?"

"Don't be getting out of line there, rabbit. I have a visitor for you, if you'd like."

"I thought I wasn't allowed visitors," I replied.

"This is extra-special. Head Warden's orders. Beats me as to why, but what Jack Savage wants, Jack Savage gets, don't you know."

"Yes, I know that rather well. Now, if you please, could you tell me who my visitor is?"

"You'll see," he said, reaching behind him. What I saw next I could hardly believe. "Nick?"

The fox in front of me only nodded. What else could he do with a muzzle strapped on his face as tightly as it could be?

"You two have twenty minutes. And who the hell is Nick? This here's Chase Blacktip. There's a reason for your scars, and it's this fellow. Why you'd want him around you is beyond me, but, again, Head Warden's orders. I'll be back, and fox?" he drawled. "You'd better not kill her, or I'll kill you."

"Oh, Nick! What happened to you?" Again, he didn't speak, tears pouring from his eyes.

"I'm dead, Judy. Dead, dead, dead!"

"Not yet, you're not."

"But I will be soon, Judy. Look," he said, showing me a paper.

I read it, and it said: [|Blacktip, Chase V. | Prisoner No. 24601 | Death Row Inmate | Execution Date: March 4, 2016|]

"What? I thought it was supposed to be the fifteenth!"

"Well, there was a technicality in the system, you see."

"What sort of technicality, Nick?"

"The kind of tech-Nick-ality that has me dying in five days."

"That was horrible, Nicholas, and you didn't answer my question. What technicality?"

"Apparently, a judge can waive a week and a half of a death row inmate's sentence if they feel that it would be more humane."

"Says who? Show me the proof! I won't let my friend die for nothing!"

"You just might have to, Carrots. I love you, sweetheart."

"I love you too, Nick."

"Bye, Judy. Wish me luck, okay?"

"Alright, but before you go, I have a request."

"What is it, Judy?"

I got down on one knee and pulled out a little box.

"Judy, is that what I think it is?"

"Nicholas Wilde, will you marry me?"

"How did you get that past security?"

"No idea, Slick, but you didn't answer the question."

"Yes, you dumb bunny. Yes, I will."

"Now, where are we going to go for our honeymoon, fox-o-mine?"