Sunrise. Sunset. Sunrise. Sunset. That's everyday life for Nick until it's back to school in 3 months.
It's finally Friday and Nick's shift ended as the clock struck 9 pm. He left the dealership and walked to the bus stop that takes him near to his apartment in Marshland Avenue with his phone in hand and called his mother. As his phone dialed, he saw two ferrets unloading cargo from a truck inside an alleyway. One wore an ugly leather jacket that must've been made a millennium ago while the other w Nick ignored the pair, but they didn't do the same.
"Yo, look! There's the bastard who sold the car to Savage!" Nick heard the whispers frp, several feet away.
"Him? He's just a kid!"
"He'll be the bait, idiot. We'll ransom his ass to the bunny and we can get the car. Get the needle."
"Well, shit." Nick whispered to himself and prematurely ended the call.
Nick went on all fours and dashed and the ferrets followed suit. Nick ran block by block in the Savannah District but the ferrets were still on his tail. Just as one of the ferrets were about to grab Nick's tail, a police cruiser stopped between Nick and the ferrets. The ferrets slammed their heads into the metal doors of the car. A white wolf officer came out and shot the delinquents with a taser and a tranquilizer.
"Aw man! I was waiting for them load it all up." The officer turned around to find Nick exhausted and lying flat on the road. "You alright, bud?"
"Oh. I'm so sorry, officer." Nick tried to catch his breath as he can hardly make up a sentence. "I didn't mean to interrupt your patrol."
The officer reloaded his tranquilizer and shot a dart at the ferret that was just tased. "No problem. Stay safe out there!"
Nick exhaled and walked away as the cop handcuffed the two ferrets and searched them. The officer found a picture inside one of the ferret's jackets and looked back up.
"Wait! Come back over here. Looks like these guys chased you for a reason!"
"Wait, what?" Nick turned around and returned to the officer.
The officer gave the photo to Nick while confirming that the two animals are unconscious.
"See? You're there just minding your own business and leaning in that metallic fossil. Nice shirt, by the way." The officer pointed to the Moostang Nick sold a few days ago with Nick leaning on the car.
"This is Mr. Quillback's car dealership. I think this was taken a week ago. I remembered asking my mom to wash it after some guy spilt cranberry juice on it."
"It's definitely from a week ago. Look at those gas prices in the board at the right. $95.9 per gallon! I remember the gigantic lines in the gas stations! I arrested three mammals that day."
"I guess they wanted that car, but I don't see why the hell would they attack me over it."
The officer placed the photo inside and evidence bag he pulled out of his pocket.
"What's your name, kid?"
"Nick Wilde."
"And how old are ya?"
"16, sir."
"First off, loosen up! Second, why the hell are you out in the night by yourself?"
"Just trying to get back home, sir. My job ended at 9."
"Nine? You must be having a hard time, huh?"
Nick stayed silent as the officer pulled out his radio.
"Dispatch, this is Officer Frosthowler. I have two 10-15s here in Trip Street. Requesting 10-19."
"10-4. 10-19."
"Okay, kid. Can you help me load these two cuckoos in the cruiser? I'll give you a ride home as well."
Nick nodded and helped fasten the two in the cruiser's seatbelt.
"And you live at…?"
"36 Marshland Avenue."
"Alrighty. First, let's bring these guys to the station."
As the cruiser drove down Lionheart Avenue, Nick looked around at the empty streets of Savannah Central, while hearing the distant echoes of Sahara Square's nightlife and searchlights illuminating from the horizon.
Nick stayed in the cruiser while Frosthowler brought the criminals in the police station and took a quick nap.
Shep was driving in the Rainforest District Highway as he tapped Nick's shoulder.
"Wake up, kid. We're almost here."
"Wha-? How long did you take in there?"
"Uhh... my bad. I just went to grab a coffee and this bag of chips. Want some?"
"No thanks." Nick yawned and slowly stretched, accidentally hitting Shep. "Hey, watch it!"
Shep drove out to the exit to Shady Place Boulevard and stopped the cruiser directly in front of a gray apartment. The streets were quiet and empty, as if there was a curfew imposed on the area. The apartment was enveloped by vines and only a few rooms were illuminated despite the late hour.
"37 Marshland Avenue!" Shep spoke to himself.
Nick got out of the car and turned back around. "Thanks for the ride, Mr. Frosthowler."
"I said loosen up, kid. Just go ahead and call me 'Shep', okay?" Nick nodded reluctantly.
"See ya, Nick." Shep accelerated and drove off and back onto the highway.
Nick nodded and entered the apartment. Inside was an empty receptionist desk playing some kind of foreign-sounding show and a green elevator door. Besides the few rusty spots and scratches, the building manager still seemed to be content with it as long as it still worked. Nick opened the door to his apartment to find his mom sleeping in the couch while the television played that famous cop show, Paw Patrol.
The apartment room was satisfactory but at least it was livable. For the $200 rent, Mrs. Wilde got a steal although the avenue was once known to have been riddled with violent gangs. The gangs have disappeared since but the reputation lived on.
Nick decided to leave his mom undisturbed and locked the door. He turned off the television, went to the refrigerator and took out the leftover Bug Burger he bought yesterday. After silently devouring the burger, he entered his small room. His study desk was cleaned up with his papers place neatly on one pile and a notebook was placed on top of it. His room was tidy and his bed was prepared. Nick plugged in and turned on his table fan then he changed his clothes, washed his face and fell flat on his bed.