-The Wapiti Station incident-
The TV in Zootopia would be just as one suspects. The airways normally filled with celebrity gossip, sports results, and the occasional crime drama. Lately, however, one topic, in particular, had managed to take up the majority of the local stations' time. A fire was raging in the national parks just outside Zootopia. The black plumes of smoke had grown so large that one could even see it from the city if they looked out from some of the taller buildings in the city. What natural disaster had garnered so much of the public's attention? The June Fire.
As mammals tuned in to the daily broadcast most of them were greeted by the same image. A professional-looking badger was on the screen today. Wearing a pair of hiking pants and shirt that all looked brand new and were most likely purchased just for this broadcast. Being out in the field meant the feed was slightly delayed. As the badger waited patiently for his cue a scene of chaos went on behind him. Mammals in firefighting gear, medical apparel, and law enforcement uniforms all darted about, busy with some task as they tried to pool their resources to fight such a raging inferno. If one looked close enough to the front bumper of one of the firetrucks they would have noticed a distraught-looking bunny, currently rocking back and forth, a walkie-talkie in her paws.
"You're on," Came a voice off-camera which caused the badger to stand up a little straighter and look right into the camera.
"I am here live at the staging area just at the entrance to the national park," The badger said as he waved a paw at the scene behind him. "Where we can see that the local authorities are doing their best to try and evacuate all mammals in the path of the fire. It is a difficult process though and they are asking all mammals to work with them as they try to fight off the fire. Of course, there have been reports of mammals going missing or those who have been cut off by the fire. The fire service, however, has really stepped up their game during this-"
The news reporter was cut off as a low flying helicopter flew overhead and caused a series of strong gusts to wash over the staging area.
"As you can see the parks department has pulled out all the stops. Helicopters are being used to evacuate those mammals closest to the fire while others are being escorted through the less dangerous areas by law enforcement…" The anchor said as the wind subsided. "Let me see if I can find anyone who has been through the fire to give you all a better insight as to what we are dealing with up here!"
At this point the reporter looked around, his gaze falling upon the distraught-looking bunny currently sitting on the firetruck. Though his face was pointed away from the camera his body language showed it all. He had found his first interview and it looked like a real tear-jerker.
"Ma'am!" The badger shouted as he scurried over to the gray bunny who didn't lookup.
The doe was too focused on a small walkie-talkie currently grasped in her paws. As the camera got closer the bunny's words could be picked up.
"Nick…please answer…please…" The bunny whispered as her lip started to quiver. "Just pick up…please I beg you….don't…don't leave me...please..." The bunny was on the edge of hysterics but that didn't seem to bother the reporter any.
"Ma'am, can you tell us what is going on out there?"
"Nick…please…don't do this to me…"
"How were you rescued?"
"Nick…please pick up..."
"Were you out camping when the fire started?"
"Nick don't leave me…"
"Ma'am? Are…you alright?" The badger asked, suddenly realizing what he may have stumbled upon.
The doe slowly looked up, tears streaming from her bright purple eyes. "He won't answer….why won't he answer?"
-2 days earlier-
Nick tried his best to keep a calm and steady pace but so many different scenarios played out in his mind he found himself power walking through the woods, occasionally breaking out in a slight jog. The situation he found himself in was a curious one. Ranger Delta had called him over the ranger radio and had asked Nick to report to someplace called the Wapiti Station which was just a half-hour hike from the Two Forks tower.
Nick racked his brain as he tried to remember what he could about the Wapiti Station. It was inside his region, it was a station, it was…well…Wapiti?
So maybe Nick had no idea what was going on at the science station...
The science station! That was it! Nick remembered one of his many hikes through the region which had brought him to an odd fence that just ran through parts of the Two Forks region. He had followed the fence for a good while until finally coming up to a sign that had an odd logo on it. It had advised that the area was part of a research project and to contact the Wapiti Station science team for information and access had provided Judy and Nick with hours of fun speculation about some government agency secretly performing experiments to create the perfect pinecone. In the end, though Judy had told Nick how universities and research companies would send teams out from time to time. Most of them would be researching plant growth, moss, and pinecone migration patterns. The last one had Nick chuckling.
In the end, though Nick had written it off as a group of mammals in lab coats studying butterflies. Nothing too interesting to get in a big huff about.
Nick now found himself huffing though as his breathing started to become more labored. He was no longer staying on the main path which would wind along with the landscape. That would take too long. The fox was now climbing over boulders and hopping over streams if it meant saving him a few seconds in his travels to the mysterious station where Delta was waiting.
"Someone is being awfully quiet today," Came a sweet voice over the radio.
Nick cursed himself as he realized how focused he had been on his hike. He had completely neglected his walkie-talkie.
"Sorry," Nick said quickly. "Just lost in thought..." IT wasn't a full lie. His mind raced through all sorts of scenarios that would require his presence at the science center. Maybe the government was experimenting on pinecones.
"Well I know how much of a deep thinker you can be," Judy said playfully.
"We philosophical types normally get that way," Nick shot back.
"Strange," Judy began. "Would have never pegged you as the type. Sly maybe, sharp kinda, handsome…..very."
"Now you are just trying to butter me up," Nick chuckled.
"And sweet, and such a good kisser…" Judy mumbled, her voice trailing off.
"Should I give you a second?"
"Mmmm…how about a little growl instead?"
"Gotta pay extra for that kind of talk," Nick said suggestively.
"You accept major credit cards? Think you left one lying around the other day."
"Did not!"
"You should be receiving the bill for my new flat screen in the mail in just a few days," Judy giggled.
Nick rolled his eyes at Judy's antics.
It didn't take the fox much longer before he found himself at a large fence. Looking down the long chain-link fence he spotted an open gate. The fox thanked whoever was watching him up above since he wasn't exactly in the mood to climb over the wall of metal. Once past the gate, Nick noticed how the ground sloped downwards, meaning he was heading into a small valley of sorts. It made sense, he couldn't see Wapiti station from his tower which meant it was protected somehow from view.
"Hey Judy, gonna be off the radio for just a little bit," Nick said, quickly racking his brain for an excuse.
"Nature calls?"
Nick let out a sigh of relief as Judy provided him with an excuse for some silence.
"When ya gotta go you gotta go."
"Have fun pooping in the woods!" Judy cheered playfully over the radio. Nick rolled his eyes and hooked the walkie onto his belt.
As Nick strolled down the path towards the station he couldn't help but feel somewhat let down by the overall look of the "facility" if you could even call it that. It was really just two large tents, a mess tent, and several pieces of odd-looking equipment spread around the site. He had been hoping for something more evil-looking. Like a series of containers, maybe a big satellite dish, the occasional jeep filled with heavily armed mammals.
Of course, he was summoned to this place under mysterious circumstances so he was also somewhat grateful the whole operation seemed small. Of course, it only made him wonder why he had been called to the station in the first place.
Nick felt he had just walked in on a crime scene. Several official-looking mammals in different ranger outfits milled about the station along with a few civilian types who didn't make eye contact with him.
"Firewatcher Nick?" Came a firm voice from a female ocelot who approached the concerned-looking fox.
"That would be me," Nick said as he waved a paw, trying to act as casual as possible.
"Ranger Samantha. Delta is waiting for you in the research tent," The ranger said, her demeanor warming slightly once she knew who Nick was. The ranger pointed over to one of the large white tents. Nick thanked the feline and strolled over. The urge to ask what the heck was going on was somewhat overwhelming, he had a feeling though once he met with Delta things would become clearer.
Nick poked his head into the large tent and scanned the inside. He noticed Delta standing next to a coyote in a similar tactical ranger uniform. The painted dog smirked at Nick and waved the fox over. As Nick approached he noticed two other mammals sitting in the tent at a large research desk. A distraught looking doe and a porcupine who both looked nervously at the approaching firewatcher.
"Nick," Delta said in a professional manner. "Sorry to drag you away from Two Forks. But I am afraid a situation has arisen that you need to be aware of."
"So this is him?" The porcupine asked nervously.
"Is this who?" Nick asked, somewhat confused.
The doe's eyes widened as she heard the fox's voice, she put a paw to her mouth as she tried to cover the surprised gasp that escaped from her throat. All the mammals in the tent looked at the doe who took in a deep breath and simply nodded.
Nick began to panic as he wondered what exactly he had gotten himself into. From the looks of it, he was in some kind of trouble. How was this possible though? He had never been to the Wapiti station, nor had he ever met any of these mammals before. Was he being accused of some heinous crime? Did prejudice finally rear its ugly head and put the fox in hot water? How could they accuse him of anything just because...
"It's him," The doe said sadly, "I recognize his voice from the radio..."
"Radio?" Nick asked hesitantly as he looked at the doe and then to Delta for some kind of answer.
"Let me explain," Delta said, noticing the panic in Nick's voice.
"I haven't spoken to anyone from Wapiti," Nick spat out at Delta. His anger getting the best of him. He couldn't explain it but he felt betrayed. He had obviously been tricked by the painted dog to come here and now he was about to be accused of something.
"No one said you have," Delta said calmly. "Nick before you..."
"Is this because..." Nick began but was cut off by the painted ranger.
"Before you make an ass out of yourself," The ranger said in a low tone, "Let me explain so you know what has happened. You aren't in trouble Nick, the exact opposite…turns out you have been in a bit of danger without anyone knowing."
Nick froze, this new revelation changed everything. He took in a deep breath as he looked at his friend, "Sorry…just used to being accused of certain things..."
"That is understandable," Delta reassured. "It wasn't fair of me to play cloak and dagger with you on this. It's just…I didn't want Judy or Trisha to find out about this. One because I know Judy would panic and two because I know when Judy panics Trisha goes on the warpath."
Nick smirked and nodded, "So what exactly is going on?"
The other mammals remained silent and watched Delta as he began to explain to Nick exactly why he had been brought to Wapiti station.
"We were called here this morning to investigate a suspicious incident," Delta began to explain as he looked at the doe, "Ma'am, if you wouldn't mind."
The doe took in a deep breath and looked up at the fox with a sad look in her green eyes. Nick was somewhat reminded of Judy as he stared at the does gray fur, only to notice a few black spots here and there. The bunny held a notebook up for Nick who looked at the item and then took it in his paws.
"This morning I overheard one of my team members listening in on someone's conversation over a walkie-talkie he had brought with him. I thought it was weird because we don't have those kinds of things here. Don't really need them because we stick close to the worksite. When I heard two different mammals speaking over the radio I just thought it was some kind of radio show. Turns out it was a conversation…one you and another firewatcher named Judy were having..."
Nick felt his veins freeze as he tried to figure out if he or Judy had said anything racy or embarrassing that morning over the radio. He then realized he shouldn't have to worry about that kind of stuff since no one else should be listening in on his conversations in the first place.
"I listened for a little bit and realized what was going on," The doe said as her lip quivered. "Sir, I swear I had no idea what he was doing. We aren't all like him."
"It's alright," Delta assured the doe. "No one is accusing you, ma'am"
The painted dog looked to Nick who simply nodded in agreement. He then looked down at the notebook in his paws.
"They approached him about the walkie-talkie," Delta explained solemnly. "Apparently there was a struggle and in the process, this notebook was tossed to the floor. It's…it's not good Nick. If you don't want to look at it that's fine. It has information on your conversations with Judy."
Nick's eyes went wide in fear as he flipped open the notebook. The other mammals in the tent all winced, hoping the fox wouldn't brave the pages. Nick felt his heart racing as he flipped from one page to the next. Each one filled with little quotes from the conversations he had shared with Judy.
"I don't talk to the other Firewatchers like I do you."
"How is my favorite wolf today?"
"Good Evening Two forks! About Time you showed up!"
"Miss you too Carrots."
"My name is Judy Hopps!"
As Nick read every quote he could hear Judy's sweet voice echo in his mind. To see the words like this made his stomach churn though. It was like watching all the sweet moments he had shared with Judy stolen from him.
There weren't just quotes from the conversations either. Notes were scribbled here and there. Each one was more alarming than the last.
"Leaves tower roughly 10 minutes after waking up."
"40 minutes round trip to comfort station"
"Lived in Zootopia"
"Name: Nick Wilde- Fox"
Nick did his best to control his anger but it must have shown as all the mammals remained silent. It was finally Delta who managed to muster some courage.
"Your tower was broken into and vandalized correct?" The painted dog asked.
Nick just nodded as he continued to flip through the notes. The painted dog placed a paw between the pages which caused Nick to look up. Delta just shook his head and with a firm look pulled the notebook from Nick's grasp. The fox wanted to stop the ranger but in the end relented, knowing if he continued to read the notes he would just become more enraged.
"We have reason to believe that this mammal has been eavesdropping in on your conversations for a while," Delta said solemnly. "From the looks of it, he picked you two up on the first night you arrived at Two Forks and has been catching some of your conversations…"
"Why? How?"
"The why is something we are still trying to figure out..." Delta said solemnly. "The how…well he is familiar with how our frequencies work and he must have found a way to get onto your channels."
This was so much to process. Someone had been listening to them this whole time! For what reason though? Nick looked at the ground as he took in a deep breath, "I want to see who did this. I want to know who has been listening..."
"And what will you do?" The doe asked hesitantly.
Nick looked at the bunny in the stool, the anger in his eyes subsiding. Maybe it was because she was a bunny like his Judy or maybe it was just his soft side. He couldn't bring himself to be mad at the mammal in front of him.
"I just need to know who has done this...I want answers."
Delta looked over at the coyote who waited for a command. Delta simply nodded which was enough for the other canine to understand what needed to be done. The ranger excused himself and exited the tent.
"You should know we are taking this very seriously Nick," Delta explained. "We are taking him into custody and escorting him back to the forest entrance where he will be arrested. On what charges exactly we are still figuring out but I know this doesn't fly, not in my forest."
"Is Judy in danger?" Nick asked as he looked at Delta. The thought that Nick was being watched or monitored was one thing. To think that Judy may be experiencing the same ordeal was truly a nightmare to Nick.
"I don't think so," The doe in the chair spoke up, "You see Tony has never been away from the station for long. He is here on his own study program and is merely attached to our research project because he has similar experiments to run in this environment."
"Trisha has been dispatched to Judy's tower. Until we are sure this is isolated we aren't taking any chances," Delta explained.
Nick felt a little better knowing Judy wasn't alone. He trusted Trisha and knew she would do anything to protect Judy.
"What exactly are you studying out here?" Nick asked the bunny before him, his curiosity getting the best of him.
"Would you believe pine trees? We are currently studying their season change and how the current climate is affecting them. Which means gathering samples and studying them."
"Like Pinecones?"
"Yes…as silly as it is to admit, I am currently studying pinecones," The doe said as she rolled her eyes, "What is with all you mammals and pinecones?"
Though Nick was still blown away by all the new information he couldn't help but smirk and make a mental note to tell Judy that at the Wapiti Station they were currently studying pinecones.
There was movement at the entrance of the tent which caught the attention of all the mammals present. The coyote returned, escorting a dark gray rabbit into the tent. Nick took in a deep breath as he stood up straighter. The coyote placed a firm paw on the buck's shoulder, signaling for him to stop. The buck took the hint and stopped mid-step. A pair of dark green eyes went right to Nick followed by a confident smirk.
"So…the famous Nick of Two Forks. Enjoying my tower?" The buck asked coldly.
"Your Tower?" Nick asked, trying to keep his anger in check.
"We are still waiting for confirmation from the parks department, but he has admitted to being a former employee of ours," Delta admitted as he stared at the buck. "Must have been just before I was assigned to this region because I would remember someone like him."
"She will," The buck said with a hint of malice.
"Who?" Nick growled.
"Judy…"
"Don't you dare say her name!" Nick shouted as the fur on the back of his neck stood up.
"Like you have a right to speak about her?" The buck shouted as he took a step forward. His movements were stopped by the coyote who glared at the smaller mammal as if daring him to try something. "You have no idea who she is!"
"And you do?"
"Of course I do! You think you were the first firewatcher to fall for her?" The rabid rabbit spat at Nick.
The fox gritted his teeth, the urge to pounce on the rabbit was almost too overwhelming. He did his best to restrain himself, however, knowing that if he tried something it would only cause everyone more trouble.
"I am the one who helped her through hard times!" The buck shouted. "I was there for it all. She and I would talk for hours! And then she tossed me aside as if I was nothing. Should have known…she was a fox chaser."
"Fox chaser?" The doe who had discovered all this asked.
"That's right, Judy Hopps! The sweet bunny of Thorofare is a pred lover."
"Is that a problem?" Delta let out a low growl, the topic at paw hitting rather close to home for him.
"It's unnatural," The buck spat out. "Especially with a lying, rotten, no good fox!"
Nick had heard this kind of stuff before so it wasn't exactly new to him. It did, however, sting slightly since Judy was being dragged through the dirt on all this. It also was a bit of a reality shock as the bubble which had been forming around the predator had popped. He had spent a great deal of time out in these woods. Had seen many different mammals. All of them treated him fairly and had actually welcomed him into their family. To them, it didn't matter if he was a fox, what mattered to them was he was a good mammal.
However, the whole world didn't exactly think like that. Part of that world had made it into his region and he was now reminded of what might be waiting for him back in the city.
"How could she fall for someone like you? Some kind of fox trick? That silver tongue of yours hypnotize that poor doe? You don't deserve her you filthy-"
"Ranger 18, this is comm 1," Came a muffled voice over the coyote's radio.
"Go for 18," The ranger responded into a small mic clipped to his shoulder.
"Be advised sig 13 with a 44 attached. Detain immediately!"
The coyote and Delta quickly moved in on the buck who realized what was happening just a second too late. The coyote reached down and placed a firm paw on the rabbit's shoulder only to have it shrugged off.
"Don't escalate this bud," The coyote growled.
"Get your claws off me!"
"Don't resist," Delta barked as he stepped forward, putting himself between Nick and the now enraged rabbit.
"She was supposed to be mine! But she chose a fox? I will end you, Nick Wilde!"
"I have heard enough," Delta growled. "Stop resisting or you are gonna taste the dirt."
There was a struggle which only lasted a few seconds, the canines were able to overpower the buck rather easily and soon had him pinned to the ground.
"Shoot," The painted dog growled, realizing the cuffs he had would be too large. "What you got?"
"Rope," The coyote growled. "And maybe a cloth to shut him up."
"Good thinking," Delta said with an evil grin.
Once in custody Delta advised his dispatch what had happened. The return transmission shed a little light on what they had actually stumbled on.
Apparently, the buck in question had been stationed at Two Forks several years prior. However, he did not last all season. Judy had requested him to be transferred after several inappropriate comments from the buck. Something he didn't exactly appreciate.
He was discovered trying to sabotage the cable that ran through the regions back to the parks department. It was unknown as to why but he was subsequently fired and trespassed from the park.
Nick was absolutely dumbfounded by the events. As he listened in he began to put some of the pieces of the puzzle that had been his summer together.
The tower's computer being destroyed, the cable in his region being cut, Judy's hesitancy to discuss other firewatchers from her past. He couldn't believe it. How in the world did a job with the parks department cause so much trouble?
Nick then realized something. It was all worth it in the end. As he watched the buck in cuffs escorted from Wapiti station he remembered one very important fact. Judy had chosen him.
She could have anyone in the world. There were obviously suitors out there willing to do crazy and even illegal things for her attention. Yet she chose to be with him.
The warm feelings inside only lasted for a second, however. While he was sure the danger had passed he suddenly became very concerned and just wanted to hear Judy's voice.
"Hey Carrots," Nick transmitted over the radio, realizing that she may be the only one listening for the first time.
"Hey Nick," Judy said softly, sounding somewhat distant.
"We need to talk..." Nick said as he took a seat on a crate just outside of the research tent.
"Is it the same reason Trisha is at my tower? What? Oh, come on you and I both know you aren't here to take a nap on my bed!" Judy shouted over the radio, her attention apparently on a certain ranger who had taken up residence in her tower.
Nick chuckled before clearing his throat, "So…how embarrassed would you be if say….someone had been listening in on our conversations all summer?"
"On a scale of 1-10? Probably 11."
-Day 48-
The colors of the June fire were truly magnificent. Especially at night. The warm orange and red melted beautifully into the dark blue sky that was dotted with brilliant stars and waves of dark green and blue. With little to no light pollution out in the farther parts of the parks, mammals were shown just how magnificent the night sky could truly be.
It explained why many astronomers and photographers took the time to visit the park. Of course, they weren't the only ones. Artists would spend a great deal of time in the woods capturing the different images around them. One such artist had fallen in love with the breathtaking vistas so much that she had taken up a job with the parks department as a Firewatcher. It was actually a rather sweet gig. To be paid to spend all day looking out at the wonderful sights, studying them, appreciating them, and then, of course, drawing them. It was a dream come true to a certain red panda.
Velvet was currently sitting on top of her tower. It wasn't exactly regulation but this far out in the forest meant one could get away with bending the rules. The red panda had taken the time to set up a folding chair and secured it to the roof of her tower, careful not to damage any of the solar panels or weather equipment of course. That sure was one way to get on superintendent Flo's bad side. As the day slowly turned into night Velvet sat in her little lawn chair and shook with excitement. She always loved this part of the night when the world changed before her. She flipped through the pages of her sketchbook, appreciating her own work for a moment or two before reach down and scooping a small bag from her backpack.
"Sweet Bamboo so good for yoooooou," The mammal sang aloud as she opened up a small bag of Bamboo mix. Velvet silently thanking the ranger who had taken the time to drop off the panda's favorite treats. Reaching a paw into the bag the red panda scooped up some of the mix and shook with excitement. Being so far away from the closest grocery store meant that little bags of her favorite treats were very hard to come by and weren't enjoyed often enough. Popping a small piece of bamboo into her mouth the red panda closed her eyes and let out a satisfied moan.
"Oh gosh…heaven..." Velvet said aloud, knowing full well there was no one around to appreciate her silliness. Which made her even sillier since there was no one around to embarrass herself in front of.
As Velvet happily chewed away on her snack she began to sketch some of the skyline before her. Taking a moment or two to go back and create more defined lines once she was satisfied with how the trees were coming out. She looked up at her model, the June fire burning so far away in the distance but still illuminating the sea of trees around it so wonderfully.
Even though the June fire was currently ravaging the forest around it, Velvet could appreciate it for what it was. Nature and all her fury could sometimes make a fierce but beautiful model. The red panda on the roof blinked a few times as she let her eyes adjust. The warm orange glow of the fire was just as intense today as it had been the first day the fire had begun to burn. This wasn't exactly rare but it still was uncommon. Velvet studied the fire for a moment or two and smiled, happy she was able to appreciate such a rare sight and capture it in her own way.
After a few minutes of sketching and snacking the red panda's ears began to blow in a steady wind that had begun to pick up. This wasn't uncommon being nestled on top of a mountain like the one her tower had been built on. She got the occasional refreshing gusts of wind. As Velvet mumbled to herself about a certain tree on her paper that didn't look happy her ears twitched. The wind was still blowing. Not only that, it had begun to pick up. It was at this point the artist looked up from her drawing and peeked over her shoulder. The wind continued to blow as the panda looked out into the distance. The look of happy concentration slowly fading from her face.
After taking another minute to wait and see if the wind would die down Velvet became concerned as the wind not only continued but picked up.
"Slow down…" She grumbled as if the wind would listen.
Her eyes darted to a small weather device that blew in the wind, a series of small cups attached to a pole spun around rapidly.
"I said slow down," She repeated.
The wind continued.
Velvet began to worry and groaned as she decided she had a job to do. The panda hopped from her seat and stuffed her snacks in her bag along with her sketch pad. Climbing off the roof only took a second for the nimble mammal who had become an expert in treating her tower like a jungle gym. Once inside she tossed her backpack onto her small bed which was covered with tiny stuffed animals.
"Please just be a gust…" The panda whispered softly to herself as she took a seat at her desk and turned on her computer. The screen flashed for a moment as it powered on. The seconds seem to turn into minutes as the mammal waited impatiently for the weather equipment to boot up.
The screen began to show a series of maps and information which to the untrained eye would have been pure gibberish. Velvet, however, recognized what was happening. Which was why her eyes widened as a glint of panic flashed across her face. She looked up and out her window towards the June fire which was still raging in the distance. She then looked down at her computer. Though the map on the screen didn't have any names of towers or camps on it Velvet recognized the region from the names of mountain ranges and lakes. She took a moment to calculate the direction of the wind and where the fire was exactly. Her tower was to the south of the June fire and the wind was blowing to the north which meant the raging inferno was about to get some help from mother nature. If the wind didn't die down then anything north of the fire...
"No no no!" The red panda shouted as she fumbled for her radio.
"Parks 1 this is Red Rock! Come in! We have a serious problem!"
Velvet had left the screen on a particular part of the region. The fire wouldn't be on the map of course, and with only a few names of large landmarks Velvet had to guess as to what park resources were about to get hit. Right in the wind's path sat Jonsey lake. Which was right smack in the middle of the Two Forks region.
Hey there Firewatchers!
First off special thanks to my friend Red Velvet Panda for the use of her playfully artistic OC Velvet. I had a blast having her make an appearance in this fic. When I first started writing the end scene I just wrote what felt natural and in the end Velvet was just a perfect fit! Thanks again Red!
So like I said: Rollercoaster!
For those folks who are fans of the game sitting there slightly confused I hope I haven't sent ya through the ringer. I changed a great deal I know. In fairness I changed a lot in this story to begin with. I have debated about how to have Wapiti show up but in the end, those who were in the know all agreed this was the better way to have it appear. I hoped you enjoyed the new version.
I did keep one thing the same, however. The end started when Wapiti appeared. That is the same in this story.
Get ready everyone, looks like Nick's firewatch is about to end.
The final chapter is next.
-Blue