The next morning, Noah rested against the side of the wall looking out at the city of Zootopia. Where was Uncle Nick and Aunt Judy? Probably convinced he was a thief and left him to his doom. He almost preferred Mr. Mudway to Fury now. He was a horrible hippo but at least he didn't point a dagger at him. He still hoped the fox and rabbit would come and find him, and he would not have to explain why he kept silent due to the oath. The only tiny pinch hope he could cling to. He did not want to experience consequential betrayal.
He heard the window open. He looked at it being lifted up and in popped Skip's head, smiling but with sadness.
"Top of the morning, Bush Tail!" the rabbit greeted, cheery but with plainness.
His facial expression sour, Noah turned his face back to the wall.
"Come on, Noah," said Skips. "Don't be like this."
"I thought you were my friend," said Noah hurt, still refusing to face the rabbit. "Why did you say the things you steal were made of magic? Stealing isn't magic! You're a liar! You and Alex almost got me put in jail and then you kidnap me back. I loved that rabbit and fox like my own parents even when they were trying to find my own. Now you guys have burned the files they trusted me with. They'll think I stole them! They were kind to me, and now they will think I'm a thief!"
"I took advantage for your age," admitted Skips guiltily. "And I'm really sorry. Really. I found it a laughing matter but when you took the heat for what me and Alex did, I was so guilty I wished it was me in those handcuffs and cop car. You don't know what it's like for the others here. No one looks at foxes with regard. So as a result, they steal to survive."
Noah looked on, unimpressed.
"I'm really sorry, Bush - err, Noah. I really am."
"Prove your sorry then!" the fox snapped.
"I asked Patsy to send the scout uniform back to who-do-you-call-'em, saying you didn't steal them."
Noah's ears perked up with attention?
"And where I am?" he asked with hope, turning half his view to Skips with one eye.
"No. This is why they brought you back here, so you wouldn't say anything to them."
Noah turned his full face to the rabbit, his scowl softening a little.
"I suppose that's alright. But couldn't you help me escape? You're the Skipper don't forget. Fury told me to live up to you."
"Do you think you're the only one who signed that contract?" said Skips with sadness. "If I return you, he will set Mr. Big on me. Look at that guy who was given to him before you arrived."
Noah panted in panic, tears welling in his eyes.
"I wanna go home," he croaked. "I'm scared."
Skips awkwardly sat down next down to the young fox.
"You deserve a home, buddy," said Skips quietly. "I myself have been thieving since I was your age, and you know what's right and wrong already. I could learn from you. Even Alex."
Noah looked out the window again.
"How can I get out of here?" said Noah. "If he catches me, he'll get me iced by Mr. Big."
"I know," said Skips. "We can only just each other now. Well, Patsy too."
"Will you tell her that I'm sorry I called her a traitor?"
"Sure thing," said Skips.
Noah smiled.
"I forgive you, Skips. After all, you're the first friend I ever had next to Rick Tricks."
"Who's he?" asked Skips.
"One of the orphans at the orphanage, he's a fox too."
"When we get all this sorted, we can get the orphanage in the showers."
Noah looked confused.
"Never mind," said Skips, embarrassed that he made sexual references to a five-year-old. "Also, I had no idea Alex was dressing as you to make a distraction. He kept it to himself."
"That's okay," said Noah. "Friends don't keep secrets."
"Exactly," said Skips.
Noah wanted to tell him that he informed Nick on his and Alex's names, but decided to stay silent in case Fury forced him to spill his guts and send him to Mr. Big.
"We can only trust each other now," said Noah.
"Patsy too," Skips pointed out. "They forced her to. She wanted you to live your new life."
Noah felt a pang of guilt from hearing this. He hoped one day he will see her again and apologise for accusing her of betrayal.
"In fact, I'll tell you what she's doing right now."

It must have been at that time, Skips had finished explaining what she was doing when she did it; Patsy had reached the apartment with a parcel in her paw. Before doing so, she brought a pen out from her pocket and wrote on a wrapped piece of paper she sellotaped onto the parcel before handing it to reception:

Dear, Officers Wilde and Hopps,

Please find in this parcel Officer Wilde's scout uniform. Noah did not steal it, neither did he steal the files. I'll help him return when an opportunity comes.

An anonymous friend.

Fury sat by the same table Noah had witnessed him playing with his property. On this occasion, he again was playing with his property. He admired them for the past hour and even when Skips was consoling the prisoner in the attic. His eyes left the box and its contents for the moment as he admired the thieved possessions on the table from what some of his fox cubs had given before Noah's return. The idea of him in the attic, though safe and secure, foxes that age were sly and could betray him to the ZPD one of these days. He picked up one of the hacked cell phones and got ready to dial Mr. Big.
"So you've found him."
Fury immediately slammed his box shut and grinned very awkwardly as Shards advanced towards him.
"Thanks to Patsy's persuasion," he chuckled. "Five-year-olds will trust anyone."
"Quite the fact," remarked Shards as he unexpectedly flipped open the box of jewellery. He glared at the weedy ascent magician. "Even a thieving fox which would be anyone's nature but mine."
Fury sheepishly shut the box again as he chuckled at the fox's words.
"Which is why foxes destined for the greatest of things, my dear. Why not join us?"
"Wealth is my ambition, Mr. Fury. I have a proposal for you," Shards added. He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and a lighter in the other. He lit the former and took and inhale to it. "May we speak privately?" he asked after blowing out a fume of smoke.
"No one here, but us, Shards my dear."
"Satisfactory. I want Noah to leave the Earth."
"Really?" said Fury, delighted that he would at least have a reason to do so, since the police would not be searching for much longer for their whereabouts. "I was planning that myself just now, but why do you wish him wiped out?"
"A lot which is rather personal," explained Shards.
"Wouldn't you prefer to take your sunglasses off? It's pretty abnormal."
"EVERYONE!" began Shard in a sound of thunder pointing a flick knife at Fury's neck, "has a trademark. Even if it means hiding something."
"Understood," gulped Fury.
Shards smiled at the ancient fox's cowardice and put the knife away.
"You say you are a family of thieves?"
"That we are, my dear. That we are," said Fury nervously, trying to keep things friendly with the shaded villain. "As a matter of fact, our alumni pickpocket Brent Stripes, along with his other friends are on their way soon to rob somewhere outside Zootopia. Looking for a position? I could try-"
"And what might that place be?"
"Bunny Burrows," replied Fury. "Fat, uninteresting little rabbits with boring vegetables, but they gain so much success. Their assistant holds their keys and money. Some Fox who works for a bakery. Gilford? Gilbert? Gideon, that it! Gideon! Gideon Grey is a fox who works for rabbits. It's a wonder they don't think he's a savage. If only, that way the burglary would be easy."
"False hope is not the answer to my desire," growled Shards. He then craned his neck close to Fury's nose as he shuddered.
"Judging by the last name of Brent Stripes, he's a tiger?" Shards inquired.
Fury nodded, gibbering silently. But Shards was now smiling rather faintly.
"Well, tell him this. I would like this young cub to be involved, so should anything happen to him, death in this case, his inheritance will be mine. And I shall pay you handsomely."
"Pay?" said Fury interested, forgetting immediately about the threat Shards and inflicted upon him. "The kid will have to work with Brent now. And what do you mean inheritance?"
Shards looked up at the ceiling for about a minute and then returned his gaze to the ancient fox.
"Noah Sly is my nephew," he replied. "Son of my presumably late sister. If he is to be deceased, I shall claim his inheritance. The reward will be handsome as I said."
"Indeed I shall accept, dear Shards," smiled Fury. "It's for the best seeing as you mention it. It may just be a mater of time before he finds a chance to tell the cops on us."
"And do you happen to know where he was born?"
"Mudway's Orphanage he told us," said Fury, smiling maliciously.
"I'll go there at once," said Shards in satisfaction. "Who knows if there might be any evidence left to clear up. Good day, Mr. Fury."
He nodded politely, left the room and out the door.
Fury walked up to the locked room, unlaced and saw the muzzled fox cub with Skips.
"How did you get in here?!" he demanded to the rabbit. "You were forbidden to speak to him."
"He's seen the error of his ways," said Skips. "He wants to prove his worth."
Fury looked at Noah in interest.
"Is that so, my dear?"
Noah nodded desperately.
"Well, we have just the opportunity. Mr. Stripes will require assistance tonight. You are just the right size for a little robbery we have been intending for some time."
"Can't I come with him?" said Skips.
"Certainly not," said Fury. "This must be considered like an exam. We want a prodigy unlike the other lads."