Dumb Fox

Chapter 1: Back to the routine with Finnick

"What have I done? I screwed it up."

   Nick thought, he has awaken some minutes ago, while his body still rested in a humble bed inside an abandoned factory, the one he called home. It had passed more than 10 hours since he and Judy cracked the case; after staying awake more than 48, his body has begging for rest, however, the discussion with Judy made him feel afflicted.

   "Why I was so mean to her? Why bother me so much what she said at the press conference? It's true she may talked too much, in her anxiety, she probably just repeated the same thing we heard from the asylum's doctor about the savage mammals, but... Why infuriated me so much what she said about predators?"

   Once again, Nick remembered his bitter experience with the Junior Ranger Scouts, the way the other animals rejected him just for be a fox, how he felt when they muzzled him and all the other taunts he received, a bitter experience that marked his life forever, and precisely, those same thoughts appeared in his mind when he heard Judy speaking very negatively about predators, and the same feeling of being betrayed.

   "I suppouse I was carried away by my emotions, I didn't think I was that sensitive... not many mammals know this about me, I opened my heart to that dumb bunny and I think her dumb words hurt me more than I would like admit."

   The fox kept talking with himself in order to felt better, but a pessimist aura surrounded him.

   "Anyway, this doesn't matter anymore, Officer Hopps saved her job and I got back the pen recorder, feh! Everybody wins and we both can go back to our simple and common lives, with no more unresolved mysteries, no more blackmails, no more nudist animals, no more 'ice them' threats, no more chases, no more savage and hungry jaguars, and no more dumb bunnies saving my life... Damn! Since when I became so bland?"

   The orange fur fox was wondering about that until a few knocks from the other side of the door brought him back to the present.

   "Hey Fuzz! Are you awake?" said a deep, mocking voice behind the door.

   "Come on Finnick, it's open as always."

   Immediately a fennec fox went into his room. He was Finnick, not his actual name but a nickname because he never told Nick his real name. The tiny fox was Nick's business partner, or more like a hustle partner, he was the closest Nick have to a friend, though Finnick prefer just call him partner, but apparently both are okay with it.

   "Well Mr. police officer, I know you had a very long day fighting crime, but I think after a restful sleep..."

   Finnick was mocking Nick, usually the orange fur fox is the one teasing the little fox, that's why Finnick can't let this opportunity.

   "You have to come back to work with the bad boys!" he yelled strongly at Nick's ears.

   Nick tried vainly protect his ears with his fingers, after that, ignoring the thoughts mortify him, he put a smug smile in order to hide any sign of sadness, sorrow or worry of his face.

   "Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. My little one couldn't sleep because daddy didn't give him a goodnight kiss?" Nick replied him while he was making a kissing face with his muzzle repeatedly.

   "Well bobby, looks like you feel better already... Cut the crap or I'll bite your face off!" he yelled very angry to stop Nick and paid him attention. "Whatever, it's already too late, but get up and prepare yourself. Let's get some money today, since you decided to play police and thieves, I didn't earn many bucks, so, Move your awful huge tail and let's work!"

   "Okay" Nick yawned. "I miss you too, big guy. What do you have in mind? Because it's a bit late to sell pawpsicles."

   "Don't ask me, you are the brains here, whatever I don't have to use a ridiculous costume, is okay for me."

   "Ummm... well..." the tallest fox pondered with his paw on the chin for a while. "I think I have heard recently there was a downsizing at the Sanitation Department and it seems a poor refuse collector and his little son must ask for some help for them and so that their unfortunate family will be able to eat... so, tell me, Is your rhino costume clean?"

   "I hate you." the tiny fox replied annoyed and knowing today he impersonates a little boy dreaming to be a rhino when he grows up. "Feh! Yeah, I finished to wash it yesterday, I wait you in the van. And don't take too long or I'll wipe that smug smile off your face with my baseball bat!"

    Finnick was about to leave the room when he turned again to Nick.

   "By the way, What happened with your bunny girlfriend?"

   "W-what did you say?" Nick's voice faltered for a little while.

   "I said: What happened with the police officer? The bunny! I saw her in the TV, she cracked the case and..."

   "Oh, that bunny." his voice now sounded more calm and selfless. "I just helped her to get some clues and that's all. I assure you we never see her again."

   Nick stated in a seriously tone, he felt actually he'll never see the rookie cop again.

   "Really? What a shame, I really liked that girl."

   Nick rose up his left ear with genuine interest.

   "W-w-why do you say that?"

   "Nah, I dunno man, I just really liked her, she was cute, honest, pretty cheerful, very, very naive... and Good Heavens! She had a fluffy tail that was so... Grrrrr I just wanna give it a bite ha, ha, ha." he said even if it sounded too unsuitable for someone who appeared to be so young.

   Nick saw his partner very amazed after hearing his statements.

   "And the best part was, even for a dumb and naive bunny, she was the only one to beat you in your own game! Hahaha!"

   Finnick laughed derisively remembering how Judy was able to hustle the scam master, while he giggled and walked out through the door from Nick's room.

   "But really, what a shame. Anyway, I'll wait you in the van, former fuzz haha."

   The little fox was still laughing from the outside, while Nick was thinking, not about Finnick's taunts, but about certain bunny he couldn't get out of his mind.

***

Credits: Chapter pic made by Jacky-Bunny.