Let it Go

Chapter Four

"I have some information you all must be aware of. A group of prey who are unhappy that our newest mayor is a predator have been terrorizing the city, trying to make the city lose as much money as they can. They vandalized, burned down buildings, and changed the climate and humidity of the different districts. Before, we didn't realize the incidents were connected. But all the vandalism has similar messages." Chief Bogo gestured to a board of photographs. They all read anti-predator phrases such as "Don't consort with killers", "Fear the minority", and "Natural enemies stay enemies".

Judy looked at Nick to gage his reaction. He was holding in his emotions fairly well, but his hands were clenched beneath the table.

"I want you all to be on high alert, and if you see anything suspicious, check it out immediately. I want Officers Wilde and Hopps investigating this exclusively."

Judy perked up. They hadn't had an important mission in a while.

"Dismissed."

Benji handed Judy the case file, and Judy nearly dropped it, it was so heavy.

Nick and Judy sat in their office, poring over the files. Apparently this group had been working together for a long time, and had possibly once worked for Bellwether.

"Check this out." Nick held up a map that pinpointed all of the incidents. They formed a claw print on the map.

"Oh my gosh." Judy breathed. The claw print was nearly finished, but had a few missing points. She grabbed a pen and a ruler, and figured out where they would be. Nick slid his chair over to his computer and found the coordinates of the three different locations.

***

Nick and Judy had been assigned to patrol the spot that the group had indicated would be next on their list. They sat at the spot for hours in their car; with the engine turned off and behind some trees to no one approaching could see them. Judy tried as hard as she could to concentrate despite the Rainforest District heat and humidity. Leaving the car running was unfortunately out of the question. When the sun set, all they could hear were bugs. Around midnight, thought, they saw a goat approaching. Followed by two sheep, and a pig. The pig held a flashlight and barked orders as the others took spray paint out of big black bags.

"How do you want to do this?" Nick asked, "We don't know what they're capable of."

Judy bit her lip, thinking, "You go around that way, and I'll come from this way. I'll signal you, and them we dart them."

"Got it." Nick slowly and quietly climbed out of the car and through the bushes to the spot Judy had pointed to. 

Judy pushed a few leaves out of her way, making sure she could see Nick on the other side of the clearing. The animals had already started spray painting the building, laughing and talking quietly while they worked. She thought she saw a flash of orange fur across from her, but she couldn't be sure. At least she knew that Nick, with his eyesight, could see her. When all four animals were turned towards the wall, Judy gave Nick a signal and burst through the brush. She darted both sheep before they could even turn around, and Nick got the pig. But the goat had disappeared.

"Where's the other one?" Nick asked.

She shushed him, and listened carefully. She heard rustling in the bushes a split second before a gunshot sounded through the rainforest.

"Evil predator!" The goat yelled, and ran into the darkness before Judy could dart him. She heard a thump behind her.

She spun around, "Nick, are you-"

He was sprawled on the ground, clutching his side. Blood had already started to stain the ground.

"Nick!" Judy screamed, and fell to her knees next to him.