A Fresh Start

Call-Back

Officers with special devices, laptops and ear pieces were crowding the room. Nick was shaking as he held his phone in his paw, ready to re-dial Judy's work phone. He took a deep breath and nodded towards the other animals in the room who were ready with their equipment. The phone rung for a while and Nick didn't expect anyone to pick up but eventually, they did. "Fox?" Answered a scathing voice. Nick felt his fur stand on end but remained calm. "That's right its officer Wilde. I just want to talk, predator to predator." The animal on the other end snorted. "You have 10 seconds" he began to count down. Nick stammered under pressure. "U-ur...W-What do you want with officer Hopps? Why do you have her and is she okay?" Demanded Nick. The animal answered quickly, "I already told you. I warned you to stay away from the case so this is the consequence and no I haven't hurt her...yet." He added sinisterly. Nick balled his free fist until his claws pierced his palm. Please let her go! This wasn't her fault. We dont know anything. Where is she?" Nick pleaded. "No can do" was the short reply. Nick attempted to get on the good side of Judy's captor. "You are the infamous Markus Swiftfoot right? Cant we make a deal?" The animal laughed bitterly. "Cant answer that and I already gave you an alternative to all this. Tic toc, time is running out fox!" He counted down to number four. This animal seemed to enjoy toying with Nick. "Uh, can I speak to her? Please!" There was a moment of silence. "-3, 2. Hang up." The voice ordered. Nick began to protest. "1". The phone beeped as he was hung up on. The fox lowered his ears then heard ringing. He looked down at his buzzing phone and quickly answered. "This is officer Wilde." "Ten seconds. Say your goodbyes but say anything stupid and ill kill her right now and send a photo to her parents. Call back after this and ill make you listen while she dies. Got it?" Nick nodded before realising that was useless. "Okay, understood."

Nick listened for a few seconds then heard a soft sobbing whimper. "Nick?" Nick's ears shot up. "Carrots!" He exclaimed. "Carrots, we are going to find you and get you home safe. What happened?" Judy cut the fox off. "No time for that. I need you to listen." Nick heard a clang, a harsh voice he couldn't make out and retreating pawsteps. "I've bought us a few more seconds" the bunny then explained. "Nick its Swiftfoot," she whispered urgently. "I dont know where I am but I was taken from my apartment by a ram and a leopard. They're used chloroform. I'm tied down in what looks like a warehouse but its too dark to see and -woah!" Judy was cut off. "Carrots? Hopps?" He demanded. "Wrong move bunny", Swiftfoot growled from the other end. "Wait dont hurt her!" Nick begged desperately. "We'll do anything!" The vulpine heard crashing noises and grunts. All Nick could do was listen to the struggle. "Hopps? Swiftfoot? Hello!?" Suddenly he heard a yelp and then Judy's small voice. She sounded exhausted and defeated. "Nick. Listen I'm sorry" she began. Nick went to argue but she cut him off. "No dumb fox just listen! There isn't much time." She snapped. So that's just what he did. The fox listened with tears welling up in his stunning green eyes. "Nick you are an amazing officer and the best friend I have ever had. I couldn't ask for a better partner and I just want to thank you for being a huge part of my life. You, you've been one of the best things in my life and I just want you to know that-" her voice grew increasingly faster and more hushed before she was cut off completely. "TIMES UP!" Nick heard a snarl before the line went dead. "JUDY! No!"

Nick dropped his phone and grabbed his head tightly in his paws. "Did you get the location of the device?" Nick looked up and asked the tech wolf. The wolf kept his eyes focused on the screen of his laptop. "Calculating now" is all he said. And after a few minutes which to Nick, felt like hours, the wolf pricked his ears and exclaimed. "We just got it! She's in Tundra Town in-" his voice trailed off as the lights went out. "Where?! What's happening?" Nick demanded, looking around in the pitch black darkness. "Everyone okay?" Bogo soon asked. When every mammal answered him he continued. "Looks like the powered been cut. From here it looks as if the whole city is out. Did you catch anything else besides Tundra Town?" Nick heard the tech wolf whimper in disappointment as he tapped his claws on the blank screened laptop. "Negative sir. Sorry." Bogo grunted in annoyance then after a moment of rummaging, Nick saw Bogo pull out a flash light. "What next?" Nick breathed, leaving his phone wherever is was lying on the floor.