Prey Can Go Savage

Back to the Hospital

Purple and white swirls blurred Nick's vision, his breathing slow.  Suddenly, a piercing yellow light filtered through, blinding his eyes.  He lifted a paw to protect them from the intense glare, only to hear a shriek.  He then felt a pair of fluffy arms envelope his neck, squeezing him.  Once his eyes adjusted more to the light, he finally realized he was lying down in a hospital bed, and a small gray rabbit was hugging his neck.  Judy.  She seemed to be overjoyed, as small tears were forming in her purple eyes.  He slowly took a paw and wrapped it around her, hugging back gently.

"I'm so glad you're alright, Nick." she said, relief in her voice.  The rabbit's ears were lowered, and he gently stroked the soft fur. The fox smiled.

"Yeah..I'm fine..Just...needed a moment.."

"You caught Cole."

"I..I did?"

"Yep."

"Cole..That son of a.."

"It's alright Nick, you got him.  I was so surprised, and so were many other animals.  You were so fixed on catching him that even when you turned savage and were effected by Night Howlers, that's still who you went after.  You didn't even attempt to hurt anyone other than him." she said.

"R-really?  Weird.  I thought animals on those drugs would attack anyone and everyone they could get their teeth and claws on." Nick mumbled.  Judy nodded.

"Yeah I thought the same thing.  But like Bogo said, the effects of Night Howlers on animals have only been studied mildly.  They may effect each and every one of us differently.  And besides, your mind was so focused on finding him at the time you were effected, I guess that's just what stayed on your mind?" she asked.

Nick shrugged.

The fox took in the environment, seeing he was in a room much like Judy's was.  Then, the fox's ears lifted.

"What day is it?" he asked her.

"Oh..yeah..Nick, you've been asleep for 26 hours."

"26 hours!?"

"Yes.  You were a bit beaten when I..um..had to tranquilize you.. And the treatment of the Night Howlers took awhile, since you had been effected with so many of them.  Did you fall into that bathtub full of them?" she asked, curious.

"Yes.  He pushed me..I think..My mind is still a bit fuzzy." he said.

"I know..It'll go away when you drink some water and just rest for awhile.  I was in your situation only a day ago.." Judy frowned.

"You frightened me when I saw you like that, Nick." she said.

"I..I'm sorry.." His ears lowered.

"No, don't be.  I wasn't afraid of you, I was afraid of what your were going to do.  You were just so angry, and to see you, like what you were, just kind of disturbed me a bit."

"Well, when I saw a bunny dripping foam from her mouth, I wasn't exactly calm with that sight either.  Made my fur rise." he smiled.

"Hm..Heh, yeah.." she smiled sadly.

"Did I hurt anyone else?  When I was savage?" the fox asked.

"No, only Cole."

"Where is he?" he asked.  Judy gave him a look.

"Oh, he's here too, getting treatment.  You roughed him up pretty badly, and when you were about to kill him was when I had to stop you.  He'll be in jail as soon as he leaves this building." said Judy.

"Good." huffed Nick.

"But, Nick.." she began, "I still feel guilty for what happened to his family..He had motives behind this.  Now he's alone, and now he's going to be put into jail for who knows how long..I feel for him.." she finished.

Nick rolled his eyes.

"Carrots, he had  choice.  Yes, I know he was angry, but who blamed you for the death of someone you never even knew.  You didn't kill his parents, and I didn't kill his parents.  He's being just as hateful as the prey animals who killed his parents. What he did isn't justified.  Now, if he attacked the exact animals that murdered his family, then maybe.  But no.  He came for you, and attacked you.  You hadn't done anything to him, or to his mother and father.  And that's why nothing he has done is justified." Nick finished, no sense of guilt or mercy in his voice.  Judy knew he meant what he meant, and nothing was going to change his mind.

"Maybe.."

"Maybe?"

"Maybe you're right.."

"Uh, yeah I am." Nick frowned.

"I just..kind of thought since you were both...you know..you would side with him. I'm glad you're still with me though.  That really let's me know..how much you care." she smiled, squeezing his paw with her own.

Nick sighed. "You don't have to support other member of your group if other members of your group are doing terrible things.  Just because we're both predators doesn't mean I have to support what he has done.  Because what he has done is wrong."

"..Thanks, Nick." she hugged him again.

"Well, of course..I wasn't just going to let him get away with it..Now, how about you get me a glass of water.." he asked.

She nodded, hopping down to the floor and walking towards the room doors.

"Of course, and then the doctor said you could leave in a few hours if everything goes well."

"Okay.."

"Oh, and, later, I plan on making a visit to Cole's..."

The bunny turned back, but the fox was already fast asleep, the exhaustion of the day taking its toll on him.