Chapter Text
"I saw it happen right there," the capybara said while pointing.
Judy couldn't really remember his name since she was still trying to process it all. She did however mentally note that the incident had happened right in the middle of the street.
She believed it was wayyy to wide open to be natural. Her and Nick couldn't get much more information out of him since he was in shock. Then again he looked old, or of age so maybe his memory wasn't all there. Without wasting a second they went to check the alley cam for footage. "This is just a big waste of time," Nick grumbled as they walked.
Of course all he was probably thinking of was food. She couldn't blame him though, predators did have a big appetite. She'd slap herself if it was possible right now. How could she still view him as JUST his species? Now of all times? Judy sighed. One of those tired and frustrated sighs.
Nick took a quick glance at her. He probably thought she hadn't noticed. She always did.
"Maybe we'll spot something no one had seen before," Judy whispered more to herself than to the fox standing next to her.
She had to admit the footage they saw was already described pretty well. But there it was, the moments right before. Jack Fallow, a pretty frail, skinny-looking deer walked into frame.
Judy's main focus was on how nervous he looked. Sweat stuck to his fur like slime. All trace of color was drained from his face.
And most importantly his hand, shaky, kept hovering over his pocket as he walked. Very easily visible, there was a small piece of paper.
"He looks nervous..." Judy spoke her thoughts. "Always the smartest carrots," Nick joked while squeezing her shoulder playfully.
She tried her best to memorize the warmth and assurance. Her and Nick were much for physical touch but now there was this new feeling to it.
Each moment just drew her closer to him. Judy rolled her eyes automatically at his sarcasm. She would never tell him, but it was one of her favorite things about him. Mainly because it kept her grounded.
That piece of paper still had a strong hold on her thoughts. Maybe it was nothing? First responders hadn't mentioned anything about a paper.
On the screen, the horse came to view. He was big and brawny. All that could be seen was mostly his body shape. His face was mostly hidden and even now no one had identified him.
As soon as he got close he took out his knife and acted. It took a good 5 seconds for the life to be drained out of Mr. Fallow. Judy watched as he fell to the ground. As he twitched a few times trying to speak and call out for help. She watched as he failed to do so and only managed a whimper. Judy's eyes stayed glued to the screen up until someone finally called 911.
Turning to Nick, she saw how his face perfectly showcased how she felt. Relief was all that filled Judy at that point. A very unusual sensation given the moment. But she was just very glad he wasn't closing himself off.
It was as if after everything that happened all Nick wanted to do was hide. Even now Judy didn't fully understand why.
"Did you hear anything about a piece of paper?" Judy questioned.
Nick shrugged before replying,"If it was THAT important they would've mentioned it." Something told Judy that it was. Something from within.
"Welp-" Nick clasped his paws together. "-I don't see nothing else worth noting so let's go get something to eat!"
Judy heard a huge amount of fake, humorous enthusiasm in his voice. Either way she could really go for some food. She nodded her head as they walked off.
Nick let Judy pick the restaurant. Which in its self was very uncommon for him to allow. He always liked to tease her over the food she liked.
In the actual restaurant, they both sat there in silence. Judy sat there frozen in time; still trying to figure out what their next actions should be.
As she continued to just pick her salad, Nick was eyeing her. "Do you want some of my shrimp?" he asked being only partially serious. At that, Judy looked up and smiled. It was one of her sunshine-like smiles. Her family always liked to say that when she smiled like that it made the world look ugly in comparison.
"You know...-" Nick began "-You don't do it often but when you smile like that it makes me think everything will all be okay." Judy laughed a bit under her breath.
Nick usually wasn't this serious and it was nice when he was. He dropped his fork and took her paws into his. Again, Judy tried her best to remember it vividly. His strong grip on her paws. How his jokey side seemed nonexistent, and all that was left was just comfort. Comfort made for her.
"Judy, I can clearly see how much this is affecting you," he began. To be honest, she was only really paying attention to their paws. Nick must've realized and let go. "-Just know that I am here-" she looked up at him knowing he wasn't completely finished. "-for you," he finished.
At that point Judy could've easily started crying. She gave him a small nod afraid that if she spoke her voice would come out all shaky. Either way she didn't feel the need to speak.
Stuff was getting worse but at that moment in time she felt the complete opposite of alone. Now she really was close to bawling her eyes out. Nick left a bit of money on the table and took her outside. As he guided her to a quiet and private place, Judy let some tears slip free.
Stuff still hadn't reached an all time worse but the fear of what will come next lingered.
Nick pulled her into a tight hug. He squeezed her tightly whispering small words of encouragement. She couldn't tell you what exactly he said since she was more focused on trying to not break down.
He let go to look at her face. "Carrots, please don't forget who you are-" Nick reached out a paw and stroked her ears eyeing them as they twitched.
"-Don't forget, even if you cannnn be unbearable at times." Judy laughed a wet laugh. She wasn't full on sobbing yet, but she was crying. He pulled her back into one last quick hug and let go. She could've sworn he cried a few tears as well.
The drive to the precinct felt like a fever dream. Both her and Nick planned to gather more information from Bogo.
They still hadn't necessarily finished questioning every witness. But no matter what, everything would lead to a dead end. Judy didn't like to think much about it. If she did it would be chaos.
Her ears laid flat against her head as she got lost in thought. Focus lacked in her eyes as she faved the window. Surprisingly, Nick was driving at a good and steady pace. Arriving at the precinct she mentally prepared what she would say.
After speaking to Bogo, they were sent to the front desk to retrieve something. Judy had let Nick do most of the talking, but she still listened attentively.
Bogo didn't fully say what it was, but there was a mutual understanding. Nick felt it too. She highly believed that right now his main focus was far from hiding.
After speaking to Clawhauser, they retrieved a bag full of evidence. First thing her eyes landed on was Mr. Fallow's watch. She duly noted how expensive it looked. He did seem like the guy who was secretly corrupted and kept secrets. Secrets that could ruin him.
As they looked through the bag, Judy finally saw it. A small yellowish wrinkled piece of paper. All worth noting was that it was ripped and folded.
Bogo did inform them that the horse had been arrested. Yet, no one knew his true identity. He went by the alias,"Mark Consensus." She thought it was an odd name. One you wouldn't really hear in Zootopia.
Judy wasn't quite sure why she was over analyzing a name so much. It seemed unimportant, even to her.
Nick nudged her urging her to read it. "Well, you got what you wanted go ahead and read it," he said. She carefully pulled it out and unfolded it.
Nick had found a new sudden interest and couldn't pry his eyes from looking over her shoulder. Anxiety filled Judy at that moment. Then curiosity, what if this was the key to everything?
The words flooded her mind like a tsunami. The piece of paper read...
"The stampede begins with a whisper. In the panic of many, no one asks who taught the night to howl. When teeth are feared, even a smile becomes a threat. Plant the fear, and the herd will build the cage themselves."