Threetopia - Chapter 3: Into the Jungle.
Chapter 3 in my little zootopia fanfic. For however few may read. :P
Back at home, Parker and Nick were on the couch with his phone resting on his lap.
"Are you ready?" Nick asked quietly.
"I th-think so." Parker nodded. Nick took his father's hand and started scrolling through the contacts. Almost at the top was the name AV, he clicked on it and tapped the video icon and waited.
"Here we go." Nick smiled, releasing Parker's paw and stroking his back. "You got this, don't worry."
"What?" Aiden spoke from the phone. Nick held it up to his face and smiled.
"How's it hanging bud, you doing ok?"
"Nick, I don't do social calls. What is it?" Aiden cut right to the point.
"Well, you might wanna make an exception because; I got someone here that wants to socialize for a minute or two." Nick stated passing the phone to Parker. Aiden's face all but melted as the image stabilized on his screen.
"Aiden?" He stammered.
"Parker." He gasped. "Oh god, Parker! You're awake! Are you ok? Is everything alright!?"
"A-aiden-n. S-son. It's s-so good to... to see you." Parker whimpered. Nick leaned in and gave his father a peck on the cheek and cuddled in close.
"You were one first things he asked about, Aide."
"Welcome back, Dad. Oh wow. Ugh, was not expecting this today." Aiden laughed, covering his face for a moment. "Oh wow. Dad, I'll come right down, ok?"
"No no, don't!" Nick cut in.
"A-ad.. Aiden, I l-love you.. but-t don't b-be so f-foolish. Y-you're the f-f-first th... thing th-ey'll l-look for." Parker explained.
"He's right, Aiden. Look we'll find a way to get up to you. Are you gonna be home on Wednesday or Thursday?"
"Yeah. Yeah I can be home, sure. Eve and I will be here." Aiden hastily agreed.
"Eve?" Parker perked up.
"Oh yeah, Parker. I met someone. We uh, well we can't get married but we're as close as we can get. She's uh, understanding about my previous jobs." Aiden smiled. "She's in the shower at the moment, probably gonna use up all the hot water again."
"I'm p-proud of-f you, Aiden... You're h-happy?"
"Heh, I'll be more happy when I get to see you in person. Take care, I gotta go. Nick, thanks for the call. I'll see you soon." Aiden smiled, ending the call. Parker covered his face and leaned on Nick's shoulder.
"Ahh, you old softy." He comforted, patting his father's head. "See, he's ok. You taught him well."
"T-thank g-g-oodness."
"Grampa!!!" Liam came rushing up the stairs and leapt into his lap. "Grampa, grampa! Tell Hannah she! She's not allowed to have the TV for the whole day!"
"Isn't this something I should be telling her?" Nick pondered.
"No! Cause, see if he's a grampa, he's like the one in charge of you. So if Grampa says so, it's like, it's the law!" Liam explained. Parker just laughed, scooping up the little cub in his arms.
"I-is that r-right? A-alright th-the big boss, will g-go tell her." He agreed.
"Sorry!" Ian shouted bolting up the stairs now as well. "Liam, come on, you know you're not supposed to bug your grampa."
"It's o-okay." Parker insisted.
"Dad, I guess I should formally introduce you. Ian, this is Parker, Dad, Ian Hopps, Judy's little brother."
"P-pleasure." He greeted, shaking his hand with his only free paw.
"Nice to meet you too. I know you're out of the business but, I'm training to be a network tech. But right now, it seems I'm a professional babysitter."
"Arguably professional." Nick tossed in.
"Bleh, yeah. These three are adorable as heck but can be a real handful."
"Well, l-let me g-give you .. a paw." Parker offered but he seemed to be struggling to hold up Liam. Nick rushed in to scoop up his son while Ian helped him back onto the couch. "Then ag-gain."
"Maybe a bit of rest is in order." Nick suggested.
"Y-yeah." Parker sighed.
"Ian, get the cubs upstairs. I'm gonna help the old fart down to bed."
(6 years earlier)
Aiden walked through the creaking door of the apartment he was hiding out in and shut it behind him, locking the deadbolt. Glancing into the living room, he could see the visage of a big cat, leaning on the window.
"Get out." Aiden spoke softly, turning on the lights. The figure turned out to be a cloudy leopard, grey and white with black spots decorating her body. She wore a black leather top and short panties with tassels littered along the sides and back.
"Not very nice, baby. Aren't you glad to see me?"
"No."
"Oh, so mean." She cooed, slowly walking past the couch, she ran her finger along the small table and toyed with the dust. "Still living in a fox hole I see."
"Vanessa."
"Shh." She hushed; finally reaching him she wrapped her paws around his waist. "Easy baby. No one's here to hurt you. You're far too precious for that." Vanessa whispered, caressing Aiden's ear. "Mmm, I love this fur, you know? So sleek, so elegant. Like a moonlit night with just a few stars shimmering through" She carried on, running her finger down his chest. "Still so strong too."
"What do you want?" Aiden whispered.
"I heard about Zootopia. Barone knows about it too. I'm sorry for your loss baby." She cooed.
"No you're not, you hated Psych." Aiden countered.
"Oh we fought for sure, but I had a lot of respect for him. He and Barone were good friends after all."
"And you're still fucking him." Aiden turned away. Vanessa clasped his cheek and pulled it right back.
"A girls gotta do what she's gotta do." Vanessa insisted, reaching down into Aiden's pants. Aiden gave a soft stammer as she fondled him. "But maybe what I really want is right here."
"Vanessa." Aiden stammered, as she planted her muzzle in his neck.
"I know you miss us, you miss me. You miss the nights on the beach, or that time in the kitchen." She giggled, kissing his shoulder. "I miss it too."
"Get to the point." Aiden whispered.
"I want you back with us." She breathed, changing from one side of his neck to the other. "We need you." She accented by squeezing his shaft. "Without Psych we're hurting for a good cyber attacker. Mmm, and you were his precious little boy. You know all the tricks of the trade. All the ins and outs." Vanessa carried on, sliding his pants off. Undoing her waist clip, she let hers fall as well and leapt up onto his waist. Aiden wasted no time turning her around and pressing her up against the wall and mounting her. "That's it."
"Shut up." He whispered. Pumping her harder and harder, her sleek little figure bouncing up against the wall with every thrust. Squeezing him tight, she caused him to growl, clasping her tight he carried her to the couch and mounted on top of her again. Pounding away at her pussy, she moaned and wailed, enjoying being mated by the thick black panther's cock. Spinning him around she mounted herself on top and really started milking him, pressing on his chest and grinding her hips on his till at last he released inside. Vanessa smiled, feeling the hot gush of seed spilling inside her.
"Mmm, that's my boy. Come back with me." She cooed, leaning down. "You can have whatever you want now; Psych." She smiled. In a rather swift move he spun her over and pressed himself deep inside, giving a good long low growl.
"I am not Psych." He stated firm. "And I'm not going back with you."
"What?" Vanessa sneered. Aiden took hold of her paws and clasped them together.
"Tell Barone that I'll take his secrets to my grave. That I'll honor my mentor's word and respect him and the family, but my hacking days are done." Aiden stated, rising off of Vanessa's body. Walking over to his pants, he picked up his own and tossed Vanessa's over to her. "Don't come looking for me again." In a huff she slid back into her cloths and stood up.
"You're a fucking idiot. You think this is over? Barone will never believe you." Vanessa scowled. Aiden just laughed and pointed to a corner in the room to showcase a small camera.
"He'll know." Aiden insisted. "I'll send him a copy myself. Now let yourself out." He instructed. Vanessa growled, shoving Aiden as she passed him and slamming the door as she left. Inside the elevator, she tapped her claws on her arm as it descended watching the floor count steadily reach 1. Before the doors opened, she punched the metal wall, leaving a nice large dent. Inside his apartment, Aiden got on his computer, wiping his face and trying to calm down from what had just happened. He got online, and started editing the footage his camera had captured and sent it off to Barone's private server. Sighing he leaned back in his chair and looked around at the dilapidated apartment and wiped his nose. "Fuck this place, I'm out."
(Present day)
Judy arrived home, hanging her head and seemingly exhausted from the long day of work. She unclipped her vest and hung it on the banister and aimed straight up the stairs to her room.
"You home, Carrots?" Nick called out.
"Yeah. Soo tired." She moaned. Nick was in the kitchen working on dinner, a pile of flatbread nearby along with a massive pan filled with seasoned synthetic beef. He also laid out on the counter a platter with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, onions and jalapenos.
"Well, you'll be happy to know it's taco night! Should be ready in a few." Nick announced. Pouring the meat out into a large bowl, he dumped the pan in the sink and let it soak. "Squirts! Come grab your plates! Remember, you have to pick at least two veggies." The little cubs rushed into the kitchen, paws out waiting for their plates. Nick chuckled and handed them out, catering to each little cubs requested dinner. Judy finally made it down, dressed in one of Nick's old button up shirts and pair of denim shorts.
"Smells good." She complimented.
"Yeah it does." He agreed, pulling Judy in for a quick kiss. "Mmm, bunny lips for dinner. But hey, you spill any meat on that, you gotta clean it."
"Shush foxy, you know I take veggies only." She giggled, bumping his rump. Ian bolted down and started serving himself followed by Nick and Judy.
"Leave a bit for dad hey."
"Where is he?" Judy pondered, taking her seat.
"He's finally asleep. He didn't catch a wink last night so, I'm glad he's at least getting some rest." Nick stated, leaning in for a bite.
"I can't wait to sleep tonight. Gosh today was brutal."
"What? Seriously?"
"You wouldn't believe it but, there have been more reports of animals going savage. This time from overdosing on Nighthowlers in that vaporized form."
"I heard about that, but I didn't believe mammals were actually doing it. Who's stupid enough to make themselves savage?" Ian wondered.
"Jeez, makes me wonder what I caught Caden with." Nick pondered aloud.
"He better not be smoking that." Judy scowled. "The savage episodes aren't as severe as last time, it seems like the victims are aware, just crazed. Two wolves and a ram were brought in today to hospital. I had to help subdue one, it wasn't pretty."
"Jeez. Any word on who's trafficking it?" Nick asked.
"Nothing yet, but I'm working on it for sure. Miss my sexy partner though." Judy winked, taking a bite of her taco.
"I'll drive dad to his appointment, maybe he can get a cab home and I can come in to help ya." He suggested.
"Sure, if you're in we're actually 12-8 tomorrow. Ian, can you handle dinner?" Judy asked.
"Sure, pizza it is." Ian smiled.
"Lovely, a healthy meal." Nick chuckled.
"AHHHHHH!!!" A scream came from downstairs.
"Shit!" Nick bolted up.
"Daddy, bad word!" Hannah scolded as her father and mother left the room.
"AHHHHH!!!! NO!!!!" Parker screamed again. Nick and Judy flew down the stairs to find Parker tossing and turning on the mattress, the sheets flung off and the old fox panting rapidly. Nick leapt on top of him, Judy trying to hold his feet.
"Dad! Dad wake up! It's just a dream! Wake up!!" Nick shouted, trying to coax him up. Parker's eyes fired open and with an impressive show of strength he took hold of his son's collar and started yanking on his shirt. "Dad! Calm down, it's ok!"
"No! T-th.. blood!" He stammered, he finally managed to lift up Nick's shirt, and pressed his hand on his chest. "It-s..t-t-t-here.. The b-blood!"
"Judy, the meds." Nick nodded toward the desk nearby. "Dad, look, it's healed. You can't even see the scar anymore, I'm fine."
"N-n-n-no... I did t-this.. No." He stammered. Judy handed him a few white tablets and water and Nick took hold of his father and cradled him in his arm.
"Dad, here. Take these ok, you need to calm down." Nick insisted. Parker allowed himself to be fed the pills and washed them down with the entire bottle of water. "There ya go, it's ok dad."
"N-nicky.. I'm so so sorry." Parker whimpered.
"Shh, we got ya. It's ok." He assured him, easing Parker to his feet. "Well, nightmares are in full swing I see. Why don't you come upstairs and grab a bite, take your mind off em, huh?"
"Ok." He nodded, still panting quite heavily. "Ok I'll t-try."
Nick and Judy took to their usual seats, right next to Grizzoli. The bullpen was abuzz with the news of the Nighthowlers return and how they'd have to subdue any victims.
"Think Delgato got any new leads?" Matt asked, nudging Judy's side.
"Don't know. Macuihtl and Davis were working on the crime scene, I guess we'll get word from them soon."
"Let's hope. Nick, I thought you were taking the day off to help your father." Matt noted.
"Judy asked me to come along, how can I say no to this little rabbit." Nick smiled to his wife. She giggled nestling her rump beside his and kissed his shoulder.
"Sweet talker." Bogo entered the room in a suit and tie, carrying the docket in his arms. The room erupted into cheers and howls as he took to the podium.
"Alright, alright enough. SHUT IT!" He bellowed. Everyone took their seat and settled in. "Good. Now for those of you who haven't heard, Delgato is out on injury. The poor fella is in the hospital right now with a severe concussion. Miss Rosa has a card for him at reception; she's going to deliver it to him tonight so make sure to sign it before you leave."
"So you made your own inspirational greeting cards after all." Nick quipped.
"Shut your mouth, Wilde. I briefed the morning crew on what to do countermeasure wise if you encounter anyone going savage, make sure you're all equipped with at least one dart gun and a few rounds today. It's doubtful you'll need a firearm, stick with tasers and tranq. Officers Wolford, Davis, Smith. You three are on Sahara Square. Grizzoli, Mr and Mrs Wilde, your team takes Rainforest District. Johnson, Trunkaby, Allistor, you three are on Tundratown. Before you all leave." Bogo stated, setting his glasses down. "I do have one more thing to mention. For those of you who don't know, we've also had an increased number of missing cubs. Four are already confirmed, including the eldest son of one of our lost officers; Caden Fangmeyer."
"What!?" Matt exclaimed.
"Laura called him in missing two hours ago. She stated his bed hadn't been slept in, so he must have snuck out in the night. I want everyone's eyes peeled; listen for any news of any of the missing cubs. I've put pictures and descriptions into each docket, I expect you all to look them over. Radio in anything you find to Kate, or call me directly. I'm going to try to manage the press today on the Nighthowler issue. Dismissed."
"Oh jeez." Judy moaned, flopping back her ears.
"The crazy kid, we gotta find him." Nick insisted.
"I don't understand, why would he do that!?" Matt fumed, snatching up his keys. "Come on you two, we got a job to do!"
The trio abandoned the car for a while and started strolling through a small shopping mall within the Rainforest District. They passed by many of the little tiki stores and restaurants, a few places playing jungle rhythms while others more modern music, keeping their eyes peeled for any suspicious dealers. Matt kept ruffling his mane, shaking out the droplets of water as they soaked him through and through.
"Hate this place." He quietly complained.
"Doesn't faze me really." Nick threw in, glancing back to his partner. "Oddly enough this is one of the areas Judy and I were checkin out for a place to live."
"Really?"
"Uh huh." She smiled back, happily hopping beside Nick. "There's a ton of good restaurants here and the houses are pretty reasonably priced. Only problem was traffic out of here is brutal to get to Savannah Central for work, we'd have to totally rely on the trains."
"Yeah, so that was out." Nick agreed.
"Jason always said when we had to patrol here; it was easier on foot for a reason." Matt said, looking over the green waterways below.
"He wasn't wrong." Judy nodded.
"God he'd kill me if he were alive right now."
"What?" Judy winced, stopping for a moment.
"He asked me to look after his family for him. Now Caden has run off and Laura's a nervous wreck, we've just got to find him." Matt insisted, clasping the rails and looking over the paths. The mammals below just strolling along the paths, minding their day to day business. Though a pair of pigs were leaning on the rails enjoying a cup of coffee in their bright yellow jackets. Matt gave the canopy a good once over before his attention was snared away.
"Well, where should we start? Think Matt, what is he into?" Judy suggested, trying to encourage her friend.
"Games, movies, the usual teen stuff."
"Smoking." Nick threw in.
"What?" Matt scowled.
"I caught him with a vape at the trampoline park. He was smoking weed." Nick confessed.
"No, no no he wouldn't be that stupid." Matt adamantly refuted.
"Chops, listen to me. I caught him red handed, tried to scare him into ditching it but I guess it didn't help." Nick argued. "Look, this is a bit of a stretch but, behind the hippodrome, is a great spot for mammals to go smoke up. Nice and concealed, food covers up the smell. Might be worth checking in to."
"Ok, let's go." Matt agreed.
After navigating the bridges and tree paths, they arrived at the Hippodrome within half an hour. Nick took the lead and started walking backward, advising his partners.
"Alright listen, just be relaxed and cool ok? Weed is technically legal if they're 18, we just gotta get em to slip up and, nothing personal. This is my forte." Nick smiled, with a flip of his glasses. "Tag along if you want, but keep quiet and look relaxed, calm, smile a little." He gestured, illustrating it on his cheeks. Heading in behind he found a trio of mammals smoking up behind the building. A wolf, badger and racoon. They all seemed to be either late teens or young adults, so Nick kept his cool and went in.
"Oh boy." The wolf sighed, stashing away his vape. "Cops."
"Relax, just need to see some ID so I know you're smoking legally." Nick requested politely. Each one of them began rooting in their wallets or purses before the racoon spoke up.
"What, you gonna make us hand over our vapes now?" She complained.
"ID hun." Nick insisted, keeping his little smile. They each turned theirs over and sure enough they were 18 or 20. "Perfect, thanks guys. Sorry if we bothered you."
"So you gonna leave now?" The wolf spoke up.
"Actually, I always wondered. Why do you guys use vapes, aren't joints better?" Nick seemed to ask in a casual and cool manner.
"Seriously?" Nick just gave a quick nod and gestured for him to explain. "Well, the weed burns better in a vape than it does in a joint, lower temp and you get more smoke."
"Oh really? Same effect though?"
"Same effect, why don't you try a hit?" The wolf laughed, offering up the pipe. The other two laughed, knowing he wouldn't take it.
"Hey if you're offering." Nick smiled, taking the pipe.
"Nick, what are you doing?" Judy complained.
"Relax Carrots, it's just one hit." Nick refuted. The trio looked on in awe, seriously wondering if he'd do it. Without any hesitation, Nick took a good long drag and puffed out a nice big plume of smoke with a smile. "Wow, that is smoother. What do you smoke?"
"Dude, I can't believe you did that! HA! Aren't you gonna get fired?" The racoon laughed.
"Only if these two snitch. But come on, what do you smoke? I wouldn't mind trying that mix."
"It's specialty." The wolf brushed off.
"Nice, what store?" Nick continued to press in a calm demeanor.
"Not a store." The badger giggled. "Unless you count Brandon as a store, that fat ass." The wolf and racoon just glared at her, as if telling her to shut her mouth. "What!?"
"Yeah.. Yeah, see. If you're purchasing it from a shop and you're 18, 100% legal. Getting it from some random guy, that's a problem." Nick smiled.
"We caught you smoking it though so, there's that." The wolf retorted. Nick cleared his throat and winked back to Judy.
"Oh my little rule book, what do you say?" Nick smiled. Judy sighed folding her arms and stepped forward.
"Officers may use any, non-violent, non-purgative methods to obtain information, including disinformation, purchase and possession of narcotics, so long as it is used wholly for the purposes of public safety or police investigation."
"So you offering me a hit is no big deal, since this is for an investigation." Nick summarized.
"We need to know where you're getting this from." Judy insisted, waving her carrot pen.
"Look, Brandon's just a middle guy; he won't tell us who mixes it." The wolf explained. "He's a fat ass camel that lives somewhere around Vine. Don't know his address; we just catch him on the corner."
"Is this stuff laced with Nighthowlers?" Matt demanded.
"Yeah, but it's really low dose. Doesn't do much." The wolf dismissed.
"But there's been reports of animals going savage again." Nick questioned. The racoon scoffed and shook her head.
"That's cause those dumbasses are buying high dose, and smoking the whole fucking tube in a hour! How freaking dumb can you get!?"
"We get low dose, we could drink this stuff and it wouldn't do anything. But the high dose well. Smoke a little and you get this eerie sensation, you just vegetate on the couch and daydream you're in a jungle or open savannah. Smoke the whole thing, or worse yet mix it in a drink and shoot it back. You're gonna go outta your fucking mind." The wolf explained.
"We should bring these guys in, we have em on possession alone." Matt stated.
"Nah, got one better." Nick threw up his brow. "Here's how you get off the hook. Plain and simply put we got you on possession of narcotic vape fluid. So here's the deal, one of you takes us to the dealer. We get there, we find him, ask a few questions, and you're all free to go." The trio looked to each other and the wolf got down off the crate he was sitting on and spoke up.
"Yeah I'll go."
"One more thing." Matt growled. "Do any of you know about the cubs going missing? Do any of you know a wolf named Caden? Caden Fangmeyer?"
"No."
"Nah."
"Newp."
"Come on, he has to be getting it from the same person! You must know who he is." He protested.
"We don't! Brandon's not the only dealer, cop. Leave us alone!" The badger protested.
"Easy chops, we'll ask this camel about him." Nick insisted, pushing Matt away and letting the wolf take the lead. "You two are good to go. Don't let us catch you with illegal crap again."
The wolf led them to the end of Vine Street, into a cul-de-sac type neighborhood with five houses. Spinning around, he huffed at the trio of cops and spoke up.
"Can I go already? I don't want to look like a snitch."
"How do you think you'll look behind bars?" Matt said, folding his arms.
"Fuck, give me a damn break." He fumed, looking over the area. He spotted someone coming up the alley near the edge of the cul-de-sac and nodded. "Yo, there he is. That's Brandon." The three of them looked and just as they did, the wolf made a break for it and ran.
"Hey!" Judy bellowed, but Nick caught her collar and gestured for her to relax. "Nick, what are you!?"
"Don't, no sudden moves guys. I remember this guy, dealing in this area from back in the day. Real jumpy type and he's likely packing a pistol to boot."
"How do you know all these mammals Nick?" Matt questioned quietly.
"Like I told Carrots here, I know everyone." Nick winked. "Brandon, what's going on bud? You're not looking to good these days."
"Do I know you?" The old camel asked, sitting in his electric scooter.
"Memory is going too huh?" Nick joked, tipping his glasses down.
"Oh yeah, I think I remember you. Popsicles right?"
"Right."
"Well get the fuck out of here, cop. I've got no business with you." He waved off attempting to drive away. Matt leapt in front and pressed on the scooter, preventing it from escaping. Brandon tried to pull a gun from his pocket but Judy was ready with a taser at his neck.
"Don't even try it!" She threatened.
"Brandon." Nick began. Taking to the front of the scooter. "I need to know who your supplier is."
"Show me a warrant." He scoffed.
"How about a jail cell instead? You just tried to pull a gun on an officer, not exactly a smart move for you, heavy humps." Nick insulted.
"You can arrest me-"
"Ok." Nick complied, producing his cuffs.
"But, hey! But you won't get anything out of me!" Brandon bellowed as Nick snapped the cuffs on the camel. "Ha, didn't think this through. I don't see any cruisers around." He smiled.
"Oh, I got that covered." Nick grinned right back, picking up his radio. "Lovely miss Kate please."
"That has to be the handsome Mr. Wilde, what can I do for ya?"
"We need chopper extract at the south end of Vine in Rainforest District, we have a suspect with, special needs." Nick devilishly grinned and gestured with an air quote.
"You got it, hold on a sec." She replied. Judy tapped her feet at Nick, while he glanced back and forth between Matt and Judy. "Confirmed, you'll have extract in about seven minutes. See you back at the station officer Wilde."
"10-4."
The chopper arrived and Nick hooked up Brandon's scooter with a few winches and straps. He put a safety harness on the oversized Camel and gave the cord a good tug, signalling them to carry him off.
"Enjoy the ride, Brandon." Nick said patting the camel's back. As he was airlifted away in a clear fit of rage, Nick couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of him. "Ahh, he went out like a wrecking ball."
"Come on, let's head back to the car." Matt suggested. "I wanna go visit Laura real quick if you guys don't mind."
"Sure Matt, no sweat." Nick agreed.
"They let me come home." Laura nodded, sitting on the couch with a kleenex in her hands. "I couldn't stay focused on what I was doing at the bank anyway. They were really sweet, let me come home right away." Matt, Nick and Judy were set with her in the living room. Nick and Judy on the love seat while Matt kept an arm over Laura's shoulder as she carried on. "I just saw his bed hadn't been touched. I knew it, you know? Caden never really makes his bed but, every morning his sheets are usually on the floor and there's messy plates everywhere. It was still the same as I left it." She sniffled.
"It's gonna be ok, Laura. I'll find him, I promise." Matt assured her.
"I don't understand." Laura cried. "I just don't understand. I know we've been fighting but, this is just too horrible. He's my little cub and I love him so much. He and Derek are all I have left, I just can't lose him."
"Shh, I got you, I got you. It's ok Laura." Matt comforted, taking Laura into his arms.
"Laura, can you tell us about any of his haunts? Places he likes to hang out?" Judy requested.
"I don't know. I've been so busy with work, as soon as I get home it's cooking and cleaning and groceries and laundry."
"Would Derek know?" Nick suggested, throwing up his brow.
"Maybe. Derek! Come out here please!" Laura called. His bedroom door opened up and Derek came scooting down the hall. The young white wolf cub dressed in a black and grey soccer shirt and red shorts.
"What's up? Did they find anything?" He asked.
"No, not yet kido." Matt informed him.
"Anything you can tell us?" Judy pled. "Where he goes after school or who he hangs out with?"
"Oh oh! Kayla!" Derek spoke up eagerly.
"Kayla?" Judy wondered.
"Yeah, I have a hunch it's his new girlfriend. Caden uses a really stupid password for his phone, so I steal it all the time." He chuckled. "But I saw his texts and like, he talks to this girl named Kayla all the time."
"What do they talk about?" Matt asked.
"Usually about school, smoking, movies, that kind of thing. I think he borrows vape fluid from her or something, or maybe she bought him his vape." Derek suggested.
"You knew he bought another vape and you didn't tell me?" Laura fumed, tilting her head.
"I didn't know it was a new one! All I know is he's nuts about this girl." Derek insisted.
"That's actually pretty helpful, thanks Derek!" Judy smiled. She picked up her radio and spoke. "Dispatch, this is officer Wilde. I need a list of every registered student at Sun-Valley Jr. High named Kayla. It's regarding the missing cubs case."
"Kayla, spelt K-a-y-l-a?" She replied.
"Derek?" Judy peered to Derek who was eagerly nodding. "Yep, you got it. K-a-y-l-a."
"Excellent, I'll have it on your desk within the hour Mrs. Wilde."
"10-4."
"We'll get on this right away for you." Matt stated, patting Laura's back. "We'll find him, don't worry."
"Please hurry." She begged.
"Caden." Kayla whispered, gently nudging the young wolf awake. He was quite comfortably asleep on the couch, his vape on the coffee table in front of him and TV just a little beyond that. It wasn't a big place, the house nestled against a tree in the Rainforest District. A single floor, two bedrooms and a kitchen but Caden had found it to be quite comfortable. "Come on handsome, wakey wakey."
"Bleh." Caden grumbled, wiping his nose. He smiled however at the sight before him. Kayla, a doe in her late twenties was smiling over him, set on the couch at his feet. "Why'd you wake me up?"
"You've been asleep most the day, it's two-thirty. I just wanted to make sure you were ok. How you holding up cutey?" She cooed, rubbing his feet.
"I'm good. This is so awesome by the way, thanks for letting me stay here."
"It's no problem. Although I'm sure your mom is freaking out by now." Kayla noted.
"Don't care. All she does is bitch at me, she doesn't get it you know? I'm not her stupid little dumping ground for her problems, I want my own life." Caden complained.
"Yeah yeah, I remember." Kayla giggled, tussling his fur. "Big dork. Well like I said, if you wanna stay here, I need you to work. Got some news for ya."
"Oh?" Caden perked up in a hurry, setting himself upright. "What's up?"
"I need someone to run a little errand for me, meeting with a supplier tonight. Think you can manage a trip to Savannah Central?"
"Course, no problem. When do I leave?"
"Tonight." Kayla nodded, opening up her purse. "Gotta meet with a ram named Oliver. He's got the supply of fluid we need to sell. I'd go myself but I have a closing shift tonight at the store. Think you can handle it?"
"No sweat." Caden nodded taking the wad of cash. "Wow, haven't held this much money before."
"It's all for him but make sure he delivers. Count sixty four vials, he tries to short change you just tell him Franky Big won't appreciate it."
"You work for Mr. Big!?" Caden almost burst up.
"No no!" Kayla laughed, waving off the young wolf's response. "But it's a great deterrent. Big isn't even dealing in this stuff, but it should be enough to scare that goat."
"Cool, got it. When Do i meet him?"
"Tonight, 10:30. I shouldn't have to remind you to stay clear of cops. You're likely being searched for so keep your face covered ok?"
"Right." Caden agreed. Kayla rose up and kissed Caden's cheek.
"Stay safe handsome, I'll see you tonight."
"Haha, night baby." He chuckled, squeezing her for a hug.