I feel EXTREMELY sorry and embarrassed for the awful waiting.
The studies were more intensive than expected during the last two months and I have not found the time to resume my writing.
I was still passing by, sometimes, maybe once a week, to eventually check the updates of other Zootopia fanfics, but I've temporarily give up on my own fic, in order to devote myself to my final project before graduating : a 3D animated short film !

I'm sorry again for leaving you into silence, but now that I'm on holydays, I intend to continue this story and give it a proper ending (we're already close of it).

And in case you guys wonder how long it will take before the next updates, let me tell you the ninth chapter has already been written (in my native language, though, so it'll take some extra time for the translation). You'll get it in less than a week.

Now, back to the story, I hope you'll like this chapter. And for those who may have forgotten the recent events of the story (which is normal) here's a short summary:

Judy has found a new clue concerning the identity of the two criminals that had kidnapped Nick : a red fox and a grizzly, living in the Great Massif, a mountainous region miles away from Zootopia. Judy's already on site, with her provisional partner, Finnick, who helps her on this case.

It's night, Judy and Finnick had just fallen asleep after Judy had called for backups, that will only come tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, Nick is held captive in a basement. He had been unconscious for two days because of the powerful blow he got on the head. The bear asked his sidekick to kill Nick, only for the fox to ask him a favor : he would kill him only after his awakening, since he wants to speak with him first. But this moment happens faster than expected, because now, Nick is finally waking up.

Chapter 08 : The masks we wear

Nick opened his eyes, as he returned very slowly to his senses. His head… felt heavy. His eyesight was blurred, and he didn't recognize the odd place around him. He noticed that he had been fast asleep in a sitting position. But… Wait. Did he truly felt asleep ? He had no memory of it, nor what had happened the day before. All he knew at the moment was that he was thirsty, extremely thirsty ! His throat was dry and felt extremely tight, to the point he was physically suffering because of it. His breathing was shallow, and each inhalation was painful. Just how long since the last time he had been drinking ? He emitted a slight growl before his eyes could discern the room around him… but also the fox before him.

Said fox was sitting on a wooden barrel, facing him. First, Nick thought he was a stranger. Then, he doubted, and he thought he was looking at himself in a mirror. But no, this fox, whose apparence was shockingly similar to his own, was smiling at him. It couldn't be his reflection on a mirror, because he highly doubted he would smile in a time like this, as he was not far from agony. Or maybe he was doing it despite him, smiling foolishly before death. He had to convince himself once again there was no mirror, in this dark, moist basement he found himself in. Items were dispersed everywhere. Mostly alcohol with bottles of wine stored in old wooden shelves, and barills on the creaky floor, among other things. There was a persistent smell, the smell of the old wood, everything around him was made of wood. He tried to move, but then realized he was tied to a large pillar, preventing him to stand up. He didn't take long to understand that he had put himself in trouble… again.

"Where I am ?" He asked calmly to the mysterious, yet handsome fox (after all, they looked alike, and Nick considered himself as handsome).

His interlocutor took several seconds before answering, which didn't reassured the police officer who tried to hide as best as he could his apparent anxiety.

"I'm not even sure myself." Was all what he said.

"Who are you ?"

He doubted he would get any information in this regard, but apparently, he was wrong, because the fox before him answered quicker this time.

"I'm Dan. Nice to meet you. I'm a fox."

Thank you captain obvious. Nick thought. His cynicism was waking up as well along with the rest of his consciousness, which was perhaps a good sign for his health, despite the current fragility of his body. Is this fox was expecting for him to give his own name in return ? Just because he gave his ? No. Nick would not give his name, he he had enough trouble with just breathing normally. Plus, he didn't exclude the possibility that his interlocutor already knew who he was… which was actually likely possible.

As he got lost in thought, the cop suddendly winced as his body, now fully awake, made him notice another pain coming from the top of his skull. Unfortunately, he couldn't move his wrists and couldn't check the severity of his injury.

"I hit you on the head, remember ?"

Nick pondered a moment as he was finally collecting his memories from the other day.

"I see… I've been reckless."

"Yea. It's strange, I could have sworn cops from the ZPD usually work in pairs."

"In normal circumstances, yes."

For Nick, mentioning Judy's existence was out of the question. If he was intended to be in big trouble, he would deal with it all alone. So the cop inside him immediately resurfaced as he decided to quickly change the topic. "Where is the jewelry?"

"She must be worried, your partner."

Nick cringed. This little game wouldn't work. The only one who ruled the situation was him, his unknown opponent, while Nick… was seated on the dirty parquet, completely unable to move. Given the circumstances, he considered the best solution was to stop pretending. But more importantly, did he say- "She ?" He was no longer able to hide the confusion on his face, and quickly, a mixture of anger and fear emerged, as his overprotective instinct was coming back. He had to make sure no one would ever touch Judy. His Judy ! And at the moment, he couldn't care less about his possessive side. Yes, on this very moment, in the middle of his distress, and in the discomfort of the unclear situation he found himself in, he didn't care how he would call her. She was his Carrots, HIS bunny, maybe even his female, if he wanted to go this far, and he was not ahsamed to admit he liked the thought.

"How much do you know about my partner ?"

"Oh, not much, really. Just little things like her name, species and profession… You two are celebrities, you see ? And I know you too, Wilde."

Dan approached him and crouched down to be at eye level, wearing a sly smile Nick thought was the only one to master. The cop fox didn't reply, much to his surprise, he remained silent as the mysterious fox before him grabbed a piece of coton out of his pocket. Not far from them, there was a bottle of liquor he grabbed with his free paw. He dipped the cotton with it and then delicately moved his arm at the top of Nick's head, carefully tapping the bleeding skull with the cotton. The cop tried his best to not yelp because of the sudden painful contact, while Dan continued to treat the sensitive spot, now smiling from ear to ear.

"Damn I really hit you hard !"

Nick wasn't able to read through the opposite person, and as a full cop, half detective fox, it was extremely irritative. At the moment, he had only one presumption : he was playing with his nerves (both literally and figuratively) and the fact they looked so alike was no help. In fact, it was precisely the main disruptive point ! They looked alike ! Same height, same body shape, same fur ! Well, not exactly. There were some differences in all these aspects but there were barely identifiable for any common mammal. Nick noticed another oddness… his smile. The rookie cop was in a good position to know what smiles can usually hide. A sly smile is a mask, a well-known self-defense art for a fox and… because the mammal next to him was a fox too, he assumed he had certainly experienced the troubles that go with it.

It was a very simple deduction, but, for an unknown reason, this sly smile was nothing like what he had seen before. Or maybe it was his eyes... emerald eyes, just like him (and yet so different). It was maybe the coldest look he had ever seen, although he had already met a incredible batch of criminals in his life. These emerald eyes were somehow too much disturbing for an "average" little criminal (because yes, Nick assumed this criminal was a average one, since stealing a little less than 100 000 dollars was serious, but not as much serious as a worldwide conspiracy involving murders).

But even though he was trapped and at the mercy of the said criminal, he was feeling just fine. He wasn't scared anymore, and despite the odd gaze of this fox, he saw no hint of aggressiveness in him. But he knew he should not underestimate the situation and he had a bad feeling about what could happen next. And for this reason, he asked him one question, in a very peaceful way.

"What will you do to me ?"

"I'll kill you."

The answer has been so nonchalent and quick it made Nick smile. Good. He was dealing with a weirdo, and said weirdo was still healing the injured skull, pratically caressing the fur over it with some new piece of cotton, it made sense. Yup. Totally.

The quick cynicism was not enough to soften the body aches, nor the sudden anxiety than came with the words that Dan had just pronounced. If he was feeling 'just fine' a moment ago, it had been already forgotten, in a matter of seconds. His tight, painful throat made him remind his needy situation. He couldn't carry on the 'interrogation' for too long now, since each speaking required him saliva, which was becoming more and more rare. Even his mild voice was affected by the drought of his body.

He needed water, now !

And…

He also needed to pee !

Now that all the mechanics of his body was working again. He hadn't yet find the opportunity to empty his bladder, and since he was unable to move, maybe he would have no other choice but wetting himself. Who cares about what this 'Dan' would think ? He said he would die anyway.

But since Dan was facing him, the said fox hadn't been unware of the shaking of Nick's legs.

Without saying a word, he stood up, went to a broom closet, opened its door, and he pulled there a metal bucket. He then threw it in Nick's direction and it landed near Nick's feet, causing a bref metalic sound once the bucket met the floor. Dan rejoined Nick and, much to his surprise, he untied one of his paw and even loosened the rest of the string a little. It wasn't much, but it lessened the pain on his wrist a lot. Immediately, Nick struggled. Maybe he could attempt to escape ? But Dan had anticipated this reaction, since he quickly grabbed Nick's free wrist and twisted it, causing another painful yelp.

"Behave, or else I break it."

Nick calmed down and Dan released his grip, although he still stood close to him, in case he would try to struggle again. Nick noticed he was now able to stand up, and that's what he did, slowly, staring at the fox before him to make sure he was okay with it. Then after a moment, Dan invited Nick to look at the bucket, with a simple glance.

Understanding the situation, Nick gave Dan a dubious look, only to find out that Dan was really serious and his smile had motemporarily disappeared.

"No manners between us Wilde. We all have the same."

Nick carefully slid down the pillar to pick and redress the container, while still looking at the fox. He then unbottuned his pants and started his business, without feeling even an ounce of disgrace to do it in front of a total stranger.

Once he was done, Dan was quick to tighten the string just like it was a moment ago, after having made Nick sat down. He then put the bucket aside. However, Nick remarked this fox had willingly left his right paw completely free. He was even more surprised when, almost instantly after, Dan handed him a bottle of water.

It was a very kind gesture, although Nick could not help thinking that this excess of generosity was somehow doubtful. But he would wonder about the sincerity of his action another time. He rushed his arm to the bottle and quickly took some gulps. The water was fresh ! Delicious ! He had never guessed that he would enjoy some mere water this much before, but on this point, it was a priceless luxury. After all, he had not been drinking for two whole days. Most mammals would likely die after three or four days without any water.

It was not long before the bottle wad empty and the cop looked back at this other fox, the look on his face was asking for another bottle and Dan laughed seeing his needy expression. A sincere and friendly laugh, actually.

He handed him another bottle.

Nick drank this time half of the bottle, and decided to keep the rest for later (if later existed). Now that he was feeling better, his curiosity reached a peak, and Nick thought he would end up insane if he didn't gather any more information about his supposed aggressor. So, he tried another attempt to interrogate him :

"Is this what you want? Killing a police officer? "

"Hm... no. I wish I don't need to, but it's not like I can stop midway. I hold you captive and you saw my face, after all."

"You don't need to." He said matter of factly. "Killing a cop on duty is about one hundred times sillier than stealing jewelry. You and your partner will rot in prison for the rest of your life."

Dan chuckled.

"Don't worry, I'll disappear far from here with the money immediately after getting rid of you."

"You could have disappeared before I woke up, leaving me rotting here all alone."

"My partner doesn't want to leave this place, this is his home and he has no other place to go. He's nothing like me." He stood up and moved a few step away from Nick. "I'm a nobody with no house. I can go where I want whenever I want, no one will notice my disappearance."

"Poor thing, it seems bad being you."

Nick knew too well he needed to be extremely careful while tauting his interlocutor, it was a risky move, but it was still a technique like any other one, more or less effective, to apprehend someone's profile.

Dan's reply was a laugh. It wasn't really threatening, it was rather a warmhearted laugh, just like the previous one.

"Such a sly fox even when in distress? I like it, really. But… "

He got closer to the sequestered fox again, leaned close to him and this time, placed his paws on his knees, staring straight into his eyes, emarald's to emerald's.

"... I think you're not as sly as me."

Nick wished to look away but he felt trapped because of whatever odd reason by the penetratring, almost hypnotic, gaze. Dan's mischevious smile was the same as always and Nick became speechless because of their striking resemblance. They stared and never blinked. And just like that, a huge stress invaded his body, starting from his already wrenching gut. He had a very bad feeling about all of this, and a part of him already made assumptions he had never thought he would ever bring in his life. Finally, with an even broader smile, Dan was the first to break the silence, knowing exactly what the fox had in mind.

"We really look alike, isn't it ?"

"Why did you wait for me to wake up ?"

"I wouldn't like to get rid of my brother without sharing a lil' chit-chat with him first, even if just for once."

"I have no brother."

Nick was quick to respond, perhaps a bit too much actually, any

one could have assumed he had already anticipated this part of the conversation.

"Are you sure ?"

Only three little words, and Nick felt confused again, his mind had never been this perturbed in his entire life. He knew it ! It wasn't true. He has been raised as a only child, and that's it ! No one could contradict this fact, there was no way for him to have a brother. But… What with this… resemblance ? Why ?

The more confused Nick became, the more the whole situation turned into something oddly scary, creepy, insane ! He shut his eyes and wished hard at the moment that he would, maybe, wake up ? Yes, and then he would realize all of this had been a very bad crazy dream. All of this was false ! Hurrah guys ! He'd awkwardly apllaude himself on the middle of his bed, for no reason. But no, it wasn't a dream. It was reality, and it hit him hard as he heard another chuckle from Dan.

"We don't have the same mother, though, but we're still brothers."

But much to Dan's surprise, this time it was Nick's turn to chuckle.

"What make you laugh ?"

"Dad loves Mom way too much to look for someone else elsewhere."

"And yet I was born."

Nick's eyes narrowed. The confusion quickly turned into a feeling of strong annoyance as the conversation grew. He needed to put a stop to this topic.

"Even if I die, my partner will put you behind bars."

"If she gets this far, it's MY partner who will take care of her."

These words drove Nick mad. He attempted a sudden movment toward the fox only to be immediately blocked by his chains, hurting himself in the process, but it was the least of his concerns. The next second, he was staring at Dan with wide eyes and bared fangs, growling deeply, but it only made Dan amused at best.

"Easy ! Easy! No need to get excited."

"Don't touch her !" He barked with even more aggressiveness, only to receive a violent slap from Dan. Nick yelped. The unexpected gesture might have been powerful enough to dislocate his lower jaw, and he was glad it didn't. Yet, Nick felt some blood on the edge of his lips.

"Shush! I asked you to calm down! Do not show me your fangs, it's rude."

'Tying someone up after having hit him with a baseball bat is a bit rude too.' That's what he wanted to reply, but the words didn't come out. Instead, he wondered how this thin body could hide such a ridiculous high strenght. Dan wasn't notably muscled, not more than Nick - who still had fine thin muscles since the full six month of intensive training in the Academy - but the strenght was still astonishing.

He had no choice but to calm down, although his concerns didn't change.

"Judy…" His whisper was barely audible, but Dan got the sense.

"I feel like I've struck a nerve. Is this bunny so important for you ?"

Nick remained silent, trying his best to avoid his gaze, but Dan didn't pay attention to the nonresponse.

"I too, I had someone I cherished with so much love. My mother was the most adorable and the sweetest vixen of all times. I miss her a lot." He sighed. "She deserved a happy life." He looked back at Nick.

"You're so lucky, Nick. Your parents give you love and you even have important friends who care about you. I'm a bit envious... "

Ok. Nick had no doubt anymore concerning the criminal before him. He was the archetype of the odd job mammal… not a good news.

They were the criminals with soiled hands. Those who did the dirtiest tasks, generally commended by someone else. They were smart, with lot of skills and knowledge so there was barely nothing they can't do. They just carried out orders without saying a word, simply because they found no meaning in their life. In short, they were the most pathethic, and perhaps among the most dangerous. Being a smart criminal was one thing, but a smart criminal mixed with folly and no aim in life was another level.

"How sad... bro. You turned into a nasty little criminal because you were in lack of affection? Are you a crybaby? Stop yapping and do something of your life."

Deep inside Nick wondered why he could not just close his big mouth once in a while.

"You can start by releasing me and tell me where is the cargo. That's seems a good start. And then we will have all the time to discuss between brothers... in the interrogation room."

"Oh Nick. You are so tough." If his smile had momentarily faded because of the sarcastic comment, it was only for a few seconds. "Yup, I'm sure of it now. You and I are very similar and not only physically. "

"If I'm really like you I should worry about myself and consult someone."

It made Dan laugh. "Oh, come on. I know you're not serious, I'm sure you think I'm rather handsome."

Nick frowned. "Look, I don't know what happened to you, and I'm sorry for you and your mother but..."

"Do not talk about my mother!" He interrupted with a radical change in his tone. "Now, Nick, it's your turn to listen to me. I'm sure your life hasn't been easy for you too. We're both foxes after all... but I can assure you that you don't know what the real pain is. I can read it in your eyes." He slowly calmed down and turned around to take a wooden stool. He drew it near Nick and sat on it.

"Hey... Nick. We can take our time, right ? Let's get to know each other a little. Do you mind if I tell you my story?"

Benjamin Clawhauser was ready to begin his holidays. Of all the officers of Precint One, Clawhauser was the one with the fewest days off. For Bogo, the reasons were simple: his job was less risky than others's. Plus, the water buffalo considered the cheetah was already slacking off enough during his working hours for deserving more repose. In reality Clawhauser was more serious and efficient in his work than the appearances suggested. Yes, he was eating on duty or was testing new apps on his phone, but he met every time his commitments. The required work was always done in time, he was punctual. Therefore, the chief had finally gave him some days off and had even found a successor during his absence. But tonight, Benjamin wasn't that much enthousiastic. In normal circumstances, he'd get excited by the arrival of his holidays, but since a few days, his thought were focused on Judy and Nick. He was worried. It was dark outside, the police station was practically empty, and the cheetah was putting his office in order. For him, the last day of work was finally over. Well... officially only. Because when he was ready to leave the precint, the cheetah saw officer Fangmeyer running towards him.

"Ben! Wait! "

"What is it, Simon?"

The wolf was gasping heavily, trying to regain his breath as best as he could while keeping his eyes on Benjamin.

"We got news from officer Hopps."

The cheetah's eyes widened.

"Judy? Is she fine ? Any news concerning Nick? "

"She's fine. No news regarding Wilde, yet."

"I see." He looked down in disappointment.

"But, she asserts one of the culprit is a grizzly from the Great Massif. She's already on site."

"The Great Massif ?"

"Yes." The wolf frowned. "Do you know anybody from there?"

"Well, I do know someone who works there. He's not a grizlly though, but... "He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. "- I am convinced he knows by heart almost all the inhabitants of the region."

Fangmeyer gave him a dubious look.

"How could it be possible?"

"There're no many other doctors in the area." Clawhauser dialed a number and held out the phone to his ear.

"I doubt he will respond in the middle of the night." The wolf remarked.

The phone rang several times but nothing happened.

The cheetah tried to call again. Fangmeyer could read the concern on his face, something he wasn't used to see from his colleague.

"By the way... Hopps asked for backup. Bogo has to be informed."

"I'll call him right after."

"What? Hey you can't do it now ! He's likely asleep. You'll be scolded. "

"If it's concerning Judy and Nick, he will understand."

Benjamin waited several seconds with the phone against his ear. The dial tone of the phone kept repeating for a time that seemed endless for both officers, but eventually, the cheetah heard someone on the other end.

"Hello?"

In the basement, the two foxes remained silent for a moment. Several minutes had passed since Dan had spoken, and there were several empty bottles on the floor.

Although Nick felt physically okay, the story that Dan had told him so far didn't make him more relaxed, not even a little.

"So, you tell me you were the mammal responsible of the fire in Taison School ?"

"Yes."

Nick knew this school, if the school term was appropriate. It was a reform school for disruptive children. He had already heard about the fire. It was long time ago, though, back when Nick was still a kid. Most people had likely forgotten this event, and Nick considered it was a miracle that he remembered it, even just as a very distant memory. The news remained for several days the headlines of Zootopia : "Fire destroys school Taison." It said. "Two victims reported."

The school had always had a bad reputation. Some children there were violent enough to start off some potentially deadly fights, sometimes for barely no reason. The educational and administrative team was not better. The punishments they inflicted to their students were more than once punished by the courts for being inappropriate and immoral. The owner of the establishment was likely the worst of them all, and he didn't hesitate to lift his paw against a student.

In short, it was a crazy place, run by savages for savages. A place ruled by one instruction and one instruction only: "everyone for themselves", like in any other prison.

"How did you end up there?"

"Physical abuse." The tone of his voice was very casual. He reached out to the side and grabbed another bottle. "Want more?"

Nick nodded so Dan threw toward him the bottle he caught with his free paw. Both foxes drank a few gulps before Dan continued his story.

"There are three ways to become a popular and respected kit in primary school. You can either be good at sports, you can make your classmates laugh, or you can be the tough guy who beat everyone. I combines two of the three methods. First I made them laugh, and then I beat them all."

Dan expressed his amusement with a smile.

"I had a friend with whom I enjoyed playing and fighting with. We wanted to know which of us was the strongest. Unlike me he was a prey, but when you're a little kit, you don't care about everyone's differences. After all, friendship between prey and predator is a common thing."

He took another sip.

"But one day during our games I bit him on the neck. It was an accident, of course, but I bit him... and I bit him well! And blood spurted ! All around us ! On the walls, on the floor, on my face…" He exaggerated his words with dramatized arm movements.

Nick didn't say a word. He was surprisingly close to indifference, even though the story was anything but boring, with spicy events and comments.

"This is the kind of moment you begin to fully realize what differences are. Reality struck you hard, and everyone starting from this moment will make you remember what you are, whether you like it or not. "

Still another sip, Then he smiled again.

"Of course I was kicked out. And I never saw my friend since then. I've just heard once that he was okay. His life wasn't in danger anymore. I guess that's all that matters. But anyway, this is when I landed in Taison School."

"My mother had joined the school too, as a cleaning lady. We had been forced to move after the accident. And, because she knew the bad reputation of the school, she wanted to incorporate it to keep an eye on me and also to protect me. "

His grin grew wider.

"I remember she had yelled at me after the accident in my previous school. Yet, I was able to feel how much she truly cared about me. She was so sweet ! "He hugged himself on the last words, with the bottle still in paw.

"And so patient, in addition to that. I never knew where she drew such wisdom. "

"After each violent fight with my new comrades, I remember, I constantly asked her... Mom? Are you mad at me ? She answered : No Dan, I'm not angry. I know you're a good boy. And then I said : Mom? What about them ? Why aren't you angry with these people? They treat us like we're less than nothing ! And then she explained to me that responding to violence with violence was meaningless, that I should not let them see I'm affected by their bullying. "

Sounds like exactly Nick's mantra to his ears, as if it was unknowingly and sadly, an universal rule for any fox in the world. Dan grinned weakly. For once, Nick's interlocutor seemed fragile, as if all the conversation he had set up since a half-hour had trully exhausted him.

He ran his finger around the neck of his empty bottle and drew circles on it.

"In the end, I end up burning the entire school."

He brought back the bottle to his lips, forgetting that the bottle was already empty.

"Such a pathetic show."

Nick wanted to ask him the reason that had pushed him to commit the irreparable, but apparently, Dan noticed the concern on his face and he gave him the answer to his unasked question.

"I think the real trigger was the day when my mother has been fired. I remember one rascal had robbed the shcool's keyring from my mother to steal the laboratory's material, and of course she was held responsible for this. "

"It was the first time I saw my mother give up on something. What I felt this day was so… foreign for me. I mean… she was sobbing… for real ! She never let me see such raw emotions before. We were living so miserably and her job was the only thing which served to pay the slums that served us as roof. "

To support his words, Dan looked the dull ceiling of the cellar, and at first Nick didn't notice that the fox was suddendly in tears.

"Eventually, the day I set the fire, the rascal who stole the material had confessed his guilt to the principal. My mother was acquitted."

He rubbed his wetting eyes with his paw. "Who would have thought?" He said, falsely amused before releasing a long, painful sigh.

Then nothing.

For several long seconds, he kept staring at the ceiling, and Nick felt a chill run down his spine, he opened his eyes wide as he anticipated in his mind the end of the story. Dan gave him a friendly smile, almost affectionate.

"I had no idea that my mother had been summoned that day."

His grin, forever steadfast. He looked again at his empty bottle and played with it, rotating the bottleneck between his fingers.

"Probably the director had proposed her a rehabilitation ? Well... How could I know ?"

"The only thing I've heard after my escape is that there was a kid trapped between the huge flames. A delinquent, like anyone else. But despite the instant evacuation of both students and teachers caused by the growing fire, my mother was the only one who remained inside, trying to save an innocent child... a naughty mammal, yet more innocent than me, probably. "

He looked back at Nick.

"Whatever... I'm still a good boy, I am?"

Dan stood up and approached Nick.

"I killed my mother!"

He cried.

"You understand now ? Why you're the lucky one? "

Nick didn't say a word.

"How would you react? If you were responsible of the death of a loved one?

No answers.

"So... that's why ! That's totally unfair! It's unfair I'm the only one of us to suffer this much! "

Dan came closer and closer to Nick, until he met him with open arms, holding him tight against his own body, in a powerful embrace.

"I don't care anymore, I don't care about whatever may happen now."

Nick felt his own heartbeat accelerating while Dan hugged him with a rising force. The cop had his muzzle trapped against the chest of his captor, forcing him to remain in apnea. Dan placed one paw on the back of his skull, near the injured spot, and put an abnormally powerful pressure on it. There were no doubts anymore on his intention, he was trying to kill him!

"What about you Nick ?"

His voice became a soft whisper. He tilted his head to one side, pressing his cheek between Nick's flattened ears.

"Would you be able to love me as a brother? Like the way my mother loved me as her son ?"

Although he was running out of air, Nick tried to scream, but his cries were completely muffled against the body of his opponent. His free arm was gesticulating in all directions against Dan's back. His lungs were almost empty and the powerful grip of Dan made every movements restricted and painful. He heard a thud. Was it his back creaking under the pressure? Or maybe his snout that had just broken? He didn't know what case it was, but he couldn't care about it, and, in a desperate attempt to survive, he violently planted his claws on the back of his opponent.

Dan cringed, but was trying to focus on maintaining the strength of his grip, what he succesfully did for several last seconds. Just a few seconds, but it seemed to last an eternity for Nick, whose heart was slowing down dangerously. But ultimately, while his claws penetrated and lacerated Dan's flesh, the latter painfully groaned and finally released his grip. Just a bit, though. But it was enough for Nick to violentlly bite the criminal on the ribs, piercing his skin with his sharp, predator teeth. Dan screamed in pain before finally pulling back.

Nick was now in the process of regaining his breath. He looked up to meet the eyes of his aggressor, both were gasping loudly.

Dan stood there, motionless, and when the two finally found back a more or less normal breathing, Dan broke the silence.

"Ok, you know what ? You won this time. Tell yourself that if you're still alive, it's because of my whim. Your death will not affect my mind in any way. "

Nick didn't answer again.

"Don't worry. Your time will come soon. I promised my partner I'll kill you, and I intend to fulfill my job. But he's asleep right now, he's not supposed to know you're awake."

He smiled back at him despite the ever-present pain on his ribs and on his back, then he winked.

"This whole thing was exhausting ! I feel so tired ! So, what I'm gonna do right now, I go upstairs to rest a few hours or so, and you, you stay there, and I want you to be quiet."

He reached deep in his pocket and pulled out an object that gave new thrills to Nick. He opened his jaws to scream but it was already too late, Dan firmly shut his mouth with his left paw, and with the right one, he put the muzzle on him and quickly tightened it around him. Then, Nick offered no more resistance. He was shaking. His body and his mind refused to work as his past fears returned to him with lightning speed. He looked down to the ground, but Dan placed his paws on each of his cheeks to make him look in his eyes one more time.

"Shhh, calm down my brother. I know what you're feeling ! I know it's not easy for you." He gently stroked the fur between his ears.

"The pain you feel right now, that's what I feel constantly! I may speak openly with you right now but... you can see it, isn't it? This invisible muzzle I'm wearing ? "

Then he went back on the stairs. Halfway, he turned around one last time to face the kidnapped mammal. "Have a good night, my brother."