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Chapter Seventeen: Leap Before You Look

Vernon sat on the front counter of the Bug Burga, staring blankly toward the front of the restaurant as the first rays of the morning sun began to filter in. Now bathed in daylight, and without the adrenalin coursing through his veins, he could truly register just how devastated the place really was. The front facade of the restaurant had been almost completely obliterated, save for a few bits of dangling metal and glass that now glimmered in the light. The van had wiped out the windows, and had torn away enough support beams that the roof had begun to droop in the hole's center. The main eating area was reduced to nothing more than a blanket of scattered faux ferns and fiberglass chunks that once were fake stumps and chairs.

But the damaged hadn't stopped there. It appeared that once the rams failed to crack into the fortified freezer, they had decided to take out their aggression on everything else. Registers were battered and strewn about the back counter, money still inside. The soda fountain had been skewered with a piece of shrapnel from the front window, allowing a mix of the various colas to form a deep pool that coated the entire kitchen. Containers, baskets, everything that wasn't nailed down was strewn about like confetti. All in all, the Bug Burga looked like a war zone, and Vernon was sure he'd be out of work for a while until it all got patched up.

As he sighed, he felt a soft weight lean into him. Looking over, he smiled at the familiar lamb resting her head on his side. Vernon wrapped his arm around the frazzled ewe, pulling her closer into him as he turned back to watch the various police officers milling about. It had been a hell of a night, and even now the wolf still couldn't quite process everything that had happened. In truth he was probably just as distressed as the lamb, but with Dawn's safety on the line he had managed to stay cool and focused through most of it. Nether he or the lamb could register exactly when they had dozed off. To Vernon it seemed like he had never slept, that the ZPD had show up almost immediately after Dawn had calmed down. He was still blinking at the rising sun in slight disbelief.

Aside from that night, Vernon had only experienced two robberies during his short time at Gus' restaurant. But each time it had been as simple as giving the criminal all the money out of the register, which was usually very little, and letting them go. Gus had always been a strong proponent of the importance of protecting your own life over the loss of a few Zbucks, and Vernon always kept to that. The ZPD always managed to catch the mammals responsible, and the money was always returned.

But those had been the work of desperate preds looking for survival money. They weren't out to harm anyone. Those rams from the night before were out for blood, Dawn's blood. He was more than aware of night howler's effects. Whatever he hadn't gleaned from the news was filled in by Dawn during the occasional chit chat about her past. If even one of those shots hit him, or if he had inhaled any of the gas he knew that Dawn would have been at the mercy of a violent and uncontrollable animal.

His size alone would have been enough to overwhelm the little ewe, and the results would have been disastrous.

The wolf shuddered at the thought. If he were responsible for hurting or even killing Dawn, he'd never be able to live with himself.

"Well, you two certainly know how to throw a party." Detective Nick Wilde said as he approached the pair. Vernon was much too weary to growl at the cops usual smarmy shtick.

"Really blew the roof off the place, or should I say the wall." The fox chuckled. Vernon just looked back at Dawn, who pulled away from him to sit straight up.

"You can't possibly think we did this." Dawn said.

"Relax puff n' stuff, I don't think you did." The fox raised his paws defensively.

"Besides you aren't the only Bug Burga that was hit last night, thankfully you two got off light by comparison." The fox stated glumly.

"This is light?" Nick now had the wolf's attention.

"Yeah, we got Code A113's in each district. Night howler attack's across the board. Although the other locations suffered..." The fox seemed to shudder before continuing. "casualties."

"Y-you mea..." Dawn stuttered.

The fox looked down. " 'Fraid so Dawn. We had multiple mammals either torn to shreds, or gored to death while under the effects the night howler."

"Sweet sawgrass..." Vernon muttered.

"Lamb sakes..." Dawn began to whimper.

"They managed to save a few of them. But most of the survivors are comatose, and the prognosis is pretty grim. The strangest th-"

"The strangest thing is that it was both predator's and prey that were affected." Another voice cut the fox off.

Lieutenant Hopps walked up next to the fox, holding a clip board and carrot shaped pen. She eyed the wolf and lamb suspiciously.

"Some mammals were mauled by predators, and others were gored by prey. Whoever was behind these attacks wasn't discriminating. They exposed night howler to every mammal present at the other locations." The rabbit concluded.

"What? But why?" Dawn sounded surprised.

"Well, we don't know." Judy sighed. "We're trying to figure it out right now, and what will help with that is getting some statements from the only surviving mammals of the attacks."

Judy handed off the carrot pen and paper to Vernon. It was a dense looking series of forms, mostly lined sheets of blanks that seemed to imply the rabbit was expecting a thesis. The wolf skimmed it briefly as the others continued to talk.

"We also are working on some theories but if you have anything to tell us, now would be the time Dawn." The rabbit's ears flattened as she eyed the ewe.

"I don't underst-"

"SWEET SAVANNAH!" Vernon could hear Gus wail from somewhere near the hole in the front of the restaurant.

"VERNON!? DAWN!? YOU IN THERE!?" The wolf could see the goat's head briefly pop up and around the larger officers who were gathering evidence near the opening in the wall before he seemed to find a space to squeeze around them. Gus quickly rushed over to the duo, pushing the fox and rabbit aside as he passed. Vernon placed the clip board next to him, and stuffed the carrot pen in his pocket as he prepared to face Gus. He tried to raise his head, but the slight feeling of shame managed to keep him from making eye contact with the billy. This whole mess had happened under his watch, even if he couldn't control it.

"I-I'm sorry Gus..."

"SORRY!?!" The goat yelped, causing Vernon to wince.

Suddenly the wolf felt arms around wrap around him and Dawn, pulling them both into a hug.

"DON'T BE SORRY! AFTER I SAW THE NEWS I WAS TERRIFIED YOU TWO WERE HURT! THANK THE GODS!" The goat continued to fuss.

Vernon raised his head to look at the goat. Gus was shaking as he hugged the pair, and the wolf couldn't help but smirk at how worried the goat was. Gus had always been emotionally unabashed when it came to those he cared about, and this situation seemed to be no exception. Needless to say Vernon was relieved. The wolf chuckled and gave the goat a reassuring pat.

"Jeeze, looks like a bomb went off." Vernon looked to see Val had now managed to pop in, slowly strutting up from the blast zone toward the group.

"But what about your restaurant?" Dawn asked.

"Screw the restaurant! After I saw the reports at home, all I could picture was you two torn to shreds. It's been a massacre at every other location. I couldn't live with myself if you two died because you were working for me!" The goat released them and clutched his hooves together nervously. "I'm so glad you're both alright." Gus gave a heavy sigh of relief.

"Mr. Hornsly?" Judy asked the goat.

Gus turned to the rabbit almost startled, as if he had forgotten she was there.

"Oh, yes Officer, what can I do for you?" He chirped.

"We're actually trying to interview these two so if you don't mind-"

"Oh yes, yes, I understand." The goat raised his hooves defensively. "I'll let you go ahead." He said, stepping back from between Vernon and the officers. By this time Val had made it to the front, and Vernon could see here eyeing Nick suspiciously. The fox gave her a half lidded stare.

"There a problem miss?" Nick asked.

"So you're that fox cop huh?" Val asked.

"Technically I'm a detective now." The fox replied dully.

"Nice." Val clicked her tongue and shot the cop a pair of finger guns before turning to Vernon.

"Hey big fella, good to see you're still alive and kicking." Her eyes shifted over to Dawn. "And you didn't kill the sheep, great!" Val grinned back at Vernon, causing him to emit a groan.

"If you both could just please let us do our jobs we'll get to you." Judy stepped forward, shooting a glare at Val and Gus.

"Well, Long ears is a bit high strung ain't she?" Val said, raising her paws defensively. Vernon could see Nick crack a smile at Val's comment.

The rabbit's brow furrowed, and she stood stiffly. The small doe pulled her badge from her chest and aimed it toward the vixen.

"Miss, I am an officer of the law, I request you show me some respect." The rabbit declared, a clear edge in her voice.

"Pfft, you're real scary for a bunny. Seriously, I'm shaking in my solepads." Val snarked.

"Ha" Nick chirped before quickly covering his muzzle. It was clear he hadn't meant to let it slip out, and his eyes went wide with terror as the rabbit's glare fell on him. There was a silent moment before the rabbit gave a huff and turned back to Val. Judy rose to stand on her tiptoes, Vernon assumed to look more imposing, and stabbed a claw at Val.

"One more word out of you without asking and I'll be arresting two mammals today!" The rabbit shouted.

"W-wait.." Vernon muttered, the rabbit's statement catching him off guard. "What do you mean "arresting'?"

The rabbit's stance softened. She let out a sigh before brushing her ears back and turning back to the wolf and lamb.

"We're getting to that." The rabbit grumbled. "Now Dawn...do you have anything you want to tell me or my partner."

"I don't understand." Dawn sputtered.

"Well..." Nick cut in. " Yesterday, there was a riot at Outback Island Prison as you probably already heard about."

Vernon shared a glance of confusion with Dawn, before turning back to the cops.

"No." Vernon and Dawn said in unison.

"How couldn't you have heard about it!? It's been all over the news!" Judy asked, slightly surprised.

"Ma'am we work nights. If it was on the afternoon news we probably didn't see it. What with the sleepin' and all." The wolf retorted.

"Well..." Nick coughed awkwardly. "It was one of the largest in the prison's history. A real mess."

"I don't follow." Vernon replied. "What does this have to do with Dawn?"

"Well some mammals took the warden captive, and used it as a means to escape the island." Nick scratched the back of his head uneasily. "And..."

"The escapees in question were Dawn's old partners. Doug Ramses, Woolter White, and Jesse Pinkram." Judy finished the fox's reluctant statement.

Vernon looked over to Dawn who had now clasped her hooves to her face in horror.

"OH GODS NO! YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!" She practically screamed.

Detective Wilde's face looked pained as he nodded to affirm his partner's statement.

Vernon brought his arm back around the lamb and pulled her close, rubbing her arm with his paw in a effort to comfort the now trembling lamb. She looked up at Vernon with terrified and tear filled eyes.

"He's coming for me Puppy!" She whimpered, nearly inaudible.

"He ain't getting you. I promise." The wolf replied softly.

"He sent those rams Puppy! He-"

Vernon put a finger to her mouth and gently shushed.

"The police are here now, we're gonna be alright." He stated calmly.

"I'm afraid that's not the only matter that concerns you Dawn." Judy continued. Unlike her partner the rabbit appeared stoic, seemingly unmoved by the lamb's reaction. Vernon could feel Dawn turn her head back to stare and the rabbit. The lamb was now sniffling, and Vernon continued to rub her arm comfortingly.

"W-what? S-something worse than that?" The ewe sobbed.

"Early yesterday morning-" The rabbit stopped speaking as her partner placed a paw on her shoulder. Judy looked up at the fox, who was looking at her with a glum expression. Judy let out a soft sigh before motioning for her partner to take over. Nick gave a slight nod before stepping forward.

"Early yesterday morning your parole officer, Don Polarski..." The fox looked down somberly for a moment, before returning his gaze to the pair. "...was found dead in his home in TundraTown."

Vernon felt a shudder travel through the ewe.

"No..." She whimpered. "N-NO!"

Vernon felt the ewe bury her face hard into his side, her hot breath warming his pelt as she began to wail.

"Oh Dawn..." Vernon sighed, placing his head on top of hers and rubbing her back. "I'm so sorry."

The wolf could feel his shirt starting to soak as the ewe let out more wracking sobs. Dawn shuddered with each terrible weep.

"Autopsy showed it was from a heart attack." The fox concluded.

Vernon could feel the hot tears now bleeding through to his fur as the ewe's hacking sobs continued, muffled into his side. That's when he saw the detective's paw reach out and gently grasp the ewe's shoulder. It was a shocking gesture to the wolf, something he hadn't expected from the normally smarmy fox.

"I'm sorry Dawn, I know you cared about him." Nick said softly. "And he certainly cared a great deal about you, I can attest to that."

Vernon was surprised to say the least. That had been the nicest thing he had ever heard come out of Wilde's mouth. Vernon felt compelled to reach his own paw over, placing it on the detective's shoulder. When Nick looked at him Vernon gave a firm squeeze, and a sad but thankful smile.

"T-thank you." The ewe responded. Still choking back sobs as she removed her face from the side of the wolf.

"We think Polaraski's death and the night howler attacks are connected." Judy interjected.

"I thought you said he died of a heart attack?" Vernon asked.

Detective Wilde cleared his throat. "While no trace of drugs or poison were discovered during his autopsy, several of last nights victims who died while under the effects of the night howler seemingly died the same way, a heart attack."

" It's also similar to the way Evard Stoat died last week, heart attack, no apparent sign of foul play." Judy added.

"Y-you mean...they went after Don?" Dawn stuttered.

"Well, we don't have all the evidence yet, but it seems that way." Nick replied.

"The thing is, considering your history with Doug and the others, and the mysterious death of your parole officer, we're going to have to take you back to the station." Judy's voice seemed to falter a bit.

Vernon jaw dropped. "Wait, WHAT!?!" He stood up abruptly, startling everyone around him aside from the rabbit.

"Are you telling me you are ARRESTING DAWN!?" Vernon snapped.

"I'm afraid we have to." Nick responded sadly.

"On what grounds!? She was here with me all last night! We were both in that freezer!" Vernon stabbed a finger toward the frozen chamber. The wolf clenched his teeth as he began to feel the heat rising under his collar.

"While she has an alibi for last night, she could still be connected to the whole affair. She might have even done this o-"

"OH RUT ME!" Vernon snarled, his anger now focused on the rabbit. "You two have just been looking for an excuse to string her up! What happened to innocent until proven guilty!?" Vernon balled his fists tightly. He could feel his claws digging into his own flesh.

"Mr. Hunt-"

"LOOK MR. HUNTER!" Judy cut off her partner. "You may have missed the news but all of Zootopia is in a uproar! This is the largest night howler based attack in the city's history, and every mammal is terrified that this is just the start of something much worse!" The rabbit was on her tip toes again, apparently trying to intimidate the wolf. It would have been laughable to Vernon under different circumstances.

"The Mayor is breathing down the neck of every ZPD branch in the city, she wants these terrorists found as soon as possible!" The rabbit huffed.

"And the order to take in Dawn came directly from her desk." Nick added, seemingly calmer than his partner.

"Besides, what are the odds Dawn isn't involve-"

Vernon had heard enough baseless accusations from the Lieutenant. The wolf lurched forward, baring his teeth in a fearsome growl. Standing tall above the rabbit, the wolf attempted to put the scare into her, as he had done with so many other bullies. But as he attempted to get in the rabbit's face and stare her down, Detective Wilde pushed between the pair. Bracing the rabbit with a protective arm, the fox bared his own teeth in a ferocity that matched Vernon's own, and in his paw he held a canister of fox away.

"STOP RIGHT THERE PUPPY!" The fox snarled, turning the safety off the spray nozzle. "I'm not sure if this stuff will work on wolves, but I'm more than willing to find out!"

The two stood, both growling as their eyes remained locked in a stare down.

"You try and you'll fin-"

"I'll go."

Vernon's attention had snapped to the small ewe still sitting on the counter. He wasn't entirely sure, but he thought that response came from Dawn.

"Floof...wha?"

"I have to go Puppy." Tears continued to stream from Dawn's eyes as she looked at him.

"But Da-"

"No buts!" She smiled weakly. "I know I'm not guilty, and so do you. So they'll have to let me out eventually." She gently hopped off the table, and brushed herself off.

Vernon felt himself panicking. He felt like he was the only sane mammal lost in a whirlwind of madness. He looked to the equally shocked officers, and then to his co-workers, seemingly pleading for some mammal to speak up. Val and Gus only looked down sadly, opting to remain silent. As he turned back to face the little ewe his ears sagged.

"D-dawn...you can't, I-"

The ewe brought her hoof up, and Vernon lowered his face to allow her to caress his cheek.

"I'll be okay Puppy. I'm a big sheep." She patted him gently before turning back to the officers.

"Just give me a few minutes to change out of these work clothes, and I'll go right away." The lamb sighed.

"Fine." The rabbit replied. "It will give us a chance to get some more information from Mr. Hornsly.

Vernon watched as the lamb carefully made her way to the back room, trying to keep from stepping in broken metal and spilled soda. As she disappeared through the open archway the wolf started to feel like he was spinning in place. Slowly he fumbled his paws over the counter before clumsily sitting himself back on it.

Once again he felt like a powerless puppy in an un-just world. Only now, instead of losing his friend due to the bigoted ideal of misguided prey, he was losing her to a justice system desperate for someone to hang. Dawn was innocent, he knew it deep down in his gut. But the officers, the mayor, Zootopia, hell apparently even his co-workers could only see her as a monster.

Vernon felt a paw clasp over his, and suddenly he was back in the moment. He could see Lt. Hopps and Wilde interviewing Gus, the other officers still milling about collecting evidence, the now fully raised sun blaring through the hole in the front of the restaurant. As Vernon turned to see who had grabbed his paw, his eyes fell on Val who had seated herself next to him. She looked up at him with sympathetic eyes.

"Hey big guy, it'll be okay." She cooed. "They'll let her back out if she had nothing to do with it."

"She didn't have anything to do with it." Vernon grumbled.

Val was now gently petting his paw, but wouldn't meet his gaze. The discomfort was clear on her face.

"Look Vernon, I know you care about her. But you have to be prepared, she might really have-"

"She didn't Val." Vernon huffed. "Maybe you and Gus don't believe it. But I know she's innocent. This is wrong."

Finally meeting his gaze, the look of pain in her eyes became apparent. Lifting Vernon's paw she clasped it with both of her own.

"Vernon, I know you two knew each other as kids, but time changes mammals. Trust me. Now maybe she didn't do it, but what if she did? Could you handle that?"

The wolf shook his head briskly. "I'd know."

"But Verno-"

"I'd know Val. I didn't know her back when she was the Assistant Mayor, but I know her now; and now she's back to the same lamb she was when we were little. She's afraid of her own voice Val, she wouldn't hurt anyone anymore. And damnit she's in danger!" Vernon growled softly.

Grabbing Val's paws in his own, he stared deep into her eyes. "Those cops aren't taking this seriously, And they are going to get her hurt Val! I can't let that happen. I won't!" Vernon could feel tears welling in his eyes.

"You want me to trust you? Well how about you trust me." The wolf concluded, eyes shimmering.

The vixen closed her eyes and sighed, her muzzle curling into a smirk.

"Ha." she chuckled weakly.

Vernon watched as she quickly glanced over at the two officers, both of whom seemed to be engrossed in the billy's account, she then turned back to Vernon offering a sly grin. Reaching a paw into her coat pocket she pulled out the keys to her motorcycle and placed them in Vernon's own. She closed his finger's around them before giving him a concerned glance.

"Do what you gotta do big guy." The vixen said, before hopping off the counter. Giving a final glance back to Vernon she whispered.

"I parked out back, and try not to wreck it okay?" She gave a smirk before turning back toward the officers and continued sauntering toward them.

Vernon looked down at the keys to Val's Pandai in confusion at first, before glancing back at the vixen and smiling. A crude plan had started forming in his head. It was stupid, dangerous, and risky, but it was all he had.

Waiting until the vixen had entrenched herself deep into the cop's discussion, the wolf quietly hopped off the counter and made his way to the back. He carefully made his way around the soda pool, and the various jagged glass and metal bits in a silent approach to the dressing room. Quietly he peeked his head around the door frame to see Dawn just finishing placing her work uniform in the cubby featuring her name. She let out a small laugh as she did.

"Pft...why am I even bothering making sure this is neat?" The lamb asked at no one, before letting out a sad sounding sigh.

With her back turned, Vernon took his chance. Dashing forward he scooped up the lamb and clasped a paw over her mouth. She went to yelp before Vernon nestled his face next to hers.

"Relax Dawn! It's me!" Vernon said in a half whisper.

"Mrmn?" She asked, muffled through his paw.

"Yeah, were getting you out of here. I'm going to keep you safe from these guys alright?" He replied.

He could feel the lamb struggle in protest, mumbling pleading statements that he couldn't make out as he carried her to the back door.

Fortunately for Vernon the cops had moved the dumpster to dust for prints, and left the place wide open and unguarded. The wolf strolled out into the parking lot, doing his best to walk casually despite having a wriggling ewe in tow. Luckily the officers were all in front of the restaurant, leaving nothing standing between him and Val's cherry red high powered death machine. He gulped as he looked at the intimidating cycle.

"Well...can't be too different from a moped, right Floofs?" He asked the lamb.

"MPPH!?" He saw Dawn's eyes go wide as her struggle intensified.

"Relax Floofs, I got this." Vernon reassured.

Sitting down on the cycle, Vernon placed the lamb in front of him and wrapped his arms around her as her brought his paws to the grips. With her mouth now uncovered, she clasped at Vernon's shirt to pull his head closer to her muzzle.

"Vernon, ARE YOU CRAZY!? " She whispered, seemingly struggling to keep her voice down.

"Crazy would be letting those cops take an innocent mammal to jail." He replied, starting the cycle. It roared to life, causing the wolf to wince and look back at the restaurant in fear. "I'll keep us hidden until they either find out you are innocent, or we do."

"Ver-!"

With a twist of the throttle, the wolf pulled the bike out of the space, and once he had turned the machine around, he gave the cycle a rev for good measure.

"Let's see what the baby can do!"

Vernon hit the gas hard, causing the machine to emit a roar so loud it ripped through the silent morning. In a flash the two were at the exit of the lot, readying to turn onto the main road. Vernon gave a quick final glance at the restaurant in time to see officer Hopps and Wilde now clambering out of the front of the Bug Burga toward them. Vernon flashed the two a smug grin.

"HUNTER! STOP Righ..."

Judy's yell faded as the duo hit the road at full speed, leaving the Bug Burga in the dust. Judy's yell was quickly replaced by Dawn's own.

"VEEEEERNON!" She screamed over the rumble of the cycle, now clasping the wolf desperately.

"TEETH TO TAILS THIS THING'S GOT A LOTTA KICK HUH FLOOFS?!" The wolf yelled back, his eyes locked on the road ahead. He could already hear the sirens starting to cry out as he made a sharp turn onto Walnut Street.

"VERNON! WE NEED TO GO BACK!" Dawn yelled.

"YEAH, WE SHOULD GET ONE OF THESE HUH?" Vernon pretended not the hear the lamb as he began to weave between the morning traffic. The various mammals going about their daily business became a blur as he continued to ramp up the speed, whizzing past everything at an increasingly dangerous rate. Despite his best efforts, the sirens were growing louder.

"MAKE GOING TO WORK A LOT FASTER!" The wolf gritted his teeth as he continued hurtling down the highway. The traffic was letting up as he made it further down Walnut Street, allowing him the freedom to crank up the bike to maximum velocity. His vision was tunneling, the fear of Dawn being taken spurring his reckless behavior further. There was only one thought looping through his mind as they whizzed like a bullet down the street.

"Protect Dawn."

"STOP RIGHT NOW HUNTER!" The wolf's attention was suddenly drawn back to the city around him outside of his forward path. Looking back, his jaw dropped in shock as he saw Lt. Hopps and Wilde only a few feet away. The two were riding on a motorcycle of their own, the fox behind the wheel and the rabbit with a bullhorn aimed at the pair.

"DON'T MAKE US TAKE YOU IN TOO!" The rabbit bellowed over the bullhorn.

"Rut me." Vernon muttered quietly. "rut me, rut me, rut me!" He hissed further.

"Vernon! We need to stop right now!" Dawn protested. The ewe was thoroughly balled into the wolf's chest. He could feel her shaking, clasping onto the wolf's pelt for dear life. The wolf jerked his head away from the cops, glaring around the sides of the street for any way to lose the pair. Ahead of him was several rows of stores, with alleyways far too tight to zip a motorcycle through. As his head darted from place to place he could feel himself begin to sweat.

"No, no..." He thought. "I'm not letting this end here!"

Suddenly his eyes caught the Lowland Walnut subway terminal coming up fast. It was risky, but to Vernon it would have been riskier to turn Dawn over.

"I'VE GOT A PLAN, HOLDON FLOOFS!" The wolf bared down further on the handle bars, trying to gain speed as they came up on the subway entrance. Once they were a few feet from the door, the wolf suddenly hit the break, taking a hard skid to the side as he attempted to line up to the door. Vernon swallowed hard, it felt like any minute he was going to lose the bike and turn the pair into a smear on the side walk, but at the last minute he managed to right the bike directly in front of the entrance. The wolf looked up to catch the officers zipping ahead of the two further down Walnut Street before flooring it down the subway stairs.

"VERNON Yo-" The cop's bullhorn trailed off as he barreled down the steps. With each harsh bump Vernon could feel his stomach turn, but the feeling was muted by the fear of losing control of the rapidly wobbling bike. Somehow they managed to make it to the bottom and swerve again without spilling out, aiming toward the nearby turnstiles.

"VERNON! STOP!" He could hear Dawn plead as they sped toward the platform. The two were now heading straight for the tall turnstile, specifically reserved for extra large mammals. A Giraffe was just making his way through as the two came up on it. It would be close, but Vernon was sure they would be able to clear it.

"Stay low Dawn!" Vernon barked, before hunching down as low as he could. He could feel Dawn compressed under him, still pawing at his pelt in terror as the two veered between the Giraffes legs and out the other side of the large turnstile. Vernon's head had barely brushed the Giraffe's tail, and as he glanced back he could see the mammal nearly fall over before making a panicked run out of the station.

"See, we're f-"

"VERNON!"

The wolf snapped his head forward at the lamb's terror filled shriek to see the oncoming stampede of mammals getting off a subway car. With a sharp jerk the wolf weaved around an elephant, then several Ibex, and numerous other increasingly terrified mammals. He was sweating profusely now, and could hear the pounding of his own heart in his ears as each desperate turn brought him seconds away from crashing into another mammal. But somehow, he had managed to avoid everyone long enough to get to the platforms edge.

Seeing his opening, the wolf took a hard turn off the side.

"HOLD ON DAWN!" He yelped as the bike dipped into the dark. The lamb simply shrieked as the ground fell out from under them, only coming to a stop when the cycle hit the dirty tunnel floor hard. The ewe's body was thrown up from the force, slamming Dawn's full weight into Vernon's neck. The wolf stifled an agonized cough as he recovered from the impact, still too focused on escaping to fully registered the pain. He simply floored it into the dark tunnel, riding towards the Rainforest District.

Vernon turned on the headlamp, bathing the subway tunnel in partial illumination as he continued to speed down it.

"Let's see, the last train was in the station right now...that gives us about...." The wolf was muttering to himself as the cycle's motor droned on, amplified by the closed in space of the tunnel. "Maybe three minutes before the next one comes down the track."

"V-vernon!" The lamb choked. "Please...y-you have to stop!"

Vernon only half heard her as he saw the glimmer of light at the tunnel's end. It was far to bright to be the next train, and as it speedily approached the wolf easily worked out what was coming.

Thrust into the open, the pair were now in the Rainforest District proper. The sun glimmering down through the forest canopy on the open track. Many of the sub lines often ran out into long open stretches, especially in a District as layered as the Rainforest District. Vernon felt a rush of renewed confidence. They were no longer trapped in a tunnel, and as soon as the wolf found a proper point where he could pull off he reasoned the pair would be home free.

Vernon continued to scan around as they sped by, watching the various structures and mammals rush by in a blur as he looked for a good way off the train line. He whizzed past Vine St station, then Tujunga, and Liana Lane, but the stations were either too crowded or the platforms were too high. Vernon was certain there was a way off before they hit TundraTown, but the lack of exit was getting the wolf more and more frustrated. But it only got worse as he passed under another raised railway, only to hear a familiar Bullhorn crackle to life.

"VERNON HUNTER!" The wolf felt terror grip his body as he cleared the overpass. Hearing a heavy thunk, the wolf turned to find himself once again being pursued by the rabbit and fox. The rabbit was leaning forward on the cycle, determination burning in her eyes. However, her partner Nick looked pale and terrified. It became clear to the wolf that the two had ridden up the adjourning track in an attempt to cut them off, and had ramped off it in an effort to tail him.

"THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE! STOP NOW!" Judy yelled.

The wolf gulped hard. "Damn, that is one persistent rabbit!" He thought. Turning his attention back ahead of him he did his best to ignore the pursuers, but the rabbit continued to chide.

"WE STOPPED THE TRAIN AT HIGHROAD HUNTER! YOU"RE BOXED IN! PULL OVER NOW!"

Vernon could feel terror begin to grip him. The pair were trapped. There was little distance remaining between them and the High Road Station, and there was no way around that train. He looked down at the terrified ewe buried into his shirt, her eye's were tear filled and pleading.

"Vernon, please." She whimpered.

"Damnit! No!" His mind was screaming.

He snapped his head back up to the track, desperately scanning for any way out. Suddenly his eyes came across a large branch that grew off from the side of the approaching track. It wasn't uncommon, such growths were a consequence of the natural architecture of District. And the wolf silently thanked the gods for the fortunate act of nature. It tilted up and away from the rails, leading to a large gap over one of the District's many canals. On the other side the wolf could just make out a the edge of a cliff.

It was risky, it was insane, but it was their only chance at a clean get away. Unlike the heavy police cycle, Vernon wagered Val's bike was just light enough to clear the jump.

"DAWN HOLD ON TO ME! THIS IS GONNA BE ROUGH!" The wolf yelled as the turn drew ever closer.

"HUNTER! I WILL DART YOU IF YOU DO-"

The wolf blanked the rabbit out as he made the sharp turn onto the large branch, twisting the grip as far as it would go. The cycle rattled up the thick arm of the branch before finally rolling off the end effortlessly. Time seemed to slow to a crawl to the wolf. Vernon could hear Dawn screaming as the feeling of weightlessness came over him. He clutched one arm around Dawn aggressively as the bike sailed ever closer to the cliff side. It was at the apex of the jump the Vernon began to feel weight returning to the pair, and slowly the cliff began to pull away from his line of sight.

"Son of a bitch! We're not gonna make it! Shit! Shit!" The wolf's mind was bellowing so loudly he could practically feel it in his ears. In a desperate last attempt, Vernon pulled the two into a standing position on the bike, before making a wild leap off toward the ledge.

He clutched Dawn tightly with both arms, balling around her as he began to spin. The landscape around him became a smear, with brief lapses of clarity. Between flickers the wolf would occasionally catch sight of the falling bike, the stopped officers, the sun and back again.

With a sudden thump the wolf felt his back slam into the stone floor of the cliff, forcing the air out of his lungs. Dawn was laying on top of him, seemingly frozen in shock at the sudden stop. Vernon released an arm and used it to push himself up to a sitting position, and let out a choking gasp.

Across the gap, Vernon could see a furious rabbit and an exhausted looking fox staring at him. They had stopped at the base of the branch, too fearful to make the jump themselves. The rabbit seemed to be cursing up a storm, but the wolf was too far away and shaken up to make any of it out.

Despite his ragged breath, Vernon managed to scramble to his feet, slinging the still dazed ewe over his shoulder. He was just about to flee when he heard a loud splash. Peering over the cliff side he could just barely make out one of Val's motorcycle tires as it sank beneath the raging river below. The water gurgled briefly as it let out a few last, dying gasps before burning out.

"Shit....Val's gonna kill me." The wolf groaned softly.

Vernon glanced back up to find the officers still perched in their stationary cycle. The rabbit had thrown her bullhorn to the ground, and was clutching her paws to her face. Detective Wilde in the meantime seemed to be chattering on his police radio, most likely to call for back-up.

The wolf gave the duo a salute.

"Good luck on solving that case officer's, I know you'll find the culprit!" The wolf grinned smugly, and with a nod he carried Dawn off into the nearby brush.