A Fresh Start

Nick fled from the doors of the ZPD. He just knew something awful was happening to Judy and he felt powerless to stop it. Anxious thoughts swirled around Nick's mind like a storm. He saw a shadowy corner of the outside of the building he had just fled and curled up in a ball, trembling violently. Soon he couldn't help his self and hot, wet tears began streaming down his face as he sobbed. What was going on? He never cried! He was hyperventilating badly and he felt darkness begin to close in on him. He only heard the pounding of his heart in his chest and his own abnormal breathing.

Then, he realised that someone had joined him. It was a larger animal and they had wrapped their body around Nick's in a hug. "Just-I'm okay-just please-leave-me-alone" he breathed in a shaky voice. He was horrified a the mess he had become and so confused. He just couldn't control himself and why did he feel so horrible? Was he dying? Then he recognised Clawhauser's soft, comforting voice. "Its okay Nick. We will find Judy. You're going to be fine" he reassured the distraught fox. After a few minutes of Nick being unable to control himself and Clawhauser's support, Nick eventually managed to calm down and snap back to reality. Instantly he felt drained and exhausted. "I'm sorry you had to see that Claw. I don't know what just happened to me" he said shakily. His throat no longer felt as it were closing in and he could inhale more clearly now but he still felt as if he had had something wrapped around his neck, strangling him. Yet Nick knew there had been nothing there as he had even clawed at it at one point. Nick was shaken. Clawhauser let him out of the tight embrace and sat on his knees next to the fox. "Its okay Wilde. I think you had a panic attack from worrying yourself half to death. I know because my nephew has panic disorder and this happens to him regularly unfortunately but he's on medication now. Anyway, its rough isnt it? But look, stop worrying and clear your mind. We will get Hopps back safe. Yo have to believe that." Nick nodded, "Yeah" is all he manged to choke out. The cheetah lifted Nick to his paws. The fox still felt himself trembling slightly but not nearly as bad as before. He was very embarrassed but he tried not to let it show. "C'mon" Claushauser coaxed him back inside. Nick followed him in before pausing and letting out a sigh. "Please dont tell them what happened" Nick pleaded awkwardly, not meeting his friend's eye. The cheetah smiled. "Its okay, I wont tell them that you were crying, if thats what you mean. I know you couldn't help it. Its just a strange but natural body response when you work yourself up like that." Nick managed a half smile yet his eyelids and ears drooped. "Thanks, he murmured as he braced himself to face the other officers.