Ok, here is part 2. Brace yourself, this one gets a little rough.

A MOUSE IN THE CAT FAMILY
Part 2: The Past Returns
By Mister Ebony

PRELUDE

Well now, it's been awhile hasn't it? Hmm? More about Danny? 

Well now, aren't you quick! 

But I'll be honest, I am relunctant to tell the rest of the tale. It is not pleasant from here on out, and there are some areas that get pretty rough. Still, it is only fair. You must drink the cup to the dregs as they say.

For awhile after the events of the first story, not much really happened. Most of his time was how I described: Fun times in the park, happy days at home, and, of course, plenty of prepwork and meals for Zoey.

Remmeber her? The feline sister of 16 years? well, since our last meeting, she and Danny had gotten very close, and he was a lot of help with being a special treat for her boyfriend, Rich. As a result, the three often hang out together, and Danny is like one of the gang to them.

After all, Zoey was beyond just eating him now, and Danny didn't mind one bit. Zoey played games with him, watched movies, and even helped to teach him how to cook. THe latter he had help from Sandra Calico, her mother. You should remember her, the calico cat who was a professional Cub Cooker at the Gingerbread Oven. I'll have to show you around sometime, it's a nice place. As for daddy, aka Edwardo 'Eddie' Calico, he mostly got Danny intrested in sports. 

Well, when school started, Danny was a delight. Easily, he would be one of my favorites, as he was a hard worker, very likable by all the other students, and all smiles too boot. Plus, he made friends with a couple kids: One a bunny named Jimmy, and the other a white cat named Cooky.

I supopose, before we really begin, I should teel you about some of the fun leading up to the real story. 

CHAPTER 1: The First Three Weeks

If a child could be happier than Danny Dunvar was in those first few weeks, it was a rare occasion. Danny loved school, and it showed. He listened to everything I said,doing every assignment on time, always with a grin on his face.

A big improvement from a solemn orphan at the beginning hmm?

Almost on the first day, he made friends. Cooky was first of course, his attraction to the white fleine clear as he LOVED cats. She liked him to, especially after getting her favorite kind of gift, a rich toffee bar, from him. She and he talked often, and she confessed she loved mice... especially on white bread.

Of course, this was no problem.The very next day, He brought her a large loaf of white bread, and some mustard! She smiled and blushed at that, then proceeded to make Danny into a very delicious submarine sandwich. Naturally, they became friends at first bite. She hasn't eaten him again since that first time, but you never know.

Jimmy was his second friend, and that friendship came about in a rather unusual way. He was a sports buff, so say the least, and he loved to play baseball with the other kids come time for recess. Jimmy was a new kid, like Danny, and he never was picked. Well, one day, when Danny was team captain, he picked Jimmy.

He won that game. Jimmy was the best player on the field! Why then did no one pick him? It became clear only a few days later, when it was discovered that Jimmy had an operation. It was similar to operations in human times, and it basically meant that he could not have kids. While it was the only way to remove a rare form of cancer, it had a terrible side effect. Everyone in school knew about this little oddity in him, that he was technically neither male or female,and they picked on him every chance they could. But Danny found out, as did everyone, that he was a lot more than they thought.

Jimmy and Danny became close friends based on their odd pasts, and on their athletic ability. But overtime, that friendship grew. Overall, I think Danny and Jimmy are closer than Cooky is to Danny. But no matter how you stack it, they are all friends. No one is without the other three, and they always play games together. Usually pred/prey related, but it was always done as silly as it could be. 

Of course, school was only part of it. At home, Danny was fitting in pretty well with the family, having his own routines added to the family stuff. They always had special nights too. One was a game night, one was for movies, and one was for a mouse dinner. Yup, Danny loved those now. On the last night of the third week of school, he was dessert, a deeeelicious Cub Eclair.

Incidently, I was invited to dinner that night, thank goodness. A wonderful meal that was.

Good thing too. Because, despite how wonderful those three first weeks were, things started to go downhill after that. And it all began with a conference. A conference that would effect all of us, especially Danny.

CHAPTER 2: The conference

"Mr. Calico, Mrs. Calico, glad you could come." I said that Monday night. It was late, and they had come alone like I had asked them to. They came dressed in everyday clothes, Mr Calico in jeans and a nice shirt, and Mrs. Calico in a nice flowery dress. They sat before my desk, clarly concerned.

"Is Danny having problems, Mr. Ebony?" They asked me.

"No no, nothing like that at all." Said I. "I wish it was just that. But the fact is, I need to talk to you about Danny Dunvar's past." I sighed some and continued. "Mr. Calico... his father... was he convicted of abuse about two years ago?"

They looked to each other, then to me. "How do you know that?"

"I was on the jury that made the decision. I was the only one who thought he was also a murderer, but no one believed me for some reason, despite that everything seemed to point to him. But that is beside the point. Danny is in danger now."

They looked at me funny, but I had to explain. "Mr. Edward Dunvar was set free."

"WHAT?!" They looked at me with wide eyes as they said this. Mrs. Calico was next to speak. "But... he was supposed to be in jail for at least ten more years!"

"SUPPOSED TO are the key words." I said, sighing. "I saw on the news yesterday that he has been released because of good behavior. His sentence was overturned, and his psychologist, a Dr. Wallace I believe, said that he did what he did out of self defense, and because of a temporary case of insanity. In other words, he had fully recovered.

"But I am not convinced. He had that same look when I saw him on the TV that he had when he was in trial: a lust for revenge. He was on his way back to his old home from what he said.

"In other words, he is coming back here."

They were stunned as I told them this, as I was when this all came out in the news. It was like an evil demon had risen again, solely to atack what they hold dear.

Which was not too far from the truth, if he still was the same way.

They looked at me in silence for a moment. "What will we do?" They finally asked.

I sighed some and hmmed. "We will need to be very careful. Lock your doors and windows at night, and keep an eye on Danny at all times. I will watch over him here at the school, if you can watch over him at home."

They nodded. Like we really had a choice at this point. "And I'll talk to my lawyer right away." Mr. Calico said. "John Osprey should be able to find SOME way to protect him in a legal manner."

"Make sure you do." I said. "For now, say nothing to him about this. But do tell Zoey. She may be able to get some added help."

They nodded and got up, shaking my hand. like mine, theirs were covered in sweat. It was the first time they were.

It wasn't the last.

CHAPTER 3:  A moment of fun

I was very uneasy for the next few days. Whenever Danny came to school, I made sure an adult had his or her eyes on him at all times. Thankfully, he never suspected. He only played with the kids, often playing a variation of tag, where the one it was a predator. He was usually it, and very good at chasing everyone around for a prey. even Cooky, who was normally one of the fastest, was always caught eventually. It was a lot of fun from what I saw, and the kids all seemed to like Danny.

Of course, at home, that was sometimes in more ways than one. Zoey had another babysitting job not too long after my meeting with her mom and dad, and she was in a cooking class now. That meant a lot of fun for Danny and her. She told me all about it the next day, and I still chuckle at it.

She got dressed up right after Mr. and Mrs. Calico had left, putting on a Witch's hat and a black dress she wore to the prom. she smiled some, tying up Danny very loosely, so as not to hurt him, then smiled.

"Guess what? I'm going to be in Hansel and Gretel this year Danny. I haven't told mom yet, but I got the part."

Danny smield, wriglgign in his bindings as he was carried to the kitchen. "That's great! what part are you playing?"

"Three guesses." She says with a wink, setting him on the counter. She gets out a now familar cookbook, and keeps talking. "Actually, I was hoping you and I could do some reading together, so I could get the part down." She smiled. "But for now, this witch gets to eat a tasty little Hansel. You."

Danny giggled and squirmed, eager to be cooked up. He LOVED this very much, and even tried to help out some. "can you make me into a big loaf of bread?" At that, Zoey tilted her head.

"Bread?" she asked. "why bread?" 

"Dunno rerally... just curious. Cooky suggested the idea actually. She said her mom makes all their bread fresh, using tasty mouse kids, like me!" His giggles following that made Zoey shake her head. Thinking about it, she looked in the cookbook.

Sure enough, mouse loaf was there. A tasty form of Italian bread too, from the recipe. Problem was, a bread machine was needed. And they didn't have one.

"Well, so much for that." Zoey said, then she remembered: Just the other day they worked on sausage rolls. It was pretty close to being turned into bread, so why not? She smiled and looked it up, smiling as she saw how easy it would be to make.

"How about a mouse-in-a-blanket?" She asked. She showed him the picture of it, a cute little mouse bound up in buttery pastry, baked till golden. Danny liked the idea a LOT! He nodded at the idea, loking to his sister with a smile. On seeing it, Zoey was convinced.

She set to work right away, making up a batch of buttery dough. With Danny all tied up, he really couldn't do much besides watch and wait, squirming in anticipation.

That is how it was for these two. They roleplayed somewhat whenever she babysat him, usually situations from storybooks. Though they never did Red Riding Hood. Not yet anyway.

In any case, Danny smiled and started his act, acting like a captured little fur once the dough was ready.

"Oh Please don't eat me miss witch! I'm far too tough and thin!" he said, smiling some and wriggling. Zoey smiled some and gave an evil laugh.

"Not eat you? Too thin? My boy, I believe you're quite the opposite, all plump and juicy!" She pokes Danny's tummy, making him giggle somewhat.

"No please!"

"Ohhh yes! Into the dough with you!" She smiles and lifts him up, plopping him onto the dough. His cires of mock fear are replaced with giggles the moment he touched it. 

He never was a good actor.

"Yummy yummy going in my tummy." Zoey said, rolling Dany in the dough, the result looking very much like a pig-in-a-blanket: A tasty, buttery roll with a sausage inside. Only this time the sausage was Danny!

Once he was all wrapped up, Zoey carried him over to the oven, just the right temprature for baking him up. She licked her chops, have him a final kiss, and in he went to cook.

While he cooked, Zoey went to get her homework done, occasionally checking on Danny. She smiled in delight, eager to eat him all up, and he certainly looked happy to be in that position.

Well, time passed slowly, and eventually, he was cooked to perfection. When she ulled him out, he looked indeed like he had been wrapped up in a blanket. She smiled and set him on the table, then got the silverware for her supper.

Danny smiled as he watched, the cooking not hurting him one bit. He was all tasty looking and ready for eating, yet still smiling happily as his big sister sat down to a meal.

She ate slowly, starting at the footpaws, and there was no pain. The pills Danny took made sure of that. (reofrmation pills, remember?) She mmmed as she took her first taste, smiling some and chewing slowly.

"Delicious!" She said after a bit. "I must admit, I wasn't sure how this one wuld turn out, but this is wonderful!"

Danny smiled proudly. He was glad for this, partially because he liked being gobbled up by his sister, and partially because it was so much fun!

She kept on eating, mming happily, creating a light bulge in her belly as a result. Danny may be delicious, and also very good for her, but he was also fattening, and it showed.

But I digress. Very much so in this case. Danny was being eaten up very slowly, and all the while sister and brother were talking about their days. It was a good time for them both, and Zoey got a wonderful meal in the meantime. she ate slowly, savoring every bite. Especially his tummy, that was her favorite part for two reasons.

One was it was very juicy, and it practically melted in her mouth.

The other was that, when she ate it, it made Danny giggle like mad.

He's very ticklish you know.

In any case, after a couple hours of feasting, Zoey finally had gobbled him all up. All that remained for the moment was some crumbs, a small mess from the cooking, and a plump feline, with a huge smile on her face. Danny had reformed in bed, smiling as he soon fell fast asleep. He dreamed of what had happened, and of a happy future.

Ahh, good days. 

It was such a shame that the next day all our troubles began.

CHAPTER 4: Edward Dunvar

It's hard when you have to watch a child you believe is in danger. I fear everytime for them, that the danger waits around the next cvorner, waiting for that one instant we are not looking, then they will pounce.

In this case, it seemed just the opposite. He did not wait to pounce. Rather, he made himself known right away.

It was after school was out, and everyone had gone home, except a few teachers and a couple studentsa who wanted top be dinner. I was not one to get a cub that night. No, what I got was a lot of problems.

It was about six when he showed up. A huge mouse, with a scar on his left eye. He had a dark look to him, and was fairly muscular. His fur was dark grey, and his stail swayed about. He looked all too familar to me.

At near 6 feet and clearly heavier than I, this had to be Edward Dunvar. I never thought I would be the first to see him, but I was. No joke.

And I was scared.

"Excuse me... you look familar." He said in a voice that was so sickenly sweet I almost threw up. How could he ebven TRY to sound so innocent. But, my fear overwhelmed me, andf I could not speak.

So he did. "Well, it's no matter. I am looking for information on a student named Daniel T. Dunvar. He's my son."

I coughed some and strightened up. "I'm sorry, but student records cannot be released without proof of legal guardianship."

The mouse looked angry, but held it in. "Well, I'm NOT that, due to... certain circumstances. I knew he was at an orphange around here though. I really want to see him again. It's important."

I was holding my fear in as much as I could at this point. I knew he wasn't armed once I had looked him over a little, but I also knew one other thing... he did not need to be.

Still, I stuck to my guns. "Well... I am not allowed to give out any information relating to any of my students if you are not the legal guardian. Ask the Calicos."

And there I let it slip. Even as I said it, I knew it was the wrong thing to say. I saw his eyes glimmer and his smile appear. It was a smile that would scare the devil himself, I swear it!

"Well," He said, my sweat starting down the sides of my face. "If you cannot tell me anything, fine." He smiled, got up, and shook my hand. His gip on me was painful, as if reassuring me that he HADN'T changed one bit. And because of me, Daniel was in danger.

I watched as the giant mouse left, and a new fear came into my mind. He had what he came for, the info on where he was. By now I realized it was NOT just Danny in trouble.

The whole family was. I could just feel it inside me. Buit there was nothing any of us could do yet.

CHAPTER 5: The Nightmare Begins

I told the family about my mix-up right away, and it was a hard blow. Now that Edward knew where Daniel was, watching him would be more important than ever. The problem was that we had no idea how he would strike or when. All we knew he was in the area and looking for him. As a result, we all made sure to watch over him a lot more than we already were.

The problem was we did not take into account how cruel he was.

About four days after my meeting with Edward, I recieved a call from Mrs. Calico.

"Mr. Eony, is Zoey there with Danny? she did not come home from school." She said, her voice very worried.

"No ma'am, she isn't here. Why do you ask?"

"Because she said she was coming over there to watch Danny right after school. Her classes ended TWO HOURS AGO! Oh God, but if she isn't there...."

I already knew what she was thinking, and I knew where she was heading with it. I was thinking the same things, and hoped I was wrong. If she was not there or here, that may have meant that Edward Dunvar had made his move.

And Zoey was the target.

"Mrs. Calico, perhaps we better call the police, just to be safe." I said, trying to reassure her. She told be good-bye and hung up.

What I would not know until later was that, only minutes after hanging up with me, she got another call.

"Hello?" She said. The reply was delayed, but the voice was dark.

"Mrs. Calico, You have something of mine, and I have something of yours." In the background, a scream could be heard.

'Oh God no...' she thought. "Who is this?!" She said, only getting laughter in reply for a moment.

"That is not important for now. Not if you want to see your daughter again." There is silence for a moment, and then Mrs. Calico heard something that gave her nightmares for some time.

"Mom? Mom, it's Zoey! mom please hel..." 

"ZOEY!" There is a silence, then the man's voice again. "Lovely girl. I saw her and gave her a ride."

"If you touch one bit of her fur..." mRs. Calico started to say, but the voice laughed.

"You can demand nothing predator! I'm calling the shots. Now, do as I say, or this daughter of yours will not last the night. You have something of mine. I will call again tomorrow, and you better be ready to do just as I say." The phone clicked, and Mrs. Calico slowly fainted, falling to the floor.

I found out just what happened, as did the rest of us, when she came to. Mr. Calico was crushed. We had been watching Danny so carefully, but we never thought of Zoey as a target. But no one took it worse than Danny did. He knew who had her. He KNEW what he would do.

Worse, he knew just what he wanted, and why. "He'll kill me." He told us. We had no choice. We called the police.

That turned out to be a mistake.

CHAPTER 6: Officer Jennings

When the police car showed up, Mr. and Mrs. Calico were expecting a decent officer, who could help out. Most of the police officers in the area were.

What they got was NOT one of them. The officer they got on th case, Officer Jennings, was a rat. Literally. He was not ugly, but his red eyes seemed to denote a demonic person. Moreover, his tail was long and thick. He had a look on him that showed he really did not care much about anything.

Especiually a missing child. Even after the full story, he was less than sympathetic. he sighed and took notes, rolling his eyes every now and then.

"Mr. Mrs. Calico, have you considered thatperhaps this is a prank? She IS a teenager after all."

"This was no prank!" Mrs. Calico said, almost screaming. "My baby is in danger!"

"Yeah yeah sure." The officer said with a sigh. "Look lady. I have seen these pred prey things before. Believe me, this is impossible."

Mr. calico got mad by this point. "What does that mean, officer?"

"I mean prey species, like this Edward Dunvar, are incapibale of killing anything. I have yet to see a prey do that unless in self defense. Preds, on the other hand..."

By now Mr. Calico was Furious! "What? preds are merciless killers, or corrupt demons? That is as bad as saying prey are only food!"

"Eddie, please..." Mrs. calico said, but to no avail.

"No! I will not be insulted in my home, not even by a police offier!"

Jennings chuckled. "Well, I am sorry to offend, but Preds are more likely to be criminals. believe me, this is all just a prank. I assure you." 

Danny came out from where he was, in tears. "my sister is NOT making a prank. My father is going to kill her! I just know it!"

Jennings stared at the mouse, then at the felines, then at the mouse again. "Who are you?"

"My name is Danny. I'm Zoey's brother, and I don't want to lose her!"

Jennings laughed. "Oh this IS rich! A mouse in a cat family? Impossible. You have NOTHING in common. I'm sorry, but I think there is nothing I can do to help you, unless someone wants to tell me the WHOLE truth."

"NOW LOOK HERE!" Dany said, shouting. Everyone stopped at how loud he got. Mr. calico took it from there after a bit.

"Look, my daughter IS missing, Danny IS my adopted son, and the kidnapper IS a mouse. Edward Dunvar. I want you to do SOMETHING to help get my daughter back. Anything."

Jennings was scared out of his mind at this point. Danny, bless his heart, really spooked him. As a result, he started to take the matter a little more seiously.

"Well... um... *Ahem*... we could post a few officers here... I suppose... but I have to do that at headquarters."

"You'll do it now." Mr. Calico said, handing him the phone. Jennings glared at him, with a look that could have killed probably.

"I'll do it now." Jennings said. If the situation were different, we would have laughed.

******************

Some time later, several officers, both pred and prey, showed up soon after. They set to work securing the area and setting up a line trace for when the next call would be. In all, there were four officers. Of the four, Jenbnigs was the least serious about this.

Worst part was HE was in charge. Didn't I mention he was a sargent in the force? In any case, it took some time, but the call finally came that Mrs. Calico mentioned.

Jennings sighed. "Alright, I guess we start the trace. Kepe him talking as long as you can."

Mrs. Calico nodded nervously. Everyone in the room was worried. She answered the phone, and the recording began. THis is what the printout of it looked like:

Mrs C: Hello?

Voice: it's time for my instructions. *Wimpering in the background, sound of a whip.* You have my son. Danny Dunvar. I want him back. You understand?"

Mrs. C: Let me talk to my daughter!

Voice: *silence for 5 seconds* No. She cannot talk. Let's just say mouse has her tounge."

Mrs C: *shouting* YOU BASTARD!!!!! LET MY DAUGHTER GO!!!!

Voice: In good time. First, I want my son. A son you wrongfully have. 

Mrs C: That is not the...

Voice: SHUT UP. *Whip cracks, scream of pain.* My son. Or one dead cat.

Mrs C: *Silence for several seconds* What do you want us to do?

Voice: Bring my son to the corner of Elm and Fairwood. A red car will be there. Have my son there, and come alone. When he is home, I will release your daughter. 

Mrs C: She will be there with you?

Voice: *snickering* I did not say that. I just said I would release her. But if you don't do as I say, you will not see her again. I will assure you of that.

Mrs C: Wait! What do you...

*Phone Disconnected*

CHAPTER 7: Bravery and Cruelty

When that phone was disconnected, Mr. and Mrs. Calico had hoped the line could be traced. But the officer at the machine sighed.

"He used a sattelite phone." He said, shaking his head. "I couldn't trace his location if I wanted to. I'm sorry."

Mrs. Calico started to cry, but Danny was deep in thought. He knew that unless he was there waiting for his father... 

"I'll go." He said. Mr. Calico turned to him. 

"No, it's FAR to risky! I have one child in peril, I don't need..."

"Dad," Danny said, looking to Mr. Calico, "Zoey will die. He will kill her, like he killed mom if I don't do something."

One of the officers pondered, then had an idea. "It's possible we could put a tracer on him. We have enough evidence from the call to arrest him, but we need to find the girl first. A tracer placed on him would do that..."

Jennings looked at them. "WHAT?! Look, I understand some caution is need, but this is going to far! Clearly this mouse is just desperate, and believes his son is in danger! You heard that in the tap did you not?"

The officer shook his head. "No sargent. I did not. I heard a madman. I heard a girl in trouble. I heard terror."

Jennings hmphed. "Figures a PREDATOR would hear that." He sighs. "All right, all right. We'll do it. But I still say that this is overkill."

The officer sighed some. He was under him, something the rat had no problem reminding him it seems. But in the situation, all cautions had to be taken. If Danny was in any kind of danger, then it was his duty to make sure that the possibility could be decreased in whatever way possible. 

Danny, brave ittle guy, was dressed in a outfit of overalls and a red shirt. A tracer was inside the overalls. Danny, though scared, was also excited because of the tracer. THe officer smiled.

"There is an audio recorder in here to. We hear what you hear." The officer explained. "Once you locate your sister, we can move in and take your father in."

One again, Jennings interviened. "Don't be so sure. I am the one in charge of this investigation, and until I say we move in, we will not move in..."

"Not this time Sargent. On the basis of child endangerment, and the possibility of assult, I assume the authority of this mission."

Jennings stammered for a moment, then walked out. If only we had known the truth then...

Danny was all set to go, and Mr. and Mrs. Calico each gave him a hug. Then, Mrs. Calico went to go with him. She tried not to cry, but under the circumstances, she had to just a little. After all, one child was in dnager, and the other was heading into danger.

All we could do was hope for the best at this point.

CHAPTER 8: Edward Dunvar's House of Horrors

Danny went with his mother to the corner, waiting for the red car. It showed up soon after they had arrived, and Danny saw the man he remembered.

The one who was really a killer.

He smiled some as he got out of the car, looking to Mrs. Calico with a sneer. "I love it when I win." He said, just enough so Danny could hear it, but not Mrs. Calico.

Danny was now more scared than ever.

He walked over, smiling. "Give him to me." He said. Mrs. Calico almost said no, until she saw something frightening.

In his hand, just in view, was a pistol. It had bloodstains on it, old ones, but it was clear who was the one who used it. She shivered some and released Danny, not wanting either of them hurt.

"Good. Thank you." He smiled some, tugging Danny away to the car.

"Wait! My daughter.."

"Will not be seen again. You were five minutes late." He chuckled. "And to ensure you don't try and follow me..." He pulled out the revolver and shot once.

The bullet found it's mark. Mrs. Calico fell to the sidewalk, clutching her leg. The wound was large, and she screamed in pain. Danny, now lockedin the back seat, was unable to do anything about it but watch in fear. He then looked into the barrel himself, seeing his father glare at him. 

"As for you..." He said, a look of pure hate in his eyes. "You'll be lucky to get off so easily. You will see your predator sister die first, fucker, and then you will die slowly, the way I wanted you to for a long time."

"Someone will help me!" He said in fear. But Edward laughed.

"Who, the cops? I have a friend in the police force!" He smiled and drove off, driving quickly.

Slowly, the mother got up. She knew that any chance of following Danny now was impossible. She saw a cop car come around the bend as her adopted son faded into the night. THe cops got out and looked to her.

"A bullet wound." The one cop said, examing her leg. "Well, we now have enough to convict him." The other cop nodded tending to her wound.

Meanwhile, Danny was quiet as his father drove to a familar looking house, one Danny hoped he would never see again. It sure didn't look it from outside though. Even in the darkness, the home was very nice looking, with a nite off white color, and green shutters. In the dim light of a nearby security light, several blooming rosebushes could be seen. In short, it looked like the perfect home. 

But Danny knew better.

"Get out of the car." Edward said, getting out as he said it. "Time to catch up on old times you little fucker." Danny knew that disobeying his father now meant death, something he could not risk until he found Zoey.

As they walked up to the house, Danny noticed that thee was already a police car here. had they already come? he allowed himself to hope some as the door opened to revel Officer Jennings, pistol in hand.

But then, what we al heard on that recorder next made us see the truth.

"Well Ed, we did it. But we got a problem. That mouse is bugged.

Danny was wide eyed. "You?! You're dad's...?!"

"That's right fucker." Jennings said, leading him inside. "I was the one. I want everyone on that recorder to hear that too, because, as a chief of police, I declare Edward innocent of all charges." With that, he reached into Danny's overalls and pulled out the recorder. He tossed it to the floor and shot it. We could hear no more, but for Danny he would hear even more.

"Well done Officer." Edward said, tying Danny to a chair. It was not lose like Zoey had, but tight, so he could only turn his head. He turned it a little to see Zoey in the other room. She was chained to the wall, like he used to be, and her fur was singed in some areas. She was bleeding as well from her back and chest, no doubt from a whip.

"Ed, let's just kill them and get out of here. That confession I had will take me off of the force." Jennings put his pistol next to Danny's head, but Edward slapped it away.

"No." He said, his time menacing. "You forget what happened those years ago. When I married that... that... bitch! she insisted on having the affair, and insisted the child was not mine. But it IS mine. I intended to make sure of that. Then, once I know for sure... then he will die. No prey will willingly give of himself to preds. He will be an example. A reminder that preds are evil."

"YOU are evil!" Danny said. "You're no father! Mr. Calico is my father! You just killed mom!"

"SHUT UP YOU FUCKING SUNOFABITCH!!!" The mouse screamed, punching him so hard he knocked the chair over. Jennings looked to Edward. 

"That was uncalled for!" Jennings said. He looked to the child, only to look back, right into the barrel of a pistol.

"I defended you! I made sure you weren't convicted of murder!" Jennings said. Edward chuckled.

"And you will again. Dead men tell no tales." He opened fire, and Jennings fell back. He looked dead. Then, he turned the pistol into the next room.

"And now for you miss kitty cat." Edward said. "Too long I have had to see preds eat prey, and they LIKE it! No more! Today, you will meet the same fate as Danny's mother. She cheated on me you know."

Zoey looked up, her eyes bloodshot. "Go to hell."

Edward chuckled. "You first." He aimed his pistol.

And a shot was heard.

CHAPTER 9: The Worse is Yet to Come.

But the shot was not from his pistol. It was from Jennings!

"No... no more..." He said, firing on the mouse psychopath. Ed was injured in the arm, but Zoey was hurt worse. 

The bullet had hit her in the chest. She fell, motionless. Danny began to cry as he saw this, unable to do anything to help.

"NO! ZOEY!" He screamed. Edward fired several times, the bullets finding their mark. Jennings fell, this time dead for sure. 

"Now it is your turn you Bastard!" Edward said, aiming the pistol at him. But, fortunetly, we arrived at just that time. 

Edward turned to see several police officers, all holding their weapons on Edward. One went to check Zoey, the other Jennings. A third, the very one who gave Danny the listening device in the first place, untied him.

"We got him this time." The officer assured Danny. But Danny was not so sure. He came out, seeing Mr. and Mrs. Calico, and myself, and hugged us all tearfully.

"Zoey..." He whimpered, unable to stop crying.

None of us could.

********************

"The news is not good, everyone." The officer in charge said a day later. "Zoey will live, but she will be in the hospital for a few days. A bullet from Jenning's gun, not Edwards, hit her."

The Calicos were wide eyed. "What do you mean?"

The officer sighed. "We got nothing on Edward. At all. We could not find a whip in his home, and the audio recording we did get means Jennings was killed in self defense by Edward. Maybe even defending Zoey."

"But that is not what happened!" Danny said. The officer nodded.

"I know that son, but there is no proff of that. None at all. Only the bullet wound to Mrs. Calico, and the threats are available against him. However, it won't be enough. Edward will have to be released."

"NO!" Danny said, crying. "He killed mommy!"

"I know son. I know." The officer sighed. "He is going a step further too. He is claiming parenthood of Danny. This will go to court, I am sure of it. And when it does, unless evidence can be found to prove Edward wrong, the court will likely award custody to Edward, despite his record. After all, he is a mouse and..."

The parents nodded. "Then we better get started. How long do we have?"

The officer sighed. "Three weeks."

The parents nodded. They were not about to lose Danny again.

Epilouge

I remember what happened next. I rememebr the time in court, and the time on the stand. We would face the worst of it, to be sure.

I wish I could relate it all. But all Ican say for now is this.

They DID reach a verdict.

But we will learn what when next we meet, because it in itself is a long story.