Summary:

During the escape from the Presidential Palace through the tunnel, Mitch will take too long to arrive. When he does, he will bring with him an unconscious wolf. Smaller than Mike, he will mention that he is bringing him for interrogation.

Later, at Tech’s house, Sarah will be able to hear Mitch interrogating the wolf in a small room. She will hear screams, thuds, and Mitch’s questions.

Sarah will be unable to endure the noises coming from the room, so she will go in to tell Mitch to stop the interrogation and the torture.

Upon entering, Sarah will see the wolf with his head covered in blood and his entire right ear missing. Sarah will argue with Mitch for going so far as to cut off the wolf’s ear.

She will demand that he bring a first aid kit, and she will approach to disinfect and bandage the wolf’s head herself. Seeing her actions, the wolf will stop acting with the madness he had been showing toward Mitch and will calm down.

Before leaving with Sarah and leaving the wolf locked up, Mitch will say something like: “If it weren’t for the human, you would have lost your tail too.”

Later, Mike will explain to Sarah that ears and tails are extremely important to the inhabitants of Animalia. Losing one of these parts will cause an inhabitant to be looked down upon, becoming the focus of stares and prejudice.

He will explain that in that world, they are often seen as symbols of betrayal or criminal life because criminals like The Family commonly mutilate members in this way if they betray or fail to follow orders from their superiors.

Fragment

I sit in the living room, listening to the muffled screams and dull thuds coming from the next room. Each sound tightens my body a little more. I don’t want to imagine what Mitch is doing to that captive.

Whatever it is, I just hope he doesn’t go too far. After all, he and I are the only ones capable of treating serious injuries… and Mitch isn’t a doctor. If this gets out of hand, it’ll be on me alone.

I’ve treated countless injuries in my life. I’m a veterinarian. Still, the bodies of these people are nothing like ordinary animals.

After long minutes of silence, broken only by the noises from the room, I can no longer bear it.

He’s been torturing him for at least an hour. If this keeps up, he’ll kill him. And with Mitch, that wouldn’t be a surprise.

I get up.

I can’t keep pretending I don’t hear it. He’s been in there too long. Too long, even for Mitch.

I walk to the door and knock, waiting for permission to enter. Seconds later, it opens, and the fox appears, looking at me with a questioning expression.

“What is it, Sarah?” —he asks, raising his eyebrows.

I swallow hard.

“I… I think you should stop for now.”

Mitch is silent for a moment. His ears barely move as he responds.

“He still hasn’t told me anything. I won’t stop until he does.”

“You’re going to kill him.”

I don’t raise my voice. No need.

“So what?” —he responds coldly— “He deserves it.”

The words hit me harder than any scream.

“You can’t be serious. You promised me you wouldn’t go too far.”

His ears droop slightly. It’s not regret. It’s awareness.

“Leave it for today,” —I finally say— “If he hasn’t spoken, he won’t, even if you keep torturing him.”

Mitch sighs. He steps away from the door.

And then I see him.

It’s a complete slaughter. Blood on the floor, on the chair, on his own fur. Cuts, bruises, open wounds… but none of that is the worst.

The wolf’s right ear is gone. More than half is missing, replaced by torn flesh and fresh blood.

“MITCH!”

He spins around, startled.

“YOU CUT OFF AN EAR!? —My voice bursts out, full of a fury I’ve never felt before.

“I did what I had to do to…”

“Are you serious?” —My voice now is not anger but deep disappointment.

Mitch lowers his ears and averts his gaze, avoiding eye contact.

“Bring me a first aid kit immediately, and we’ll talk later.” —I order, my tone serious now.

It’s not a request; he knows it perfectly.

“Okay.” —Mitch murmurs, still not lifting his head.

He leaves the room but not without first turning toward the wolf, still confused in the chair.

“You’re lucky, wolf. If it weren’t for her, you’d have lost your tail too.”

He throws a sinister smile at the wolf and exits. We remain silent for a few seconds until the wolf speaks.

“You’ve got me on a short leash, huh?” —His voice is disdainful, almost mocking. Maybe he’s trying to provoke me. But I decide to play along.

I step closer, face to face.

“That short leash you’re talking about… it’s the reason you’re still alive.”

He spits some blood to the side and laughs. I’m not sure if he’s unhinged or if it’s a defense mechanism.

“I didn’t expect a disgusting human to be able to handle that bastard. Given who he is, I’m surprised he hasn’t killed you himself.”

The wolf laughs but is forced to stop by the pain caused by moving. I won’t allow him to insult me, not after what I’m doing for him.

“You should treat me with a minimum of respect if you want Mitch to resist the urge to do more damage.”

“Respect? No damn human deserves respect.”

“Think what you want about me, but respecting me right now is the only thing that will save you. So, if you won’t, at least act like you do when he comes back with the first aid kit.”

The wolf laughs again, though I don’t know what he finds so amusing.

“Now you want to help me? I thought humans were smart.”

“Smarter than some of you seem to be.” —I throw the insult back at him.

Before he can respond, the door opens, and Mitch enters with a first aid kit in his paws. I move to take it.

“Thanks, Mitch. Now I need you to let me treat him. Leave us alone, please.” —I say, still serious, making it clear I’m still angry with him.

“Are you sure it’s safe? He could hurt you.” —He expresses concern, which I shake my head at.

“I assure you I can handle this myself, and I don’t think he’s going to hurt me. Right?” —I turn to the wolf, who doesn’t take long to answer.

“I won’t hurt your human dog.”

Mitch starts baring his teeth, clearly provoked by the insult. I’m aware this provocation could make him attack, so I have no choice but to calm him.

“Leave it, it’s not worth getting angry over. —I shake my head, stepping into his line of sight— Now get out, please.”

The fox looks at me with pleading eyes, as if urging me to change my mind, but I don’t. He finally leaves the room, leaving me alone with the wolf.