Damn. Zombies. Lots of shuffling zombies.

Shuffling?

No.

Shambling... a some even took a few running steps. Faster. Different.

No. Just when I thought things might settle down, that's when everything always changed.

"Tyler...."

I glanced briefly at him. He was staring too, looking completely alarmed and shocked. I sure felt that way.

"Furs!" I gasped, my ears snapping up.

"What do we do?!"

Three furs. They were a little ways off. Coming, easily outrunning the zombies... but clearly tiring. They tried to turn into the gas station across the street. No not that way, I wanted to yell. The three were cut off by another pack of eager zombies and were forced towards our store. No, not here. I didn't know what to do.

I could hear the collective groans and growls from these zombies. So many, causing a gradual rise in sound. Not hundreds, but the dozens there would attract so many more soon.

"Welcome or hide?"

"Huh?" Shadow asked, gesturing desperately.

"Welcome them in and hold the door open or hide in the office?"

"Hide!" he yelled and left for the office at a half-run. "They'll get here well before the zombies! Don't worry about them!" He was trying to pull the rope and bulky t-shirt down from his waist, slowing his run. His tail hung uncertainly near the floor.

I gawked out the window for an extra moment. Furs.

"Tyler!"

And that was all it took. I ran for the office, glancing at the store door. It was unlocked, they did have a chance. I needed one too.

Shadow still got inside first, and I dove in after him. The door closed shut, almost on my tail, just as a clatter sounded behind me in the store.

I had landed on the floor. Shadow was a dim outline in the dim light from under the door. He stood with his paw on the handle, his ear close to the frame. I froze, uncertain if even the slightest movement would be heard. What if I bumped something?

Furs were in the store! There was harsh gasping in the next room. Life. Here.... More. I felt a little giddy. We weren't the only ones to survive the strangeness of the Curtain!

Thwack. Bang. Thump.

I jumped, and the furs outside made sounds of shock and fear. Zombies against the store's glass windows? Their voices rose in alarm. But the zombies must still be outside the store. The glass rattled and banged under slow zombie fists. How many zombies were there? I could hear growls and moans and huffs... but they seemed odd. Like the sounds from them were only half-formed.

Three. They were gasping for breath. Furs. Friends? I wanted to call out. But Shadow's cautious posture warned me. I saw his outline slowly work his way through the messy knots of cord and drop the oversized shirt to the floor. His gaze and focus never left our door.

Even if these were fellow survivors, it didn't mean they would be friendly furs. They could be anyone, of any attitude, with any... deviant ways. Now that the social system and laws were gone, would furs cooperate with each other or go "primitive" and violent?

I couldn't suppress a shudder while half-lying on the floor. Keep still.

"Hide behind those shelves!" said a deep, loud voice. I could hear them clearly through the little crack under the office door.

Whang. Smack.

Several minutes passed. The furs seemed to have regained some breath. There were continuous muffled moans and growls from outside.

"Why haven't they stopped?" I heard some fur ask in a low voice. Female? When was the last time I'd seen one?

The fur with the deep voice mumbled, "Don't know. Maybe they've changed again."

Several more minutes passed. Why weren't the zombies stopping? Our "test" the day before had shown eventual loss of interest. It was another thing, new and unknown.

"More zombies are arriving.... It's almost midday. That glass might not hold and we need to find our spot soon." It was another male voice, uncomfortably close to our door.

I saw Shadow tense. This was bad.

"That door! There's got to be a back room here! Or the bathrooms!"

"Hold it! Before you move!" Boomed the loud voice. The zombies hit the glass a little harder. The moans rose slightly. But they had already been fully excited.

"What?" came the softer male voice near the door.

"Notice anything strange?" said Deep Voice.

I froze, even my breathing for seconds. What did they notice?

"Junk food, spoiled freezer food... some dead bodies.... So?" said Female.

"Right," pointed out Deep Voice. "All their skulls have been smashed in. That means...."

"Someone was here? Some fur?" said Softy.

"Or still is..." Deep Voice paused.

Shadow's paw outline shifted on the door.

"I thought I saw something there when we entered. Red? White maybe?"

-Snick-

I flinched as I heard Shadow locked the bolt on the door. Loudly.

Pounding steps quickly approached. I flinched hard as loud pounding hit the door. Shadow leaned a shoulder against it. In the gloom, I couldn't see his expression. Some zombie outside gave a howling cry.

"You in there, come out! We know you're in there!" yelled Deep Voice.

"Please! Midday is coming! We can't be out here!" begged Female.

"I'll check the other doors." said Softy. "The place is probably cleaned out."

No point in being completely still. I rose and went to Shadow. I couldn't see details on his face, but when I rested my paw on his arm, I felt his tension.

The door vibrated with harder hammering. The zombies still pounded away at the windows. Did I hear one crack?

I moved my paw towards the handle, but Shadow tightened his grip on it. "Go 'way!" he said to the door between a growl. "Find your own spot."

"You're furs aren't you? Let us in!" shrieked Female.

"Storage room and bathroom," called Softy, "None safe."

I squeezed Shadow's arm. "Let them in, okay?"

I could imagine Shadow's grimace, but he stiffened and called, "Fine. But... show us your eyes first!"

The pounding stopped. "Open the door and see for yourselves, then!" Deep Voice said shortly as the zombies outside continued their racket.

Shadow drew a long breath, "No. One of you put your head to the crack at the bottom."

There was a grunt from Deep Voice.

"I'll do it," said Female. "I'm faster."

I caught Shadow's nod at me, and I sank quickly down to take a look with one eye. It made sense. We really didn't know for sure they weren't zombies... or something else. At least Shadow had considered it.

I could see the brightness of the shop and one dark hazel eye set in white fur. No unnatural glow. I rose to a crouch and nodded, relaxing my tense ears.

Shadow sagged. Relief or resignation? Most likely both. There was still uncertainty, but we couldn't leave them out there. There was no escape from there, no safety. He eased back from the door.

-Snick-

I heard the bolt slide back. Shadow seized my arm, and he hauled me back to our bedding area. I faintly saw him pick up my dad's old bat.

"Give me the light," said Deep Voice. "What did you see?"

"Couldn't tell, it's pretty dark in there." I could hear Female shift... uncertainly? "I didn't see glowing...."

"Both of you, stand behind me," Deep Voice gruffed.

Crack.

The zombies sounded more excited. Was that possible?

"Hurry up, that glass won't hold long," said Softy.

The door clicked. Shadow moved in closer to me. I could hear him growling softly and the bat raised. Abruptly, the door swung open.

Light.

We were blinded.

I ducked my head behind Shadow's back as we stood side-by-side, blinking. Too bright. I blinked my eyes behind Shadow's shoulder; even the reflected light hurt.

Shadow clutched my paw behind his back, growling a little louder.

I heard clicks and footpaws moving forward. I managed to raise my squinting eyes.

A large outline of a fur stepped through the door. My lips curled in fear. Shadow exchanged my paw for the raised bat.

"Come in here! It's just a couple of young furs!"

Shadow growled louder in warning. Well, at least he wasn't collapsing in fear. I could feel him trembling next to me though. The rising noise from the zombies couldn't have been helping either.

"Easy there, boys. We just need a safe place to hole up, too. We're not here to harm you." The bulk of a fur stepped in further.

We knew that... maybe. But still, the office felt pretty crowded as two more shadowy figures entered.

I felt a growl rise in me.

"Stop shining that in their faces, Burt!" said Female. "You're freaking them out! You're scary enough without blinding them too!"

The light from our eyes was removed, it angled to shine on the ceiling.

"Sorry," Burt said in a Deep Voice. The large black bull rubbed a horn sheepishly and stepped in near us in the newly cramped space. "I'm Burt."

I blinked my eyes rapidly, trying to adjust.

"Jenny," said the Female voice, belonging to a white stoat.

The door closed. Now we were all in here together. Trapped? Close? Intimate? I trembled in confusion and clutched Shadow's new t-shirt with one paw.

"Easy there, boys. Burt doesn't bite, not really." A black and brown billy goat hopped up onto the desk, easing the cramped feeling. "I'm Howard, Howard Campbell." His was the softer voice I'd been thinking of as "Softy".

Shadow and I stared at them, as the zombies continued to make noise outside.

"Easy now," said Burt, gesturing slowly with a large hoof. I noticed the end of each fingertip consisted of a sizable chunk of hoof. They looked... heavy... lethal.

I whimpered, looking up briefly at Shadow. His eyes drilled towards the big bull. He looked alarmed, but stable.

"You can lower the bat, now. Easy.... Yes, let it down."

I looked away from the black bull. Shadow was watching him, still growling, so I should watch the others. The white stoat was standing quietly at the side; she seemed calm. The black and brown goat looked interested, but made no threatening moves as he sat on the desk.

I leaned close to Shadow and whispered in his ear, "The others aren't expecting anything to happen. No hint of violence."

He nodded. The bat had lowered, but he still held it high and low with both paws, close to him. I felt him shudder next to me as he tried to calm. Faint growls still came from him every few seconds.

"Very good, boys. What're your names?" he smiled, showing there were no hard feelings. Guess we didn't pose a threat either....

"Ty-" I started softly, but my voice broke. Clearing my throat, I tried again, "Tyler." I managed a weak wave with my free paw. My eyes darted around the room, searching all three for movement. The girl and billy goat waved and the bull smiled at me.

Shadow still glared at the bull, growling softly. I prodded him lightly, and he managed to gruffly reply, "Shadow-rrr."

"Shadow and Tyler. Thanks for letting us share the space." He crouched down, trying to make his bulk appear less threatening.

One of Shadow's paws left the bat and gripped my shirt too. His growls softened.

"How much time do we have before it starts?" asked Burt. Two guess on what he referred to.

"About ten minutes." Howard gestured with a shiny pocket watch. The zombie noises increased.

"Right," Burt said, steady gaze never leaving us. "What do you use to seal this place? You know what I mean, right?" He passed the flashlight to Jenny.

I nodded and slowly pointed to my stack of duct tape next to the sleeping bags. Without looking away, I crouched down, one paw never leaving Shadow and grabbed a role. When I stood and held out the role to the bull, Shadow's growls rose again, warningly. The bull stood slowly, accepted them and turned around to tape the door.

I sighed and Shadow managed to stop growling. So far, these furs had treated us honestly. Still, a few minutes of interaction meant little in terms of safety.

The bull had finished the door's bottom, "Door looks pretty secure. Do we tape the top too?"

Howard the goat nodded, his long beard swaying. "Do it anyway, there's lots of extra tape."

Moments later, Burt finished the door and sat, back to the door. His head sagged to his chest in relief, facing the crowded room. Maybe it wasn't that tight, but it felt... unfamiliar. Like I'd never realized how close and cramped modern furs lived. Maybe it was just the pressure from the zombies outside, maybe it wasn't.

"Light check, Jenny?" said Burt, raising his head and smiling at us.

The white stoat turned off the flashlight. Darkness. Stillness. Shadow's growls began again.

I heard Burt say, "Anyone see any light?"

A careful pause, then "No"s came from the three... guests. I didn't see any either, but was too chicken to make a peep.

"All good then," replied the bull as the flashlight shone again. His big, horned head sagged back to his chest, and he sighed.

Shadow managed to stop growling again.

Jenny set the flashlight upright on the desk and slumped to the floor. "By all that's furry, I thought we were going to die this time!"

Shadow and I were the only ones still standing. Feeling awkward, I tugged slightly at his shirt, and we sank to the sleeping bags. The door was sealed. Somehow, I could relax, knowing that. If we could survive the furs, all would be well. Shadow. We were here, facing them together.

After a few minutes, Burt looked up, "You have a group that's coming back?"

Shadow growled once, pointedly. I stared.

"No?" Burt asked.

I shook my head. Enough to move my muzzle around.

There was a crash from outside.

"They're in.... You bolt that door?" Howard asked, shaking his head nervously. His curling horns swung in the air. I've always wanted to touch some fur's horns....

Burt looked at him, nodding. He turned back to us, "You can come back with us. We have a group waiting. Some furs may be around your age, too." When we didn't answer, he quickly added, "You don't have to answer now, let's just get through this first, okay?"

I stared, then jumped as zombies collided with the office door. Pounding vibrated the heavy door again, and I shuddered in horror. This time... not "friendly" furs looking for refuge.

"One minute to go." Howard lay down on the desk.

Jenny shivered next to the office's tall safe and lay on the floor, trembling.

"Are you sure?" I asked the goat, raising my voice over the pounding.

"Yup, each day, same time."

I shivered and looked briefly at Jenny. I tugged at the sleeping bag, gesturing mutely to Shadow. He grumbled, but lifted up and I hurriedly passed it to Jenny. She took it, gratitude shining in her eyes as she settled to lay on the floor.

A faint humming rose, muffled by the walls, drowned out by zombies, steadily growing in my ears. I whimpered, causing Shadow to give me a worried look. His paw clenched on the bat, but he left it resting on the sleeping bag.

With one last look to us, Burt turned his back to us and lay down too. Shadow took the hint and lay down behind me on the sleeping bag, pulling me down. He was still gripping the bat in front of us.

The bull was so large. Even as he crammed himself in the remaining space, the only place for his head was in front of us. I shivered. The back of his large head was right in front of me. Most of Jenny was just past him. The flashlight was still on, pointing at the ceiling from the desk.

The big bull was too close. I squeezed my eyes shut.

The humming rose suddenly, quickly. Muted, but filling the room.

And the Curtain fell.

The rising hum invaded all parts of me, slipping into every corner. And it shook me around in jaws of sensation. The vibrations rattled the nerves from my nose to my tail. It throbbed subtly, like a... sound? Something deep, drawing me as I faded into the vibrations. Shaking, trembling, everywhere. That's all there was. It lasted forever.

And it stopped.

And the stillness smashed into me. No sensation... only still nothingness. Only for an instant.

Then I was trembling and panting, and Shadow was behind me doing the same. I shook and sobbed once, but I was all there. The new furs around us were also panting and shaking in shock. Everything else was silent. No zombies pounding at the door. The bull's broad back twitched and his short hairs stood up.

And everyone's breathing slowed. Paws and hoofs shifted as furs regained conscious control over them.

I shut my eyes again as my head spun and I whimpered out breaths. I focused on Shadow. All I needed was him. The rest were strangers.... My breathing steadied, but I still felt too weak and dizzy to move. As in other times I recovered, I could feel Shadow behind me, his arm held me close.

Some large fur shifted. A quiet minute passed.... Howard coughed and my eyes snapped open.

I looked right into Burt's eyes. He must have rolled over because he was on his side, facing us now. His legs were pressed against the wall, not quite managing to lie flat.

His eyes... too close! I didn't know him! I jumped with a faint yelp and tried to struggle away. I could hardly move, and the weak struggles made me feel worse. I scrabbled at the sleeping bag with my blunt-clawed paws.

Shadow growled behind me. He drew the bat closer.

Burt's eyes widened. He brought a hoof up, seizing the bat and wrenching it away from Shadow's paws.

Shadow gasped, and I felt him start to rise, growling. I struggled away harder, panicking, and Jenny whimpered by the tall safe. Shadow slumped back down, landing half over my hip, gasping and gulping convulsively. He still tried to growl, but it was lost in sick moans.

I felt sick in panic and closed my eyes, stilling and trying to calm myself. Draw whatever I could away from the bull's eyes.

"Easy there, young fur. Your friend there... Tyler, was it? He was making strange noises. I just wanted to make sure he was okay." The big bull put the bat behind him, under the desk. "I think he was startled to see me so close. Little guy freaked out. You two okay? You both look a little sick."

I didn't open my eyes. I heard Shadow moan, but his half-growls faded. He gagged, but then managed to hold his stomach.

I would make it too.

Oops. No, guess I wouldn't.

"Ooooh..." I moaned, shifting as my stomach clenched.

I opened my eyes, trying to ground my spinning head and anchor my eyes somewhere. Wasn't working. Burt reached behind him and brought out the empty food container from under the desk. Oh, that... I'd knocked it under there last night....

I felt Shadow shift on my hip, and I tried to look down at him, but everything spun more. I breathed quickly and shallowly. My stomach heaved and I belched into my paws.

"Easy there, Shadow. Not doing anything rash. Slowly... here you go. Use this. Looks like you're gonna need it." Burt slowly placed the empty container in front of me.

The smell of dried-out food churned me more. I gripped the plastic thing and heaved my guts into it, turning my muzzle down. A moment later and I heaved again. Nasty stuff pooled at the bottom. Ugh.

I sagged back. Weak, but I felt better.

I wiped my paw across my lips, wishing I could rinse out the taste. But at least I hadn't puked on anyone or on the bedding. I even managed an embarrassed smile as the bull removed the container from next to my muzzle.

Shadow sighed from my hip, and I looked down as he rubbed my back. He gave me a soothing smile, then glared at the bull, but it had lost its edge.

More minutes passed. Finally all things calmed in the office. The diffuse light from the flashlight gave everything a mellow edge.

"Ugh, it smells like puke in here!" said Jenny, sitting up.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"It's fine," she sighed, but still held her paw over her nose, giving me baleful glances.

Howard was sitting up. I'd missed that.

Shadow finally pulled himself to sit too. He stared warily at the newcomers, but the hostility was gone. Burt also hauled himself up. He looked down on me in concern, and I managed a weak thumb's up.

"Howard, how long was that one?" asked Burt, rubbing his shoulder with a heavy hoof.

"Twelve minutes. It's getting longer again. For sure."

I looked curiously at Howard. He held up the shiny watch. Oh, he also had hoofed fingers... of course.

He pointed with his other hoof, "It still works. All mechanical, antique from my uncle."

"What does it mean?" asked Shadow. "Getting longer?" He scratched his muzzle scar.

Jenny gave an audible shudder, "Means it'll come again, maybe even tomorrow."

I propped myself up on an elbow so I could see everyone better.

Shadow shrugged, "So? It comes every day."

"No," Burt's deep voice deepened further, "one of the bad ones is coming... again."