Burt shifted Shadow closer into his big arms, despite the black wolf's protests.

“I can walk,” grumbled Shadow for the eighth time.

“I'm sure you can, pup. Doctor's orders though. You're to take it especially easy after last night. If you're good, I'll let you walk yourself into the restroom for the Curtain.”

Shadow nodded with a hard urgency. He must not wish to be seen carried around. I smiled, happy my Wulf was in a condition to put up a fight.

I kept quiet, as the tune in my head was distracting, and I didn't want to start humming or whistling. I knew it was something to do with the Curtain, with the zombies, but there was nothing I could do about it. I did catch myself bobbing my head a few times, enjoying the tune. I really did miss actual music.

The hatch was a tricky matter, but Burt made sure the wolf didn't put weight on his legs. Shadow grumbled under his breath, but I thought he looked secretly happy at the unaccustomed attention.

As we approached the restrooms, I noticed several furs gathered just outside. This close to the Curtain? Looking up, I saw Burt looking surprised and worried.

“Okay, okay, you can put me down now,” Shadow shifted in Burt's hold.

Burt put the wolf down, eyes focused on the small group. Something was wrong. My attention was torn away by Shadow's whimper when he put down weight. He held his side, above his injured hip.

I stepped in close to my Wulf and put a paw on his shoulder. My eyes spoke all my worry.

“I'm fine,” he forced a smile.

I nodded, frowning and half believing him. We trailed Burt as he stalked up to the group.

Several upset furs were ahead. Voices were raised in urgency. Why were they still out? The Curtain was minutes away.

I recognized Peter, Sally, Mia, and Steve, all focusing on the sad husky, Susan. The husky's rabbit friend had her paw on the dog's shoulder. Susan looked sobered with determination, different than we'd seen her before.

Steve pulled away from the furs to meet with us. “Susan is refusing to go inside for the Curtain,” he said to us in a low voice.

Shadow and Burt looked as shocked as I was.

“What?” Burt responded in a louder voice.

Steve looked concerned. “She's saying she misses James too much. She's resolved on this.”

“Even so,” Burt grunted, “we can't have furs deciding to let the Curtain take them whenever they feel down. We need all the paws we can get.”

Steve nodded. “Even though it means more muzzles to feed, every one of us is valuable. We are too few versus... them.”

Shadow shivered next to me. I wondered if he was worried by the mention of zombies, or if, like me,  he knew we could have given up and been like this fur. Any number of times we'd continued on, we could have just... given up.

We joined the restless furs. They were arguing in hushed tones. Arms gestured towards the restrooms, and muzzles angled often towards the safety there.

Peter placed a paw on the middle-aged husky's shoulder, “Susan, please think about this.”

Susan had a strange glow in her eyes, not the Curtain, but something more natural. Resolution? Mania? “I want this,” she said. “It's my choice what I do with my life, and I want to be with James. I want to be with my kids. I want my family.”

Sally bowed her head, Mia hid at the rhino's hip. “They're gone, yes, but you have life left. Give it some time, Susan; things will come around. Life after loss... is difficult. Your family not want you to give up.”

“Wouldn't they?” she rounded on Sally, and Mia hid further behind the rhino. “My family loves me. I love them. I know we'd do anything to be together. Even if we're all dead, we'll all be together.”

I stepped forward, “You have friends here, right? They're like a family to you now.”

Susan gave me a look that chilled me to my core. Her ears lay back, and she showed some teeth as she spoke. “I had family,” she spat, a terrible bitterness in her voice. “I lost them all, not that you helped....”

She looked at me with such loathing and disgust, I wanted to disappear. Every bone and hair on me sagged. Peter looked at me with a strange look, a look making me cringe deep within. Shadow moved closer to me, and I felt his chest vibrate as he held back a growl.

Peter turned back to Susan, shaking his head. “You're not thinking clearly, because you're so upset after everything that's happened.”

“No.” She turned away from me to face Peter. “For the first time in days, I feel better. My head is clear, and I'm thinking straight. I know what to do. I've decided, and that is that.”

“What about your friends?” asked the black- and brown-speckled white rabbit. “I'm your friend.”

“Laura, you've been a friend to me for a long time. I'm going to miss you, but please respect my choice in this.”

The rabbit, Laura, looked very hurt by this. Tears gathered in her dark lapine eyes. She grit her teeth on some resolve and met the husky's eyes. “Susan! Quit being so stubborn! You don't have anything to prove anymore, okay!?”

The husky set her teeth. “This isn't to prove anything. Maybe I should have died out there with James, but I know this: I've had enough of life without him, without my kids. Now go, all of you, before the Curtain comes.” She turned away.

Steve grabbed her by the arm. “You'll decide this when you're calm and thinking straight, not when you're upset.”

Susan growled. “I am thinking straight. My life, my choice. Now get your paws off me. What are you going to do, arrest me? Keep me locked up in the dark forever?”

Steve looked startled as she shook him off and walked towards the darkness of the FurShopper. Peter looked hesitant to force her resolve. Whether by respect or self-preservation, Peter didn't try to stop her. Susan's spine was straight, and she didn't look back.

“What about me?” cried Laura, dropping to her white knees. “Why can't you stay for me. What about the collie family, and Margaret, and Peter? Life continues, so should you! You still have friends here!”

Susan ignored her friend's pleas and disappeared around an isle corner.

Burt frowned, “I'll go get her.”

“No, the Curtain is too close,” Steve said, glancing to the restrooms, where Howard was gesturing frantically. Steve twitched his ears and started towards the restrooms with a disheartened sigh.

Burt stopped, looking torn. He grabbed the rabbit, Laura, by the arm, as she looked ready to take off into the darkness after Susan. After a shake of his big head, the rabbit burst into tears, but allowed herself to be directed to safety.

Shadow and I trailed behind the group. I glanced back, hoping to at least see Susan watching us, but she had left. I glanced at Shadow as we approached the restrooms. He wouldn't do the same if I were to die, would he? Would I?

Shadow caught me eyeing him, and threw an arm around my shoulders. “Don't give up, right?” he whispered.

I managed a smile through my worries, “Right.”

Howard looked alarmed as he gestured us into the males' bathroom. The females' one had already been sealed. They followed the usual protocol of making note of us, who came late, and knocked on the wall after sealing up.

It was very crowded, and I followed Shadow as he picked his way through furs. We crammed ourselves in by Burt and one of the taped-up toilets. Not prime real estate, but safe enough to survive. In seconds the vibrations became clear.

I closed my eyes and tried to relax with Shadow as the Curtain dropped.

The Curtain dropped, and the skittering vibrations crawled along my skin. The vibrations settled into my flesh and rattled the marrow in my bones. But more than a vibration was the sense of something clawing at me, at every sense I had. My closed eyes sparkled with stars, and I tasted blood.

The vibrations gained pattern, patterns which had rhythm and tone. The rhythm and tune in my head grew, matching the one outside. A tune I recognized; the one which occupied my head. Thoughts left as everything was taken by it. Consumed by it.

I became the vibrating existence. I lost myself to the maelstrom of chaos. 'Tyler' ceased to exist and I became a part of the endless.

But the endless stopped and the infinite became finite. I ended with it.

….

….

Something... still there. No thoughts, just existence. Existence became being, being became senses. Senses gathered thoughts and 'self'.

'Tyler' returned.

Whimpering and crying filled the room. Some fur coughed and tried to speak, only to express garbled vowels. Shadow's chest was heaving behind me, pushing me forward with each breath. My eyes opened.

Faint light shone from the sink counter to reveal the room. I was crammed under a toilet, with Shadow behind me. I tilted my head, trying to look around, but felt immediately sick and dizzy.

I whined, and heard a grunt from Shadow. My fur was standing up everywhere, hyper-sensitized, but troubled by numbness.

The fur tried to speak again. “Offay, ebvyone.” It sounded like Steve.

Some fur started to cry. Another one joined. No one could speak for minutes.

I didn't know what they were feeling, but I felt wretched. I ached all over, but it was distant at the same time. I tried to move my paw to my muzzle. It rose a few inches, and I gave up the effort. My ears hummed, my breath felt ragged. I was distant from my body, like I was no longer welcome in it.

I felt Shadow's paw on my shoulder. “You... alright?” he managed.

I moved my head a fraction in assent, and he sighed behind me. We had made it again. Survival was still ours.

Minutes passed. The whimpering and crying slowed and stopped.

“Okay... stay calm.” Steve sounded clearer than I could even think. “It was a bad one again. Not all... prepared.” He paused a long moment. “Check on your neighbors when you can. Make sure they're okay.”

I heard furs shifting, but my body and mind were still somewhere between numb and screaming. I licked my nose, and tasted blood where I'd bitten my tongue. Ugh.

Shadow shifted behind me. After a moment he sat up and drew my head into his lap. I whined in protest at the movement but settled as he stroked my head. I was pretty well under the toilet, so there was still nothing to see. Closing my eyes, I heard other furs shift and move around. A few talked in hushed voices.

“Feeling better?” asked Shadow, still stroking me.

I nodded. I felt better, but between the Curtain and the incident with Susan, my mind was a mess.

Had Susan changed her mind at the last minute and wanted to come back? Had she met the Curtain, and what it brought, with a smile? Had she stood numbly from giving up on everything? Would I be in a similar situation, facing the same choice if I lost Shadow? Shadow would choose to continue on without me, right?

I shivered, and Shadow leaned close to feather a kiss over my muzzle.

“Isn't he up yet?” griped Sanway.

Shadow growled, but Burt said, “It just takes Tyler a little longer, that's all.”

“I'm just saying, because everyone else is up except for him and that wrinkly old cat.” I imagined Sanway crossing his arms.

An old voice answered instead, “Well, this wrinkly old cat understands that some of us take it harder than others. Oh, my hip.” Margaret was a fighter.

I rolled over, keeping my head in Shadow's lap. He gazed at me with a dedicated stare. He wouldn't care if I took longer; he was just happy to have me.

Isaac laughed somewhere out of sight. The toilet stall walls didn't allow much view. The lion's voice was strong and sure. “I guess it's a race between the weakest ones. Want to take bets on who gets up first?”

I frowned, not liking this. When I tried to sit up, I fell back into Shadow's lap with a groan. My head spun, and I saw sparkles at the edges of my vision.

Weakest. The word circled my head. Did it matter who was 'weakest'? What was the lion implying, that the weakest was the next one to get fed to those dead things outside? Susan had seemed pretty strong in body, but had she become the 'weakest' from her torn heart? Did my personal sensitivities make me 'weak'?

“Don't listen to him, he's a complete ass,” Margaret said in a thin voice from across the males' room. “He doesn't understand that furs had different tolerances. Just because you're sensitive, doesn't make you weak.”

I wasn't weak. I was sensitive. I had a good head on my shoulders. I was needed by Shadow. I had friends who cared about me. All these things worked to keep a fur strong. A weakness like the lion implied was a shallow measure.

But I still didn't like being perceived as weak. I forced my body to sit and held my head in my paws, trying not to black out. Leaning against Shadow gave me the strength I needed.

“We have a winner!” Isaac chortled.

“Put a lid on it, Isaac!” Burt was at the end of his patience.

“Or what, going to lock me up somewhere?” the lion scoffed. “Like that's gonna happen.”

Burt's sigh was audible. “Isaac, open the door, and we'll see if we can find Susan. She won't be far out there.”

Furs muttered. I heard Margaret's name, Peter's name, and mine too.

Margaret said, “Susan seemed like a nice fur, but she was so very unhappy.”

“Gran, there's nothing we can do for her now.” Ethan was right, nothing we could do, unless the nature of the Curtain had changed.

“I just cry every time one of you youngsters go, and I'm still here,” Margaret said, an edge of tears in her voice.

“It was her choice, Ma'am.” Steve said quietly. In the bathroom, every voice was close. “She made her choice with a clear mind and firm decision of what she wanted. I don't agree with what she did or her reasons why, but I respect it.”

The restroom was silent for a moment, full of many furs breathing and shifting.

“Well, let's leave this joint,” Isaac slapped something fleshy, like his legs or Bradley's shoulder.

I managed to sit a little straighter. When the tape ripped free and fresh air came in, I sighed. Another day of survival, another day with Shadow. The two of us waited in the stall as most furs left.

“You feel like you can stand?” my Wulf asked.

“Yes,” I said, not feeling completely sure.

He stood, wincing, and I remembered he was still injured. I wasn't, and should stand too. With a deep breath and steeling myself, I rose to wobbly footpaws. We both walked out of the restroom with careful steps. Margaret and Ethan were right behind us, clearing the restroom.

There were furs gathered nearby, speaking in hushed tones. Erin, the collie mother, ushered away several young, including the little pika girl who's eyes glued to Shadow again. We approached, Margaret and Ethan following.

“You might not want to see this, pups,” Burt said.

“Why?” I asked.

Burt shook his head. “It's Susan. We don't know if she wandered back, or if she had changed her mind, but she's here.”

I shivered, knowing what I would see. I had to though; see if I could tell anything for myself. I slipped through the crowded, upset furs and found a space I could peer through.

A display had been knocked over, onto her, from her thrashing. Her arm was broken, bone sticking out. The usual, snarling rictus was there on her muzzle. Blood and fluids could be seen in her eyes and coming out of her lips and ear. The eyes were already dull in death. No light there, but I had little doubt there would be if a few days passed.

I turned away. Could she have forgiven me with time? She had not by the look she had given me earlier. She was dead and ended, her last moments a painful embrace with death. I hoped she would find her friends and family in whatever afterlife awaited her. I looked back, hoping to see a hint of a smile, some sign of reunion in her expression, but all I could see was the snarl.

Shadow also looked, then pulled me away. For once, the tune in my mind was muted, barely noticeable. The little pika continued to stare at Shadow as Erin tried to occupy the young female and her own pups.

“Right, furs.” Sally stumped up from somewhere behind us. Who knew how she could get so close each time without notice before she would thud in? “Chores to do, and volunteers for Susan.”

Laura and Peter volunteered. To my surprise, Ethan did too.

“If you bury her, the light from the Curtain won't bring her back,” I said, trying to be helpful.

“Stay out of this, smart-ass. We don't need your input.” Peter gave me a hard stare, making me uncomfortable.

“Unfortunately, young pup,” Steve looked down to me with regret, “we don't have the time to dig a deep enough hole before the things outside wake.”

I gulped, not sure what to say. They could put her somewhere she wouldn't be eaten, but it would become an issue as her dead body rotted for three days. They could dump her outside, and she'd be eaten before she rose. Which would be worse?

Shadow stared at the dead Susan. I pulled him aside, worried.

“You okay?” I asked, trying to meet his eyes.

He nodded. “Yeah, just... I haven't seen one fresh in a while. And... we knew her, kind of. Soon she'll... wake again.”

“Or be eaten before she can.” I sighed. “What worries you though?”

“That we'll end up like her. Dead and eaten, or dead and returned.”

I raised paws and held his muzzle, forcing his eyes to mine. “We're not going to do either. We'll survive this. If anyone has a chance, we do.”

He broke into a grin and licked my nose. “I swear, you're the best thing that ever happened to me, Tyler.”

I blushed up to my ears and tried to shrug it off, but the way he looked so happy touched me.

“Well, if it's not the young wolf pup and his parasite.”

I flinched as Isaac approached, followed by Bradley. “What do you want, kitty-cat?” I asked, as rudely.

The lion's tail twitched. “Just wanted to catch up after the whole 'bite' thing. Wanted to say, it could have gone differently.”

“Is that your idea of an apology?” I asked, trying to ignore Bradley's usual stare.

Isaac raised his eyebrows. “Why apologize? I was right after all. He was in danger of changing.”

“Says you,” I countered. He was getting a rise out of me.

“Says anyone who heard the racket last night. You look fine now though, wolf. You recover well.”

Shadow shrugged and growled, arms crossed.

“ 'Course I'm sure even you don't know if you got rid of it completely.” Isaac preened his mane idly.

Shadow's growl stuttered. His uncertainty was all over his muzzle.

Isaac laughed, slapping my Wulf on the shoulder. “Don't worry, you'll beat this. Wolves like you are survivors. You're strong, aren't you?”

Shadow's growl stopped, but he frowned at the lion. Bradley still had his unsettling stare on me.

The lion grinned, “I see you do listen, though you're not much of a talker, unlike your little red parasite.”

“Stop calling him that,” Shadow growled.

“I say it how it is, pup. I saw you fighting those zombies; you're strong.” He leaned in close to us and lowered his voice, smiling. “This is a world where the strong will thrive, and many will be left behind.”

I shuddered, and Shadow gave the lion a shove, growling. He winced from the effort.

Isaac held up fuzzy paws. “Hey, now, calm down. I just want you to hedge your bets. You gotta figure who will last longer in this mess, make sure you tie in with some strong furs. Others...” he looked down at me, “will simply not make it.”

My eyes widened. I felt panic rising. It felt like a death threat from this fur.

“Hang onto him for as long as you can. But when all that's left is the strong furs, you'll want to have friends among them.” Isaac hardly bothered hinting.

I pulled Shadow away, as my Wulf's growls got loud and threatening.

“Wish I'd brought the bat,” he growled.

I shook my head. “He's just a jerk. Are you okay, or do you need to lie down?”

“I think...” he hesitated.

“Let's get you breakfast and a pill,” I said.

Shadow smiled and nodded.

“Need a lift?” Burt asked, clopping up to us.

Shadow grunted and looked away.

Burt chuckled, “Guess that's a 'no', pup. Well, come get some food. Afterwards, I hate to ask, but would you two be up to watching the young for a couple hours?”

After a glance to Shadow, I said, “Sure, Burt. We'd like to be of some use here.”

Burt grunted. “You already are. Don't worry about 'use', or you'll start to sound like Isaac.”

“Ugh, I know,” I wrinkled my nose.

“I saw you talking to him,” Burt looked expectant for a response.

“He's acting like he wants to recruit Shadow, but I'm not invited,” I grumbled.

Burt frowned as we walked towards the picnic tables. “He's gathering furs, gathering support. I don't know what he's up to, but it can't be good. Well, maybe I'm reading too much into it.” He sighed and rubbed his horn.

“I don't think so, Burt,” I said. “He's acting all power-hungry or something. He wants the strong separated from the weak.”

“And he sees you as weak?” Burt grunted angrily.

“Doesn't matter,” I said.

Burt stopped and put a weighty hoof on my shoulder, stopping me. “He doesn't know what he's talking about. I've seen you. You are strong, stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

I shrugged.

“There are different measures of strength, and Isaac only looks at the one. Besides that, you can grow stronger. Furs who call themselves strong won't try hard to get stronger than they perceive themselves. Furs like you will work for it, try.”

I smiled, “Thanks, Burt.”

The black bull grinned, “Good, now let's get some lunch.”

Shadow nodded and rubbed his growling belly.

The lunch crowd was unusually quiet. Susan was on many minds. The little pika stared at Shadow as she followed Erin around the eating area. Peter was trying to shadow Jenny, and the ermine tried to lose him between clumps of furs. A division beginning among the furs, and I knew what was causing it, or rather who.

The bastard of a lion was laughing and cheering up 'his' selection of furs. They were drawn to him in the otherwise morose gathering. I noticed a few furs shrugged off his approaches, but others found some relief of their troubles in him.

It was admirable, in a way. He was showing he couldn't be fazed. But I knew beyond that, he was a complete dick.

Helaina, though, was eating it up. She joined him at Isaac's table, along with the stallion, the tiger, and Bradley. The female rabbit, Laura, was also keeping close. Surprisingly, Sanway kept his distance, giving them disgusted looks; the springbok was easily displeased it seemed.

Howard joined us at the table, as Burt wandered around, trying for damage control with Steve.

“It was another bad one this time,” Howard said between bites. “So far every four days, though I can't tell if they're getting better, worse, or staying the same.”

Clovis answered, “It may not matter directly, but knowing a trend could tell us if there's any chance of this phenomenon ending.”

Shadow shivered next to me, and I nudged him with my nose. We could manage either way. If this was unending, or if this was finite, we could and would get through it.

Shadow smiled and licked my ear. I caught Howard watching us with a thoughtful look. When he realized I was watching, he coughed and looked back to his meal.

I was pleased that those I considered friends seemed to have no problem with the affections Shadow and I showed each other. Others at Camp could think differently if they chose. I closed my eyes as Shadow settled in for some thorough licking.

“Can't you do that in private?” asked an exasperated voice. When I looked up, I realized it was Peter, standing a few pawlengths away.

I blushed, but Shadow paused thoughtfully before saying, “Nope,” and continued on my ear.

Peter frowned, holding a drink. “The young don't need to have... impressions by your behavior.”

“Really, Peter?” asked Jenny coming up behind him. “Never knew you were such a 'phobe.”

Peter jumped and whirled around. “Jenny, I-” He paled and gaped, “I-”

“If you have that much of a problem being around my friends, you can call it quits with me. For good.” She sat down next to me with a certain finality.

“But Jenny, honey-”

Jenny put a white paw on her hip. “I don't care if you're the last mustelid on the planet with that attitude. Just 'cause the world's ending doesn't mean you can go all stone-age.”

The lovely, white Jenny started in on her food, making satisfactory noises and pointedly ignoring Peter. The ferret balled his paws into fists. With a burning glare to Shadow and me, he took his leave.

“Wow, Jenny,” I said, “I thought you were closer than that, to just drop him in an instant.”

“Tyler, I've had my share of males, and he's nothing to get weak-kneed over. I do like him, but his attitude on some things really bothers me. Like this just now, where he's too intolerant. Knowing he went with the mob also bugs the furry hells out of me. It's not just those two things, though. But it was enough to tell me he's simply not for me.” She returned daintily to her food with a little grin.

I never knew she had that kind of aplomb. To her knowledge, Peter could very well be the last somewhat compatible species on the planet, but she wasn't having it.

Howard grinned, “I knew you had the fight in you, Jenny.”

Jenny focused on her food. “Uh-huh, don't take it for granted either.”

“What have you been up to, Howard? We haven't seen you much,” I said.

Howard chuckled and nodded, swinging his curved horns. “I've been taking count on what we have here in the FurShopper, in terms of supplies. Like what was mentioned yesterday.”

I nodded and Shadow managed to look interested, stopping his licking.

Howard waved a fork towards the store front. “I also went to inspect and make suggestions on the barricades we have at the FurShopper entrance.”

“How did that go?” I asked. It was important to know how safe we were.

The black and brown goat shrugged. “Well, they originally didn't plan on having those things out there getting stronger. There's improvements that can be made, but honestly... it's a weak point. If the creatures want to come in badly enough, they'll find a way.”

Shadow's eyes were wide in alarm. I was glad we'd set up on the roof.

Howard frowned. “Not to alarm anyone; it's not likely to happen. But if they get in anywhere, it will be the front doors. Not all that much we can set up to stop it either.”

“What would you need?” asked Shadow. He seemed unusually motivated.

“Reinforced  concrete would be ideal. Barring that... I guess we could pile cars in the entrance. Hmmm, that might not be bad.” Howard mumbled to himself something about moving large obstacles and weight balancing.

I smiled. If any fur was dedicated and focused on the details, it would be Howard. The goat bobbed his head in thought. Ah, horns – what did they feel like?

The rest of lunch turned out to be uneventful. The pika's stare was on Shadow, and Bradley's was on me. Whatever they wanted, they could hold it to themselves. This was the time for eating and sitting with furs I cared about.

Afterwards, Shadow and I headed over with the collie mother, Erin, and the pups to the toy section. It was a pup's dream there. Isles and isles of toys to try out and play. The dim light made the bright colors muted, but the young didn't care.

There were a few young to watch over, more than I'd realized. There were the two collie pups, Jacob and Diana. Also the little pika girl. No one seemed to know her name, and she never spoke, only stared at Shadow's every move. There was also a young female squirrel I'd never noticed before.

The squirrel's name was Tara, and I could tell by the way she sized up Shadow and me, she would be trouble. She claimed to be 13, but her behavior was juvenile and annoying. She pulled Diana's tail every chance she got, sending the pup crying to Shadow. I caught her about to pour finger paints all over the little pika. She kept trying to sneak off into the dark store, so I had to mark areas for her.

I thought babysitting would be easy, but it wasn't. Even the well-behaved pups wanted your full attention. The little pika - what would I even call her? - attached herself to Shadow so much I felt twinges of jealousy.

I would focus my attention on one young fur, and one of the others would try to gain my focus. I felt spun in circles of attention.

I pulled out a book when I'd had enough. “Who wants a story?”

Four sets of eyes shot to me, and I had undivided, cooperative attention as I read them a rendition of Ruff van Winkle. Shadow smiled at me from where he sat on a bean bag chair, with the pika still attached to him as she listened. I could get used to the calm that settled on our small group.

Erin returned and insisted we lay out sleeping pads for nap time. We were grateful for the help as the four little ones complained and settled down. I squirmed onto the bean bag chair with Shadow and nuzzled against his chest. The little pika girl approached with a look of yearning; I sighed and gestured her up to join us. The bag chair was crowded and too warm, but the company couldn't be beat.

I stroked the back of the tiny rabbit-like thing as she slept and met Shadow's eyes as we relaxed. I licked his nose shyly, and he grinned back, pulling us all closer together. My sigh of contentment drew a smile from my Wulf. He looked content and happy, like he had not a care in the world. I wanted to nurture that feeling.

Tara was the first to wake, and the first to cause mischief. She tried to braid the collie pups' tail fur together. The squirrel scampered away when she was found out and eventually settled into playing with a wide array of dolls.

All the toys with fancy electronics were not functioning. The classic ones, and the ones listed for less on the shelves were more entertaining, than ones newly without cool sounds or functions.

I did find another kiddy flashlight, this one shaped like a hippo with an open mouth where the light came out. I almost had to fight Tara for it, but she spied one with a monkey curled around the flashlight shaft she liked better.

It felt like an ordinary afternoon. Shadow didn't move much from his bean bag chair. I was running around after Tara, but it felt... fun. I hadn't felt that in a while. How unusual a thing to miss; such a little thing. But if you're always scared or on guard, it's something far away from you.

We corralled the four together for dinner. I was weary, but it felt good. We had done well, watching over the young today.

The divide at Camp was getting more apparent. I could see Isaac's definition of 'strong' quite plainly. Large, young, physically strong and fit furs were included. Anyone somewhat older, or introverted were excluded. Many of the included furs were ones Peter had brought in. The only surprise there was that Laura, the rabbit friend of Susan, was included.

Isaac tried to approach Ruby, but I knew she wouldn't leave Clovis. That wouldn't fly with the lion. Sanway and Rusty were approached, but neither looked comfortable as they mingled with the 'strong' crowd.

I didn't like where this was going. Any perceived separation between furs led to distancing. We were all furs trying to survive this. We needed the strength of being together.

Steve, Burt, and Sally tried for damage control, but Isaac spurned Steve and Burt. The lion refused to accept the timid Mia, though he actively pursued Sally.

It was entertaining on some level to watch Isaac gather furs and to watch the ebb and flow of their interest. It reminded me again of high school, where popular furs could gather who they were interested in and 'make' them popular, or leave them to a fate in the dust.

It was tiring though and frustrating to know the bigotry behind the lion's motives. It wasn't like he was doing this to protect everyone. He was doing it to define those who he thought were worth saving. What an ass.

As I finished my meal in watchful silence, I wondered how long we could last with those behaviors. Not as long as if we all stuck together. I looked over to Shadow. Either he wasn't paying attention to what was happening, or he didn't care. Probably the latter.

We were alone at the table. Our dinner-mates had all gotten up to socialize or clean up. I offered Shadow another dose of antibiotics and pain-killers. He looked at me like I'd grown two heads.

I sighed, “Just take it, Shadow. It really will help.”

He tried to ignore me, but I kept prodding him in the ribs. At first he looked annoyed, but he couldn't hold back little giggles. He snatched the offending pills from me and downed them in one gulp, taking a long, powerful kiss as 'payment'.

I grinned. My Wulf was awesome.

My grin dropped as a fur approached our table. Helaina.

She stopped and tilted both her head and her hips. “Wanna come join us, Shadow? Isaac's going to have a party later.”

Shadow shrugged and looked away, but I replied, “What kind of party?”

“Sorry, Tyler. No under-age pups.” She didn't look sorry at all. Whatever.

I was over age, dammit. I managed a bit of a forced grin. “Sorry, Helaina. Shadow can't go. He's under... healing curfew. No late nights.”

She growled at me, but it startled to a stop when Shadow gave me a fat, wet kiss at the corner of my lips.

“Yup, curfew,” Shadow agreed.

Helaina frowned and took a different tactic. “Aren't you tired of hanging out with this pup? You need time with other furs too; it's unhealthy not to.”

While I agreed, Shadow wasn't going to be hooked into spending his 'extra' time with Helaina. I focused on her and said, “He'll spend it with other furs.” Meaning other furs, not her.

Helaina got my meaning. She turned soft eyes to Shadow. “Please, Shadow? I've hardly seen you in days. I want you to get to know some of the new furs better; they're really nice.”

Shadow frowned, “Not going without Tyler.”

Helaina's ears drooped. “Be reasonable, Shadow. We're like the only two wolves left in the world. Can't we try to get along?”

Shadow pulled me close by my shoulders and dropped his head over mine. While I blushed, he said, “I like my Foxy just fine. I don't much care for wolves.”

Helaina's expression dropped in dismay. She looked disheartened and hopeless as she wandered off. Helaina looked pretty sad when she rejoined Isaac's 'club'. She didn't cheer up when furs chatted with her. They looked our way and frowned.

Peter's gaze was especially heated with anger. He focused his hostility on me from across the dining space. Shadow gave a relaxed sigh and lifted his head off mine. The wolf kissed my muzzle right between the eyes. Something bothered me about Helaina's visit.

“Shadow,” I paused. “Is it true, what you said about not liking wolves?”

“Yeah,” he whispered into my ear. “I can't relax around wolves anymore. Too many things come up. Memories.”

“Are you okay with being a wolf?” I breathed.

“Of course. It's who I am. Wouldn't be me as any other species.”

“I guess that's okay then. But it's not good to be that uncomfortable with others of your own species.”

He grunted his agreement. “I know. Helaina doesn't seem that bad, but I don't like how she treats you either.”

“And I don't like how she never stood with you when trouble came,” I grumbled. “We'll try to get you friends with some other wolf. You can form good memories with wolves for a change.”

My Wulf nodded, smiling. “I've met friendly wolves but was too nervous to get to know them. Think if I'm with you, I could do it, huh?”

“Security blanket pup, right?” I chuckled.

“Only the best,” he murmured into my cheekfur.

I looked up to Burt's hoof-steps.

“You two ready to head back up?” he asked, with a knowing grin, seeing us all sweet on each other.

We both nodded.

“Wait, Burt!” Shadow yelped. He said in a low voice. “Just help me up from the stairs.”

Burt grinned, pausing in mid-grab. “Right then. Off you go.” He straightened up, as Shadow rose.

The three of us left the lights of Camp, I carried the hippo light to shine ahead in the gloom. Shadow was falling behind, well before the stairs. Burt scooped him up, ignoring my black Wulf's protests and carried him the rest of the way. Shadow's eyes were drooping by the time we got to the hatch; the excitement of dinner had worn off.

He looked awfully cute, drooping eyes and head hanging over Burt's shoulder. It was something I could tease him about later. Maybe, I'd keep it to myself, never let him know how innocent he looked. He was still young after all.

Burt laid Shadow down in the tent, and the wolf curled in with a big yawn. The big bull and I shared a smile, drifting away to the store facade. Looking down on the zombies, they appeared the same as before. Maybe they had reached the end of their 'changes'. While a few zombies clawed at the facade wall below, we stood and watched the sun lower to the horizon.

“I miss the sun,” Burt finally said. He seemed was more relaxed than I'd seen him in days. Worry lines in his brow were easing.

“Why don't you come up more often?”

Burt sighed. “Between furs needing my attention, and keeping an eye on Michelle, I hardly get a chance.”

I nodded and sat, leaning my elbows on the facade rim. “I love it up here, so does Shadow. But I think many of the furs either want to be near the rest, or dislike the reminder of those things.” I gestured with my nose to the eager zombies below.

Burt was silent for a long minute. He sat next to me and let out a long sigh. When he spoke, he didn't look at me. “When everything happened – that first Curtain – I thought it was just an elevator problem. I wish I could go back to that.”

The safe innocence of the world before seemed lost. We'd only find pockets of dubious safety, like the FurShopper.

“Is it okay to bring a calf into this world?” he asked, turning his full focus on me. “Is it too harsh to raise young?”

I blinked up at him. It seemed unlike him to feel insecure about something I'd thought he'd be sure of.

“I mean, I was already having doubts. This is our first calf....”

I smiled, “You'll be a great dad. And I think that even though the world is harsh, young deserve any chance they get.”

“You don't regret living? Aren't you traumatized by everything?”

“Traumatized?” I thought about it, looking down at the ever-hungry creatures. “I have nightmares, and things scare me. But it's part of my life now. Maybe I've normalized things, I don't know. But I never once regretted surviving, especially after meeting Shadow.”

“Wolf is good to you, huh?” Burt grinned.

“Yes,” I said, grinning back. “The best.”

Burt looked awkward and coughed. “Um, Tyler... I don't know... I mean, I've heard it's painful....”

I cocked my head not understanding.

Burt coughed again, and I thought I saw a hint of a blush in his ears. “You're young and exploring things. Um, I just want to make sure you're careful when... you know....”

It was my turn to blush. “Burt, we haven't done it or anything.”

He looked startled, then sheepish, rubbing his horn. “Oh, um, you know that two males can-”

“Of course,” I said smiling. “But just in theory, you know.”

“It's just that you two are so close, I started to assume,” his voice faded, and he looked embarrassed.

I smiled. “It's okay, Burt, nothing to be embarrassed about. Shadow and I have brought it up, though.”

“Okay,” Burt smiled. “I want you two to take your time, not rush into anything.”

I nodded.

“Take it real, real slow; make him be gentle.”

I rolled my eyes, feeling a lecture coming on. I couldn't help but smile. Getting 'The Talk' from Burt, it touched me how much he cared.

“Make sure he uses protection,” he said, his eyes serious and urgent. “Even though he can't get you pregnant, you still need to protect yourself. You can catch things from furs that way.”

I nodded. I'd heard all this before, but if it eased his mind of worry, I would listen.

“You know how to put a condom on?”

I nodded, “They showed us in high school health class.”

“Good. Make sure you practice it some time. There's packages of them down in the store. They may go quickly as furs, um, de-stress.” Burt chuckled.

I smiled, wondering who would 'de-stress' with whom.

“Anyway, I hear stretching helps, and seeing you two get closer, it wouldn't surprise me if... you became more intimate.” He looked uncomfortable. “I don't know. It's better to wait. You're still pretty young.”

I couldn't help the roll of my eyes. I wasn’t that young! Many furs my age were already very 'active'. Burt had probably been 'active' too, at my age.

“I also know your hormones are raging, and you're learning everything you can. Exploring. Just, be careful, okay?”

I smiled, “Thanks, Burt. Thanks for caring, for everything.”

He rested a hoof on my head, as if shielding me, protecting me, and accepting me all at once. “Sure, pup.” He moved his hoof down to my shoulder.

We watched the sun, enjoying the quiet company. Birds twittered in the air, swooping for evening insects.

“Gotta go, pup,” Burt said, removing his hoof.

I smiled as he rose, “Don't worry, Burt. Everyone has first-time worries.”

“With anything, right?” he asked with a knowing chuckle.

It was my turn to blush, but I had to smile. “ 'Night, Burt.”

“ 'Night, pup.”

Time stretched in the twilight. I could hear Shadow snoring softly in the tent.

Burt was prepared for us to become fully intimate. Shadow seemed like he'd be ready any time. Was I ready?

The pain was worrisome, but moreover, was I ready for sex and everything that came with it? I'd read a full mating could help form strong bonds. Some could do it just for fun too.

I knew my being intimate with Shadow would be more than a matter of enjoyment. Shadow had only been with furs because he'd had to. I might become the first fur he'd be with purely by choice and attachment.

If I went all-the-way with Shadow, what would it mean for me? What would I be doing it for? I wanted to get close to him; know him in every way possible. I wanted to be his, and for him to be mine. I would do anything for it, I wanted it so deeply within myself. Shadow was the best thing that had happened to me since the Curtain, and when I thought of it, ever.

What did I feel for Shadow? It was more than I'd ever felt for another. Similar to what I felt for my family, but different and stronger. Is this what love felt like? Not the love of friends or family, but real love. I couldn't imagine it getting any better.

Was it too early for me to feel this way? I didn't think I'd feel any different given time. Each day it felt stronger within me. It was more than us being thrown together, more than the lusty feelings I had when I thought back to the times we'd 'played'.

Helaina's voice echoed in my mind, saying, “It's an artificial bond.” But it didn't hurt or bother me; I knew it was not artificial. We'd been around other furs, and as much as I liked Burt's and Jenny's and Clovis' company, what I felt for Shadow felt much deeper within myself.

He filled a space inside me I had never known was empty. Could I do the same for him? I would give him my everything. I would give him anything he wanted of me. I would never tire of giving him whatever he needed from me.

So this was love. If it wasn't, I didn't care how others defined it. This was love to me.

I smiled, feeling all was well with the world. I rested my head on my arms, resting on the store facade. The remaining light was fading, though the zombies would remain active with the crickets and night birds through the long, dark hours.

Footpaws stopped behind me. They had approached?

“You're all alone, pup.”

I turned my head in time to meet a fist with my muzzle. I fell to the rooftop, my being a jumble of denial, physically and mentally.