>>>>[[[[NOTE: DAY 20]]]]<<<<

The morning had come, and I’d not slept. It was partially from the snoring of my dad right next to me, but more from the pain of my heart and shoulder disturbing me from any sleep. My middle was bruised and ached as well as my thigh. I’d refused the food brought to me at breakfast, but Dad hadn’t seemed concerned.

I cried from where I sat in the orange tent. It wasn’t the pain of my shoulder, I cried from the pain in my heart, remembering Shadow’s lost gaze as he’d stared at me leaving him. I’d left him. I’d left our surviving pair. It hadn’t been my choice, but I’d left. No. I’d been taken away.

I glared out the open tent flap. While the uniformed black bear stood alert nearby, Dad sat outside with Daws at a collapsible table, set with four chairs. Their folding chairs faced each other as they spoke in hushed tones.

They discussed the status of Camp, which FurShopper furs might be useful, and what to do with me. While he talked, Daws stared at the jar of Shadow’s Curtain growths, somehow “liberated” from our tent.

The bear hovering nearby relayed the news there were no other helicopters or vehicles available to come. The two canines’ tone changed, saying something about school buses coming to pick us up once we reached the Yellow zone. They seemed concerned about it, who cared why….

What the furry ass snuffles was the ‘Yellow’ zone? Did I care… nope. After a few more shifts in the discussion, I zoned out. The pain helped.

I sat inside the orange-tinted space, cradling my arm to my chest. Why wouldn’t my shoulder stop hurting? The pain wasn’t going away and shifting hurt it more. The joint ached, distracting me to anything I tried to think about.

With my good arm, I pulled out the family picture and plastic angel kitty I’d rescued from my Frankenstein car. What would Mom and Kaylee think about Dad? The newly-crumpled picture was misleading; we were all smiling. That day Mom had convinced Dad to be in it after an hour of struggle.

My thoughts traveled away. I missed my friend Eric. I tried to recall how he’d howl in the “Your Howl Echoes in My Heart” and growl with clawed fingers extended for “Dragons Nesting, Pits of Hell”, but I couldn’t visualize it. My heart just ached.

The one thing most on my mind was Shadow. The hurt, scared look in his dilated eyes occupied my mind. It hurt more than my shoulder, hurt deep inside that… I’d left him.

I’d not had a choice. But was it really true? I’d let Dad drag me out of there. I’d let him remove me from where I’d wanted to be. He’d taken my freedom, and I’d allowed it.

I pulled up my knees and dropped my chin to them, tail clinging to my hip. Small bits of anxiety and panic renewed in my heart. I didn’t understand why Dad did this.

Why had he gone so far? I wasn’t that bad of a pup. I tried to be good, tried to be strong. Why had he torn me down when I was in a place of strength, with a fur who gave me that strength?

It was hard to sigh in the hunched-over position I sat, but I did. I didn’t feel like raising my head. I wanted my Wulf. I wanted to see him. I needed to see him.

I glanced around the tent, as I had before. Besides the bedding, there was nothing I could use. Nothing to cut my way out, nothing to defend myself with. Why did I have to feel the need to defend against my own dad?

“Hey,” Dad called from where he sat. “Get your ass out here. We need to ask some questions.”

I hesitated. What could he do to me if I wanted to stay? I wanted to stay. I wanted to rebel, to show him he couldn’t control me.

“Now, Tyler James.” Dad’s voice sharpened.

Damn. I knew the tone, the disapproval. Using my middle name to tell me I was in trouble? Classic parent move. It clenched my insides. I wished he’d done it because he cared. At least he’d used my name.

I crawled out of the tent, keeping my injured arm against my chest, but using the muscles hurt more. I was breathing hard when I got out and stood, cradling my arm again.

Dad frowned at me from his seat. “You’re going to answer some questions.” He paused, frown pulling deeper. “What’s wrong with your arm?”

I looked away, gritting my teeth and wanting to cry. He’d done this; now he was asking why. Resentment bubbled deep inside, burning my heart.

Daws’ eyes were guarded as he glanced at Dad. He regarded me with some concern. “Tyler, are you injured?” he asked carefully.

I shrugged my good shoulder. Did it matter? Anger boiled inside.

Daws raised a paw. The uniformed black bear came close, listening to Daws’ whisper. Dad was silent.

I kept my gaze down and away, but I could feel Dad’s stare. Did he regret doing this to me? Did he care at all, or was I an asset and nothing else?

“Young pup?”

I looked up, angry eyes meeting the otter medic’s. She looked a little startled, then approached closer.

“Where does it hurt?” she asked, her voice quiet, but carrying far enough to reach Dad.

“Shoulder,” I grumbled, eyes flicking to Dad’s footpaws.

The medic was silent as she checked me out. Her cautious paws moved over my sore joint. When she prodded my shoulder, I hissed through a bit of pain.

She sighed. “He seems to have a partial dislocation. Hold still, pup. This is going to hurt.”

Before I settled my rolling eyes, I squawked out in pain. My shoulder felt a little better, lifted and angled by otter arms. I breathed a slow sigh.

The otter prodded at the shoulder joint again with careful fingers. “Go easy on your arm for a few days. No lifting. No exercise of the arm.”

I shrugged my good shoulder. Wasn’t up to me, was it.

“Here,” the female dug in a bag and passed me a cloth sling. “Use this for a few days.”

I bit back an unhappy growl while I put the thing on. Great. I was incapacitated as well as useless.

Dad turned back to the table, gesturing me to sit at another chair. I sat, closing my eyes, feeling an echo of pain in my tired body. Somehow I wished Shadow was there, was with me… in me. Together, not just the emptiness I felt in my inner passage where the physical ache had been. I opened my eyes.

Before either could start piercing questions, clomping stomps approached. A pissed-off bull appeared, fire gleaming in his eyes. The black bear intercepted him right before he reached us at the table.

The angry bull snorted. “Mr. Evans. Daws. We need to talk. Tell this… fur to get out of my way.”

“What is your intention, Mr. Burt Towers?” my dad asked, eyeing his own, clipped fingernails. “This is a military matter. We’ve taken responsibility of you and the other furs here. Allow us to do our job.”

Burt grunted and rubbed at a big horn, his immediate stampede interrupted. He ground out, “We want one of us to be involved in whatever plans you might make. A civilian representative.”

It was an obvious excuse to get to me. Dad knew it too.

“And it’s your wish to be said representative?” Dad stood from his chair and approached the bigger bull in two steps. “Mr. Towers. You seem to be misunderstanding something. I have no interest in allowing you or any other civilians to know what’s going on. You’ve all made a ripe mess of the place already. Just let some experienced furs take charge.”

Burt hesitated. “I want to be here for Tyler.” He met my startled eyes as the medic hovered. “Tyler are you okay?”

Before I could open my muzzle, Dad interjected, “He’s fine. He wants to be here.”

“Is that true?” Burt asked, looking suspicious.

“Of course it is,” Dad snapped.

I stared down at the table, feeling I’d gotten put in the middle. Closing my eyes, my stomach turned into knots. Couldn’t they leave me alone, leave me to go back to Shadow?

Where was Shadow? I hadn’t seen him since Dad had dragged me off to the big, orange tent. I looked around for him, but couldn’t see him. Didn’t he care enough to come for me? My heart sank, spinning into painful doubts.

Burt continued, eyes steady between Daws and Dad. “I know the furs here best, so I know who to recommend for your plans. But you should be aware of something which has come to my attention.”

Dad, who’d been looking stubborn and angry managed a slight shift in attitude. “What is it?”

Daws nodded. “I agree we may need use of the furs here. If there’s anything else you may offer, we’ll hear it.”

Burt settled into the last seat, opposite me. “Clovis is the aye-aye here. He’s an odd fellow, but he’s mentioned his species has a specific skill.”

Burt had some of their attention, but it was clear it was divided in watching me too as I shifted uncomfortably in my hard seat. Burt gave me a small smile before continuing.

“His species can tell density and qualities of objects with a tap of their longest finger, the middle one.”

Dad made an impatient gesture. “And this is important to us why?”

Burt’s eyes flashed, a touch of controlled anger showing within. “Clovis has been testing the various pillars in the Furshopper. He says the roof-support is failing. I fear our ‘safe’ time here may be limited.”

Daws straightened, his attention focused. He raised a paw and gestured the bear back to his side. The bear had stood near, trying not to look too interested in what was going on.

“The Event has destabilized other structures, to my knowledge.” Dad frowned, moving to sit again. “I was hoping we’d have some time to prepare the civilians, in the case we might have to move everyone out of here. Damn Furshopper is older and built on the cheap.”

My eyes blinked. I hadn’t thought he’d been looking ahead for the majority of furs at all. Maybe I’d read his intentions wrong?

Dad frowned again, turning back to me. “In either case, I need to get this… fur back to the green zone.”

I flinched. Why couldn’t he call me by name at least? It hurt. It felt I was less than a stranger to him.

Burt cleared his throat. “We’ll all look after Tyler. He’s helped a lot of furs here. Some are a little uncomfortable after his, um, assistance. But they’ve all been appreciative.”

“I’m sure.” Dad’s voice was a monotone as he pulled out a pawheld notepad. Turning his attention to me and ignoring Burt, he frowned. “What do you experience of the Event?”

I hesitated. That was it? No other acknowledgment of me.

I shook my head. Where was Shadow? “It’s a hum. I hear it all the time, Dad. Can we really not-”

Two black fox paws slammed to the collapsible table. “I will never acknowledge you as a son. Get that through your thick, dense skull, you Event-touched retard!”

My jaw trembled. I’d never seen Dad so mad at me. Sure he’d been drunk and angry, but he looked literally ready to blow. Sane and without alcohol. My heart stung inside with his words.

“You’re a runt, and you’re not mine,” he snapped.

I wouldn’t take this any longer. I hurt inside, and it was all because of him. I wanted to rant; I wanted to do something. I wanted to explode, my heart beat so fast and maddened.

“I’m no runt. Mom loved you! She never thought of any other! Why couldn’t you get it through your muscle-brain!?”

Dad blinked, rage igniting, but before he could say anything I jumped in. “You want anything from me, I want Shadow here. I want to be treated like a fur. Don’t treat me like I don’t exist!” I finished, screaming.

Murmurs arose around Camp. Eyes were directed our way. I was past caring.

I jumped up from the table and stomped off in some direction, ignoring yells. I couldn’t see where; my eyes were blurry with my angry tears. I stomped, stomped more. I yelled at some random fur to get out of my way. I wasn’t even sure who it was.

I bumped into furniture and screamed at it, kicking whatever it was. I’d had it! Why was the world against me. I only wanted Shadow. Couldn’t I have the one fur in the world I wanted to be with?

I dodged blurry shapes and moving blobs, ignoring them all, avoiding them all. When something big and dark grabbed me, I cried out, pummeling my one good fist into a chest until the scent of someone wafted to my nostrils. Someone safe. Someone loved.

Shadow.

I lost my footing, feeling my legs go weak, sobbing and bawling into his t-shirt. Wolfy paws clutched me, becoming my support. I was so angry at everything! So sad at the world. I wanted to die; I wanted to survive. I was just upset, wanting to lash out.

But Shadow was here. My Wulf held me, hanging onto me as he sank to the floor, pulling me to his lap as he knealt. My good arm gripped the shirt covering his back. Wherever we were, we held to each other.

I never wanted to let go. I wanted to let the wild, dark wolf-scent invade me, take me over, turn me into part of Shadow. Then we’d never ever be apart.

Why did we have to part? I didn’t want it. Shadow didn’t want it. Dad. Did he hate me?

Shadow was shaking, and I realized he was crying too. He held onto me, blunt claws on strong paws gripping into me as if I could be his saving force in the world. Maybe I was.

Shadow valued me. It was time to trust, time to leave those doubts behind. In all the world, Shadow valued me, appreciated me the most. I could believe in him, could trust he saw me for who I was. He acknowledged me for who I was.

Shadow and I both wore out crying. I was still mad at Dad, but I felt it wasn’t taking me over any more. Blind fury wasn’t all I existed as. Fury faded, and an edge of exhaustion surfaced past my tears.

What was I going to do? I didn’t want to see Dad. Not ever, but he was family.

My only remaining family? Maybe my uncle was still safe. He lived to the West, maybe in the Green Zone? I’d have to ask Dad. He’d know. My uncle Scott was a strange one, but he’d always liked me.

Dad. Daniel Evans. I didn’t want to be his son any more. I was tired of trying to prove to him I had some value, that I was a fur like everyone else. I wished for some recognition of my value as his own son.

If he was pushing me away so much, I’d ‘unburden’ him of me. I wasn’t his son any more. I had my own identity. I was Shadow’s Tyler. I didn’t need to be any more.

Dad saw me as a burden. A stain on the world and on himself. My very existence offended him, and I didn’t understand why. It seemed any more, there was a deeper reason he despised me. It must be more than how he’d turned on Mom.

What if that was all it was? Could he have turned on all of us because he’d felt deeply the betrayal he thought he knew?

When I huffed out a breath into Shadow’s neckfur, he shifted and asked, “Are you okay?”

I nodded. “Yes. I don’t know. I’m thinking a mile-a-minute. Are you okay, Shadow?”

“It’s going to be okay, Tyler. We’ll be okay. I’m here for you. I’ll always be here for you. You’re here for me too.”

I wanted to believe in “always”. Dad had burned bridges to his ‘always’, but I didn’t have to. I could believe, open my heart to the always promised by Shadow.

Didn’t matter if it came true or not. What mattered was he was here. I could believe in the present.

“What happened to your arm?” Shadow mumbled, pulling away enough to look down my front better at the cloth sling.

Blinking away lingering teary excess, I could see we were among some shelves. Hardware or something. My mind didn’t bother to define anything past that.

My arm was half-pinned between us. “My shoulder,” I spoke, wanting to cry. The sound of tears came out in my upset voice as I held them in. “Dad… he pulled. My shoulder….” I couldn’t go on, nearly losing control again.

My Wulf growled, pulling me close again, tucking my head in his shoulder with a gentle paw. I heard my name being called in the distance of the store. I couldn’t hold back a sob, not wanting to be found.

Shadow held me tighter. “I won’t give you up to him again!” he growled.

I didn’t want to be apart either. I clenched my eyes shut, wanting us to never be found, half-wishing we’d never been found by FurShopper furs or Daws or anyone. My world wobbled as Shadow drew us both up to stand. I wanted to hunker down with him and wallow in his scent, his presence. Shadow. Black Wulf. The only one.

The one Wulf who was growling at approaching furs. I still had my nose tucked into Shadow’s chest when pawsteps approached. I felt Shadow’s painful grip clench around me, but I wanted closer, closer. My Wulf growled loud, making plain his thoughts on having furs approach.

“Tyler,” came a breathy, relieved voice. Burt.

Daws’ voice, “Tyler, uh-”

“Hand that thing over right now, wolf.” Dad was not helping the situation. Not at all.

“Mine!” Shadow loosed the snapping snarl between loud growls.

Dad snapped back. “That is now an important asse-”

“Sir this is inappropriate! I must place my objection.” Daws said as I shivered in Shadow’s arms. “There is no cause for this. Tyler has been willing to help and has been cooperative. There’s no need for this.”

“I’ll consider your objection, Daws,” Dad growled. “I’ll have this ‘fur’ whipped into submission if I have to.”

Daws straightened and growled. “Mr. Daniel Evans. You are technically a civilian with an honorary rank. I have come to respect your sound decisions, based on cool thinking. However, this appears not to be such a case. Therefore, under Furdom military law, I remove the fox pup from you. I’ll see over Tyler’s safety from here until we get him to the Green Zone.”

“You can’t do that!” Dad’s growl snapped into a snarl, rounding to face Daws.

“I can by military law. It is my right as a designated protector of the Furdom realm. I’ll leave the rest of the recovery management to you… Sir. But your duty involving this young fox has been annulled. Any obligations you feel you have for him, end here.”

Burt stepped in front of Dad, blocking him from approaching me again. The bull’s posture was tense, managing to refrain from pummeling the fox.

Dad stood with his muzzle open, tongue lax inside. His nose twitched into a growl. “You have no idea who you’re messing with here, Daws.”

“At the moment, I couldn’t give a rat’s hairy ass. You leave the pup alone. He’s an important asset and a young fur. I won’t have you harm him further.” Daws turned away from Dad, to face me.

Dad scoffed. “What? The shoulder thing? Minor, completely recoverable.”

Burt snorted his anger and disbelief in Dad’s face, causing the fox to rub his perfect fur awry.

I shook my head. Was this really my dad? Was he without regard to my safety, ignoring my pain? Did he have any care for me left in his heart?

He didn’t. It was clear. He had become twisted in regards to me. He loosed his anger more on me.

I shook my numbed head. It was over. I had been clinging to a long-past image of my father, trying to redeem him with what he’d become. He wasn’t the same fur any more. Well, neither was I. I didn’t have to put up with this crap any longer.

I saw the big fox with new eyes. Yes, he was big and well groomed, but he had a loose arrogance which I’d mistaken as self-assurance and confidence before. He was an ass, like some other furs. He was nothing special. I didn’t have to think of him as family any longer.

Maybe it was petty, but it was a line I had to draw. I had to retain my sanity, protect myself too. He was no longer my “Dad”, hadn’t been for a long time. He’d always be my biological father, but I didn’t have to try latching my emotions to him. It was time to cut him off.

I shot my muzzle up to gaze to the imperfect fox. “I’ve been holding onto something that hasn’t existed for a long time. I’ve had enough. Don’t come near me, don’t talk to me. Leave me be. I don’t need you.”

I pulled away from Shadow, grabbing his paw and moving away from the drama I didn’t want. Fierce tears burned in my eyes, but I had to do it. It was long since time.

Releasing Shadow to rub my good arm over my eyes, I wished he’d never shown up. Better when I’d assumed his death had occurred in the first Curtain. I didn’t want to see him. A part of me wished he’d died, but I knew it was an unfair wish. I still allowed myself to wallow in it a bit.

I’d always long for my Dad, yet some things in life you have to let go. It was hard, but clinging to this had done me no good over the years of trying to improve things between us. At least I’d tried, he had not.

I shook my head, struggling to find clarity in my thoughts and my sight. Shadow’s warm paw was in mine, and it clenched over mine in some emotion I couldn’t see in the wolf behind me.

I scoffed. Such drama. Such a pain. Why did I have to deal with it?

When I slowed, panting over my emotion, I heard a huff behind me. With weary eyes, and a tired heart, I looked over my shoulder. While Burt kept Mr. Evans at bay, Daws followed us. It was making Shadow nervous, his paws twitching and his ears uncertain with the wolf near.

Daws looked over his own shoulder and growled low as he approached. “Fuzzy ass nuggets! A civilian consultant, bringing in his personal life to this. Damn unprofessional.”

Shadow’s head went down, ears flattened, tail low and submissive. It made me unhappy. I wouldn’t have Daws scare Shadow, even if he seemed unaware of it. I stopped and growled as Shadow’s paw trembled in mine. “Daws?”

“You’re my responsibility now, pup. I’ll be making sure you arrive alive at the Green Zone. Your father no longer has a say. For now.”

I stood a moment, thinking through my frown. I wanted him gone, away from Shadow too. Would Daws try to rule my life? Would he take Shadow away? Did I dare find out?

I looked to Shadow’s mute form and back to Daws, starting to walk in the direction of the green tent. The gray wolf followed, keeping close. Guess he was our ‘escort’.

With a drawn sigh, I asked, “What’s the Green zone like?”

Shadow was edging away from where Daws was as he followed me close. My Wulf’s golden eyes flicked near Daws, his body tense.

The gray wolf looked startled at the mobile question. He recovered with quick following steps and a small cough, clearing his throat. “Unfortunately, it’s not all that Furdom used to be. The Event… the Curtain has devastated most of our technology and infrastructure.”

I frowned deeper. “What do you mean?” I asked, gripping Shadow’s sweaty paw as he glanced over at Daws.

Daws shook his head. “When I said the chopper was the only one for this region, I meant it. Most anything electric that wasn’t shielded during the first… Curtain fried immediately. Almost all cars don’t work, there’s no electricity, no running water. Furs are struggling to stay calm, but it’s not working. There’s riots in the streets most nights.”

I couldn’t imagine it. Furs losing their sense of community, of organized behavior?

Daws was continuing following and chatting, nodding to the uniformed bear we passed. The ursine followed at a mute gesture from Daws.

“There’s still furs that don’t make it to safety at every Event. Whole neighborhoods get together to check every house, but it’s not working. Some of the dead are… still coming back.”

“And what are they doing to fix stuff?” I gruffed. I needed to get myself and Shadow someplace quiet.

Daws coughed a pained laugh. “What can they do? Theories are rampant; paranoia has taken over. I’ve heard a few more creditable things, but it’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen. No one knows what to do and communication is so haphazard, most furs aren’t doing anything useful.”

Shadow stared to the side of his footpaws, hard. His sweaty paw trembled in mine. He glanced at the wolf before turning his gaze away.

Daws continued, ignoring Shadow’s glances. “We’ve heard from Findom. The fins were decimated by the Event light. Some species appear to have been wiped out, but their technology has survived better than ours. Last I heard they were trying to work with Furdom and Featherdom to find a solution.

“Featherdom was hit hard too. It started in their region of the world, crossing into Furdom. They’re working with us and Findom, but it’s tense. There were rumors they started the Events, but even with their assurances otherwise, furs doubt them. Of course they're claiming we started it.”

They would. Generations of conflict had occurred between the continents and species. Mistrust was prevalent throughout both major continents.

Daws sighed, scratching under his ear. “I’m a wolf and we’re not well accepted under ordinary circumstances. There’s a lot of prejudice against wolves all over Furdom. The military values our strength, though, and I’ve made Furdom Army my pack, my home.

“The public’s already scared. The army’s pulling wolves off duties and benching them. I wanted to do something, anything. That’s why I’m here, risking my life. For you. You, Tyler.”

“Um-” I couldn’t form more from my muzzle, but Daws wasn’t finished.

“You’re my mission, and I won’t have your father or anyone else stop that. You want to get the other furs out. So do I. But at the end of the day, I need to get you out before anyone else.”

I pulled Shadow closer to me with a growl. I readied to draw upon my anger again.

“Yes, Tyler,” Daws waved a paw. “I know you two are a package deal. I’m not going to dispute that right now. I need you functional and back at the Green Zone.”

“I will be able as long as I have Shadow.”

Daws ignored my words. “What I need to know, what I ask of everyone, is what can you bring to the table?”

I blinked confusion.

“Tyler, I heard you whistled to the creeps. How does that work?”

I nodded, worried how Shadow’s paw was weakening in my grasp. “I whistle what I hear in my head from the Curtain,” I hesitated. “The zombies go wild trying to get at me when I do.”

Daws tried to catch up beside me, causing Shadow to clench my paw. “Do you know why?”

I shook my head. “No idea. They seem desperate to get to me, ignoring everything else.”

“They go mindless?”

Daws didn’t seem to expect an answer, so I didn’t give him one. I continued walking, Shadow right next to me. Daws wasn’t finished.

“Can you fight them?” At my hesitation, Daws nodded, shifting his attention away. He seemed to mull in thought. “Shadow, can you fight them?”

When Shadow didn’t respond, Daws called, “Shadow. Hey!”

Shadow startled, having the wolf’s attention on him. He looked horrible, his fur disheveled. Tears and other fluids stained his shirt; much of is wasn’t mine. After a long moment of staring back, the black wolf managed to speak.

"What?"

The gray wolf shook his head, calming his impatience. "Are you able to fight the zombies to protect your friend here?"

“I can for Tyler,” he ground out in a hoarse monotone.

“Good,” Daws smiled, encouraging Shadow’s slight relaxation. “I’ll have you stick with Tyler, protect him at all costs. Can you do that?”

Shadow gave a vague nod, looking away from the gray wolf. Daws frowned, opening up his muzzle in a new question.

“Sorry, Daws,” I jumped in before a tone could drop from his muzzle. “I need to get out of here. It’s been too much. We’ll be at our tent.”

Daws looked confused, glancing between me and Shadow. “Okay, I understand this has been a lot for you.”

I gave Daws an unconvincing smile. “Yes. Um, if you want to help us, can you get two- no three pillowcases and some safety pins?”

Daws nodded. “If anyone bothers you, just call out. I’ll have someone posted to your tent.”

I groaned. “Please don’t, we just want some quiet time.”

“I’ll be back with those things.”

I noticed he didn’t commit either way to my privacy request. Well at least he was leaving. The gray wolf’s tail was tense as he left, his head carefully held high.

“Shadow-” I was interrupted by a desperate hug, a big wolf clinging to me as if drowning.

“Mine!” he growled into my shoulder fur. His claws dug into my back through my t-shirt, trying to hold me, connect with my soul.

I smiled and nuzzled into his chest, listening to his thumping heart. My good arm wrapped around his desperate embrace, and I felt a single, silent sob wrench through him.

I didn’t care if anyone saw us holding onto each other outside the tent; I did care that Shadow would be okay. After a moment, I felt him relax, melting into me. His neck stretched over me, his chin hanging over my shoulder as he left his stressors behind with a huge sigh.

It felt a little too hot for the warming day, but it didn’t matter. I wanted to hold Shadow, heal the tears of his heart, sew them up with my care and love. I’d heal his pain if I could, but his pain was his to heal. I could be there for support, but I couldn’t ‘fix’ him, just as he couldn’t fix me.

I’d needed to stand up to my biological father. I should have done it long ago. Doing so might have changed things before the Curtain. Maybe….

It was past, with nothing I could change. Distance with the male was needed. The fox I’d known as a young kit was gone. An unknown, untrusted fox remained.

I felt strong in Shadow’s arms, stronger than I could ever remember. The sense filled me, and the confidence to be with that strength came from Shadow.

My whiskers relaxed, tail waving slow. Black fur tickled my nose, causing my smile. Wrapped around me, Shadow’s arms relaxed more. His breathing evened.

>>TWEEEE<<

The black wolf twitched in my arms. His paws clenched over my back, and I heard a faint sob as his body tensed again.

“Half hour notice! Everyone line up in front of the restrooms!”

I stroked his black head, a large head, needing my support. Shadow’s reluctance to move showed in his firming grip on me when I tried to shift. We didn’t need to move right away.

His voice was low, rambling. “I can’t do it, Tyler. I can’t lose you. We’re around others, and they try to take you away.”

To our sides, furs were moving towards the restrooms with different moods. Ethan looked resigned. Little Diana followed her parents, but looked near tears. Sanway passed with a chatty Isaac, who of course was followed by the silent Bradley.

The black bear - Daws’ surveillance on us - approached and gestured us towards the back of the store. Dammit, couldn’t we have time? Shadow needed a moment to calm, and I needed a moment with Shadow.

I licked at Shadow’s neck, and he nudged his chin into my shoulder. I relaxed a moment longer before pulling away. He allowed it, looking unhappy as he picked up my paw.

With a low growl to the bear, Shadow pulled me past, heading for the restrooms. The bear followed, nodding to the boar at the entry there.

The boar nodded back. “Kespar, these the two?”

The bear nodded. “Which side?”

The black and brown boar grunted and studied his clipboard. “That side,” he said gesturing to the Males room.

The bear, Kespar, followed on my heels. He didn’t look too happy to be ‘watching’ a couple rude teens. He huffed as we hesitated, seeing a full room. There were so many furs!

When Shadow moved towards the back, Kespar snapped, “Back here, you two. Keep it close to the door.”

I hesitated and Shadow made a low growl. Kespar ignored him, pointing to the first corner near the door. There wasn’t much room, except for under the sinks. I groaned, crouching to approach the low area.

Shadow balked at first, but sat on the floor, watching furs walk past, into the further parts of the room. He tensed as Daws walked in. I tensed when the fox, Daniel Evans, walked in behind him, griping about the smell.

They needed to leave, but I couldn’t make them. I glared at Mr. Evans, adding my low growl. The big fox ignored me, directing Kespar and Murphy to close up the room.

“Everyone’s accounted for, let’s just get through this,” Mr. Evans was saying to Daws.

Daws tried to wave off the fox, but the male stayed close, smirking. Ignoring us, Mr. Evans moved further into the room, reassuring the various FurShopper residents.

The bear and roo worked to secure our survival. The door sealing ritual repeated. The military boar must have gone to secure the other room, as he had not entered the Mens’ room. Isaac and Bradley were in with us, but Burt and his family were not.

I missed the big bull. I’d like to see him after the daily Curtain was over. “Daily Curtain.” There was something to wake up for in the morning. Ugh.

Shadow and I lay down, trying to ignore the furs around us as much as possible. I licked Shadow’s worried muzzle, flicking at his chin. He managed a partial grin, and I was relieved too.

After various background chatter, the Curtain made its approach known in vibrations and a little bit of tone. The tune in my head grew, but I was with Shadow. Neither of us were worried.

When the Curtain dropped over Furdom, I faced it, knowing I’d be okay. I had Shadow.

I danced around on the razor edge of awareness and the numb chaos the Curtain brought. I sensed it, and it knew me.

It felt hungry, lonely, needy, but not in a good or natural way. The mood was a touch, was an element. One or multiple, didn’t matter, the Curtain existed in force.

As my body singed with burning nerves and the world vibrated, I mentally danced around. It prodded towards me; hungry, lonely, needy, it dug into me.

Everything rose in unbearable crescendo. I almost lost everything, all who I was and existed as.

It was over.

Normalizing senses crashed back into me, swamping me with pained numbness. My mind couldn’t handle the distortion and almost checked out on me. But my blackening vision cleared, and I came aware of the room of furs.

Varied furs were panting, moaning, sometimes crying. But we’d made another day, another Curtain.

The coarse pantings slowed as furs settled. Someone towards the back let out one last sob, and things quieted. Shadow and I sat up, holding paws and smiling, but made no move to leave, tired as we were. I nudged my nose into his cheek, making the wolf grin.

I expected the military types to remove the sealing materials and let us out. Mr. Evans stood and waited for Daws to rise. After a visual check over the room and the flashlight pointing at the ceiling, the big fox began.

“Alright, everyone. Settle down. We have announcements, which are also announced in the other room.” The restroom quieted at Mr. Evans’ call. “I’ve spoken with Fur-Command. Starting this afternoon we’re going to give you all a crash course on defending yourself if needed. Give you fuzzballs some chance against the creeps outside.”

He chuckled over the nervous mutterings around the room. I looked at Shadow, but his face was guarded, uncertain. When I turned back, I caught Mr. Evans looking away from me.

Damn bastard, a real one there, right? He couldn’t face things like an adult, could he? I didn’t want to be around him either, but I wasn’t resorting to playground-like ignoring. I growled under my breath, causing Shadow to squeeze my paw in his.

“This is important, fellow furs. After tomorrow’s Curtain, we leave the FurShopper. No one else is coming this deep into dangerous areas. There is no more help. You’re all coming, no one will be allowed to stay.”

When uncomfortable words started to rise, Mr. Evans raised a paw, silencing them with a meaningful look. Furs shifted. No one liked to feel forced; I was one. That was D- Mr. Evans, to do so.

“We’re going to the Yellow Zone, where we’ll be picked up by buses, and you’re all coming. All of you,” he spoke with a smirk, meeting the eyes of the furs all over the room.

His eyes finally took a good look at me, but I couldn’t keep up my glare back. His hard, amber eyes pierced me. Like a meek pup, I dropped my gaze and felt myself sink inside.

It was not going to be an easy day.