I tried to keep my eyes forward, tried to ignore the racket behind me. Helaina’s irritating laugh grated at my last nerves. How dare they be so carefree, so happy, after what they’d done! They’d caused Daws to die, saving me from their petty prank.

I clenched my eyes shut, keeping myself from yelling at them to shut up. Shadow’s paw on my thigh wasn’t enough to keep me calm. When he tried to drape an arm over my shoulder, I tensed and pulled away from him before I was aware of what I was doing.

Damn it! Shadow looked hurt. His muzzle turned aside, and I felt a horrible wrenching in my heart.

“I-I’m sorry, Shadow.” I shivered out my words. “I just don’t know if I can take it. They might as well have killed Daws themselves.”

“What!?” came the gasp from in front of us.

I looked up, surprised to catch the gaze of Sanway, seated in front of us. He gritted his flat teeth, glaring at us. He hesitated. “What do you mean, about Daws?”

“Nothing,” I ground out.

“Now I am curious as well,” said a more welcome voice.

“Howard!” I grinned, happy to see the serious goat sitting next to Sanway. Having a familiar fur near was very welcome.

“Pups,” he acknowledged in his soft voice. “Good to see you made it.”

I tried not to glare at Sanway next to him. Why were they-?

“Don’t you know it’s rude to stare?” grumbled Sanway. “Anyway. What were you saying about Daws?”

Did I mention it? Should I bring up accusations there in the bus? Would I stand and point a finger at the three and declare their guilt?

I pulled myself together, keeping my chin up and my breath clear. “Those three are responsible for what happened at that house. Daws is dead because of it all.”

“Daws is truly dead? How?” asked Howard.

I sighed. “Those three: Peter, Michael, and Helaina. They loosed zombies at that hoarder house. Daws and I got separated from the rest. I made it. He didn’t.”

“I see.” Howard was still as the bus bumped along on thick-treaded tires. “It’s a shame. He seemed like a good fur. Handsome too.”

Sanway smacked the goat’s arm with an herbivore growl.

Howard frowned at the springbok. His frown was deeper when he directed his focus to me. “Are you sure those three were responsible?”

I nodded. “Completely. They pulled Shadow into another room of the house and made sure the zombies were chasing me. I think Daws being there was a mistake. I think they were after me.”

Sanway huffed through his nostrils. “Sure. Always the victim, aren’t you.”

I ignored him. It wasn’t worth the strife.

“Why do you think they were after you?” asked Howard, his expression cautious, guarded.

“Well, Helaina’s been after Shadow since day one,” I said.

“Doesn’t take a genius to figure that out,” snapped Sanway. “What does it have to do with anything?”

I bit back frustration. “Helaina was mad at me, keeping Shadow away from her. Blamed me for her inability to get Shadow’s attention.”

“Bad enough to want you dead though?” Sanway scoffed. “Probably all in your head.”

“I don’t know,” I mumbled, uncertainty burning my gut. What if they’d only wanted to scare me?

Howard shook his head. “Don’t bother the pup, Sanway. You should know better.”

The springbok glared at the goat before sitting back, facing forward in his seat. Howard showed a long-tried smile and turned his head at us, seeming to fall into thought.

“And the other two?” prompted Howard.

I shook my head. “I don’t know. They seem to hate me too. Maybe they didn’t mean for anyone to die. But-”

Howard nodded. “But someone did die. What did the other two have against you?”

“Um,” I hesitated. “I brought to attention the thing that Michael did with the… creature.”

Don’t remind me,” snapped Sanway, apparently still interested in listening. “That was more disgusting than even you two.”

“And Peter was angry at me and tried to… with me, he….” I shook my head, unwilling to fill in the rest. Admitting it would make it more real than my memories tried to deny.

Sanway was quiet, facing the front of the bus, his expression hidden from me. Howard looked grim, dipping his head in further thought.

Howard cleared his throat, looking past me when Helaina laughed. He frowned before speaking. “I suppose the three do have some motive against you. I don’t know if they wanted you dead though.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I said, leaning my head back on the seat and closing my eyes. “Daws is dead because of it. Almost got the rest of you attacked too.”

“Ah! So that was you whistling again,” said Howard.

With my eyes closed I couldn’t see the goat, but he seemed more interested. Why was that? He liked analyzing anything.

Howard spoke in his soft voice. “How do you know what to whistle to get their attention? I tried it and nothing happened.”

I kept my eyes shut. “I hear something in my head. I whistle it.” When the goat started to ask further, I said, “It doesn’t matter. Daws is dead.”

That stilled Howard’s questions. When I peeked out my eyelids, I saw the back of his head, crowned by his curved horns.

Speaking of horns, Burt clumped up the isle from the front, grinning. “Pups! You made it!”

My spirits lifted a little and gave up. Closing my eyes, I tried to block the frustrated tears which still leaked out. Burt and Howard exchanged hushed words; the bull’s voice became tense and angry. I didn’t want it any more. I wanted quiet. I wanted Shadow. I wanted… to feel safe. Safe and warm, together with Shadow somewhere peaceful and alone.

Burt clumped away, and started a scene further up the bus with McStanz at the front. The driver tried to pay attention to the road, but I noticed the leopard’s distraction in the way she kept glancing at the mongoose and bull.

Helaina cackled again from the rear of the bus, bantering with her two cronies. I put my head in my paws and tried to not hyperventilate. I tried to find some sense of safety within, but all I found was a rising fear. I wanted out of there. Now!

I stood and struggled to get past Shadow. The wolf grabbed me and pulled me to him. I struggled and whined, wanting off the bus. I’d walk if I had to!

“Breathe, Tyler,” Shadow said. “Breathe in slowly. Hold it. And release it. Nothing will happen here, or Burt and I will tear them to shreds.”

I didn’t want it. I didn’t want the three knowing I was there, I didn’t want them even looking at me. I shuddered, not following Shadow’s words.

Shadow licked my ear once. “Easy Tyler. I’ve got you. Calm yourself, Foxy. Breathe in.” He breathed in slowly. “And let it out,” he demonstrated.

I found myself reflecting the breaths in his chest I could feel against my own chest.

“That’s it,” he soothed. “Listen to me breathe. Listen to my heart.”

Shadow pulled my head to his chest. My senses lunged for the steady thump-thump of his heart, the heart I loved. I’d do anything for him, for his heart.

Shadow licked my ear again. “That’s it, Tyler. You’re safe. I’ll keep you safe.”

Howard’s soft, serious voice drifted to me. “We won’t let anything happen, right, Sanway?”

“I suppose…. What? Yes, yes. Nothing will happen,” the male grumbled his unwilling assurance.

I wanted to laugh - Sanway helping soothe me. It felt strange to feel an upwelling of mirth at the same time as my upset. What was I thinking?

My mind, my being, my self calmed to the steady thumping of Shadow’s heart and the presence of furs around me who cared. When the fear slipped a little further away, I fully realized my exhaustion. I fell asleep to Shadow’s mumbled words and the steady licks on my ear.

***

I jolted awake when the bus came to a stop. Pulling together memories of un-safety in the shining morning sun caused my tension to shoot up.

“Easy there, Tyler,” Howard said from the seat in front of me. “You’ll wake Shadow.”

I looked next to me. Shadow looked exhausted, asleep even through the bus jerking to a stop.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“I think it’s just a checkpoint,” whispered Howard, his quiet voice a little hard to hear over the hum of the bus. “There’s only a few military furs stationed here.”

I nodded, wanting to close my eyes again. I willed myself awake. The bus was quiet, hosting few murmurs. A glance behind me showed snoozing furs and the second bus behind us. Was Cade in the second bus, or was he still driving the truck further back?

I tried to sit up, but my body was intermingled with a wolf. I wasn’t going to get anywhere without waking him. His face looked sunken in stress and exhaustion. I knew we both smelled, but did I look as rough as he did?

“Sanway’s asleep too,” said Howard, his voice soft. He touched the antelope’s cheek with a gentle finger.

I frowned. Things weren’t making sense to my sleepy mind. “Why’s Sanway…?”

“Oh. I guess you didn’t know. We’re together, you know.”

I blinked. “Like… together?”

The serious goat had a bit of a flush to his muzzle. “It was unexpected. He’s pretty closeted, complete denial.”

“But now you’re together.” I rolled my eyes. How could things get weirder?

“I know,” Howard managed through his splitting grin. “Isn’t he gorgeous?”

I tried to shrug, but was partially under a sleeping wolf. Grumpy, closeted antelopes weren’t my idea of attractive. Someone for everyone, right? Even with that, I couldn’t imagine anyone getting close to the prickly antelope. Howard must have the patience of a saint to deal with such a partner.

“Don’t let on that you know.” Howard said, his voice stern. “He’s still dealing with some denial. Poor guy has a lot of issues.”

“Uh-huh,” I muttered.

My mind was losing interest by the warm morning sun. A fur towards the back grunted into a deeper snore. Looking out the window, I marveled at how much walking we were saving.

The goat spoke on Sanway’s qualities, his rhythm of praise continuous. I tried to respond every minute or so for Howard’s sake, but was so tired.  When I felt I only blinked but he was quiet, I looked his way. The goat’s head was over Sanway’s, a little drool leaking as he joined Sanway in a deeper sleep.

Hoofsteps approached, but Burt was not able to hide all of the heavy clump-clump on the bus floor. Furs shifted, but overall, the hum of the bus was enough to mask his careful steps. I greeted him with a welcoming smile.

“Everything okay with you, pup?” the black bull asked in a muted rumble, settling into the empty seat behind us.

I smiled. “Just watching furs fall asleep,” I said. I gestured with my muzzle at the two herbivores in front of me.

Burt leaned forward, putting his thick arms on the back of our seat, making it shift. “I wanted to talk to you about a few things.”

“Okay,” I drew out, hoping nothing was wrong.

Burt rubbed at his horn, looking a little nervous. “I don’t know anything of what I’m doing,” he said with a sigh. “Michelle seems happy and little Margaret seems to be doing well now, even dealing with the Curtains.”

I smiled. “That’s good.” When the bull didn’t say anything, I tilted my head. “But you’re not happy with something?”

Burt looked up at the ceiling with a long sigh. “I get frustrated sometimes. I don’t know what to do, what’s right to do. What I mean is, I don’t know what I’m doing. How do I know I’m doing well?”

“Everyone has limits, has doubts. Why ask me?”

“Your dad is… I don’t want to be like him to my daughter. What would make someone a good father? What would you like to see in a father?”

“I think you’re doing well right now,” I said with a quiet smile. My paw touched my pocket where it bulged from precious items signifying my past and future. “Mr. Evans fails because he doesn’t ask himself these questions, not any more.” I looked down at the wolf sleeping on me. “Shadow’s dad thought only of himself, of his own wants.”

“I don’t want to be a bad dad,” Burt admitted.

I smiled up at him, and he leaned heavily on the seat back. “Be yourself, and have patience. But know what you can and can’t handle. It’s always okay to ask for help.”

“Like when I feel frustrated?”

“Exactly,” I said, stroking my Wulf’s big brow with slow fingers. “Everyone wants to do their best in fatherhood. I think just being able to be patient, to love, to know yourself… that’s what allows you to be a good father.”

Burt was quiet, rubbing a horn in thought.

“Just think what Papa Burt would do when things go sideways,” I said with a quiet chuckle.

Burt grinned, dropping his hoof away from his horn. “Papa Burt,” he mused.

I smiled up at him. “You’ll do fine as a dad. Just always lead with your heart, not with your stubbornness.”

“Michelle says I’m stubborn as a mule,” Burt said with a deep chuckle.

We shared a few moments of silence, enjoying the warming day. The bus bounced over a pothole, and a few furs jumped awake, looking for danger. It was a natural response after what we’d all been through. Howard bit back a groan, but Sanway and Shadow both slept through it. Burt glanced back and relaxed, seeing Michelle and little Margaret still asleep.

Burt and Howard nodded to each other with mute seriousness. After a long moment on the humming bus, Burt spoke.

“So how’s it going with Sanway?” the bull asked.

Howard grinned. “He’s so adorable, and so unsure of us… together I mean. All I can do is be near him until he figures things out. He’s smart; he’ll relax eventually.”

Burt grunted. “You have your work cut out for you. Why him?”

Howard smiled and looked at Sanway, snoozing on his shoulder. “I guess I like to work for it. Anything taking more work is far more worth the effort.”

“Still seems like a handful,” Burt chuckled quietly in the humming bus.

I blinked, realizing my eyelids had closed. The hum and natural vibrations of the bus lulled me. Burt and Howard made less sense as they talked, until the words faded away.

***

“Alright, everyone!” someone yelled into the still bus. “Everyone wake up. Get your asses out of the bus.”

“Where are we?” Sanway griped.

Howard replied. “We’re at another stop. I think I recognize this place. It was a restaurant I went to… ages ago.” The goat chuckled. “Remind me to tell you what happened here later.”

“No,” said Sanway.

For once, I was quicker to wake than Shadow. He looked pretty groggy, detaching from me, blinking around in the bright light as the backpack slipped to the floor.

“Everyone pile out now. ‘Else you’ll be fodder for the Event light!” yelled McStanz from the front. “This is our last real stop before we reach the refugee center.”

We stood, and I tried to hurry to the front before the terrible trio could near me. Shadow pushed forward too, ignoring the furs grumbling at our cutting ahead.

The mongoose, McStanz, gestured furs through the door, almost shoving them out. “Move your fluffy asses unless you want to be snuffling for blood like those creeps out there!”

“What time is it?” someone behind me asked.

“Will we make it?” asked a hyena I didn’t recognize. “I gotta make it back! My nephew’s out West!”

Furs shoved towards the bus exit. Panic-scent rose in the air, reeking from so many unwashed bodies. McStanz tried to slow furs down, but they all shoved forward.

“HOLD!” bellowed a big, black fur. Burt looked around at all of us, stilled in shock. “I have a wife and newborn calf. Trample them at your own risk,” he growled.

“Right.” McStanz regained some control. “You,” he gestured to me and Shadow. “You two out. Then you,” he gestured at someone further behind us.

There was no further trouble with exiting the big vehicle. Furs piled out and stood, blinking bleary, sleepy eyes in the sun.

The restaurant in front of us had seen better days. It must have still been in operation, but the parking lot was a mess of broken pavement and potholes. One window was covered in taped plastic, but it was unclear if it had occurred before or after the first Curtain. Peeled paint spotted the siding, and there was small amounts of scattered trash shifting in the breeze. A number of vehicles waited in the parking lot, moved to one side to accommodate the military’s needs.

We were hustled inside and separated, wide-eyed, into three groups. Bill directed furs into different rooms for the duration of the Curtain. Shadow and I were locked in the commercial freezer with several other, scared furs.

“Is this place even safe?” I asked looking around.

“Probably one of the safest,” said Shadow, dropping his pack in a corner. “They build these things pretty tight.”

We claimed the corner, resting on the floor in an exhausted huddle. How long would it be? I jerked myself from dozing, causing my pocket of memory items to poke at my hip. I missed seeing the military sealing up the room in preparation. I startled awake to the Curtain falling.

It fell over Furdom with shivers of vibrations, with harmonies underlying the wide trembling of the world. Under the vibrations, harmonics and bits of tune filled my mind. A harmony of notes, of tones filled me, filled my being, shrieking with intensity.

Beyond all the familiar, was the sense of the thing. The thing in the Curtain searched for me, and I tried to hold myself above the mental chaos. It waited for me, found me. It knew where to look.

“…!”

The sense of wrongness, of something I didn’t understand at all, surged through. It was wrong. I felt my entire being reject the thing. It was too foreign, too strange. It was too… other.

“…!!”

Everything got a little worse. Worse vibrations, worse humming. Just worse.

And it all stopped. And my consciousness smashed into the nothing, expecting to experience something. I couldn’t handle the contrast and passed out.

***

“Isn’t he awake yet?” asked a gruff voice.

“Not yet,” said my mate.

What a wonderful thought: waking slowly in my mate’s arms. My body jostled on a bump. My eyes flew open, and I tensed, not recognizing where I was.

“Easy there, brat,” said the gruff voice.

Arms tightened around me. It took a moment to recognize Shadow. My mate’s arm circled me, and I oriented myself as the ‘room’ bounced.

We were back on the bus, bouncing along the road towards the Green Zone. It felt strange to be in a vehicle moving at full speed. The road was clear. And we were in a different seat towards the front. McStanz eyed me from over the seat back before us.

“You awake now, shit-pup?” The mongoose huffed in the gruff voice I’d heard. “It’s about time. We’ve been on the road for almost an hour.”

“He doesn’t handle the Curtain very well,” said Rusty, from the seat across the isle. “He often recovers slower than other furs.”

McStanz huffed again. “Well. You’re going to answer some questions, aren’t you, brat?”

I started to nod but was interrupted.

“He’ll eat something before you give him the third degree,” snapped the otter medic, Kaz. She sat on the far side of Rusty in a nearby seat. “He’ll need a few minutes at least.”

Rusty nodded, eyeing the grumpy mongoose. “Please, McStanz. He’s been through a lot. Your questions can wait a few minutes more.”

McStanz turned back to watch the road approaching the bus, summarily dismissing us all. The mongoose mumbled obscenities to himself, his voice growling.

Shadow tightened his paws around me. “You okay?” he mumbled into my ear.

His breath tickled, and I flicked my ear on his nose before I answered. “Yeah. Just need a moment.”

Kaz eyed me from beyond Rusty’s shoulders. “You always pass out during an Event?” she asked with some concern.

“No,” Rusty answered for me. “Just some of them. That right?”

I nodded. Recent ones seemed to be harder….

Kaz looked worried. “It can’t be good if it’s happening at all. We’ll get you back, get you some help, pup. Don’t worry.”

Why did everyone call me a pup? I wasn’t so small. Well, most adults called any youth ‘pup,’ or similar. Shadow didn’t get it as much as I did. I huffed an annoyed breath.

“Hungry?” asked Shadow. His butt wiggled, his tail trying to wag, pinned behind him on the bus seat.

I nodded and sat up, holding back a laugh. Always about food.

Rusty passed Shadow two food bars to offer me. I dug into the first, realizing how hungry I was. It was surprising. After all the trauma and gore and stress, I’d more likely not want to eat. Well, the body must survive and adapt.

It was so good. I licked my lips, clearing away my bite. I caught Shadow eyeing me while eating.

“Want some?” I offered the second bar.

I could have eaten it, but Shadow looked like he could use it more. Was he losing weight?

He shook his head. “It’s yours,” he said.

He was drooling. He was indeed still hungry.

“It’s alright, Wulf. You look like you need to eat.”

“I had mine,” he said.

“And you’ll have mine. You look like you’re losing weight.”

“You too,” he insisted.

I shrugged, grinning. I prodded the food bar at his chest until he relented. I would be alright. We would be back at civilization, back where there was food and resources. He wolfed the bar down, and I snickered at his eagerness. Did he taste it at all?

I sat next to Shadow, his sweaty paw in mine. The bus was hot in the early afternoon. The windows were down, but there was no air conditioning.

“You ready now, or do you need another delay?” grouched the mongoose, blocking my view of the road ahead as he kneeled on the seat to face backwards at me.

I sighed. “You have questions?”

“What the Furry Hells happened out there!? All I know is you and Daws went into that house. Kespar almost got munched on; he said it was chaos in there. Those three back there can’t keep their answers straight. So I’m asking you: what happened?”

I drew in a breath, steeling myself against the upsetting memories and gathering my thoughts. I met the mongoose’s eyes.

“We went into the house because Helaina claimed she had to use a real bathroom,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Peter opened a door and let out zombies which went after me and Daws. Kespar was stuck out in the main room because of the clutter in the hoarder house. Helaina and Peter pulled Shadow into a room. Michael was fine in the bathroom. But they knew something. I think they set me up.”

McStanz showed some teeth. “Whatever, brat. What happened to Daws?”

I closed my eyes, trying not to remember Daws’ final moments in too much detail. It all came into my mind anyway. My voice was low and troubled when I spoke. “Zombies were chasing us, surrounding us in the woods behind the house. He pushed me up into a tree. Then… he didn’t make it up.”

McStanz stared at me, frowning. “That’s it?”

I nodded.

McStanz’ frown grew deeper. “And you what… just watched them tear him apart?” He growled, showing his sharp teeth.

I looked down at my paws. I shifted my sore shoulder. What was I supposed to have done? What had I been able to do with just a hammer? Nothing. I couldn’t have done anything, except die too.

Long minutes passed. When I looked up, McStanz was sitting again, watching the road ahead. Shadow picked up my paw, nudging his nose into my neck fur. His warm smile calmed me.

Next to us, Kaz was telling Rusty about emergency procedures to stop someone’s bleeding. Rusty looked enthralled, eager. The medic grinned, pleased to find a willing ear to fill.

Rusty noticed me watching and turned towards me. “She’s teaching me paws-on stuff, things I never got to in school. I want to help. I hated not being able to help much at the FurShopper.” His eyes turned downwards, hesitant and uncertain.

I dipped my head, trying to catch his eyes. “It’s okay, Rusty. You were definitely a help. No one else there could have done the stuff you pulled off. I’m grateful. I get to keep my wolf!”

“I guess.” Rusty fumbled with his paws. “I just- I tried, but it was all so scary. I only had a little medical training before I dropped out. I got too stressed and couldn’t-”

I held up a paw. “You did an amazing job. You didn’t have to do anything, but you did anyway, okay?”

Kaz nodded. “With the few resources you had and what little training you had, it’s a miracle you managed to help as much as you did.”

“I guess.” The mouse looked hesitant to accept the praise.

“I’m here,” Shadow stated. He pointed to his shoulder. “No zombie flesh.”

I nodded. “You can rest now. Leave it to other furs.”

“But I still want to help!” said Rusty, a smile turning up on his muzzle. “Kaz says they’re asking help from furs with any amount of medical training!”

I grinned back at him. “I’m glad. I’m happy for you. Could be a whole new career there.”

“If there are any careers left.” Rusty looked at the bus floor. “Kaz told me a few things.”

“Um,” I searched my mind for something less dark. “And what happened with Sanway and Howard?”

“Oh, don’t they make a cute couple?” piped up Kaz. “They’re so cute together, so awkward.” She covered her laugh with her furry paw.

“Sanway is really gay?” I asked.

Kaz humphed. “Better not tell him. Poor guy’s buried in his closet. Full denial. But you know, I think those two have gotten a bit physical, if you know what I mean.”

Rusty shook his head. “Anyway, Sanway’s happier than I’ve ever seen. I’ve known him a while, and I’m glad he’s opening up - even if he doesn’t realize it himself.”

“Know that feeling,” Shadow whispered in my ear, making it flick. The breath tickled me again, making me laugh.

Amid the afternoon heat, our little convoy traveled. We continued chatting while the bus hummed down the road, ignoring the annoyed glances from McStanz who occasionally shushed us all like we were little pups.

***

>>>>[[[[NOTE: DAY 24]]]]<<<<

It was taking forever! How far away was this mythical Green Zone? It seemed we’d been on the bus for days. It wasn’t days, just the next morning, approaching noon again. There was some respite a few hours ago, at dawn, when the bus had pulled over for the furs to relieve themselves and give the youngsters a little time to run around. The bus pulled to a final stop, and we filed out. Thank my very fur!

It was some sort of warehouse. A small sign said ‘FurShopper Distribution and Supply.’ FurShopper?

And it hit me. Well ‘someone’ collided with Shadow, knocking him into me. I wanted to snap something, but grinned instead.

“Hi, Brynn,” I said through my smile.

She gave me a shy wave, turning up her little muzzle to look up at Shadow. The wolf patted her head, smiling in his warm affection.

“Been a good girl on the bus?” he asked. At her nod, he grinned. “Bet you’re better behaved than the other kids, huh?”

Brynn nodded hard, grinning back.

“Good girl.” Shadow patted the soft-looking head again. When the little lagomorph pointed to our bus, he tried, “What about the bus?”

Brynn shook her head with a frustrated huff. She pointed to the bus again.

“You want to ride with us?” I asked.

She grinned at me and nodded rapidly, pointing one last time.

“Well maybe after this Curtain,” I said, but regretted my words after the little face fell. “It’s just another Curtain, Brynn. Maybe you can spend it with us this time?”

The little face turned hopeful, looking up at me. She studied my face for a moment before smiling and nodding.

“Well. Let’s go then,” said Shadow, leading the way.

Brynn grinned and bounced after him, with me following. McStanz fell in step behind us, looking like he wanted to be anywhere else.

We were herded into a dark room, half-filled with shipping boxes and pallets. The big room was larger than any other ‘safe’ place we’d ever sheltered in before. It was nerve-wracking seeing how we all fit in it with room to spare, even with other refugees already there. Had they inspected the place for cracks? Was it really safe? How sure were-

“Stop worrying,” said Shadow with a small smile. “You worry so much, all the time.”

“Someone has to worry, Wulf,” I grumbled. “You don’t worry enough.”

“Nope. I have you to worry for me.” The wolf’s tail spun in amused circles.

I grinned and shook my head. How I loved the black canine.

Big hoofsteps approached when we settled to the floor. Brynn looked up, a little uncertain as Cade came and sat with us. I waved back to the bison’s greeting nod. Cade and Shadow spoke in low voices, looking around the room at the many furs. McStanz sat nearby, giving me glances.

I knew he blamed me for Daws’ death. It… wasn’t my fault. I couldn’t think of anything I-

“Stop worrying,” said Shadow, frowning. He flicked my ear with a finger. “There’s signs of the military furs being here for days.”

“I wasn’t thinking of that,” I grumbled.

Shadow grinned and scooted close, pressing his cold nose into the side of my muzzle. “Then you’re worrying about too many things, Foxy.”

I huffed out my breath but had to agree. I was full of worries. What would it mean to spend a day without worries? Probably our death on a-

Shadow nipped my lower lip. When I jerked away, he grinned, saying, “I’ll get you to stop worrying.”

He pounced me, tackling me to the floor while I struggled back, laughing. Brynn giggled, sounding every bit like the youngster she was. I tried to gain some ground, but he put a little more strength in his limbs, trying to pin me, grinning.

“Ouch,” I jerked away.

Shadow’s grin disappeared, replaced by his own worry. “You okay?”

“Just my shoulder.” I groaned, sitting up when Shadow let me. I rubbed at my shoulder.

“Sorry. I forgot,” Shadow whispered, looking horrified. His paw lifted a little towards me and dropped. Despite Brynn touching his thigh with a tiny paw, he looked ready to run away.

I snagged Shadow’s paw in mine. Bringing it to my lips, I kissed his fingers. “It’s okay, Wulf. I forgot too.”

“But I-”

“It’s okay, Shadow. Do I look angry?” I asked.

He shook his head, looking… less likely to run. “But-”

“No But’s. Mistakes happen, and it’s already better, see?” I moved my arm in circles. It felt odd, but didn’t hurt.

Shadow exhaled a deep tension. He gave me a hesitant smile, turning into a grin when I winked at him.

“Ugh. Can you two stop with all the mush,” growled a grumpy Sanway nearby.

We were far from alone. Dozens of furs sheltered in the dark storage area. Even with the boxes shoved to one side, there was plenty of space, compared to other places we’d spent the Curtain. Cade and McStanz were staring at us with differing gazes.

“Sit your hairy ass down. Right there.” The kangaroo, Murphy, directed a fur to sit nearby.

The female raccoon grumbled, sitting on the hard floor. Her ears were covered in piercings, as well as one on her upper lip at the side of her muzzle.

“Why can’t you leave me alone?” she griped. “Quit giving me the stink-eye you ragged hopper.”

I frowned. Who was she?

As if noticing my stare, she turned to me. “What?” She glanced at McStanz, who looked quite annoyed. “What’d you do to get guarded?”

“Huh?” I blinked my confusion, probably looking pretty stupid.

“I said-” She groaned. “Never mind.”

Murphy sat down next to her, saluting McStanz who gave a half wave. The roo shook his head. “They’re getting a special escort, unlike you.”

“Dammit. I’m not dangerous,” she whined. “I just wanted a fix. I’m clean now. Never do it again. I swear to the furry gods! C’mon. Give me a break.”

Murphy shook his head. “Daws left me with orders. Even with him gone, they will be respected. Understood?”

The raccoon huffed, crossing her arms, glaring at the roo. She glanced again at Shadow and I with a lesser frown.

“Who?” I whispered to Shadow.

I gave the strange raccoon a wary glance; she responded with a toothy grin, more of a sneer. Shadow shrugged and turned his attention to Brynn who was showing him the stuffed koala toy I’d given her days ago. The raccoon shifted closer to me, ignoring the warning growl from the kangaroo.

She lowered her voice. “So, what’s the story? Why you getting the guard treatment?”

“Um,” I hesitated, but it wasn’t a secret. Since she could find out anyway, I edged in my muzzle and spoke in a low voice. “I can hear the Curtain, Like it’s-”

“The whaaat?” she spat with suspicious eyes. “What’s that?”

“It’s what we call the Event. Because it looks like a curtain falling to-”

“Why do you hear it?” She looked doubtful. “What do you hear different?”

“It’s hard to explain,” I said, closing my eyes against her high-strung energy. “It’s like a harmonic or something? I don’t know, but I hear it all the time. I wish it would just-”

“Why you?” she interrupted. “Why not… him?”

My eyes followed her pointed finger to Shadow, who glanced away from Brynn with a shrug.

“It just happened to me,” I said.

“Huh.” The raccoon paused in apparent thought. “A wolf would’ve made more sense, ya know. They’re closer to feral than the rest of us. Everyone knows that.”

I frowned, trying to hold back my growl. Shadow pointedly ignored us, though he was probably listening.

The female continued, waving a black paw at Murphy, who looked a bit peeved. “Some ferals seem fine around the Event. I bet wolves would be too. Savages.”

“Hey, now!” The roo looked angry. “Daws was a good wolf. One of the best.”

The raccoon huffed, crossing her arms. “Hopper, that wolf is responsible for you looking after my sorry ass for no reason. No reason at all!”

Murphy growled. “No reason!? Your gang attacked these good furs, raided the pharmacy, and let in the creepers to munch on innocent furs.”

“We were hungry,” she mumbled.

Murphy shook his head. “And so all of you went straight for the pharmacy.”

The raccoon bunched up her lips, ready to get verbal. She was one of the furs responsible.

“Furs died,” I ground out, paws fisting.

“Didn’t mean anyone to die,” she whined. “We just needed a little somethin-somethin. It would’ve been okay. I know. I didn’t leave the door open!”

“Furs died,” I repeated with a louder growl in my words. “Your group came in. Furs died!”

The raccoon shrunk a bit. “It was just a wolf, right? That’s when the wolf died.”

“Wrong!” My anger snapped off my lips. “A pup died and several others, including your friends! How could you not-”

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! But it wasn’t my fault the wolf died.” She looked annoyed. “And wolves. They may be part of the Event. I bet they survive even without shelter!”

“Quit trying to shift things away!” Murphy was clearly losing patience.

She was just getting going. “The traditional packs are the worst. Like ferals, hunting with teeth and carving wood with claws.”

McStanz shifted away from his conversation with Cade. “Really now. This is not the time-”

She was getting excited. “Like there was this one pack, left a whole year’s young out in the middle of nowhere. Abandoned them because their pack-queen - or whatever - thought one of them might be her hubby’s.”

“Shut your muzzle. I’m warning you!” snapped Murphy.

The female raised her muzzle, a little wild-eyed. “Or there was this other pack - they all died in the winter ‘cause they didn’t prepare enough and wouldn’t accept outside help.”

“Beyond the point. Don’t disrespect the Sergeant’s memory with garbage rumors!” Murphy rose and loomed over the raccoon.

She cringed away, seeming to give excuses in her words. “Or the pack which completely fragmented after they killed the pack-king for whoring out his own pup! Wait! It’s true!”

“I won’t hear such nonsense,” snarled McStanz. “You shut your muzzle before I bind it shut. We’re mourning a good wolf, here.”

The raccoon grumbled a quick: “Didn’t seem so great to-”

Murphy had his paws on her as she tried to rise, wild anger in her gaze. He forced her back to the floor, easily weathering her wiry struggles. He didn’t look happy, pinning her drug-lean body. McStanz looked even less pleased, showing his fangs in her direction.

Shadow had gone still, his back to me. Brynn looked concerned, touching his arm to get his attention, but he seemed frozen in place. Cade’s eyes turned away from the dramatic subduing and went wider, when they focused on Shadow.

The raccoon was waving off Murphy’s paws, promising to behave, but my focus was more set to Shadow’s rigid form. She’d mentioned a wolf pack, torn apart after-

“Shadow,” I whispered.

I scooted in closer to him, but when I neared, he jumped. He turned to me, his eyes wild in his own panic. They struggled with recognition, not finding ‘me.’ He jumped to his footpaws, forcing Brynn off him. He started running for the sealed door, but was interrupted by a very large fur.

“Easy there, Shadow,” Cade rumbled, grabbing the struggling wolf. “The Event is coming. The light won’t get in here.”

But that wasn’t the issue. Had Cade not heard Shadow’s pack mentioned? Maybe he didn’t know?

I stood up and went to Shadow. He wouldn’t calm in Cade’s arms, howling and striving to get away, to escape. It felt he might try to escape his past, or at least the many staring eyes.

“Settle down there, pup,” Cade rumbled. He stroked the head between the ears. “You’re safe.”

Cade looked lost when Shadow calmed a little, but wouldn’t stop whimpering. I brought my arm up to his shoulder and curled myself against the wolfy back, as he was held by Cade’s big arms. Wulf sandwich.

I whispered into his ear, “They’re gone. They can’t hurt you any more.” I stroked the soft fur between his ears. “You’re safe. I won’t let you go. Ever.”

The black wolf slumped into sobs, turning around in Cade’s loosening grip to join into my arms.

The bison looked lost and a little disappointed when I guided Shadow to sit on the floor with me. I understood the feeling; I’d been on the outside too, watching Shadow fall apart. The feeling of being let in was beyond any price.

I guided Shadow to lie down, stroking his deep cheek, rubbing his strong back. I pulled his head close to me. He nuzzled into the crook of my neck, seeking my foxy scent.

I heard a verbal warning, and a moment later, the Curtain’s hum on approach. Shadow heard it coming too, and it renewed his panic. He howled his distress past my head, struggling in my useless arms, and the Curtain fell again, over the wreck of Furdom.

It started with vibrations, so tiny, so shredding. I lost track of the sobbing wolf in my arms, my senses becoming numb to the outside. My mind tried to dance along the patterns I could feel in every cell, but I was unsettled and upset. It was so strong, gathering into chaos.

The entity in the Curtain slipped, as if rummaging in my being. I shrieked nothings at it in my mind, rejecting its foreignness. There was nothing I could do, it clung to me, soaking me in its strangeness, in its existence.

My mind couldn’t take any more. With a surge of the Curtain, I lost sense, escaping into blackness.

***

I awoke on the bus again, bumping along. I felt strangely detached. My mind rejected my body. A distant me groaned.

“Tyler!” a treasured voice spoke, black arms wrapping around me.

I clenched my eyes shut, groaning. Everything seemed to shift me more upright, and I felt better. My awareness felt better, but I felt awful. My mind felt wrong; my body felt weird. My throat was dry.

“Thirsty,” I managed in a rasp.

“I’m not surprised,” growled an unhappy McStanz. He stared at me oddly.

“You were screaming,” said Kaz, picking up my half-numb arm. “The Event finished, and you were screaming.”

I blinked. I didn’t remember screaming.

Wolfy, black arms held me firm. A worried growl came from a large head, settled over my own. “Mine,” said the desperate voice.

“Calm down, wolf,” said McStanz. “It’s just Kaz. We’re… concerned about Tyler. His reaction to the Event seems to be getting worse.”

“You seem to have stabilized for now.” Kaz returned my arm. “We need to get you to the refugee center. Major Jekkers will need to be notified.”

“I’m on it,” sighed the mongoose, rising. He stepped to the front of the bus to speak with the driver. After a moment of discussion, McStanz opened a shielded radio.

Kaz stared at me. “I don’t know what’s going on, Tyler. Can you tell me anything that’s happening to you during these Events?”

I closed my eyes and shook my head. “I don’t know,” I mumbled with a sigh. “It feels like something is there. Like it’s alive, but not. It’s hard to describe, but I think it’s changing too.”

“Like the creepers?” asked Kaz.

“Like the zombies,” I corrected.

“I… I don’t like thinking of them as… zombies,” she admitted.

“No one does,” said Shadow with a half-smirk.

I nodded, making my head feel strange. “It feels like the Curtain is… seeking. It’s… wanting. Maybe hungry, I don’t know. I just don’t know. Why is this happening? Why do I feel it more?”

Once again, I started to cry. My body and mind felt horrid. Everything was wrong and getting worse.

Kaz looked at me sadly. McStanz’ face was grim, but for once, he didn’t glower at me when he sat back down in front of us. Brynn popped her little head and the head of the stuffed koala over our seat back, her head tilted in concern. The bus was full of furs in every seat, and I could see two more buses trailing our original two.

On the bus. Heading for the possible hope. But it was a hope that I might help. I should help. I couldn’t help anyone. I couldn’t even escape.