FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Time stands still for no fur. The fact was shoved to the forefront of furs' minds that evening. It was a chaotic scene, with furs panicking, trying to make way for the pregnant red and white Michelle. Rusty shepherded her to the girl's bathroom, in case she was in labor for a while and couldn't be moved if... something happened. Besides the Curtain itself, the strange rumble from before seemed almost forgotten, though I knew the uncertainty both had caused still lingered.

I shook my head, smiling. Life stood still for no fur either. A new life would be born into the middle of this mess. Wasn't that... amazing? Truly amazing.

Shadow and I lingered around the edges of Camp, watching the frenzied activity, trying to stay out of the way. I glanced up at him, watching his face change between concern and wonder, then back again.

I patted the wolf on the back. "I don't remember much of when my sister was born, just how she looked afterwards in my mom's arms." I paused a moment, smiling at the warm memory. "I think this is normal."

The wolf gave an absent nod. "Can we do anything? To help I mean?"

Jenny chuckled, appearing next to me. "Probably not. It looks like they have too many furs milling over there anyway."

Rusty's eyes were wide but determined as he gestured and ordered furs around. Look at the mouse go. I had always thought of Rusty as subdued, but it looked like any fur could transform under straining conditions. I snickered as Rusty scolded the Lab couple for gawking and getting in the way.

The speckled rabbit - what was her name again? - also took part in directing others. She had been looking saddened ever since her husky friend Susan gave herself to the Curtain. The fur was transformed, a determined whirlwind on a mission to usher in a new life.

Siku Radi, that big rhinoceros, called furs to gather supplies. Mia, always at her side, had the most excited, open look I'd ever seen on her. Other furs milled around in either confusion or misplaced urgency.

Ruby and Clovis had wandered off. Jenny seemed willing to mingle with us as we avoided anywhere Peter was. The ermine was silent as she watched the activity with a thoughtful look. Was she having second thoughts about Peter, as he was of a potentially compatible species? I looked at Shadow, who seemed entranced by the hurried bustle.

I snuggled against my Wulf's side, tucking my arm under his. "What you thinking?"

He blinked down at me, eyes focusing. "Um, just thinking that it may not be the end. That a new life means new things."

I nudged my nose into the fur of his cheek. "I agree. But we shouldn't linger here. We'll just become a distraction."

"What do you want to do?" Shadow asked with a smile.

"Let's go to the roof. We should figure out if we do this move tonight or not."

He nodded his agreement. "No time like the present. We should drop by the loading bay. Boxes may help to carry things."

I chuckled and slipped my arm under his as we began walking. "We could always wrap stuff in blankets like on our way up."

He grinned at me and shook his head.

As we headed towards the rear of the store, Jenny tagged along in silence. It was okay; we could keep her mind off troubling things. Everyone needed something to distract them from the horrors of the last two weeks.

Was that all it had been? Two weeks was hardly a long time for the world to change and fall apart. My own life two weeks ago, was worlds apart from what my life had become. I no longer had a family, but Burt and Michelle had offered to become mine. I had lost all my friends but had new ones. I missed my family and friends, gone from the world.

I'd not even had time to mourn my losses before new gains were forced to me as a part of my new life. Most importantly, I had gained Shadow, my wonderful Bardawulf. He had become my reason for living, for caring to struggle for my new life. Everyone should be so lucky.

Shadow grinned back at me as we entered the loading area. "What's on your mind?"

I blushed and looked away but couldn't help the happy swinging of my tail. "I was realizing how lucky I am to have you."

"More than anyone else?" he grinned.

"Yes!" I insisted, raising my voice and holding the loading bay door open for Jenny. "Even if I had met other furs before you, I think I'd still have, um, been drawn to you."

The black wolf hummed, smiling, as he slipped through the door after Jenny. I stepped through and blinked into the deeper gloom. There was a light and noticeable voices coming from the far end. We three paused, squinting into the darkness. Some things dropped to the floor with a clatter.

"Blood and fur!" said some exasperated fur. Isaac. "Can't you get anything right?"

What was the lion doing back there? I didn't bother to hide the worried frown overtaking my muzzle.

Jenny was the first to step forward with Shadow and I behind her. She stalked up. "What in all the furry hells are you doing?"

Isaac straightened up from where the tiger, Drew, was picking up several small boxes from the cold floor. The tiger looked a little embarrassed, juggling the boxes.

Isaac applied his charming smile. "Shadow! And if I remember, this is the lovely Jennifer."

"Jenny," the ermine corrected with a smile.

"Well Jenny, what are you doing in the dark depths?" asked Isaac with a wink for the white mustelid.

She gestured back to us as we closed the gap. "These two are moving back inside the FurShopper. I'm going to help."

Isaac paused with a long, thoughtful look. The golden lion eyes shifted between us and Jenny. He snapped his fingers. "Why don't we send Drew here to help them out, and I can hang onto Jenny for a bit. You, Miss Lovely, can help me set up my party tonight."

Jenny snickered. "You had a party last night."

The lion grinned. "That was just a little party. This is a celebration, welcoming a new life!"

"I don't mind helping," insisted Drew, juggling the boxes a moment before spilling them on the floor again.

Isaac sighed. "Give them to Bradley, and help the pups move." The lions eyes brushed by me and set to Shadow. "The wolf could use... extra help."

I gritted my teeth, biting back a response as he was baiting me. Better to ignore some idiots.

"Hey Ethan!" the lion called over his shoulder. "Why don't you come here too. You could use a little sun."

The hound emerged from the deepest part of the gloom, followed by the bay stallion, whose name I never had caught. The little light coming from overhead vents and cracks in the roll-up doors was not enough to reveal the expression on the canine muzzle. The hound nodded in greeting and stepped in beside me, signaling his readiness.

"Boxes," I said, pulling myself together, straightening.

Isaac leaned over to whisper something to Jenny, who giggled. He was blatantly ignoring me.

"Boxes," Shadow growled.

"There's a few empty boxes there," Isaac gestured with his muzzle. "I imagine you don't have too much to pack."

With a nod, Shadow led me and the two 'volunteers' to get boxes.

"Get medium boxes," Shadow directed in a low voice. "No need to get the big ones, we don't have much up there."

"Well, off you go boys. Just leave the lovely Jenny to me. We're going to discuss some decorations." The lion boldly looped his arm through Jenny's and led her away, asking what colors would be best to greet a new calf.

Shadow shrugged and turned towards the stair, tucked away against the farthest wall. I stayed at his side as we walked, the hound and tiger falling in behind us, whispering.

"Why did Isaac stick us with these two?" groaned Drew, barely audible above our footpaws' steps.

I glanced at Shadow, but if he was listening, he gave no indication.

Ethan's voice was even softer, and I had to strain to hear him whisper, "Don't know. Don't care. They're not bad, though. Not like the rumors."

I wondered what rumors they were mentioning. I also realized I didn't care. It wouldn't change how I felt about Shadow, and I knew nothing could keep us apart.

Ethan continued. "Besides, from what I've seen of them, they're good furs. Just misunderstood, ya know? They weren't even mad at me about before."

I felt the urge to nod. Ethan had come to apologize to us before, at the behest of the old cat Margaret. Even though he had probably done nothing more than shadow the mob, he'd shown remorse for getting caught up in things.

Drew slowed a little more, and I strained further to hear them. The tiger grunted, "You know what they say about them. One rumor says the wolf is immune to the Curtain. That's why they didn't come down after that terrible noise."

When the hound only grunted in response, the tiger continued, "Fox has the wolf wrapped around his pinky. They say the two ditched their last group to the Curtain and are looking to just benefit off us."

Ethan made an exasperated huff. "That's stupid. They're in the same boat as the rest of us. I doubt they'd do something so..."

"Horrid?" Drew growled.

As we approached the stairs, Ethan mumbled, "Leave it."

Shadow glanced back as he started up the stairs. I followed, sneaking glances back at the two behind.

I didn't like leaving things like that, but how could you defend yourself from a rumor? I hoped with time it could fade. With us moving back into the FurShopper, they should be able to tell Shadow and I were decent furs, even if we had kept to ourselves for a few days. Who could blame a fur for wanting some time to settle thoughts in the middle of the mess everything was in?

Late sunlight greeted us on the roof.

It was a beautiful day outside the FurShopper. The evening light wasn't quite to that golden point, but was getting close. I let loose a sigh as Shadow pulled me in close for a hug.

"I don't care what they say, and you shouldn't either," his half-growl rumbled in my ear.

"I don't," I whispered back, giving him a tight squeeze and release, signaling him to let go.

He held me an moment longer than necessary, breath tickling my ear, before releasing me. The hound and the tiger were standing nearby, looking uncomfortable. Shadow just stared into my eyes, smiling. I glanced towards the two, then decided if Shadow didn't care, I shouldn't either.

With a gentle tug on my arm, the wolf led me towards the FurShopper facade at the far end of the roof. I heard Drew and Ethan fall in behind us, whispering again. With the evening breeze, I couldn't tell what they were saying, but I decided not to care. They could make their own conclusions, and as long as it didn't interfere directly in my relationship with Shadow, I could care less.

When Shadow reached the tent, he leaned in to retrieve my father's bat and his beat-up backpack. I was not far behind, but Drew and Ethan had stopped a little ways back. I turned back with a quirked eyebrow. What was it this time?

They were staring at the dried blood on the roof and the few remaining birdy bodies which had died there. Many of them had disappeared from the diligent work of airborne scavengers.

"I thought it was a lie," said Drew, blinking.

I shook my head. Why would something like this be made up. I took a neutral route in responding, "Just birds stirred up by the Curtain."

Ethan made an "Ewww" noise as he bent to look at the remains of a small bird. Drew nudged him with a toe as Shadow and I began pulling more things out of the tent.

I wanted to keep the photo, Kaylee's angel kitty, the jam jar, and Shadow's removed growths with me, in my family's camp box. Food and small items we'd brought up over the last couple days filled up another box.

The tent came down easily, the tears easier to see once the thing had crumpled to the ground. I sighed. It was one of the last items around which was 'family'. I still had the angel kitty, and the photo to remind me. I could be satisfied, I supposed. The tent, though was in its final days, and soon would be useless. I hoped it would provide a bit of privacy inside the FurShopper, as it was no longer weather-worthy.

Drew carried the tent and a sleeping bag. He stood waiting, tail twitching with impatience.

Ethan picked up the tattered remains of the other sleeping bag with a frown. "Do you really want to keep this?"

I shrugged and glanced at Shadow. "It's better than nothing, right? And the FurShopper is out of tents and bedding last I heard."

"Yeah," Drew said. "I sleep on a display couch. No blanket, but it's comfy."

My eyes widened and I looked away, holding back a snicker. I wondered if it was 'that' couch. The one Shadow and I had-

Shadow pulled me to the side, draping the blanket over my shoulder. He gave me a questioning look.

I smirked and gave my Wulf a wink. "Drew sleeps on a FurShopper couch."

Shadow shrugged around the old backpack he wore, then hid a smile.

Drew harrumphed. "Better than what you got," he grumbled, shaking his head and lifting the sad green tent for emphasis.

Shadow shrugged again, lifting his box under one arm, the gore-stained bat in his other paw. Our rooftop area was clear.

Ethan looked around. "We have everything? Looks like we brought an extra box."

"Leave it," Shadow said, turning towards the hatch. "The roof patrol may need one."

I tagged along at Shadow's heels as he led the way, the other two young furs following us. Maybe Isaac had put us all together for a reason? Besides the Labrador couple, they were the furs nearest to us in age. Did he mean for us to get closer to them?

As we left the roof, the sun cast golden rays. The FurShopper was a dark reminder of what was ahead. I went down first and looked up to watch Shadow's golden-light highlighted self lower into the darkness below.

A long sigh escaped me. I could only hope the FurShopper would bring us more safety and comfort in its dark depths than it had before.

***

A scream pierced the darkness.

"Damn, I wish she would shut up," grumbled some fur from outside our tent. "She'll just draw zombies or something."

I blinked, recognizing the voice as Drew's. What was he here for?

"Hey, Shadow? You in there?" whispered a voice. Ethan.

Shadow grunted something. We both were awake, snuggling together, but kept up by Michelle's cries in the females' restroom.

"Do you and... um... your friend want to come out and hang with us?" Ethan whispered, near the tent entry. "We can't sleep with everything going on."

Shadow groaned and sat up, pulling away from me. Before he could growl out a 'no' I jumped in, "Sure. We can't sleep either."

Shadow looked down at me, still lying there grinning, with an expression saying all of 'Really, Tyler?'

I winked at him in the dim light from the Camp lantern. "Sure, just give us a minute, and we'll be out."

The two outside stepped away, whispering to each other. Shadow lay back with a paw over his face.

"Don't wanna," he grumbled into the darkness.

I reached an arm around his mid section. "Shadow, it's good for you to reach out to other furs. It's important that we have more furs to support us, who know us as good furs."

"We'll be fine without them," he insisted, not moving.

"We'll be better with them," I insisted back. When he didn't answer, I kissed into his cheekfur, "Unless they scare you."

Shadow grunted. "They're our age, and not even dominant-leaning. I'm doing better you know."

"I know," I encouraged. "You're trying to stand your ground."

I felt him nod through my whiskers. When he spoke, his voice was stronger. "When I have you, I have a reason to be strong. Not to say the fear isn't still there, but...."

"It's reduced?" I mumbled, nibbling along the line of his neck.

"Not really," he said in a hushed voice. "It's there, but I'm able to, um, work my way around it a little better. I acknowledge it, but it doesn't eat me up."

"All-consuming fear?" I chuckled.

"Yeah, basically." He was quiet a moment. "I can do it now, though. I can face my fears and face furs. Maybe not all the time, and maybe not always successfully. But I have a driving reason not to. It was too easy to slip into my fears before, felt safer to fear everything. Now I can't let it. Because if I do... I don't know what will happen to you."

"Do you have any fur here you're afraid of? Enough to make you slip away if they become pushy?"

Shadow was silent. A long moment passed.

"You coming?" called out Ethan as soft as he could from his distance.

"Yes, just a minute more," I called back. I turned back to Shadow and managed to make out his troubled look in the darkness.

The wolf's voice was soft. "Isaac makes me nervous. He's pushy and dominant. A bit of a bully in him too I think. Besides him, hmmm, that bay stallion seems insecure and unstable because of it. Also I wouldn't be surprised if that Lab male beats on his girlfriend, or will."

I chuckled. "Not Sanway?"

Shadow sat up. "Nope. He makes his dislike clear, but he'd be direct. Doesn't seem the type to attack without reason. Though he likes to talk big."

I snickered and sat up, looping an arm around Shadow's side. "How do you know?"

Shadow picked up the bat in the dark tent and seemed to examine it. "I couldn't tell at first. When we got here, it seemed like every fur was a threat, a danger."

"And now?" I prompted.

The black shadow put the bat down. "When you watch Sanway a bit more, it's obvious that he has his insecurities and anger issues, but has enough self-control not to lash out."

"But that first night..."

"He talked big outside our tent to look cool in front of Rusty. It still wasn't right, and I don't know what they would have done when they were worked up enough. He wanted to seem larger than life to Rusty. They've made up, you know. Did you notice?"

I shook my head. I had not even known they'd been at odds.

A dark wolf paw stroked the stained bat's length. "I mean he was kind of serious. He may actually have wanted to do nasty things to us, but he never would. Too much self-respect. He's pretty scared of me, though I still can't figure out why."

I nodded, resting my chin on Shadow's uninjured shoulder. The bandage had been removed by Rusty that night, as it was healing well.

I rose to my knees in the tent and pulled on my shorts. Shadow had a definite preference for the two of us to sleep in the nude. The wolf began pulling on his own shorts, grumbling under his breath. I knew he wasn't mad. He just didn't care to mingle with other furs.

We slipped out of our damaged tent and went to join the two waiting for us. It was easier to see outside the tent, near Camp's night lantern. Ethan smiled, but Drew had his arms crossed and looked put out.

"What took you two?" Drew grumbled, rolling his eyes.

Ethan snickered, "Bet they were having a paw-off before they came out."

I felt an unreasoned blush burn away at my muzzle. My muzzle opened to respond, but I couldn't come up with anything to say.

"Disgusting," muttered Drew.

Ethan nudged Drew with an elbow. "Don't be such a pansy, Drew. Let's have some fun."

Drew frowned. "Can't believe you want to hang out with these two."

I cleared my throat and managed, "What do you want to do?"

Ethan laughed. "We're at a FurShopper. Ordinarily I'd want to look at the games. It's hopeless now though."

"Who says?" I raised an eyebrow. "This could end and we could all be... almost back to normal."

Ethan grinned. "Well, aren't you the hopeful one, ...um...."

"Tyler," Shadow filled in with a tiny growl.

Ethan nodded. "Well, I guess there's no reason not to look is there? Something to do, right?"

I grinned. "Let's do it."

And that's how the next hour or so went, poking around the defunct electronics section. Ethan or I would hold up a game and expound brightly on it while Shadow nodded without real interest and Drew looked interested, but was more interested in watching Shadow.

When overall interest was flagging, there were new sounds coming from Camp. Furs were calling out to each other, and there was a general commotion. With a shrug, Shadow turned and led the way, bringing me along with him by a paw on my arm.

I couldn't help a happy grin. He was determined to be my wolf-shaped growth. I was determined to be his security blanket pup.

"Think the calf was born?" asked Drew.

I glanced back at the two, grinning. I hoped so.

"Yuppers! I betcha it is!" said Ethan, an extra spring in his step.

Drew moaned dramatically, "Think it'll come out as a zombie?"

"What?!" I yelped along with Ethan.

"Dude, that's not funny," grumbled Ethan.

Shadow halted us and turned to Drew. "Don't even think it's anything other than a sweet young calf," he growled.

Drew rolled his eyes. "Wouldn't it be better to prepare for the worst? That thing, the Curtain, messes stuff up. Dead coming back to life and such. Chances are, something's wrong with it."

Through his arm, I felt Shadow suppress a shiver. "Wait until we find out the truth before you go wildly assuming things," he growled.

Drew growled back, "What if it is bad? It's better to be ready."

Shadow continued along, pulling me with him. "Better to be ready for the good," he grumbled.

I looked up at my Wulf, but couldn't tell what his expression was from my angle. Drew and Ethan continued to follow us.

Camp had more lights lit and excited furs milling around. A few furs were poking their heads out of tents, to see if anything was wrong.

Siku Radi, aka. Sally, thumped up to us, a grin on her face. "A girl calf. Healthy little one too."

The tension in the two behind us deflated, and when I glanced back, both were grinning. A new life had been born in this mess. During the rampaging Curtain. Amidst hundreds of zombies. Thousands. Life had found a way to prevail in the little FurShopper bathroom. We had found a way to prevail, survive this; all of us.

A knot of furs moved towards us, parting as we got close and revealing Rusty. He looked as proud as any fur alive. There was a glow in his eyes, an excitement I didn't understand. Or maybe I did, a little.

"Can we see them?" I asked, approaching Rusty. I wanted to see the calf, touch the new life to make sure it was real.

"Not right now," Rusty shook his head, still unable to hold back his ear-wide grin. "Michelle is resting with the baby. Burt is going crazy, not knowing whether to settle with them or get them whatever they might need."

"Speaking of," chuckled Ruby, her black and white raccoon tail swinging.

Burt came clopping up. "I'm a Dad!" He embraced the nearest fur, who happened to be Sanway. The springbok squawked in shock. "I'm a Dad!" the bull exalted in a yell, lifting up his horned head, laughing. "Wait! What do I do?! How do I do this? I'm not ready for this. How am I going to get them through this?"

When the bull rubbed at his horned in distress, I piped up, "Just do whatever you can, Burt. You'll be a fantastic father."

The bull paused, all grins again. "I will. I will, I swear! Wait, I need to find stuff. Diapers and onesies and blankets and a bear and-"

"Burt," called out Ruby, "What do you think everyone's been doing with these hours? Twiddling our thumbs?"

"All set up for new Father and Mother." Sally nodded her weighty head.

"All set," whispered Mia from behind the big rhino, giving a thumbs-up.

Burt relaxed a little. He looked lost, exhausted. "What do I do?"

"Rest," barked Shadow with a laugh and stepping closer to Burt. "Go to your wife and daughter and hold them through the night. Let them know you're with them. You'll be a great dad, and you'll enjoy it too."

Burt looked at Shadow in surprise, as I was doing. Not often did he speak this much with so many furs around.

Burt turned, looking less lost. He received multiple pats on the back and hoof shakes on his way to his new family. Had my father been as happy with my birth? I had been his first pup, making him a new dad too. I felt a rise of emotions and tears stung my eyes.

"You okay?" Shadow asked, pulling me in for a tight hug.

I nodded, rubbing off tears into deep, black chest fur. The evening was bordering on hot, and none of us four young males had bothered with clothing tops.

The four of us wandered off, exchanging stories about family and friends as the late night continued. Camp quieted as we sat around the lone Camp lantern; the only one lit. We laughed, we reflected on what had happened. Shadow stayed pretty quiet but spoke up occasionally and appeared to be enjoying himself.

"Bored. So what now?" asked Drew, who couldn't hold a sour face in the circumstances.

"Well," said Ethan, with a wiggle of his shoulders and a swing of his tail, "I don't know about you guys, but I'm still wound up. How about a race around the store?"

"I am so on that," chuckled Drew. "I'll leave all of you in the dust. Guarantee it."

"Really?" responded Shadow with a grin. "You look like you're better running away. I'll run you down any day."

"Bring it, wolf," growled the grinning tiger.

I snickered as their eyes flared in companionable competition. I liked this. Shadow and I needed a good run. The thought of his injuries passed my mind, but if Shadow was confident in what he could do, I would support that.

My Wulf winked at me grinning. He pulled me in a tight embrace and flexed his hips into mine. "I'll win this for the both of us, Tyler," he whispered.

"Don't be too disappointed if you lose, Shadow. You're still-"

"Recovering?" he grinned and separated us. "Nope. I'm full of life and a survivor's high. Nothing's gonna take me down."

I snickered. I'd either have a victorious wolf, or get to console one who had 'almost won'. Either way, Shadow was getting involved with other furs outside his comfort zone, and I was there for him to do it.

"Okay," Ethan said with a grin. "Rules are we race around the exterior ring walkway of the store. The one not against the wall - too many divides in that one - but the main one. No cutting through isles and no cutting through the racks. Stay to the track. Moon's out and there should be enough light. We'll finish at the loading bay doors. First to touch."

I nodded, an eager excitement welling in me. I was fast and nimble. I probably had an advantage on the sharp corners the square ring took too. I glanced at Shadow, and saw his flirtatious wink. The wolf turned his determined gaze ahead as Ethan pointed out a starting line.

"Okay, ready?" Ethan grinned at the three of us, settling into a runner's crouch.

Three heads nodded. My heart rate and breathing were already increased in anticipation. My fingers even trembled.

Ethan's grin widened. "When I reach three. One."

I glanced at Shadow, who was so intent in his focus, his tail was still as mine swung wildly behind me.

"Two."

I glanced over to see Drew spit on the floor and direct his attention forward. Me too.

"Three!"

Four sets of paws took off, accelerating four furs to their limits. Drew immediately pulled ahead and Shadow wasn't far behind. Ethan started a little slower, but soon was neck-and-neck with the other two.

We approached the first corner, and I saw Drew take a glance at Shadow. The tiger gave my Wulf a shove, just as they were entering the corner. Shadow recovered well, but fell a little behind. Ethan had slowed to avoid collision and dropped behind the two, though still ahead of me.

"Race fair guys!" yelled Ethan between pants.

I could see it didn't matter to Drew, as long as he was able to win. Angered, I put on an extra burst of speed and passed Ethan. The hound looked surprised to see me. Was I that unmemorable?

Drew and Shadow continued ahead of me, Shadow gaining slowly on the tiger, but not enough to reach him before the second turn. Ethan had gained on me, but in the turn, I heard his footpaws scrabbling behind me as he slipped on the polished floor. I didn't hear him fall, but could still hear his pawsteps behind me, further back.

As we approached the third turn, I willed Shadow to go faster, beat this jerk. They took the turn, Drew slightly ahead, but Shadow had taken the turn tighter and managed a faint lead coming out of it. I was not far behind, having taken a tight third turn, and Ethan was steadily trying to close the gap behind me.

The loading bay entry was visible ahead, in the distance. Shadow was going to win! My heart leapt, and I put on a fresh burst of speed. The two in front were pulling ahead of me though. I saw Drew reach towards Shadow again-!

But the wolf deflected it with a paw and somehow ran even faster. He pulled ahead, even as Drew tried a second swipe. The wolf was too far ahead though, and the tiger faltered in his pace to regain balance. He slowed an instant and was neck-and-neck with me.

Shadow's paws hit the door well ahead of us, and the door burst open with his weight. The laughing wolf fell to the floor. Drew glared at me and gave me a shove, making me falter in my final steps. The tiger passed through the doors a moment before I did and looked back at Shadow, panting. I heard Ethan enter right after I did.

I jumped on Shadow, straddling him and giving him a swipe of my tongue across his nose. He was laughing and grabbed my hips, flipping us over until I was giggling underneath as he attacked with tickles.

"Bastard!" Ethan was panting hard, leaning over his knees. He'd really put on some speed to regain his lost distance between us. He was very out of breath. "I told you to race fair, then you shove the fox too!"

Shadow stilled over me, mirth gone, along with mine. "What?" he growled, looking up.

Ethan stalked up to the taller Drew and stared him down. "Even after I told you! You took two swipes at Shadow, and at the end pushed... um..." he gestured my way.

"Tyler," Shadow growled, supplying my name. He looked down at me again. "That true?"

I sighed and raised my elbow to cover my eyes. I gave a one-sided shrug.

I felt Shadow lift his weight away. My eyes snapped open, and I sprang after Shadow. "Wait!" I yelled, grabbing onto a black arm, trying to hold back his progress to the offending tiger.

A tiger who looked nervous, having an angry wolf coming towards him. He backed away, paws up. "Easy there, the pup's not harmed. It was all in good fun."

"How is that 'good fun'?" the wolf growled. "Touch him again and I'll destroy you!"

"Shadow. Shadow," I pleaded, trying to turn his muzzle to face me, not the tiger.

Shadow growled at the tiger. "I'm tired of furs picking on you, Tyler! Aren't you fed up too?!"

"Yes, but Shadow, this can only end badly, don't you see?" I managed a smile when he turned his hot gaze to me. "I'm okay, and he understands. Let it go."

Shadow glanced at the tiger, whose eyes were wide. "Fine," the wolf growled. "But if he-"

"Hey can you guys keep it down?" said Isaac, jogging up. "I don't want to ruin the mood at my party, okay?"

The four of us blinked at the lion in silence.

"Isn't the party over?" asked Ethan. "It's been quiet back there for like an hour."

Isaac glanced to Shadow and me, then turned to the other two. "After party's still going on. Not for pups and cubs though."

"Aw, come on, we're all old enough," grumbled Ethan.

The lion snickered. "I don't know...."

He was obviously baiting Drew and Ethan, and they were falling for it. I shook my head and glanced up at Shadow. He seemed intrigued, though not too interested.

I really didn't want to go to a party, but the loading bay was quiet. What sort of party was it? Earlier, there had been furs pounding on things to give a basic rhythm of music. It had been audible from Camp when we had set up the tent. Shadow and I had been content to ignore the excitement and go snuggle together.

I craned my neck to look past the lion. There were shadows of furs moving back there, passing light sources. Strange. Why the quiet?

"I don't know," I hesitated.

Isaac ignored me and gestured the curious Drew and Ethan to follow him. "You too, Shadow? You might like this."

Something about the whole situation bothered me. "Let's go, Shadow."

"It's okay, Foxy," he said, turning his attention to me. "I don't think he means us any harm."

I shrugged, still not liking it. Shadow, I could trust. Not so with Isaac. Ethan was going too, so it couldn't be too bad, right? I sighed, trying not to frown too much as Isaac led us deeper into the loading bay.

Boxes had been stacked to section off an area of the loading bay. In the sectioned-off area, the signs of a party still lingered. Empty drink cups littered the floor along with various bits of trash and food. Wasteful. I glanced around. It looked normal. I stilled as Shadow froze.

A zombie. One of those undead things was there - in the FurShopper!