FSE

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The gray asphalt passed beneath the truck in the afternoon heat. Shadow's head was out the window, guiding Cade's driving away from a ditch while Cade avoided bodies. Few zombies were in the area, and the two griped away in the hot air.

I was pleased to see Shadow so very relaxed with another, but I felt a little left out. The two clearly had a close relationship. Though Shadow had mentioned Cade turned down sexual approaches, I couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Cade was someone who had spent more than my few weeks with my Wulf.

"More left, Cade," snapped Shadow. "You're going to drive us off the road."

"I've got it," grinned the big black and brown fur. "I came down this same road on my way here. All by myself, without a whining pup trying to be a backseat driver."

"I'm not a pup anymore."

Flat teeth formed a wide grin. "You'll always be a pup to me, Shadow. I've sure seen you cry like one."

Shadow harrumphed, glancing to me, looking a bit embarrassed. "Not a pup," he grumbled, looking very much like a put-out pup.

I hid a snicker.

"So." Cade pulled the truck around a wrecked car. "How did you two meet? Shadow was too upset to tell me. Just wanted to look for you... um... Tyler."

I nodded, trying to watch the road, not watch the unsettling bison. "I survived the two Curtains on my own. Everyone else died...." I took a solidifying breath. "I got lost driving around downtown. Shadow found me and helped me find my home again."

Cade laughed. "You sound like a stray."

I shivered. It was true. I'd lost my home, my family, and really my dad. I wasn't the only one.

Cade cleared his throat. "Well, I'm sorry, little fox. I was just joking around with you."

"I know, Cade. Thanks. And thanks for taking care of Shadow before I met him. He's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Cade huffed a breath, focusing on the road. He was silent a moment before speaking. "Wolf was a mess when I met him. You know, he didn't believe me for weeks that I wasn't looking for sexual favors. I couldn't stand the thought of him in one of those shitholes they call 'holding zones' for orphaned and stray wolves. I've heard some nasty things about those places."

"I'm surprised you took an unknown wolf in," I said.

Cade was silent another moment before answering. "My wife and I had wished for calves. It wouldn't do her memory justice to turn a pup away. Also, you should have seen how cute he was, sleeping on my couch. I even got a two-bedroom apartment so we could live more comfortably."

"It sounds like you got pretty attached," I murmured.

"Yup," said Cade, grinning at the road.

Shadow nodded agreement, tail wagging and trying to escape from behind him on the gray bench seat. I felt a bit jealous, thinking of all the time they'd spent, imagining all the experiences they'd shared. Shadow and I had been together only a few weeks. It felt our attachment was far weaker.

I cleared my throat, trying to clear my thoughts. "So, Cade. How did you survive the first few Curtains?"

"The Event, you mean? Well, pup. It's not a pretty story. I don't want to stress you out more than you already are. Plenty of time for that."

I frowned. "What do you mean? I thought most furs survived further West."

"Well, I suppose that's true. Still, a lot of furs died. Warnings were sent out, but it all depended on the furs themselves. Furs who watched the news were the first to the shelters. I live on the West coast. We technically had a lot of time.

"Still social connections were over-flooded and crashed, especially with satellites going down. When the shelters were full, furs outside panicked. No one knew where might be safe. Furs hid under bridges, in bathtubs, and anywhere else they could think of. Yes. 'Most' might have survived."

I shivered. It wasn't what I'd hoped. "So is everything...."

"Well, not hit the shit bottom of the barrel, I suppose. But pretty close. There's riots most every night. Furs are upset, and it makes their very survival and those around them more difficult."

"You survived." I prompted.

"Yup. I was in the hospital, before the Events. This wolf pup called in. Finally. It had been over a month! No word. I hardly remembered he'd called the next day though."

Cade's hooved fingers gripped the steering wheel. "I'd had a fall when my worker bumped into me at the construction site. I could have died in the fall. Nasty concussion and fractured neck vertebrae were just the start of it. I couldn't think, and I couldn't remember crap.

"Turned out I had some kind of bleed in my brain. I was cleared to drive after a week of Events. The first Event, the hospital stuffed everyone they could in the basement morgue and prayed for the best. Somehow I made it. Even now, I still feel weak and off from the brain thing. They say I'm lucky to have regained so much function so soon."

Cade was silent for a long minute. "I tried to get in on any high-risk op I could find out this way, hoping to find you, Shadow. They wouldn't let me do crap with my injuries. When I heard a young, black wolf was out here, I had to believe it might be you. A lot of furs are desperate to get out this way. I'm damn lucky to have found you, and you're more damn lucky to have survived, unlike so many."

The road straightened out, offering access to a wide parking area. Signs offered a roadside attraction. Beyond open gates, a wide collection of large-sized metal structures peeked a shielding fence.

The bison slowed the box truck to a stop, leaning his arms on the steering wheel. "Welp. This is where your friends met the buses. This is where I found Shadow. I heard it was just you and another wolf went missing. They said everyone else was there."

I breathed a long sigh of relief. A faint smile pulled at my lips, then a wide one. They had made it! I snatched Shadow into a hug, wagging my own tail, smacking Cade in the face.

Cade sighed. "They'll stop at the next outpost with a 'safe' room. It'll take us 'till after dark to get there. Pretty sure. Came this same way on the way here."

Cade looked at the two of us hugging and stared at the empty parking lot. He sighed and tried to shake his head against the neck brace. "You know pups, I had to argue why I was at each of those safe outpost. There's not many who are interested in manning stations this far out. I swear, everyone in those places is as grumpy as a bitch dog with ear mites. Doubt they'll like us dropping in either."

My head drooped. Cade had come all the way into the Furnon area for Shadow. I had held them back from safety. Not that I was unhappy about it. I had survived again. But guilt built in my gut. What if Shadow or Cade had died, while trying to find me?

Cade huffed out a deep breath. "Welp. Let's get on the road. Truck's not gonna drive itself."

Shadow piped up. "Tyler can drive if you need a break. Or I could."

He glanced at me, doubt in his eyes. "Naw, pups. I'm okay. Not my first road trip. I hope it won't be my last, the way things are looking."

I wished he'd stop calling us 'pups.' Maybe from his perspective, we were. But damn, it made me feel smaller next to the big fur. I was small, but no longer a pup. I opened my muzzle.

Shadow beat me to it. "Cade. Quit it with the 'pups.' We're both adults."

"Aw. But I like thinking of you as my pup," said Cade, his thin tail flicking behind him against the bench seat. "And your Tyler is so cute and small."

I groaned. "I'm not that small." But my grumble was lost with the truck starting up and onto the road again, to bounce and swerve.

***

I swear. I'd never felt carsick before that drive. Towards evening, I had to ask Cade to pull off the road. Hours of the truck weaving on the road had taken its toll on my stomach. I bent over the dirt and gravel by the roadside, puking the snack bars we'd had for lunch into the weeds.

Bits of vomit stuck in the stalks and blades of weeds. It was so gross, it caused an extra heave.

"Sorry, Tyler," said Cade. "The road is a mess through here."

I waved my good paw his direction, still bent over the discolored weeds. "It's okay," I managed. "We need to catch up to the buses."

Cade grinned. "You know in some parts of Furdom, they call it gifting the rainbow."

I rolled my eyes but had to laugh. Shadow's face lightened, and he patted my back as I straightened.

"I'm good," I said, marching towards the white truck's passenger door.

"You sure? No harm in waiting a few minutes," Cade said, looking a bit worried. "They'll stop at the nearest safe outpost for the night. Well, maybe."

I shook my head, determined. "I'm good to go. Let's do this."

"Okay," Cade drew out, smirking. "It's your stomach."

The truck started and pulled away once more onto the road. We reached a clearer area, and the truck was able to speed up.

Cade spoke. "They should be at the next outpost. If they're not, let me do the talking. The furs on duty are not happy with me, and it doesn't need to affect you two."

"Are you in trouble?" I asked. "For coming out here to get us?"

The bison grinned. "A little. I didn't steal the truck or anything. I had a few friends make sure it wouldn't be missing for a couple days. I heard there was a black wolf pup found this way, and had to come. I had to see if it was Shadow. Didn't expect the military to take the bulk of you and try to get you all out."

"Tyler insisted," piped up Shadow. "He wouldn't let them leave everyone behind. 'Not one' he said."

"Oh really," the bison looked at me with new respect. "They just wanted him or something? I've heard they've been sneaking a few furs away. Lots of conspiracy theories about it."

I shrugged. "They wanted me out. But I wouldn't leave Shadow. And I wouldn't leave anyone."

"And the helicopter crashed too," said Shadow.

I hung my head, still torn on whether I had been responsible.

"They sent a helicopter?" Cade's eyebrows raised in his glance away from the road. "And I thought it was hard to get my hooves on a working vehicle!"

Shadow caught me rubbing at my muzzle. "It wasn't your fault, Tyler."

"How did the helicopter crash?" Cade asked.

Shadow shrugged. "They were trying to drag Tyler to the helicopter, but he wouldn't go. The birds went nuts and took it out."

Cade raised a hoof and set it back to the wheel. "I don't see how it might be your fault. It's dangerous anywhere you go. Birds go nuts sometimes, right after the Midday Event. Each crew knows the risk of going out in these terrible times."

I shook my head. "But if I'd gone right away-"

"Then you might be dead too. Look, Tyler. Know one can know the future. Focusing on the shoulda-woulda-coulda's of the past is a circling death of the mind. Focus on what you have now."

"I have Shadow," I said, picking up the wolf's paw.

He kissed my palm and grinned. I felt that toothy grin melt into my being, making me warm all over. I leaned over and gave him a kiss, shy in front of the bison. Cade glanced at me with a little smile.

Maybe I might find some approval in Cade. I hoped so, because he was an important fur in Shadow's life, and I was a part of that life too. Cade had accepted a wolf into his home, inviting him in as family.

My own biological father had rejected me for who and what I was. Papa Burt was a bit of a replacement, but I missed the feeling of closeness I'd once felt long ago with my own father. It wasn't the same. Maybe in time, I could feel the acceptance and warmth by Burt too.

I closed my eyes, and Shadow gathered me into a tight hug, being careful of my injured arm.

"You okay now? Not carsick?" asked the wolf.

"Nope. Not at all." In truth, I didn't feel carsick. I felt warmth and the hope of future growth and acceptance.

***

Shadow had been staring at me, thinking I didn't notice him. Whenever I turned to look at him, he looked away. Cade didn't seem to notice, engrossed in watching out for obstacles as the sun set.

"What's up, Wulf? Something on your mind?"

"Um Tyler," Shadow hesitated, glancing over to Cade. "In the- I wanted-" he sighed. "I'm sorry, Tyler."

I blinked, confused. Why the apology?

Shadow didn't meet my eyes. "We were supposed to stick together, survive together. Then you weren't there. You were gone, and I-"

I shook my head. "Those damn furs pulled you away from me, Shadow. It wasn't your fault."

"They saved me. I-"

"Shadow. They set us up. Daws is dead too. It's all 'cause of them."

"Who?" Cade asked, showing he'd been paying attention. He kept his eyes on the dimming road. "What happened?"

I tilted my head back and looked at the cabin ceiling. "Michael, Helaina, and Peter. They set me up in that house."

"House?" Cade's focus in the fading light slipped my way.

"You didn't tell him, Shadow?" I asked.

"No," Shadow said. "Just that I'd lost you. Furs were a mess after you and Daws disappeared."

"What happened?" I tilted my head, giving him a confused glance.

"We sat outside that hoarder house for an hour. Everyone gathered out by the road to figure out what had happened. Your dad. He convinced the military furs they needed to head off before the buses left. He said if Daws was alive, he'd already know where to go. Isaac backed him up pretty strongly. We made it to the bus rendezvous, and Cade was there."

Cade grunted, frowning. "Damn pup wouldn't leave without you. Refused to ride in the buses or with me heading back. I had to swear I'd bring this truck back. Or else. Good thing we found you in time."

"Good thing we'll get the truck back," I grinned, wagging my tail. My mood sobered. "Those three. They knew something about the house, I'm sure of it. They made sure I was in the hall with those zombies, and they had you tucked away into a room. You should have seen those creepy grins when they shut the-"

"I'll kill them!" snarled my Wulf. He gripped the dashboard, claws poking into the plastic finish.

"Hey! I'm supposed to get this thing back in one piece," grumbled Cade. He glanced at me. "You really think these three furs pulled something like that off?"

"I do," I frowned. "Do they hate me so much? Why did Daws have to die? I was right there, and he pushed me up to safety. Then he died! Why is this all happening? Aren't things already bad enough without the hate!?"

Tears grew in my eyes. Shadow pulled me in close, and I let loose tears into his shoulder. He tucked my head into his chest and let me cry as the truck bumped along.

It felt so good and bad, both, to cry. I was light-headed and sobbing into his t-shirt, but the emotional release felt needed, felt right. I couldn't hold back.

Cade said something, but I missed it. Shadow stroked over my head and licked my ears. I was crying and so tired. I curled on the bench seat, my head resting on his lap. I chewed on my paw, biting into my paw's flesh, worrying the pain.

After a time, the world faded here and there as Shadow and Cade talked. I listened a little, but didn't pay attention. The light faded and so did I.

***

>>>>[[[NOTE: DAY 23](/?page=%5B%5BNOTE%3A_DAY_23)]]<<<<

I woke to darkness when the truck shifted to a stop. My sense of balance wavered, making me think I needed to catch myself.

"You okay?" asked Shadow at my hard twitch.

I made some kind of affirmative grunt as I sat up. "Where are we?"

"We're here. The buses aren't." Cade did not sound happy.

There was a building lurking ahead in the darkness and a few military types on slow patrol around the area. I was glad of my fox eyes; I could see fine with the bit of moonlight available.

Footpaws approached the truck, coming to the driver's door. Cade rolled down the window.

"State your name and unit," the fur snapped.

"Ah. I'm here with permission. My name is Cade Heartstone. I have this written letter from Major Jekkers excusing my presence." Cade spoke with confidence, holding out a thin set of papers.

"Yeah. I remember you. I'm a little surprised to see you back." The elk paused. "Same as before?"

Cade nodded. "Found a couple stragglers. Didn't quite make the bus."

"Found the pup you were looking for?" the elk asked, trying to peer past the big fur into the dark truck cab.

"Yup. He's here. Also found a young fox."

I tried to duck out of sight but was pretty sure the tall fur saw me.

"He the one they were griping about losing?" the elk asked. "I heard the Major was damn pissed."

"Was he? Well good thing I found him. Picking up after you." Cade chuckled.

The elk grunted. " 'Least he's found. Just join up with the evac group ASAP. Got it?"

"Roger-roger," the bison chuckled again, setting his hooves on the steering wheel. "Guess I have a drive ahead of me."

"You do," the elk said. "They'll take the refugees and spend the next Event at Delta location. Your best chance is to meet them there before dawn."

"Got it," Cade said, taking back the proffered papers.

The guard huffed and gestured the truck onward. Cade nodded and gave a small wave out the window.

"Well," said Cade, "that went a lot smoother than on my way out. I thought the elk would lay into me like last time."

My eyes were already drooping again. I settled down, laying with my head on Shadow's lap. My Wulf looked tired too, but he seemed determined to stay awake. I tried to drift off to sleep, but found I couldn't. My mind wandered.

We were heading back to civilization, or what remained of it. Shadow had Cade, and I had Burt. They were our new father figures. What would happen to it all when we arrived?

Shadow would stay with me. Would he? He seemed awfully happy to be back with Cade. That deeper relationship might clash with staying with me?

I looked up from Shadow's lap, seeing the underside of his muzzle, lit from the shining headlights' refractions. I couldn't see his golden eyes as he looked around, alert.

The truck wasn't weaving anymore, so the road must have been cleared. Those military types had been busy. Still, when Shadow spoke, he kept his voice low, listening for disturbances.

"How long to the next?" asked Shadow.

"Couple hours." Cade nodded forward. "Road should be cleared from here, so don't worry about your fox friend."

"I'm not worried."

"Uh-huh,"said Cade. "I saw you stroking his head. You're worried as hell about that pup. I know he's your mate and all now. I'm just surprised he made it so long in the Red Zone."

"We made it together," Shadow said, stroking my shoulder, but not looking down at me.

"More like you made sure he made it."

"No," the wolf mumbled in the dark. "I wouldn't have made it without him."

Cade was silent. I thought I might manage to fall asleep again, but Cade groaned, gripping the wheel with hooved fingers.

"What are you going to do when we get back?" Cade asked.

"Stay with Tyler," said Shadow.

"And what if you can't? For whatever reason. Sounds like the military are interested in him."

Shadow's paw stilled on my shoulder. "That won't happen," he growled. "It can't happen."

"But if it does? What happens when you can't stay with him?"

The wolf shrugged.

"At least come back with me to Furroll. Once things are settled, you can find your mate again."

"No. I'm staying with Tyler."

"I don't know if that'll be possible." The bison sighed, puffing mist on the windshield. "I don't know what they want him for. It doesn't matter. The military can 'hide' someone for as long as they want."

"Tyler won't leave me." Shadow's paw gripped my shoulder.

I looked up again, catching a hint of light reflecting in those golden eyes.

"He may not have much choice either," Cade's deep voice sounded concerned.

"We'll be together," Shadow insisted, resuming his stroking pets over my shoulder.

I felt a sudden warmth, a rising reassurance. He believed in me. Well, I would make it happen too. We would not be parted. I didn't care what happened.

Shadow was mine. My Wulf. My mate! We would be together. We would live. Together.

But many furs were not together. Was it fair that I was so lucky to have found Shadow after the Curtain? If I'd met him before, might one of us have died the first day?

Many furs had lost family and friends. We weren't special. We were ordinary furs who had lost everything, but found each other.

Ordinary furs died. Maybe whole species were dead. Ordinary species.

What had Clovis said? Something about members of his species not living permanently anywhere? Had many of them survived? It had sounded like their species was more isolated than most. Would they have even received a warning, no matter how far from the Curtain's beginning they'd been?

Even if a few of Clovis' species existed still, would they be able to stabilize a population? Or were they already functionally extinct?

How long until foxes were 'functionally extinct'? It might only be a matter of time before the world's population of any species became... non functional.

Clovis might not be together with any of his own ever again. The thought made me shudder. Was there no end to it all?

I couldn't think of any way it might end. If the Curtain was going to stop on its own, there would have been some sign. I'd heard of nothing. No lengthening of time. No dissipation or weakening of the effects.

How long until the world was dead? Until all furs were gone?

Those thoughts chased me into uncomfortable dreams, where the world kept tilting in tiny ways and the vibrations of the Curtain were everywhere I tried not to be.

***

In the pre-dawn dimness, the truck pulled to a stop. Finally. I'd been awake for a few hours. It was strange, to see so much of the road empty of active vehicles. We'd driven along the outskirts of one city in the early hours. The tall buildings and high-rises in the distance were dark.

How much of the world lived in darkness? Just how much had been impacted in the rest of the world? We were seeing a small fragment of the whole. I could only hope other areas were better.

But even the outpost showed signs of impact. There were military types on guard, but I saw far more lanterns and candles lighting the area than flashlights. Well, many bulbs in recent times were LED and not the old-fashioned lit wire.

Two refitted school buses were sitting in the darkened parking lot, the sets of wheels lifted and thick with heavy tread. It seemed we had caught up with the others. Someone approached the driver's side of the box truck, and Cade rolled down the window.

"Name and unit?" asked the gray ram in camouflage gear. His horns were old enough to have a decent curve, but indicated his relative youth.

Cade cleared his throat, passing the ram his papers. "Cade Heartstone. I'm here on unofficial business. But I picked up two of your refugee stragglers."

The ram perked up a bit. "Oh yeah? Any sign of Daws? He's reported missing, presumed dead."

I wanted to sink my head between my shoulders and keep it there forever.

Cade shook his head. "Heard he's dead. He was off with this fox pup. You're lucky I found anyone out there."

"Oh, is he the one they wanted? The higher-ups will be pleased. Shame about Daws. He was a good wolf, great soldier."

Cade cleared his throat. "So I've heard. I'd like to speak with your commanding officer. No rush though."

"Right." The ram checked over the documents one last time. "Park your vehicle over there. You'll need to leave with the others at 0600. It's in about an hour-and-a-half."

"Got it." Cade rolled up his window. "No rest for the weary, huh?"

Now we were back with other furs, I felt nervous. What should I do, stomp inside, screaming my rage and sense of betrayal? What sort of reception would we receive?

Shadow's paw joined with mine. He pulled my head to his chest for a moment, letting me breathe in his warm scent. Shadow was with me. I didn't need to be scared. Cade wouldn't allow any harm to come to Shadow either. Furs waited inside, but I didn't need to fear them.

Yet somehow I did. I had not thought anyone would do something so cruel. I hadn't thought Helaina, Peter, and Michael would take their sense of vengeance to such extremes. Daws was dead because of them. Or was it because of me?

It didn't matter. They'd been the ones to create such a terrible situation. Anyone could have died, not just me. And Daws had died.

We three got out of the truck. My legs nearly collapsed under me. I was numb with fatigue, which unsettled sleep on the truck bench had not solved. All I wished to do was settle somewhere with Shadow and sleep away the next two days.

Cade led us, waving to a few of the military furs on guard. There were more at the location than at the previous ones. The darkened building appeared an ordinary small business.

Inside was a small waiting and reception area. Beyond was a furniture workshop, where furniture had been made by busy paws. The machines sat unused, the paw tools abandoned. The place still smelled of fresh-cut wood and varnish. I watched to make sure my tail didn't get caught on anything.

We were directed by a familiar tired-looking otter medic. I smiled at her, but she barely gave me a glance. Guess I wasn't the only one nearing exhaustion. A goat sat at a well-polished table. I thought for a moment it was Howard, but it was a stranger, looking over some forms and reports.

"What?" he grumped looking up. He was a pretty muscular male, compared to Howard. He looked a bit rumpled and tired in his military fatigues.

Cade passed over his papers. "Cade Heartstone. I spoke to you on the way out to the Red Zone."

The goat looked up, frowned. "Yeah? ...Oh you're the bison who took off without authorization."

"Yes, sir. Thanks for allowing me past the last two outposts."

"I thought about what you said and radioed ahead. You're lucky I didn't have you shot," grumbled the brown-and-black goat. "Who are these two pups?"

"This is Shadow, the one I told you I was searching for."

"And?" the goat prompted with a gestured hoof.

"This is Tyler. I heard you were looking for him? He was with a 'Daws' who didn't make it."

The goat eyes widened. The eyes soon narrowed on me. "Daws is dead?"

I nodded, dropping my gaze.

"Well. You're here. Better make yourself of some use." The goat looked at another report. "You the one Daws said he was bringing back? The one like the others the science team want?"

"I guess?" I whispered.

The goat stood. He was shorter than Cade, but his demeanor was imposing as he studied me. I couldn't help trembling a bit under that assessing gaze.

The goat grunted. "Join the others. That way," he said with a distracted gesture to the side. "You leave with them. I'll radio ahead you've been found. When you arrive at the refugee intake, report to Major Jekkers."

"Yes, sir," I whispered.

"What?" snapped the goat. "Know it. Who do you report to, pup?"

I didn't like being addressed again as a pup. "Um, a Jekkers?"

"Major Jekkers. At least then you'll be his problem and not mine." The goat sat back down in apparent dismissal of us.

As we walked towards the back room the goat had directed us to, Cade mumbled. "Great. Looks like both of us have to deal with the Major now."

It didn't mean much to me. I didn't know who 'Major Jekkers' was.

What did mean a lot to me was entering the dark space, barely lit with a small flashlight, seeing many of the furs I cared about stuffed inside. Limbs were askew, and as I peered into the dark, someone shrugged someone's arm off. I grinned, feeling a weary relief. They were there, in front of me. They had survived.

I was too tired to bother figuring out whose rounded bump was a fur I knew. Well, the big one in the far corner had to be Burt. A few snores were disturbed by furs trying to sleep and grumbling about light from the main workroom.

I wanted to get some things settled, but I was too tired to remember what. Cade asked a whispered question to Shadow, who shrugged it off. Cade left us, saying something about asking someone... something.

My mind was too overwhelmed and tired to bother processing. Shadow drew me down, right behind the door, where a bit of space remained and we settled in for some rest.

***

I swear! I'd closed my eyes for two seconds before some fur stomped into the room, shouting at us to rouse ourselves and shaking furs awake. Shadow nearly snapped the dog's fingers off when he was jostled. I pulled at my Wulf's paw, as he seemed about to pursue the dog. It diffused the wolf's morning grumpiness. He managed a smile at me, standing first and offering his paw.

I ached. I needed rest. True rest in my Wulf's arms. It was all I wanted. No lucky lottery for me. I didn't want to be nominated to lead the world. I wanted rest and the comfort of my mate.

And we were mates. I had not realized what it meant before the previous night. We'd been mated. To Shadow it must mean something deeper. I was a bit jealous that he might feel more, feel more steadily connected to me. Because I felt like a puff of wind might yet separate us. I shivered at the thought.

"You alright?" asked Shadow, eyeing the FurShopper furs in the dimness.

The FurShopper furs were with a few more I didn't recognize. More refugees. The familiar furs were looking at us, gesturing to others to take notice.

Most of the FurShopper furs were grinning and looking at us with pleased greeting. Some were calling out their hellos in the dawn dimness. Three looked very displeased. Helaina whispered something to Peter, who whipped around, shock rampant over his face. Helaina and Michael settled for displeased glares.

Michael crossed his arms. "Well. Figures you'd make an appearance. Where's your bodyguard, fox?"

Helaina showed some teeth in a disgusted grimace. "You get him killed too?"

I opened my muzzle. Shadow stopped me with a silent paw to my side, guiding me out of the room. The three followed.

"He didn't make it?" snapped Helaina, jerking her head back in disbelief. Her face grew angrier, and she spat biting words. "One wolf is dead now because of your weakness. How much longer until another one is gone?"

I froze in my step, but Shadow pulled on my arm.

"I didn't-" I tried to speak, but my throat clenched in building upset. "You-!"

The three shook their heads in unison, and Shadow pulled me along behind him, into the bus line. We waited for the buses several furs ahead of Helaina, who growled behind me words I could not quite catch.

A fur in front of the buses spoke, while I barely listened through my harsh breaths. Food was to be given to us on the buses, blah blah blah. Then we were all herded onto the two buses.

The betraying trio made themselves comfortable in the same bus as us. I didn't like them behind me, and tried to hunch myself down in the tall-backed seat. Thankfully, Burt and his family also made it aboard. I tried to stabilize my nerves, unsure what to do as the buses pulled out, heading towards the remnants of civilization.