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>>>>[[NOTE: DAY 18]]<<<<

Shadow's firm paw clutched at my stomach, holding me tight against his chest as he shifted closer, spooning my weary body. I grunted softly at the movement causing his knotted length to shift deep, pressing my insides. Surrounded by the nest bedding in the unlit room, surrounded by the black wolf's arms, filled with him as he drew breaths from my neckfur. I slow-blinked at a sliver of light from the bottom of the sturdy locked door. The light was... not daylight in the basement shelter, but from the bare bulb in the outer room.

What time was it? Had we been in there longer than a day? Had Sanway left? He'd stopped yelling at us to quit our 'play' some time ago.

Shadow's cock twitched, flexing at my insides, but I was long past blushing. Glancing over my shoulder at the spacey wolf, I saw his fur ripple with a shiver as his weary paws clung to me. How many times had he entered? How many times had he tied? I'd lost count sometime during the night as sensations and pleasures merged together in the storeroom.

My rear was sore and sloppy-wet, feeling filled with Shadow in my lacking place. I felt more whole... more complete than I had in a long time, years. Places I'd never known were empty were stuffed all comfy-like with Wulf. He filled needs beyond hunger and my lonely rear passage.

We'd shut the storeroom's bare bulb off late in the night, but through my sleeping time, he'd woken me more than once to continue our fun. He'd been affectionate, needy, and demanding at times, but I'd taken those feelings, that play, in stride. Some of it ended with him knotted hard to me, some of it was light play before we both dozed off. At least twice he'd entered and we'd fallen asleep without completing.

The best times were when we'd held to each other, enjoying the presence we shared, created between us as we nuzzled into each other's warmth. Scents of us, of our sex and joyful intimacy filled the air. In such moments, Shadow mumbled quiet love to me. I remembered none of the specifics of what was said, but felt his open heart every minute.

I'd been inside him once more, though he'd been on top and in control, straddling me as I lay. He'd tried to hide his shaky nervousness, even as the one guiding us through our pleasure. It was still a sensitive issue with him, so I'd held back, knowing he was giving me as much as he could.

My easy thoughts flickered to the previous day. Topping Shadow, making him mine, had been an experience for my lifetime. My length had entered his hot, anticipating body as he'd trembled on all fours. I'd felt so strong topping Shadow; strength flowed through me and 'out' me, into Shadow. My cock had never felt so damn good! I'd enjoyed the control, the overpowering feeling of strength, but I'd disliked the sense of deep responsibility. It had frightened me.

As much as I'd enjoyed topping him, the act had been difficult for Shadow. He'd shown me, in clear behaviors, his preference to top me. Whether his desire to top me was from his need to build confidence, repair the past, or from his growing urges of dominance didn't matter. I accepted it. Besides, I loved the sense of him pulsing inside me, and his final shove right before he came....

Moments ago, he had taken me as I crouched on all fours. He'd only lasted a moment, growling and shoving hard and fast into my accepting warmth. Though weary, I lingered in the satisfaction and pride that in the moment of Shadow's post-cum collapse, I had supported him on my red, furry back as he panted and spasmed. A deep, indescribable rightness still filled me, more than the cum leaking around my blocked anus.

He'd given to me what was dear to him, his trust. Our pairing had not come from his need for food or safety, it had come from his heart. I suspected I'd become his first that night too.

I was sore but very fulfilled, topped off with his wolfy essence. Penetrating him had come with no discomfort, but taking his big wolfy cock up my rear several times had come at a price. My whole lower back and rear ached, but in a good way. I... didn't want to become too stiff.

My stretch made a wolf groan behind me in the darkness and pull me hard against him. A shift of his hips wedged him in my deep comfort, pressing interesting places in me and making me whimper. I blinked, not wanting the moment to end. It would end, but I might delude myself into thinking it would last forever. Yes. Forever.

Yet there was a feeling, a tickle making my ear twitch. I ignored it, knowing I was forever attached with Shadow. Inconsequential. My ear flicked again, the itch sensation getting worse.

My eyes snapped open. The Curtain. It was coming! Shadow and I were tied in a locked room, his knot continuing its unfinished business. Shadow sensed my unease, stroking my side, until he too realized the cause. He groaned and pulled me tight to him.

"I don't care," he grumped.

I shuddered and tried not to care either, tried not to think I might end in the happiest moment of my life. The moment of perfect togetherness was ruined. Restless panic neared. I whimpered and shifted, gripping the piled bedding, uncertain what to do.

The shelter was safe from the Curtain, right? Sanway and Rusty were neighbors. Was this where they had survived the Curtain? Had I heard something like that? I couldn't piece things together with the raising of my backfur.

My nerves tingled along my back. Helpless. I was helpless, stuck. Can't move. Don't want to move. Stop... please?

But the Curtain came, dropping over Furdom. Those wonderful sensations in my rear, filling my senses, turned on me. Every bit of good sensation became a mirrored one of destruction and distress.

I was aware of Shadow gripping me, anchoring me, but my sense of him faded, leaving the torrent of the Curtain. I tried to dance along the surface, move with the tune and sensations, but I was off: distracted and distressed.

I sunk away, and the unknown gobbled me up. My consciousness became a blast, bright-blackening through all my senses. Taste came last, bitter and vile. Then it was gone. I was gone.

***

"What do I do?" wailed a familiar voice, sifting through the dense blackness. It was full of suffering worry, far away.

A second voiced response faded as the blackness became denser.

Floating, not in the darkness, but the body. A body was floating. My body? Awareness shifted, self pulled together as 'Tyler' opened eyes.

Yes, I was floating up narrow stairs, towards a light. Someone was ahead, brightened by the light. A spirit? An angel?

I blinked, eyes adjusting. I was in Shadow's arms, wrapped in a blanket and getting carried up from the basement as Sanway gestured his impatience from the top of the basement stairs. A frown pulled at my lips. How was Sanway an angel?

I groaned, both from the thought and the ache of everything. And I'd thought I was sore before the Curtain. My head felt strange and floaty, with the creepy sense I'd been violated. I urgently wanted to shower, wash out my head....

"Tyler!" breathed a relieved wolf in my ear as he shifted my weight to a better hold.

I tried to mumble out a 'Never do that again', but it came out a uneven moan. I didn't want to feel. The stupid tune seemed louder than ever, overpowering any quiet.

"Just get him up the stairs before I leave you both," growled the springbok, though he made no move to abandon us. He carried Shadow's backpack?

Shadow grunted, taking us up another step. The world kept tilting and dimming, causing me to blink and feel sick. I let my head sink into Shadow's chest, covered again by his t-shirt, sinking into his scent. Shadow and Sanway griped and growled at each other, but both continued on.

There were the complaints of an irritated springbok and clatter of moved objects. Moments of dim sickness later, I was in the back seat of my Frankenstein car, curled over Shadow's lap while Sanway finished moving objects to the front seat. The car sputtered to life and jerked a few times out of the garage, into the bright sun.

"Damn canines, you take too long for everything. No sense. What were you thinking? Right before the Curtain of all things!"

"Maybe if we'd known the time after being locked up!" Shadow barked back.

"Like you couldn't find something else to do," Sanway scoffed as the car jolted, causing the dangling zombie kitty to jump and seem to laugh. "Damn this lump of junk to all the furry hells! Barely drivable."

"Tyler drives it fine," Shadow had to pipe up, his chest growling beneath my sensitized ear.

I groaned. Did they have to fight now? My head... my body... everything was sending distress signals and confusing pain. I felt dirty everywhere, worst was the feeling in my mind. Anxiety grew, as I couldn't escape my own brain.

I couldn't move, wrapped up in a snug bundle, though one of my numb arms dangled loose. I closed my eyes, wanting it all to be over. Let us go somewhere quiet. I needed some quiet time with Shadow, not for sex, just for... everything else.

Thoughts went vague as the two furs kept arguing. I couldn't keep up with all the words.... It rose to shouting before Shadow shushed Sanway, seeing a zombie struggling to wake. The arguing didn't stop, one thing after another until I wanted to cover my ears, but had no strength for it.

When the car pulled to a halt inside some dark, mystery place, the two had cooled to a constant grumble, each talking over each other. A metallic rumble from an industrial garage door was a little recognizable, followed by more familiar, heavy hoof-steps on approach.

"What happened?" asked Burt in his deep voice. "Tyler okay?" the bull spoke with growing concern.

"Think so." Shadow clutched me close as I moaned from the new noise. "He took the Curtain pretty hard."

I heaved my blue eyes open, seeing Burt's dark ones peer in through the open car window.

"That little tod worries me," the black bull hummed with a frown, watching me blink dim eyes. "Let me help you two out." Burt opened the protesting door, looking to the side at something.

"I'm fine too," came a snapped reply from the driver's seat. Sanway leapt out of the cramped seat before slamming the door, stomping away on clicking hooves.

Burt called after the retreating backside, "Thank you Sanway, for bringing them back safe. We'll go over what you brought back later."

Sanway's response was a flick of his fluff tail.

"Selfish," growled Shadow, his head dropping onto mine, but not making any move to exit the patchwork vehicle. He was very tense, and I didn't know why. "Hate that fur," he muttered just for my ear.

Burt watched the antelope exit with heavy, black hooves on his muscled hips. "Fur doesn't handle stress well," sighed Burt, rubbing a horn. "You okay, Tyler?"

I managed a wobbly nod, then blinked. Who was standing next to Burt?

"These the pups you mentioned?" a tall gray-patterned wolf asked. A male. He was wearing clothes with some kind of complex pattern, but I couldn't make sense of it with my mind so fogged.

"Yes, Sergeant." Burt nodded to us. "The wolf is Shadow, and the fox, all wrapped up, is Tyler."

The military wolf stepped closer to Shadow, causing my Wulf to clutch me a little harder and begin a growl. I blinked blurry eyes, managing to make sense of the patterned clothes. Camo fatigues. The unfamiliar amber eyes focused on the young black wolf, assessing.

The camo-clad wolf frowned, turning his focus to me. "He looks pretty out of it. Son, I'm Sergeant Daws. Can you talk to me a moment? I have some things to ask you."

I blinked again at the unfamiliar wolf. We had another wolf? Did Shadow know? How had I missed that...?

Burt cleared his throat. "Sergeant, I think young Tyler could use some rest first. It's not too urgent is it?"

"It is a bit. Young wolf," the strange wolf addressed Shadow, "I mean your friend no harm."

Shadow continued low growls I'd not been aware of. I felt so slow, so rotten. I blinked again and tried to raise my head straight, but after a sickening wobble it fell back to Shadow's chest.

"Shadow," Burt nodded to the black wolf. "Let's get Tyler somewhere more comfortable. Sergeant Daws is a good fur. He and his squad were dropped off in the night by helicopter. We'll fill you in on more when you've both had a moment's rest, okay?"

I tried to blink away my confusion, but it didn't work. The blinking had succeeded in causing fresh disorientation. My paws tried to clutch at Shadow's chest, but I couldn't control them well. Shadow had a long moment of tense hesitation, watching the new wolf from over my head.

Burt gestured towards the main store with a hoof. "Please, Shadow? I'm sure Daws wouldn't ask if it weren't important."

Shadow took a deeper breath before I felt his head nod over mine. I held onto Shadow with a weak paw as he maneuvered me out of the Frankenstein car, blanket draped around my chilled body. The cement floor of the loading bay was a mile down, swimming with furs' distant footpaws.

"Miracle the thing even runs," huffed the gray wolf, running his eyes over my patchwork car. When Shadow's growl turned a bit pointed, he added, "Though it appears to have gotten you this far."

Shadow grunted, following close to Burt as we neared Camp. The strange wolf gave my Wulf space, stealing glances back at me as he led the way. Why the looks? They weren't of concern; more of interest?

Burt glanced down at me and whispered to Shadow, "Is he naked under there?"

Shadow nodded, not bothering to reply or interrupt his wary stare on the gray wolf's back.

Camp swirled with activity. Bustle had returned, such not seen for days. FurShopper furs worked at tasks with far more purpose in their steps. A few new furs, all in military camo uniform, mingled among familiar furs.

One uniformed female otter, crouched in front of Tara and Diana, had them both giggling. Diana was even jumping up and down, finally losing her constant frown. I was glad in my muted mind; she'd taken her brother's death harder than anyone else.

A little gray ball of soft fur collided into Shadow's legs, all but toppling us. Brynn. The little pika stared up at us with tiny, dark eyes and returned Shadow's smile. She clung to Shadow's shirt, trailing at our rear as he too followed the wolf Sergeant past the main bustle of Camp where furs greeted us with happy voices.

Clovis, nose pale but sitting and alive, smiled at me from a picnic table next to a slightly cut up Ruby. Thank the furry heavens, the odd fur was still alive. Thinking of furs dying was getting to me, and he'd always shown me kind understanding.

Everyone had to settle for nods or a few words from Burt as we passed beyond the main part of Camp. Only Michael and Isaac looked uncomfortable with our return. Sanway glared at us as usual, but after a single second, developed a terrible blush.

Howard gave us a pretty enthusiastic wave, considering his usual manner. He was sitting next to Michelle, who was nursing her fussy calf.

It felt good to be back; at least until I spotted a less welcome wolf. Helaina's eyes focused on our little group, the new wolf in particular. Her tail waved seductively behind her as she made to approach, but her face slumped into a pout when the gray wolf walked right past her.

Burt got Ethan's attention and asked the hound to bring some drinks and snacks to the edge of Camp where the Furshopper furniture section had been converted into living spaces.

Shadow settled me and my blanket into a blow-up easy chair, pulled into a small circle with a few folding chairs and canvas camp chairs. My head tried to roll to the side, but I managed to hold upright with some groggy effort. I could see the bustle of Camp from there, but the activity was difficult for my slow mind to follow.

I was feeling a bit better, a little stable. But my mind felt worse than the time I'd stayed up all night, gaming with Eric.

I blinked up at Shadow as he reached for my paw. He pulled a camp chair to the side of my balloon-like seat. Narrowed yellow-gold eyes examined the gray wolf who sat across from us with naked distrust.

Burt took a folding chair on my other side and leaned forward, elbows on thick, black knees; his apparent worry seeming to bow his weighty horns. Brynn stood, watching the activity all around with quiet eyes as she continued to hold onto Shadow's shirt. The gray wolf pulled close another folding chair, sitting across from me.

Burt grunted after two moments of silence, then started in a low voice, "Shadow, I'm sure you have a hard time trusting strange furs, but Sergeant Daws here has shown understanding of our situation here."

Shadow's eyes flicked to Burt but otherwise showed no reaction. He continued a whispered warning growl, reminding me of when we first met Burt and the others.

Daws cleared his throat. "You seem nervous, pup. I mean you and your fox friend no harm. Shadow was it?" When the wolf received no response, he tried again, "Maybe if I explain why I'm here. Perhaps it will help?"

"Let's start with that," Burt agreed. "Try to take a breath, Shadow. You know I'll help keep Tyler safe." The bull's voice lowered into a growl of his own. "No matter who tries to harm him. Same goes for you, wolf pup."

Shadow's eyes flicked again to the bull, then back to the non-aggressive - but intent - wolf. I could feel Shadow weighing his options. Neither of us liked the thought of trusting someone new. There were a few furs we might trust, why risk more?

Ethan arrived, juggling four bottled drinks and two bags of snacks; he smiled down at Shadow, waving his tail in greeting. Shadow took the interruption in stride, eyeing the strange wolf as the dog walked into the chair circle. When the hound showed no signs of tension, but spoke a happy greeting to the gray wolf, Shadow's paw on mine loosened.

Seeing some progress in the tense, black wolf, Burt smiled, reaching over to pat Shadow's knee. "Sergeant Daws' intentions are honest. He's explained some of his own situation, his mission."

Shadow managed to minimize his flinch at the touch from the black bull. With visible effort, he took a minute to quiet his small growls. His worried eyes looked me over as I watched him with my own concern.

I could only guess how difficult it was for him to retain any kind of relaxed state. Especially with another wolf, discomfort would be understandable given his history. I gifted him a faint smile, seeing a return sparkling in his golden depths.

My black Wulf startled a little when the Sergeant leaned forward, the lean causing the folding chair to shift a little forward with him, jerking the body. Shadow was half out of his chair before he regained control. The gray wolf appeared confused and concerned by Shadow's over-reaction to his movements.

Daws sat back and cleared his throat, "Let me be the first to say I'm happy you two, honestly anyone, survived."

I managed a tiny smile, while Shadow allowed a tight nod.

Burt chuckled, "So am I."

Daws' face widened with a smile. "Frankly, it's a miracle you pups survived on your own as long as Burt's told me. A matching miracle a group this size has made it too."

"Danks?" I slurred out.

Sergeant Daws chuckled. "Welcome. I do need to know something, and it's very important young pup."

My lips pulled into a tense line, and Shadow's paw clenched on my knee. I glanced to him, seeing he was quite tense again, beginning to fidget. A whisper of a growl slipped out of his lips.

The gray wolf ignored the renewed reaction, focusing on me. His voice lowered as his eyes assessed my shivering figure hidden under the blanket. "Burt here said you helped a lot during a previous attack. You whistled, right? It affected the creeps outside?"

I stilled, not wanting to admit anything. Burt had told on me? It wasn't really a secret anymore, so I nodded.

"So I have to ask you," the gray wolf leaned forward, ignoring Shadow's obvious tension, "how much of the Event frequency can you perceive? Might sound like a hum you can't quite hear, or a buzz perhaps?"

My eyes darted around, shoulders tingling and my breathing tightening. I felt more awake, but also with a sickening feeling in my gut. Fear.

Shadow reacted to my alarm. The growl clipped into a snarl. He stood up, one paw joining mine in a clench as he made a sharp gesture with his other one.

"Back off," Shadow growled, baring his teeth. "You're scaring him, and he can't take it right now!"

The gray wolf spared my Wulf the briefest of glances, still keeping his eyes and presence pressuring me to answer.

"I-" my voice tried before seizing to a stop. I tried to gulp around my hardening throat and look anywhere but those eyes.

"Sergeant." Burt's deep voice interrupted my struggle. "Keep it short and sweet. Tyler's in no shape to be hassled."

"Grrrraarrr!" Shadow enforced.

The gray wolf let an easy smile form on his muzzle as he sat back. "I apologize, young Tyler." As we all relaxed slightly, he nodded to Shadow. "I'm asking without giving anything. It's urgent I know, as it affects ah, various plans. Such as how to get you all out of here."

I frowned. Why would it matter? It was just some tune. Well, it did have something to do with the Curtain and the undead.

Shadow sat back down, making his low growl heard. In the distance of Camp, I saw Helaina watching us with some weird fascination.

Daws made a placating gesture. "For now, I'll ask you one thing. I can ask you more later, fill in some questions you have too. Can you perceive anything from the Event going on? I've heard it called the Curtain here."

I hesitated. It wasn't a secret any longer, but I was worried what it all might lead to. I didn't want to be associated with the Curtain. I nodded, looking down and feeling humiliated. Shame of association stung at my neck.

Daws nodded. "Do you hear it often?" Something in his voice couldn't be pinned down. Caution? Eagerness?

I felt a chill fill me to my fingers. Gulping, I nodded, closing my eyes.

"How often?" the wolf asked, definitely a little eager. "It was mentioned you whistled or sang for hours."

I looked away, my mind fuzzy and heavy. Not now, please not now....

Burt cleared his throat. "I think the rest can wait, Sergeant. Tyler needs some food and rest if I'm not mistaken. Rusty should check him out, unless you brought some kind of medic?"

The wolf opened his muzzle, then settled on a bemused smile. "I guess this will do for now. Don't worry, young Tyler. You all will be out of here soon, back to safety and civilization."

I nodded, not sure how much I believed. Civilization? How could anything....

When I sighed and slumped into my weariness, Shadow calmed too. Burt stood with Daws and they both looked down at me. I wanted to squirm under the wolf's gaze, but was just too damn tired.

Daws stared down with those unsettling eyes. "I'll send Kaz over. She's got some medic training."

Burt nodded a weighty, horned head. "Shadow, why don't you get something for you both to eat. Daws and I have some things to talk about."

Daws' stare slipped into a pleased smile. "Don't worry pups. We'll make sure to keep you safe and get everyone out of here."

Shadow didn't relax his grip on my paw until two backs were turned, talking as they walked back towards Camp. I closed my eyes and loosed a great sigh as my heartbeat calmed.

"You okay?" Shadow asked, still frowning at the gray wolf's back.

I nodded, feeling myself sag further into the blow-up chair.

"Hungry? I am." The black wolf couldn't help a hint of his belly's hopeful mood in his voice.

My eyes closed. I was too tired to eat. I wanted to slip into a restful darkness.

I heard him stand up. "Uh-uh, Tyler. You haven't eaten since last night. I know."

I groaned, but knew he was right. I tried to sit up, but I couldn't move enough to get upright. Sagging back into the airy support felt easier.

"I don't want to leave you here alone..." said a worried wolf.

Something happened. Maybe I slipped asleep a moment; it felt like an instant. Someone's paw was on my head. My eyes hefted open, looking up to a little gray muzzle. Rusty?

"Hey there, Tyler. You seem to have exhausted from the last Curtain. Are you hurting anywhere?"

No, but I felt gross still. I managed a negative-sounding groan. My eyes drooped, but I twitched a bit more awake.

Rusty crouched next to the otter I'd seen earlier. My eyes were drawn to a symbol on her shoulder. Took me a moment to recognize the well-known medical symbol.

The mouse gave me a pat on the shoulder. "Kaz is going to check you out now. Ethan's off getting you two some food. Shadow's here, don't worry."

The small fur gestured to the side, and I managed to recognize someone black with shining eyes before my own went blurry and closed. Shadow. Safe.

Another instant and food was in my muzzle. Eating seemed a heavy chore with my terrible fatigue. The world faded again.

***

When I woke, it was to Shadow's voice. "No, he's not up yet. He hasn't moved since I brought him back. Go. Away."

"I'm awake," I managed in a sleep-filled voice, pulling my eyes open.

"About time," huffed an unwelcome voice. Sanway. "That wolf Sergeant has been on me, asking details about the fox. How should I know? I hate even being around you two. Makes me sick."

Shadow's voice growled, "Not like we want you near us either."

Sanway huffed through his tight nostrils. "Just get the brat to talk. Those soldiers are trying to ask without getting noticed, but furs are noticing. We're all getting irritated. Bad enough to have you here. Don't need to drag us into your problems."

"Not our problems. Theirs." Shadow's growl got more pronounced.

I hid a snicker in my paws, lying in the darkness-filled green tent. I was still tired, but it hit me. Shadow was being forward with the abrasive springbok. Even if anger filled the response, Shadow was speaking more to someone.

He was speaking forcefully with Sanway. Good for him. Maybe the new boldness was from the shout-fest he'd had - yesterday? - at the antelope through the basement door.

"What time is it?" I mumbled.

"Way late. Near midnight, lazy brat."

"Shut it, Sanway," growled Shadow.

A snort. "Make me, and you won't live the night."

"Try, and you'll regret ever living," growled Shadow. "You're all talk. Bluster and no bite. So. Go. Away."

Sanway tried to say something, but after another grunt from Shadow, clicking hooves moved away. I smiled at a grumpy, but relieved wolf, entering through the damaged tent entry.

Shadow groaned as he sat next to me in the midnight dark. "Thought he'd never leave. He complains more than a female with ear mites."

I smirked up at him as he leaned over me to join our lips. In the dimness, I could barely make out bright eyes above and a swinging black tail beyond. The mix of sleeping bag and blanket under me wasn't as warm as the wolf next to me.

"Do you feel okay to get up? Sanway is only the most recent to visit." He huffed out a breath. "Also the most annoying."

"I don't want to, but I guess," I said, rubbing my forehead.

"They can wait, you know."

"It's okay," I groaned, sitting up. "I feel a lot better."

I did feel better. The horrible sense of violation was almost gone, though my mind skirted the memory. Another thing I'd have to deal with later. If I ever found some time to process everything. I sighed, rubbing my face. "Hungry," I muttered.

My Wulf smirked. "You didn't eat much, but I was glad to get anything down you earlier."

"I don't even remember." I crawled to the open tent entrance and tried standing. I didn't wobble, but a little dizziness remained.

"Food?" asked a wolf, trying to hide his youthful hunger.

I grabbed his paw and brought it to my lips. "Yes."

Shadow's eyes glowed in the dark. I could swear to it.

***

Sergeant Daws, the gray wolf commanding our little 'invasion' of eleven more helpful furs, had cornered Shadow and I after our early morning breakfast. Burt went with us to join Daws and another uniformed fur, a brown mongoose with watchful eyes.

Daws was all smiles when we entered a small, but tidy room. An old metal desk - painted to look like wood - had been pushed to one side of the room to allow a wider walkway. Siku Radi's old office? The large chair well-supported the wolf, but the twinge in my heart seemed larger.

Burt stood while Shadow and I found seats in front of the desk. The mongoose tried to look uninterested, standing in the back corner, picking his teeth. Previous papers had been shoved into a waste-basket to the side, and Sergeant Daws was quiet, looking over a shallow stack of paw-written documents on the desk.

Daws put the papers down. "Where to begin, pups?"

I glanced at Burt, who seemed to be our guardian for the function. Shadow was a legal adult, but I was still underage, needing representation. "Papa" Burt? He might act the part; I wouldn't mind. I'd missed having a real dad. The thought made me sad, though perhaps I'd given up on my dad longer ago than I'd thought.

"I'll fill you all in a bit." Daws' tapped his chin, thinking. "My unit was informed there were survivors deep in what we call the Red Zone. They'd reported survivors here on a fly-by some days ago. A new SOS had been painted on a roof, reported by images from satellites surviving the repeated Event.

"We're now in part of that Red Zone. It's the area considered most impacted by the Event. Electrical infrastructure was wiped out along with almost the entire population as we are aware."

A long shiver ripped through me, and Shadow's paw gave a reassuring squeeze above my knee. We had almost been among those dead.

Daws flattened his paws on the desk. "We estimate over 99% of the population didn't survive the first Event, let alone how many survived the second. The Event circles the world, so later time zones had further warning and time to figure out how to survive. Featherdom was also hit pretty hard in their western region, near here, and we've heard nothing yet from Findom."

I dropped my eyes. I'd been hoping somewhere in the back of my mind the impact had not reached everywhere. I'd wanted to know the rest of the world still thrived. I'd needed to know we'd been stuck in our own pocket reality or something.

Daws cleared his throat. "As you might know, this area was heavily-populated. Since the Great Wars ended, and Furdom has enjoyed the last century without any major conflict with Featherdom, trade was thriving in this area.

"Furs settled here, this... this was the fastest growing region in Furdom. Featherdom was even trying to arrange some intermingling with Furdom around a neutral border zone. And now it's full of the dead. Well... sort of dead."

I frowned at the metal desk, trying to not imagine the number of dead or the manner of their mass suffering. I was sure Shadow was trying to look like he didn't care, but I knew he cared. No one spoke for a long, long minute.

Daws nodded when I looked up. "I'm telling you, so you know how important it is we know everything. We need to know anything which might help. Any information about the Event is more than welcome. Anything."

I glanced at Shadow, and his eyes spoke clearly for him. Only if I wanted to. I closed my own eyes, trying to remember what it had been like. To walk down a sidewalk without listening for a screeching zombie. To watch the sun rise without the dread of going through another Curtain.

I didn't want to continue living the terrible life set before us. I would, but if there were a better way, I wanted to achieve it. I wanted it back - the sense and belief of peace I'd always taken for granted. Shadow's paw met mine under the table, and I felt a different kind of peace.

I opened my eyes and stared at our joined paws before looking up, meeting amber eyes. "I don't think I know anything that will help. What do you want to know?"

Daws gave me an encouraging smile. "I'll get right to the point. What can you perceive of the Curtain? I'm not talking about what it feels like physically, or what it looks like. Does it seem like there's something you... feel of it?"

I nodded, hating to admit it. I didn't want anything to do with the wrenching feeling the mention of it's very name brought me.

"What do you perceive? A tingle before its coming?"

I shook my head. "Not that. It's a tune in my head."

"Oh?" The Sergeant looked quite interested.

I shrugged. "Like a song in my head."

"Often?" Daws pressed. When I nodded again, he pressed further, "How often?"

Shadow squeezed my clenched paw, and I forced relaxation into it before I answered. "All the time," I whispered, unable to meet the intense amber gaze. "All through the day. Every day." How could I tell him how distracting it had been, how awful to realize where it originated?

I was surprised by the open look of relief on Daws' face. His paws relaxed on the desk, and his ears settled from their military cant. He smiled at me and rubbed under his eye, up to his temple with a paw.

"Don't worry, young Tyler. I know it must be difficult, to be attuned more than most to the Event. The 'Curtain' as you call it."

Shaking my head, I considered it. I felt I didn't want the further rejection from fearful furs because of the Curtain. The Curtain had ruined my previous life, and I didn't want it ruining everything else too. I didn't want all the furs I'd come to care about to view me differently.

Daws' smile eased into a more natural, less professional curve, relaxing his eyes. "It's okay, Tyler. I'm glad actually."

The wolf's apparent relief was not expected. Could he take more? How much more would he accept? How much more could I be accepted?

I gulped and opened my muzzle, hesitated, and snapped it shut again. My ears twitched before splaying. My heartbeat was in my ears, and I felt tense all over again.

When Daws asked, "Was there something else?" I clenched my eyes shut, trying to ignore the sudden strange, distant feeling of my body.

Shadow's paw tightening on mine brought me back to focus. I opened my eyes to three sets of concerned eyes and a fourth, mongoose gaze, slipping by. The mongoose seemed to be listening the closest of all, despite his manner.

Shadow shook his head, frowning. I knew what he was telling me, but I didn't want to hide things anymore. If I could help in any way, I would, even if it meant no one would look the same at me again. Even if it increased the deep feeling of shame....

"Yes," I whispered. Coughing my throat clear and managing to raise my ears, I spoke louder, "Yes, there is."

I steeled my nerves, turning my paw to give Shadow's paw a firm squeeze of my own. Shadow sighed and returned a wry smile. He'd stick by me, no doubt. If no one else would stand with me, I knew Shadow and I would be together through anything.

I looked down at our joined paws before meeting the Sergeant's gaze. With firm determination and a strong spine, I started. "During the Curtain, I can feel something. A presence. A 'Thing'."