Phoenix Maplewood All that was once so beautiful is dead

The good news about Dawn brought his internal panic down slightly but the follow up made his heart sink into the pit of his stomach. It was clear by the way Aditya trailed off what was assumed and his breath hitched eyes stinging before he turned away and stared off into the distance. He sucked in a few breaths before the urge to scream and let the tears flow faded to a more tolerable pressure in his throat and behind the eyes. "There's no need....if they're alive they'll find us eventually." he was shocked at how empty his voice came out and directed his gaze toward the floor. If at least one of them didn't return, they would have a orphaned pups to care for, to explain the deaths to.

It was Kasatka's voice that brought him out of his broken staring. The words were a small ray of sunshine, a small beam of innocent optimistic hope in this terrible darkness. The lump grew and he once again lowered his muzzle to his little sister's head, nuzzling her "Kitten....You're right. All will come into place in time. She'll be back" he whispered softly and lifted his head. He had to think like this, had to force himself to latch onto that small bit of childish hope otherwise he would break and he refused to lose it in the face of grief and loss while everyone else worked to survive again.