A/N: If you don't already know what a nuclear winter is, please Google it.

The wolves in this story are anthro!

Hope you enjoy!

(Humphrey's POV)

I awoke to the sound of my alarm clock, quickly turning on my side as I shut it off. I rubbed my eyes as I sat upright on my bed. After a few moments of just staring into space, I got up and walked over to my small apartment's only window. I stopped a few inches away, sighing as I opened the window curtains.

The sight was the same as always; snow covered just about everywhere, almost like a thick white blanket under the dark grey sky. Canadian National Defense troops, wearing full biohazard gear, were also constantly patrolling the streets, either by foot or by armoured vehicles.

I sighed again as I looked towards the thermometer that was mounted on my window. It showed the same reading as always, -3 degrees Celsius.

Everything was the same as always. Same sky, same temperature, and the same endless supply of snow. That's what really sucked the most, the fact that nothing new would ever occur.

As I stared out the window into the distance, I began to replay in my mind how it used to be before it all started. And I definitely still remembered.

I remember going to school, how I found it so boring and unbeneficial. I now understand how I took it for granted.

I remember the countless hours I'd spend hanging out with my friends. Now I'm stuck in this small apartment, allowed to venture out only once a day for no more than an hour. I don't even know what has become of my friends.

I remember the day the war officially started: The panic; the worried faces that surrounded me. The fear; not knowing what dangers every "New" day would bring with it. The blood, the many who lost their lives including both my parents and sister. Not one day goes by without me missing them dearly.

I remember the day the first nuclear bomb was dropped, and the many more that followed. All the people who lost their lives within seconds. Poor souls.

I remember when the nuclear winter started, and how it seems like it will never end. I remember when the sun vanished behind the infinite blanket of dust clouds, with it the warmth. The results were a drastic drop in temperature, and no sunlight meaning no crops could grow. Food rations are now handed out once a day by the National Defense. It's not much but it's enough to keep us going.

I remember the day I was brought to quarantine zone JC2.

Since Jasper City was relatively unaffected by the war, the government decided to divide the city into four separate quarantine safe zones: JC1, JC2, JC3 and JC4. All of which are surrounded by tall fences and constantly patrolled by the military. I remember hearing rumors that Montreal and Toronto were both destroyed, and that half the US was also gone. Other rumors say that major parts of Europe and Asia were reduced to nothing more than piles of rubble and debris. Information like this only passes through rumors since the military never releases any updates or information about the situation in the outside world. In fact, the only information they ever have released is that the government, rather what's left of it, is working on the situation and that they would update us further at a later time. They never did.

Life in the safe zone sucks. We're only permitted to leave our homes once a day. Due to the extreme temperatures and radiation level, we must wear protective clothing and gas masks while we're out, and we're only allowed one hour of exposure time, any more would be deadly. Well, that's what they've told us. We're also limited to one hour of electricity use daily. Water usage is no different. The only somewhat "fun" thing about living in the quarantine zone is that every day at 5 pm the National Defense troops go from house to house and pick up residents in an armoured bus, and drive us to an auditorium conveniently located within the safe zone. If I remember correctly, the auditorium used to belong to a nearby school. Inside the auditorium is our only form of "entertainment". We try to socialize and play board and table games, but besides an occasional movie from time to time, that's pretty much it. At 6:30 pm sharp, we once again load ourselves onto the bus and are dropped off back at our homes.

That's how it's been pretty much every day for the past 3 years that I've been a resident of the safe zone.

And last but definitely not least, I remember Kate. She was my childhood best friend. We would spend countless hours in each others company, both at school and after. It's been almost four years since I've last seen her, but I can still remember her beautiful figure and even more beautiful smile. Her smile never failed to cheer me up, even during my darkest moments, and I've had quite a few of them. I can only imagine where she is now. Is she dead? No. It can't be. I remember her simply being too strong, both physically and mentally. She's definitely alive...but where? Now that's a different question. The chances of me ever seeing her again? Close to none...though I'm not going to lose hope any time soon. The hope fueled by small chance the I might see her again.

I finished my thoughts and sighed for the third time. Although those memories were full of pain, I enjoyed them. They helped me clear my mind.

I slowly looked down at my watch. It was now 7:15 am. I'd be receiving my daily food ration in a quarter hour. I walked away from the window and looked at my calendar, checking the date. I almost smiled as I realise that my 17th birthday was in exactly two months from today. Not that it matters though, birthdays have all but lost their meaning. Just another year of life in this never ending apocalypse.

A few minutes had passed and I finally heard a knock at my door. I almost stumbled over a book as I rushed to open it. I slowly opened the door, revealing a tall soldier wearing a camo biohazard suit, and as expected, a gas mask. He walked inside as I closed the door behind him. He removed his gas mask, revealing that he had grey fur, just like mine. In his hands were a box holding two MRE's and a few bottles of water. He handed them to me and and I thanked him. He gave me a nod as he put his mask back on, turned around and walked out into the snow covered street.

I yet again closed the door and walked towards my small table. I set the box on the table and opened it. I took out one of the two MRE's and ripped it open. It was the typical beef stew and rice, not much but it's packed with calories. I quickly prepared it by adding water to the small packet and sat down to eat.

After I had finished my "meal", I walked back over to my bed and collapsed onto it. I really had nothing to do until 5 pm. I guess I could read or something, but I find reading boring. I decided my best option would be to simply shut my eyes and try to fall asleep. And that's exactly what I did.

(Kate's POV)

I awoke suddenly as the bus we were currently traveling in skipped over a pothole. I rubbed my eyes and took in my surroundings. My sister Lily was asleep in the seat besides me, and both our parents were seated behind us.

That's when I remembered where we were heading.

We were currently on our way along with an additional 20 people to quarantine zone JC2. We were forced to leave our previous safe zone, quarantine zone JC4, due to overcrowding.

The bus suddenly came to a stop at the side of the road, and a female soldier stood up and turned to face us.

She cleared her throat loudly, "ladies and gentlemen, your attention please" she said. I quietly nudged Lily until she finally awoke, as the female soldier continued speaking.

"As you all already know, we're heading to quarantine zone JC2" she said, looking around before continuing. "It's now 4:45 pm, we should be arriving in about 15 minutes. When we get there, we will drop you off at an auditorium located within the safe zone. There you will meet the rest of the quarantine's residents, get to know them, they're to be your new neighbors.

Any questions?". The soldier scanned the bus, and after realizing that no one had anything to ask, she finally sat down as the bus continued onwards.

I turned to face Lily, she seemed worried.

"Hey Lily, are you ok?" I asked her. She nodded.

"I'm just a bit nervous. I hope the people there are nice" she said, a slight smile on her lips. I smiled at her before turning my head towards the window. What Lily had said got me thinking.

I really missed my old friends. I sighed as memories of all the fun we had flooded my mind. The memories that hurt the most were the ones of me and Humphrey. I miss him so much. He was the best friend anyone could ask for; we had so much fun together. I wonder almost every day what has become of him. I remember him being a very strong willed wolf, and there's no doubt in my mind that he's alive. The real question is where is he? I don't think I'll ever know…

All I'm hoping for is a new start, and with any luck, I'll meet some nice new people.

(Humphrey's POV)

For the second time today I was awoken by my annoying alarm clock. I slammed it off and looked at the time. It was now 4:40 pm, meaning I have 20 minutes to get ready before the bus arrives.

I yawned as I got up, heading to the sink to wash my face. I shivered as I did so, the water along with everything else was just so cold.

Minutes later I zipped up my protective gear as I waited for the bus to come. Merely a few seconds later, I heard it pull up outside my house before sounding its horn. I quickly grabbed my gas mask, putting it on as I made my way to the bus and hopped in.

About ten minutes later we finally arrived at the auditorium as we all crowded in through the doors. We all took a seat as the commander of our safe zone rose to address us. After everyone finally fell quiet, he opened his mouth to speak.

"Hello to you all, today is going to be different than usual". He took a long breath before continuing, "we are receiving 24 new residents who are all coming from quarantine zone JC4. They are being dropped off here directly, it'll give you all a chance to meet them. I ask that you all treat them with warmth and accept them nicely. That's all".

As he finished addressing us, some headed towards the billiard tables and some just talked with each other. I never really enjoyed socializing with them. I knew none of them, and they all pretty much knew at least someone. I was pretty much a loner here. It's been that way forever and just like everything, it will probably always be that way.

(Kate's POV)

We finally arrived at the safe zone's gates. They quickly opened as the bus continued inwards.

About a minute later we pulled up besides a tall building which I'm assuming is the auditorium. The female soldier once again rose from her seat and yet again cleared her throat. "OK everyone, we have arrived. Please put your masks on. The entrance is straight ahead" she said.

We all put our masks on and stepped off the bus and onto the snow covered ground. We all quickly made our way to the auditorium's two doors, entering one by one. After we stepped in, I removed my mask and set it down on a nearby table. I glanced at Lily who was right besides me, she still had that worried expression on her face.

I turned around to see mom and dad walking towards us. We ran towards them, hugging them both.

"Now Kate, take Lily and go meet new people. They are our new neighbors" dad said.

I nodded and grabbed Lily's hand and ran into the crowd.

I noticed that members of our group were already socializing with everyone else. I smiled at this. They all seem really nice and seem to have accepted us well. As I was looking into the distance, something, rather someone, caught my attention.

He was an average height wolf who had beautiful grey fur and a black mane. Strange, I thought to myself, he almost looks like...wait, no! It can't be...is that...Humphrey?!

As I snapped out of my thoughts, I realized I was running at full speed towards him. As I reached him, I stopped for a second before tapping his shoulder. He turned around, and that's when everything seemed to freeze.

It was Humphrey…It was Humphrey!

I'd know that face anywhere!

"H-Humprey?" I managed to wheeze out, my voice trembling.

That's when he froze as his jaw dropped. He just started at me with his ice blue eyes. He was clearly beyond shocked.

"K-Kate"?!

A/N:

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