(Humphrey's POV)
I was still seated in my seat when I noticed the first newcomers slowly entering the auditorium. I quickly got up, making my way towards the crowd. As I neared the large crowd, I noticed that my fellow safe zone neighbors were already conversing with the new arrivals.
I stopped a few feet away from the crowd that had gathered, and quickly decided that I too should do my best to welcome them.
But before I could make my way over towards the crowd, something stopped me dead in my tracks.
A tap on my shoulder.
I quickly spun around to face whoever it was who seeked my attention, and that's when all my muscles went stiff as I froze.
Standing before me with a surprised yet excited look on her face, was none other than Kate.
I was overcome with emotion and shock as I just stared at her in my frozen state, my ice blue eyes pouring into hers. It had been four years since I'd last seen her, and I hadn't had much hope of seeing her ever again. Yet here she was! It had to be her...right? I'd know that beautiful face anywhere…
I snapped out of my thoughts as she finally broke the silence, her voice almost trembling as she spoke.
"H-Humphrey"?
There was no longer any doubt in my mind that that she was Kate. I was beyond shocked. I had so many questions, so many things to tell her, yet I only managed to wheeze out one single word:
"K-Kate"?!
The second I said her name, her face instantly lit up as she drew me into a tight embrace.
"Humphrey"! She said as she let go of me, "I...I can't believe it's you! It's been so long! I missed you so much…"
I didn't answer her right away, I was still too shocked to do so. I was still busy taking it all in. The fact that my long lost best friend was now standing right before me was almost too much to handle.
I looked up towards her face. Thick tears were slowly streaming out of her beautiful eyes, she too was clearly overcome with emotion.
"H-Humphrey? Are...are you OK"? She asked.
"Yeah Kate, I'm fine. It's just that I thought I'd never see you again. I missed you so much!" I answered her, tears were now present in my eyes as well.
She hugged me tightly again.
"It's OK, Humphrey. All that matters is that we finally found each other. I can't tell you how happy I am to see you!" she said.
"Same here, Kate. You have no idea how much I've missed you" I said.
We then just stared into each other's eyes, a wide smile present on both of our lips.
"Humphrey!"
Whoever shouted my name this time was not Kate. I turned myself towards the yell, and quickly noticed a snow white wolf running towards me.
It was Lily! Boy has she grown…
She was so big now! She had grown to be quite beautiful too.
As she reached me, she wasted no time as she drew me into an even tighter hug.
"Humphrey! I can't believe it's you! It's been so long. You have no idea how much Kate missed you… how much I missed you!" she said, a wide smile on her lips.
"Actually, Lily, Kate kinda already told me how much she missed me. But I'm glad to hear that someone else missed me too" I said, causing both Lily and Kate to let out a slight chuckle.
"Well, Humphrey, we need to bring you to our parents! I'm sure they'll be just as shocked to see you as we were…" Kate said.
I nodded slowly as Kate took my hand and led me through the crowd. After about a minute of searching we finally found her parents, who were busy talking amongst themselves.
"Mom! Dad!" Kate yelled, "you won't believe who we've found"!
Kate's parents quickly glanced towards us, they're jaws dropping open as they noticed me.
"Hello Mr. And Mrs. Smith!" I said as we reached them.
"Humphrey? Is that you?" Kate's dad finally asked.
"The one and only!" I answered jokingly.
"Well it's nice to see that you're alive and well, Humphrey. It's been a long time, we all missed you" kate's mom said with a warm smile.
"thanks, Mrs. Smith. It definitely has been a long time. I'm so glad to see you all!" I said.
"Humphrey, my dear, please just call me Eve. So, tell us, how are your parents and sister doing? Are they around?"
(Kate's POV)
The second Mom asked about his parents, Humphrey's smile instantly varnished and was quickly replaced by a look of sorrow and pain. My jaw dropped as I quickly understood the meaning of his facial features.
"Oh god… please don't tell me it's true…" Mom said as she too understood the meaning of his sad look.
We all looked towards Humphrey. He hadn't moved a muscle since Mom had asked him about his parents.
After a few long moments he looked up at us before finally speaking.
"Yes, it's true. My parents and sister are dead".
I hugged him tightly and could clearly tell that he was quietly sobbing. Looking over my shoulder, I noticed that Mom was also crying. Humphrey's Mom was her closest friend.
I then glanced at dad, who was rubbing Mom's hand in an attempt to comfort her. He wasn't crying, yet he had a pained look on his face. He, too, was very close with Humphrey's Dad.
Lily who was standing right next to dad, was crying quietly. Humphrey's sister, Heather, was her best friend.
I hugged Humphrey tighter. I felt really bad for my family members, they had all lost close friends. At least my best friend, Humphrey, had survived.
Many long moments later, Dad finally broke the silence.
"I'm so sorry, Humphrey. We will all miss them dearly".
"It's OK. I'm kind of used to them not being around any more. It can get rather boring sometimes" Humphrey said.
I smiled at the last part. Even in sad moments like this he still manages to lighten the mood with his jokes. That's the Humphrey I remember and love. Wait… did I just say love?
"So, Humphrey, do you live alone? Or do you have a roommate or something" Mom asked.
"Nope, I live alone. Have for four years" He answered her.
Mom and dad whispered to each other momentarily. When they finished Mom looked back towards Humphrey.
"Well, Humphrey, now that's no way to live" Mom said, glancing quickly towards dad before continuing.
"Look, as you know we just got here and don't know anything regarding housing yet, but me and Winston have decided to let you live with us. I'll request from the people in charge to let you live with us, and to grant us a house with an additional room. I'm sure they'll agree".
Me and Lily squealed with joy as Mom finished. I couldn't believe it! First I'm finally reunited with Humphrey after so many years, and now Mom and Dad let him live with us! Can this day get any better?!
"Thanks so much, Eve, but it's OK. I've lived on my own for years and can handle myself. I really don't want to be a bother" Humphrey said.
Come on, Humphrey I thought to myself, you've been alone for too long! Let us help you heal!
I had to say something.
"Humphrey, we totally know that you can handle yourself. That's not the point. You've been alone for too long. We all care for you and would love for you to live with us! I'd love for you to live with us… you definitely won't be a bother! " I said.
I looked towards Mom and dad. They were smiling as they nodded at me.
I then looked back towards Humphrey, he seemed to be deep in thought. Lily was biting her nails as she also desperately awaited his answer.
Please, Humphrey. Please say yes… I thought.
After what seemed like forever, he finally looked up at us. I noticed that he now had a wide smile on his lips, I just hopped that was a good sign.
"You know what? You guys are right. I have been alone for far too long. I'd love to live with you" Humphrey said.
Me and Lily squealed and as we ran over to him, hugging him yet again.
"Great! We're so glad you agree" Mom said, "I'll go speak with the housing manager".
(Humphrey's POV)
Me and Kate had been taking for about twenty minutes before Eve finally returned.
"OK everyone, listen up" she began, "I spoke to the right people, and they agreed to let Humphrey stay with us. They don't currently have an available house with an additional room for Humphrey, so he'll have to share a room with Kate. If, of course, that's OK with you Kate".
I looked slowly looked towards Kate just in time to see her nodding happily.
Something didn't make sense, though. I remember Eve being a very protective mother, so how is she totally OK with me and Kate sharing a room?
Oh well I thought, I guess desperate times call for desperate measures.
I looked up at the big clock which was mounted on the auditorium's wall. It was now 6:25 pm.
"Speaking of which" I said, "it's now 6:25. In five minutes a bus will pick us up from here and drop us off at our new home. Wherever that is".
Kate's Dad nodded.
"Thanks, Humphrey" he said. "You'll have to teach us the new system later".
(Kate's POV)
We waved to the driver as we all quickly exited the bus, stepping onto the snow covered sidewalk. I watch as the bus sped away to its next drop off point, leaving a trail of dark smoke behind as it did so.
The bus had dropped us off near a decent sized house. Mom led us up the stairs towards the door. She then reached into her purse and took out the house keys that's she'd received, unlocking the door as we all stepped in.
Dad shut the door behind us and we all unstrapped our gas masks, placing them on the nearby kitchen table.
Mom then turned around to face us.
"This house has three bedrooms, me and Dad will take the master bedroom. Kate, you and and Humphrey get the room to the left of the master bedroom. Lily, you get the room to the right" Mom said.
We all nodded as I quickly grabbed Humphrey's hand and led him upstairs. As we reached the top of stairs, we quickly noticed our room.
The room was by no means big, but it wasn't small either. I guess you could say it was a perfect size. Inside were two beds and a small desk with a chair.
"Kate, you can choose a bed first. I don't really mind which when I get" Humphrey said.
I smiled at him as I let go of his hand.
"Such a gentleman. I'll take the bed on the right".
We then both sat down on our beds. Now that I had been reunited with Humphrey, I was curious as to what he'd endured in the past four years. He must have quite an interesting story to tell.
"So, Humphrey, get me up to date. We have a lot to catch up about. Do you mind telling me what's happened to you in the past four years? " I asked.
Humphrey sighed and looked down towards the floor. He's clearly been through a lot of pain.
I was about to tell him that if he didn't need to tell me if he didn't feel comfortable, but he cut me off before I could do so.
"well… " he said.
"Where do I start"?
A/N:
Well guys, what did you think? Let me know in the comments. Please fav, follow and review! It's free! I assure you…
It also motivates me to continue the story, so I hope you can take a minute to do so.
Until next Time...
Bye!