It was a warm, spring day in Nome. The sky was a beautiful bright  blue, that would capture the attention of any, and hold it for quite a while. Though there were few clouds that filled the sky, there weren't enough to be any true signs of snow. The sun was high in the sky, peering down on  the little town, burning into the snow with a vengeance. Little green blotches had already begun to peak out from underneath the white blanket. A little girl, with bright red hair pulled sloppily back into a pony tail, went skipping down the streets of Nome, with her loyal best friend at her side, Jenna. The little girl, Rosie, clutched a hat in her hand. She remembered the day her hat was saved by a wolf-dog by the name of Balto. Not only did he save her hat, he also saved her life. Inside the hat was a piece of paper that listed the things Rosie was suppose to buy for her mother. Her mother had told her: 'Not to play around and come straight home.' Knowing Rosie, her mother immediately expected her to get caught up in talking to a friend. So she wasn't expecting her to come directly home.

Of course, living in a small town, everyone knew each other. Rosie was stopped frequently as many people called her name and gave her a "Good Morning!" Trying to obey her mother and move quickly, Rosie would skip backwards and say, "And a good morning to you too!" She would turn back around and continue on her walk. Jenna smiled at her girl's happy attitude to day. Her warm smile could change anyone's bad day to a good one.

Jenna found herself also greeted by many of her friends. She did the same thing Rosie did, she turned, walked backwards and gave them a: "Good Morning to you too!" Turned back around and continued after her girl. But of course, the husky didn't see the comparison between them both.

"Good Morning Jenna!" a familiar voice called from behind her. This time she stopped and looked back. She was surprised to see a Pomeranian trotting up to her. She never knew her friend woke up this early. She expected the Pom-Pom would stay in late for her everyday beauty sleep. "Oh Good morning Dixie," Jenna said, walking this time, for her friend to catch up, but also to stay close to her girl. "How are you this morning?" Jenna glanced down at her friend, who was smiling at Rosie's merry ways. Jenna couldn't help but smile as well. Little Red brung much joy to all who saw her. "I'm fine Jenna, and its been a magnificent morning." Dixie said. Jenna was surprised she didn't go on about herself, or tell her how she went flaunting her new collar. Ever since Steele...Steele she didn't even want to go on with her thoughts. After he lied to her...after he lied to everyone about being a "hero" and Balto being dead. He was nothing more than a flea to her now. No more than a fleck of dirt....

"And how are you, Jenna?" Dixie asked breaking Jenna's thoughts. "Oh, same as everyday. Happy and relaxed." Dixie smiled, "Well, thats good." Dixie glanced up at the sky as if to be trying to remember something. "Oh, yes, nearly forgot. Today is Sylvie's birthday."
Jenna nodded. "Yes. Yes thats right March 23rd," She chuckled, "Why I nearly forgot." She looked at the boncing girl and frowned.  "I can't leave Rosie," she turned to Dixie, "Do you think you can tell Sylvie to meet me at the store, Rosie and I are heading?"

Dixie nodded and smiled. "Sure no problem. Your heading to the old store that Mr. Granger owns right?" Jenna nodded. "Yup thats the one." Dixie turned and began to head in the other direction. Letting one paw land in front of another.  

"I'll see you later then."

Jenna turned and padded after Rosie. "Alright, see you." she yelled over her shoulder.

 

The door, to Mr. Granger's store, was already open, kept in its spot by a block of wood. Rosie skipped up to the counter, balanced up on her tip toes, and managed to catch a glimpse of Mr Granger's...rump? He was on all hands and knees reaching for something. Jenna also managed to catch a peek. The two giggled at the sight. "Mr. Granger?" Some would confuse the man to be Santa Claus, with his long, shaggy white beard, and large round belly, he was nothing but a bunch of joy!

Startled, the man immediately sat up bumping his head on the tip of the counter. "Ouch!" He groaned, rubbing his brown hair, speckled with grey. "Rosie? Oh I didn't see you there, darlin'...Hello Jenna. How are you two?" Still rubbing his head, he smiled at the two reds. Jenna barked twice. "We're both swell!" Rosie said, slipping a slip of paper on to the counter. "Order from mother."

Mr. Granger removed his hand from his head, and picked up the paper. His soft brown eyes moved side to side reading te paper. "Ahh...tsk tsk." Mr. Granger shook his head. "Alrighty dear, just a second." Quickly the man put everything on the list into the bag, while he was doing this Rosie took the money from her pocket and left it on the counter.

"Here you go little lady. Get this home quickly, okay?" The jolly man's smile had faded away from man's face. Rosie failed to notice, but on the other hand, Jenna notice immediatly. What was wrong? What was on that list that was so...abysmal. Mr. Granger handed the bag to the little red and took the money. He sighed. He reached over and patted Jenna lightly on the head. Again he sighed. What ever is wrong...Rosie defiantly does't know it...Jenna thought, watching the child wave good-bye to the man and skip out the door. And I don't think shes suppose to...

Slowly, Jenna followed, then remembered Sylvie. She stopped but kept her eyes on Rosie. Luckily, Rosie was stopped by one of her friends. Good. That should buy me some time.
Soon enough, Jenna noticed Sylvie and Dixie coming up the path way. Jenna smiled at her two friends. "Happy Birthday Sylvie!" she called out. Sylvie smiled. "You guys remebered! This is the best day of my life!.. Well second..." She giggled.

Jenna glanced over to the little girl, she was still with her friend, clutching the bag to her chest. "What are you going to do today?" Dixie asked Sylvie. Sylvie shrugged. "I might..." Jenna didn't listen to the rest, her mind was completely focused on what was in  the bag. What could it be? Was something wrong with Rosie and she didn't know it? Maybe their was something wrong with Rosie's mother? Or her father? These questions filled her brain, blocking out the conversation with her friends. What if something's wrong with me....and I don't' know it?! Oh nonsense! Why was she thinking like this. Nothing was wrong. Maybe...maybe Rosie's mom just added something else on the bottom about someone's passing. But why would he tell her to get the bag home quickly?

"Jenna?" Dixie piped, nearly startling Jenna to death. Jenna looked at her to friends, who starred at her as if she had two heads. "Are you alright?" Sylvie asked. Jenna nodded. "Perfectly fine." Dixie rolled her eyes. "Oh please Jenna. How long have we've been friends and you expect me to believe theres nothing wrong?  Seriously Jen, tell me? If you wont tell us, you'll tell Balto, and I'll ask Balto whats wrong and he'll tell me. So are you going to tell us or what?"

Jenna sighed. "Fine," she pointed her snout in Rosie's direction, "She that bag Rosie's holding, it has something in it...something me nor Rosie nose about, and it might be important..." Dixie and Sylvie were both staring at the bag. "Maybe its medicine." Sylvie suggested. Jenna sighed. "That's what I'm worried about. One of Rosie's paraents could be sick, or maybe even her and she just doesn't know it...doesn't feel it." A soft wind blew blowing their fur, twisting and turning it together. Dixie cleared her throat. "Maybe you should take her home now...just in case..." Jenna nodded. "Yeah... I should...I'll see you guys later then." The shocked dogs nodded, their gaze still fixed on the mysterious bag...

*                                                                *                                                            *

As the two reds headed home Jenna couldn't help but let her mind wander. Could something really be wrong? Is this all just in my imagination? Yea...It is... She lied to herself. Sadly, it wasn't convincing enough. Something's wrong and I'm going to figure it out. But first things first, figure out whats happening at home.

As Jenna walked up her porch step, her heart began to race. She

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