Beyond The Veil Part Two

By Ahura Werewolf

"Ahh it feels good to be back in the flesh." Balto watches as his body rolls his shoulders and flex. "Steele, how is this possible?" Steele turns and looks at Balto's ghost and says, "You ruined me that day when you returned to Nome. Everything I had, the respect and envy of every dog in Nome was taken from me. You a half-breed, an outsider not even good enough for the one I loved." He turns and looks down at Jenna. "After you returned everyone treated me differently. My master disowned me, every dog in down called me a traitor and I couldn't show my face anywhere. Eventually I was driven out of town by the local dogs and forced to live like a wild animal. I figured since I crossed the wilderness to get back to Nome once, how hard could it be? I was wrong, a week after I was driven out of town I was starving. I couldn't catch any prey and even fish steered clear of me. But then everything became worse, a blizzard blew in and as I was making my way to the cave I was living in. I couldn't see the cliff ahead and I tumbled down into oblivion. When i awoke I felt different, I knew then that something had changed but I couldn't tell. The storm had blown over I and I looked up at the cliff I had fallen over. I figured I might be in shock since I couldn't feel any pain but that wasn't it. As I stood up I felt lighter than the air, indeed my feet didn't seem to touch the ground. I was curious at first but then discovered the truth. I was dead, I saw my broken body laying amongst some tall boulders. It's not really a sight most wake to find themselves viewing.  I was dead, at first I thought I was seeing things a trick of the light or maybe an illusion caused by my hunger but as I made my way over to my body I knew it was for real. I spent a long time staring at my body. My eyes had changed, they were dull and rolled back into my head. My body was angled oddly, I figured I must have landed on the rocks and it was a quick death. No pain, just a swift exit from this world."

Balto looks at him and says. "Why didn't you pass on to the other side after you had died?' Steele looks back at Balto and says, "After a time I saw the light, I felt the comfort and relief it gave me. But something in the back of my mind just wouldn't let go of the thought of you and Jenna living the life I should have lived. I was deteremined not to let you live the life I should have had and I wanted to get you back for the humilation you caused me so I turned my back on the light and I went back to Nome. There are some things that are really great about being dead. I never get tired and I don't have to worry about when my next meal is going to be. But the one disadvantage is that no one can see you or hear you. The funny thing was that it seemed the memories I had of living in Nome disappeared. I spent years wandering the forests, a forsaken spirit. The only thing that drove me was my desire for vengance. Eventually I found my way back to Nome and what did I find? You and Jenna had started a family but the thing that boiled my blood is that you had been accepted by the dogs of Nome. You a half-breed piece of filth were now a hero. Oh, the wicked lies! I couldn't touch you however, I could only watch you and her live happily. Eventually almost by accident I came across a way to get my revenge. An older sled dog named Harold had passed away in his sleep. I watched as he rose from his body and into the light. Then I got an idea, I walked over to his deserted corpse and soon enough I was in it. I could touch things instead of my paws passing through them like smoke. Once I learned the capabilites of my new found ability I left the body behind. I practiced with other dogs who had recently died and even some of those who were just sleeping but that rarely worked.Since their essence was still attached to their physical selves. Thats when I knew for sure that I could finally take my revenge on you. If I could some how break the connection your soul had to your body I could claim it for my own and finally have everything I never had."

Balto growls angrily and lunges at Steele. But he passes right through him, and lands on the other side of a wall in Rosie's bedroom. Balto walks throught the wall and watches as Steele in his body lays down next to Jenna.  Balto says, "Get away from her Steele." Steele perks and ear and says, "Get out of here you pathetic ghost. This is my body and my life now." Balto trys to lunges at Steele again but passes right through him. He realizes it's hopleless, as long as Steele had his body he could do anything about it. Balto passes right through the front door and makes his way towards the old refinery and gazing into the refinery he looks at his son Kodi as he sleeps with his friends Dusty, Ralph and Kirby at his side. He calls out to Kodi but Kodi doesn't respond. He sighs and says, "Kodi, I wish you could hear me. I really could use your help." Balto nods and says, "Thanks mom but I have one more question what will happen to Steele after I get my body back?"
Aniu simply replies, "That is none of your concern Balto, just know that what will happen will happen and that there isn't anything you can do." Aniu lifts her head and howls disappearing into the winter mist. Balto turns and heads back down the hill to the refinery. Balto hesitantly approaches his sleeping son and says, "Kodi wake up please, I need you." Kodi continues to slumber unaware of his fathers ghostly presence.

Balto hears a famaliar howl echoing behind him and he turns to see his mother Aniu standing on the crest of a hill overlooking the town. Balto turns away from the refinery and walks towards her. "Hey Mom come to take me into the next world?"

"No, my son I have not come to take you. I have come to give you a chance to reclaim your life back from Steele." Balto's eyes widen and says, "How mother? No one can hear me and I cannot touch anything." Aniu nods "Yes, that is true however there is a way. You must find a person to share their body with you in order to allow you to remain Earthbound. Preferably this person should be related to you otherwise the match will not work." Balto shakes his head and says. "How will that work, wouldn't that be stealing? And what of the other persons consciousness, I wouldn't feel right if my own took over theirs. Even if it was possible, most of my children are living their own lives. Who could I find then to share a body with?" Aniu gestures to the refinery and says, "You can share your son's body, Kodi loves you and would be willing to do anything for you. Your consciousness will switch with his everytime you need it to. You will be both separate entities in the same body." Balto looks at his mother and ponders whether he should. "I couldn't really ask this of my son could I? There is no doubt in my mind that Steele needs to be stopped but at the sametime I cannot really allow myself to share my son's body. It's his and not mine there must be some other way?"  Aniu looks at her son and sees the conflict in him and says, "Balto I know this isn't an easy choice but it's your only option to get your life back. Wouldn't you at least want the chance to take it back?" Balto nods and says,' Yes mom I would take any chance to take it back and get Steele back to where he belongs." Aniu smiles and says, "Good now when you return to the refinery Kodi will be able to hear and see you. Just tell him what you require him to do and you will be able to enter his body but only if he agrees otherwise you will have to pass on to the next world." Balto nods and says, "Thanks mom." Aniu howls and disappears into the winter mist.

Balto makes his way back to the refinery and hesitantly approaches his sleeping son. He says, "Kodi wake up I need you" Kodi opens a bleary eye and says, "Dad it's to early listen go back to mom's and I promise I will visit you tommorrow." Balto says, "Kodi listen something has happened and I need your help" Kodi's head perks up and he says, "What Dad? What has happened?" Balto looks at his son and before he can reply Kodi says, "Dad you look different? Your sorta blurry and I can see right through you" Kodi shakes his head and says, "That's the last time I eat any kiblle before bed." As he opens his eyes again he sees his father is still see through and sorta out of focus. Balto says, "Kodi listen, I know this is gonna sound weird but I am a ghost." Kodi's eyes widen and he stands up trying to get a better look at his father. Balto is illuminated by the thin sliver of moonlight that shines across the floor, from where Kodi is standing his father's form is barely visible. He can see right through him and at the heavy machinery behind him. Kodi says, "Dad how is this possible? Are you dead?" Balto shakes his head no and says, "Not really technically I am dead but at the sametime I am not." He explains that Steele has returned and has taken over his body in an attempt to ruin his life with Jenna. He then explains what Aniu had told him and that he needed to share a body with someone in order to get his original one back. After he is done talking he looks at Kodi and says, "So will you help me?" Kodi looks at his father and paces for a few minutes then turns and says, "Yes Dad, if it means getting you back to normal I will help