A Stranger in The Midst

Prologue

            It was freezing, the shop’s thermometers read below zero. Addy was shivering as she slowly walked down the snow covered street. She’s been alone for over a year now, and in that time had developed a phobia of almost everything you could imagine. It was really late, the sky was pitch black, and her pink fur glistened in the moonlight. She looked through the windows of stores and houses, no light shone through them. She felt so cold, not from the snow, but from this feeling of emptiness she’d had her whole life. She stood in the middle of the road, her mind began to trail off, snow melted on her nose, I wish something would just end it, please, end my pain! Her train of thought was broken as lights blinded her, and a loud honking noise deafened her hearing. This is it, she thought to herself, it’s over, but I didn’t want it to be like this. Suddenly, a brown blur rushed out of the alley, and knocked her out of the speeding car’s path just in time. Addy looked up to find a scruffy dog looking down at her, she recognized him from the newspaper she’d found the other day, Balto.

Chapter 1

            “What were you thinking, standing in the middle of the road like that?” Balto asked her with a stern tone.

“Oh, I’m sorry I just…” She tried to reply, but her sentence broke off.

“You don’t have to apologize, are you alright?” He asked, an air of concern entering his voice.

“Oh, um, yes, I think so.” Addy began to blush, she’s always been very shy around, well, anyone.

“Good,” he replied. “Where do you live?” He asked.

“Well, uh, I uh…” Her voice began to break off again. No, finish the sentence you idiot! “I don’t have a home, I’m a stray.”

“Really,” He asked surprisingly. “I thought you had an owner.”

“What, why?” She was equally surprised at his comment.

“You look...uh.” He was a little hesitant to finish.

“Too well groomed.” She finished for him.

“Uh, yeah. How do you do it?” He asked.

“I take care of myself.” She simply put it.

“Look uh, I have to get going. You sure you’re alright?” He asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine, uh, see ya.” She called out as he ran off into the darkness. That’s the longest conversation I’ve ever had with anyone, and the guy had to save my life before I could have it. God I’m so pathetic! She walked, continuing her search for a place to sleep, slightly more confident in that fact that maybe, just maybe, she’d made her first ever friend.

            Balto ran up to the door of the barn where he and Jenna now stayed, ever since Rosie and her family had moved away and left Jenna there, the house has been empty, and locked, so she stayed with him in a barn on the outskirts of town. When Balto entered, Jenna and the others were asleep. The all looked so peaceful, just lying there. As Balto’s gaze moved towards Jenna, he noticed a shocking resemblance between her, and the dog he’d saved just minutes ago. That’s why he’d knocked her out of the way, he thought she was Jenna; they even wear the same bandanna. Balto didn’t want to think about it too much right now, so he cuddled up next to Jenna, gently licked her cheek, and slept.

            He jumped awake to a loud crashing sound, he stared in astonishment as the right wall of the barn collapsed, he had one thought. Muk and Luk! He ran outside to see the two bears lying on top of the rubble that was the barn wall.

“What happened?” Balto asked sternly.

The two bears shivered. “Well, Luk was just…” Luk cut him off with a loud hum, the whole time pointing at Muk.

“Luk,” Balto sternness suddenly disappeared. “Did you break the barn wall?” Luk reluctantly nodded his head. Balto then broke into laughter; he turned around to see Jenna staring at him.

“It’s not funny Balto, someone could’ve been killed.” Jenna spoke with much concern. “We have six pups in here you know.”

“Yeah, I know,” Balto turned his attention back towards the bears. “How?”

“Well, we were playing slosh, when Luk suddenly lost his balance and,” Muk didn’t need to finish. His answer was followed by a series of chirps from Luk. “Yes yes, well of course I jumped on you, that’s a part of the game.” Balto simply shook his head and walked back into the barn. Jenna rolled her eyes as he walked past.

“What?” He asked.

“You never discipline them.” Jenna said calmly.

“I know, just wait for it.” Balto smirked as he spoke.

“Wait for wha…” She was cut off.

“What are you doing!? You stupid bears are now breaking everything you get hands on. I let you come out here for one night, and you break walls! One of you is going to give me a heart attack someday, or both of you will.” The yelling had a very distinct Russian accent to it.

“Boris takes care of them.” Balto chuckled. Jenna laughed and gently nuzzled him. The pups ran outside to see what the commotion was all about; they sped towards Boris, and tackled him of course.

“Jen, I’ve been meaning to talk to you, about last night.” Balto began.

“Why, what happened last night?” Jenna asked, a usual tone of concern entering her voice.

“I met this huskie; I saved her from being hit by a car. This girl looked like she wanted to die.” Balto said.

“Balto, I’m sure she just wasn’t paying attention, she probably…” Jenna couldn’t finish.

“I saw her Jen; she was looking right at the car!” Balto yelled.

“Okay, gosh you don’t have to yell at me.” Jenna defensively responded.

“Oh, uh, I’m sorry. But I know what I saw, this girl is suicidal, we have to get her help, or she’ll kill herself.” Balto was insistent. Jenna nodded, and they walked off towards the town, Jenna called out to Boris to watch the kids while they were gone. Boris tried to call back, but the pups had piled on top of him, and he couldn’t speak.

            The two walked through the center of the town looking for her. Jenna suddenly realized. “Wait, what does she look like?”

“Oh, well she’s kind of difficult to miss, she’s pink.” Balto explained.

“Pink.” Jenna responded flatly, and then it suddenly became a question. “Pink?”

“Yes, pink.” Balto said.

“Ah, you mean like that pink.” She motioned towards the alley across the street where a group of street rats were hassling the pink female.

“Yes, come on, we have to help her.” Balto and Jenna both ran down the alley.

Chapter 2

            Addy hadn’t eaten in days, she was beginning to grow weak, a sign that she was slowly starving to death. There were so many rats in the alleys where she’d slept, but she couldn’t bring herself to harm even the smallest of rodent. Suddenly, a large chunk of ice broke off from the roof overhang and crushed one of the rats. Well, I least now I don’t have to kill you. Her morals said nothing about eating something that was dead. As she bit pieces off the rat, she began to feel a cold chill move up her spine. She wasn’t alone.

            She turned to face three extremely ragged dogs, patches of their hair were missing, and they all looked like foam was coming from their mouths. Oh god, they’ve got rabies. If one of them bites me I’m a goner for sure.

“Well well well, look what we have here boys.” The first dog spoke with a scratchy voice.

“This one’s a fine piece huh.” The second one spoke with an even worse voice.

“Maybe we shouldn’t kill this one till we’ve had some fun with her.” The third one spoke so scratchy she could barely understand him.

“Wha…what do you want?” She began to whimper she was so scared.

“Well, you of course.” The first dog spoke slyly. Addy turned to try to run, but behind her was a dead end. I’m gonna become street rat food. Tears began to well up in her eyes.

“Oh don’t be sad love, it’ll only hurt a bit, at first.” They all began to laugh. Addy was now backed into the corner of the alley. She froze, unable to move out of fear. These freaks are going to have their way with me and then kill me. The largest of the three ragged dogs hunched down as if he was about to attack her. She closed her eyes, waiting for his attack, but it never came. Instead there was a loud thump, followed by vicious growling. She opened her eyes to find that the rats had turned their attention away from her, and towards two other dogs at the end of the alley. She immediately recognized one of them. “Balto!” She cried out.

            One of the rats turned around, “Shut up!” He yelled and smacked her across the face. Balto held his ground, Jenna standing