What Was Lost in Pass

Note: This story takes place right after the events of Balto (1995)

Chapter 1: Return of a Hero

Balto slowly walked away from the still celebrating town of Nome, heading towards his boat. After he left, or rather, sneaked away from the porch of the hospital, which was where the crowd cheered for him, the crowd had turned their attention to the other sled dogs on the team like Nikki, Kaltag and Star. He can still hear the noises from so far away, still, he is sure that the cheered even louder for him, and he can’t help but to let a smile escape his lips, despite his weariness.

Bringing the badly needed anti-toxin back to Nome was not an easy task, many obstacles had been laid before him, blizzards, falling icicles, breaking ice bridge and even an avalanche brought down by a sneeze from Star. However, none of these stopped Balto and his team from going home, and urged by their desperation to save the sick townspeople of Nome, they ran towards their home at the coast for days without stopping, any discomfort was ignored or simply didn’t noticed.

But now, they had reached the finish line, his quest is completed and his adrenaline has faded, he felt his whole body sore and every steps he took made his muscles protest with discomfort. Only now that he realize how exhausted he was.

 But it was all worth it. Balto smiled when he thought of what he had achieved and the prize that he was rewarded. All he hoped to get was to save Rosy, the only human in Nome that would not frown upon on his sight and even willing to touch him as if he was a domesticated dog. And, by saving Rosy, perhaps he could earn the favor of Jenna, a stunningly beautiful red and white husky Balto has fancied since he was young.

But it turned out he gets much, much more than he bargained for, instead of getting the favor of a human and a dog, the whole town, dogs and humans alike, cheered for him as a hero. He was not prepared for this kind of welcome, but he did enjoy the happiness of finally being accepted.

“Finally, the town’s hero decided to come home!” spoke a voice with a thick Russian accent.

Balto pulled his head up and found out he had arrived home, an old, broken boat that was there long before Balto called it his home. His old bunkmate, a snow goose named Boris was looking down at him on the deck of the boat, beside him was two polar bear cubs, one smaller and the other bigger, Muk and Luk. They have been Balto’s friend since he was young, and like him, they are outcasts and rarely, if ever wandered into Nome. However, they did went into the town when Balto returned with the medicine, but left quick enough before some humans decide to shoot them for their fur.

Once Balto boarded his boat, the only thing he felt was an overpowering weariness, he trailed towards the room on the boat and curled up under his blanket. Muk and Luk were eager to hear his story and how he returned, but luckily, Boris was able to notice just how tired Balto was and, with some effort, convinced the two polar bear cubs to leave him alone until tomorrow.

Far away from Nome, in the snowy mountains where blizzard raged, a lone wolf ran with all his might, pushing himself against the wind and the snow. He was running for his life, even in this kind of storm which none but the insane or lunatic would travel in. He knew his pursuers would not be stopped; every single second he delayed would only make him closer to his death. Death ahead, death behind. But otherwise, I will survive! My quest is yet undone! And with a groan, he forced himself into a run again, desperate to put some distance between him and his doom.  

Chapter 2: A New Day

When Balto opened his eyes, the sun was high in the middle of sky, and to judge by that, Balto have been sleeping throughout the whole morning. He tried to stand up, and the moment he did that, his whole body protested.

“I should’ve known about this.” He muttered to himself, and forced himself up. He was in no rush to do anything, as nothing needs his attention, as it always was. However, he was eager to get into the town, to see if his affection on the townspeople stills stand, or it was just as disposable as a newspaper. Still, that was not the only reason that jolted him up from under his blanket; he was going to visit Jenna and Rosy. He was so tired the day before that when he decided to sneak away from the crowds, he forgot to say goodbye to Jenna, and he hoped that she was not to worry about his sudden disappearance.

 As he walked out of the cabin room of his boat, Boris the snow goose took notice of him instantly and walked up to him.

“You shouldn’t get up walking around so soon! You need all the rest you can get, and there’s no rushing you anywhere.” Said Boris.

“I’m thinking about going in to the town, that won’t use up all my strength.” Balto replied with a smile.

“What? Still haven’t satisfy with all the cheering? You are wishing them to sing songs about ‘Balto the Hero’ and pass them down for generations?” Boris joked.

“Come on, Boris, I just was to go see if I’m really accepted into them, you know how great it means to me.”

“Or is there a better reason? One that takes a few steps higher that just accept?” hinted Boris.

Balto blushed as he caught the meaning in Boris’ word. He was startled that Boris could guess what is in his mind when he thought he had hidden it quite well, but still, this is Boris, the old, wise goose who raised him up when he was a pup and still looked over him even though he can totally take care of himself now.

“Okay, I’m going to check on Jenna, I didn’t have the chance to bid her goodbye when I escape from the hospital.” Balto admitted.

“Ah, so someone’s finally going to make move! Doesn’t sound too hard for someone who braved the wilderness like you, eh?” Said Boris, brightened by his word.

“Boris, I said I am visiting her, not dating her.”

Rising an eyebrow, Boris said “Oh? Why not?”

Balto sighed and said “Seriously, do you really that a pure bred husky like Jenna would love a mutt like me?”

“Balto! I though you’ve made peace with your wolf side already!” exclaimed Boris, then sighed, a hint of disappointment appeared in his eyes “Balto, if what you’ve done both for her and the town cannot get her to like you, then I can’t think of another way to do so.” He paused, apparently thinking for the words to come out “I might not know her well, but I’m sure that she looks into your soul instead of your flesh as what the other did. You have a kind heart, and that is all you will need.”

Startled by his old friend’s word of wisdom, adding up his own desire, desire to find love, “I’ll give it a try.” He decided.

“Well that’s better, now go on. Go to her before she comes looking for you. Go!” Boris said while gestured for him to move on.

The road from Balto’s boat to Nome was a short one and, under normal circumstance, needed only a three minutes walk. As Balto entered the town, a little boy spotted him and shouted to the other humans “Balto! Balto is here again!”

And the next instant, Balto found himself being swarmed by a host of grateful people. Everyone wished to touch him, or offer him food and other things. Balto allowed them to touch him, and ate a little amount of food that they gave him. As soon as he caught the chance, he darted away from the crowd and ran into an alley. Whoa, am I had to avoid humans even now, for fear that they might stop and delay me for at least one hour every time I get here? Balto thought as he panted.

As soon as he caught up his breath, he headed towards the hospital, where Rosy was held for further observation until she is fully recovered, and Jenna would most probably with her.  

The Hospital was an old and big structure, and was likely the largest building in Nome. In the past few days the hospital was filled with children suffering from diphtheria, a sickness that had dealt a near fatal blow to the children of Nome. But as Balto and the team brought back the medicine, the only doctor and the fours nurses, worked day and night bringing the sickened children back from the edge of death so most of them recovered fast and the view of the hospital was not as gloomy as it was before.

Before Balto could see, he caught Jenna scent. She was indeed in the hospital. Balto walked pass the door, which was left half open, he walked into the hospital and headed to the last bed on the right, where Rosy was sitting on with Jenna by her side.

“Hi, my four-legged hero, how are you doing?” said Rosy, giving Balto a warm hug. Balto responded happily by rubbing his head against her face, which made her giggle.

“You are here to see Jenna, aren’t you?” asked Rosy, still laughing. Balto turned his head around and noticed that Jenna had been looking at him with a smile on her face, but for some reason she kept her silence when Rosy was welcoming him.

“Hi, Jenna.” Balto said. And for the next few seconds they just looked at each other, looking into each other’s eyes. And finally, Jenna broke the silence by saying “Balto, would you like to walk around the town with me?” She blushed a bit after finishing her sentence.

Startled by Jenna’s request, Balto wasn’t sure what to said, his mind filled with one thought, is this true, did she just asked me out? Finally, he got a word out of his mouth “Sure.” He looked back at Rosy to gain permission, but