Prologue

 Jini cut her eyes from side to side, checking to see if he was there. He wasn't there. She let a deep, trembling breath out from between her teeth. Then she heard a noise behind her. She gasped, and turned around. It was him! Smoke! He was staring at her with a devilish grin, panting from the long chase, running his tongue over his teeth. He lunged at Jini. she screamed and ran. Her legs were a blur beneath her. Her eyes were wide with fear. Smoke was gaining on her! She screamed again. Behind her, Smoke slipped on some wet snow. “Curse this spring snow!” he growled. Jini got farther and farther from his view. “I will find you Jini! Don't think you're safe! Because you're not! I will find you! I will get my revenge!” he roared.  

                                                         Chapter One                                                         
                                                      

Togo’s feet were flying. He sped through the snow. Snow was flying in all directions. The snow flew into mist-like clouds from under the runners of the sled. “Gee!” Sepp holerd to Togo. Togo crossed his right paw over his left one. The sled turned the bend and Togo could see White Mountain in the distance. He howled with joy and increased speed. It had been a long day and three fourths. He and his team were tuckered out from the long journey. They ran faster and faster in eagerness to get to the roadhouse and deliver the mail. Fritz panted hard and said “could we slow down please? I’m too tired to keep going this fast!” 

“Come on!” Togo said leaping in the air with abark of joy “don’t you want to be by that nice warm fire, on that nice dry wood floor?”

“No!” Fritz said 

“Why?” Suggen said cocking his head to one side

“Being dry reminds me of summer!” Fritz said “I despise summer!”

“Don’t worry!” Kodi said “I’m sure Sepp will let you sleep outside! I mean who wouldn't? you're such a burden!” Everyone laughed at that. 

“Grrrrrr.” Fritz said “stop that! It’s not funny!”

“But it’s hilarious!” Niyki laughed 

“Yeah!” Ivan said

“Stop it!” Big Mary scolded “stop picking on Fritz!”

“Spoil sport.” Niyki mumbled to herself. 

“Woohoo!” Kodi said, leaping into the air “it’s awesome going with you on your mail run Uncle Togo! I’m so happy that mr. Simpson is letting me come with you!”

“Yeah!” Togo said “now let’s hurry! I want you to see are favorite roadhouse game: Steal Sepp’s Pillow!”

                                          *        *        *

Jini sat in a clearing in the forest, and cried. She missed her old family in Nome. They had moved to Atlanta Georgia after the serum run, and had to leave her behind. She had lived in an alley next to Jenna’s house, but Smoke chased her off, and she had to live in Golovin. Now she was being chased by him again, and she had to escape. Then, she thought of her secret. She flinched. She would never tell anyone. Never! She laid down, and kept crying. 

She heard something behind her. Heavy breathing. She jumped and gasped. It was Smoke! He had a sly grin on his mouth. He ran his tongue over his teeth again. As his tongue caressed over his teeth, he snorted an evil laugh. “Your mine know Jini,” he said in a loud  whisper. “All, MINE! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAAAA!”

Jini leaped up and screamed the loudest she ever had before. She thought it was the end of the road. She was cornered. She thought she would go down with a blaze of glory. She stood taller. “You’ll never get me, Smoke!” she said with fake confidence. “Ha ha ha! You think you can intimidate me?” Smoke laughed “HA! You’ll never scare me, you scrawny siberian.” that was it. She squeezed her eyes closed, and tensed her muscles, trying her hardest to not feel the awful pain that she knew was coming. But it didn’t!

                                   Chapter Two

Jini couldn’t believe her eyes. A dogsled team came tearing through the forest, running Smoke over! She walked over to him once the team was gone. He was unconscious, not dead. She sighed in relief. He may have wanted her dead, but she didn’t want him dead. Then she realized that the sled team was probably going to a town. And if she followed them, she would reach the town! She limped after them as fast as she could so she could get away before Smoke woke up. 

                                           *        *        *

Togo yawned and stretched as he curled up by the fire at the roadhouse. He had fun playing Steal Sepp’s Pillow, and was ready to go to sleep. Sepp came up and stroked his back. He was tired too. He had chased Togo and the others to get his pillow back. “Good night boy.” he said and hugged Togo “see you in the morning.” Sepp climbed into his bed and looked down at Togo, who by that time was already snoring loudly, and smiled.

Outside, Jini looked in and signed. How she longed to climb up beside the warm embrace of the fire, she hadn’t been able to for two long years.

                                          *        *        *

Togo got up and stretched. He glanced at the clock and saw that it said 5:00 A. M. “good. An hour before the others. Now I have time to walk about town. Now that’s what I call an early riser.” he walked outside and stretched again. He filled his lounges with delicious fresh spring air. He trotted off into town. Jini saw him and followed him. 

She followed him to a butchers shop, where Togo scratched at the door. The sign said “Pete’s Meats”. Jini licked her chops. Then the door opened and a man came out. “Ah, Togo! You're back in town again. I thought you were.” he held up a letter “I just read this. Come in and have a snack.”
At the word “snack” Jini leaped for joy. She hadn’t had a meal for three days. Smoke had been chasing her. That reminded her that Smoke had probably reached town by now. She gave a shudder. Then she remembered the meat. She slipped in the door just as it was closing. Inside she saw Pete giving Togo a piece of brisket. She licked her lips again. 

She watched as Togo swallowed the brisket. She couldn’t hold herself back. She barked with joy and ran over to Pete and Togo . Pete glared down at her “what are you doing in my store you low-down, good-for-nothing stray!” he kicked at her and drove her out. Once outside Pete slammed the door on Jini. she hung her head. She was so hungry! She went off to the alley. She sighed. “I guess this is where I belong.” she started to sniffle. Then she froze. She heard heavy breathing behind her. 

                               Chapter Three

She whirled around and gasped. It was Smoke! And this time someone was with him. “Hello Jini.” Smoke said with a sly grin “I would like you to meet my brother, Steele. He is mean, cruel, and ruthless.” his sly grin got bigger.