Balto: Speed

An anthro-balto story insipred by the song "Speed" by Montgomery Gentry.

Balto, Jenna and Kaltag (C) 1995 Universal Studios and Amblim Entertainment.

Ricky and the events of this story are (C) 2008 Anthony E. Rotramel.

Warning! This fic is rated PG.

Author's note: You will notice that this is much shorter than my usual submissions. This is because the idea didn't require any more than this, and this story has a point that I hope you all get and it was thought that this point would be more potent in a sudden dose.

All Rights Reserved.


    Balto Wulfe drove very slowly down the road.
    Tears brimmed in his eyes as he looked around him, taking in the old truck he was driving down the road. his thoughts reflected back to that awful night a week ago. He couldn't bear it and shut his eyes, slowing the truck to a stop along the side of the road. Ever since that night Balto hadn't slept a wink, had only eaten enough to keep himself alive, and had drank only water. His days were spent staring at the picture of he and Jenna that sat on the coffee table in the living room.
    The thought of that picture brought a smile to his face.
    It was taken the day after their wedding. Balto had been so happy, Jenna had been so happy. That had only been a year ago, how could everything have gone so wrong?
    He raised his hands and put them on his face, covering his eyes as more tears streamed down his face.
    He would never see her again.
    Balto sniffled and thought back to that night. The night he'd made that awful mistake.
    He shut his eyes tighter as his mind was assaulted by images he wished he could change... but he couldn't.
    Jenna was gone.
    Balto finally got ahold of himself and pulled the old truck into drive. He looked back through the backglass of the truck and seeing that there were no cars he pulled out onto the highway again, quickly speeding up until the spedometer read thirty-five.
    Jenna always said he was the safest driver she knew.
    This thought brought Balto to tears again and he struggled to keep his eyes clear enough to drive.
    He couldn't turn back now.
    He'd decided that he had to get rid of the old truck that had been his first and only car for the past four years. There were too many memories in it.
    ...memories of her.
    Balto hit the gas and sped the truck up a little faster.
    He could still see her everywhere he looked.
    He turned his head and saw her standing there by the road, glaring at him, her long red hair blowing in the breeze, cascading lightly over her white blouse.
    Balto turned his head quickly to the front and saw her again, this time further up the road.
    He shook his head as he passed her and she faded away into the distance behind him.
    Balto had decided that to be around Nome was too painful without Jenna by his side. He'd decided to leave.d
    Up ahead Balto saw the old used car dealer that had been on the side of Highway 14 ever since he could remember.
    The same dealer that had sold an eager sixteen year old this very '68 Ford.
    Balto hit the brakes of the truck and slowed down, watching the needle as it fell.
    How fast had he been going that night?
    Balto started shaking as he realized he couldn't recall.
    He couldn't remember much at all about that night... after they'd gotten in the car.
    Balto pulled off the smooth highway and the truck bumped over the gravel drive that ran a short distance to the small ramshackle building with the painted sign that read "Used Cars" above it.
    A multitude of cars were parked in neat rows in the dirt covered parking lot, all arranged in neat rows just waiting for someone to spy them from the highway and drive in to take them home.
    Balto pulled up outside the building and an aging greyhound stepped out of the building, a white cowboy hat perched on his graying head.
    Balto stopped the truck and looked at the keys in his hand. Then he looked up and he saw Jenna sitting beside him. She was wearing her white and maroon cheerleader's uniform. It was the first time he'd ever taken her out. The uniform was spotless except for a brown stain on the front.
    Balto smiled.
     He'd been so nervous that night that as he'd reached over to help her with her seatbelt he'd spilled his chocolate shake on her. He was mortified and she was mad.
    Odd that that event should bring a smile to his face. He'd thought that he'd lost her forever that night, the way she stomped up the sidewalk to her home and slammed the door.
    Balto sighed.
    Now he really had lost her forever.
    Balto opened the door and climbed out of the truck. He shut the door without looking back at it and walked up to the greyhound, who looked like he wasn't sure if he should smile or not. He finally smiled and extended his hand. "Hey Balto." He said. His voice had grown gruff with time. "...so you're sure you want to get rid of her huh?" He asked.
    Balto nodded, but remained silent.
    "...never thought I'd see the day." The greyhound said. "When you bought 'er she wasa piece of junk, but you built her up right. She looks quite good now, shouldn't have a problem selling her now."
    The greyhound sighed. "Look Balto...." He hesitated as if not sure how to continue. "...word is that you plan to leave town."
    Balto sighed and nodded.
    The greyhound nodded back. "It's understandable I guess... that was a horrific tragedy." He said. "...but I just want you to know that I still think you're a good person. Everyone makes mistakes, even bad ones."
    Balto shook his head.
    The greyhound sighed. "Well, I can trade you just about anything on the lot for this beauty." He said. "...what do you want?"
    Balto turned and saw an old black '69 Dodge Charger at the back of the building. He pointed at it.
    The greyhound turned. "...that one?" He asked. "...why that one, kind of old and worn out." He said. "I haven't even put 'er on the lot yet. I was going to restore her first. If that's the body you're looking for I've got a better one up front. Painted bright yellow she is, leather seats and everything."    
    Balto shook his head and pointed at the black car again. He finally spoke. His voice was weak and exhausted. "...does it have speed?" Balto asked.
    The greyhound nodded. "...she does have that, though that's about all she has right now." He said. "She has a 454 engine and a supercharger. She's definitely got speed."
    Balto nodded. "...that's all I need." He said.
    The greyhound nodded and sighed. "...I'll get the keys Balto." He said. He turned and walked into the building.
    Balto put his hands in his pockets and walked slowly to the car. It was rusted and the windshield was cracked down the middle from the top to the wiper blades. The headlight mounts were showing, owing to the fact that the molding around them was gone. He took his hand's out of his pocket's and opened the door. It creaked as the rusted hinges swung open. He sat down in it and inhaled the mixture of beer and cigerette smell that pervaded the inside of the vehicle. He glanced up at his old truck as the greyhound walked up to the side of the car, a dull key in his hand. He gave it to Balto and Balto started the engine, listening as it rumbled to life. The sound was a loud rumbling of power.
    Balto shut the door.
    The greyhound leaned into the window and shook Balto's hand. "...take care of yourself son." He said.
    Balto nodded and the greyhound backed away from the car.
    Balto put the car in first and rolled slowly up the gravel drive.
    He stopped as the car rolled even with his truck and he took a last look at his good friend.
    His vision fixated on the bed of the truck and Balto smelled her sweet perfume. Felt the soft blankets that had wrapped the love lost teenagers up so warm that cool night. He heard her gentle moans and felt her soft fur against his own.
    Balto turned away from the truck and slammed the car into first again. The tires spewed gravel as he took off with a burst of speed. In his rear view mirror he saw Jenna sitting calmly in the passenger seat of his truck, clad in her white blouse, her scarlet hair streaming out the open window. He grabbed the rear veiw mirror and tore it off the windshield as he skidded onto the highway.
    He shifted the car into second and glanced down at the speedometer. It was at thirty-five and rising quickly.
    Balto pushed the pedal to the floor and sighed.
    At fifty miles an hour he glanced up and saw Jenna standing on the road up ahead, watching him as he sped past.
    Balto slammed the car into third and pushed harder against the pedal, driving the car hard and fast down the straight stretch of open highway that led out of town.
    He sped past the sign that read. "You are now leaving Nome, AK.
    Odd, he'd thought he'd always live here in Nome. He felt at home here.
    ...but not without her.
    Balto kicked the car into fourth and watched the needle continue to rise. At one hundred miles an

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