closed his eyes. Soon, Balto was back asleep.

Balto woke up about five hours later. The sun was up, and it was a new day. He got up and stretched.

He padded into the house, where Luke had laid out some food for him.

After he had eaten, Balto walked down the porch steps, and left his yard, walking toward Main Street.

Balto rounded the corner, and started walking up the sidewalk. “Not many people out today.” Balto thought. “…must be too cold.”

Balto had gone about halfway up Main Street, when a voice stopped him.

“Hey dad!”

Balto turned. There was a sled across the street, and hooked to the front of it was his son, Kodi.

Balto smiled and, after looking to make sure there were no cars coming, walked across the road.

“What’s up Kodi?” Balto asked. “Good run?”

Kodi shrugged. “I guess, not our best though.”

“Well you’re on time.” Balto said.

Kodi smiled. “Yeah, I guess that’s all that really matters.”

“So how are you and Dusty getting along?” Balto asked.

Kodi sighed. “It’s… It’s getting better. I love her and she loves me, so… I guess it’ll work out… I still… I still can’t believe it actually happened.”

Balto sighed. “I know how you feel… well, I guess more like how she feels.”

“What about you and mom?” Kodi asked.

Balto smiled. “We’ve never been happier. I…” Balto sighed. “I really thought I’d lost her that time.”

Kodi nodded, but other than that, it was silent for a little while.

Finally Kodi smiled. “So what brings the old man out today?”

“Hey!” Balto said, smiling. “You’re not so young yourself anymore you know.”

Kodi sighed. “Yeah I know.”

Balto smiled. “Well, I’m actually on my way to see your sister.”

“Which one?” Kodi asked.

“Saba.” Balto replied. “I guess she got back late last night.”

“Is she alright?” Kodi asked.

“Well I haven’t seen her yet, but your mother said she was hurt pretty badly. Not anything life threatening, but it sounds as if she might be feeling it for a little while.”

“Well tell her I said to get to feeling better.” Kodi said.

“Why don’t you just come with me?” Balto asked.

Kodi smiled. “Can’t, I’ve got to head back out in a few minutes.”

“Back to back runs?” Balto asked.

Kodi sighed. “Yeah, at least for today.”

“Well don’t work too hard.” Balto said.

Kodi smiled. “Does that sound like me?”

“Actually it does.” Balto said.

Kodi laughed. “Yeah, I guess I do have a tendency to overdo things a bit.”

Balto laughed. “Well I’m going to go check on your sister. It was good talking to you Kodi, and good luck on your run.”

“It was good talking to you too dad, and thanks.”

Balto turned and walked away from the post office. His daughter’s home wasn’t far from here.

 “That was strange.” Saba thought, as she sat down on the porch. Her father was walking out of the yard. She was glad that he’d come down to see her, but… his visit made her feel uneasy. He’d asked her some strange questions about what had happened. “Does he know?” Saba thought. “No, no of course he doesn’t. He couldn’t… could he? No, surely he’d of said something…”

Saba was really uneasy. “I need to talk to Everest.” She thought. Saba stood up, and walked down the porch steps, and out of her yard. She turned right on Main Street, and made her way out of town, making certain she wasn’t being followed.

Chapter 5

Everest was walking back to the cave; his home. He’d grown qui accustomed to the life of a wild animal. In many ways he’d grown to love it. There was no one to tell him what to do, or when to do it, and very little problems reared their ugly heads in his life. Of course, that also meant that he had few, if any, friends.

He’d befriended a wolf when he’d first decided to stay out here, and in fact, this was her cave… was. She was killed by a group of hunters about a year ago. She and Everest had grown close. In fact, she was pregnant when she’d been killed.

This fact was part of the reason that Saba’s return to his life was so hard for him. After Traci’s death Everest had sworn to himself that he would never fall in love again. It hurt so bad to lose Traci… Everest just didn’t think he could do it again.

As he entered the cave, Everest turned and dropped the three rabbits he’d managed to catch on the floor.

“Hey Everest.”

Everest turned at the sound of this familiar voice.

Saba was standing behind him. “Back so soon?” He said.

Saba smiled. “Yeah… well…” She paused. “Should I really tell him?” She thought. “It actually might not be such a good idea… if he thinks mom suspects something…” The thought of losing her brother again didn’t appeal much to her. “… I just had to see you.” She said.

“Are you sure there isn’t something else?” Everest asked. “You sound worried.”

Saba smiled. “No… there’s nothing else… I just missed you… that’s all.”

Everest smiled. “Well as long as you’re here, you might as well eat something,” He indicated the rabbits. “Hungry?”

“Sure.” Saba said.

The two of them ate the rabbits for a filling dinner, and then stepped outside the cave.

They’d been sitting there for some time, when Saba laid down, and pulled Everest down beside her.

She was staring at the sky.

The northern lights whipped back and forth across the sky. Their light made the moon look like some giant pearl, and the stars, diamonds surrounding it.

“It’s so beautiful.” Saba said.

“Yeah it is.” Everest responded.

Saba sighed. “I wish I could just move out here with you… and we could be together like this always.”

“You can’t do that.” Everest said. “You have a family… and besides… if the other dogs ever found out, we’d still be in a world of trouble. We still have to answer to the law… even out here.”

“I know.” Saba said. “It’s just a wish… that’s all.” She leaned over and snuggled up against her brother.

It was strange to Everest, but somehow this just felt right. Saba laying beside him like this.

She looked up again, and that’s when it happened again. Against all his mind was screaming at him. Everest kissed her.

This one lasted longer than the last, and Everest could feel her paw on his shoulder.

When the kiss ended, Saba pulled back her head and smiled at him. Then she laid her head on his shoulder. “Good-night Everest.”

She closed her eyes, and quickly drifted to sleep.

Everest watched her for a moment. Her breathing evened out, and he could feel the rise and fall of her chest against his.

Everest still found it hard to believe she was here with him. They’d been separated for so long, and he’d tried so hard to forget her. But she was very much here now, and like it or not, it appeared she was here to stay.

Everest smiled, and laid his head down on top of hers. Soon he too was fast asleep.

Everest opened his eyes and sat up. The morning sun was blazing, and nearly blinded him. Everest yawned and looked around.

Saba was gone.

He stood up. “Saba?” He said. Everest waited for a reply, and when there was none, he walked into the cave.

She wasn’t there either. Everest started to get worried. It wasn’t like her too leave without saying goodbye. He looked around the cave for her for a bit more, before he found a freshly killed rabbit on the floor of the cave, just inside the entrance.

 “She caught me breakfast.” He thought to himself. “At least she’s okay.”

Everest sat down and made a fine meal out of the rabbit, and then, feeling tired, he walked back to the back of the cave, retreating from the light outside.

Once he’d found a suitably dark place, he laid down and soon was back asleep.

Saba had thoroughly enjoyed herself the night before. She felt complete by her brother’s side. Though she knew it was wrong… it fell too right.

She was currently walking into town. Saba was trying not too look suspicious, but was trying to sneak in unnoticed as well.

As she thought she had accomplished her task, her mother’s voice stopped her.

“Saba?”

Saba sighed to herself and turned, smiling. “Oh mom, how are you doing?”

“Her mother didn’t look that happy to see her. “Does she know?” Saba thought. Was I followed last night?”

Her mother sighed. “I’m doing fine. Where were you for the past day?”

“I just… uh… needed to get out and be by myself for a while.” Saba stammered.

“You know that Kelly was worried sick about you? You can’t just run off like that.”

Saba sighed. “I know; I’m sorry mother.”

Jenna stepped up next to her daughter, a confused, yet suspicious look on her face; like a detective that knows the villain has committed a crime, but doesn’t have the evidence to prove it yet. This look made Saba feel extremely uneasy.

“What’s been up with you lately Saba?” Jenna asked. “You haven’t been yourself since you were attacked by those wolves. Is something wrong?”

Saba smiled and put on her best innocent face. “No, nothing’s wrong.” She said. “In fact, In fact, everything’s never been better.” “Well at least that’s true.” Saba thought.

She hated having to lie to everyone, but if that’s what it took to stay with Everest, that’s what she’d do. “What else might I do?” She thought. “What else might I have to do?” This thought made her feel even more uneasy than before. If someone discovered Everest, they’d ruin everything, and if someone tried to kill him?

“I will not let that happen.” Saba vowed to herself. “As long as there is a breath in my body I will not lose him again.”

Jenna still had the confused look on her face. “Saba? Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?”

“Yea… yeah.” Saba replied. “Why would you ask that?”

Jenna sighed. “Saba, you were just staring at a fence for