Grant!''

Grant's smirk faded ''What did you say?''

Gareth took a step forward ''You heard me! You’re a scumbag Grant! A flea bitten mangy mutt! What makes you think I'd do something for you?''

Grant growled ''You've got some nerve talking to me like that pally! Considering I'm the reason your still alive today!''

Gareth faltered ''W..w...what?''

Grant smiled venomously ''Don't you remember Gareth? What happened in Anchorage? What happened to Trix?''

Gareth gulped and stepped back flinchingly ‘‘You...you killed her''

Grant laughed ''HA! Is that what you believe? Dear me Gareth your memories not too good these days is it? Or are you so used to playing the devastated uncle that you've forgotten who the real murderer is?''

Gareth flinched ''She was my...niece. And I...''

Grant stepped forward, causing Gareth to flinch back defensively.

''Oh but she was more than just a niece wasn't she Gareth? She was a pretty little thing, all the guys said so. Even you''

Gareth felt sweat trickle down his muzzle ''She was...beautiful''

Grant nodded ''Yes she was. But not any more is she? And who's fault is that Gareth?''

Gareth felt his legs buckle underneath him, as Grant towered over him ''Who's fault is it Gareth? Who's the real murderer?''

''I AM!'' Gareth yelled. Grant smiled in amusement.

''That’s right Gareth. You. Not me, though that’s what everyone believes, but you. You, the devoted uncle, and the brother of her father. You killed her''

Gareth nodded ''Yes. But...but we made a deal. You...you and I made a deal. Right?''

Grant smiled ''Yes we did. You’re absolutely right, we made a deal. I'd take the rap, and you'd be seen as the devastated uncle. Worked out really well didn't it?''

Gareth didn't speak. Before he could react, Grant raised his paw and smacked him in the face. Gareth tasted blood as it flowed into his mouth.

Grant snarled ''So if you ever talk like that to me again, I'll blurt out your nasty little secret to the rest of your team! And how do you think Chester will react when he realizes his own brother murdered his daughter hmm? Answer me!''

Grant slashed at Gareth’s muzzle, drawing blood. Gareth gasped for breath.

''Please...stop! Don't!'' Gareth pleaded, blood trickling from his mouth.

Grant sniggered '''Tell me Gareth, why'd you do it hmm?''

Gareth coughed up blood ''You already know!''

Grant grabbed him by the scruff of his neck ''Tell me again! I was her boyfriend, not you! You, the dirty mutt who fawned over his own niece, expected her to agree to sleeping with you?''

Gareth struggled for breath ''Y...yes!''

Grant laughed ''Then your dumber than I thought you were! You expected her to sleep with you. And when she refused...you killed her. Isn't that right?''

Gareth whimpered. Grant tightened his grip on his throat.

''Isn't that right?'' he repeated.

''Y...y...yes. I did. Now...let me go. Please?''

Grant let go, and Gareth collapsed to the floor gasping for breath.

''You make me sick Gareth. I mean, I've killed my share of dogs. And the odd human. But I would never do what you did. Kill my own blood. Between us Gareth, who's the real monster?' Grant looked down at the struggling dog with disgust.

Gareth staggered to his feet and looked at Grant pleadingly ''You...you won't tell will you? We had a deal''

Grant smirked ''Nah, I won't tell. Besides, I was gonna kill her myself eventually. But if you ever speak to me like that again pally, I'll tell. Got it?''

Gareth nodded. Grant smirked and patted him on the head.

''Good boy. You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours''

Gareth started shaking, sweat trickling down his muzzle.

''You know, I was really delighted when Carver told me Chester had shown up. You realize that I'm the only one who knows your secret right?''

Gareth nodded.

Grant smirked ''Oh Carver knows about you. But he doesn't know all the facts. That’s why I'm talking to you now. We need your help''

Gareth gulped ''For what? Do you...want me to kill someone?''

Grant sniggered ''Nah! You and I both know you aren’t up to that! No, we want you to help us break someone in''

Gareth raised his eyebrows ''You mean...Balto?''

Grant smiled ''Very good! Yes, Balto. He's making life really difficult for us at the moment. He's fighting the infection, so we need to...push him into accepting it more quickly. You understand?''

Gareth nodded ''So...where do I come into all this?''

Grant smirked, causing Gareth to flinch ''We need a...willing participant. And you fit the bill perfectly''

Gareth whimpered, and tried to back away. But his still shaking legs gave way underneath him, and he fell to the floor. Grant look down at him.

''Here's a tip Gareth. Scream. Scream as hard as you can''

Gareth yelled out as Grant bore down on him.

*************

Balto's first clue that something was wrong was the screaming.

He had fallen asleep under a porch, hoping that the blizzard would kill him before the infection took a hold, when the screaming began. Jumping to his feet, he ran to the source of the screaming, knowing only to well what he would find.

Sure enough, when he turned into an alley, he came face to face with a body. From a distance, Balto could tell that the dog was bleeding heavily, it's brown coat turning crimson. Cautiously, he approached.

When he came as close as he was willing to go, he examined the dog more closely. He was male, brown except for the white patches around his eyes, and wearing a harness. On closer examination, Balto could just make out the name on the harness. Gareth.

With a start, Balto realized that Gareth was still breathing. Padding upto him, Balto laid an ear on the dog’s chest. His heart was racing, and his fur was damp with sweat. When Balto lifted his head back up, his fur was stained with Gareth’s blood.

''Help! Murder! Murder!''

Balto span round to the source of the voice, but in the darkness could make out nothing. In the distance, he could make out approaching barking.

''Oh God! They'll think I did this!''

Reacting in a heartbeat, Balto bolted out of the alley, as the barking grew louder. Seconds later, three dogs each wearing identical harnesses sped into the alley.

''Gareth!'' one cried out, racing up to Gareth and eyeing his wounds.

''Oh thank God, he's still alive!'' the dog sighed with relief. The other two dogs padded up to Gareth.

''Gareth? Gareth its Max. I'm with Lance and Stacy. Who did this to you?''

With a ragged cough, Gareth looked up ''It was...Balto''

*************

A few minutes later Max, Stacy and Lance, stopped in front of the mill. Attached to them was a sled, to which Gareth was strapped. Max ran into the mill.

A few seconds later, Chester bolted out of the mill accompanied by Dingo, Jenna and Doc.

''Gareth! Gareth its Chester. Are you all right? Speak to me''

Gareth whimpered. Chester turned to Max ''Who did this to him? Tell me!''

Max looked at Dingo and Jenna nervously before answering ''He said he was attacked by...Balto''

Chester froze ''Balto? Are you sure?''

Max nodded '''Positive Chester. That’s what he said''

Chester growled, and padded upto Dingo with fire in his eyes ''And there was me feeling sorry for you!'' he snarled.

Dingo flinched back in fear ''What? What happened?'' he stammered.

''My brother has just been attacked by your father!'' Chester yelled.

Dingo's blood went cold ''W...what?''

Chester growled ''That’s right! And when I find him...I'll kill him personally!''

*************

Balto didn't stop running until he felt his lungs would give out. Barely controlling himself, he looked frantically from left to right, but saw no one.

''I've gotta leave! I've gotta get out of here before I really hurt someone''

As he ran down the darkened streets of Nome, someone stepped out of the shadows and grabbed him.

''Balto? Hey, easy pal what’s the matter with you?'' Kaltag asked. Balto was so horrified by what he had seen he shook visibly, his eyes wide in terror.

''I...back there...dead. I...can't stay...'' he stammered, unable to focus properly.

''Hey buddy calm down. Your not making any sense'' Kaltag said, laying a firm grip on Balto's shoulder.

''Balto never acts like this. Something must have scared him good''

Balto gulped, sweat trickling down his muzzle ''Back in the alley...I found him, dead''

''Who?''

''I don't know. I think his name was...Gareth''

Kaltag's grip on Balto's shoulder tightened ''Another attack?''

Balto nodded ''Yes...I found him a few minutes ago. God...he's dead! And I...'' he couldn't continue.

''Balto calm down, please! You saw another attack? Did you see the person responsible?'' Kaltag asked, visibly shaken at Balto's terrified expression.

''No. I didn't see...but I...they think I did it'' Balto shut his eyes, the shock and fear still gripping his heart.

Kaltag frowned ''Who thinks you did it? Balto, how could they possibly think that?''

Balto felt the tears coming, and he didn't think he could stop them ''God Kaltag. I'm...I...''

Before he could continue, loud barking in the distance caught their attention. With a strangled gasp, Balto released himself from Kaltag’s grip and bolted down the street and out of sight. Kaltag remained where he was, too shocked for words.

''What has gotten into him?'' he asked himself, but he couldn't think of an answer.

What he saw next however made his blood run cold. Out of the gathering mist, several figures emerged. Kaltag quickly hid in the shadows and held his breath.

When they had fully emerged from the mist, Kaltag could make out eight dogs. Each was wearing a different colored bandanna, and their features were twisted into murderous smirks that sent a chill down Kaltag’s spine. He watched as they padded down the street, and prayed that they didn't spot him. When they disappeared round a corner, he let out a sigh of relief.

''Who were they?'' he whispered.

That was when his paw brushed against something attached to the wall he was leaning against. Glancing