these questions, no answer came up.

Something suddenly caught his eye. A flash of red, just at the side of his vision. It seemed familiar to him.

''Who’s there? Kodi? Dingo? Is that you?'' he cried out. There was no answer.

''I must be seeing things!'' he muttered, and turned to leave. Suddenly, he spotted it again. The same flash of red, this time closer.

''Hello? Kodi is that you? I thought you with Jenna!'' Star spoke out. Then he heard something. Rustling, close by to where he was standing. He backed up nervously.

''This...this isn't a joke guys. Come on out'' he stuttered.

A face popped out of the foliage, taking Star completely by surprise. It wasn't Kodi or Dingo, but the likeness was uncanny.

''Who...who are you?'' Star stuttered, picking himself up from where he had stumbled.

''The real question here is...who are you?'' the dog smirked, fully emerging from the foliage. He was red and white, just like Kodi and Dingo, and his eyes were a dull red. His voice was slightly high, which unnerved Star.

''I’m S...S..Star. And who are you?'' Star spluttered, unable to get over the new dogs resemblance to his friends.

''Well S...S...Star, there's someone here who wants to talk to you'' the dog smiled, revealing his sharp teeth.

''Oh yeah? Who...who's that then?'' Star stuttered, looking around nervously.

''Me'' came a growl, causing Star to jump in surprise.

From the foliage, another dog padded out and walked over to the first dog. At first, Star thought, they were identical to each other. But then with a jolt, Star noticed something that froze his blood.

The new dogs front left paw was all but missing, a bloody mess of tissue and bone in it's place. What was more; half the dogs face was twisted by a vicious scar that went from the top of his left eye and down to his neck. Star shivered.

''Who...who...who are you?'' he shuddered as they both took a step forward.

''I'm Krest'' the first dog introduced himself.

''And I'm Renard'' the scarred dog replied. His voice sounded like sandpaper, completely the opposite of Krest's lighter tones.

''But together, we're The Brothers Grim'' Krest smirked.

''Aka, your worst nightmare mutt!'' Renard growled, revealing teeth that were obscenely sharp.

''What...what do you want with me?'' Star shivered, unable to take his eyes off Renard.

''We have a proposition for you S...S...Star'' Krest grinned, and padded up to Star who recoiled back.

''Your scared now, just you wait until I'm finished with you!'' Renard snarled, and took a step towards Star.

''Renard, not now. Have some sense of control'' Krest tutted. Renard leered at him, before breaking into a smile.

''A proposition? How do you mean?'' Star nervously asked. He was sweating now, tiny drops dripping down his muzzle.

''Your a friend of Balto's aren't you?'' Krest drolled. Star nodded, but didn't speak.

''Good. Well, next time you see him, tell him to meet us at the old factory on the outskirts of town at midnight tomorrow. There's a good boy'' Krest patted Star on the head, and then gestured to Renard, who smiled viciously.

''Tell him that and that alone! And if you tell him who we are, or warn him in any way, then we'll hunt you down mutt!'' Renard snarled, baring his teeth.

Krest nodded ''Believe me, it's not a good idea to get on our wrong sides. That is unless you have a death wish'' Krest grinned.

Star gulped, unable to stop shaking.

''So my dear little pup, do we have a deal?'' Krest cocked his head to the side, his smile never wavering.

Star nodded. Both dogs smiled.

''Good boy. Now run along now. Enjoy the rest of your day. And don't forget what my dear brother told you!'' Krest laughed, and padded back into the foliage.

Renard smirked ''Remember, if you warn him you die. And that’s not an idol threat'' he growled.

Star nodded, and took of as fast as his legs would allow him. Krest stepped out of the foliage and padded over to Renards side.

''Will he do it?'' he asked. Renard nodded.

''If he knows what’s good for him'' he chuckled.

Krest smiled ''Come on then, let’s go have some fun''

Together, both brothers vanished back into the foliage, leaving no trace as to their presence.

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

''Please tell me this is a dream! Please tell me that I'll wake up and none of this is real!'' Jenna sobbed.

Kodi sighed ''I wish I could Mum. I really do''

Dingo shook his head ''How could he? Did we mean nothing to him?''

Kaltag lay a paw on his shoulder ''Don't worry. Everything will sort itself out. You'll see''

Dingo scowled ''Everything has been sorted out! You heard what Doc said!''

Kaltag shook his head ''There has to be a mistake. I know Balto, and he would never do something like this''

Kodi sighed ''I wish I could believe you Kaltag''

Carver padded over to Jenna ''If there's anything I can do Jenna, I'd be more than happy to...''

Kodi cut him off sharply ''Thanks all the same, but this is a family matter. I'm sure you understand'' he padded up to Jenna protectively.

Carver looked hurt ''I was just putting myself forward that’s all''

''We appreciate it, but as I said this is a family matter. And your not family'' Kodi replied firmly.

Carver opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head and slunk outside.

Dingo frowned ''Kodi, he was just trying to help. There was no need to say that''

''Dingo, we don't even know him, and he doesn't know us. This has nothing to do with him'' Kodi said.

''Maybe not. But right now Mum needs all the support she can get''

Jenna stifled a sob ''Boys stop fighting! Please, I can't handle this right now''

Kodi looked at the floor ''Sorry Mum. I'm just thinking of you''

Jenna nodded ''I know you are, and I know your mad. But don't take it out on other people''

Kodi nodded ''Okay''

Dingo padded outside.

Kaltag cleared his throat ''Right then, I'd best be off. My legs feeling better, and Tricksy will probably be wondering where I've been...''

Kodi nodded ''I'll escort you home pal. I insist''

Kaltag smiled ''Thank you Kodi'' he padded over to Jenna.

''Everything will be all right. You'll see'' He lay a paw on her shoulder briefly, then padded outside.

Kodi turned Jenna ''I'll be back in a minute. Will you be okay?''

Jenna nodded ''I'll be fine. Just don't be long''

Kodi nodded, then turned and followed Kaltag outside. Jenna sighed and lay down on the floor, tears beginning to trickle down her face.

''I...I still love you Balto. But I can't...how could you?''

Dingo quietly padded inside. Jenna looked up, quickly brushing away her tears.

''What’s wrong sweetie?'' she asked.

Dingo frowned ''Carvers gone. I caught him before he left, and he said he was going to find...him''

Jenna straightened up ''He has? Why?''

Dingo shook his head ''He said that he was going to get to the bottom of all this. I told him to stay but...''

He sighed, then frowned ''Kodi shouldn't have said those things to him. He wouldn't have gone otherwise''

Jenna nuzzled him ''Maybe he'll have some luck''

Dingo shook his head ''Then again, maybe its for the best. I liked Carver, but...right now I'm not in the trusting mood''

He paused ''I mean...I know I should hate Dad...but...I mean...I can't...'' he couldn't continue.

Jenna licked his muzzle ''It's okay honey. We'll get through this''

Dingo's ears drooped ''How could he Mum? Why would he deliberately hurt us like this?''

Jenna shook her head ''I don't know. But...it'll be all right. I...I know it will''

Dingo nuzzled her back ''I hope so Mum. I really hope so''

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

Balto meanwhile had made his way to the outskirts of town.

''How has all this happened? How am I going to live like this?''

He sighed, holding back fresh tears. Shaking his head, he kept walking through the deep snow. Jenna was gone, Kodi and Dingo hated him, and the whole of Nome thought he was a liar. And he hadn't even done anything!

He thought back to that night in the barn, trying to figure out if he could have actually done what he had been accused of. But he could think of nothing.

''Why would she do this? I don't even know her!'' he thought. He had never met Karla before in his life, and he'd only spoken to her for a few minutes. What could he possibly have done?

He stopped and shook his head.

''What does it matter? No one believes me anyway. What would be the point of going back?'' he thought.

He was just about to slink away when he heard a commotion behind him. Turning round, he saw Star bounding up after him, a fearful look on his face.

Concerned, Balto padded up to him ''Star? Star are you okay?''

Star remained silent as he tried to catch his breath. When he had stopped panting he looked up at Balto. The fear in his eyes took Balto completely back.

''What is it Star? Tell me what’s wrong''

Star gulped ''I...I have something to tell you Balto. A message...really urgent'' Star wiped the sweat that had accumulated on his brow.

Balto frowned ''A message? From who?''

Star shook his head ''I can't tell you. They told me...they told me to tell you to go to the old saw mill and...and...'' Star shook his head, trying to remember what else he had been told to say.

Balto padded closer and lay a paw on Stars shoulder ''Star, its okay. Just tell me what’s wrong''

Star shivered ''They said...they said they'd kill me if I told you anymore. God, I was so scared. I thought...I thought they'd kill me''

''Who? Who threatened you? Maybe I can help'' Balto said.

Star kept shivering ''No, you can't. Balto, you don't know these guys! They're...evil''

Balto looked Star directly in the eyes ''Who were they? Trust me Star, I won't let anyone hurt you''

Star smiled reassuringly ''Thanks Balto'' he gulped and shook his head.

Balto smiled ''It's okay pal. Now, who were these guys?''

Star sighed ''They pulled me when I left the mill. I thought...I thought I saw Kodi, and I was surprised that he wasn't with Jenna after...well, you know''

Balto sighed. Star noticed.

''Balto, I know your innocent. I know you'd never do anything like that''

Balto smiled