that''

Balto smiled faintly ''Thanks Star. Now, carry on with your story''

''Oh, right! Anyway, I followed this guy into a clearing and I lost him. Then, they surprised me'' he shivered.

''God Balto! One of them...he was so scary! He really wanted to kill me right there and then. But...the other one stopped him'' he stuttered.

Balto nodded ''And then what?''

''He...they told me to find you, and tell you to go to the old factory. Then I ran'' he sighed.

Balto frowned ''And you've never seen these two guys before?''

Star shook his head ''Never. Believe me Balto, I would remember them if I had''

''What do they look like?'' Balto asked.

Star shivered ''They look exactly like Kodi and Dingo! The resemblance was unbelievable!''

Balto nodded ''Okay, so they told you to tell me that. Did they tell you why?''

''No. Your not going there are you?'' Star asked, concern in his eyes.

''Of course. If that’s what they told you, then that’s what I'm going to do'' Balto replied.

''You can't! Balto, these guys are insane! They'll kill you if you go!''

''Star, you said it yourself. If I don't go, they'll come looking for you. And I couldn't live with myself if that happened''

''Balto...please'' Star begged.

Balto smiled faintly ''Just tell me what they're called, then go home Star''

Star opened his mouth to argue, then sighed and looked down defeated ''They said they were called Krest and Renard...The Brothers Grim''

Balto chuckled ''From the sounds of it, grim is the right word!''

Star shook his head ''Be careful Balto. Please?''

Balto nodded ''I'll do my best''

Balto turned to leave, then turned round ''Star? Would you do me a favour?''

Star nodded ''Sure Balto. What is it?''

Balto paused ''When you see Jenna tell her...tell her I love her. Okay?''

''Of course pal. I'll tell her that''

Balto smiled ''Thanks Star. Now go home''

Star nodded, then padded off. Balto frowned.

''Okay Grim Brothers. Here I come'' he said as he padded on through the snow.

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

While all this was going on, Kodi was making his way back home. Trotting his way through back streets, he inspected several alleyways as he passed the hardware shop. For some reason he couldn't explain, he was on his guard. Something didn't feel right about the quiet stillness. It was as if he was being watched.

A sudden clattering close by caught his attention. He span round, and stared at a pair of amber eyes gleaming through the darkness. Kodi tensed up, ready to pounce at the right moment.

''Who's there? Show yourself!'' he commanded.

The shadowy figure sniggered. Kodi bared his teeth, and the laughter stopped.

''I said show yourself!'' Kodi growled.

The figure glared at Kodi ''And why should I do that?'' it answered coolly. From its voice, Kodi could tell that whatever it was it was male.

''Because I said. Now, are you going to show yourself?'' Kodi growled determidly, but took a step back despite himself.

The figure made a little chuckle ''Not necessarily. But I'll humor you''

The figure stepped out of the shadows. Kodi took another cautionary step back.

What Kodi saw was a scruffy dog, or so he guessed was a dog. His fur was of a light brown, and his amber eyes bored into Kodi's.

The dog gave a crooked half smile ''Satisfied?''

Kodi couldn't help but let his jaw drop a little at the sight of the dog. He was skinnier than Kodi could have imagined a dog to be, and he was wearing a worn leather collar, the gold tag twinkling in the light. Kodi couldn't make out the name inscribed. The dog noticed.

''Nosy aren't we? The names Sanchez, not that it'll be of any use to you husky!'' he sniggered.

For the first time, Kodi noticed the frothy substance fizzing around Sanchez's lips. Kodi gulped, and glanced sideways.

Sanchez took a step forward ''Now, you wouldn't be thinking of leaving this poor hungry mutt alone would you?'' he drolled, raising his muzzle with a blood lined smile.

Kodi gulped at the crazed look on Sanchez's face, staggering back so sharply he tripped over his back legs. Sanchez snarled, revealing his glistening sharp teeth.

''Don't even think about it! No one ever escapes Sanchez! Just ask the flea bag I finished off before!'' he laughed, rearing up ready to pounce.

Barely controlling himself, Kodi looked frantically from left to right, hoping to spot someone. But he saw no one.

Sanchez sniggered, before suddenly springing at Kodi with fire in his eyes. Reacting, Kodi back-pedaled and took off as fast as he could. With an unearthly snarl, Sanchez bolted after him.

Kodi ran until his joints ached, all the while hearing his pursuers ragged breathing behind him. He soon forgot where he was going, as he took a sharp right into an alleyway nearly tripping over a discarded trashcan. Looking back, he saw Sanchez vault the obstacle without breaking stride.

Kodi's throat burned with every hoarse breath he took, as he sought desperately for a hiding place or a means of defense. Suddenly, he spotted an open door. Without hesitation, Kodi bolted inside and kicked the door shut with his back leg. A split second later, a dull crack informed him that Sanchez had made contact with the door.

Panting for breath, Kodi scanned around. He was inside the hardware store, tools littered the counter and were displayed on the walls. Further down a corridor, a flight of concrete stairs descended into a basement.

A sharp thud caught Kodi's attention. The door gave an ominous lurch, as Sanchez rammed himself against it. Kodi backed away warily, as the door gave one final lurch as the hinges gave way. The wooden door came crashing to the floor, narrowly missing striking Kodi on the head. Sanchez's hoarse breathing echoed in Kodi's ears, as he padded slowly into the room.

Sanchez glared at Kodi, who shrank back. The dog’s eyes might as well have been ablaze.

''You are more trouble than you’re worth Kodi my friend!'' he snarled, as he walked upto Kodi.

Kodi shivered ''How...how do you know my name?'' he stuttered.

Sanchez smirked ''I've got good contacts''

Kodi took a step back. Sanchez suddenly shot at him, and rammed into his side. Kodi staggered backwards, as Sanchez launched himself at him, and landed on top of Kodi. Sanchez snarled and snapped at Kodi's face. Kodi rolled to the side, surprising Sanchez who tripped over and hit the floor.

Kodi rolled over and began to run towards the stairs. Sanchez ran after him and jumped, landing on Kodi's back. Kodi's front legs slid out from underneath him, and both dogs were sent careering down the stairs. Kodi's vision blurred as he tumbled, as the concrete stairs cut his skin, before he came to a sudden stop at the bottom, a sickening crack echoing through his head.

Shakily getting to his feet, Kodi felt soft fur under his paws. When his vision cleared, he realized he was leaning on top of Sanchez. The dog lay motionless, his head at an odd angle. Kodi realized that his neck must have been broken in the fall.

Kodi flinched as a sharp pain went up his leg. Tucking it up next to his side, he staggered back up the stairs leaving Sanchez's lifeless body on the cold concrete.

As Kodi padded his way out into the street, unbeknownst to him a female malamute silently padded into the shop.

In the shadows, two figures looked on from an alleyway opposite the store. One was a small gray dog, the other was a larger dog with white fur. Both bore the same surprised expression.

''He's still alive? I thought Sanchez would finish him!'' Fitz spoke out.

Grant shook his head ''I think the opposite is true''

Both fell silent as Karla padded out of the shop and into the alleyway.

''Well?'' Fitz asked.

Karla shook her head ''He's dead. His necks been broken''

''How is that possible? Sanchez never misses a target!'' Fitz replied.

''Looks like he missed this one'' Karla muttered.

Grant grimaced '''I knew something like this would happen! Things were going way too smoothly!''

''Cool it Grant, we'll get him for it!'' Fitz replied, murder in his eyes.

Grant sighed ''The boss is not gonna like this! And I'm not gonna be the one who breaks the news to him!''

''No need. I saw it for myself''

The three dogs span round in alarm. A shadowy figure padded up to them.

''So, Sanchez is dead? What a pity, he was such a good dog''

Grant gulped '''You...you know what this means sir?''

''That we're down to nine'' Fitz put in.

''Is there a problem with that?''

Fitz took a step forwards ''We already lost five guys in Anchorage, now we've lost Sanchez. We've not got enough guys for the job!''

''Don't worry Fitz my lad! We will soon''

Grant shook his head ''Losing Sanchez is gonna be difficult. Your gonna have a hard time finding someone just as good''

''Oh I think I have. But we're going to have to change tactics''

Fitz raised an eyebrow ''How do you mean?''

''You've all been having fun, but now we're going to have to slow things down a bit. Like you said Fitz we're down to nine, myself not included, so no more taking risks! Am I making myself clear?''

Grant nodded slowly ''Crystal''

Karla smiled a sly grin ''Oh...very clear''

The figure scoffed ''Karla, grow up!''

Karla batted her eyes, before slinking away. Suddenly, two figures padded out of the shadows.

''Did we miss anything?'' Krest drolled.

Fitz scowled ''Sanchez is dead''

Krest raised his eyebrows ''Dead? Oh dear, that’s a shame isn't it Renard?''

''Tragic'' Renard replied.

The leader cleared his throat ''As I was saying, no more taking risks. We can't afford to lose any more guys. You two especially''

Krest beamed ''I'm flattered''

Renard smirked ''Flattery will get you everywhere with us!''

The figure rolled his eyes ''Anyway. Grant and Fitz, when you see them tell the others what I've said. Got it?''

Grant nodded ''Got it''

Grant and Fitz padded away into the shadows, striking up a conversation as they left.

''So, how was your 'date' last night Grant?''

''Ah, Sasha! She was a good one, at least...she was'''

When they had left, the figure turned to the Brothers Grim.

''Did you arrange