arrange everything?''

Krest nodded ''We did. He should be on his way now''

''We did a really good job'' Renard beamed.

''I'll bet. Just remember what I told you. Kill yes, but make sure you don't blow your cover''

Both brothers nodded, and slunk off. The figure smirked.

''Now then, I've got an appointment to keep!'' he said, before disappearing down the street.

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

Balto had made his way to where Star had told him to go. The factory lay abandoned on the outskirts of Nome, and it was here where he was expecting the Brothers Grim. But there was no one else about.

''Hello! Anyone there?'' Balto called out. But no one answered.

Suddenly, a flash of movement caught his eye. Turning his head, he caught sight of something entering the factory. After a slight hesitation, Balto silently padded inside.

A faint dripping sound caught Balto's attention as he padded inside. The building as covered in dust and was ice cold.

''I think it was warmer outside'' Balto thought.

Scanning around, he was unnerved by how thick the shadows were.

''There could be a whole army of them in here and I wouldn’t know''

He looked up as a single snowflake landed on his nose. He noticed that the roof tiles above him had broken, opening the building up to the elements.

''This place aught to be condemned'' he muttered.

''It is'' a voice cut through the darkness.

Balto tensed up ''Who's there? Krest? Renard?''

''Close, but no treat I'm afraid'' the voice replied.

Balto looked to his right, just in time to see a dog pad out of the shadows. He was about Balto's height, with black fur and a white chest and paws. A gold tag illuminated in the dim light.

Balto's eyes narrowed ''Who are you?''

''I'm a big fan of yours Balto. I've been waiting a long time for this moment!'' the dog smiled. Balto squinted at the name engraved on the collar. Drake.

'Drake' noticed ''Now you know my name, and I know yours. So I guess that makes us even!'' he laughed.

Balto bared his teeth ''What do you want?'' he snarled.

''You'' 'Drake' replied, starting to walk in circles around Balto, who had to keep turning to look at him.

''Me?''

''I've been admiring you for a long time Balto. All my guys have. I've met your mate, and I must say I ain't impressed!'' 'Drake' shook his head in disgust.

Balto snarled ''Don't you even talk about her!''

''Why in the name of sanity you've shacked up with that fawning bit of fluff I'll never know!'' 'Drake' drolled.

Balto lunged at 'Drake', who stepped back alarmed, Balto's jaws snapping shut inches from his face.

'Drake' smirked ''Hit a nerve did I?''

Balto bared his teeth, tensing up ready to fight. 'Drake' sniggered.

''You want to fight? Go ahead, lets see what you've got!''

Balto was caught off guard as 'Drake' lunged at him. Balto was knocked backwards as 'Drake' landed on top of him. Balto noticed the white foam bubbling around 'Drakes' lips. Reacting, Balto crossed his front legs to hold 'Drake' off of him. Reacting, Balto swiped at 'Drakes' muzzle, causing the black dog to yell out in pain and grab his muzzle to stem the bleeding.

In a split second, Balto' got to his feet. As he turned to run, 'Drake' launched himself at him, teeth bared.

Balto felt a sharp pain shoot through his back leg, and he yelped in pain. He felt his back legs give way, and went sprawling onto the floor. As he tried to stand up, a searing pain coursed through his body, causing him to yell out in pain. Balto's vision clouded, and everything went black.

'Drake' staggered to his feet. His muzzle was lacerated and blood was staining his chest a dark crimson.

''Oh, I'm gonna feel that tomorrow!''

He tasted something bitter in his mouth, and he spat out a frothy white substance. Turning around, he smiled and padded up to Balto.

''Until we meet again Balto. And it'll be sooner than you think!''

'Drake' sniggered and padded away, leaving Balto unconscious and bleeding on the floor.

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

In Nome, stillness in the air had descended as the twilight period began.

Doc had been on his way home when he heard someone approaching him from behind. Turning round, he saw Kaltag approaching him at speed, though with a noticeable limp.

Doc padded up to him ''Is there something wrong Kaltag? You look as though you've seen a ghost!''

Kaltag winced ''I wish I had. Oh God Doc! The barn...dead...blood everywhere...!''

''Hey, hey, calm down my boy! Don't get so flustered, I can't understand you!''

Kaltag took a deep breath ''Down there, the old barn...she's dead''

Doc frowned ''Who's dead?''

''I don't know! Didn't you hear me? She's dead!''

Doc shook his head ''I don't know what on earth your talking about Kaltag''

Kaltag sighed exasperatedly ''Come with me then! I'll show you myself''

Both dogs took off down the street. They walked for a short time, Kaltag in front, until they came to an apparently deserted barn. Kaltag stopped.

''She's...in there Doc'' he said quietly.

Doc nodded ''Ok Kaltag. I'll just be a minute''

Doc padded up to the barn. The door was slightly ajar, and he pushed it open with his paw. Inside it was dark, and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust, but soon a shape began to form.

''What in the...?'' he muttered, padding further inside the barn. What he saw froze his blood.

There before him was the body of a female dog. Her fur had once been yellow, but now it was stained bright crimson from the gaping wound torn out of her throat. Doc felt a sudden wave of nausea coarse through his body.

''Kaltag! Kaltag, come in here!''

After a moments pause, Kaltag slowly padded inside. Doc noticed that he was trying his best not to look at the body.

''How did...how did you find her?'' Doc asked.

Kaltag shook his head ''I didn't. Nikki told me where she was. He went looking for you after he told me, and I...looked for myself''

Doc shook his head ''I've never seen her in town before, have you?''

''No. But Doc...that isn't all'' Kaltag shook his head and padded back to the door. Doc followed.

''What do you mean 'that isn't all'? What the devil are you talking about?''

Kaltag sighed deeply ''I've heard...that there have been more bodies found''

''More? How many more?''

''Four. One was found in another barn further away from here, another was found in an alleyway close to the hardware store. Then there was a third body found in the hardware store itself, and another further towards the woods''

Doc frowned ''And do they all have the same injuries?''

Kaltag shook his head ''No. The one in the barn had similar injuries, as did the one found in the alley. But the one in the hardware store had had his neck broken. Pushed down the stairs apparently. And the one up near the woods...had been thrown off a roof'' he shivered.

''Good lord. Is there a link at all?'' Doc asked.

''They're all dead aren't they? Isn't that enough of a link?'' Kaltag snarled, taking Doc by surprise.

''I'm sorry Doc. It's just...I can't take it in. Four murders''

Doc sighed ''We're going to have to call a meeting for tomorrow morning. Compulsory attendance. Everyone needs to know that...we have a murderer on the loose''

''Murderers'' Kaltag muttered.

''What? What are you suggesting Kaltag?''

''Each murder happened at a different location, and by different methods. Sounds to me like more than one culprit''

''But...but this is absurd! Are you suggesting to me Kaltag that we have got a pack of killers in Nome?''

''Yes! That is exactly what I'm suggesting Doc! And that isn't all!''

Doc frowned ''What else could there be?''

Kaltag took a deep breath ''The body in the hardware store, the one with the broken neck. He was...rabid''

Doc froze ''Rabid? Are you sure?''

Kaltag nodded ''Yes. It appears that...we're dealing with the same wolves that attacked Anchorage last week''

''Oh my good lord! Right, that’s it! Round up everyone you can Kaltag, tell them to congregate at the mill at once! This can't wait until tomorrow!''

''Right. I can do that'' Kaltag said.

Doc stopped his before he took off ''And tell them under no circumstances are they to walk the streets alone! I want them all in groups no less than three!''

''Right!'' Kaltag replied, before taking off down the street.

Doc wiped the sweat off his brow ''Oh this is dreadful! I've got to warn Jenna!''

Without a moment’s hesitation, Doc took off in the direction of Jenna's house.

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

Kaltag ran as fast as his injury would allow him. As he turned a corner, he almost collided with two dogs coming the other way. Both of them looked up surprised as he came to a stop panting for breath in front of them.

''Hey buddy, where's the fire?'' one of them asked.

''Yeah, that could have been serious if you hadn't have stopped!'' the other one replied.

Kaltag looked up at the two dogs. One was a Dalmatian wearing a green pullover and red collar. The other was a German shepherd with light brown fur and a blue collar. Both of them were larger than Kaltag, and both had piercing amber eyes.

''Sorry. I'm in rather a hurry'' he replied, smiling faintly in apology.

The German shepherd cracked a grin ''We figured that''

The Dalmatian cocked an eyebrow ''Anything important?''

Kaltag nodded ''Yes as a matter of fact. Listen, there's a meeting at the mill in the next few minutes. Compulsory attendance''

The German shepherd raised his eyebrows ''Blimey, sounds really bad''

Kaltag nodded ''It is. If you see anyone else on your way, tell them to go to the mill as quickly as possible in groups no smaller than three''

The Dalmatian frowned ''Why?''

''That's not important! Just tell them that, and tell them to be on their guard, okay?''

Both dogs nodded ''Sure, no problem'' the German shepherd replied.

''Thanks'' Kaltag said, before taking off down the street.

Both dogs turned to each other bearing the same puzzled expression.

''What was all that about?'' the German shepherd asked.

''I think...everything’s falling into place Jack'' the Dalmatian replied, suddenly breaking into a vicious smirk.

Jack sniggered ''So,