stammered.

''You-are-rabid'' Fitz said in an aggravated tone.

Balto shook his head ''No! No, you’re lying! I can't...'' he couldn't continue. He felt his legs buckle, and he fell to the floor in disbelief.

''I hate it when they do this'' Krest muttered.

Balto's eyes filled with tears as realization came to him. The attack in the factory, the white froth around 'Drakes' muzzle, the searing pain. It all made sense. Images of Jenna flashed before his eyes, as he realized that he would never be able to see her again. He bowed his head and sobbed.

Fitz mocked puking ''Urgh, I can't be doing with this soppiness! I thought Carver said he was a tough guy?''

Grant smirked ''Hey, give him a day and then we'll see'

Just then, Balto lifted up his head. His mind clouded over with a rage he had never felt before in his life. A low growl emitted from his mouth, and he tensed himself up ready to pounce.

Grant looked up in alarm ''Whoa! Get a hold of him quick!''

Before Balto could react, Krest and Renard grabbed him around the waist and forced him onto the floor, with Fitz clamping his muzzle shut. Balto struggled as hard as he could, but he couldn't get loose. Grant leered down at him.

''Pally, you growl at me again and it'll be the last thing you ever do!''

Balto continued struggling, but he eventually went limp, tears trickling down his face.

''Good lad. See, when you cooperate things go a lot smoother'' Grant smiled.

Balto felt sick. He was rabid, and that meant it wasn't safe for him to ever see Jenna again. Or his family. He remembered how he had snapped when he had seen 'Drake', and he shivered.

''I could have easily attacked Jenna as well'' he thought.

Balto dropped his head and let the tears flow.

A sudden noise caught Grants attention. He and Fitz padded towards the street and looked out whilst Krest and Renard held down Balto.

They spotted two dogs coming down from the other direction. One of them looked familiar.

''Well...well...well. Look who's here'' Grant smirked. Fitz turned back to the Brothers Grim still holding Balto down.

''Keep him here until I give the signal. I've got an important little errand to do''

''What’s that then?'' Krest asked.

Fitz smirked ''A certain red and white husky is gonna pay for what he did to Sanchez''

Balto's eyes flew open at this comment. Red and white husky? Kodi? Dingo?

He struggled to free himself, taking the other dogs by surprise. Balto managed to free his muzzle.

''Kodi! Dingo! Get out of here!'' he shouted at the top of his voice. Then there was a sharp pain to the back of his head, and everything went black.

''Stupid mutt!'' Renard snarled, as Fitz padded out of the alley.

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

Dingo stopped walking and looked around urgently.

''What’s the matter Dingo?'' Doc asked. Dingo looked puzzled.

''Didn't you hear something? Like someone shouting my name?''

Doc shook his head ''Must have been the wind. Come on, your mother will be getting worried''

''Good evening gents!'' a voice caught their attention. Dingo looked around, and his eyes came to rest on a small gray dog.

''Oh, hi. Sorry, was that your shouting I heard just then?'' Dingo asked the new arrival.

Fitz looked puzzled ''Shouting? Nah, wasn't me pal. Must have been the wind''

''That's what I said Dingo'' Doc replied.

''Oh, that reminds me! I was wondering if you guys would be able to help me out?'' Fitz asked.

''What with?'' Dingo replied.

Fitz smiled ''I was wondering if you'd seen a buddy of mine? Tall, black and white fur? Wearing a collar?''

''Sounds like Carver'' Dingo replied.

''You know him then?''

''Yeah, he's over at our place. We were just on our way over there''

''Great! Mind if I tag along?''

''Ah, I'm not so sure about that'' Doc muttered, frowning at Fitz.

Fitz smiled sheepishly ''Hey, I aint gonna bite!''

Dingo looked at Doc ''Doc, he's a friend of Carvers''

''I know that, but need I remind you about the current situation?''

''Oh, so now you don't trust anyone? Is that it?'' Dingo frowned.

''Oh don't be ridiculous Dingo! I'm just trying to take things carefully that’s all!'' Doc replied.

''He knows Carver. He described him, so he's obviously no stranger. Besides, he's just a pup!''

''Ah guys? Sorry, but it is getting kinda late'' Fitz cut in.

''Fine. We'll take him to the house. Then, we're going straight to the mill! I'm already late enough as it is!'' Doc said.

Dingo looked at Fitz ''Sorry, I didn't catch your name?''

Fitz smiled ''It's Fitz. And you are?''

''Dingo''

''Oh, your Balto's kid aren't you?''

Dingo frowned ''Not anymore I'm not''

He slunk away down the street. Fitz smirked.

''Indeed. Not for much longer anyway''

Fitz looked back at the alley, and raised a paw. Then he padded away after Dingo and Doc.

Back in the alley, Krest and Renard dragged an unconscious Balto into the shadows, with Grant in tow.

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

Jenna was still at the window, awaiting Dingo's return. She was getting worried.

''How long have they been gone?''

Carver padded up to her ''About five minutes. Jenna, they're fine. There's no point in you working yourself into a state''

Jenna could only nod, her gaze never leaving the window. A movement outside caught her eye. She bolted for the door and opened it, before running out into the street. She spotted Dingo and Doc, and a small dog that she didn't recognize approaching the house. She ran up to them.

''Dingo! Oh sweetie I was so worried!'' she nuzzled him

Dingo smiled ''Mum, I was gone for like five minutes!''

''I know, but I was worried''

She turned her attention to the dog she didn't recognize.

''Hello, who are you?'' she asked.

Fitz stared at her.

''Blimey! She is hot!'' he thought, his mind going into overload. He had to force himself from jumping for her throat right there and then.

''Mum, this is Fitz. He said he's a friend of Carvers'' Dingo replied.

''Oh I see'' Jenna said. There was something about Fitz that unnerved her. Something in the way he was looking at her.

''Fitz!'' a voice called out. Jenna turned round as Carver padded out of the house and up to Fitz.

''How have you been my boy?'' Carver asked.

''Not too bad actually. Lucky I bumped into Dingo here. Blimey, what happened to you?'' Fitz stared wide-eyed at the injuries on Carvers face.

''Long story...'' Carver began.

''Which unfortunately will have to wait'' Doc interrupted ''We have to go to the mill at once. Everyone is waiting''

Jenna looked at Dingo ''Did you get him there all right?''

Dingo nodded ''Yeah. We'll go see him later okay?''

''Yes'' Jenna replied.

Doc cleared his throat ''Come along now, we can't keep them waiting!''

''We'll catch you guys up'' Carver said.

''Are you sure?'' Doc replied.

''Hey, we're big dogs! We can look after ourselves!'' Fitz smiled.

''Just don't be long'' Doc warned, before padding away towards the mill.

Carver smiled at Jenna ''See you later Jenna''

Jenna nodded, smiling, and then padded after Doc with Dingo in tow.

Carver looked at Fitz ''Did you...make him comfortable?''

Fitz smirked ''He's quite a handful. Your gonna have a hard time with him!''

Carver laughed ''Oh I think it'll be worth it in the end''

''By the way, that kid you were talking to. Was he the one who...?'' Fitz drew a paw across his throat.

Carver shook his head ''No. We'll deal with him later. I've got plans for that vets'' he cracked a grin.

''Come along then Fitz. Mustn’t keep them all waiting!''

''Perish the thought Mr. Carver sir!'' Fitz chuckled.

Both dogs padded away down the street.

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

When Balto regained consciousness, his vision wouldn't focus. He noticed that he was covered in a thin blanket, and he shook it off him. Sluggishly, he tried to get to his feet, but only managed to lift his front legs up off the floor. He shook his head to try to clear his vision, and then scanned round at his surroundings.

He recognized it immediately. He was back in the factory.

''Well, it's about time you woke up pally!''

Balto turned round to the source of the voice. He could make out Grants blurry outline further away from him.

Grant cautiously padded over ''Hey? Is it okay if I come over, or will you rip my ears off?'' he smirked.

Balto just shook his head. He didn't have the strength even to growl.

Grant lay down beside him. He flexed his neck until there was a crack.

''Hey, sorry I had to whack you across the head. But your big mouth could have gotten us caught! And that would never do!'' he chuckled.

Balto let out a sigh and lay his head down on his paws. A single tear trickled down his muzzle.

''Oh, giving me the silent treatment are we? That’s a new one! Usually they all have questions!'' Grant chortled as he stood back up and padded in front of Balto.

''There's no point just lying around pally. Come on, ask me a question. Uncle Grants here to answer!''

Balto lifted his head up ''Am I going to die?'' he whispered.

''Hey, we all die Balto. But there's no point living if you can't feel alive! I'll give you a couple of years yet'' Grant smiled.

Balto let out a sob ''Jenna''

Grant raised his eyebrows ''Oh don't start! For the love of God don't get soppy! I can't be doing with that! But I know who is'' he smirked and padded over to the far side of the lower floor.

''Oh Karla! Guess who's here?''

Balto snapped awake at the sound of the malamute’s name. He glared as Karla padded out of the shadows and into his eye line.

Grant sniggered ''I believe you two already know each other?''

Balto snarled, and tried to get to his feet. But he didn't have the strength. Karla raised an eyebrow slyly.

''What’s the matter Balto? Have you fallen out with me already?'' she smiled slyly.

''You framed me! You accused me of...'' Balto couldn't even say the word.

Grant shook his head ''No no, it wasn't her idea Balto''

Karla huffed ''I wouldn't touch a mangy mutt like you with a ten foot pole, so don't kid yourself!''

Grant smirked ''But who would you touch with a ten foot pole Karla? As if I didn't already