Boris was busy mopping the floor. Balto had just informed the goose of the good news.
''What!? Balto, have you lost your mind? I will be torn to pieces by those little monsters!'' Boris fumed. Balto laughed.
''Boris your over-reacting. They're just three little pups!'' he smirked.
Boris huffed ''Little pups with sharp pointy teeth! They will sneak up on me whilst my back is turned, and then...whammo! Instant goose buffet! Oy!'' Boris waddled into the cabin, leaving Balto and Chester struggling not to laugh.
''Is he always like that Balto?'' Chester asked. Balto nodded.
''Most of the time, but he's a nice guy really. He just likes to complain a lot''
Chester snorted ''Your telling me? And I thought I was the grizzly one!''
Balto laughed, which was cut short as he heard something.
''Balto!''
Balto looked over the railing of the boat, and was surprised to see Kaltag running up to them. Seconds later, the husky vaulted over the railing and came to a halt panting for breath.
''Kaltag? What on earth is the matter?'' Balto stared at the husky in puzzlement. Kaltag struggled to get his breath back.
''Balto...you have to.... come back to...town'' Kaltag panted.
Chester frowned ''Back to town? Why, what's happened?''
Kaltag gasped for air, before looking at Balto and Chester in turn ''Doc's called a town meeting. We've found bodies around town''
Balto and Chester swapped bewildered looks ''Bodies?'' Chester asked.
Kaltag nodded ''Bodies. They've all been murdered''
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In a dark alcove, Gillifer approached to the center of the room.
''We have successfully completed our mission sir. The bodies have been found, and the town is in panic'' he bowed his head respectfully.
In the shadows, a wolf-shaped figure sniggered ''Excellent Gillifer. How many?''
''Three sir. Enough to cause panic as you requested''
The figure stirred ''Good. I want the housedogs to tremble in fear at our power, and soon.... Aleu will be at our mercy!''
-------------------------------------------------
A few hours later, most the dogs of Nome, some willing and some not so, were gathering in the old mill awaiting news. From what they could tell, whatever this so called ‘emergency’ was, it was so important it justified a town meeting so early in the morning. Many of them were grumbling.
''This is absurd! It's still early morning!''
''What could possibly be so important that it requires us all to be here?''
''I don't know, but I want some answers!''
Near the back of the mill, Lance and Saba stood. They had been on their way to the boiler room to see Stacy and Jenna when they had noticed the hype of activity. Intrigued, they had followed.
''Why would Doc call a meeting now?'' Saba asked. Lance just shrugged.
''I don't know, but it must be something big. I think every dog in Nome has shown up!''
''I hope it doesn't take long. I want to see Stacy's pups'' Saba replied, a faint smile on her face.
''I'm sure it won't. Then again, Doc isn't one for keeping things short is he, heh!'' Lance said, realizing how stupid he probably sounded too late.
''Quit stalling! Tell her how you really feel about her! Do it! Now!'' his mind screamed at him.
''Lance, are you okay?'' Saba asked. Lance realized that he had been staring at her all that time.
''Yeah...yeah, I'm fine'' he smiled sheepishly.
''Tell her! Just tell her how you feel!'' he thought. He knew he had to say something to her. He inhaled deeply.
"Look uh.... just a shot out of the dark, but I was wondering if uh.... I don't know maybe you'd like to.... go chase a few sticks by moonlight.... uh.... hehe.... Saba?"
Lance realized that her focus was on the podium that Doc had just stood upon. He sighed.
''You wasted that opportunity! Next time, just come out with it!'' he thought.
“Thank you all for coming on such short notice” Doc began. The whispers among the congregation ceased.
“But the current situation is most urgent” he paused for a moment to make sure he had everyone’s full attention. He did.
“Just last night, a horrible crime was committed within the confines of this town. A crime so.... hideous, that I find it very hard to discuss to you”
The silence gave way to more whispers as more and more of Nome’s canine residents came up with alternating theories as to what had happened. Doc cleared his throat.
''As you will all no doubt remember, a few months ago this town was gripped by a list of murders perpetrated by 'The Pack', who claimed the lives of several of our beloved citizens'' Doc paused again.
The mill went as silent as a mortuary, and several canines spared brief glances at the faded poster depicting the members of 'The Pack' still attached to the wall.
Doc started again ''Well now, it is my sad duty to report that we have found.... bodies around town. Three so far''
Lance gulped ''Oh God, not again! Please''
“At present it is unclear exactly who the attackers are but be rest assured, they will not go un-punished. I will inform you all when I know more. Until then I urge you all to remain safe, and take al precautions necessary to remain so. Meeting adjourned”
One by one, the dogs began to get up and leave the mill. Lance and Saba were the first outside.
''This is bad'' Lance said after an uncomfortable pause. Saba nodded.
''We'd better go tell my mother and Stacy''
Just then, Dingo padded up ''Hey, sorry I'm late. Did I miss anything important?''
Lance sighed ''They've found...bodies Dingo. Murdered''
Dingo stared in bewilderment ''Murdered? Well...how, how many?''
''Three'' Saba answered.
''Do Mum and Dad know?'' Dingo asked.
''We were just on our way to the boiler room to tell mother and Stacy. I've not seen Papa all day'' Saba said. She looked up suddenly.
''You...you don't think he...?'' she paused. Dingo shook his head fiercely.
''No, Dad'll be fine. Don't even think like that Saba''
Lance smiled ''Anyway, your Dad's one tough dog! He can look after himself''
Saba smiled at him ''Thanks Lance. I just got scared that all''
''I understand. So, shall we be making our way to the boiler room?'' he gestured down the street.
''I'll catch you two up, I just need to go get Kodi and Dusty'' Dingo said, before taking of towards the dog barn. Lance realized that he and Saba were alone.
''We're the only ones left now'' he said, a bit shy.
''Yeah,'' Saba agreed. ''Shall we go then?''
''Oh yeah, sure!'' Lance smiled and moved aside to allow her to pass him.
''Oh, Lance?'' Saba said. Lance perked up.
''Yeah Saba?''
''About your offer. I'd love to'' she gave him a warm smile, before padding away ahead of him. Lance felt warm all over.
''Yes!'' he thought as a faint blush appeared on his cheeks. Shaking his head, he padded after her.
-------------------------------------------------
Dusty woke up again. She'd had that same dream again. Exactly as it had been before, in every vivid detail.
She was near terrified now, and shook as she got to her feet.
''Twice in one night! It has to mean something, but what? What could it possibly mean?'' she thought. But no answer came to her.
She couldn't go back to sleep now that was for sure. The vivid images still spinning roud in her head made her almost want to throw up. Try as she might, she couldn't get the impression out of her head that she knew who the wolf shaped figure was that had attacked her in the last part of her dream. She couldn't place it, but she could almost swear that she knew who it was.
''I told you I'd be back''
The words continued to play in her head. She couldn't place the voice, but it was enough to chill her blood. What could it possibly mean?
She looked out into the street through the gap in the barn door. Outside, there was a flurry of activity as many dogs padded away from the direction of the mill. Intrigued, she padded outside and was confronted by a very troubled looking Kodi.
''Kodi, what’s the matter? You look as though you've seen a ghost'' she smiled faintly, which vanished as Kodi's troubled expression remained.
''I think I may have'' he said. Dusty looked at him in puzzlement.
''I don't understand Kodi''
''They're back Dusty! 'The Pack' is back in Nome!''
-------------------------------------------------
Back at Balto's boat, Kaltag had just finished explaining the situation to Balto and Chester.
''They found the last body up near the outskirts. I've never seen such a brutal attack Balto, there wasn't much left of the victim'' Kaltag suppressed a shiver. ''Sound familiar?''
Balto frowned ''That's crazy Kaltag! They were all killed remember? The only one who got away was Grant, and they sent a team after him! You can't seriously be suggesting 'The Pack' committed these murders!?''
Kaltag shrugged ''I don't know Balto, I'm just telling you what I know. If you want to know more, I suggest you talk to Doc'' he said, before padding away back down towards town.
''Jesus'' Chester muttered. Balto sighed.
''I thought I'd never have to go through something like this again. Is it too much to ask for a quiet life?''
Chester scoffed ''There's no such thing Balto. I should know''
Balto was about to reply, but stopped as he heard something.
"Ahhhwoooooooooooooo!"
Chester jumped in alarm ''What the hell was that!?''
Balto's forehead creased ''Trouble''
Trying his hardest not to make a sound, Balto padded slowly towards the source of the howl. His ears perked up, he tried to hear out for any sudden noises. He heard nothing.
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