Kodi looked up and smiled when he saw Dusty at the door, but as she approached him, his smile faded

Those We Trust

Lone Wolf_fanwriter

 

*This story is the result of a request by Ninetalesuk, and I give him full credit for most of the ideas within.

*Kale, Carla, Lyle, and Jake are the property of Lone Wolf_fanwriter.

*All other characters are the intellectual property of Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment.

 

Chapter One

 

He had been watching Dusty long before ‘Bloody Jade’ had mauled that pathetic mate of hers. In fact, Jade was the reason he had come to Nome. She was, after all, his sister. He found it very odd that she had simply vanished the day that Dusty’s mate, what was his name, Kodi had ended up in the hospital. He had pondered on the matter for a few days before the answer suddenly hit him: Kodi had killed Jade. At first he had dismissed the very idea, but as the days turned to weeks, he believed it more and more.

Now, as he stood on a hill over looking Nome with his back to the rising sun, he grinned. Ever since he had accepted his sister’s death, he had planned his revenge, and after days of contemplation he had finally devised a foolproof plan.

This way, he thought as he ran toward Nome, I’ll be able to release all of my…emotion.

As he neared the first row of buildings, he forced himself to slow to a trot, and then to a walk. Look normal, he thought, you’re not here for any particular reason. Then his eyes fell upon a red and cream female accompanied by three pups; two were identical to her, but the third one was black.

“Good morning,” he said. Jenna looked up and fixed her eyes on the newcomer. He was light brown except for the tips of his front two paws, which were tan. Nothing out of the ordinary, yet she had an odd feeling about him. His green eyes surprised her, though, as they were filled with energy. A little early for that, she thought.

“Hello,” she replied.

“I’m new in town. Could you tell me your name?”

“Jenna.”

Jenna, he thought, where have I heard that name before?

“Hello Jenna, I’m looking for someone named Dusty. Does she live here?”

“Yes, she lives in Nome. Her mate will be out for a day or so on a sled run with his father. Is there…any reason you’re here?”

“It’s any urgent family matter, I’m afraid. It’s imperative that I see her.”

“Why? What happened?” Seth turned and looked at her and for a long moment, silence reigned in Nome, but it was only a moment.

“Ma’am, today we found a sled team frozen to death more than a mile off the trail. Your son, Dusty’s mate, has left this world.” Jenna gasped and stepped backward as though she’d been struck.

“Oh my God, no! Kodi!” she cried, bursting into tears. Any other canine would feel terrible wrongly bringing such suffering on another, but Seth felt nothing. He did allow Jenna to rest her head on his shoulder and sob, but only to keep up his ruse. His heart was like the two central orbs of his eyes: black and empty.

“I’m terribly sorry, Ma’am,” he continued, “But could you tell me where she lives?”

“She should be in her shed back...” Jenna turned her head and nodded down the street. “…that way. Would you like me to come with you? She won’t take it very well.”

“Thank you, Miss Jenna, but I think it would be best if you didn’t come along,” he replied, turning and walking in the direction she’d indicated. After a few paces, he turned and said, with mock sincerity, “I’m so sorry.”

 

Stupid, stupid, stupid, Seth thought as he neared Dusty’s shed, why did I use my real name? He sighed. Oh well, if everything goes right, it won’t matter.

After stopping in front of the small shed to collect himself, Seth tapped on the door.

“Just a minute,” came a female voice from inside. A moment later, the door opened a crack and Dusty looked out. “Can I help you?”

“Yes, I’m new in town and I was hoping that maybe you could show me around?” Seeing the puzzled look on her face, he added, “I asked around and everyone said you were the one to go to.”

“Oh, well I suppose I could. I’ll just need a minute.” Seth nodded and sat down in the snow while Dusty disappeared inside. To his mild surprise, he heard her talking to someone. After a moment, curiosity got the better of him and he peeked through the still open door. Dusty stood next to a small basket, where three pups lay sleeping. There were two red and cream pups, one with a red muzzle and white paw tips, the other with a white muzzle and white legs. The third could have been mistaken for Dusty if she were not so young. Dusty kissed them each on the forehead and smiled as they curled up together. Just then, her pup-likeness raised her head, looked right at Seth and said sleepily,

“Momma, who’s he?”

“He’s a new member in town and I’m going to show him around for a little while. You tell your brother and sister when they wake up, alright Cyne?”

“Okay.”

“Good, now get some sleep.”

“Yes momma.” The little tan brown pup lowered her head again and quickly fell asleep. Dusty smiled and closed the door gently behind her.

“Alright, now let’s see if I can show you around,” she said, starting down the street, “What did you say your name was?”

“Forgive me, but I didn’t,” he replied, walking beside her, “My name is Seth.” He paused and added, after some hesitation, and in a depressed tone, “And I don’t really need a tour of the town.” Dusty stopped and looked at him in confusion. He stopped beside her and met her gaze.

“Then why do you want to see me?”

Seth heaved his chest and sighed.

“Could we talk in here for a moment?” Seth muttered, nodding toward the boiler room

“I suppose so…” Dusty replied hesitantly, following him in. They both sat down in front of the furnace that kept the adjacent hospital constantly warm and comfortable for its patients.

“Dusty, I’m afraid I have some very bad news,” Seth began. At this, Dusty held her breath, certain there had been a sled accident with Kodi, but Seth failed to notice. “You see, your mate’s sled team was supposed to arrive yesterday…” He hesitated. Dusty swallowed hard and said almost in a whisper,

“Well?”

“Today, we found a sled team almost a mile off the trail. The musher was barely alive, and the entire team had frozen to death.” There he paused, eyeing Dusty in hopes of a reaction. Her front paws were shaking, and her eyes had begun to fill with tears. “Kodi was among the bodies.” he said finally. Dusty twitched, and then began to cry uncontrollably. As her tears flowed in small rivers down her cheeks and fell to the floor, Dusty collapsed upon them. She uttered a long, low whimper and murmured something between sobs. What Seth heard amounted to:

“I always told him, always…. Wouldn’t listen…”

“I’m terribly sorry,” Seth said, “If there’s anything I can do…?”

“No,” she whispered sadly, “I need time alone.” Seth nodded and walked to the door. Once outside, he looked to the sky and saw dark storm clouds gathering overhead. Perfect, he thought, just what I need.

Later that day, Dusty lay in her shed watching her pups sleep. I can’t let them know, she thought, but it won’t be long before they start asking. She sighed in despair.

“What am I going to do?”

Just then, there came a soft tap on the door, and Dusty rose to answer it. Outside stood Seth. Dusty quickly wiped away her tears and tried half-heartedly to smile.

“Are you alright?” Seth asked, but a moment later, he sheepishly corrected himself, “Sorry. Dumb question. Can- Can I help in any way?”

“No, thanks,” she sighed, “I just need time to figure out what I’m going to do with myself now.” She sniffled and looked down as she tried to wipe away the new tears filling her eyes.

“Would a walk on the beach cheer you up?”

“Not really, but thanks for offering,” she said, turning back toward her pups and starting to close the door. Seth, however, held the door with one paw and stepped closer.

“Oh come on,” he pleaded, “Isn’t there something I can do to make you feel better?” Dusty still looked away

“I don’t-”

“Please, I hate to leave you like this,” Seth continued, lifting his paw from the door and resting it just behind Dusty’s left ear. A chill shot up Dusty’s spine.

Kodi used to do that, she thought in disbelief, No one else knew. She drew a shallow breath. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.

But it was no coincidence. Seth smiled when she shuddered at his touch. It had been just what he’d expected.

“Please don’t do that,” Dusty whispered, her eyes staring straight ahead. Seth reluctantly removed his paw, instantly missing the warm softness of her fur.

“Sorry,” he said, forcedly averting his eyes from hers.

“I think you should leave now,” Dusty continued, determined not to look at him, afraid

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