as Jenna didn’t want to go, and when she finally did she had no interest in playing catch by starlight. But after Balto got Jenna up to the hot pools she mellowed right out and began to laugh and reminisce about the good times.
“Yes,” Balto smiled and exhaled a soft breath. “Our first date was pretty wild.”
Jenna once again laid her head on Balto’s shoulder. They walked along through a golden beam and into the shadows. “This night is ending just like the first one.” Her voice held a certain sadness.
“Why’s that?”
Jenna lifted her head and looked at her mate. “Because I didn’t want that night to end either.”
Balto smirked and Jenna once again laid her head down onto her mate’s shoulder as they continued on.
Suddenly an evil deep gutted laughter broke from all around them. It seemed to come from everywhere, and nowhere at the same time. Balto and Jenna both looked frightfully around them for the source of the laugh. It began to sound like the sound was bouncing from one shadow to another, from the snow at their feet, to the edges of the roof tops above, from far down in front of them at the end of the street, to right behind them.
“Balto and Jenna.” The voice finally said with a relaxed demeanor. “It’s been a while.”
“Who are you?” Balto asked, swiftly stepping in front of Jenna taking up a threatening stance. “Where are you?” He ordered in a calm and purposeful way.
Silence reined, except for a brisk wind which scrapped across the buildings.
Then the movement came and it caught Balto’s attention immediately. He came from out of the shadows just a dozen feet in front of Balto and Jenna, a large and lanky dog seemed to crawl from the shadows into the starlight of the street, his black and white fur appearing to Balto and Jenna, sending memories flying to the front of their skulls.
“Steel.” Balto growled. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end and he dropped into a fighting stance. Jenna pushed close to Balto’s side; even though she didn’t fear Steel in the least, she did fear that Balto, but more likely Steel, would try something stupid.
“What do you want Steel?” Jenna asked.
Steel smiled and took a graceful step forward. “Nothing … really.”
“Then crawl back in the hole you came from!” Balto ordered through his teeth.
Steel took a step back, but more in play rather than actual fear. “Anger, anger.” Laughed Steel.
Balto growled even harder. Jenna pushed her shoulder into his side, signaling Balto to stop. “Steel, we don’t want any trouble so-”
“-Neither do I.” Steel shot back. “I never wanted any trouble. I just want to apologize for the way I behaved in the past. I was never really fair to you Balto. I really only judged you on your heritage, rather then who you really are.”
Balto didn’t believe a word of the trash that spilled out of Steel’s mouth. It was clearly a lie, just some nice words with no meaning behind them. “Steel, you, are, a, liar.”
“Maybe so.” Steel said turning away. “I never really forgave you Balto. You stole my fame, and you stole my Jenna.” He cocked an ear towards Jenna
“I’m not yours Steel.” Jenna yelled. “And I never was.”
“Your right Jenna. Besides, I don’t really want you to love me anymore. I’ve gotten over that.”
Balto and Jenna were silent.
“I just wanted you two to know that I’m not here for good.” Steel said. “My new masters running in the Alaska 500, and once that’s over, I’ll go, and possible never return.”
“Good.” Balto growled. “Now why don’t you get back to your team and stay there until you leave Nome for good.”
“Balto, Balto, Balto, you have so much anger for me.” Steel grinned devilishly. “But I suppose your right, I should be getting back.” Steel turned down the street and walked several steps before stopping and peeking over his shoulder. “Oh, by the way, I met your son the other day out on the trail.”
“Kodi.” Jenna whispered in shock.
“I believe the name was Kodi,” Steel continued. “He’s a very nice young dog. Strong to, he has his fathers figure, and his mothers good looks.” Steel winked. “I think I might get to know him better-”
“No you won’t!” Balto yelled and took a threatening step forward before Jenna cut him off by jumping in front of him and gave him a threatening look. For a moment they locked eyes, an intense conversation going between them in an instant. When they looked back up towards Steel he was already long down the street quietly walking away.
“I’ll be talking to you soon.” Steel said just before going around the edge of a building. “Very soon.” He said last.
Balto growled and lashed his left paw out against nothing. “I hate him.” Balto looked at Jenna as thought he was going to continue ranting, but Jenna cut him off.
“We need to talk to Kodi.” She said. “We need to tell him about Steel, and tell him to stay away from him.”
“But Kodi won’t be back from running the mail until tomorrow.” Balto shot back.
“Then we’ll just have to wait for him when he arrives back.”
And with that Jenna and Balto both continued down the street with a new worry on their minds.
13. Bad Things.
The following day the mail team arrived back with little more demonstration for their return than a gust of wind trailing behind them as they pulled to a stop in front of the post office. Mr. Simpson went about his rounds with his dogs, and then took the mail into the post office. And on cue Sarge appeared seemingly from nowhere and walked towards the team. “Dusty.” He grinned and stepped to her side. They nuzzled briefly, and then smiled a big toothy grin to each other, the kind of smile that two head-over-heal love birds give.
“Hey Sarge.” Dusty said full of ditsy affection. “How are you this afternoon?”
“Oh, I’m fine.” Sarge winked. “And how about you?”
Dusty giggled. “I’m okay, a little tired from the run, but fine.”
Kirby and Ralph both stood side by side like brothers joined at the hip looking on at Sarge with the open mouth and wide eye intent of a pup about to get some juicy table scraps. “So Sarge,” Kirby spoke up. “Do you have anything interesting planned tonight?”
Sarge smiled at Kirby with a certain secretiveness. He then looked down at Dusty who stood by his side; every part of her body pressed against his, ending with her head resting on the notch in his shoulder. “I was thinking me and Dusty might go do something on our own this evening.” He glanced his eyes off Kodi’s sulking form as he looked back and Kirby. “So I think you boy’s might have to entertain yourselves on this night.”
Kirby and Ralph both shrugged their shoulder and locked eyes for a brief moment; Kirby winked at Ralph and made a clicking sound with his cheek. “Somebody’s going to have some fun.” He whispered directly into Ralph’s twisted ear and cunning smile.
Kodi felt sick again as he looked at Dusty who leaned whole-heartedly into Sarge’s shoulder. Sarge retained a huge satisfied grin as he looked straight into Kodi with a superior ‘I’m the winner’ type grin. Nothing would have satisfied Kodi more than to hurt Sarge, to stand over his pain ridden form, yet Kodi looked away from them all and locked his sight on a meaningless boot print in the snow to get away from such a dark thought. At least the prints not doing anything to upset me, Kodi thought helplessly.
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