Haywire off of him.

Ken put two fingers to her mouth, and a piercing whistle came whirring out into the night sky. At that moment, fifteen very unhappy dogs came growling and barking their way outside.

The crowd took the hint instantly, and scattered in all directions, screaming in terror, and flailing their arms in the air. The dogs merged with the crowd, snapping at all the humans that passed by, but they were all really looking for one.

Frank Poppin stood on top of a perch, panicked, and calling for everyone to stay calm, and that everything was under control.

“Screw you,” someone shouted at him as he passed by. “You and your dog shows!”

As if on signal, the dogs locked on to their target, and they all came sprinting up to him, snarling and barking angrily.

“Whoop, gotta run,” said Frank. He turned around and started running, but he was no match for the dogs. They eagerly out ran him, pushing him to the ground, and biting at his clothes. No one even bothered to help as Frank’s girly screams blended nicely with all the others. While five of the dogs were latched on to his pants, he took the opportunity to quickly get back to his feet and start running again. Unfortunately, the dogs held fast to his pants, and they eventually ripped off.

The last anyone ever saw of Frank Poppin was when he was running off, without pants, being chased out of Nome by a parade of ravaging dogs.

The crowd’s last few people were already pushing and shoving their way out as Ken made her way to the ring. She threw the door open, and Blitz and Ambyr pushed beside her to run inside. Haywire and Drifter were still panting.

“Wh...What took you guys so long?” huffed Haywire.

Ambyr run up to Drifter, and was about to ask him if he was okay, but she suddenly forgot how. “How are you?” she said. Uhh...yeah. He’s just fine, you idiot. “Aaah...I mean, are you okay?” Uh-huh. That scratch on his side says yes. “I mean...”

Drifter chuckled and nuzzled her. “I’m alright...thanks.”

Ambyr nuzzled back. Strike two, she warned herself.

“...And how are you,” said Blitz to Haywire.

Haywire stretched and yawned. “...tired.”

“Then, let’s get out of here.”

Ken was watching them on their way out.

“Wait,” said Blitz. They all stopped as Blitz looked over at Ken. She had a natural gift at not letting anyone read her eyes...even dogs, but her smile gave off an unworldly warmth. Blitz trotted up to her, followed by the rest of the gang.

“I-I’m really sorry...for all of this,” Ken said as she patted Blitz on the head. Blitz whined and licked her hand. Ken laughed, and Haywire soon joined in on the licking frenzy...followed soon after by Ambyr.

“I thought you hated humans,” said Blitz.

“I’ve misjudged,” Ambyr smiled. “Hey, Drifter, you want some of this too?” She turned around to him. “...Drifter?”

He was nowhere to be found.