“There’s nothing to say.”

“Oh come on Sam. Everyone has a story, so let’s here it.”

“I told you there is noting to say.”

“Look Sam...”

“Just keep pushing hero boy!” shouted Sam who was no right in Balto’s face. Balto was stunned.

Suddenly Dingo came charging over to them both.

“Dad!” shouted Dingo.

Both Balto and Sam turned to face him.

“What’s the matter son?”

“I think you better come and see this?” said Dingo.

Balto then followed his son back towards town. Sam stood still for a few seconds more, he looked slightly concerned, but then followed them back to Nome.

It was now evening in Nome, the streets where extremely busy with the townsfolk making the last minute touches to make it their best Christmas yet. However back at Balto’s boat things were not so cheerful. After all they had a murder to figure out.

“So who was she dad? I’d seen her around sometimes but...” asked Dingo.

“She... her name was Jade. She was someone I knew from a while back.” Replied Balto.

“More like someone you asked out, she turned him down flat..” interrupted Steele who was still tied up.

Suddenly Sam hit him across the face, Balto objected...

“Sam! Don’t... he’s not worth it.” Shouted Balto.

Steele felt strange, almost like that punch felt familiar somehow. Steele remained quiet but kept a close eye on Sam.

“I’ve been hearing rumours from the dogs around town, some of them have been walking the streets at night feeling like someone has been watching them from the shadows... kinda like when a predator stalks it’s prey.” Said Dingo.

“So what are you saying kid” asked Sam.

“I’m saying that maybe there’s a Wolf or a Wolverine near by, it would probably have to be something vicious and bloodthirsty to do that.” Continued Dingo.

Sam’s brow dropped a little, he was not liking what Dingo had to say, but he remained calm about it in front of company.

“You mean like the wolf that attacked Kodiak? You think it could still be around somewhere?” asked Balto. But Sam didn’t respond. “Sam?” he asked again.

“What!” replied Sam.

“I said do you think the wolf you fought off could still be around?”

“Yeah sure, maybe. I’ll patrol tonight, see if he show’s up.” Said Sam, who was doing his best to remain calm.

“It could just as easily be another wolf, the one that attacked Kodiak was out near the forest, and it didn’t come close to town. Plus the attack on Jade was straight for the jugular, an instant kill... like the guy had no mercy at all. It’s more sadistic then just your average wolf looking for an easy target.” Said Dingo.

“I could smell something in the alley... the scent was familiar...but... I couldn’t track it. The guy is clever in his own sick way.” Said Balto.

All was silent in the group for a few moments. Sam was focusing his attention on Dingo, but Steele was watching Sam even closer now. Steele was onto something.

“We’ll figure this out the day after tomorrow. In the meantime we shouldn’t let it ruin our Christmas plans. Or lack of in my case... Are you doing anything Dingo” asked Balto.

“I’d love to spend Christmas with you dad... but I have a date with Rose in about... now. See you later.” Said Dingo whilst walking out of the boat.

“You choosing a girl over me?”

“I love you and all dad... but she’s hot. Don’t wait up.” Replied Dingo who had now gone.

Sam watched Dingo leave and then turned to Balto.

“I’m gonna go patrol, see if the wolf is about.” Sam was gone before Balto could respond.

Balto was slightly miffed, his son and brother had other things to do on Christmas Eve.

“I don’t believe... I raise the kid and finally find a long lost brother and I end up spending Christmas by myself... typical.” Said Balto.

“Yeah such a shame, can I leave you to your misery now?” replied Steele.

Balto didn’t answer right away...

“No...” he replied.

“You can’t keep me tied up forever”

“Just until tomorrow, look if it’s any consolation I’d rather spend Christmas with Rasputin then you... but I’ll be dammed if I spend yet another Christmas by myself.”

“But that’s not fair... I wanted to see you suffer for a change. It’s not fun when I’m suffering!”

“I’ll go steal a Turkey, be back soon.”

Balto dashed out of the boat before Steele could say a word.

“Balto! Get back here now! Before I get loose and make myself a wolf skin rug! BALTO!... This is the worse Christmas ever.”     

Dingo was walking along the beach in a quick pace to get to his date on time; he felt a buzz in the air, for in his mind she could possibly be the one. However he wasn’t going to get very far along the beach. Sam appeared out of nowhere and stood right in Dingo’s path.

“Sam... You scared me. What do you want?” asked Dingo.

Sam was quiet, no reaction at all. He had a stare that seemed to go right through Dingo, like he was seeing someone else.

“Look I gotta get going we’ll talk later” continued Dingo who then tried to get by Sam, but was blocked by him.

“I didn’t appreciate that remark” said Sam in a flat voice.

“What?” replied Dingo who had started to back away slowly.

“You know something pip-squeak, I’ve been called a great number of things in my life. A great many things, one or two of them where quite nice but the others well... you can guess what they where like. I don’t like it when things are said about me, not like your Father who just ignores it... I act on the nasty little things little runts like you say about me.”

“I don’t under...”

“NO! I don’t suppose you would...! Bloodthirsty am I? Sadistic! I’ve never killed anyone who didn’t deserve it! So tell me... who does that make me sadistic or cruel... it’s called justice!”

It occurred to Dingo, he was looking at the killer. He froze and started to panic. But the worse was about to happen.

“Dingo” said a voice from behind Sam.

It was Rose, she was approaching both Sam and Dingo.

“There you are, I’ve been waiting for you sweetie. Who’s your friend Dingo?” she asked.

Sam decided to react, by knocking her out with a punch. She fell to the floor.

“Just family” Sam said bluntly.

Suddenly Dingo hit Sam across the face and he jolted back, blood was dripping from his nose but he very quickly composed himself and looked straight at Dingo was ready to attack him. Sam just smiled with blood still dripping from his nose and into his mouth.

“Alright Dingo... Now it’s my turn.”

Before Dingo could react Sam charged straight at him and pinned him to the ground. Dingo tried to hit him again, but his punch was blocked and then a snapping noise was heard and Dingo howled in pain... Sam had broken his right paw. Sam just kept on hitting Dingo... over and over again. Until Dingo had stopped howling... the son of Balto was now unconscious. Sam stepped away and just looked at Dingo whose face was more bloody then his own. Sam just took a deep breath and started to think about his next move.

Everything was blurry and where ever he was the sound of water dripping was everywhere. Dingo tried to get up but was unable to stand, the pain he felt was intense. His vision was still blurry... he had no clue where he was.

Balto was walking back along the beach with a turkey that he stole from a local store, as he was walking along the beach he could smell something, whatever it was it made him stop. He dropped the turkey and began to sniff the air, he could smell his son was near by and began to look around the area. He walked towards the frozen water... he saw drops of blood on the icy sand, he knew without a doubt that they belonged to Dingo. He then heard a moaning noise from behind him; he turned to find Rose unconscious on the floor. He was stunned and tried to wake the poor girl up.

“Rose! Rose! Wake up!”

She was unresponsive; Balto was starting to get scared. What had happened here? Where was Dingo? Before he could ask any of those questions... Whack... he was hit over the head and was dragged away unconscious.

Balto awoke on his boat and was also tied up to the bulkhead like Steele. There was an oil lamp lit in the centre of the deck. He was dizzy at first but then saw that Sam was staring right at him.

“Hello little brother” said Sam flatly.

Balto was confused, but it didn’t take him too long to put two and two together.

“What... What the hell are... Why?” asked Balto.

“For you... I did it all for you brother. We where separated as children and I never want it to happen again.”

“You... killed Jade, my god you killed her... I take your the one who did this to Steele too... what the hell have you done with my son!”

“It was all for you! Steele, the one you tormented you! Jade the one who shunned you because of what we are! I did it for you!”

“What about my Son?! If you killed him I swear to god I’ll..”

“Dingo was more on a personal level for me! I don’t like things said about me intentional or otherwise. You see it goes back to when I was little, I used to get teased, bullied and beaten to a pulp by mindless bigots... just like you where. But then one day, I decided that if I was to ever survive in