But what do I have to be afraid of? Kale thought as he walked downstairs and out into the fading afternoon, pulling on his leather jacket as he walked into the cooling air, Death? I have nothing to lose by dying… Suddenly, Kale stopped dead in his tracks. Kira. I’m afraid of losing Kira… he thought as he continued down the dusty road, destined for the inn.

Balto, Jenna, and Kaltag had gotten two rooms at the inn and were now sitting down in the saloon part of the old establishment. None of them spoke, minds still stuck in the battle that had occurred earlier on that day. They just quietly sipped at their drinks, unsure of what to say or think. After a moment, Balto sighed heavily and shook his head.

“Well, this is easily the worst situation we’ve ever been in, ‘ey Kaltag?” he asked, looking to the tan husky.

“Yeah…” Kaltag muttered softly, “It’s the worst, the most dreadful, the most horrible-” Kaltag stopped, expecting to be told to shut up or hit, but he wasn’t. He stared at Balto in surprise. “Hey, you actually didn’t hit me this time!”

“I’m really not in the mood for hitting you today, Kaltag…” Balto stated, taking another swig of his beer, “No offense or anything, but after this morning, today’s just been hectic for me…”

“Same here…” Jenna chimed in, “I don’t even know what the time is anymore or the date for that matter…” Balto pulled out his pocket watch and checked it.

“It’s about 5PM on July 30th…” Balto answered, replacing his pocket watch and finishing his drink just as Kale walked in and approached them, “Hey Kale… Where are you staying?”

“With the sheriff…” Kale responded, looking at the stunned looks on his friends, “no, I wasn’t arrested. The sheriff’s an old friend of mine… He gave me this small mercy… The moment we leave River’s Edge though, he’s gonna hunt us down now that he knows where we are…”

“Well, at least we’re safe here for a few days…” Balto stated, “Seeing as you’re pals with the sheriff and it is your home…”

“What?” Jenna said suddenly, making Kaltag cough up his drink, “This is where Kale’s from?” Balto realized what he’d said and mentally cursed himself.

“Sorry about that Kale…” the wolfdog apologized to his friend before looking to Jenna, “Well, seeing as you know already, might as well tell you… Yeah, this is Kale’s hometown… He doesn’t like to talk about it though…” Kale walked over to the bar and bought a bottle of beer before walking back to his friends’ table.

“Where’s Kira?” Kaltag asked, looking around. Kale sighed and took a long drink of his beer before saying,

“She’s back at the sheriff’s house… She fell asleep and I didn’t want to wake her…” Kale said, looking to Kaltag.

“You really love your girl, huh?” Balto asked, grinning at the young husky.

“Do you love your girl?” Kale asked, getting a nod from Balto, “Then that’s one thing we have in common…”

“Oh yeah? How much do you love her?” Balto asked, grinning playfully, “I’d die for Jenna…”

“Then that’s two things we have in common…” Kale answered, drinking some more of his beverage.

“Between you and me…” Balto said in a hushed tone, “I made love to my girl…” Kale grinned and whispered back,

“Three things in common…”

“So, how long do we have here before we have to get out of here?” Kaltag asked. Kale shrugged slightly.

“About four days, five days tops…” he answered, finishing his beer and setting the bottle down on the table, “Well, I’m going back to Bill’s house… Just ask around town for the sheriff’s home if you need me…”

Kale stood up and sighed softly, walking out the swinging doors and vanishing from sight. Balto shook his head and sighed.

“You can’t help but feel sorry for poor Kale…” the young wolfdog said, “I mean, you know why Kaltag…”

“Why? What happened to him?” Jenna asked, looking inquisitively at Balto and Kaltag.

“Jenna, Kaltag and I became outlaws for the money and adventure…” Balto explained softly, “Kale became one because he wanted an adventure- and because he wanted to get as far away from this place as humanly possible…”

“Why would he want to do that?” Jenna asked, clearly not understanding, “Why would he want to get away from his hometown so desperately?”

“Because he’d had his heart broken before… A girl named Sandy killed all love he had, and when Kaltag and I came here to rob it, we found Kale and he joined up with us… He was a natural at pistols, but was still young and had a lot to learn… Through our experiences, he became what he is today…” Jenna had a shocked look on her face from Balto’s answer. She looked back toward the door, as if seeing Kale there.

“Oh wow…” she said softly, “Poor guy… No wonder he doesn’t want to leave Kira alone for too long… He’s probably afraid of losing her as well…”

“Maybe…” Balto said, standing up, “Well, I’m gonna go to bed early today… After this morning, I could use an early night… a very early night…”

Balto walked up the stairs, shortly followed by Jenna and Kaltag. Kale returned back to Bill’s house just as the sun began to finish setting. He climbed the stairs and silently snuck into the guest bedroom, smiling at the sight of Kira, still fast asleep. He pulled his jacket off and tossed it onto a nearby chair before lying down next to Kira. He felt the beautiful wolfdog cuddle up close to him and smiled, slowly falling into a deep, deep slumber.

            Three days were spent in the town of River’s Edge just recuperating and resting. The trio of outlaws stocked up on ammo again by robbing the gun store after dark, now ready to return to their house at any time. They had enough ammo again and there was plenty of spare lumber left around the back of the house to repair it. However, Balto feared one thing about returning: they’d be known as to their location. It all seemed too obvious.

But I suppose we have no other choice but to return… the wolfdog outlaw thought to himself, We only have a day or two left here before we’re dead… We’d be safer there rather than here… Kale kept mainly to himself all the time they were in River’s Edge. Jenna eventually told the story of Kale to Kira, getting the same reaction she had gotten. However, no matter how much they pitied Kale, none of them said anything to the husky.

Kale barely spoke and the times they did see him were wandering the streets, browsing goods, or getting drinks down at the saloon. Otherwise, it was like Kale didn’t exist anymore since they entered this particular town. The others could tell Kale was hurt just by coming back and were glad that they were leaving soon.

“It was very courageous and selfless of Kale to come here…” Kira said while walking through town with Jenna.

“Especially since it was him who suggested coming here in the first place…” Jenna said, smiling at Kira, “You know you’re really lucky to have him… He’s very kind, protective, and loyal…”

“You’re lucky you have Balto,” Kira pointed out, “He’s strong, brave, and smart…”

“But Kale’s all that as well,” Jenna stated.

“And Balto’s everything I said as well,” Kira replied, grinning slightly. Jenna smirked and both laughed slightly. Just then, a familiar voice rang out from the town square.

“Has anyone seen these dogs?” came the angry voice of Steele, “They’re wanted in the entire states of New Mexico and Texas, wanted dead or alive! I’ve been hunting them down for a few days now!” The cruel husky was holding up a wanted flyer, showing it to the civilians. Jenna and Kira exchanged terrified looks.

“We’ve gotta warn the others…” Jenna said, Kira nodding in agreement. The two then turned and ran back toward the saloon.

In the saloon, the three outlaws sat at the bar, drinking in silence. Balto and Kaltag kept glancing at Kale before looking at one another. After a few more moments of utter silence, Balto opened his mouth to speak, only to be cut off by Kale.

“Look guys, I know you’re worried about me, but really; I’m fine!” Kale said, giving them a small smile, “Why would I be upset at anything? I’m glad I got my heart broken the first time around… It’s what got me to be an outlaw and that’s what got me to meet Kira.”

“That’s lookin’ on the bright side of things!” Balto exclaimed, smiling as he pat his friend on the back, “That’s the Kale I know! Glad to have you back, pal!”

“It just wasn’t the same when you were all silent-like, Kale!” Kaltag said happily, “Welcome back!”

“Feels good to be back guys…” Kale said, standing up and grabbing his bottle of beer, “C’mon, let’s go find the girls. We should start saddling up and moving back home soon.”

Balto and Kaltag finished up their drinks and began to follow Kale toward the door. As Kale was about to walk out, a figure came bolting in and crashed into Kale, sending the two to the floor. Kale shook his head and looked to see who he collided with.

“Kira?!” Kale asked in surprise, “What’s going on? What’s got you so scared all of a sudden, baby?” Just then, Jenna came running in as well.

“Guys, Steele’s here! He’s looking for you three! He’s asking around for you!” Jenna exclaimed nervously, “We’ve got to get out of here, and fast if we hope to make it out of here!”

“Alright, everyone back to your horses!” Balto said, “Meet up at the north gate in fifteen