plate for a reason, and made Jenna and Balto share the same plate, which had a small string of sausages strung out upon it.

Balto stared down at the sausage and laughed. “Does this remind you of anything Jenna?” he asked.

Jenna joined in on the laughing as she remembered what had happened a long time ago. “It sure does. You can say I ‘burned’ him on that one.”

Balto had just taken a bite of one of the sausages when she said this and started to cough.

“You okay there?” Jenna said, stifling more laughter.

Balto nodded as he swallowed it. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll be fine, just as long as you don’t want any cooked meat.”

Jenna giggled again and nuzzled Balto. They heard a gagging sound as they saw Becca pretending to choke from their actions. Meanwhile, Boris was eyeing the fish that she had laid on his plate. He shrugged and picked up the fish, and right before he was about to slip it into his beak, they heard a stomach growl. They all looked at Boris for a tick and started laughing even more.

“Vhat!? It was not me!” he squawked, making the others roll around in a merriment, except for Rosie of course since she couldn’t understand them, but she still was enjoying herself nonetheless.

The picnic continued on for another hour before Rosie saw the sun setting in the sky. She knew that the day was far from over, but she had to get home before her parents worried. She called to Jenna and Becca and all three left Balto’s boat with a spring in their steps. Unbeknownst to them however, a forth figure departed after them, hiding carefully in the long shadows that they cast as the sun set deep into the sky and the few clouds darkened above.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

The figure separated from the trio as they entered town. He dodged down alleys and around buildings, making sure to keep a close eye on anyone that could potentially spot him. His breathing was silent, but quick as streams of mist poured from his nostrils.

He suddenly stopped and whirled around. He had heard a sound, he knew it. He had no time to waste checking though, so he made a break for it, making a last sprint toward a familiar building. He rushed through the dog door, panting heavily.

“So, I take it you found her.”

He nodded his head as he recovered. A large husky walked up to him and patted him on the back.

“Good job Seth, I’m glad at least one of you has a sense of time. So, what kept her away.”

“It seems that Becca is getting really close to Jenna and them… Sir.”

He chuckled and grinned, “Sir.. I like that. But anyways, maybe I should speak with your sister, until then, you can leave. I have much to work on with Stevan.”

Seth gritted his teeth at the mention of this name, but regained his composure quickly. He didn’t want to anger his uncle, so he bowed his head and backed out of the house. Gregory Steele muttered to himself for a moment before he twirled around, finding a pup right behind him.

“Ah, there you are Stevan. I have a job for you. When next my niece visits, I would like you to teach her a lesson about punctuality. By yourself of course.”

“But-”

“I don’t want to hear it. Remember what I told you about your parents?”

“Yes…”

“And do you want Balto and the others get away with what they did?”

“No, but-”

“That settles it then,” he walked past the pup and spoke to him over his shoulder, “and I wouldn’t want you to displease me. I strongly advise against that.”

Stevan gulped quietly as he remembered what had happened the last time he had been less than desirable with Steele.

“So old friend, have you changed your mind yet?” Stevan heard Steele say.

The husky was stooped over the familiar chow, eyeing him up a down. Nikki looked like he hadn’t eaten in days, which was probably true. His once proud brown fur was completely soiled. The ropes and muzzle that bound him were chafing, increasing his discomfort more and more. But despite this, he shook his head indignantly. Steele held up the leftovers of a steak.

“Are you sure? All I ask is that you be my puppet for awhile, and I’ll keep you well fed and I’ll treat you like the preppy dog that you are.”

Steele smiled proudly as he gently loosened the muzzle enough for Nikki to speak again. The husky lifted up his paw and showed a black claw, and then proceeded to open his mouth and lick around his razor-sharp teeth, daring Nikki to make another stupid move.

“I’m as sure as that settin’ sun that I won’t never break to you’s. Besides, if you go takin’ me outta the picture, then that does nothin’ to help your cause. You’re nothin’ but a low down, good-for-nothing, son of a-”

“Please! Watch your language around the child! I thought you were raised better,” tutted Steele in a mocking manner.

“I would spit in your face right now if I didn’t have this blasted thing stuck on my mouth.”

“And that’s exactly why you have it on you. But you have a point, I still need you, so maybe I shouldn’t do anything too drastic… yet,” Steele clenched his paw tightly and heard it crack, which amused him slightly.

“You’d better not do anything. You’s is already in enough trouble already, and who knows what my pals’ll do,” he said with a hint of uneasiness.

This constant struggle between him and Steele was really starting to weaken Nikki’s will. He didn’t know long he could stand this kind of torment, not only from Steele, but even his own body was rebelling against him, demanding that he give in so he could have a decent thing to eat and drink again. His body and head were aching like he had never felt them before, and he felt quite weak since he hadn’t been able to walk around in what seemed like forever. The only that helped to soothe these pains was the dim hope that he would be rescued, and his determination to not let any of his friends down.

“Oh how right you are,” Steele said, putting in a tone of sympathy, but then he had an idea, “I’ll make a deal with you.” He held up the piece of steak and dangled it in front of Nikki’s face. “If you can just say that Balto is a terrible dog, and throw in anything else, I’ll give you this steak, and some fresh water.”

Nikki’s thoughts started to flee him, along with his reason. His stomach growled angrily at him, and he realized how badly he was starving. The hunk of meat was close enough to his nose that every time he took in a breath, the scent flooded him and made him drool. He didn’t know what to do. Balto was his friend… But this… He needed this to live, and he could just apologize to Balto later… right? Besides, he wouldn’t mean it. This was only to keep him breathing another day. Yeah. He’d just lie to Steele, get the food and water, and everything would be right. That’s what he’d do. Nikki thought for a moment, because he knew he needed to add something else to that.

“Balto’s a terrible dog, and, uh, he’s a menace to society,” Nikki whispered quietly.

Steele didn’t push him any farther. He took the muzzle off carefully and laid the steak down carefully down in front of Nikki. Nikki lunged for it as best as he could while the ropes tugged him down, now aware of how desperate he was for it. He ripped piece by piece of the raw meat and swallowed it hungrily. Something tasted different about this meat than any other he had had. Normally when they were fed, it was meat that had already been cooked, and that had cooled. But this, there was something in it that made it have a peculiar taste. He suddenly realized what it was. The blood hadn’t been cooked out of the meat, and it added to the flavor, and to him, made it much more enjoyable to eat.

Steele picked up the water dish and walked out of the house. He scooped a hefty amount of snow into it. Sure it wasn’t tap water, but it’s the best he could get, besides, it was better than what Nikki had had previously. He set the dish down and smirked to himself. He wasn’t able to defeat Nikki’s castle in one blow like he had hoped, but that wasn’t going to stop him. All he had to do was pick at a wall enough until it would collapse, and then Nikki would be putty in his paws just like he had used to be.

“All in good time my old friend,” he whispered softly.

Steele lifted the dish again and backed back into the house. He walked past Nikki who was now finishing up with his meal, and Stevan who sat in awe as he watched the desperate dog. He set the dish by the empty fireplace and rolled a few logs into. He stepped into the kitchen and found the small box he was looking for on the kitchen table. He hopped into the chair and reached into the box with his muzzle and pulled out a match. He carried it back into the parlor and struck it on the rough surface of the floorboards, casting a dim light into the room. The match was set into the fireplace carefully as the smaller logs started to fall to the flame. Soon the fire grew larger, and quickly melted the dish with snow. Steele kicked the dish back to Nikki and he heard a lapping sound as he quenched his thirst. 

Gregory seemed transfixed by the fire though. The way it destroyed everything in its path, the power it held, yet how vulnerable and fragile it could be. It flickered in his eyes as it continued its delicate dance, jumping from one piece of wood to another, and