on.”

“Fairbanks. Leader of sorts. Got bored.”

Sylvia was very impressed indeed. “Ah, short, sweet, and right to the point, just how I like it. But did my ears deceive me, or did you just say that you were a leader. What kind if I may ask?”

“Well, more or less over the town. Put a few years into that. I heard Kaltag talking about something about your leader, or judge, or whatever you call him, not exactly being up to snuff with your standards, and so that’s the reason why I’m here talking with you, I guess.”

She raised an eyebrow, “Oh, so he told you? I guess there’s no point in me offering it then.”

“But, what did he do to have so many want to have him pushed out? Was it that bad?”

Sylvia scratched underneath her chin. “Eh, I would consider that not warning the entire town about a murderer on the loose is pretty bad, and besides, he’s been losing his edge lately, so I think a lot of us want new blood to take over.”

“I’ve only just gotten here. Don’t you would think that would cause some speculation? There would have to be someone more qualified than myself, right?” he asked modestly.

“Nonsense. No one’s had this kind of burden on them except for Doc and you.”

“But what about-”

“I think that’s enough questions. We’ll talk more about this later. Dixie and I have to tell everyone about you before it gets too late.. Funny thing is, someone was suggesting we get another dog to go against Doc.”

“Heh, talk about your coincidences.”

Henry smiled and rubbed a paw behind his head as Sylvia and Dixie began to do what they did best. Kaltag was about to pat Henry on the back, but Henry saw and dodged out of the way.

“Oops, careful there. I want to look my best for everyone else,” he laughed.

Kaltag chuckled, “If you say so, but good job dealing with them. It takes someone with guts to do that.”

“Thanks for the compliment, but I wonder what they have planned.”

“Don’t try guessing. They’re notorious for their unorthodox schemes, oh, and their big mouths too,” he laughed.

The two dogs continued on with their conversation as they strolled down the lane, quickly becoming friends.

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

The black and white husky stood there in the alleyway, her chest heaving, eyes nearly watering. She looked down at her paws and frowned. She didn’t care about the puddle at her feet, but she did care for the ribbon attached to her front paw. She tugged one end gently, pulling it back to its perfect position. She wiped her now red muzzle off with a paw, revealing partial areas of her actual fur color. She nudged the now lifeless body a few feet ahead, coating her paws in the puddle that had been left. She then lowered her head down and grabbed the red and white husky by its neck, dragging it out towards the street. She stopped and held her breath as a dog passed by the entrance of the alley, but soon relaxed her body as he continued on his way. She decided to leave the body there, as to not risk her exposure. The male that she had taken down had fought well, very well in fact, but he was inexperienced, and was no match for her superior skill. She fixed his posture as to make him seem like he was sleeping, rather than dead. She wiped her paws and muzzle in the snow, trying to rid her fur of the horrid stain, and with some work, somewhat succeeded. She looked over her shoulder and darted out of the alley, leaving the scene behind for others to ponder about. She could see the moon setting beyond one horizon, and the sun beginning to rise from the other. Her to-do list was now complete, and so she hoped that she could finally be left in piece to do as she wished, and to not have to worry. All she wanted now was a semi-normal life.

“Lilith,” he had said, “we are going to avenge or beloved brothers.” He had then looked down at the three pups that surrounded him, “And give these little ones something to live, or die, for.”

Lilith glanced over her shoulder again before walking down another unused alley. She saw a trash can without a lid and smiled. She gave it one swift kick and sent it crashing to the ground, spilling its contents all over the hard packed snow. She dug through it feverishly, and smiled again as she found a decent amount of uneaten food. She gobbled down some for herself, and carried the rest, still checking every once in awhile to make sure no one was sneaking up behind her. A porch creaked as she passed it, making her jump nervously. She let out a sigh of relief as she found that no one was there. She watched up and down the street for anyone suspicious, and not seeing one of that nature, she crossed the lane. A sign above her swayed easily in the wind. She followed the wall that was attached to this sign, and entered the building through a hole in the door. As soon as she did, she felt herself being jumped upon.

“Alright Kids, here’s your meal!”

Lilith flung the scraps of meat high into the air and watched as it swirled and fell back to the ground, before being mauled by an individual pup. She smiled sweetly. She had never had children of her own to love and nurture, and now she had finally had a chance. She felt so lucky. She walked over to Seth and patted him on the head. He had only eaten a few pieces before sitting down. If she didn’t know any better, she could think that he was going through a depression of sorts.

“You okay Seth?” she cooed.

He looked up at her and let out a heavy sigh. He turned away from her, not really feeling in the mood to talk.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be fine,” he lied, “I just want to be left alone.”

She paused for a moment and nodded, “If that is what you wish.”

Seth pushed around a piece of meat in his paws, before he rolled onto his back and began to stare up into the ceiling. He closed his eyes and relaxed. It was his fault. It was all his fault. If he hadn’t have been so stupid by barging into that fight, then maybe his uncle’s would still be here. He could have finally proved himself to Uncle Steele. But he couldn’t keep beating himself up. Actually, it wasn’t really his fault. If it wasn’t for that Balto, and all his friends, then everything would have gone great. But thanks to him, he no longer had his whole family anymore. Seth turned over to his side and rested his head against the hardwood floor. He peeped an eye opened and watched as Lilith gaily played with his two siblings. 

“Maybe I can show myself to her?” he whispered quietly.

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

“Nome STOP Urgent matter STOP Dog found mutilated STOP Dogs missing STOP Including my own STOP”

“White Mountain STOP Same situation here STOP Three dogs deceased STOP Please send details in letter STOP”

Mr. Kode leaned back in his chair, folding his hands behind his head. The normally jolly man wore a straight face as he gazed into the lantern above his telegraph machine. He felt something rub against his leg, and he sat back up. He lowered his arms beneath the table and brought them back up when he felt his dog jump into them. He began petting Morris’ head softly.

“Welp, things aren’t going how I would’a hoped. Just hope Maurice finds his dog soon. Don’t know what I would do if I lost you. You’re one of my closest friends.”

Morris stood up and placed his paws on Mr. Kode’s chest, nudging him underneath the chin and eliciting a laughter from the older man as he licked his face.

“You never cease to improve my mood. That you do,” he suddenly snapped his fingers, “Ah! Now I remember what I forgot to ask.”

He placed a finger on the machine and began clicking away as Morris began twitching with him.

“White Mountain STOP Any news on connection to others STOP”

“Negative STOP Still cannot find problem STOP”

Mr. Kode patted Morris on the head. “This sure is a predicament we got here. Never had such a problem in all my days. But what would you know about that I suppose?”

He chuckled as he placed the heavyset dog back into his small basket. He gazed out the window as he watched the shadows gain in length and the people hurrying to and fro.

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

Star walked down the darkening street with a spring in his step. Things had been going great since he rejoined the real world again. And was even feeling like his old self again. He had interrupted Kaltag in conversation a few times today, and just like normal, he had been knocked a few for doing so. What a great day. He hummed to himself after he passed a brightly lit street lamp.

“Hmm, now which way is fastest?” he wondered to himself.

He was pondering whether to take the short-cut through the alley, or take the long way around down the main street. He shrugged to himself and strolled down the alley. What the heck. There was nothing to worry about anymore. His footsteps echoed dully down this back road. He passed near a trash can and walked closer to the edge of a building. He realized that something didn’t feel so right now that he was actually down here. He sat down, facing outwards. His tail wagged slowly, until he felt it hit a foreign object that is. He looked back and inhaled deeply before letting out a shrill yell. He whirled around and began digging into the snow, confirming his fears. He began shouting down either side of the alley to attract any form of attention he could.

“Someone! I need some help here!