night Melody,” Jenna responded.

“How are you doing Aleu?” Balto asked. “Oh, hey dad,” Aleu said, “I’ve been so busy I haven’t gotten to see you yet. “That’s why I came,” Balto said, you’ve got quite a mess here.” “Yeah,” Aleu said, “The attack was completely unexpected. Eiko’s been creating some problems, I told you that, but I never expected all out war.” “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help,” Balto said. “I’m glad you weren’t said Aleu, “it’s bad enough losing Dash, I don’t know if I could handle losing you too.” “So,” Balto said, “I heard you’re calling off the search.” “Yeah,” Aleu said, “it’s been three days and we really need the manpower back here at the cave. I don’t like it anymore than you do.” “How’s Shasta?” Balto asked. “Not good,” Aleu said, “in fact I’m a little worried about her.” “I was going to stop by and talk to her,” Balto said. “She would probably appreciate that,” Aleu said. “So where’s Sheik and Lima?” Balto said. “Oh,” Aleu responded, “Shadow put the kids to bed a little while ago.” “Yeah, I guess it is kind of late,” Balto said, “Which reminds me, Melody hasn’t been in yet. Do you know where she is?” “Actually,” Aleu said, “She was with a guy from our pack, Timbre’s his name I think. Seems to be a nice guy, we picked him up a few weeks ago, in fact Dash…” Shasta stopped. “I can’t believe it,” Balto said, quietly. “I know,” Aleu said. “So she was with a guy all day, huh?” Balto said. “I’ll have to ask her about that.” “Now you be nice,” Aleu said, “I know how dad can be with daughter’s. Melody’s a smart girl.” “Yeah,” Balto said, “for the most part.” Again silence. “Well it’s getting late, I’d better go or Jenna going to send out a search party for me.” Aleu laughed, “good night dad,” she said. “Good night Aleu,” He said. Then he walked out of the room.

“Shasta, are you here?” Balto looked around the small room that was Shasta’s home. He didn’t see her. He turned to leave and heard a voice from behind him. “Balto, is that you?” He looked behind him and saw Shasta emerge from a hole in the back wall. Balto walked over to her. “It’s good to see you,” she said. “Hasn’t been too long since I was here last, has it?” Balto said. “No,” Shasta said. “I only wish it were under better circumstances.” “How are you doing?” Balto asked. “Alright, considering,” Shasta said. “I guess you heard they’re calling off the search tomorrow.” “Yeah, Aleu told me,” Balto said. A tear ran down Shasta’s face. “She sniffled and tried to hold back the rest of them, but was only somewhat successful. “I’m sorry,” she said, I told myself I wouldn’t do this anymore.” “It’s okay to cry,” Balto said. “No,” Shasta said, “I’ve done more than enough of that.” Her voice started to crack. “Oh, Balto” she said, “I don’t know what to do. I don’t think I can do this alone and I can’t even think about being with anyone else I… I don’t know if I can live without him. Balto could see that she was dead serious.” “I know how you feel,” Balto said. “When I thought I’d lost Jenna, I felt the same way. Sometimes though, you’ve got to push on, for the kids sake, if nothing else.” “Yeah,” Shasta said. “I keep thinking that if I’d been there, where I should have been, that I could have watched his back.” “He did the right thing,” Balto said, “If you were to fight with him and hurt the kids… I know how I’d feel. Don’t go blaming yourself, Eiko and only Eiko is responsible for what happened.” Shasta didn’t say anything, she just stared and the floor. “Are they keeping you busy?” Balto asked. “No, I wish they would, it gives me too much time to think.” Again silence. “Well,” Balto said, “I should probably leave, you look tired.” “I haven’t slept since…” she stopped. “Well anyway,” Balto said, “It was nice talking to you.” “Same here,” Shasta said. Balto turned to leave, stopped and looked over his shoulder. “Shasta?” He said, “If you ever need anything, anything at all, don’t hesitate to let us know, okay. We’re still family.” Shasta smiled. “Thanks Balto,” she said, “Good night.” “Try to get some sleep,” Balto said. Then he walked out of the room.

Balto stuck his head in the room that he and his family had been given to stay in while they were at the cave. “Jenna,” he said, “I’m back.” He walked in the room. “Jenna?” He said. Then he saw her, asleep, against the wall in the corner. He walked over and nudged her awake. She opened one eye. “Balto?” she said, groggily. “Yeah, it’s me,” he whispered, “I need to talk to you. Would you step outside for a few minutes.” He looked over at where Max, Flash and Melody were sleeping. “Alright,” Jenna whispered. She got up and the two walked out of the room. I didn’t want to wake the others,” Balto said. “Jenna… I…” Balto stopped. “I don’t know quite how to…say this, but…” “What, Balto?” Jenna said, “what is it?” “Aleu’s calling off the search tomorrow.” “Oh, no,” Jenna said. “Then they think he’s…” She didn’t finish her sentence. Balto looked at the floor and slowly nodded his head. “Oh, no,” Jenna said again, as she walked past Balto. She stopped and turned around to look at him. “My baby,” she said. Then she walked slowly back over to him, sat her head against the side of his neck and started to cry. Balto just stood there and let her, he didn’t know what else to do, He even cried a little himself. After a few minutes Jenna pulled her head away. She seemed to be looking past him, when she said, “I’m going to go sit by myself for a while, okay?” Balto looked at her nodded his head and said, “okay, but don’t be out to late, we have a long trip home tomorrow.” Jenna just spun around and ran as fast as she could down the hall. Balto shook his head, looked at the ground, then, slowly; he made his way inside. 

Jenna didn’t stop running until she reached a spot where the cave opened up to a one hundred-foot drop to the forest floor below. She stopped on the overhang and walked out to the edge. She sat down and began to think about the past…

CHAPTER V

Jenna was watching Dash and Melody as they were plating in a woodpile across from the restaurant. Balto was out on a race, and would probably be gone for another week. So it was just the kids and her for a few days. Jenna didn’t mind, though she missed Balto terribly, when he was gone, she also enjoyed the one on one time she got with the pups. The two of them were romping around, jumping from log to log, wrestling, and then jumping again. They were laughing and seemed to be enjoying themselves. Jenna was lying on the porch, taking it easy. It had snowed the night before, so everything was covered in fresh, soft powder. Jenna watched as one of the motor vehicles that had begun to populate Nome made it’s way down the ice covered street. Suddenly she heard a cry. It was Dash! She jumped up and bolted across the street, right in front of the vehicle. The driver slammed on his brakes and skidded sideways into the restaurant parking lot. Jenna ran up over the first row of logs to get to Dash, oblivious to the danger she just put herself in. The driver stuck his head out the window, “stupid mutt!” He yelled. Then he slammed his foot on the gas and roared out of the parking lot. Jenna didn’t even here him. She slowed to a stop and looked around. “Dash,” she yelled. She looked around again. Then she heard his voice behind her. “Ouch, don’t touch it, that hurts!” She turned to face the direction the voice had come from and heard Melody reply, “Oh, stop being such a puppy,” she said, “it’s not that bad.” Jenna leapt over the row of logs in front of her and landed in between the two pups. “Mom, Dash said, “tell Melody to stop touching it, it hurts!” “You’re such a baby,” Melody said. “Melody,” Jenna responded, “be quiet for a minute. Now,” Jenna said, turning to Dash. “What hurts?” Dash turned around. He had a long wooden splinter sticking out of his shoulder. “Isn’t that cool mom?” Melody said. “Yeah,” Dash shot back, “it’d be cool if it were in you instead of me. “You two stop it,” Jenna said, she looked at Melody. “You go over there,” she said. “Okay,” Melody said. She walked over to one of the logs and sat down. Jenna turned back to Dash,