VOICES:

-Nero: John Cusack

-Yukon: Toby Maguire

-Atka: Jennifer Morrison

-Balto: Kevin Bacon

-Buck: Mark Harmon

       My sister, Atka, brushed past me and bounded out of the yard, giving me no time to stop her. What had gotten into her?! She didn’t even notice me sulking! And that was heard work!

            “We need to go after her” Yukonsaid simply.

“I know” I moaned. “Why did she have to go?! I was going to be a lead dog! I was pretty good when led!”

            “I know. I ran behind you. Remember?”

Yukon stared after Atka Then used his front paws to take off his sled dog collar. I looked down at my sled dog collar. Was it worth it? Atka could die on her own… but I loved leading my sled team.

“Alright” I sighed. “Let’s go”

            Yukon looked at my collar quizzically.

“Just because we’re going into the wild doesn’t mean that I have to take it off”

Yukon shook his head. We trotted away from Atka’s house and past the other dark houses. We trotted down the main street and by the finish line we had crossed not even a day ago. But I had to stop as we reached the town’s outskirts. I looked over the town and picked out the bright light that had guided us during a snowstorm. Yukon, finally realizing I wasn’t with him, doubled back.

            “If we’re going to catch up with Atka, we have to hurry”

I nodded my head but didn’t say a word. I was terrified of leaving. Yukonand Atka were more wild then me anyway. We could starve out there! Or get attacked by something! Yukonrolled his eyes and set out toward the old shipwreck. Not wanting to be left behind, I snapped out of my trance and scampered after. Yukon might be wilder then me, but I was still faster! Even if it was only a little bit. I caught up to him, passed him and flew up the ramp first.

“Dad! Dad!”

            “I’m right here! What are you shouting about!?” Balto said, wincing. “I’m wide awake!”

“Did Atka come by?”

            “She left five minutes ago. She’s going to find Buck”

“Who’s Buck?!” Yukonsaid suspiciously.

            “He’s your uncle… don’t ask” Balto smirked.

“We’re going after her” I declared, ready to take any argument against him.

            “I figured you would” Balto said simply.

I let out the air that puffed out my chest.

“Am I really that predictable?” I sighed.

Balto ad Yukon both smiled.

            “Be careful and take care of each other” Balto said, nuzzling each of us.

Yukon and I both nuzzled our father back and said a quick goodbye before trotting down the ramp towards the woods. We ran across the snowy fields and kicked the powdery snow out from under our feet. My sled dog collar bounced against my chest, reminding me of the life I had just traded. I took one look at the beach I ran on when I was a puppy. Then, bristling pine trees covered our view as we entered the woods.

“Now what?” I moaned, turning to Yukon.

            “This”

Yukon put his nose to the ground and started to follow his nose. I probably hadn’t used my nose to track anything besides food. I looked around nervously and Yukonnoticed, picking his head up, blue eyes meeting my brown ones.

            “You sure you want to do this?” he said seriously. “No turning back after this”

I gulped and nodded. Yukon smiled, then put his nose back down to the ground and started to pick up speed. Cautiously, following close behind, my nose began to pick up wild scents. The strongest smell was that of wolves, but with a shiver, I smelt something I’d only smelt once before. Bear. Chills ran down my spine even though I was used to the cold of winter. The trees, mostly pine, seemed to reach out for us. My breathing started to come rapidly. My eyes darted through the trees. Suddenly, I bumped into Yukon. He was peering over his shoulder past me.

“What’s wrong?!” I almost whimpered. But realizing how scared I sounded, I swallowed and puffed up my chest. “I mean, what’s wrong?”

Yukon raised an eyebrow but shook his head.

            “Nothing, just thought… nothing. Let’s keep going”

Yukon sniffed the air and continued to move, a bit faster then before. We walked for a little longer before Yukon stopped, twisted around and his ears pointed directly behind us. Once again, I bumped into him.

“What?!” I said, this time not bothering to mask my fear.

            “There’s something following us. I’m sure of it”

A chill ran down my spine again. I focused on Yukonand watched his ears swivel around like mad, trying to pick up any sound. Now that I thought about it, I did here something rustling behind me before…

            “Let’s keep on moving” Yukonsaid determinedly.

With renewed vigor, Yukon set off, but kept peering over his shoulder. However, he was a lot braver then I was now… if anything jumped out now, I was sure I’d faint. My eyes left my brother and started to search the trees. Then, once again, I bumped into Yukon.

 “You have to give me some kind of warning when you’re gonna stop!” I barked frantically.

Yukon looked at me and gave me a half smile.

            “Are you scared?” he said, raising an eyebrow.

“No!” I said, voice cracking.

Yukon laughed to himself and turned around.

            “It’s not a bear, if that’s what you’re thinking. It sounds smaller” he said, squinting out into the dark.

“How can you tell?!”

Yukon didn’t answer me, but tilted his head back and let out a short howl. On the inside, he had to be as much wolf as our dad. When he stopped, nothing answered. Yukon’s ears slowly dropped back.  

            “We need to move now” Yukon ordered with more urgency eyes darting between the trail in front of us and the thing behind us.

I didn’t need any more encouragement. Yukonstarted to trot, and I went faster too. A stick broke behind us and I barreled into Yukon, sending him flying forward. I ran right past him, not even trying to listen to what he was yelling. To my horror, something was crashing after us! Yukon darted after me, eyes wide.

“Something’s behind us!!” I yelped.

            “Just run!” Yukonyelled over his shoulder.

My feet flew and adrenaline kept Yukon beside me. Finally, out of breath, I skit to a halt in the slick snow and Yukon slid to a stop next to me, puffing and looking frantically around us.

            “I think we lost it” Yukon huffed.

Suddenly, a dark blur moved through the bushes and jumped in front of us, howling. I closed my eyes in fear, but then I realized… I knew that howl…

“Atka!?” I said, opening one eye.

Atka smiled and strutted toward us.Yukon looked like he was going to explode, but held it in.

“How long have you been following us!? Why couldn’t you have just come out and said hi or something?!”

            “Well that wouldn’t have been any fun!” she smirked, like it was common sense.

Yukon didn’t say a word and pushed past her. He was really furious. He hated to be made an idiot of. Atka watched us for a second and smiled.

            “That’s not the right way” she sang.

“I know that” growled Yukon, turning around, even madder.

Atka’s expression softened when Yukon brushed roughly past her.

            “I’m really glad you guys came after me” she said nuzzling us both.

Yukon still didn’t say anything and clenched his jaw.

“So where are we going then?” I said, trying to break the silence.

            “We’re not going anywhere tonight. We should rest before we do any more traveling” Yukon growled again. He stomped over to a tree stump, and curled into a ball. I followed him over and curled up next to him. Atka looked at us but kept pacing around, sniffing the air every now and then.

“Atka, give it a rest. I can’t sleep when you’re going back and forth in front of me” I moaned. “Sorry” she