Balto is copyrighted © by Universal Studios.

Authors note: This fan fiction was inspired by the song "Will I" from RENT.  The song was written by Johnathan Larson.  This is just a short fic, but I did enjoy writting it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the sun set across the cold and barren landscape, a long wolf/dog hybrid sat alone on the deck of an old washed up ship, settled into the sandy shore.  He sighed softly as he gazed out across the ocean, wishing he could be anywhere but where he was. 

 

The hybrid had been alone for most of his life.  The only time he really remembered he was wanted was back when he still had a family.  But they were gone now, taken by the cruelty of others and time.  Ever since then, he had been drifting, trying to find his place in the world.

 

Slowly, he stood to his paws and turned around.  He glanced up at the sky again, trying to make himself believe that somehow, he could find a place he would finally belong.  Someplace where he would be happy.  But deep inside himself, he knew that it was unlikely anyone could welcome someone like them into their lives. 

 

The wind blowing softly, the hybrid perked up his ears.  On the calm breeze, he almost thought he could hear his mother’s voice calling his name.  Calling him to her almost.

 

Baaaaaltoooooo…

 

He shook his head and lowered his ears again, knowing it was just the wind playing tricks on him like it had so many times before.  Balto padded over to a small blanket on the deck, lowering himself onto it.  The hybrid sadly put his head onto his paws and shut his eyes, wishing himself to go somewhere else.  He all ready knew it would not work, though, for he had tried it before. 

 

Balto opened his eyes slowly, trying to make himself believe that it worked this time.  But his spirits where to low for that to even work.  With another sigh, he stood back to his paws and walked up to the section of the deck facing the town of Nome.

 

It’s so close, Balto thought to himself sadly.  Yet it is so far out of reach.

 

He could almost see the dogs and their owners happily getting ready for a good night’s rest inside their warm houses.  As he gazed toward the town, he longed to have a home to.  One where he could have someone caress him and love him.  But no one will ever love a thing like me, he reminded himself sadly.

 

With a great sigh, Balto lowered his head.  Is it possible to lose my dignity any more?  And if I do will anyone even care? he asked himself.  Will things turn around and take me from this nightmare?

 

He shook his head sadly and stood to his paws once more.  Glancing down at the grainy sandy ground, he leapt from the side of the ship onto it.  He did not really like the feeling of the sand in between the pads on his paws, but it was something he had gotten used to since she found the ship.

 

Looking around, he padded over to the vast ocean, letting the waves wash across his paws.  Balto sighed again and walked along the shore.  The cold of the water almost felt good across his paws.

 

After a few minutes, Balto walked up shore a little and sat, facing the ocean.  The view was captivating to him.  It seemed so amazing that there could be things so little, and yet things so large in just one area.

 

Glancing back to his ship, he made his way back slowly.  In a way, Balto did not want to go back to his ship as it reminded him how he was all alone.  But it was the only place that could come close to a home for him.

 

At least it provides adequate shelter from the elements, he told himself.

 

Walking up the old wooden plank that hung over the deck, Balto lowered himself back onto his blanket, resting his head on his paws.  He shivered slightly and curled his tail around himself to help keep in his body heat. 

 

He looked around the ship, wishing every shadow he saw was a part of his family that found their way to him.  Balto realized how stupid it was that he even wasted his time wishing that, but he could not help it.  It was the last glimmer of hope he had been clinging on ever since the day he had lost his family.

 

They hybrid shut his eyes, trying to block out the weight of the world:  all the disappointment he had met in just the short time he had been alive.  He supposed that his wolf side helped him remain strong even when he himself thought all was lost.

 

Letting out a soft huff of air, Balto pulled his tail closer to his body.  He could feel his eyes starting to get heavier as sleep rushed to him.

 

Will I wake tomorrow, from this nightmare? he asked himself.

 

Balto did not have anymore time to think of that question for sleep finally found him.

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