the door.

“Come in!” Aleu barked.

The door opened and Balto walked into the room. He grabbed a chare and sat next to the bed. “Texas is getting his new flues installed. He’ll be back on his drivers within the week. Then he’ll get his steam up, and by next week…”

Aleu jolted up right. “I can be back on the throttle, right!” she said with her voice full on enthusiasm, her tail wagged happily on the bed sheet.

Balto laughed, “I mustn't do that again,” he said, demurely. "The doctor said you were not to be excited."

Aleu sulked. “I hate this room. I feel like I’m in a cage.”

Balto frowned. “You almost died. Aleutian, give your body some rest.”

Aleu looked at her father, discontent spreading over her muzzle. “Papa, please. I know how to take care of myself. I’m not your little baby.”  

Balto sighed. “I understand. I still feel utterly horrible for the bit with Brewbaker. But Kodi….”

Balto stopped. His mind thinking about his son. His son who not all that long ago seemed as happy a joyous as his other pups. His son who was now bitter and cold.

“Where did I go wrong?” he whispered, putting his head into his hands. His eyes looking at the hardwood floor and the brass air grates.  He remembered back when he was courting Jenna, crawling down there to learn news of Rosie’s doom.

Aleu put her hand on her father’s back. “Its not you fault, you raised us all right. Kodi is a good pup, I think something’s affecting him papa, when I looked at his eyes on the ice.” Aleu looked out a nearby window. “I didn’t see him”

Balto sat in a chair by the bed. “I know, its not like calm a quite Kodi. I wonder if something is wrong with him. Anyway, changing the subject, whose been visiting you?”  

Aleu shook her head, smiling, “The Railroad workers whose trains I saved have been in here. Also several newspaper reporters tried to get in here, but Ol’ Doc wouldn’t stand for it.”

Balto nodded. “Your pretty big news. All over Nome, the tale of the Economic Scandal of the North is front page.”

“Is that what they’re calling it now?” Aleu said shaking her head. “I did nothing special, just anything any other person would do in my place.”

Balto put his hand on hers. “You did everything, the doctor says you can move around on your own, but only for short moves. No long distance running.”

He placed a key on the table. “This is too that strap, Tomorrow if you’d like we can do lunch.”

“It’s a date.” Aleu said with a wink.

Balto stood and headed for the door, as he left Aleu reached over for the key. It was just out of the reach of her paw.

“Oh come on.” She moaned rolling her eyes, unable to reach the little brass key.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No beast is so fierce but knows some touch of pity, But I know none, therefore I am no beast. - Willem Shakespeare. 

 

 

 

 

The sun was finally peaking out from behind the snow clouds. Nome was basking in the few moments of pure sunlight.

 

 

Balto shivered in the frigid air. His coat pulled over him was doing a good job at keeping him warm. He looked across the street and between two buildings at the railroad line. It appeared as a single black line in the white powder.

 

 

He swung around to see Aleu opened the door and walk out. She wore her jacket over a white blouse and blue skirt.

 

 

“What took you?” He said. “I only have an hour for lunch, got to be back at the yard.”

 

 

She waved one paw in the air, dismissing her father’s comment. “Oh papa, I’m just glad to get out and have a nice relaxing lunch. Do you think of anything other then your responsibilities”

 

 

Balto gave a sharp smile. “What, I’m no fun anymore. I should have let you stay in that hospital room. Now no strange movements for a while.”

 

 

The two started off down the sidewalk. A ford model T chugged its way past in the ruts in the snow on its way to some unknown destination.

 

 

“I haven’t been outside in three weeks.” Aleu said laughing, her tuscan brown hair shimmering in the sun.  The two rounded a corner. There was a small restaurant. The sign read: ‘The Old Mill’. It was a false fronted building, red drapes hanging in the windows.

 

 

Balto nodded at the sight. “Nice place. Haven’t been here in a while”

 

 

“Yah, kind of a local watering hole.” Aleu said leading him to the front door.

 

 

Strains of the ragtime “Northwood Hills” played out over the restaurant. The Old Mill was simple decorated with a woodland style décor. Antler chandeliers, hardwood flooring, and bare wood tabletops stood out alongside the bar. Even at Lunch, the restaurant was full, and a band was playing on the stage.

 

 

Aleu and Balto took a seat at one far end, away from the bar. After ordering and Balto having to talk Aleu out of a glass of champagne, saying it wasn’t good for her healing, The two began talking about railroading, and the future.

 

 

“So, did they find Kodi.” Aleu asked while stuffing her face with some roasted duck. Balto had a hard time not cracking up at his daughter’s wolfish eating habits. Aleu scarified down food as fast as it was laid in front of her. 

 

 

“Not a sign, a hole was found in the other side of the river. I think the boy got out.” Balto smiled thinking back to his son’s younger days “He’s a survivor, that’s for sure.”

 

 

Suddenly, Aleu felt a pang inside her. At first she though it was some kind of reprieve from the bullet she had taken…but it was deep in the back of her mind. Almost like Texas’s connection. But this one was much deeper…almost, brotherly.

 

 

That though suddenly hit Aleu square in the stomach. She had heard that siblings sometimes could connect to each other in times of deep stress. But she never believed it as it had never happened to her. But now. She started tapping her heal. Balto saw the look cross over her face. Outside the restaurant the echo of a steam whistle from the yard could be heard.

 

 

“You all right?” he asked.

 

 

Before Aleu could answer, a malamute waiter tapped her on her shoulder.

 

 

“You miss Aleutian Aniu?” he asked.

 

 

She nodded.

 

 

“Some reporters want to see you.”

 

 

“Oh god, not again.” She said looking around the restaurant

 

 

“You can take the back door.” The waiter said. Balto knew Aleu’s reaction to being in the spotlight and wasn’t fazed by it. 

 

 

She stood up. “I’ll be right back after they leave.” Smiling she winked at him. “I hate publicity.”

 

 

                                    *************

 

 

Aleu fallowed the waiter threw the door. She found herself being led threw a food storage room and past the freezer and kitchen. Threw a door she ended up in a dark back room. Creates and trunks stood all around them. Her eyes saw a large steamer trunk, lid open. A single gas lantern stood on a table, giving a warm glow.

 

 

 

 

 “I don’t think they will stick around.” She said, suddenly feeling a little estranged. Why was this waiter going on a limb for her?

 

 

 

 

The Malamute nodded. “I’ll check for you Miss.” He turned and disappeared, leaving Aleu standing in the darkness. She suddenly felt a lot better having the strange dog gone. After all, a part of her was thinking he was going to make a move on her.

 

 

 

 

 Aleu looked around. She was surrounded by boxes and creates for food supplies. Now feeling certain that she was just paranoid, her curiosity led her over to the creates. Reading the labels she saw several food names, and several local brewing logos. Finally she looked down at the large open steamer trunk.

 

 

It was a strange object. Its inside lined with red satin. She leaned down looking in it, her bushy tail flicking behind her.

 

 

Suddenly she was taken aback by a shadow that crossed behind her. Before she could stand up, she felt a hand clasp itself over her muzzle.

 

 

But Aleu wouldn’t go easy; she kicked her leg, nailing her aslant in the stomach with her high heal. The hand let go of her, but another problem occurred. Without her aslant holding her, and with her leg up in the air, she lost her balance and fell forward.

 

 

She landed in the trunk. Getting up on her hands, she lifted her head above the edge of the Trunk, preparing to leap out, and she suddenly found a mailbag being thrust over her head.

 

 

Suddenly the lid came down with a crack, knocking the wolf/dog out cold.  The lock on the steamer truck shut with a click. Aleu was trapped.

 

 

 

                                    ********************

 

 

 

 

 When Aleu awoke, she found herself lying on her side. She slowly brought herself upright and realized that a blindfold had been placed over her eyes. She reached up and yanked it…only to find that she was surrounded by total darkness. Wherever she was, it was unbearably cold.

 

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