keep a look out for them. My mother Jenna and her friend Alyse were reported missing yesterday, we have no information whatsoever on their whereabouts, but any that we can get would be greatly appreciated.”

One of the dogs in the center of the crowd stood up. He was a gray husky. “…maybe they just decided to get off on their own for a while.” He said. “…maybe you’re worrying about nothing Blaize.”

Blaize sighed. “..I hope you’re right Phonze.” He said. ‘…but I don’t believe it to be true. My other never goes anywhere substantial without telling someone. I fear something may have happened to them. Also, remember Jason, Gemeni’s child is still missing as well… please keep a sharp eye and ear. Any information will be rewarded.”

Josh stood up then. “…Blaize, isn’t it true that Tiembe is unaccounted for as well?”

Blaize sighed. “…yes, yes that’s true.”

Josh sighed and shook his head. “…can’t you put two and two together Blaize?” He asked. “A schizophrenic psycho goes missing and then two females disappear, sound like a coincidence to you?”

Blaize shook his head and sighed. “…look Josh, you have no evidence to support that, I can’t take that under consideration until there’s proof.”

“You’re blind Blaize.” Josh said. “You know, you have no one to blame but yourself.” He said. “You let him go, you let him live here, even after he tried to kill my sister.”

Blaize growled. “Josh that’s enough.” He said. “…stop, now.”

Josh chuckled. “As you wish oh keeper of the law.” He said. Then he turned and walked out of the Old Mill.

Silence reined in the building for a moment as all the dogs looked at him questioningly, doubt showing on many of their faces. Then Blaize sighed and broke it.

“With that you’re dismissed. Please be sure you take care heading home.” Blaize turned and walked to Astarre who was waiting behind the makeshift stage.

“…come on.” He said. “You need some sleep, you’re sleeping for more than yourself now you know.”

Astarre smiled. “…yeah I know.”

Blaize sighed. “I wish Mom or Dad were here so we could tell them.”

Astarre smiled and nuzzled him. “…I’m sure she’s fine.”

Blaize nodded. “…maybe you’re right.” He said. “…I hope so.”

Astarre smiled and nuzzled him again. “…come on Blaize.” She said. Then she led him off toward the back of the Old Mill.

Gemeni walked through the darkened streets of Nome. She felt the wind blow harsh against her soft coat and she shivered. She looked around her at the shadowy alleys. “I wish you were here now Drake.” She thought. She realized she was trembling and looked down at her paws, silently chastising herself as she remembered her younger days. “When I thought I could take on the entire world.” She thought. “…and I probably could have… but now…” She looked up at the stars and moon and sighed. “…now I miss you Drake.” She said aloud.

“…that’s funny, so do I.” A voice said.

Gemeni turned and gasped. “…Jas … Jason?” She asked.

The dog before her nodded. “Yeah, it’s me mom.” He said.

“Jason, where… where have you been?” She asked. “…I was worried sick about you.”

Jason smiled. “…really?” He asked.

For just a moment the joyful pup of days past reflected in his black rimmed eyes, then it faded. “Mom, why didn’t you tell me the truth?” He asked.

“…what?” Gemeni asked.

“…the truth.’ He said again. “..about dad’s death. He wasn’t killed in the line of duty, I know that now. Why did you help Balto cover it up, why did you go against Dad?”

Gemeni sighed. “…son, Balto and I… we only wanted to protect you, we … we may have lied, but… but it was what was best for the town.”

“..what?!” Jason yelled. “Why was it the best for the town, because Balto is the town hero?!”

Gemeni sighed. “Son, it wasn’t like that at all, it was such a mess, and I didn’t know how to deal with it so.. so we made something up. Something to make your father a hero, someone the town could… could remember.”

“Where did it really happen?” Jason asked. “…and don’t lie to me again.”

Gemeni sighed. “…Al… alright Jason.” She said. “…no more lies… it happened at Balto’s home.”

Jason shook his head. “…I…” He looked up at his mother and growled. “…you’ll all pay for what you’ve done.” He said. Then he turned and darted away.

“…Jason?” Gemeni called. “…Jason, come back!”

No one answered her calls.

Jason ran through the streets, he turned and jumped up on some stacked crates till he could jump on the roof of the adjacent building, then he started running along the roof line. “Well that proves it.” Jason thought to himself. “My mother betrayed my father to save Balto.” He could see the scene unfolding in front of his eyes as if it were happening right now and he was the sole witness.

His mother smiled as she nuzzled Balto’s cheek. She smiled and said something as she rolled over, but Jason couldn’t hear it. Balto smiled, then his father came into view, he was shocked and hurt, tears in his eyes, words were exchanged, but again Jason couldn’t hear them. Suddenly Balto attacked his father and as he was pleading for his life, Balto growled and ripped out his throat. Blood poured across the ghostly scene, coating his Mother and Balto. Balto walked over to his mother and smiled; both of them dripped in the crimson syrup of life. Balto nuzzled his mother and his mother smiled back, nuzzling him as well. Balto said something, and this time Jason could hear it. “No one can know.” He said. His mother nodded. “…it’s best for the town.” She said. She nuzzled him again. “…and us.” Meanwhile his father thrashed on the floor, coating everything in a sheen of red.

The scene faded from his view and Jason slid to a stop on the rooftop. It was all so clear now. He looked down and found that he’d been following his mother throughout his vision of the past. The grisly image of his father’s death still fresh in his mind. He growled. “What I said is true Mother.” He said quietly from his perch on the roof. “…you will pay for what you’ve done.” Then he leapt off the roof.

Gemeni was confused more than ever now. The appearance of her son had been great, she’d been worried that something had happened to him. …but what he had to say had shocked her. “How’d he find out?” Gemeni thought. “…only Balto and I knew the truth.” She sighed. “…surely Balto didn’t tell him…” Then she quietly chastised herself for doubting her friend. “Balto isn’t even here.” She thought. “…so how did he find out?”

Just then Gemeni was aware of a dark shadow falling down on her. She spun around just in time to be crushed to the snow by a heavy object from above.

An object with fur.

She struggled underneath it and called for help. Suddenly searing pain shot through her shoulder as the creature tore into it with it’s teeth. She thrashed about underneath it and her attacker extended his claws into her sides. She finally managed to get her forelegs free and shot from beneath the attacker.

She didn’t make it very far.

A few steps away she fell to the snow. She struggled to her paws again and felt blood dripping down her body. She turned and looked to see four deep cuts from the claws that had slashed down her whole length on both sides when she’d darted away.

Gemeni felt a surge of anger run through her, felt her strength return, felt the need to fight. She turned to face her attacker…

…and the feeling vanished entirely.

“…no.” She said. She began to shake. “…no, this… this can’t be possible.” She said quietly. “…why… why Jason?” She asked.

“I am my father… come back for his revenge.” He said darkly.

Gemeni looked confused and shook her head. “…what?” She asked.

Jason ran at her and Gemeni found herself unable to move. He hit her once, twice, three times in the face before the fourth blow staggered her and she fell to the snow covered ground. “You lied to me!” Jason yelled. He tore into her shoulder with his teeth and pulled her to her paws, then he hit her again. “Why did you betray dad?!” He asked. “…was Balto’s reputation really worth it?!” Then he hit her again and threw her to the ground once more.

Gemeni crawled to her paws and took a few steps away from her son before he charged her, slamming into her side. The blow took her off her paws and through her into the side of an old barn. She crumpled to the ground and Jason stood over her. He climbed up on top of her and began swinging his paws at her. Gemeni managed to block a few of the blows, but the majority of them rained down on her face, pelting her nose, her eyes, her ears, her neck and shoulders.

Suddenly he stopped.

Gemeni was fading in and out. She heard some of what her son said as he continued to rant and rave, but the majority of it sounded like he was talking underwater.

“Now….. pay ….for…. Balto…”

She shook her head and opened her eyes as her ears cleared for a moment allowing her to hear the end of what he was saying. “..goodbye mother.” He said.

Gemeni felt a warm rush around her chest and on her cheeks. Dazed she looked up at her son. His face was red now. She shook her head and then saw the liquid dripping from his jaws. Had he…

Suddenly Gemeni knew what that warm feeling was. She began to feel the blood pool beneath her as it ran from the shredded skin and matted fur of her neck in steady pulses. Her pretty golden coat was quickly coated in the crimson silky embrace and she felt her thoughts slowing, her legs, which she hadn’t realized she’d been thrashing about in the reddened mush of snow beneath her, were slowing. It came to be more than she could do just to raise her paw, then to blink. Her eyes slid shut and she could hear her breath in her ears, could feel the last few beats of her heart as it sped up, straining to pump blood to her extremities… but almost all of her blood was pooled around her. Her heart kept beating, struggling to