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This story is (obviously) not based on my timeline, as it is a "Balto Western".
Hope you enjoy it!
*Note*
This story is rated PG-13 for violence, consumption of alcohol, some sexal content and mild swearing. Read on at YOUR OWN discretion!
- RTW
Sawyer’s Falls
Anthony E. Rotramel (A.K.A Rotramel the Writer)
Started: 10/15/06
Finished: 10/19/06
Pages: 64
Words: 11,866
Note: This story and it’s characters are © 2006 Anthony E. Rotramel. The characters Balto, Jenna, Steele, Nikkie, and Kaltag are © 1995 Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.
All Rights Reserved.
Sawyer’s Falls is a work of fiction, any similarity to actual events, or persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
© 2006 All Rights Reserved.
Chapter 1:
New Mexico, August 14th, 1888
The sun beat down hard on the desert outside the small town of Sawyer’s Falls, New Mexico. Against the horizon a small dust cloud could be seen coming toward the town.
A young boy was watching the dust cloud as it approached, and saw the shape of a man on a horse dissolve out of the dust.
He ran into the small building, whose porch he’d been sweeping, and told his father what was going on.
Word travels fast in a small town and soon many of the towns people had come out of their homes and businesses to see the newcomer.
As the young man entered the dusty streets of the small town the townspeople took him in.
He was a young dog of about twenty. Traces of husky were visable but the overwhelming attribute of the newcomer was a definite wolfish look.
Some of the townspeople shivered. Wolfdogs were known to be violent, and this one would probably be no different.
The young wolfdog rode his horse up to the city saloon and got off, tieing it up and walking toward the door.
He saw a weather beaten poster hanging on the outside of the saloon and he walked up next to it, tearing it from the wall.
It read:
Wanted!
Dead or Alive
William H. Balto A.K.A. Billy the Kid
$200
Underneath the few words of text was a grainy picture.
The young dog sighed in disgust.
“…can’t even get my picture right.” He thought, discarding the poster.
Suddenly, cries emanated from the saloon and a brown dog was hurled out of the door.
The dog scrambled to his feet and started running for the far end of town.
A black and white dog stepped out of the saloon and finished the beer in his hands. The young wolfdog noticed that a silver star gleamed on the dog’s vest. Then the dog pulled a long revolver from his waist. He pointed the gun at the retreating figure and pulled the trigger.
The brown dog spun in a circle and fell, unmoving to the dusty ground.
The young wolfdog pulled one of his matching peacemakers from their crossed holsters at his front, pulling back the hammer.
The black and white dog spun around, firing and blowing the pistol from Balto’s grasp.
A look of surprise crossed Balto’s face.
The black and white dog smiled and turned, walking away from the saloon.
Balto let out a sigh of relief as he thought about his close brush with death.
He knelt down and picked up his pistol, letting the hammer down and replaicing it in it’s holster.
He shook his head again and walked into the saloon.
The saloon was like every other the young wolfdog had been inside in his short life. It was smoke filled, a little less crowded than usual, but moderatly filled. A card game was going in the corner and Balto made a mental note to join it later. He could play quite a game of cards.
“…of course anyone can with a few extra aces.” Balto thought with a smile.
He walked over to the bar and tapped on it.
The bartender, an aging greatdane, walked over to him.
“What’s your pleasure sir?”
Balto smiled.
“A beer’s all.”
The barkeep nodded and produced an amber bottle, the top of which he pryed off. He placed the bottle on the counter and walked over to another customer.
Balto picked up the cool bottle and slowly pulled a bit of the chilled liquid down his throat.
He replaced the bottle and pulled a wrinkled cigarette from his vest pocket and produced a match, which he struck on the bar and held near the cigarette.
Then he froze.
The most beautiful girl he’d ever seen stood in the doorway to the saloon and was walking toward him.
He suddenly jumped and had to clench his teeth from howling in pain as the flame from the match burned his finger.
He shook the match out and threw it to the floor.
Then he turned his attention back to the female.
She was red furred with a white chest as well as arms and legs.
She wore a simple dress, Blue with a white lace top, which accented her marvalous figure. The girl also wore a bright red bandanna around her neck. Her coat was dark red and her face was a creamy white, as were her arms and, though he couldn’t see them for the dress, Balto suspected her legs probably were as well.
The girl must have seen him staring, for she walked over and sat beside him.
Balto, ever the gentleman, tipped his hat to her.
“Good day miss.”
The female smiled.
“Good morning sir.” She said.
It was silent for a while, as Balto smoked almost half of his cigarette.
“So… are you new here?” The female asked. “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”
Balto smiled. “Yeah, I’m new… just rode in a few days ago.”
The female smiled. “What brings you here Mr…”
She looked at him questioningly.
“Oh…” he said, finally catching her hint.
“The names Balto, William H. Balto. Billy to my friends.”
The female stuck out her hand.
“Jenna Thatcher.” She said.
“It’s a pleasure miss Thatcher.” Balto said.
“So, back to my question… what brings you here Mister Balto?”
Balto smiled. “Nothing in particular.” He said. “I live an uh… life on the road if you will.”
Jenna smiled.
“Well that’s a clever way to put it.” Balto thought.
Jenna’s gaze went to his belt.
“Oh, you’ve got a gun. You ever kill anyone Mister Balto?”
Balto smiled. “Yep, sure have sweetheart. Only in self defense of course.’
“…most of the time.” He thought to himself.
“Wow.” Jenna said. “I’ve never really talked to anyone who’s killed someone before.”
Balto smiled and took another drink of his beer.
“Well it’s nothing special sweetheart, just a few pounds of pressure, the click of a hammer and it’s over. It’s the thinkin’ afterward that will get you if you let it. You gotta not think about it.”
“That’s facinating.” Jenna said. “I always wondered what it felt like, to kill someone I mean.”
It was quiet for a moment.
“So,” Balto said, eager to keep the conversation going. “What’s with this town? I mean I’ve seen some crazy towns before, but I just saw a dog gunned down by a drunk Sheriff, who also shot my own pistol out of my hand as I drew, an amazing feat to say the least. I thought I was dead, but then he just smiled and walked off.”
Jenna sighed.
“That’s no Sheriff.” She said. “That was Steele, he’s a hired gun, a thug, no more.”
“Then why the badge?” Balto asked.
Jenna sighed again and looked up at him.
“You are new here, aren’t you?”
Balto looked blankly at her.
She sighed again and grabbed the beer on the counter, taking a swig of it.
Balto’s blank stare turned to one of disbelief.
Jenna sat the beer back on the bar and noticed Balto’s look.
“What?” She asked. “Never seen a woman drink before?”
Balto shook his head. “Not many do.”
“Well I do.” Jenna said.
She sighed again.
“Now, as I was saying… there is this dog that lives here named Baron Von Earl. He’s a German Shepard and is more of a criminal than the mayor he tries to act like.”
Jenna sighed.
“He has a bunch of hired guns who he then turns into deputies, and soon you’ve got “self defense” shootings happening all over the place.”
Jenna looked up at him.
“If you want to live long in this town, you’ll do as he says.”
“I don’t know about that.” Balto said. “I don’t like much bein’ told what to do.”
“Excuse me Mister Balto, but could I trouble you for the time?”
Balto pulled a silver pocket watch from his vest and flipped it open. “It’s ten past two.”
“Oh shoot.” Jenna said, jumping up. “I’m already ten minutes late opening the store. I’m gonna get it now.”
She paused.
“I’ve got to go Mister Balto. It was nice talking to you.”
With that she started to walk away.
Balto stood.
“Wait Miss Jenna.”
She stopped and turned.
“Where might a guy find you if’n he was lookin’?”
Jenna smiled.
“He might try the only meat store in town.”
With that she turned and ran off.
Balto’s stare continued long after Jenna had vacated the doorway.
Suddenly, a tap on his shoulder shook him out of the daze.
“I wouldn’t go messin’ with her young fella.” A voice said.
Balto turned and saw an older chow sitting beside him.
“…and why not?” Balto asked.
“That there is trouble fer sure.” The Chow said.
“She doesn’t look like trouble.” Balto responded.
“Oh sure.” The Chow said. “Miss Thatcher is the most beautiful thing from here to El Paso, but it’s not her you’ve got to be worryin’ about.”
“Then who?” Balto asked, intrigued.
“It’s her father, none other than Baron Von Earl.”
“Really?” Balto asked.
The Chow nodded.
“No one but Steele is allowed to go near her, on threat of death.”
“Is that so.” Balto said. “Well uh mister I plan to go see the young lady tomorrow, I’ll be sure to let ya know how it pans out.”
He turned to the counter.
“Hey Barkeep.”
The greatdane turned and Balto flipped him a silver coin. Then the young wolfdog stood up and left the saloon.
Chapter 2:
True to his word, Balto found out where the only meat store in town was, and showed up at around two ‘o clock.
Jenna smiled as she saw him enter.
“Hey Mister… Balto, right?”
Balto smiled and nodded. “You remember me Miss Thatcher.”
Jenna smiled. “Please Balto, it’s Jenna.”
“As you wish Miss Jenna.” Balto replied.
“So, need anything Balto?” Jenna asked.
Balto shook his head.
“Actually I’m pretty well stocked already.”
Jenna smiled again.
“Then what brings you here Mister Balto?”
“Well…” Balto said, stuttering a bit. “…well, I was thinking that maybe you’d… I don’t know, want to go on a picnic, or come to my home for dinner or something.”
Jenna’s smile disapeared and she sighed.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea Balto.” She said.
Balto shook his head.
“I already know about your father, and he doesn’t scare me. I’ve been chased by worse.”
“You don’t know my father.” Jenna said.
“I don’t need to Miss Jenna.” Balto answered. “I can tell that he’s the controlling type. You need to get out and live; make your own decisions about things.”
Jenna looked confused.
“I am living.”
Balto sighed.
“Jenna, how old are you?”
“Excuse me?” Jenna said, a hint of anger in her voice.
“Beggin’ your pardon Miss Jenna.” Balto said. “It’s just that you look old enough to make these kind of decisions on your own.”
Jenna sighed and shook her head. “You really don’t know my father; what he’s capable of.”
Balto smiled at her.
“Please, just give me this one chance, and then if you want me to leave you alone, I will, alright?”
“Promise?” Jenna asked.
Balto nodded and Jenna smiled.
“Alright then,” Jenna asked. “When is this dinner planned for?”
“What time do you close up tonight?” Balto asked.
“Six thirty.” Jenna answered.
“Well,” Balto said. “I’ll be by here to pick you up around six forty-five.”
Jenna nodded. “Alright Balto... it’s a date.”
Balto smiled. “Now if you’ll excuse me I need to get busy preparing for your arrival.”
He tipped his hat to Jenna.
“Good day Miss Jenna.”
Jenna smiled.
“Have a good one Balto.”
With that Balto turned and walked out the door.
Unbeknownst to the two young dogs, a brown chow walked off the porch of the Meat Shop, walking quickly toward the center of town.
The brown dog walked quickly into a small, exclusive bar at the center of town.
He looked around the room, searching for someone.
The bar was full of the town’s leadership; the Sheriff and his deputies, the judge, lawyers, all were drinking and carousing.
The dog finally spotted the person he was looking for and walked over to the oak bar.
He stopped beside a stool, on which sat a handsomly dressed German Shepard.
“Hey Barkeep.” The brown dog said. “Beer please.”
As the dog behind the bar hurried to fill the order, the brown dog tapped the German Shepard on the shoulder.
The German Shepard looked up and smiled.
“Nikki, what brings you here?”
The barkeeper placed the beer on the bar and Nikki picked up the glass, taking in a gulp before setting it back on the bar.
“I have some information I’m sure you’d like to know about Baron.” He said.
“Well information is power.” The German Shepard said. “What sort of information do you have for me?”
Nikki took another drink of his beer.
“It’s about a certain young lady…”
Ever one to be punctual, Balto arrived at the door of the Meat Shop at exactly six forty-five. He was riding his horse, and pulling another behind him.
Jenna smiled as she walked down the porch steps to him.
“You know how to ride?” Balto asked.
Jenna smiled again.
“…of course I do.” She said, jumping up in the saddle of the unoccupied horse. “...who doesn’t out here?”
Balto laughed.
“Well, you can follow me to the house, just keep close and…”
Jenna suddenly spurred her horse and it took off.
“Me follow you?” Jenna called back. “I don’t think so Mister Balto.”
“…but you don’t know the way.” Balto thought.
“…ah hell.” He said, spurring his own horse and trying to catch the fast vanishing form of Jenna.
Balto and Jenna sat against one another, a campfire in front of them. Jenna finished the last of her fire roasted sausage.
Balto smiled. “Can I cook or what?”
She returned his smile, leaned her head down on his shoulder and sighed.
“You were right Balto. This was definitely a good idea.”
“See.” Balto said. “I told you to trust me.”
“You’re also right that I need to start making more of my own decisions.”
Balto nodded his head.
All was silent for a while, and then Balto spoke up.
“Hey… uh… Jenna…”
He paused and looked down.
Jenna was asleep on his shoulder.
He could feel her warm breath on his shoulder and could feel her heart thump alongside his.
The young outlaw had never felt like this before, and it was somewhat of a confusing feeling.
Finally he smiled and pulled his coat from the ground, covering he and Jenna with it, then sank slowly to sleep.
Jenna awoke the next day to a thundering crash.
She blinked her eyes a few times, and then heard it again.
“Gunshots!” She thought.
She jumped up.
“Balto!” She cried.
Balto turned, his twin peacemakers in his paws.
“Oh…” Jenna said. “It’s you.”
Balto nodded.
“…just some target practice.”
“Can you teach me to shoot?” Jenna asked.
Balto nodded.
“Sure.”
He flipped one of his pistols into the holster at his left hip and flipped the other around, handing it butt first to Jenna.
“You right handed?”
Jenna nodded.
“Well then this should be easy then.” Balto replied.
“Here, hold it with your right hand, stick your index finger through the trigger guard…”
He paused and stepped behind Jenna.
“…now, raise it up.”
Jenna did as she was told.
“Now, these are single action only revolvers, which means you have to pull the hammer back everytime you want a shot.”
Balto paused.
“Now, a quick thing about aiming. Don’t use the sights, sights will get you killed in a gunfight. See your target, visualize it in your mind, let your muzzle, that’s the barrel, find it’s mark, then cock the hammer and let fire. Don’t jerk the trigger or you’ll throw off your aim.”
He looked at Jenna.
“…got it?”
She nodded.
“Shoot that bottle over there then.” Balto said, indicating an empty beer bottle about fifteen yards away.
Jenna focused on the bottle.
“…also,” Balto added. “Don’t close your eyes when you fire. You’ll lose your sight picture, the ability to hit your target if you do. These pistols are .38 special, and won’t kick much, so don’t be afraid.”
Jenna sighed and Balto could feel her starting to shake.
“Take a deep breath and do it.” Balto said.
Jenna took a deep breath, cocked the hammer back with her thumb and gently squeezed the trigger.
A plume of dust erupted almost twenty feet from the bottle.
“I missed.” Jenna said.
Balto smiled. “It takes some practice, try it again.”
Jenna nodded.
“Do you need to reload it?”
Balto smiled.
“No, it’s got six shots in it already, just pull the hammer back again.”
Jenna nodded and sighed.
She reassumed the position and pulled the hammer back, took a deep breath and gently squeezed the trigger once more.
This time the bottle shattered.
“Good job.” Balto said.
Jenna smiled.
“I killed it!”
“Sure you did.” Balto said. “Here, try this.”
He handed Jenna a lever-action rifle.
“That’s the thirty-thirty Winchester.” Balto said.
“How do you hold this thing?” Jenna asked. Balto again stepped behind her.
Put the butt-stock in your shoulder and put your other hand on the fore-end, like this.” Balto said, positioning her hands.
Now, pull the fingers of your right hand down.
Jenna did, operating the lever.
“Now, same as before,” Balto said. “…but now you should actually use the sights. Usually if you’re fireing a rifle you have time to aim. Just line the front one up in between the notch in the back one. Then squeeze the trigger.”
Jenna did as she was told, and the gun went off, almost clobbering Balto, as Jenna lost control of the rifle and it swung over her shoulder.
The shot was wide of the target as well.
“Okay,” Balto said. “I forgot to mention that the rifle kicks a bit harder. To compensate for that pull it into your shoulder tightly.”
Jenna nodded.
“Try it again.” Balto said.
Jenna pulled the rifle back to her shoulder and this time pressed it into her shoulder.
“It also helps some people to close their left eye when aiming down sights.” Balto said.
Jenna took a deep breath, chambered a new round, and gently squeezed the trigger, this time, not only did she keep control of the firearm, but another bottle fell in shards.
“I think you’re getting the hang of this.” Balto said.
Jenna smiled.
“…one more kind of gun.” Balto said.
He pulled a double barrel shotgun from it’s place against the tree.
“This is a shotgun. It’s devastating at close range, good at mid-range, but useless at long range. Instead of one solid bullet this one fires a bunch of little steel balls, which separate and fall apart as they travel through the air. It’s also good on moving targets. “
Jenna nodded.
“Okay, this one will sit in your shoulder, same as the rifle.” Balto said. “Push the little switch down near the hammers.”
Jenna did as she was told and the breech opened.
“Oh no.” Jenna said. “I broke it.”
Balto laughed.
“Jenna… you… you didn’t break it, it’s supposed to do that.”
“Oh…” Jenna said.
“Take two of these.” Balto said trying to stop laughing. He held out a handful of shotgun shells.
Jenna took two of the red shells and stuck them into the barrels.
“Now close it back up.” Balto said, having finally won the battle over his laughter
Again, Jenna did as she was told and the breech snapped shut.
Balto got behind her again and she pulled the shotgun into her shoulder.
“Now,” Balto began again. “The shotgun doesn’t really have a sight, it has what’s called a bead. That’s the little silver ball in between the two barrels. Just put that on your target and fire. This one is going to be a bit stronger than the rifle was though, so make sure you’ve got a good grip on it.”
Jenna nodded and cocked the hammer, pressing the stock into her shoulder as hard as she could. Then she gently squeezed the trigger.
A great boom filled the country side as the shotgun went off and a group of three beer bottles nearby shattered.
Balto smiled at her. “You’re a natural.”
Jenna returned his smile. “Hey Balto, can we keep practicing?”
Balto laughed. “Sure Jenna. I’ve got plenty of ammunition.”
Later that morning Balto and Jenna had returned to town and were enjoying a cool beer at the saloon together.
“Hey Jenna, I’ve got something for you.” Balto said. “What’s that?” Jenna asked.
“Here.” Balto said, handing her a white cloth covered parcel.
“Balto?” Jenna said questioningly as she pulled the paper off it to reveal a shiny pistol.
“So you can practice.” Balto said.
“…but this is yours.” Jenna said.
“I’ll get it back later.” Balto answered.
“Thank you.” Jenna said.
“You’re welcome.” Balto answered.
“Oh shoot!” Jenna yelled, jumping up.
“What is it?” Balto asked.
“What time is it?” Jenna asked.
“It’s ten o’clock.” Balto said. “Why?”
Jenna sighed. “…because I was supposed to open the store two hours ago, that’s why.”
She looked back up at him. “I’m sorry Balto, but I’ve got to go. I really did enjoy myself. Maybe we can do it again sometime.”
Balto nodded.
“Have a good day Jenna.”
“You too.” Jenna said, rushing out of the Saloon.
Balto laughed to himself and turned back to his beer.
Chapter 3:
It was two days later before Balto went to see Jenna again.
As he walked in the door of the meat shop, Jenna saw him.
“Balto!” She said, then she dissapeared below the counter.
“That’s a bit strange.” Balto thought.
Jenna stood up and Balto found himself staring down the barrel of his very own pistol, clutched in Jenna’s trembling hands.
Balto dove behind a dispay shelf nearby as soon as he saw the gun, drawing his own out of instinct.
“I can kill her.” Balto thought. “She’s only been shooting for a few days now, I’ve got her in experience.”
He stopped and looked down at the pistol in his hand.
“What am I thinking?” Balto thought. “I can’t kill Jenna.”
Balto reholstered his pistol and stuck his head above the display a little.
“Jenna...” He said calmly. “…you know that thing isn’t a toy, you could kill me with that.”
Jenna pulled the hammer back and kept the shaking barrel pointed at him.
“I know that!” She yelled.
“What’s wrong with you Jenna?” Balto asked.
Jenna laughed nervously.
“I know about you now!” Jenna said.
“What do you mean?” Balto asked.
“When you told me that you’d killed people, you said it was only in self defense, you didn’t mention that they were young girls, that they were your girlfriends!”
Balto was confused.
“What?” He asked.
“My father told me all about you!” Jenna yelled. “You’re not going to get me without a fight!”
She sighed.
“…and to think I actually trusted you.”
“Jenna…” Balto said. “…your father is lying. I’d never harm a female.”
“Yeah right,” Jenna said.
“Please Jenna.” Balto said. “Let’s put the gun down and just talk about this. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Balto glanced down at his pistol again and thought for a moment.
“Could I do it?” He thought.
The words he had spoken to Jenna just a few days prior echoed in his mind.
“…just a few pounds of pressure, the click of a hammer and it’s over. It’s the thinkin’ afterward that will get you if you let it. You gotta not think about it.”
“Yeah I could do it.” Balto thought. “…but would I be able to force myself to not think about it?”
He peeked over the display again and saw tears in Jenna’s eyes, the gun shaking more than ever.
“…you hear me Jenna?” He asked.
Jenna nodded.
“I… I don’t want to hurt you either Balto. Just leave, now, get out of here.”
Balto sighed.
“…not the resolution I was hoping for.”
“Jenna…” He started, but Jenna cut him off. “Balto now!” She yelled. “Get out of here!”
Balto stood up slowly.
“Go.” Jenna said, the muzzle still pointed in Balto’s general direction.
Balto sighed and turned, walking out of the meat shop.
As soon as he was gone Jenna let the hammer back down and dropped the pistol on the floor.
Then she leaned on the counter and cried.
Sheriff Steele walked down a wide hall in the Earl household. He’d been summoned here by the Baron himself and whatever he had for Steele it was important.
Steele reached a solid oak door at the end of the hall and knocked on it.
The door was opened shortly by the Baron himself, who beckoned Steele inside.
“Please sit down Sherrif Steele.” The Baron said.
Steele took a seat in front of a large cherry wood desk, which the Baron sat behind.
He opened a drawer in the desk and extracted an aged bottle and two glasses, then shut the drawer.
“Would you like a drink Steele?”
Steele nodded and the Baron poured the amber liquid into the two glasses, setting one of them in front of Steele.
“Now, as to why you are here.” The Baron said. “I’m concerned with the boy my daughter, Jenna has been hanging around lately. I think I have the situation under control, but I think it’s time she experienced what a real man is like, if you get my drift?”
Steele smiled and sipped his drink.
“What did you have in mind?”
Later that evening Jenna was closing out the register and preparing to go home. She was removing the bills from the cash drawer when the door opened and someone stepped into the darkened store.
“We’re closed.” Jenna said, not stopping her work.
“Jenna?” A familiar voice said.
Jenna sighed.
“Sheriff we’re closed. You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”
Steele walked up behind her and put his paw over her mouth.
“Steele, what are you…”
Steele cut her off by pulling her head close to his chest.
“You know Jenna...” He said, his other arm wrapping around her stomach. “…you’ve grown into a beautiful young woman.”
Jenna could smell a very strong stench of alcohol on the Sheriff’s breath. Her eyes swelled with fright as his hand crept upward.
She thought of the gun stowed safely under the counter.
“If only I had it on me.” Jenna thought. “Oh well, you’ve handled yourself before you knew how to shoot Jenna, just do it again.”
As Steele’s touch got too high for her comfort, she bit his hand.
Steele yelled and spun her around. Then he backhanded her across the face, throwing her to the floor.
Jenna’s eyes were starting to water from the stinging slap.
“You little *****!” Steele said. “What are you some kind of animal? You bit me!”
Jenna summoned some of her courage and sat up.
“My father will have your head for this Steele.”
Steele smiled and knelt next to her, grabbed her scarlet hair with one hand and resumed his unwanted efforts with the other, as before.
“No he won’t Jenna.” He said, unfastning the buttons that held closed the top of her dress. “See, I’ve got his permission, and that’s the only one that truly matters.”
He pulled Jenna’s hair harder, lifting her hands off the floor.
Jenna’s eyes filled with tears as she realized what he said was true.
Chapter 4:
Balto had come into town early the following morning. He’d went to the bar and milled around town, trying to forget Jenna, as that relationship obviously wasn’t going anywhere, but he’d found forgetting Jenna to be almost impossible.
Balto had had relationships go sour before and he’d never had trouble forgetting the girl and moving on. He was a good looking dog after all, but Jenna was different somehow.
Perhaps it was for this reason that Balto’s wandering had brought him to his current position, standing outside the small meat shop.
Balto walked up the short flight of steps to the porch, and put his hand on the door, but stopped, putting his other hand casually on the familiar butt of his pistol.
“I don’t want to kill her.” Balto thought. “…but I’m not going to just let her shoot me either.”
He tensed up a bit, feeling the familiar rush of blood to his head, as he didn’t really know what reaction to expect from her.
Then he opened the door.
The tense feeling left his body as he saw Jenna.
She was leaning heavily on the counter, sobbing, and didn’t even notice his entrance.
“Jenna?” He said, walking toward her.
She sniffled and raised her head.
Balto could tell that something was dreadfully wrong. Her normally well brushed and shining coat was all askew and dull. A trail of dirt on her cheeks told him that she had been crying for some time.
“Balto?” She asked, then collapsed into tears again.
She started to slide off the counter, and Balto was afraid she was going to fall.
He rushed forward and caught her as her arms slid off the damp counter.
She buried her head in his shoulders and sagged into his arms.
Balto was extremely worried and confused all at the same time.
“This is quite a change in attitude toward me from yesterday.” He thought.
He walked Jenna over to a chair near the west wall of the room, and sat her in it, taking the seat opposite her, and scooting it up close to her.
He took her hands in his.
“What’s wrong Jenna? What happened?”
“Ste… Steele came… came here last night.” Jenna said, her words broken by her sobs.
“Steele?” Balto asked. “The Sheriff? What does he have to do with anything?”
“He… He came here last night… as… as I was closing up… he took something from me… something personal.” She responded.
“What did he take from you?” Balto asked. “I’ll get it back.”
He thought for a moment.
“Was it my pistol?” Balto asked.
“This is a pretty strong reaction for the theft of a gun.” Balto thought. “…but then I’ve seen girls overreact before.”
“…don’t worry about it.” Balto said. “I can get another one.”
Jenna tried to respond, but was unable for a few moments.
“No Balto… he took… he took… me.”
“What?” Balto asked, clearly not understanding.
Then he thought about what she had said. “Oh!”
He looked at Jenna with a newfound sense of pity and…
“...love?” Balto thought.
He gently pulled Jenna out of her chair and into his lap.
She laid her head against his chest, and Balto’s shirt was soon wet with her tears.
“I’m sorry Jenna.”
The pity he felt for Jenna was suddenly replaced by hot anger, anger at the monster who had done such a thing to such a gentle and beautiful creature.
“Don’t worry Jenna.” He said. “Shh, don’t cry anymore, I’ll take care of him.”
Jenna sniffled and looked up at him.
“What are you going to do Balto?” She asked.
Balto eased her head back against his chest and began tenderly stroking her hair, amazed at how soft it was.
“Don’t you worry about that dear.” Balto said. “Just know that the situation will be taken care of.”
Jenna’s sobs slowed, and then stopped. She wrapped her arms around Balto.
“Hold me.” She said.
Balto placed his other hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t worry Jenna.” Balto said. “I’m here now. No one is going to hurt you anymore.”
Jenna’s breathing slowed and soon Balto realized she’d fallen asleep.
Balto’s mind was buzzing with anger as he strode quickly up to the small bar near the center of town.
He walked up the steps and peered through the single window in the front of the building.
He saw Steele and a few of his deputies sitting at a table near the center of the room.
Balto walked through the swinging gates that marked the entrance to the bar and leaned against the wall, tipping his hat so that the brim of it covered his face.
Steele’s gun lay on the table he was sitting at.
Laughter erupted from the table as Steele finished speaking and Balto picked up the end of one of his deputy’s responses.
“…so you were the first for her, huh?”
Steele smiled.
“…guess so.”
“Pity it had to be like that.” Another chimed in.
“It could have been more enjoyable for her...” Steele said. “…if she would have cooperated. She made it hard on herself. Hey it don’t matter though, I got mine right?”
The men erupted in laughter again and Balto had to fight down his anger to keep him from drawing right there and attempting to smoke all seven of them. An act he knew would spell his doom.
One of the dogs stood and downed the rest of his beer, slapping the glass back to the table.
“Well Steele, we’d better get going.”
Steele smiled.
“Heaven knows the streets of Sawyer’s Falls aren’t safe without you out there.”
The dogs all laughed again and stood, following the other out the door, walking right past Balto.
Balto waited until all of them had exited, leaving Steele alone in the small bar. Then he tipped his hat back up and walked to the front of the room.
“Hey Steele!” Balto yelled.
The black and white dog looked up and saw Balto.
“What are you doing here boy?” Steele asked. “Get your scrawny tail out of here before I have you strung up.”
Steele turned back to his beer.
“I got a bone to pick with you!” Balto yelled.
Steele laughed and stood up, facing Balto. “Look son, you see this?” He pointed to the silver star on his chest. “Your bone don’t matter.”
Balto drew his pistol.
“Oh I beg to differ Steele.”
Steele looked longingly at the pistol that still lay on top of the table he’d been sitting at.
“You’re an animal Steele!” Balto yelled. “Jenna is a sweet girl that would never harm anyone! How could you do that to her?!”
Steele smiled.
“You must be the young one that her father mentioned. You know he wants you to stay away from his daughter. He thinks you’re a bad influence on her.”
“It’s true I’m no angel.” Balto said. “…but she’s better off with me than she ever would be with the likes of you!”
Steele laughed again.
“Just so you know son, she squealed like a pig when I stuck it to her… if you know what I mean.”
Steele smiled.
“You *******.” Balto said.
He lowered the aim of his pistol and pulled the trigger; the bullet struck Steele square between his legs.
Steele screamed and fell to the floor.
The bartender knew better than to meddle in affairs that had nothing to do with him, and snuck out the back when the shot was fired.
Balto walked over to Steele, who was curled up in a ball on the floor crying like a baby, a puddle of red blood forming under him.
Balto put his boot on Steele’s shoulder and rolled the Sheriff on his back, placing his foot on his chest.
Then he pulled the hammer of his pistol back again and pointed it at Steele’s head.
“You should have left her alone Sheriff.” He said.
Then he pulled the trigger and Steele’s head exploded all over the hardwood floor in a great spray of blood and gore.
“Hey you stop!”
Balto turned to see that the deputies that had exited the bar earlier had returned, probably drawn by the shots.
Balto stood up and let the arm that held his gun fall to his side.
“Drop the gun mister!” The deputy yelled. “You’re under arrest for the murder of a Sheriff of Sawyer’s Falls County.”
Balto smiled and jerked his gun up, cocking the hammer and fireing as one motion, then he dove behind the table Steele had been sitting at, tipping it over to use as a shield.
The bullet Balto had fired found it’s mark square in the center of the badge the deputy that had spoken wore on his vest, right above his heart.
The dog collapsed without a further word.
The others opened fire and the table splintered as bullets rained all around Balto.
Balto cocked his pistol and popped up, pulling the trigger and ducking back down.
He was satisfied to see another of the dogs fall.
He cocked his pistol again and popped up to repeat the procedure, but he felt a burning pain in his right shoulder as one of the deputies bullets found it’s mark.
Balto lost his grip on his pistol and fell backwards.
When he opened his eyes he saw four dogs standing over him…
…four angry dogs…
…four angry dogs with pistols aimed at his face.
“Sir, you’re under arrest.” One of the deputies said.
Jenna was sitting at home later that night when her father walked into the room.
She looked away from him, still angry and hurt about what he’d allowed to happen.
“Why weren’t you home.” Jenna asked.
Her father sighed.
“Sheriff Steele was killed today.”
“That’s good news.” Jenna said.
“Now honey,” her father said, walking over to her. “I know you don’t mean that. Steele was a nice guy, and a good sheriff.”
“Good?” Jenna scoffed. “Sure, good at being crooked.”
Her father sighed again.
“Anyway, one bit of good news… that outlaw you were hanging out with, uh, what’s his name… William Bongo or something, anyway, he was the one that did the killing.”
Jenna’s face took on a look of worry.
“Did they catch him?”
Her father nodded.
“Sure did, and tomorrow morning justice will be served. Yes ma’am, won’t have to worry ‘bout him anymore.”
Jenna stood up.
“What do you mean by that?” She asked.
Her father smiled.
“Well, he killed a Sheriff and two deputies, we’re gonna hang him of course.”
He patted his daughter on the shoulder, seeming not to notice the horrified look on his daughter’s face.
“Good-night sweetheart.”
Then he walked upstairs to his room.
Jenna followed soon after, but went to her own room and stood in front of the mirror.
Though she was still almost in shock when it happened, she remembered the conversation she and Balto had in the meat store earlier that morning.
“Don’t worry Jenna. Shh, don’t cry anymore, I’ll take care of him.”
“What are you going to do Balto?”
“Don’t you worry about that dear. Just know that the situation will be taken care of.”
She sighed.
“It’s because of me that he’s going to be hanged.” She thought. “He would have never gone after Steele if it hadn’t been for me, if he hadn’t…”
She stopped.
“…if he hadn’t cared for me.” She said aloud.
She opened the drawer beneath the mirror.
“I know what I should do.” She thought as she gazed at what was inside. “…but if I do my father…”
Balto’s voice came back to her then, as clear as if he were standing in the room with her.
“...you need to get out and live; make your own decisions about things.”
Jenna walked to the other side of the room and opened her closet, then she started to get ready, leaving the drawer open.
Inside the drawer lay Balto’s pistol.
Chapter 5:
Back in town, Balto sat in his cell.
The young wolf dog looked out the barred windows and could see the empty gallows sitting there in the darkness.
He sighed.
Though Balto was known for amazing escapes, he could see no way out of this one.
The law had finally caught up with him, and come tomorrow he would die.
He thought about Jenna.
Had it been worth it?
Balto nodded and sighed.
“…of course it was.” Balto thought. “Steele deserved to die for what he did.”
His conceince at ease, Balto tipped his hat over his face and drifted off to sleep for what he knew would probably be the last time.
Outside the jail, a stranger crept through the darkness.
The creature was small in stature, and wore a brown hat and brown clothes, his face was covered by a red bandanna. Though they didn’t conceal his presence as well as black would have, the dark brown garments hid him sufficently in the night as he pressed his back against the adobe wall of the jail and peered through the window.
Six deputies were on duty, playing cards around a circular table.
The stranger picked up the tail end of one of the deputy’s sentences through the window.
“…full house gents.”
The dogs moaned and the winner, a white dog smiled, raking the pile of money at the center of the table toward him.
“Tonight just seems to be my lucky night.” He said.
He finished off the glass of beer in front of him and stood up.
“I’m out of this hand.” He said. “…gotta go drain the lizard.”
The dog grabbed his hat and walked outside.
The dog walked over to the side of the Jail, just a few feet away from the stranger.
The stranger crept up behind the dog as he handled his business.
When he was through, the stranger clamped a hand over the dog’s mouth. In the other hand he held a shiny silver pistol, which he jammed to the side of the surprised deputy’s head.
“Let’s go back in and see your friends.” The stranger said. “No sudden moves now. I’d hate to slip.”
With that, the stranger pulled the hammer back on his pistol.
“Come on, let’s go.”
The dog nodded and the two of them walked toward the entrance of the Jail.
“Open the door.” The stranger commanded.
The white dog nodded and opened the front door, stepping inside.
“Hey John, what took so…” The dog stopped speaking as he saw the gun wielding stranger.
“No one move.” The stranger said. “…or I’ll re-paint the wall with your friend’s head.”
The dogs all stood.
“Which one of you has the keys to the cells?” The stranger asked.
A brown dog in the back timidly raised his hand.
“Come here.” The stranger ordered.
The brown dog walked to the front of the room, and stopped in front of the stranger.
The stranger shoved the white dog forward and grabbed the brown one, pressing the gun to his temple.
“Your friend and I have some business to attend to.” The stranger said. “The rest of you, get out of here.”
The dogs didn’t have to be told twice, and ran out of the jail.
“You.” The stranger said to the brown dog. “Take me to Balto’s cell.”
The dog nodded nervously and walked to a wooden door near the back of the room. He opened it and walked down a narrow hall, which had cell doors on either side of it.
The brown dog stopped at the third of five cells, and extracted a ring of keys from his pocket.
“Unlock the door.” The stranger commanded.
The brown dog did as he was told.
“Hey Balto.” The Stranger said.
Balto’s eyes fluttered open and he sat up in surprise.
“What’s going on?” Balto asked.
“I’m getting you out of here.” The stranger said.
Balto couldn’t place it, but there was something familiar in the stranger’s eyes.
“Who are you?” Balto asked.
“That’s not important right now.” The stranger said. “Get out of that cell.”
Balto nodded and stood up, walking out of the cell.
“Give me the keys.” The stranger said.
The brown dog gave him the keys.
The stranger kicked the brown dog in the back of the legs, and pushed him into the cell, slamming the door behind him.
Balto had located his gunbelt and strapped it back on.
The stranger threw the keys down the hallway, and then turned to Balto.
“Balto…”
The stranger ran over to him, wrapping his arms around Balto.”
“Who are you?” Balto asked.
The stranger let go of him and stepped back, pulling down the bandanna in front of it’s face to reveal…
“Jenna!” Balto said.
Jenna smiled and hugged him again.
“What are you doing here Jenna?” Balto asked.
“I couldn’t let them kill you Balto.”
Balto smiled and ran his hand through her hair.
“Hey you!” a voice yelled from down the hallway.
Jenna spun on her heels and before she even thought about what she was doing, pulled up her pistol and fired.
The bullet hit the white dog in the stomach, throwing a spash of crimson across the adobe wall behind him.
The dog dropped his pistol and fell to his knees, looking at Jenna in bewilderment. Then he looked down at the red stain that was spreading across his stomach. He put his finger in the stain, looking at the red fluid that matted the fur on his hand in shock, unable to believe what had just happened.
He looked up at Jenna once more, and the two locked eyes for a moment. Then the dog crumpled and fell forward on his face.
Jenna looked down at the still smoking pistol in her small hand. A look of horror came over her face and she thought she might get sick.
“Good shot.” Balto said.
Two more deputies stepped inside the hall, and seeing their friend lying in a pool of blood, moved to draw their pistols.
Balto beat them to it though, and the two of them dropped alongside their friend.
“Come on Jenna!” Balto yelled. “Let’s go!”
He grabbed her hand and ran down the hall, stopping at the door at the end of the hallway.
“No time for keys.” He said, kicking the door, splintering the lock and freeing the door, which swung open.
Balto and Jenna ran out the door, to a pair of horses which Jenna had left there earlier.
They mounted the horses and Balto turned to Jenna.
“Meet me at my house.” Balto said. “I’ve a feeling we’re going to need some help with what’s sure to happen next.”
Jenna nodded and spurred her horse, turning and racing through the night.
Balto smiled as he watched her ride off, then he spurred his own horse, hellbent for the telegram office.
Jenna heard Balto’s horse as he approached his home and met him at the door.
She hugged him and stood back.
“Balto, after tonight… well, I can’t really go back home, and I was wondering…”
Balto smiled.
“…of course you can stay here Jenna.” Balto said. “What am I going to do, throw you out after you saved my life?”
Jenna smiled.
Balto walked over to the closet and opened it, withdrawing a white cotton robe.
“You can sleep in this.” Balto said, tossing her the robe. “Sorry if it’s a little small, but it’s all I’ve got.”
“Thanks.” Jenna said.
Balto yawned.
“Well, I don’t know about you Jenna, but I’m bushed. I’m going to hit the hay. There’s a spare room just down the hall from my room, you can sleep there.”
Jenna smiled.
“Thank you Balto.”
She walked down the hall, and Balto found himself unable to look away from her.
“She’s so beautiful.” Balto thought. “I must be the luckiest guy alive.”
He smiled and opened the door to his room and stepped inside, removing his clothes, and climbing onto his bed.
He hung his gun belt on the bed post and pulled his pistol out of the holster, cocked it and replaced it in the holster.
Then he grabbed his hat and laid on his bed, sliding the hat over his face.
He was drifting to sleep, when he heard his door open.
Balto tipped the hat up off his face and looked to see Jenna standing in the doorway.
She smiled and shrugged the white robe off her shoulders, revealing only her beautiful scarlet and cream coat beneath.
Balto felt his heart speed up substantially as she walked over to his bed and climbed up on his belly.
She leaned down and kissed him.
“I love you Balto.” She said.
Balto wrapped his arms around her back, surprised at how soft her fur was, and spun around, switching places with her.
She laughed.
“I love you too Jenna.” Balto said, kissing her.
When their lips parted, he looked at her face for a long time.
“What are you doing?” Jenna finally asked.
“I was just thinking.” Balto said.
She smiled.
“…’bout what?”
Balto smiled back at her.
“You know Jenna, I love the life of an outlaw. The feeling I get when the lead starts flying is… well, I guess it’s a kind of euphoria. It’s like a drug, a drug that I can’t seem to get enough of, and yet… and yet right now I’m ready to give it up; to live straight from now on. I want to live with you forever.”
Jenna smiled.
“I do too.”
She kissed him again and laid her head on his chest.
It was quiet for a few minutes.
“You know, if my dad knew about this he’d skin both of us alive, litterally.” Jenna said.
Balto and Jenna laughed.
“…but that doesn’t matter anymore.” She said. “You’re right, it’s time I started making my own decisions…”
She picked up her head and looked him square in the eyes.
Balto slowly drowned in those beautiful eyes…
Chapter 6:
Late the next morning, Balto was woken by a pounding at his door.
He blinked a few times, giving his eyes a chance to adjust to the sunlight that was streaming through the windows now.
Balto looked over and saw Jenna on her side beside him.
He smiled and kissed her neck.
Then he stood up and pulled on his clothes, strapping on his gunbelt and pulling his pistol.
He walked to the front door and, ready for anything, opened the door.
“Whoa Billy!” The dog at the door said, throwing up his hands.
Balto let the hammer down and holstered his pistol.
“Hey Sam.” He said. “…didn’t take you long to get here. Where are the others?”
“They’re here too.” Sam said.
“You weren’t kidding when you said you were in trouble.’ A voice said.
Balto smiled as a black dog stepped in front of Sam.
“Hey Tram.” Balto said. “Yeah, we’re in a bit of a tight spot.”
“Balto, who are you talking to?”
Balto turned to see Jenna standing in the room, the tiny robe clasped around her shoulders.
“Hey Balto!” Sam said. “Way to go!”
“Nice one Balto.” Tram said. “How’d you manage her?”
Balto sighed.
“Jenna, these are my friends. I’ll introduce you, but first please go put your clothes on.”
Jenna looked down and her cheeks flushed red, as she realized she was naked under the rather short and tight fitting cotton robe.
She dissapeared into the hall.
“…as I was saying,” Balto said. “…we’re in a bit of a tight spot.”
“No kidding.” Tram said. “Check this out.”
He held out a tan piece of paper and Balto took it.
“…found it posted at the saloon when we rode into town.” Tram said.
It read:
Wanted!
Dead or Alive
William H. Balto A.K.A. Billy the Kid
and
Jenna L. Thatcher
These two are wanted in connection with the murder of the Sheriff and five deputies of Sawyer’s Falls, Jail Breaking and Fleeing from the local law enforcement. They are to be considered armed and dangerous.
Reward: $10,000
- Baron Von Earl
Above the text were scrawled two drawings, one of him, and one of Jenna.
“******.” Balto said. “Sure didn’t take them long.”
“When did this happen?” A tan dog asked, stepping forward.
“It was just last night Kaltag.” Balto said.
“What did the girl do to get in trouble?” Sam asked.
“She… uh… broke me out of jail.” Balto said.
“Really?” Sam asked. “You, Billy the Kid, had to be rescued by a girl?”
Balto nodded and the gang started cracking up.
Jenna walked back into the room, now dressed in her brown pants and shirt, her hat perched on her head and Balto’s pistol tucked into her belt.
“Hey Billy,” Kaltag said. “Here comes you girlfriend.”
Balto turned.
“Come here Jenna.” He said.
Jenna walked over to him.
“Jenna I’d like you to meet my friends, Sam, Tram and Kaltag. Guys, this is Jenna Thatcher.”
“Nice to meet you.” Jenna said.
“Oh the pleasure is truly ours.” Kaltag said.
Balto saw the way that Kaltag was looking at her and playfully punched him in the shoulder.
“Hey Kaltag, you with us?”
Kaltag’s cheeks turned scarlet as he realized he’d been caught.
“Ah… yeah, I’m with you.”
Balto smiled and Kaltag walked to the window.
“Oh, there’ s something else you might be interested to know.” Sam said.
“What’s that?” Balto asked.
“We saw someone when we came into town.” Sam replied.
“Who?” Balto asked.
“Pat Garret.” Sam said.
“Pat Garret?” Balto asked. “How’d he find me?”
Sam shrugged.
“I don’t know, but he’s got about twenty other dogs with him, so you can bet he knows that you’re here.”
“Who’s Pat Garret?” Jenna asked.
“He’s a Sheriff that has been chasing me for a while.” Balto said. “He’s a very good shot too.”
“Well, I guess we should get out of here then.” Jenna said.
“No can do.” Kaltag said, walking back to them “They’re coming up the road now.”
“What?” Balto asked, walking to the window. Sure enough, about thirty dogs were surrounding the small cabin.
“******.” Balto repeated.
“Looks like we have to fight then, huh?” Jenna said softly.
Balto nodded.
“We do, but not you. You get out of here, you should be able to sneak away.”
Jenna shook her head.
“No Balto. I’m not going to leave you.”
“Thank you Jenna.” Balto said. “Really, but you have to go. This could be our last fight. Pat Garret is really good.”
“I don’t care.” Jenna said. “If staying with you means I’m going to die, then there’s no place I’d rather be than by your side.”
Balto sighed.
Outside the small cabin, Pat Garret dismounted his horse and turned to a skinny dog beside him.
“Are they in there?” He asked.
“We don’t know.” The dog responded.
“Well, let’s find out.” Garret said.
“I know you’re in there Billy!” Garret yelled. “Come on out and everything will be over quickly.”
Back in the cabin, Balto and Jenna still hadn’t resolved their argument.
“Alright Jenna.” Balto said. “You can stay with us, but you have to promise me that if it comes down to you or me, that you will let me die.”
“Balto…”
Balto grabbed her shoulders and shook her once.
“No Jenna!” He yelled. “Promise me! You’re still so young. You’ve got so much to live for. I’m an outlaw, I’ve been living on borrowed time for quite a while now, please Jenna, you have to promise me, it’s the only way you can stay.”
Jenna sighed.
“Okay…”
She looked up at him.
“I promise.”
“Hey guys.” Sam said. “There’s someone else coming.”
“What?” Balto asked.
Outside the house, a German Shepard and about ten dogs rode up alongside Pat Garret.
“How are you doing sir?” The German Shepard said.
“Pretty good.” Garret said, an irritated tone to his voice.
“Got somebody trapped in there?” The German Shepard asked.
“Yeah,” Garret said. “William H. Balto, also known as Billy the Kid; been chasin’ him for a little over a year now.”
“That’s what I thought.” The German Shepard said. “That little rascal has been chasin’ my daughter for the past week. I was actually plannin’ to relieve him of his life myself, but since you’re already here, mind if we join you?”
“Go ahead.” Garret said.
“Thanks.” The German Shepard said, sticking his hand out. “The name’s Baron von Earl.”
“Pat Garret.” Garret said, shaking the man’s hand.
“Look, Mr. Garret.” Von Earl said. “I have reason to think my daughter might be in there. You mind if I try to get her to come out before we start shooting?”
“…of course not.” Garret said.
“*****.” Balto said under his breath.
He turned to Jenna.
“Hey Jenna, you’re father is here.”
At that moment, Von Earl called out his daughter’s name.
“Jenna! Jenna, I know you’re in there, come to the window.”
Jenna sighed and walked over to the window.
“Jenna.” Her father said. “Come out here and I’ll pardon you of your crimes. That place is about to get shot to hell, just come out here.”
Jenna stood there.
“Jenna!” Her father yelled, anger in his voice now. “Jenna, you get your tail out here right this instant!”
“No!” Jenna replied.
“What did you say to me?” Her father asked.
“I said no.” Jenna said. “I’m making my own decisions now father. I am staying here with the dog that I love.”
With that she drew her gun.
Balto ran forward and grabbed her shoulder, throwing her to the ground as a hail of bullets crashed into the front of the house, shattering windows, raining glass and slivers of wood all over the two of them.
Jenna looked at Balto and smiled.
“You… you saved my life.”
Balto sighed.
“Get your pistol and get beside one of the windows, make yourself as small a target as possible.”
Jenna nodded.
Balto turned to his friends, who had already taken positions alongside the wall.
“We need to get upstairs as soon as lets up.”
The dogs nodded and Balto turned back to the window. He drew his pistol and cocked the hammer back. Then at a break in the fire, popped up and shot one of the Baron’s men off his horse.
Jenna followed suit, and one of Garret’s men fell, clutching his throat.
Another of the Baron’s men fell, victim to Kaltag’s rifle.
Balto popped up and let off three shots, downing a dog with each of them.
Jenna stood and fired once, catching another of Garret’s men in the knee. He fell to the ground, screaming.
Balto popped up again and shot off his last two rounds. The bullets thudded into the chest of yet another of the Baron’s men and he fell, dead.
The men outside stopped fireing and the five outlaws ran up the stairs to the attic above.
When the firing resumed, the enemy was still aiming at the first floor, as they hadn’t seen Balto and his gang charge of the stairs.
Balto took this lull as an opportunity to reload, and did so.
“Ready for round two?” Balto asked, grinning from ear to ear. He laughed and twirled his pistol on his finger, catching it and cocking the hammer. Then he ran to the window.
“Hey Garret, up here!” Balto yelled, firing and dropping the dog standing next to the Sheriff.
Garret looked down at the young dog. Where his eye had been only moments ago there was now a hole, and blood, lots of blood.
“*******!” he yelled. Then he shifted his fire to the second story.
Bullets crashed through the walls and windows all around Balto and his gang. There wasn’t as much cover for them on the second story as there was downstairs, and Kaltag fell, clutching his arm.
“Kaltag!” Balto yelled. “Are you alright?”
Kaltag winced, dragging himself behind a stack of barrels.
“Yeah, I’m fine, just hit my shoulder.”
Balto crawled over to Kaltag and looked at the wound.
“…doesn’t look too bad.”
“I told you I was fine.” Kaltag said.
Just then Sam popped up to fire, and caught a rifle bullet that turned the left corner of his head into a grisly red mist.
He fell backwards, clearly dead.
“Sam!” Tram called.
“He’s dead.” Balto said.
Outside, the Baron stopped firing and tapped Garret on the shoulder.
“How bad do you want to get this guy Sheriff?”
Garret sighed.
“I told you I’d been tracking him for a little over a year now.”
“Do you care about the house?” The Baron asked.
“No.” Garret said. “Why would I?”
The Baron shrugged.
“Why do you want to know that anyway?” Garret asked.
“You want to use ole’ Betsey?” The Baron asked.
“You know how to use that thing?” Garret asked.
The Baron nodded.
“Go for it.” Garret said.
The firing stopped again, and Balto reloaded again.
“Oh my God.” Jenna said.
“What is it?” Balto asked.
Jenna was silent.
Balto got up and walked over to her, looking out the window, just as one of the Baron’s men touched a light to the…
“Jesus!” Balto yelled, grabbing Jenna’s shoulders and jumping back, throwing both of them to the floor as an explosion rocked the small cabin and a section of the wall in front of them was splintered inward.
“What was that?” Kaltag asked.
“They’ve got a freakin’ canon!” Balto yelled, as another explosion ripped through the house, taking most of the front with it.
A piece of wood whistled through the air and lodged in Tram’s chest.
He looked down, dumbfounded and then fell backwards.
“We’ve got to get out of here!” Balto yelled over the gun fire.
Kaltag nodded.
“Go around back and get the horses. Meet us around front.”
“What?” Kaltag asked. “That’s suicide!”
Balto smiled and laughed.
“Not with this it’s not.” He said, tapping the barrels Kaltag had taken shelter behind.
Kaltag looked at the top. On it were three letters.
…TNT.
“Okay,” Kaltag said. “I’ll meet you out front.”
Balto nodded and Kaltag stood, walking to the back window and, after making sure that it was clear, he jumped out.
Balto turned to Jenna, holstering his pistol.
“You afraid of heights?”
“No,” Jenna responded. “Why do you ask that?”
“Because we’re going out that way.” Balto said, gesturing toward the torn down front of the house.
He pulled a match from his pocket.
“…and we won’t have much time.”
Jenna nodded.
“Ready?” Balto asked.
“I guess.” Jenna said.
Balto took the top off one of the barrels, struck the match on the butt of his pistol, and threw it in the barrel.
“Run!” He yelled.
Balto and Jenna reached the end of the floor and jumped. As they did, the barrels exploded, throwing them through the air.
Balto landed hard on his side and slid to a stop.
He blinked a few times and looked around.
As he’d thought it would, the explosion had kicked up a lot of dust.
He saw a dog flit through the dust, and crouched, firing his pistol.
The dog fell.
Balto heard the shot before he felt it, as it grazed his shoulder.
The impact was still enough to throw him to the ground.
Jenna saw him fall.
“Balto!” She yelled.
She stood up and started running toward him.
“Jenna, no!” Balto yelled.
He saw the brown chow from the bar raise his rifle and fire; saw Jenna stumble as the bullet struck her lower back.
Balto then saw the Baron level his pistol at the falling girl and fire three times, each time drawing a splash of blood from her chest.
“No!” Balto screamed, standing and fireing three times, all three of them striking the brown chow in the chest.
Another shot was fired and Balto was picked up off his feet and thrown back to the ground, dropping his pistol as he fell.
There was now a very real pain in his stomach. He looked at it and saw that the round had punched completely through his right side.
He put his right hand on the wound and slowly stood, his other hand in the air.
“I’m unarmed.” Balto said.
To his surprise, no one fired.
He stumbled through the dust cloud as it dissapated to reveal Jenna, lying on the ground, a puddle of blood seeping into the dust beneath her.
Balto fell by her side and dragged her into his lap.
“Oh Jenna.” He said, tears coming to his eyes. “Oh God I’m sorry.”
Jenna coughed.
“Balto… did… did we get away?”
Balto nodded.
“Yeah, we’re safe now.”
He looked her wounds over and his heart sank at what he saw.
The rifle bullet had punched a large exit hole in her stomach, and there were three small holes in her brown shirt’s right pocket.
“Here…” Balto said, putting his hands on the wounds. “…let’s see if I can help you.”
Jenna raised her arms and with great effort took his hands.
Tears were starting to drip from Balto’s nose now.
“***** you Jenna.” He said. “You promised.”
Jenna smiled, her cream muzzle spattered with her own crimson blood.
“I… I had… had my… fingers… crossed.”
Balto smiled through his tears and hugged her.
“Balto…” She said. “…thank you… thank you for… for showing me… how to… how to live… my own life.”
She swallowed hard and Balto could tell that she didn’t have much time left.
“These… these past… few… past few days… have been… the… the best I’ve… I’ve ever… had. I… I love you… Balto…”
Jenna’s head rolled to the side and her chest moved in and out for the last time as her body shut down.
Balto hugged her limp body close and cried into her soft fur, his hat falling to the ground.
He stopped as he heard a click behind him.
“You know you lied to the girl.” The Baron said. “You’re not going to escape.”
Balto suddenly felt a white hot rage enter him and he grabbed the Baron’s gun, throwing it over his head and turning, getting to his feet and catching the surprised German Shepard with a punch to the jaw.
The Baron stumbled back and Balto hit him again, throwing him to the ground.
He climbed up on top of the Baron and started punching the German Shepard in the face.
“Some father you are!” Balto screamed. “You killed your own freakin’ daughter!”
The Baron kicked Balto in the side and Balto almost passed out from the pain, falling to the side.
The Baron stood and pulled his other pistol, aiming it down at Balto.
“For the record she was adopted, now, time to die.” He said, cocking the hammer.
“Wait.” Balto said. “I know a little about you Baron. I know that you’ve never refused a challenge. So I challenge you.”
The Baron laughed.
“In your condition, you won’t win, but I’ll humor you.”
Balto stood up and limped over to his hat, picking it up and setting it on his head. Then he retrieved his pistol, sliding it into the left holster.
The Baron walked about fifty feet from Balto and turned to one of his men.
“Fire your rifle in the air.” He instructed. “That will be our signal to draw.”
The dog nodded and aimed his rifle up.
Balto’s hand went to the butt of his pistol, hovering just centimeters from the polished wooden grips.
The Baron stared at Balto and Balto stared at the Baron.
Then the dog fired.
Balto had never felt so fast in his life.
As he fired, the Baron was just getting his gun up.
The pistol clattered out of his hand and he screamed.
The Baron clutched his hand to his chest.
He opened his hand and looked at it.
His right index finger, his trigger finger, was gone.
He turned and started to run away.
“I got him.”
Balto turned to see Kaltag aim his rifle and fire.
The bullet caught the Baron in the back of his right knee, and he went down screaming.
Balto limped over to the Baron.
“See how much your own men care about you.” Balto said. “They aren’t even trying to stop me.”
He cocked his pistol and pointed it straight down at the Baron’s head.
“This is for Jenna you son of a bitch.”
Then he fired.
Balto stumbled away from the grisly scene and over to Jenna’s crumpled body.
He fell beside her and put his palm on her face, closing her eyes. Then he again drug her into his lap, hugging her close. Already she had lost her warmth, growing cold… dead.
“It’s over Jenna.” Balto said. “I killed him. I avenged you… I wish you were here but… well, I never really believed in God and heaven and all that stuff before, but now I kind of hope it’s true, that way you’re there. I loved you Jenna.”
He laid her back on the dirt, and noticed his pistol still jammed in her belt.
He removed it and stuck it into his holster.
“Balto.” Garret said from behind him.
Balto stood slowly.
“What? You gonna kill me Pat?”
Garret shook his head.
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Keep going.
You really are doing us proud in USMC I pray for your safe return.