Most dogs don't remember their pup hood into to great detail,but I sure did I remember every sniff and wag.Now I'll tell you my story of how I find hope when nobody else could help me.
"Nemi wait up"the small red pup called from in between his deep breaths."Ha,you can't catch up can you"I barked back as I began to run faster.Just as I felt free,I was tackled.I turned around to glare at Prosper,but only began laughing when I saw him with my puffy tail in his mouth."Let me go"I finally said in between my laughing.He stood up and brushed me off with his tail as I stood up."Ya know Prosper you're the best friend I could ever have!"I exclaimed jumping on top of him.He laughed and replied with a bark of excitement.
As we laughed though I saw the frown appear on his face."What's wrong Pros"I asked nuzzling him for comfort."I've been meaning to tell you Nemi..but"he stopped and looked down at his paws."What"I asked,I felt so helpless seeing him like this."Well my Dad's master is gonna sell me to a man a long way from Nome"he answered as he looked at me.His green eyes seemed as if they lost their gleam that always made me happy."When"I said as I licked his face in a childish way."Three days"Prosper said looking up at the sun as it began to set."Well we still have two days"I said as I tryed to hold back my sadness."So"Prosper barked back at me"It dosen't matter."I frowned as he began to walk off and then it hit me."Prosper we can run away"I yelled as I became more desperate to have him with me.
He turned around his green eyes peircing into my soul."Nemi we just can't run away"he said walking back over to me.We sat in silence for awhile as we watched the sun dissapear from the beach."The beach"I thought as her eyes gleamed with tears."The beach is where Prosper and I run,play fight,fetch,laugh,and joke around I just can't bare seeing him leave,he's the only dog that dosen't treat me different because well I'm a hybrid"I thought as Prosper looked over at me."It's getting dark and John will expect me back soon"he said as he trotted away from me,leaving me to stare at the moon.
The next morning I woke up early(even though I hate this) and ran towards the beach to meet Prosper.Except when I arrived I found him missing.I thought for a moment"he dosen't have training today or he isn't supposed to go on a walk with his dad...unless he's gone."I shook the thought away and heading for town to find him.
"He's going to be sold in two days not..not today"I still couldn't help but worry.As I arrived in town I jumped straight up to a roof and across a laundry line.I didn't like traveling through the streets and I don't really think I'd be welcome if I tried.Just as I reached Prosper's home I saw a weird truck with a cage strapped in the back.
Then I saw John and a weird man talking."He'll be on his way to Russia in no time sir"the weird man said to John."Well that sounds good,but did the man send me the money"asked John.The weird man pulled out some money and stuck it in John's hand."Four-hundred"said John as he finished counting the money.I had honestly trusted John,but now...now all he was doing was giving away my best friend like he meant nothing to him.Just as John grabbed Prosper's leash I scrambled towards them barking my head off.
"Well who is this 'ittle thing"the weird man asked John."Oh this is the hybrid that runs around town her and Prosper are always together I better make sure she don't follow ya"said John.John threw a rope around my neck as I yelped and barked for freedom,but the weird man took Prosper's leash and dragged him to his truck.I caught his glance for just a second as those green eyes gleamed as if to give me some kind of hope that he'd return,but I knew deep down I'd never see him again.A single tear went down my cheek as the cage door shut and the man started towards his truck door.Then I remembered why I had ran out in the first place and I began to thrash around like a wild animal to get to him.John held me tight though.No matter how hard I tried or how hard I fought I just couldn't escape,and then I did something terribly stupid I bit John..I bit him hard.
He released me as the blood gushed out of his hand."Prosper,Prosper"I cried as I scrambled towards the road only to slide against some ice.Then I got a blow to the side a bonecrashing kick that made me gasp for air.Still I tried to run after the truck and I ran through the streets of Nome as fast as my broken body could carry me.After I was out of the town and after I had lost all hope my legs felt numb,and I callapsed.
I don't know when it was when I woke up,but I know after that I wished I was dead.Everytime I dared to move a pain so painful it made me scream in shock came to my side.I'd lost everything that day my best friend,my only human friend,happiness,and hope.Every strain of hope I had was gone and as the hours became days I just lay there waiting for my death to come.I wished I could've just died because the pain was killing my mind,and I was dehydrated and I was slowly starving to death.The snow was good to help dehydration,but I just couldn't make it work as food.
The hunger made my stomach feel like it was twisting and like it was being stabbed,and I would much rather burn in a fire than die from starvation.It's a slow process and along with my broken ribs it would kill me so slowly and painfully.
One day while staring over the horizon I heard something,but I ignored it,it was most likely a rabbit or something moving through the snow."A rabbit"the thought made me drool and as I closed my eyes to think of a rabbit I heard something plop down beside me.Quickly I opened my eyes to see a large hunk of meat.At first I was weary to attempt to move towards it or eat it,but hunger drove my thirst to survive.When I began eating I noticed to paws from the corner of my eyes.I turned the best I could with such a mangled body to see kind blue eyes staring back into my eyes.He smiled at me and urged me to eat more,and as I stared he just smiled in my direction.
"Weird"I thought as I began to lick my chops as I finished the meal.Than he layed down beside me and just sat there.I looked over at him,but he was looking in the other direction towards the sun set in the distance he blonde coat reflecting the amber light.He just stared at the sunset like it was the last one he would ever see."I know him.."I thought trying to think about who on Earth was this random dog who wanted to save me.Me a stupid hybrid who means nothing to this town!
Once I finished the meat the dog stood up and began to walk away,but as he did I noticed him limping.He must've gotten punished for stealing from the butcher.I just watched him limp away until he reached the town far in the distance.As he walked though I relized he..he had just saved my life because my ribs would heal,but starvation would of killed me.He saved me..the random dog saved me.
Two Weeks Later
A couple weeks later I found myself on the beach just walking around and I thought I caught a glimpse of old man Balto on his boat in the distance,but I guess I was just seeing things.
The beach was such a lonely place without Prosper,and my ribs.They were healed up now,but they still seemed to ache when I run.Maybe running would keep my mind off things?So I began to run and as I ran I got faster and faster and all my troubles seemed to fly away as I zoomed across the beach.I felt as if I was flying and it was like I was flying away from the world but I soon found myself on the beach in the same terrible world I was stuck in.
My stomach grumbled and I decided some food would be nice.I looked at the sky.."about sunset..perfect"I whispered as I trotted off towards the direction of town.
Once in the town I made sure everything was closed before I went to enter.Just as I began walking I saw the butcher locking his door for the night."Perfect"I thought licking my chops and then I looked to see how I would enter through the meat locker.There was one yard I had to pass before I got to the ally where the door was.I backed up and then took a running start and flew over the first fence and as I did I noticed something benenth me.As I landed to my suprise I looked up to blue eyes..the kind of blue eyes that sucked you in and made you kinda..happy.
The sun had gone down so all I could see was the glow of his eyes."You're the dog that saved me."I whispered as I relized there were other dogs in the yard sleeping.He just smiled and then turned away for a moment.When he turned back around he was pushing a bowl filled with dog food and meat."Here I don't need it..I'm not that hungry anyways"he said.This was the first time he had ever talked to me,and his voice was soothing and calm."I can't.."I insisted looking down at the bowl.He just looked at me with those eyes and I began to eat.
After I finished the food he invited me to stay for a little bit and I took the offer without hesitation."You know I never got your name"I asked looking over at him."Peeta..You"he replied as his blue eyes gleamed just as Prosper's had.I was weary to tell him my name at first but I blurted out"Nemi.""I know"he said with a smile.I stared at him flabbergasted and asked"How!"He looked over at me and then began his story"Well when pretty much all the dogs in Nome were about 5 months old we would all play on the beach.I remembered I was so excited to finally leave the house I was born in because well my mother hated me."he smiled and went on with his story"Once I arrived all the pups starting racing and everytime I would win..except before you came along.You beat me without hardly trying and I remember you howled after you won."I bent my ears back and tucked my muzzle under my paw."The wolf side of me"I thought I just hated it and even Peeta knew about it.He went on with his story though"That howl was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard and I just stopped and listened"he smiled again and I swear he was blushing.He didn't finish the story though because I saw the sun beginning to rise.
"I've gotta go"I said hopping up and making a dash towards the fence.After I had cleared the fence I headed back towards the beach.The wind was blowing hard and I got hit in the face with a paper that the humans called..a newspaper I belive.As it fell back to the ground I saw a picture of Balto on it so out of curiousity I picked it up and sped off towards the beach.
As I made it to the beach I stopped to catch my breath and I looked down at the paper.Just a both of random marks!"Stupid Humans they can't even talk like a normal dog"I said looking at the picture of Balto on the paper.I skimmed through the page and saw another picture of an injured dog.It had to be Balto...in the picture he looked ill and on the verge of death.After staring at it for awhile I just let the wind take the paper and I began to slowly walk.
On my way to my shed I heard a group of dogs behind me.I stopped and took cover behind a large plant.Trust me I could take on a few dogs,but these dogs were powerful sled dogs and Nemi was still weak and she didn't feel like starting a fight that would get her injured again.As the dogs came to a stop she decided she might as well eavesdrop on them.
"We need another lead dog"the smallest one spoke."Well I could do"said the biggest one with a pose,"Well you would be good,but you're a wheeler we need you in the back for your strength"the medium sized one barked."Yeah Peeta is pretty fast I'm certain he could lead us to victory"the smallest said.The three dogs began to come in my direction so I quickly slid behind a old log..or totem pole..I don't know it was something wooden though.Now I couldn't see the dogs,but I sure could hear them.
"We need someone else"the voice was different from the three other dogs and by the tone I quickly relized it was Peeta."You could do it can't you Peeta"the medium sized one said."Balto has requested someone to take his place..he said if he was going to die he wanted a replacement for him"Peeta barked back.He had such a way with words and within minutes he had them all under his leadership."Well who's the replacement"the big dog asked.
I guess they began to whisper because I couldn't hear them anymore.As quickly as I could I ran towards my shed and slid inside.
My shed wasn't luxury,but it was fine.It was on the outscurts of Nome and just off the beach so it had perfect location.Plus it was warm 24/7 because it had a generator thing in it that the humans refilled everyday.See the thing was I lived in a secret area of the shed.First, you need to have long claws to slid the screws out of the secretd door and then you hop inside.
Inside the compartment is my actual home.It's dark,but it has some light from the fire.It is complete with an old blanket an empty dog bowl and NO spiders!Prosper had taken them all out for me since that was my worst fear.I crawled under the old blanket and dozed off right away.
Soon I found myself dreaming or what most dogs call it a nightmare.I was standing in a field and I was looking at the flowers.Then I heard someone call my name and I looked up to see Prosper smiling at me and he began to run as if he wanted to race me again,but when I started running the flowers and weeds caught me and trapped me in a net of green.The green in the flowers began to turn gray and the sky was black but had no moon.Still Prosper called my name,and no matter how much I called for help none came it was as if Prosper left me to die.Prosper's voice still echoed through my mind when I woke up with a thrash.
I was breathing hard and I felt as if I had just ran a sled race.My body ached and I hadn't had proper sleep in days,but still I decided to see what time it was.When I slid out of my compartment and out of the shed door it was cold and I relized winter had just arrived and it was mid-morning.
Later that Morning
As I walked towards the town for breakfast I was greeted by the three dogs that were talking the day before."Get Peeta"the big one who I learned was Ringo growled at the smallest one.A few minutes Peeta rushed down the street to meet me."Nemi!"he exclaimed as he saw me."Peeta"I said back defitnatly not as happy to see him as he was to see me.
"Nemi will you be our lead dog"he asked wagging his tail.I tried to avoid his eyes,but I soon learned that was impossible."I.uhh..don't know"I said as I looked away from Peeta.Soon Ringo was at my side though"We've heard your the fastest"."The smartest"the small one said."The strongest female dog in all of Nome"the middle one finished.I was about to ask were they heard that,but when I turned to Peeta is smile and blue eyes told me were they had heard it from.
After looking into his eyes for a second I had made up my decision."Well Sure!"I bursted out,but what I didn't know is that this would become the greastest journey of my life."but I'm still just a year old"I said looking at the dogs."We all are,we're still training we'll be sled dogs in a few months time"yelled Ringo excitedly as his tail wagged rapidly.
Peeta took me to meet his musher and the rest of the team.The musher was quite kind and he took to me quickly even if I was a hybrid and I ate the first good meal in my life.Then I met the whole team other then Peeta and I there were six of us Ringo,Max,Mason,and the old guys Ralph,Dusty,and Kirby(There was another one named Kodi,but he was staying with his father until he died).It felt great to be surronded by people you could call a team.
That night we were all in the boiler room cracking stupid jokes and just having fun.Peeta was using his sarcasim and for the first time in ages I actually smiled and laughed because of him.He became my hope even through the darkest days and he was the reason I chose to live on even if Prosper was gone.Now..Now I had a reason for living.
Part 2 coming soon