It was a bright sunny August Sunday in Nome, Alaska. The dogs of Nome were constantly forgiven by their pastor, Pastor Tim. Pastor Tim was a handsome, aging, black and white husky with cheery blue eyes. He and his wife, Lisa Cuddy.Ever since the make-shift church was set in the boiler room, dogs have been converting and confessing their sins. Nobody had envied Pastor Tim, who was always humble and kind, making it impossible to get mad at him.
" Pastor Tim, IIIII nnnnnnneed ttto confess," Star stammered. "I stole meat from the butcher because I was hungry and I wanted to grab a midnight snack."
"Thy shall be forgiven. Tell the butcher you did it and prove to him that you won't do it again," said Pastor Tim calmly.
"Pastor Tim, please forgive me of what I done," said Kirby, nearly bursting to tears. " I peed on the mail bag and I blamed Dusty for it."
" I shall forgive thee, for the Lord will love you if you repent your sins. But you have to tell your musher who did it," replied Pastor Tim, patting Kirby on the head.
"Alright man, I thought I was going to hell!" thanked Kirby.
After Kirby and Star left to go to the beach, Pastor Tim forgave Sumac for fighting another wolf, Kodi for secretly eating his father's treats, and Ralph, for stealing Kirby's brown furry blanket and his tan cap.
That was the last time Pastor Tim forgave the sinners and the last time they saw him......................
It was Midnight on that very same day. Pastor Tim was halfway towards his home to have a peaceful night with his wife, Cuddy. He had just entered a dark alleyway when suddenly, a blow to his temple from the dark space in front of him sent him to the wall, hard. With blurred vision, Pastor Tim asked worriedly,"Wait! What do you want!?? What are you doing?"
"Don't worry, this will only hurt a lot, but heck, you're going to spend the night with the angels above, " said a deep, smooth voice, coming from a large figure.
" Thy shallnt murder and the Lord shall never appreciate thee!" yelled Pastor Tim as another blow blinded him.
" Sure, that is what all my victims would be saying, " said the figure.
" It's not too late to stop what you're doing!" Pleaded Pastor Tim.
Those were his last words. Before he knew it, his neck was torn and the figure shook Pastor Tim's body all over the alleyway.
"That's for my envy towards YOU!" yelled the figure. With that, he ran away.
The next day, Dusty and Aleu were tired from chasing Kirby, Ralph, Kodi, Nikki , Kaltag, and Star in a game of German Shepherds and Raccoons (cops and robbers). They were taking the alleyway that was the shortest way to the boiler room.
" Next time, we get to be the raccoons," said Aleu. "I know a great hiding place where the boys don't even know."
" But right now, all I want to do is to relax and sleep," added Dusty.
" Unless if - OMG! What the hell is that!" screamed Aleu.
In front of Dusty and Aleu, the body of Pastor Tim was in front of them. Blood was splattered on the walls and the ground. Pastor Tim's neck had a gaping hole with blood still oozing out.
Dusty threw up and Aleu's face turned white.
Aleu turned away toward a wall and shouted," Dusty! Look at that!"
Dusty turned. On the wall, a message was written out of blood, Pastor Tim's blood. " Friends of Pastor Tim BEWARE!!!!!! YOU MAY BE THE NEXT VICTIM." Aleu and Dusty bolted away, telling Balto and Doc all about it.
"What?! Pastor Tim murdered?" shouted Doc.
" Yes Doc, that's what happened to him. He died a nasty death in the alleyway." replied Aleu.
" Why, why Pastor Tim out of all dogs in Nome. Why him?" whispered Doc.
" Well, I guess we have to tell the news to his wife, Cuddy," sighed Balto.
" I'm not going to tell her, you tell her," Doc shot back.
"Fine. We'll both tell her," pushing Doc out the door.
Cuddy is the 2nd most pretty husky in Nome, besides Jenna. She looks a lot like Steele, but with a great personality, softer blue eyes, and larger than many of the huskies in Nome. Sadly, she was unaware of Pastor Tim's death until now....
" Are... are yyy you ssssure?" sobbed Cuddy uncontrolablly.
" Sadly yes. He was mysteriously murdered, " Balto said quietly.
" When do you want the funeral of Pastor Tim to start?" asked Doc sullenly.
It took quite a few minutes for Cuddy to calm down a bit. " On the upcoming Sunday, 5 days later. I want to let everyone come," Cuddy sniffled.
"Alright. That can be arranged, " Doc replied.
The two left Cuddy alone to mourn the news. After Balto left Doc, he went back to his boat to take in the news. He had went to Pastor Tim's sermons many times.
" God, he was humorous," sighed Balto.
Somehow, Balto headed toward the alleyway where Pastor Tim was murdered. He had a spark of interest to solve what happened to Pastor Tim's mysterious death. He knew he needed a partner to help him solve the crime. He knew exactly who to get. There he was. Boris was finishing a conversation with Kaltag. Balto grabbed Boris's wing and dragged him toward the death scene.
" Balto! Vhat are you doing! Vhat is ze big idea?!" yelled Boris.
" Boris, there's something that we have to do together. I'll exlpain when we get there," Balto said.
" I guess it's one of your crazy ideas again. Alvays getting us into deep trouble. Vhat is it this time? Flirting with a young husky? Geez, you don't have to pull so hard on my ving." ranted Boris.
Balto flung Boris to the bloody crime scene, where a couple of dogs were putting the torn up body of Pastor Tim in a coffin.
" Yikes, " Boris commented. " Looks like we have a mystery to solve after all. Best talk to Doc about it."
" So then you're in it?" Balto asked.
"Ja," Boris answered.
" But don't tell anyone, they might inform the enemy," Balto said.
" Yesh, then don't tell Doc either," Boris replied.
" Com'on, I have a list of suspects and dogs who last seen him," Balto said.
Balto went to the boiler room to see the dog sled team and Star, while Boris went to the crime scene to get any clues. Luckily, everyone in the boiler room was there except Dusty.
" Where's Dusty?" asked Balto.
" She went to hany out with Aleu," Kodi answered.
" Good, I want to talk to you about Pastor Tim," Balto said.
" WE DIDN'T DO IT!!!!!" shouted Kodi, Star, Kirby, and Ralph.
" I know, I know," said Balto softly. " I just have a few questions to ask each of you."
Ralph gulped.
" First Star," said Balto. " You were there to confess to Pastor Tim after the sermon, were you Star?"
" YYYes Balto, I was," Star stammered.
" Did you notice if Pastor Tim had any mood changes while you were talking to him?" asked Balto.
" No, he was his usual everyday self. Calm and kind," Star said.
" Thank you Star for your help," Balto said.
Balto asked the same exact questions to the others, and so far, the replies have been the same. Balto went back to his boat and said, " Alright Boris, we know he hasn't been threatened to death before he got killed, so his death had been an unexpected one. What did you find Boris?" Balto asked.
" Look, this is the hair of the criminal", Boris said showing the fur of the criminal. " As you see, it is grayish- white."
Balto sniffed it.
" Well, that eliminates wolves, birds, humans, and polar bears, so the criminal is a husky dog, " Balto said.
" Then that closes in on either Ralph, Kirby, Dusty, Star, or Cuddy," Boris stated. " I was with Kodi that night, so it couldn't be him, Nikki was in vacation with his owners, and Kaltag was hanging out with Steele."
" Let's look for them tomorrow, right now, it's kinda late and we need the rest," Balto yawned.
That night, Cuddy was alone crying. " Only 4 more days till the funeral," Cuddy sniffed.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and the dark figure stood in the doorway. Cuddy looked to see that the intruder fits the exact description Doc had told her. Cuddy screamed, but the dark figure knocked Cuddy out and dragged her.
The next day, Balto and Boris were looking for their suspects when Muk and Luk ran towared them.
" Balto! Balto! Cuddy has been kidnapped!" yelled Muk, with Luk whimpering behind.
" What? How?" asked Balto.
" I don't know. You better go see Doc," Muk explained.
Balto and Boris ran to the boiler room where Doc was.
" Doc, what happened?' Balto asked.
" Cuddy has been kidnapped late last night," Doc explained. " She disappereared without a trace."
" This is such a bad timing," Boris said.
" Tell me about it," Doc replied. " I sent out a few dogs to find her. So far, al we found was a hair and a single paw print in the dirt."
" Let me see it," Balto urged.
Balto , Boris, and Doc went to Cuddy's house. Balto examined the paw print while Boris took a good look at the hair,
" This looks like the same hair found in the alleyway," Boris observed.
" The paw print confirmes that it is a male husky, by looking at the shape of the paw," Balto stated.
" Then Dusty is eliminated from the suspect list, " Boris added.
" Then the suspects are either Star, Kirby, or Ralph, " Balto said.
" Do you think we should talk to each one in person?" asked Boris.
" Yes, let's ask Star," Balto said.
Balto and Boris found Star talking with Kaltag and Nikki.
"Star, can I talk to you?' asked Balto.
"Ummm... sure," said Star. " See ya guys later!' waving to Nikki and Kaltag.
" Where were you when Pastor TIm was murdered?" asked Balto.
" Well, I was talking with Kaltaglate last night when Steele showed up," Star said. " Then he took us to the beach and shared us his treats he recieved from his owner.Then, Kaltag said a very nasty joke about Steele, and Steele slapped him across the face. Then Steele was still mad and ran away to his home. Then I went to my house and slept, still shocked by what Steele had done."
" Thank you Star, you've helped us a lot with our case," said Balto.
As they left Star to hang out with his friends, Boris said, " Wait, now Steele is on our suspect list. Star said he was wondering why Steele was acting so strangely."
Balto was about to respond when Ralph showed up, trying to find food.
" But Ralph has grey fur on his underbelly, so he needs to be questioned," Balto said.
" Alright, but I may be right," Boris murmered.
" Ralph, where were you the night Pastor Tim was murdered?" questioned Balto.
" I just returned Kirby's stuff, when I saw Steele, Kaltag, and Star coming toward me. Suddenly, Steele pounced on me and dragged me to the beach, and he threw me into the water with Star and Kaltag laughing. After that, Steele slapped me across the face. I still have bruises from the throw," Ralph explained.
" Ouch Ralph, I'm sorry about that. Thanks for telling me this. Feel free to come to Jenna's house. She'll make something good to eat," Balto said.
" Sweet! Thanks a lot Balto!" Ralph shouted.
" You welcome Ralph," Balto replied.
" Wait, may I see your scratch?" said Boris.
" Sure," replied Ralph, showing the nasty cut.
" Best to go to the vet," said Boris. "Balto, take Ralph to Jenna's house, I'll catch up later."
" I'll see you later," replied Balto, taking Ralph to his house.
Boris walked through the streets of Nome for half an hour until he spotted his target. Kaltag. Boris ran to Kaltag.
" Hey Boris, what's the rush?" asked Kaltag.
" I've heard that Steele attacked you the other day. May I see your scratch?" asked Boris polietly.
" Well, sure," said Kaltag, showing Boris the stratch.
" Thanks Kaltag," said Boris. " I'll take you to the vet."
After Boris took Kaltag to the vet, Boris went to the coffin of Pastor Tim, whose funeral was about to take place less than 2 days. Quietly, Boris opened the coffin to see the body of Pastor Tim. Trying hard to not throw up, he focused on the slashes on Pastor Tim. After seeing it, Boris put the lid back. Boris waddled to Balto, who attracted Star's attention. Star started to go with Boris.
" Where are you going?" asked Star.
" Going to Balto's boat," panted Boris.
As Star and Boris arrived at Balto's boat, Boris called to Balto, " Balto! Where are you?"
" I'm right here," said Balto. " I just took Ralph to Jenna's. Why are you two here?"
" Come, I have something important to tell you," said Boris urgently. "Star, come with us,"
" Really? It's him?" said Balto.
" It all makes sense!" shouted Boris. " Steele's strange behaviour, the identical scratches on the dogs he attacked, his love for Cuddy several years ago, and his revenge on Pastor Tim! He killed Pastor Tim because he was in love with Cuddy, and Steele was mad that Cuddy took Pastor TIm as a husband instead of him! That was before he focused his attention on Jenna!"
" Wait, he had a crush on another dog besides Jenna?" said Star.
" Heck yes, he was popular back then, and there were a lot of girls that went crazy for him. Balto wasn't there, and I've known Steele my whole life!" replied Boris.
" I thought you migrated from Russia," added Star.
" We're missing the point!" ahouted Boris. " Steele killed Pastor Tim to get revenge and kidnapped Cuddy to marry her, because he knew that Jenna was hard to get because of you Balto!
" Basically, Steele is afriad of me," said Balto, smiling and chuckling.
" All this crime was for his hunger on revenge!" yelled Boris.
" Let's all go find Steele," said Star getting up. " Balto, use your sense of smell to find Steele!"
Balto lead the way to Steele. He could smell Cuddy's too, but it was faint. They arrived at an old storage building near the port.
" Here's the place," Balto said, pointing to the crumbling building. Wait, Cuddy is near."
" OH MY SWEET JESUS!!!!!!!!!!! NO, no, Cuddy!" yelled Star.
In front of them was the body of Cuddy. Her neck was broken and bore the same scratches that Kaltag, Ralph, and Pastor Tim had.
" Why, why does it have to end this way?" said Balto quietly.
" Let's go inside, I bet Steele is in there," Boris said.
The three went into the old building.....
" Don't! Stay where you are!" yelled Steele.
Steele was pouring gasoline everywhere on the floor.
" Steele, it doesn't have to end this way," Balto said. " You can get out of this mess!"
" No you can't! It's too late! Cuddy wouldn't say she loves me, so I killed her after repeating it to her hundereds of times!" yelled Steele.
" Why Steele, why do you have to cause all this sorrow?" asked Star, at the brink of tears.
" I hate this world! I hate everything in it! It was all bad luck to me! I went to Pastor TIm for some consolation, and he told me to change my ways and I'll be well. That never happened! I'm here to say goodbye to this evil world and hope to die!"
" NO, no wait! Stop!" yelled the three of them.
" You don't know what you're doing!" yelled Boris.
" I know what I'm doing, and trust me, I won't regret it!" screamed Steele at the top of his lungs.
With that, Steele struck a match and stepped on the gasoline. He dropped it and the falmes burst around him.
" I regret nothing! I regret nothing! Nothing at all!" screamed Steele at the top of his voice.
Star , Balto, and Boris couldn't do anything, but watch Steele drop and die in his firey, hellish death. They shut their eyes for a moment as Steele fell to the firey depths of Hell. Star, Boris, and Balto were forced to leave the building as it collapsed and slowly burned to the ground.
The day of the funeral came. As all the dogs of Nome gathered to mourn the death of Pastor Tim and the death of Cuddy. The dogs laid Pastor Tim's and Cuddy's coffins next to each other. Doc said some messages about Pastor Tim and his wife.
" They were good fellas. They were very happy of what they have, and them being together. It was riuned by Steele, who murdered both of them. I bet Pastor Tim and his wife are happy together in Heaven," recited Doc.
After a long prayer to both of them, and the closing amen, Balto and Boris congratulated themselves silently.
As for Steele's body, the three witnesses took his remains and buried them next to a huge, dead tree. Balto made a crude marking on the tree.
" Well, he needed some respect," said Balto.
When the three went to Jenna's house, Doc was waiting for them.
" Thanks of what you told me yesterday," said Doc softly. " I was wondering, how did you manage to solve the mystery?"
" Elementary, my dear Doc, elementary." Boris said calmly.
" Yeah, and we should also make a statue of them!" added Star, pointing to Balto and Boris.
The four laughed hysterically.
" Dinner time!" shouted Jenna.
" I'm hungry, are you hungry, cause I'm hungry," said Star.
" Something tells me he's hungry," said Kodi, helping Jenna with the food.
The case of the murdering has been solved.........