A wolf dog sat at a window. She was brown-ish grey that covered most of her body except for half of her tail and snout, as they were white instead. One of her front paws was also white. This was Kiara, Rex and Soul’s only daughter still in Nome. She daydreamed about running freely without her parents, just herself. Sometimes she would try to sneak out, but was always caught by Rex or one of her brothers. She was tired of all the rules and limits of her life; she would wish that there were no boundary between Earth and sky.
‘ Kiara!’ Sitka shouted through the window. Kiara jumped from her seat and walked outside where her brother was waiting.
‘ I hate seeing you like this Kiara, but I have no idea what to do. I can’t bring your sisters back as they’ve found their place in the world.’ Soul said as Kiara stood up.
‘ You never let me do what I want and I’m tired of it. After tonight, you won’t see me again,’ Kiara said. ‘ You think you know all about me, but you can’t see the sad puppy crying behind my eyes. You don’t know anything, no one does except for my new best friends.’
‘ I come here when I need to think. It’s relaxing and clears all your troubles. I came here when I left Aleu to drift away. I too wonder if she’s howling at the moon I’m looking at. I remember when I first met you, I thought that you were my half sister, but you were only half of that. You’ve been in more pain than anyone I know, you’ve lost your parents, your siblings and two of your daughters and possibly your third one.’ Balto said as he stared at the stars and moon.
‘ What is it? I’m busy.’ Kiara said. She was very annoyed by her brothers since she was the only girl left. They had turned her into one of them and she wanted to turn back.
‘ They’re having a race by the post office! It’s the big one they have each year!’ Sitka exclaimed as he wagged his tail like a windmill in hyper speed. Kiara changed expressions suddenly as she remembered that she was meant to compete against her great uncle Kodi and her father.
‘ I’ve got to go. Thanks for reminding me bro.’ Kiara said as she ran to the race. Thankfully it hadn’t started yet and she was just in time to get in line. She was next to her dad whose scar still surprised her whenever she looked at it. She saw her mother cheering her and Rex on.
‘ I’m glad you could come.’ Rex whispered as he watched the starting gun lift into the air. Kiara also watched it with her emerald eyes that shined brightly. The gun then fired and Kiara ran. She watched how she passed many of the huskies and Kodi. Rex was in front of her and even though Kiara was his daughter, he wasn’t going to give up so easily. They turned the corner like lightning and stormed towards the finish. Kiara put all her strength into it, but she looked at the sidelines and saw two eyes staring at her. Everything around seemed to slow down as they stared. As soon as the eyes disappeared, she realised that she had won the race! Rex walked up to her with a smile on his face.
‘ I won?’ Kiara asked. Rex nuzzled her as her brothers came up to her.
‘ You beat your old man. It’s hard to believe.’ Rex said as he stopped nuzzling her. She wandered what those eyes were and why they made her stare. It was like they hypnotised her for a moment. She walked home leaving her brothers in the street. Kiara wanted to be alone, she wanted to be a girl again, and she wanted to be free. Soul followed her and left Rex with her sons in the street.
Once at home, Kiara and Soul sat down next to each other and Soul nuzzled Kiara as she cried. Soul knew that Kiara wanted her sisters back so that they could play together again instead of hanging with her brothers. Kiara cried like she was a waterfall and didn’t stop until the sun was down.
‘ I don’t have any friends and I don’t want my brothers with me. All the girls in town tease me about my wolf side and how it’s making me more boy like. I just want to be free to do whatever I want like a real wolf.’ Kiara whispered. Soul tried to think of the right words, but couldn’t.
‘ Kiara, you know that you’re not a wolf. You’re only part wolf and you can’t leave your dog side. You won’t get anywhere without it. Being free isn’t what it’s meant to be. Ask your grandmother, she’s been out in the streets and when your father was young, he tried to be free, but couldn’t leave his life behind.’ Soul explained. She tried to sound strong, but that was Rex’s job.
‘ Your mother’s been with wolves and she probably loved it. Plenty of dogs have been with wolves and they liked it. Why can’t you just let me do what I want? I want to be free from rules and my brothers. I was meant to be like a wolf not a pampered pet!’ Kiara exclaimed. She then howled loudly and annoyingly.
‘ Stop howling! My mother went with wolves because that was the only way that she could survive the famine. She’s gone now and your grandfather probably has too. Seth was killed by wolves and saved by them. Kiara, your sister’s paths are not yours, you chose your own in life. Don’t try and be something you’re not!’ Soul shouted. Kiara felt like running away, but she knew that they would come after her.
She ran out the house and into an alley. Soul felt terrible, she left the house and walked around Nome until her legs hurt. She felt like going to her mother, but she had no one to run to.
‘ Not anymore, not since I left. I feel like I left my family to die with my father. I wish I could go home, but no one will welcome me,’ Soul whispered to herself. She looked up at the sky and saw a bright star. ‘ I wonder if they’re looking at the same sky as me. Why did you have to go? I need you here. You left too soon; I need your guidance and care. I want to run away, but there’s something holding me back.’
‘ I know that you’re sad. I never knew my parents; I can’t even remember my father who gave his life to save me. They’re both gone and I’ll never see them again.’ Balto said as he walked over to Soul. He had overheard everything and knew how Soul felt.
‘ My father was a savage who tried to kill me. I need my mother here; she gave me protection and guidance. I need them again as I’ve lost them. Balto, Kiara’s really mad at me. She feels like her wolf side as turned her into a boy, she wants to be a wolf like her sisters, but I shouted at her and she ran away. I wonder if Kiara will be okay.’ Soul said. She stared at the sky again and thought of her daughter starving and fighting for survival.
‘ Thanks Balto. You’re like the dad that didn’t try to kill me. I should go back home. Rex is probably wondering where I am. Bye Balto.’ Soul said. She ran to Rex’s house despite her legs aching. Inside Rex paced around the fireplace. He was worried about Soul and Kiara until one of them came through the dog door.
‘ Rex…Kiara’s run away and this time, it’s my fault. She’s upset about how everyone says that she’s turning into her brothers. Then I talked with Balto and told him how I miss Isabella. Kiara wants to be a wolf as she thinks that it’ll bring her sisters back.’ Soul said. She nuzzled Rex who was just as upset as her, even though it didn’t show.
‘ She’s not like her sisters in looks, but in spirit she is. Reminds me of my aunt Aleu and me. It won’t help if we go straight after her, but we will find her and I’m gonna bring her home. I’m not losing another daughter.’ Rex said. Soul left and Rex fell asleep straight after.
‘ Why would she fake her own death?’ Soul asked as the tears stopped rolling down her fur.
Rex walked to the spot where the collar was. He sniffed it, but the scent was gone. He headed for home, as he would never be able to get his daughters scent before the next day. Two eyes watched him as he walked with his head hanging. Once he was out of sight, the eyes revealed Kiara, but with messy fur and bite marks all over her legs. She walked down the alley, avoiding windows and other dogs as they stared from a distance. She stared into a puddle as it started to rain.
You may think you see
Who I really am
But you'll never know me
Every day
It's as if I play a part
Now I see
If I wear a mask
I can fool the world
But I cannot fool my heart
Who is that girl I see
Kiara suddenly found herself jumping over the fence and howling beside them. The German shepherd opened his eyes and stopped howling as he caught sight of Kiara. Soon enough, the others stopped and Kiara found herself in the centre of attention and stopped howling.
‘ A wolf dog? You sure don’t look like one. Who’re your parents?’ The shepherd asked as he circled Kiara.
The next morning, Soul told Rex where Kiara went and he sniffed for her scent. Everywhere he went, he only found a dark alley. He soon got tired and went back to his mate, but she wasn’t happy.
‘ Rex, go to the alley by your fathers house. Someone just told me that something’s happened to Kiara.’ Soul explained. Rex ran where most of the townsfolk were heading, but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw something he thought was impossible.
‘ No… this can’t be happening.’ Rex thought as he stared at his daughters collar. It was ripped to shreds and was covered in blood. In the snow were signs of a fight. Most of the townsfolk took pictures with the newest invention around, the camera. The rest put their attention on Rex and stroked him in his time of need and because he was the miracle dog. He struggled out of the crowd of flashes and host of falling hands. Soul ran to him and nuzzled him. They walked to the comfort of Rex’s home and nuzzled each other.
‘ Soul, I know you’re upset, but I need to tell you something. That wasn’t Kiara’s blood; it came from the butcher’s meat closet. She’s not dead, she faked it.’ Rex explained as he stopped nuzzling Soul.
‘ I don’t know, but I’m gonna find her. Even if it takes eternity,’ Rex answered. He slowly walked out the door. Soul walked out the back door and sneaked into her house. Rex once again searched the alleys, but failed. ‘It's easy to feel like
you're all alone, to feel like nobody knows, the great that you are, the good that's inside you, is trying so hard to break through…’
‘Look at me
Staring straight back at me?
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?
I am now
In a world where I
Have to hide my heart
And what I believe in
But somehow
I will show the world
What's inside my heart
And be loved for who I am
Who is that girl I see
Staring straight back at me?
Why is my reflection
Someone I don't know?
Must I pretend that I'm
Someone else for all time?
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?’ Kiara sang. She was soaked to the skin and started to regret running away. She looked above her and saw the moon seeping through a gap in the dark grey clouds. Suddenly, she heard a loud wailing noise coming from behind a fence. Kiara jumped onto a crate and peeped over. There was a German shepherd howling with 3 more dogs surrounding him, also howling. It seemed as if he was the leader. He had a black snout, three black paws, and a black line that went down his back and almost covered his tail that looked thick and soft, but the rest of him was beige. Kiara couldn’t see his eyes, but she guessed that they were hazel. Surrounding him was a light grey American Eskimo dog with a pure white paw, a Rough Collie with a mix of black, white and beige in its fur, and a Shetland sheepdog with the same colours as the collie.
‘ Who are you and what are you doing here, house dog?’ He asked. Kiara then noticed his eyes. They were the same ones as the ones on the sidelines of the race that was only a day ago.
‘ I’m Kiara, I’ve run away and faked my death, and I’m not a house dog! I’m not even a dog; I’m a wolf dog.’ She answered.
‘ I’m daughter of Rex and Soul. Both wolf dogs. My dad is the miracle dog and the most feared wolf dog known in the forest. What’s your name?’ She asked as she sat down.
‘ You’re their daughter? I heard that Rex was part German shepherd so you are too. Anyway, I’m Bust. The Eskimo dog is Emerald, the Rough Collie is Laddy and the Shepherd is Lassy. We’re all wolf dogs here who were thrown out because of their wolf heritage or maybe they got into a bit of trouble and were abandoned.’ Bust explained. The others stared at her like she was the enemy.
‘ I got tired of the old life and my nagging parents so I ran then ripped my collar to shreds and put blood from the butchers on it. That way I faked my death, like my grandmother did.’ Kiara said.
‘ Did you say that you were daughter of Soul? Is she a white husky?’ Bust asked.
‘ Yeah, she was. Her mother was a husky and her father was a wolf. My mom came to Nome after my granddad went berserk. She lived as a street dog until she found an owner. Why do you wish to know?’ Kiara asked.
‘ Soul, used to be part of us before she found Balto and her owner. She was meant to be my mate until she met your father. You’re gonna be doing some hard work if you’re gonna cover up what your parents did.’ Bust said. He walked away with the others following except for Laddy.
‘ You’re not gonna please Bust if you keep babbling about your parents. He hates them and possibly you too. He hasn’t had an easy life, especially after his accident…’ Laddy said as he and Kiara walked together.
‘ What happened?’ Kiara asked.
‘ Many years ago, when I just joined the gang, Bust got into a crash with a sled. He couldn’t walk for ages, I can’t remember how long, but when he was walking again, the gang had fallen apart. The pound had captured them and there was only us left. He takes extra care of us because he’s afraid of being alone. His parents didn’t want him because he was the runt, but the only pup in his litter. He doesn’t want a family either as he doesn’t want to be abandoned. Bust is old, but he’ll do anything to keep us alive.’ Laddy explained as they walked further into town.
‘ I’ve heard lots of stories, but none like that.’ Kiara said. She felt sorry for Bust and everyone else. She had been living the high life while they were struggling for survival. She soon found her self outside the butchers again, like she was before she ‘died’.
‘ Kiara, we need you to go inside and distract the butcher so we can get to the back room then when I give you a signal, you run out. Got it?’ Bust asked as the gang huddled up. Kiara knew that it was wrong, but they were starving so she agreed.
Still don’t know what I’m looking for
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Time may change me
I like the ripples change their size
A few moments later, Kiara walked through the front door. She sneaked up to the counter and barked. The butcher patted her on the head and stroked her neck. She watched the others sneak into the back, but just kept her attention on the man. The butcher then put his hand behind the counter and brought out a line of sausages. He watched Kiara eat them slowly as Bust gave her the signal. She jerked out the door with the sausages still in her mouth. The butcher didn’t even hear the noise that Bust had made. She ate the remaining of the sausages as she walked up the alley beside the shop. Bust came up to her with a smile on his face.
‘ Good girl. We got what we needed for the next few days. We’re heading back!’ He shouted. Everyone followed, but Kiara hesitated for a moment. For the rest of the day, she didn’t say a word. Laddy grew worried.
‘ What’s the matter? We got enough food to last us days! You should be happy.’ Laddy exclaimed as he sat next to Kiara.
‘ I’m worried. My dad might hear and come looking for me. I don’t wanna go home, ever. My brothers will force me to do something horrible.’ Kiara said. Laddy knew how she felt. His siblings had abused him when he was young because he looked like a dog and they was born in the wild.
‘ But, didn’t you ever think that they loved you and they were trying their best to make you happy? Maybe you missed your sisters so much that you too blind to see what they were doing for you.’ Laddy explained.
‘ How did you know that I missed my sisters?’ Kiara asked.
‘ I may have overheard you when you were talking to your mother.’ Laddy answered.
‘ What?! You spied on me? Thanks for being such a good friend…’ Kiara said as she ran into the alley. She was so mad at Laddy, but maybe he was right. What if she was too blind to see what her family was doing for her? She hung her head as she walked down the alley until she bumped into something. She looked up and saw a face that she thought that she would never see again.
‘ Kiara?’ It asked. She looked to the left and saw a scar!
‘ Dad?’ She asked. She was happy to see him, but didn’t want to go home. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘ Looking for you. Where have you been?’ Rex asked. Kiara knew that he would probably be mad, but the tone of his voice said the opposite.
‘ With some wolf dogs. I know that you want me to come home, but I’m not ready to yet.’ Kiara said. She was too afraid to look her father in the eyes.
‘ Junk wolf dogs?’ Kiara gave him a confused look. How did he know about them? ‘ Your mother told me about them. You should come home.’
Kiara:
And my time is running wild
A million dead-end streets and
Every time I thought I got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I’ve never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I’m much too fast to take that test
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Don’t want to be a richer one
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Just gonna have to be a different one
But I can’t trace time
Rex:
But never leave the stream
For warm impermanence
So the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And everyone that you ignore
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune from your blindness
You’re quite aware of what you’re going through
Kiara:
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Don’t tell them to grow up and out of it
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Where’s your kindness
That you left us
Time may change me
But you can’t trace time
Strange fascination, fascinating me
changes are taking the pace I’m going throCh-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Oh, look out you backstabbers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Now I’m a little older
Time may change me
But I can’t trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can’t trace time.’
‘ I missed doing that with you. If you don’t wanna come home yet, that’s fine. Remember the door’s always open.’ Rex said as he walked away, but then Bust attacked him from behind!
‘ Kiara! Where’s your father?’ Soul asked as she nuzzled Kiara.
‘ In a fight. We need to get Cop and Sitka!’ Kiara exclaimed.
‘ No, it won’t, but you took Soul and this is revenge. My life completely changed and it’s your fault!’ Bust shouted. He then jumped onto Rex and they fought. Rex pulled Bust’s fur and bit his legs while Bust nearly choked him. They were just about to finish it when they heard a loud eerie howl from behind. Soul stood at the mouth of the alley with Kiara, Laddy, Lassy and Emerald.
‘ Dad!’ Kiara shouted. She was just about to help him when Rex stopped her.
‘ No, Kiara! This is something I have to sort out for myself.’ Rex said. Kiara ran back to Laddy and told him what just happened.
‘ I’ll get the others. Kiara, get your family.’ Laddy ordered as he ran off. Kiara ran to Soul’s house and barked at the window. Soul was sleeping by the fire when her owner put her outside.
‘ No. I can stop the fight.’ Soul said as she stopped Kiara rounding up her brothers. They ran off to the alley where Rex and Bust were circling each other.
‘ Bust, I’m sorry that I took Soul away from you, but even if you kill me it won’t make a difference. Killing me won’t bring her back or the rest of your gang.’ Rex said.
‘ Stop it,’ Soul said as she walked towards Rex and Bust. ‘ Bust, I know that I walked away from you, but you weren’t right for me. You misunderstood me, like Pablo. At the beginning you seemed like a very nice wolf dog, but when we were on the verge of life and death, I couldn’t handle it so I found Balto and an owner. Fighting my mate won’t bring me back. I’ve got a life and you need to accept it.’
‘ I know, but I wanted to be in your life forever. When you left, I couldn’t handle it. Make a choice Soul. Me or him.’ Bust said. Soul didn’t need to decide, as she already knew the answer.
‘ I’m sorry Bust, but Rex is the one for me.’ Soul replied. She and Rex walked away with Kiara in the middle. Laddy, Lassy and Emerald walked up to him.
‘ I think the human life would be better. Sorry Bust, but we’re out of here.’ Emerald said. Bust’s mouth dropped. He could believe what was happening until Laddy bit his tail and made him crash into a pile of crates. All three walked into the streets of Nome leaving Bust under the crates.
Soul and Rex led Kiara to her house where her owner was looking at old photos of her. She walked through the dog door and barked. Her owner turned around to see her dog smiling at her.
‘ Kiara! You’re not dead. I was so worried about you.’ She cried as she hugged Kiara tightly. She remembered the day that her owner gave her a name. She seemed to read Kiara’s mind and know her name.
‘ Debbie. I’m home.’ Kiara whispered to herself. Rex and Soul were peeping through a window, but left their daughter to catch up with her owner. They walked back to their homes knowing that it was their real home and it would never change.
In the alley, where Bust had been crushed, two eyes glowed underneath the crates and in the wind was the sound of growling.
The End.
Kiara, Rex, Soul, Pablo, Laddy, Debbie, Cop, Sitka, Lassy, Emerald, Bust, Fly, Howler, Seth, Isabella, Nita and Lisa. © I_Love_Aleu.
Balto, Aniu and Kodi. © Universal Studios.