Avalanche shook her head. "We barely missed it. I’m starting to think that white dog thing is true. If there’s another sighting we all have to be on our toes to keep an eye on one another."

Pirate sighed and started to think. "A tree? First that wolf looking canine and now the tree! What’s next that the white dog with the dark blue bandana will throw at us?" He shook his head. "Hopeful no more sightings."

Avalanche looked at him. "Why hasn’t anything happened to you?"

Shasta snapped, "Sister! It was probably an accident!"

Pirate shook his head. "No it wasn’t." He told them what had happened to him.

Once done telling them, they each had mixed emotions about the Husky/Spitz cross. "She came to your rescue?" Shasta asked.

"She had to know this dog well." Avalanche pointed out.

The back door opened then with Emily standing over the threshold. "Time for supper you two. Pirate its time for you to go home." Pirate looked at the both of them before giving them friendly nuzzles.

"See ya guys later." He said as he left the backyard. He walked to the front of the house where Ashley was holding her jagged smile pumpkin. Her mother carried the second one. Pirate chuckled as it only had one tooth in its smile. "See my jack o lantern Pirate?" Ashley let him sniff it before his tail wagged. Ashley giggled.

"Come on sweetheart. Let’s show Daddy your pumpkins." Ashley gave a squeal of delight as she walked next to her mother with both hands carrying the jagged grin pumpkin. Her mother carried the other one and Pirate walked next to them as if he was on a leash.

Shasta didn’t eat much of her food. She was worried about Pirate and Dusty and who would be next. Who will see the white dog next? She sighed and her mind was troubled as she went to bed. "Good night sis." Avalanche spoke softly. "Good night." Shasta whispered back. But her mind was in no state to sleep.

***

Ralph was walking around before he would head to bed. He was now worried even more for Dusty. His mind was thinking about the Spitz/Husky’s story. Was it actually true? Ralph had not heard what happened to Pirate. Suddenly he stopped. For some reason he felt as if he was being watched. Ralph looked to his left. Nothing and the same for the right, nothing. His eyes scanned the area in front of him and then he wheeled around. No one was about. He gave a huff. "I’m just being silly." He said to reassure himself. Ralph turned around to face the direction he was going and froze. It couldn’t be and he fell back on his haunches. Her green blue eyes blinked and her legs were ready to run from her standstill. Ralph started to back away. She followed slowly and her lip raised. A growl erupted from her throat and her hackles raised beneath her bandana. Ralph gulped. "I’m not going to hurt you." He spoke almost about to stutter. She growled again, her expression fierce.

"Then run past me." She snapped. Ralph was shocked. She growled again. "Not tomorrow…now!" She barked. Ralph scrambled to his feet and dashed past. When he got to the end of the street, he looked back and saw nothing.

"Now that was weird." He said to himself. As he turned to walk away, he heard a bellowing laugh and a horrible howl pierced the night’s silence. Ralph broke into a run, with his tail tucked between his legs. He didn’t know what was going on. All he knew was to get the hell out of there.

***

Today was Sunday, a day off for the mail team. Ralph had plastered himself to his crate. He was terrified from last night still. He heard paw steps coming through his alley. He held his breath and waited. It was Avalanche. He sighed a sigh of relief. Avalanche gave him a welcoming bark. Ralph hopped from his crate and stretched. "Hey Ralph. How are you doing today?" She asked. Her smile brightened his mood a bit.

"I guess I’m fine. Nothing’s bad happened yet." Avalanche’s expression turned grave.

"What do you mean?" She asked quickly.

"Don’t tell me you’ve seen that Husky/Spitz cross." Ralph and Avalanche looked behind them to see the pure brown husky known as Matt. Matt trotted up to them.

"Oh hello Matt." Ralph said sulky.

"For crying out loud, everyone knows it’s just a story!" Matt spoke. Avalanche rolled her eyes. She was now having second thoughts on the whole thing. "No way can a dog bring death. It’s just stupid and pathetic!" Ralph whimpered a bit. Matt gave a smug grin.

"Shut your trap Matt!" Avalanche growled. Matt glared.

"See ya later suckers." Matt said and walked away with his head held high. Ralph sighed.

Avalanche watched Matt leave. "Don’t worry about Bossy Paws, Ralph. Tell me what happened."

Ralph gulped. "Well I saw her!" Avalanche nodded. "She looked alright and then she started growling at me. I said I wasn’t going to hurt her. She still growled and then she said run past me. So I did and when I looked back, no one was there. But when I started walking I heard laughter and that same howl!" Ralph crashed to the ground and covered his ears as if he was hearing it now. He whimpered and whined.

Avalanche nodded. "It’s going to be okay Ralph. You won’t get hurt." She said to reassure him. Ralph nodded.

"Okay." He rose to his feet slowly.

"Come on. Let’s see if we can get the gang into a game of tag." She said hoping to cheer him up. Ralph smiled.

"I’ll ask the team." Ralph said. Avalanche nodded and she headed toward her home to get Shasta. Ralph trotted to the factory shed, knowing Kirby and Kodi would be there. As he walked through the alley he was humming a cheerful song to himself. He looked around him and saw the wood craftsman chiseling away at a sign for a business. Ralph kept walking along and suddenly a surprised yell caught him off guard. Ralph shrunk to the ground as the wood craftsman’s assistant nearly tripped over him. The box the young boy was carrying fell from his arms and the nails and two new chisels rain from the box like spears. Ralph tucked his nose in, just in time to avoid one of the chisels. Nails were scattered everywhere around him and he dared not move. "Don’t move boy." The young boy spoke to Ralph softly as him and the wood craftsman picked up the nails. The gentleman picked up the chisel that would have sliced either Ralph’s snout or eye.

He patted the husky’s head. "You were very lucky my friend. Now go on with your day." Ralph barked happily and walked out of the way and when he was on the street, he ran.

***

Pirate was resting in the backyard in the shade of the fence. Ashley and her mother were baking Halloween cookies for her class and he was not allowed in the kitchen. He sighed. "This is what it means to be bored." He spoke to himself.

"Well I’m sorry." Pirate whipped his head around to see the dog he nicknamed Angel. Her face showed nothing as she walked closer to him. Pirate scrambled to his feet.

"Hi there." He spoke with a cautious tone.

She then smiled. "Pirate right?"

Pirate nodded. "And who are you?"

"I’m Crystal." Dang his name for her wasn’t even close.

"What do you want?" He asked. He was unsure of how this was going.

Crystal’s smile disappeared. "To clear things up."

Pirate’s head cocked to the side. "What?"

"To clear things up. I’ve heard rumors that aren’t true. I thought that since you’re one of the most honest around I best tell it to you."

Pirate just gave her a nod. "Would you like to sit?" Crystal smiled and sat herself down. Pirate sat in front of her and waited.

"They say I killed the mistress’s love. That is true. But it was his dog, Demon that killed my mistress. So now we are even. He used to wander about White Mountain and I stayed here hoping he would never return. I howl whenever the pain that I carry has been too much. I stayed in my mistress's home, as I had no way else to go. But he has return from his dog fighting ways and hoping to have one last fight with me. It seems before he tries to kill me that he’s trying to turn every dog in Nome against me. That is why I hide and try to avoid others."

"Who’s Demon if I may ask?" Pirate questioned. Crystal just gave a small smile.

"You’ve met him. The wolf dog that if bothered will attack human or dog and does not think about the victim." Pirate’s eyes widened as he remembered that night where he met the crooked nose half-breed. "Anyway, for some reason just like his owner, he’s a jinx to everyone that looks at him, smells him, or even hears him."

"So it’s him that’s causing the accident?" Pirate asked and Crystal nodded. "To me it seems as if he was smart enough to start a story about you." Crystal just nodded again.

"Just wondering… why does he want you dead?"

"Because he feels as if his master is still living, a tortured spirit. To him, when I die his master will finally be at rest."

Pirate arched a brow. "Sounds to me like someone believes in witchcraft and things like that."

"I hope that has cleared some things up. Now I must go and find him to see what trouble he has conjured up next. I hope it doesn’t deal with your friends." Crystal got to her feet and started walking away. Pirate just blinked his blue eyes. "Until next time Pirate." Crystal said and yet again she was gone. Pirate sat there for a moment, letting his mind process this new information.

"Can I come back here?" Pirate looked to the gate in surprise and spotted white paws under the gate. He got to his feet and nudged the gate open. Shasta was standing there with a smile. "Hello there. Do you want to come play tag?" The end of her tail tip tapped against the dirt.

"Sure." Pirate said and walked closer to her. Shasta rose to her feet and walked next to him. As the two made their way to outside of town where the team waited, Pirate was thinking about Crystal.

"Pirate you okay?" Kodi asked as they drew near. Pirate nodded yes. "Thinking about the white dog?" He asked. Before he could get his answer, Dusty had tackled Kodi. Pirate chuckled.

"I’ll be it!" Kirby barked. Everyone scattered from the tan husky. Kirby laughed and launched himself at Avalanche. She dodged his leap and ran over to where Ralph waited. The game of tag last for a while and ended when Ralph plopped to the ground and gave a groan. Dusty giggled and the friends sat in a circle.

"So has anyone spotted the white dog lately?" Kodi asked. He knew about Dusty’s sighting but not Ralph’s or Pirate’s.

"I saw her and a chisel nearly cut my nose off!" Everyone’s eyes locked on Ralph and listened to what had happened to him earlier that day. After he was finished, discussing between others unfolded. Pirate did not take part in the conversation. His mind wandered back to Crystal.

Matt was strolling through town like always waiting for something to happen. As he neared the outskirts, his eyes spied the group of friends. He smirked. "Probably talking about that white dog."

"Oh you mean Crystal." Matt wheeled around to see a large, black dog. It towered over him and it’s piercing yellow eyes added to its menacing appearance. Matt didn’t show fear to others but this one he felt like a puppy. The canine smiled, showing off his pearl white teeth. "You happened to see her?" He asked. Matt just shook his head no. "You know the rumors have been spreading about her and well they say that sometimes she just goes crazy and will kill any human or dog in her sight. I know Crystal well and it’s about time to put her reign of terror to an end. What do you say? You want to join me?" Matt looked at the large, black dog.

"Who are you?" Matt asked.

The half-breed laughed aloud. "That doesn’t matter now. So what do you say?"

"I’ll join in and maybe then everyone will just shut up about it!" Matt barked. He was getting tired of the superstitious. Matt even though he held himself with self pride, really didn’t like everyone being so foolish.

"That’s the spirit. I’ll get you when the time comes." And just like that the wolf dog disappeared to the shadows. Matt blinked before giving a smile.

***

Pirate couldn’t hide it anymore. He aroused from his sleepless sleep and headed outside. He looked to the sky to see a nearly full moon. Halloween was just in two days and he didn’t like the thought of a canine that would randomly attack anyone, dog or human loose. He sighed. He needed to tell someone and show them Crystal wasn’t who everyone thought she was. Shasta. She would believe him and maybe stubborn Avalanche would come along with it. Shasta was known for her way at looking at a situation from all views. He chuckled. But that doesn’t mean she couldn’t be as fierce as a wolverine. Pirate took to a run toward Emily’s house where the two huskies lived. As he dashed through town, he felt as if Furies were chasing him. His sides began to heave his breath shallow as his paws reached as far as they could across the hard ground. But then instead of turning on Shasta’s street, he turned on his father’s street. He galloped to the house where Kaltag lived and stopped just short of the steps. Pirate took a few breathers to regain his breath. He then raised his head and walked up the steps. The curtains were closed and that meant Pirate couldn’t peer in. The red husky began to scratch at the door. He thought he heard movement from inside and waited. Nothing and Pirate scratched again. He heard the sound he was hoping for, paws treading across the floor. A tan snout stuck through the doggy door and took a few sniffs then Kaltag’s jaws opened. "Come on in son." The tan snout withdrew. Pirate slipped through the door with ease and his eyes had to readjust to the darkness. Kaltag had walked to the kitchen to the window where the moonlight shined through. Pirate walked closer. "Now what’s got your harness in a knot?" Kaltag asked.

"Have you heard stories about a Spitz/Husky cross?"

Kaltag thought about it for a minute. "Yesterday Star was talking about something like that. The dog that killed the mistress love and is cursed or something like that."

Pirate sighed. He recounted the tale to his dad and then describing each of the events that happened to him, Ralph, and Dusty. Kaltag gave a shocked expression. "Jeez…that was a close call. So close even a fly couldn’t fly through or…" Pirate gave him a please-don’t-start-rambling-on-right-now look. Kaltag hushed himself. "Go on…"

"Well anyway she came up to me and told me the truth." Pirate told what had happened earlier that day. "I want to help her in whatever way." Kaltag gave a concerned look.

"But try not to find yourself in a fight that could cost your life." Pirate nodded.

"I’m going to the house with Shasta and Avalanche if they come. You and I can’t be the only ones who know the truth."

"Then I’m coming with you. I want to be on the upbeat of things to you know." Pirate smiled at his dad. "Lead the way." The two headed out into the night to Emily’s at a trot. Once to the comfy home, Pirate and Kaltag sneaked to the back of the small house. When they reached the gate, Pirate slipped his nose under the latch and pushed it up. The gate creaked open a bit and the red husky dashed inside. "You sure are handy with that nose son." Kaltag said as he slipped through the gate quietly. Pirate chuckled as he waited by the back door. "You sure they can hear you?" Kaltag asked as Pirate scratched at the door a few times.

"They’ll hear us, especially Avalanche." Pirate smiled and Kaltag had to smirk. Suddenly, the two could hear paw steps coming closer. Pirate backed a few steps away as the gray head of Avalanche emerged from the doggy door.

"Pirate! What are you doing here?" She snapped. Apparently, Avalanche wasn’t in the nicest mood about her sleep being disturbed.

"Hi there Avalanche." He spoke cheerfully trying to cheer her up. It didn’t work. She growled. "May we come in? It is urgent." He asked.

"We?" Avalanche wondered then her blue eyes fell on Kaltag. "I’m so sorry Kaltag, I didn’t see you standing there." She looked at Pirate again. There was something in his eyes, like a haunting shadow or an innocent glint of light. Whatever it was, it held the urgent thoughts. "Well if it’s urgent, come on in."

"Thank you." Pirate spoke softly. She smiled before pulling her front body back through the door to let the other huskies in. Kaltag entered first and as Pirate was walking through the door, Shasta was arousing from her sleep.

"Who is it?" Shasta asked before giving a yawn.

"I’m a little gremlin ready to pounce on your dreams." Pirate responded. Shasta gave a chuckle.

"Very funny Pirate." Pirate chuckled. Shasta got up and led the three to the living room, where the bits of the fire were slowly dying.

As they sat down around in a circle, Avalanche asked, "So what’s so urgent?" Shasta’s head snapped to attention. Pirate sighed.

"The white dog, Spitz/Husky cross isn’t causing the bad luck." He waited for a response and there was none. "It’s the black wolf dog. He’s savage and will not think once about attacking anything, canine or man. For some reason which I believe his negative attitude is causing such bad luck to others."

"So you’re saying it’s this black wolf dog known as Demon is the one causing all the trouble? What makes you think this? Cuz every time she pops up, bad things happen to good people!" Avalanche spoke harshly. Shasta shot her a hard glare for speaking so harshly.

"True but Pirate how do you know this?" Shasta asked.

Pirate sighed and glanced over to his dad. Kaltag nodded. Pirate raised his head. "I have spoken to the white dog." Avalanche gasped and Shasta gave an oh. "Her name is Crystal. She does not mean harm to anyone except Demon. Demon killed her owner and so she attacked his. Demon enraged at her, apparently vowed to himself to one day kill Crystal and hope to rid himself of his lost owner."

"How will this help?" Avalanche spoke. Shasta was thinking about it, the new information treading in her mind.

"Don’t you see Avalanche?" Avalanche looked at Shasta. Shasta rose to her feet. "Demon is causing the bad luck as to what Pirate said, his nasty attitude. Also Pirate you mentioned to rid himself of his lost owner?" Pirate nodded. "Demon if I’m correct, still feels fiercely loyal to his owner and he thinks that killing Crystal will finally let his master peaceful rest."

Everyone in the room was confused at what Shasta just said. "You lost me on the second sentence." Kaltag spoke. Shasta just sighed. Pirate had always been amazed at how quick of a mind Shasta had.

Shasta explained the theory and finally some heads were nodding in agreement. "But do you know when he will strike?" Avalanche asked. Suddenly, an eerie howl floated on the chilly wind. Pirate walked cautious to the window, wondering what he would see or would he see anything. He reared on his back legs and placed his paws on the sill. As Pirate peered through the glass, he saw nothing at first then he saw him. When he walked, his shoulder blades could be seen under the skin. Some of his ribs were showing and he had some flesh missing from his left hind leg, something Pirate didn’t notice when he first met him. Demon’s neck level with back, his piercing yellow eyes, shifted from side to side. Already two dogs were with him, and out of the alley another joined him.

"I think you need to come look at this." Pirate spoke without taking his eyes off the wolf dog. Kaltag rushed to the window and spotted them.

"Man he’s a real ugly son of a…"

"Hey!" Avalanche snapped.

Kaltag gave her an annoyed look. "I was going to say feline." Kaltag moved out of the way so Shasta could see. She gasped.

"Do you think he’s gathering a small army?" She asked. Once Avalanche heard army, she shoved herself onto the window.

"Man you were right Kaltag! I bet he wasn’t the most friendliest when he was a pup." Avalanche exclaimed. Pirate’s thoughts were racing. What could they do? How could they warn her? How could they find Crystal? He suddenly snatched an idea.

"Avalanche and Shasta! Gather up the mail team. Kaltag find any dog that’s awake and not taking forces with Demon." Pirate put his front paws back on the floor.

"And where do you think you’re going?" Shasta asked.

"I’m going to warn Crystal. And it seems we’re going to need all the help we can get." He replied. The other three looked at each other.

"Son I don’t think it’s a good idea." Kaltag spoke. Pirate looked at his father.

"Do you want a dog like Demon, running around on Halloween, terrorizing children, dogs, and everything else?" Kaltag looked a little ashamed.

"I see the point."

Pirate walked to the back door. "Now come on, we got a plan. Stick to it. Bring all the dogs you can round up and meet me at that old shack, where Crystal lives." Before anyone could object, the red husky was out the door and dashing down the street the other way from Demon.

Kaltag looked at the two. "Now you heard Pirate. Let’s get to it!" Avalanche barked and Shasta smiled. The three headed outside and went their separate ways. Avalanche galloped to the home of Kodi and Kirby. Shasta went down the alley to where Ralph resided. As she got to Ralph’s box, she slowed to a walk to regain some breath from her hard running. "Ralph?" Ralph was sound asleep, snoring loudly. She sighed and whispered a bit louder, "Ralph." He didn’t budge. Shasta nudged his paw. Ralph gave a snort and tucked his paw under him, without opening his eyes. Shasta growled and yelled, "Ralph!" Ralph startled awake.

"What did I miss? Uh?" He looked at Shasta before giving a yawn. "What is it Shasta?"

"Ralph you have to come quick! We got to pick up Dusty and get going!" He arched a brow at her.

"Why?"

Shasta growled. "There’s no time to explain. Someone needs our help!" Once she said help, Ralph stood to his feet and jumped to the ground.

"You said we have to pick up Dusty?" He asked and Shasta nodded. Without another word, the two started off at a run to Dusty’s which wasn’t far.

***

Pirate looked up at the rickety shack as he stood 10 yards from it. He swallowed his fear as he thought back to the chill he would feel. He felt the chill a little but he shook it off. He raised his head and howled. Pirate waited and then his ears picked up the sound of creaking wood. His ears perked as his eyes were locked onto the front of the house. "Pirate?" Pirate’s head whipped to the porch on the right, where the white female stood. Crystal hopped to the ground and walked closer, clearly surprised to see him here. "What are you doing here?" She asked as she came closer. Crystal stopped two feet from him.

"Crystal, you’re in danger! Demon is gathering a small force to kill you. My friends will be here soon to help." Pirate spoke quickly.

Crystal looked at him with a nonchalant expression. She sighed as she looked at her home. She turned her head back around to face the red husky. "Enough blood has been spilled on this ground. Demon may kill me for his last battle."

Pirate’s jaw dropped. "No he can’t kill you!"

She barked sharply. "I’m tired of living. I have nothing to live for. I have lived in fear my whole life."