Balto: Speed

An anthro-balto story insipred by the song "Speed" by Montgomery Gentry.

Balto, Jenna and Kaltag (C) 1995 Universal Studios and Amblim Entertainment.

Ricky and the events of this story are (C) 2008 Anthony E. Rotramel.

Warning! This fic is rated PG.

Author's note: You will notice that this is much shorter than my usual submissions. This is because the idea didn't require any more than this, and this story has a point that I hope you all get and it was thought that this point would be more potent in a sudden dose.

All Rights Reserved.


    Balto Wulfe drove very slowly down the road.
    Tears brimmed in his eyes as he looked around him, taking in the old truck he was driving down the road. his thoughts reflected back to that awful night a week ago. He couldn't bear it and shut his eyes, slowing the truck to a stop along the side of the road. Ever since that night Balto hadn't slept a wink, had only eaten enough to keep himself alive, and had drank only water. His days were spent staring at the picture of he and Jenna that sat on the coffee table in the living room.
    The thought of that picture brought a smile to his face.
    It was taken the day after their wedding. Balto had been so happy, Jenna had been so happy. That had only been a year ago, how could everything have gone so wrong?
    He raised his hands and put them on his face, covering his eyes as more tears streamed down his face.
    He would never see her again.
    Balto sniffled and thought back to that night. The night he'd made that awful mistake.
    He shut his eyes tighter as his mind was assaulted by images he wished he could change... but he couldn't.
    Jenna was gone.
    Balto finally got ahold of himself and pulled the old truck into drive. He looked back through the backglass of the truck and seeing that there were no cars he pulled out onto the highway again, quickly speeding up until the spedometer read thirty-five.
    Jenna always said he was the safest driver she knew.
    This thought brought Balto to tears again and he struggled to keep his eyes clear enough to drive.
    He couldn't turn back now.
    He'd decided that he had to get rid of the old truck that had been his first and only car for the past four years. There were too many memories in it.
    ...memories of her.
    Balto hit the gas and sped the truck up a little faster.
    He could still see her everywhere he looked.
    He turned his head and saw her standing there by the road, glaring at him, her long red hair blowing in the breeze, cascading lightly over her white blouse.
    Balto turned his head quickly to the front and saw her again, this time further up the road.
    He shook his head as he passed her and she faded away into the distance behind him.
    Balto had decided that to be around Nome was too painful without Jenna by his side. He'd decided to leave.d
    Up ahead Balto saw the old used car dealer that had been on the side of Highway 14 ever since he could remember.
    The same dealer that had sold an eager sixteen year old this very '68 Ford.
    Balto hit the brakes of the truck and slowed down, watching the needle as it fell.
    How fast had he been going that night?
    Balto started shaking as he realized he couldn't recall.
    He couldn't remember much at all about that night... after they'd gotten in the car.
    Balto pulled off the smooth highway and the truck bumped over the gravel drive that ran a short distance to the small ramshackle building with the painted sign that read "Used Cars" above it.
    A multitude of cars were parked in neat rows in the dirt covered parking lot, all arranged in neat rows just waiting for someone to spy them from the highway and drive in to take them home.
    Balto pulled up outside the building and an aging greyhound stepped out of the building, a white cowboy hat perched on his graying head.
    Balto stopped the truck and looked at the keys in his hand. Then he looked up and he saw Jenna sitting beside him. She was wearing her white and maroon cheerleader's uniform. It was the first time he'd ever taken her out. The uniform was spotless except for a brown stain on the front.
    Balto smiled.
     He'd been so nervous that night that as he'd reached over to help her with her seatbelt he'd spilled his chocolate shake on her. He was mortified and she was mad.
    Odd that that event should bring a smile to his face. He'd thought that he'd lost her forever that night, the way she stomped up the sidewalk to her home and slammed the door.
    Balto sighed.
    Now he really had lost her forever.
    Balto opened the door and climbed out of the truck. He shut the door without looking back at it and walked up to the greyhound, who looked like he wasn't sure if he should smile or not. He finally smiled and extended his hand. "Hey Balto." He said. His voice had grown gruff with time. "...so you're sure you want to get rid of her huh?" He asked.
    Balto nodded, but remained silent.
    "...never thought I'd see the day." The greyhound said. "When you bought 'er she wasa piece of junk, but you built her up right. She looks quite good now, shouldn't have a problem selling her now."
    The greyhound sighed. "Look Balto...." He hesitated as if not sure how to continue. "...word is that you plan to leave town."
    Balto sighed and nodded.
    The greyhound nodded back. "It's understandable I guess... that was a horrific tragedy." He said. "...but I just want you to know that I still think you're a good person. Everyone makes mistakes, even bad ones."
    Balto shook his head.
    The greyhound sighed. "Well, I can trade you just about anything on the lot for this beauty." He said. "...what do you want?"
    Balto turned and saw an old black '69 Dodge Charger at the back of the building. He pointed at it.
    The greyhound turned. "...that one?" He asked. "...why that one, kind of old and worn out." He said. "I haven't even put 'er on the lot yet. I was going to restore her first. If that's the body you're looking for I've got a better one up front. Painted bright yellow she is, leather seats and everything."    
    Balto shook his head and pointed at the black car again. He finally spoke. His voice was weak and exhausted. "...does it have speed?" Balto asked.
    The greyhound nodded. "...she does have that, though that's about all she has right now." He said. "She has a 454 engine and a supercharger. She's definitely got speed."
    Balto nodded. "...that's all I need." He said.
    The greyhound nodded and sighed. "...I'll get the keys Balto." He said. He turned and walked into the building.
    Balto put his hands in his pockets and walked slowly to the car. It was rusted and the windshield was cracked down the middle from the top to the wiper blades. The headlight mounts were showing, owing to the fact that the molding around them was gone. He took his hand's out of his pocket's and opened the door. It creaked as the rusted hinges swung open. He sat down in it and inhaled the mixture of beer and cigerette smell that pervaded the inside of the vehicle. He glanced up at his old truck as the greyhound walked up to the side of the car, a dull key in his hand. He gave it to Balto and Balto started the engine, listening as it rumbled to life. The sound was a loud rumbling of power.
    Balto shut the door.
    The greyhound leaned into the window and shook Balto's hand. "...take care of yourself son." He said.
    Balto nodded and the greyhound backed away from the car.
    Balto put the car in first and rolled slowly up the gravel drive.
    He stopped as the car rolled even with his truck and he took a last look at his good friend.
    His vision fixated on the bed of the truck and Balto smelled her sweet perfume. Felt the soft blankets that had wrapped the love lost teenagers up so warm that cool night. He heard her gentle moans and felt her soft fur against his own.
    Balto turned away from the truck and slammed the car into first again. The tires spewed gravel as he took off with a burst of speed. In his rear view mirror he saw Jenna sitting calmly in the passenger seat of his truck, clad in her white blouse, her scarlet hair streaming out the open window. He grabbed the rear veiw mirror and tore it off the windshield as he skidded onto the highway.
    He shifted the car into second and glanced down at the speedometer. It was at thirty-five and rising quickly.
    Balto pushed the pedal to the floor and sighed.
    At fifty miles an hour he glanced up and saw Jenna standing on the road up ahead, watching him as he sped past.
    Balto slammed the car into third and pushed harder against the pedal, driving the car hard and fast down the straight stretch of open highway that led out of town.
    He sped past the sign that read. "You are now leaving Nome, AK.
    Odd, he'd thought he'd always live here in Nome. He felt at home here.
    ...but not without her.
    Balto kicked the car into fourth and watched the needle continue to rise. At one hundred miles an hour the surrounding country-side blurred into a mixture of green and blue. Though he could no longer see the details of the stretch of land before him he could still see Jenna every few hundred yards, standing there, watching as he blew past, her scarlet hair blowing in the wind.
    Balto pushed harder on the pedal and the engine growled in response as the old car soared down the highway, more flying now than rolling.
    Balto watched the speedometer climb to one ten, then one twenty. In the blur of the world around him Balto finally remembered a bit about that night a week ago in Nome and Alaska...
    The night he lost the only thing that mattered to him...
   
    Balto was laughing as he picked the shot glasses off the tray the waitress held in front of him. "...thanks." He said.
    He turned to Jenna and sat one of the shot glasses in front of her. "...one for the road." He said.
    Jenna smiled. Her muzzle split wide into a grin that revealed her perfect ivory teeth. "...alright Balto, one more and then we're done." She said. "You're drunk enough as it is, and I'm no better."
    Balto laughed. "Alright Jen, this is it I promise." 
    "...what is it?" She asked.
    "...Vodka." Balto responded.    
    Jenna laughed and picked up the small glass of clear liquid. "Balto, you don't even like Vodka."
    Balto smiled. "...no, but you do." He said. "...'sides, I'm too drunk to notice the difference."
    Jenna laughed. "I wouldn't doubt it." She said.
    "...well it's quite a reason to celebrate." Balto said. "..after this you won't be able to drink till after she's born."
    Jenna smiled. "...yeah, I'll agree to that." She said.
    Balto smiled back at her and picked up his glass. "...to our daughter." He said.
    Jenna smiled and clicked her glass against his. "...to our daughter." She said.
    She killed the drink and sat the glass back on the table. Then she laughed. "Balto, you've got a horrid look on your face."
    Balto sat his glass on the table and smiled. "...guess I was wrong about not being able to tell the difference."
    Jenna laughed. "...come on Balto, let's go."
    Balto nodded and stood. Jenna took his arm and they walked to the door. Jenna pushed it open and they stepped outside. As they walked out to the parking lot Jenna was laughing.
    ...about what he couldn't remember.
    They got to the truck and Jenna opened the door and pulled her purse out of the passenger seat.
    "...well, ready for a refreshing walk?" Jenna asked.   
    Balto smiled and then felt a splash of water on his shoulder.
    He looked up just as the clouds opened up and drenched the two of them in cold rain.
    Balto and Jenna scrambled for the cab of the truck as the rain continued to drench them.
    Finally Balto slammed the door shut and sat in the cool cab. Both he and Jenna were dripping with rainwater.
    Jenna laughed. "...wow, that came out of nowhere." She snuggled up beside him. "...guess we've spent enough cool winter nights together in this truck to spend one more huh?"
    Balto sighed and pulled his keys out of his pocket.
    Jenna sat up. "Balto, what are you doing?" She asked.
    Balto struggled to put the key in the ignition, missing his first three times, scraping the steering column with the sharp teeth of the key.
    "Balto," Jenna said again, more insistent this time, "...what are you doing?"
    Balto finally got the key in the ignition and sat back in the seat. "It's too cold for you and the baby to spend out here."
    A worried look crossed Jenna's face. "Are you sure you're okay to drive?" She asked. "...it's not that bad out here."
    Balto nodded and turned the key. The truck's engine flared to life. "I'm fine." He said. "...it's only a few blocks away."
    Jenna sat back in the seat, a worried look on her face. "...well... I guess... if you're sure you're okay." She said. "You had a lot to drink tonight."
    Balto smiled. "I'm fine Jen." He said. "I just want to take care of you and the baby."
    Jenna smiled and hugged him. "...you're going to be a great father Balto." She said.
    He smiled. "We'll be home before you know it." He said.
    He put the truck in drive.

    "...Balto, you should stop." Jenna said. Her hands gripped the dash and her eyes were wide.
    "I'm fine Jen." He said. "It's... it's the rain is all, I can't see."
    "Balto you're drunk and you should stop." Jenna said. "We'll be alright, we've been through worse nights than this."
    Balto looked at her. "...you really want me to stop."
    Jenna nodded, her eyes wide with fear.
    Balto sighed and nodded. "...alright."
    "...BALTO!"
    Balto turned sharply to look in front of him and saw a tree directly in their path as the truck bumped over the curb...

    Balto opened his eyes.
    His head hurt.
    He groaned and raised his paw to his eye. The fur was matted with blood.
    He coughed and spit blood on the seat of the truck.
    His vision was spinning, whether that was an effect of the alcohol or head trauma he didn't know.
    He looked around and realized that cool rainwater was flowing down his face.
    He reached down and undid his seat belt. Then he turned and looked at the passenger seat. "...Jen?" He asked groggily.
    Jenna wasn't there.
    Balto looked out the window and saw a dark form crumpled against a tree just past the one the truck had slammed into at over sixty miles an hour.
    "...JEN!" He called.
    He opened the door and fell out of the truck, splashing in the mud as he struggled to regain his footing. Finally he stood up and walked down the length of the crumpled hood. He stumbled through the rain to the side of the fallen figure by the tree.
    She was wearing a white blouse and blue jeans.
    Balto fell down and crawled on his hands and knees to her side.
    "Jen?" He called. "Jenna, Jenna are you okay?!"
    He pulled her into his lap.
    Her body was limp, drenched from the rain.
    Balto looked at her face and as a strike of lightning illuminated the scene he saw that her eyes were frozen, open wide, an expression of fear and pain on her face.
    Tears filled Balto's eyes as he realized in that brief second of light what had happened.
    as the light faded and darkness fell upon the scene again, that same darkness wrapped around Balto's soul. It wrapped around it and squeezed it tight.
    He couldn't breathe, couldn't even cry.
    "Jen!" He called.
    Balto pulled her face up to his and held her.
    "No!" He cried. "Jenna!"

    Balto glanced down at the spedometer and saw it was approaching one hundred fifty now.
    He looked beside him and saw her.
    Jenna sat beside him. She smiled.
    Balto's mouth fell open and he turned back to the road. He glanced down again and saw the needle cross one hundred sixty miles an hour.
    He looked back up at her and stuck out his arm as if to touch her.
    The image vanished as his hand touched it.
    Balto stared through the passenger window for a moment, then looked out ahead again...
    ...and slammed on the brakes.
    At over one hundred sixty miles an hour the brakes did little to slow the '69 Charger in the four seconds Balto had before his car shot over a curve, went through a steel guardrail, devastated a small barbed wire fence and slammed head on into a parked tractor sitting at the edge of the field.
   
    Rain began to fall as the car finally stopped rolling.
    The car was demolished, pieces of it were strewn over seven hundred yards of the field. The tires were gone, the axels had snapped, the windshield had exploded, the roof had caved in.
    The rain fell on a cellphone that remarkably hadn't been smashed in the catastrophic crash.
    The wallpaper of the phone showed to young dogs, one dark gray, one scarlet and white, both grinning ear to ear.
    The phone vibrated against the shattered car for a moment and the picture changed to a black screen. White test began to scroll over the black screen. It read: "Balto, I'm worried about you buddy. I know you blame yourself for what happened, and... I really don't know what to say, but I'm worried about you. Call me. - Kaltag.


THE END  
   

Author's note: I know this story was dark. It was designed that way. I hope it drove home a very serious point to you all. It is NOT wrong to drink responsibly. It is NOT wrong to drive, but it IS VERY wrong to do both.

- RTW