----
Wedge zigzagged in and out of Evon’s long legs.
“Hey..Hold…Wedge…” Evon sighed and gave up trying to get a hold of the pup. He lied down and let Wedge chew on his tail. Carolina walked up to him, using her best efforts to suppress a smile.
“This isn’t funny, Carol.”
Carolina sat down and curled her tail around her. “Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure. And besides, Marilyn’s expecting a baby soon, so you’ll have two kids to deal with, both dog and human.”
“Goody,” was all Evon could say. Carolina got up and kissed Evon on the forehead, along with Wedge. “I’ll be back by the end of the afternoon,” she said,” I expect Wedge to be asleep when I return.”
Evon shifted his gaze at Wedge. I highly doubt that…
“I’ll try.”
Carolina disappeared out of the dog door, and Wedge hopped off his dad and started chewing on a chair leg. Evon jumped to his feet, whisking Wedge from the leg. “No chewing on chairs—or any wood for that matter—Bad boy. No chew, bad, bad.”
And I came all the way from a revered background to be scolding a pup in baby talk. He released a sigh. Oy vey.
For the rest of the day, Evon was running around the house, picking up Wedge from damaging anything valuable or things he’d get in trouble for destroying, unless, of course, Wedge decided to use the floor as his own personal toilet.
“We-edge!” Evon groaned when he saw a fresh puddle on the floor. Wedge hung his head and darted under the parlor’s sofa. Evon alerted Marilyn who came in and mopped up the mess. Evon warned Wedge for what seemed the billionth time, and took him outside. “You go potty here. No potty inside; here.”
Wedge looked at his dad, then back at the snow.
“Here,” Evon repeated.
Wedge squatted over the frozen flower garden.
“No, no, NO!”
Confused, Wedge got up and scurried back inside. Evon rolled his eyes heavenward. Help me.
~ ~ ~
Carolina retreated into the house just as the sun began to set, and the temperature began to drop. She glanced this way and that.
“Evon?”
A yip returned her call. She trotted into the parlor, finding Evon asleep in the dog basket, and Wedge chewing up a lace pillow. Carolina didn’t know whether to laugh or moan. I guess I’d better stay home from now on.
----
Chapter One
Wedge peered through a window, seeing some dogs go into town from out of nowhere. It was two in the morning, and he hadn’t slept at all the past night. Suspicious, Wedge wondered if this was the pack of dogs terrorizing parts of the town. His heart raced as he slipped through the door. I hope I know what I’m getting myself into… He stayed to the shadows and swiftly made his way through the alleys without a sound. Crouched, his brown eyes intently watching the newcomers, he barely noticed the shadow creeping up behind him. All in a whirl, a large dog grabbed him and flung Wedge against an alley wall. Wedge skidded to a stop, blinking and rising to his feet.
“What’re you doing out of you home, house pet?” The dog asked, making sure to stay in the shadows. Wedge felt a tiny flame of anger. Strays always made fun of housedogs; this one was similar to all the others in that way. He tried to think up a good reply.
“Curious about what you chewed up, tick-infested fleabags are up to.”
He inwardly smiled. Nice comeback. The dog did a pretty good job at containing his anger.
“Pathetic little pup. You should know better than being out alone—“
“—It’s bad for your health,” a scraggly voice finished.
Wedge stole a look to the alley’s entrance. His stomach churned. Not one, but five other dogs started skulking towards him. He leveled himself so his back end faced the other end of the alley and began to back up. The dog that had tackled him gave a low chuckle.
“You can’t escape us. Now boys, be easy on him, he’s just a house dog.”
The sounds of chortling and sniggering came from the pack. They broke out into a run. He had no time for the “I’m not looking for any trouble” speech. It was time for him to scram. Wedge made it halfway out of the alley before someone landed on his back, slamming him to the ground. Wedge landed with a grunt and made a face plant. He felt teeth bite into his neck and wriggled to get them off. Everything was a whirl of tooth and claw about him. It was all so confusing, first seeing one dog’s face, then another.
He didn’t know if they had any diseases or not—he sure hoped they didn’t. He threw a paw in the air and contacted something. It yowled and Wedge pushed his way out of the ring of dogs. He usually wasn’t the one to run from a fight, but now seemed like an excellent time to. With the gang of dogs hot on his trail, he tore off into the early morning.
Carolina awoke to the sound of scuffling coming from the front door. She got up and walked over to the window, gazing out. There stood Wedge. Her mind became abuzz with questions. What’s he doing outside at this hour? She nudged open the door and let Wedge in. It appeared as if he’d been hit by a runaway rail car.
“Wedge!” Carolina gasped, “What on earth happened to you!”
The younger dog stared at the rug, looking ashamed of himself.
“I saw some dogs outside and wanted to see what they were up to,” he finally said. Carolina shook her head regrettably. “You know your supposed to ask my permission before leaving the house.”
“I’m sorry,” Wedge said in a small voice. “What’s all the ruckus?” Evon asked groggily, sauntering out of the parlor, still apparently tired. Once he got a look at Wedge, he answered his own question.
“What in the world—“
Wedge’s head drooped lower. “I don’t think I even want to know what happened here,” Evon muttered. Carolina shushed him. “Explain yourself, Wedge.”
“I got in a fight, okay?”
Evon looked unamused. “You woke me up two in the morning—“
Carolina’s cut him off with a hard glare. Evon’s body heaved a sigh. “We’ll discuss your punishment later on in the morning. Right now, go get some sleep.”
“Yes Dad,” Wedge said quietly before retreating to his corner. Evon perched himself on the window and examined the outside himself.
“Do you think he’s back?” Carolina asked. Evon kept his gaze on the windowpane. “Only time can tell.”
*
Wedge stirred when the light from outside fell over his eyes. He squinted and stretched. For some reason, he felt bruised all over; then he remembered. A sickening feeling occupied the memory. My punishment. He checked to see if his parents were awake. Wide-eyed and bushy-tailed as usual. He swallowed the foreboding apprehension and waltzed into the parlor. They appeared to be deep in conversation. Wedge ambled closer.
“Mom? Dad?”
No reply.
“I’m here.”
Still no answer. Wedge thought up a clever way to get their attention.
“There’s strays surrounding the house.”
Evon and Carolina whirled to meet Wedge’s mischievous look. “Gotcha.”
Both his mom and dad gave him a cold glare. Wedge’s ears pinned back. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you, I just needed your attention. Ah, what’s my punishment?”
Carolina and Evon exchanged glances. “I forgot all about it,” Carolina admitted. Evon nodded. “Me too.”
“Your lucky this time,” Evon said, “we’re a bit too busy to decide on a decent punishment for now, so go run along. You’re free.”
Elated and surprised, Wedge turned to leave. “Wedge,” came his father’s voice.
“Uh-huh?”
“Don’t get in trouble with any of those strays.”
“Yes Mom.”
“Stay close to the neighborhood.”
“Yes Dad.”
Exiting the house, Wedge left to find some of his friends.
Matt eagerly gnawed on his bone he’d just received from the butcher. It still had some remnants of meat on it; the butcher must have been in a very good mood today. He stopped when he heard something all too familiar. His spirits and ears lifted. Wedge! Matt left his bone by the garbage can and tore off to catch up with Wedge.
“Wedge! Hey, Wedge! It’s me, Matt!” He hollered at the top of his lungs. Wedge did not stop, in fact, it seemed like he’d began to pick up his speed.
We-edge!”
Matt ran fast enough to catch up to Wedge’s bobbing tail. “Gosh, you run fast,” he panted. Wedge didn’t give him even a wayward glance. “I’m talkin’ to you, Bub, so ya’ better reply.”
Wedge stopped in his tracks, Matt crashing into his hind legs. “What do you want, Matt?” he asked, annoyed. “Where’re you going?”
There was a long pause before Wedge’s reply. “To see if anyone’s racing.”
It sounded more like a question than a statement. Matt laughed. “There aren’t any races today.”
Another long pause. “Aw, c’mon Wedge. Where are you really going?”
“Somewhere,” came Wedge’s reply as he started to trot. Matt ran to keep up with him. “Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!”
“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!”
“You can’t make me!”
Wedge didn’t notice some of the other dogs on the opposite side of the street watching. Female dogs.
“What’s the matter, Wedge? Having an oversized tick problem sucking the life out of you?” one of them sarcastically asked. Bounding after Wedge, Matt heard the comment. I don’t get it. The girls started giggling, and Matt noticed Wedge speeding up.
“Hey!”
Too late. Wedge was already long gone having slipped into one of the alleyways. Matt trotted to the sidewalk and plopped on his rump. Where could he have gone?
“Hey Pup!”
Matt looked up. It was one of the girl dogs. What’s she want? “Um, yeah?”
The three females stood now inches away from him. “Do you want to know where Wedge went?”
Matt perked. He bobbed his head up and down vigerously.
“He’s heading for the boiler room,” the slender dog with black splotches whispered. “Just don’t tell him we told you.” She winked. “It’s our secret.”
“Sure lady—I mean—Sure thing ma’am,” Matt said before leaving. Now I’ve got you!
“Cindy! You sly devil,” one of the girls remarked. Cindy, the slim dog, smiled wickedly. “Thank you, Terra. I’ve always wanted to pull a fast one on Wedge, and the chance just came to my doorstep in a package.”
Her two friends agreed. “Well I’ll be seeing you two. Gotta’ run and see what happens. Can’t resist these old set ups, you know.”
“Bye!”
“Tell us how it turns out!”
Cindy went on her way. Deep down inside, she knew what she’d done was just a small pebble rather than a large rock it couldn’t do much damage. But maybe Roscoe and the others can.
Wedge hesitated before entering the boiler room. First, he didn’t know whether or not he should’ve come here, and secondly, he wondered why his parents wanted him out of the house so badly. Mentioning the strays made them jumpy. What if they know something about these dogs? Wait, how could they have relations with a bunch of dogs that are so vicious? Why, even? A throat being cleared interrupted his thoughts.
“Oh, uh—“ he turned to see who exactly it was. “Hi Kodi.”
Kodi beamed. “So your parents finally released you from their dungeon, eh?”
Wedge mustered up a grin. “Sort of. I got in trouble last night and they let me off easy.”
Kodi cocked his head. “Is something bugging you?”
Wedge didn’t know how his friend could “read minds”, but he guessed that he probably read his body language. I could tell someone about last night, I’ve been needing to explain it to someone who knows me, anyhow.
“I have to tell you something. It’s about some dogs I saw last night; I think they may actually be wolves.”
Chapter Three
Evon ran it over in his head. “It doesn’t make sense. It just doesn’t make any sense. Why would a bunch of dogs attack things at night, then go into hiding during the day?”
“Maybe they’re werewolves,” Carolina said jokingly. “Carol, your jokes aren’t helping a bit.”
Seriousness returned to Carolina’s face. “I’m sorry, Evon. It just gives me the creeps that if we tried to go visit someone in the evening we could get jumped.” Worry flooded into her voice. “And it happened to Wedge. What if those dogs have rabies? They could’ve transmitted it to him.”
“Carolina, calm down. There’s no need to worry as long as we stay indoors at nighttime.” His voice lowered. “We should keep a close eye on Wedge though, you never know if they really did have some sort of strain.”
Evon nuzzled Carolina affectionately. I’ll stay up and see where they’re coming from. Maybe I could find some backup from my old friends—or my team.
“There you are!”
Wedge ceased talking in the middle of his sentence and cringed. Oh, great. Matt’s here. Matt invited himself to sit with Kodi and Wedge. “Dang…you run pretty fast,” he commented. Only when I’m embarrassed and an annoying puppy’s chasing me. “I know.”
“Ever considered racing?”
“No, not really. I’m not that into it like my dad.”
“Your dad’s a great racer! I’d love to be on his team!”
“I’m sure you’d make it.”
“Your story…?” Kodi reminded. “Um, Matt, could you excuse us?”
Matt waved a paw. “You’re excused. Where you going to burp or somethin’?”
Wedge motioned for the boiler room. Kodi got the message and they both left Matt as he babbled on.
“…Or were you going to excuse me because you were going to leave?” Matt opened his eyes and looked around. “Guys? Aw, man. They ditched me.”
*
“So you think that theses dogs are actually wolves?” Kodi inquired. “Why?”
“For one thing, they were a whole lot bigger than me; probably even my dad.”
“Did you get a good look at them, or is this just a guess?”
“OK, they felt big.”
Kodi got up and jumped unto a couple of crates piled up against the window.
“They came at night, huh? Maybe their food supplies out there are low.”
Wedge shook his head. “Already considered that. If they came into town for food, why would they go around attacking random dogs too?”
“They don’t like dogs…?” Kodi suggested.
“Nah. I think that there’s something—No—someone here who they want to take back.”
“Sirmiq,” Kodi said, facing Wedge. “It’s Sirmiq. She’s what they want.”
With a loud BANG, Cindy slammed the door against the wall. Wedge suppressed an agitated growl. She’s been eavesdropping! “Cindy, get lost. We’re talking,” Wedge barked. Cindy strode in. “You think that can drive me away? So who’s this ‘Sirmiq’ gal you guys were talking about anyways? You both like her?”
Wedge rose to his feet. “I said go away.”
“Not unless you tell me who Sirmiq is. Then I’ll leave.”
Wedge glimpsed a look at Kodi. He just shrugged.
“A wolf-dog. Now beat it.”
Cindy studied him closely. “I heard something about those mongrels being under her thumb. Is this true?”
“We don’t know,” Wedge truthfully replied. A shifty smile replaced Cindy’s frown. “Thanks for the info, boys. But you should’ve been more sensible, because I’m known to gossip.” She winked and left the boiler room. Kodi jumped down from the window. He sat next to Wedge quietly. Here it comes…Three…Two…One…
“Why did you tell her about Sirmiq?!” Kodi blurted, “She’s going to spread rumors around town that don’t have a lick of truth in them! What were you thinking?! I mean, Cindy’s just as bad as Dixie!”
Maybe even worse. “Sorry,” Wedge apologized. “I need to get some air.”
And with that, he paced out the door.
*
“Sorry I’m late, Mom. I was—Mom?”
Wedge poked his head into the parlor where he expected his mother to be. “Mom?” he repeated. “Dad?” Where’d they go?
“Wedge! We’re in the kitchen!”
Wedge followed his mother’s voice. He saw his mother, along with his irritated-looking father. “Ehm, what seems to be the problem?”
He quickly regretted asking the question.
“I saw you with that wolf-dog at the boiler room today,” Evon rumbled.
“We may be on to something at who’s behind the dogs—I think they’re wolves—in town. Sirmiq, the wolf-dog that lives on the outskirts may be their leader. We think she got separated—“
“Enough’s enough,” Evon cut in, “I deliberately told you I never, repeat, never wanted to see you with the half breed again.”
“He’s my friend—“
“Wedge! He’s part wolf. Remember what I told you about wolves?”
Wedge remembered all right. His father had been on a late run one night when a pack of predatorial wolves attacked them. Evon returned home with a limp, the musher had several deep wounds, and over than half of the team had been killed. Since then, Evon disgusted wolves, along with half-breeds; including Balto. When Balto had returned with the serum for the diphtheria epidemic, Evon didn’t even give him a comment of satisfaction. He wasn’t like Steele; he just wasn’t all that crazy about wolves.
“Yes,” Wedge said, staring at the floor.
“Look at me when you’re talking.”
Wedge pulled his gaze from the floor and at Evon’s flaming eyes. I won’t go near any wolves when your near, just behind your back. “Sorry,” he said.
“Sorry, what?”
“Sorry, Sir. May I be excused?”
Carolina spoke before Evon could object. “Certainly. Go ahead, your father needs some time to cool down.”
Tail tucked between his legs, Wedge crawled away.
Evon moved to leave, but Carolina placed a paw on him. “You’re worried about that run.”
Evon was about to tell her he wasn’t, but Carolina held a steady, firm look in her eyes.
“Yes. Yes, I am. Is there a law against being nervous?”
Carolina let out a faint smile, one that Evon knew very well. “No, but your way of showing it isn’t helping. I’ve noticed ever since we became mates that when you’re nervous you act mad.” Carolina nuzzled him under the chin. “It’s OK to show your true feelings every now and then.”
Evon nestled her back. “You’re right. I’ll try to stop that habit.”
Inwardly, Carolina still felt concerned for Evon’s welfare. A storm was blowing in, and it didn’t look like a light one either.
*
Carolina was tormented by nightmares of Evon falling of cliffs or getting lost in The Bering Sea all throughout the night. She was startled when Evon woke her up the next morning. “Carol, you were kicking me in your sleep last night. Were you getting back at me for something I did?” Evon asked half jokingly. Still a little jumpy, Carolina stayed lying down and looked up at Evon. “I had nightmares. About you.”
“Me?” Evon asked, raising an eyebrow. “You were falling off cliffs, drowning in seas, getting lost in blizzards—The list’s endless.”
“Did it have to do with anything I said last night?”
Carolina shook her head. “No, I’m concerned about you being on this run. It’s dangerous, and plus there’s a nasty storm blowing in. Drop out, please, for me.”
Evon got out of the basket and stretched. “I can’t, we’re leaving in a half an hour.”
He licked Carolina on the cheek. “I’ll be fine, ‘K? Wedge’ll take care of you, and when I come back you and I can have some time alone; just you and me.”
“Promise?”
“I promise. Now I have to go meet up with the team. I’ll see you on the sidelines when we leave,” Evon said as he neared the door. Carolina watched him leave and went to wake up Wedge. She stole a look at one of the windows as she passed by the baby’s room. The clouds looked dark and foreboding. I sure hope you know what your getting yourself into, Evon.
Wedge and his mother sat at the edge of the track, waiting for Evon’s team to leave. Wedge had always been excited at seeing his dad’s team whiz by in a flurry of snow and fur. He didn’t like racing much, but watching the event seemed equally fulfilling. Now was the time when his intestines would feel like live butterflies were fluttering inside. Matt waved at him from the other side of the street, and Wedge pretended not to see him.
“There they are!” shouted a dog. Evon’s team came up and the musher exchanged some words with the general store owner before calling: “Hike!”
Evon in the lead lunged forward like a tugboat on a heavy ocean liner, pulling the other dogs and sled into motion. Evon barked at Carolina and Wedge as he passed by, ran down Main Street, and disappeared out of view. “Well, that’s that,” Carolina remarked. “I’ll be visiting. Meet me back at the house by Twelve O’clock.”
“OK.” Wedge picked out a black and tan husky from the crowd confronting another dog that was half hidden from sight in the shadows. Well, the black and tan’s Cindy, no doubt, but who’s that with her? Wedge inched closer and recognized the ‘dog’ as Sirmiq, the wolf-dog.
“What’ve you been telling your minions to do, hmmm, Sirmi?” Wedge heard Cindy say. The wolf-dog looked exasperated. “What are you talking about?! I didn’t tell them to start picking off dogs left and right!”
“So you are their leader!” Cindy’s eyes glittered.
“I’m not!” Sirmiq objected. Wedge’s shadow fell over Cindy’s body. “Can’t you see we’re having a conver—Oh, hi Wedge.”
“Stop bothering her, Cindy. She didn’t do anything.”
Cindy’s chestnut eyes narrowed. “Tell that to my friends.”
Oh, Cindy! You told the whole town a huge lie! Wedge bristled and nudged Sirmiq deeper into the alley. “Why don’t you learn to keep your big, fat mouth shut for once,” Wedge snapped. “Let’s go, Sirmiq. I’ll take you home.”
Wedge left Cindy beside herself, fuming with rage.
For the most of the trip to Sirmiq’s housing, both dogs were silent. Sirmiq was the first to speak. “Why’d you help me? I’m a hybrid, y’know. Dog normally turn their noses up at me.”
Wedge hesitated at replying. “I think everyone should be treated equal, no matter what size, shape, color, breed”—he looked Sirmiq in the eye—“ or even cross-breed they are.”
Sirmiq smiled for the first time. “I like your way of thinking.”
She stopped at some run down houses. “We’re here.”
Wedge took in the view. It wasn’t exactly “Home Sweet Home”; to be put plainly, the place looked like a dump. “Will I see you again some other time?” Sirmiq inquired. Wedge grinned ear to ear. “Sure, but how about I come here instead of you coming to my place?”
“Parents?” Sirmiq asked in a dull tone. Wedge nodded. “Both are dogs.”
She sighed. “I understand. Would you be able to come see me at least once a week? As you can see, I don’t get much company,” Sirmiq noted, sweeping her arm in an intake motion of the ruddy street. “I’ll be here every Wednesday, I swear.”
“OK.”
Sirmiq started to run towards a dark green, boarded up house with paint chipping when she skidded to a halt. She came back to Wedge and licked him on his hair tuft. Surprised, wedge stared at her. “What was that for?”
“My way of saying thank you.”
And with that, Sirmiq vanished into a hole in the house.