Where The Heart Takes You
Prologue
A wolf is running swiftly. Her pack is under attack by another
wolf pack. She holds a 4 weeks old pup in her mouth. She needs to get her to
safety. Only then can she help her pack. It was already to late for the three other
pups. This one would not get the same fate, that she was sure of. As she kept
running she kept hearing a poem once told to her by her own mother. She hoped
her daughter would find that place, the place the poem spoke of.
Where only the Heart
can Go
Where only the Heart can See
Where only the Heart can Think
Where only your own Heart can Lead
you to
A Place Where The heart Takes You
Where The Heart Takes You
Chapter one: Lost and Found
It was a chilly morning in
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sled team was making quick progress and were almost at half of the distance
between
'He Kodi, watch where you're going, we're turning'!:
Kirby yelled above the noise of the sled and the barks of the team.
'Oh sorry!': Kodi said. Quickly Kodi paid attention to where they were going
and forgot about the feeling he just had.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balto was bored and left the boat again. Boris was away with Muk and Luk. Balto
went to Jenna. He walked pass the post office knowing the team wouldn't be back
yet. Surprisingly he saw Jenna walking outside. He walked towards her.
'Hey Jenna': He said.
'Hello Balto': She responded. They snuggled each other
and walked together to the beach. Even though the water was frozen it was
beautiful. They stayed there for a while before going to the outline of town to
wait for the sled team.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sled team had arrived in
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balto and Jenna were standing just outside of
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sled team was making quick progress. They had now only a white plain to
cross. Kodi felt that strange feeling from earlier again. He looked left passed
Kirby. Kodi could see a small shadow. It was very small. Kodi was so distracted
that he tripped over his own paws and with a smack he lay flat on the snow. The
other sled dogs stopped and the musher walked over to Kodi, who
was strangled in his harness. The musher freed him and put the harness
the way it should. Kodi was still looking at the strange shadow. The
musher noticed and slowly walked over there. The sled dogs looked worried. The
musher came closer and noticed it was an animal. It looked like a dog. Quickly
he lifted it out of the snow. It was very cold and almost frozen. It
couldn't be more than 4 weeks old. The musher walked to the sled
and rapped her in a blanket, it was a girl. He carefully tied her
firmly on the sled. He then noticed she wasn't a dog. She was a
wolf. At the moment he didn't care. 'Mush!': he yelled and the sled
dogs sped away to
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balto and Jenna were still waiting on the outline of town. Balto felt a
little better now.
'There!' :Jenna yelled.
The could see shadows in the distance. It was the sled
team. It came closer and closer. Balto and Jenna ran with them into town.
Someone was coming outside to take the mail. The musher gave the bag away and
then quickly released the sled dogs and took the pup inside. He put
her under some more blankets in a basket. He then made some warm milk for her.
While it was warming up he gave the sled dogs some food. Kodi didn't have an
appetite. Balto and Jenna looked worried as the other sled dogs were eating and
Kodi wasn't. Kodi was just walking circles in front of the house of the musher.
'Kodi, what's wrong?' :Balto asked.
'I need to know if she’s alright': Kodi responded.
'Who are you talking about?': Jenna asked.
'The pup we found on our way back': Kodi said. Kirby
walked over to them.
'Take it easy Kodi. Our musher will take care of her':
kirby spoke.
'I know, but I'm still worried': Kodi said softly. All
three of them looked at the window, hoping to find out more.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the meantime the musher was holding the pup and trying to feed the milk to
her. He put the bottle of milk in front of her, but she looked away. 'Come on
now, you need this': the musher said. He tried again, but she refused. He tried
something different. He poured some of the milk in a bowl and carefully put her
down. She walked unstable towards the bowl and sniffed at it. After a few
minutes she gave it a sip. It tasted different, but it was nice. Within a few
more minutes the bowl was empty. The pup felt a little stronger, but was very
sleepy. The musher put her in the dog basket again and immediately she fell
asleep. He then went outside to put the sled away and check the sled dogs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The musher came outside and Kodi jumped against him, barking. 'Easy boy': the
musher said. Kodi stepped back and watched the musher put away the sled. All
the sled dogs and Balto and Jenna were watching him. The musher turned around
and saw them all looking at him. He checked all the sled dogs for wounds.
They were fine. The musher was about to go inside again, but Kodi blocked his
way to the door and barked. The musher understood, they were worried about the
pup. The musher patted kodi on his head and walked inside leaving the door open.
Kodi slowly walked in followed by Balto, Jenna, Kirby and Dusty. Ralph was
still distracted with licking clean the bowls of food. Kodi looked around and
saw the pup in a small basket. He went closer with the others behind him. They
all surrounded the basket looking at the little brown ball of fur. After a few
minutes the musher gently asked them to go outside. Kirby and Ralph who stood
by the door walked away to their shack. Dusty said goodbye to Balto and Jenna
and went after Kirby and Ralph. Balto and Jenna were about to go home too when
they noticed Kodi still standing near the door.
'Are you alright?': Jenna asked him.
'Yeah I'm fine': Kodi said and then he went after the
others.
Balto and Jenna snuggled each other and then Jenna
left for home and Balto went to his boat. Boris would probably be back by now.
Balto looked around and saw lights going out everywhere. Night had begun in
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph and Dusty were fast asleep in the shack. Kirby was organising his
cushion. Kodi sat in a corner thinking why he felt so strongly pulled to this
pup. He felt some connection with her. He couldn't explain it. Kirby noticed
when he finally lay down that Kodi was staring into nothing.
'He Kodi, are you with us?': Kirby said. Kodi looked
startled at Kirby.
'Oh yeah sorry. I was thinking about something': kodi
responded.
'And what were you thinking about? Not that pup were
you?': Kirby asked. Kodi didn't feel like getting into an argument about the
pup, so he came up with an excuse.
'No I was thinking about our near accident down the
hill. We should have handled it better. Don't you think?': Kodi said, knowing Kirby
wouldn't be suspicious of him anymore.
Where The Heart
Takes You
Chapter two:
Feeling Unwanted
Kodi woke up the next day and went straight for the
musher's house. Today was Sunday so they didn't have to deliver post. Kodi
couldn't get in so he walked to a crate next to the window. He leapt on it and
looked through the window. He could see the musher eating breakfast. Kodi
looked at the ground inside and saw the pup walking around. Kodi suddenly
smiled when he saw the pup.
'Hey Kodi'!: Kirby yelled behind him. Kodi fell of the
box from shock. He looked up and saw Kirby standing with a smile. Kodi grinned
and got up and tackled Kirby. Both laughed and got up.
'So are you ready to train?': Kirby asked. 'Oh right,
yeah': Kodi said. He forgot all about that.
'Come on then, let's go': Kirby said and the four of
them left for the beach.
#
'Morning sleepy head!': Boris yelled loud in Balto's
ear.
'Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!': Balto screamed and he jumped up.
'What did you do that for!': Balto asked a little angry.
'I don't know, was I so loud?': Boris asked.
'Boris, you were yelling in my ear': Balto said.
'Oh, sorry Balto, I didn't mean to. I've been
away so long with Muk and Luk that I forgot I don't need to yell at you.
Forgive me': Boris said.
'You know I will, Boris': Balto said. 'Well I guess
I'll go into town. See if something is happening. Maybe check out the pup'.
'Ah the pup, I'm quite interested in it. Can I come
with you?': Boris asked.
'Of course you can. Let's go': Balto said. Together
they walked towards town.
#
'Morning little one': the musher said to the pup. She just looked at him. She
wasn't afraid of him anymore. she knew he was okay, because he took her in and
fed her. 'I guess we should give you a name': the musher said. The pup slowly
got up and walked over to the water bowl. The musher sat down on a chair and
thought about a name. He couldn't think of one. 'Well, let's just take you
outside for some fresh air. We'll think of a name later': the musher said as if
he could talk with the pup. He took a collar with a lash. The collar was white
with blue spots. The musher sat down on one knee and hold out his hand for the
pup. She looked at him and carefully walked towards him. The musher let her
smell the collar and lash. Then he carefully put the collar on her neck. It
fitted perfectly. The pup struggled and panicked. The musher said reassuring
words and she calmed down. She trusted him. 'Good girl': the musher said and
then he opened the door and went outside with her.
#
Balto and Boris were at the post office. They looked around, but saw no one.
They walked further down the street and saw the musher of Kodi coming outside.
He wasn't alone. The pup was walking after him on the lash. She looked a little
scared of this big town, at least it was big for her, but she also looked quit
happy. A man came walking towards the musher. Balto and Boris had an idea what
was going to happen.
#
'Hey': a man said annoyed to the musher.
'Oh hey, how are you?': the musher said.
'Fine, but what are you doing?!': the man said.
'What do you mean?': the musher asked.
'That! What are
you doing with that brown and white monster': the man said angry.
'What's wrong with her? She is just a brown puppy with
white paws and a white stain on her left': the musher said.
'Yeah right! That is a wolf pup!': the man said still
angry.
'So what!': the musher responded, now angry too. More
people came to see what was wrong.
'You can't keep a wolf!': the man said angry.
'Why not, she's not with her wolf family. She learns
to act like a dog here': the musher responded and many people agreed with him.
'You can't change her instincts!': the man said with
his own group of people who believed his words.
'Why shouldn't she be allowed to stay here, Balto
is!': the musher said.
'Balto isn't a real wolf': the man said.
'He's part wolf. Even that small part can awaken his
wolf instincts and Kodi is also part wolf. Should I throw my own dog out for
his wolf heritage!': the musher said feeling offended. He lifted the pup in his
arms so that no one could “accidentally” kick her.
'Well maybe yes, maybe we should throw out all dogs
with wolf in them': the man said. All the people watching were shocked. The man
noticed he was the only one to think like this.
'She might be a wolf, but I have reasons to believe
she is part dog. To be exact part husky': the musher said. Everybody looked at
him.
'Prove it then': the man said with a grin. 'If she was
a pure wolf she wouldn't trust me so quickly. Just this morning I put a
collar on her neck for the first time. She hardly struggled at all. She is
surrounded by all these people and not even growling. She may be just a pup,
but even wolf pups this age act aggressively when they are surrounded by so
many unknown to them': the musher said.
All the people agreed with him and everybody decided
she could stay. The man walked away furious. A little girl came closer and
asked to pat the pup. The musher sat down on one knee and let the girl pat her.
'She is so cute!': the girl yelled happily. 'Can I
name her?': the girl asked.
'Sure I couldn't think of one so I can use the help.
'I like Shanti': the girl said.
'That's a nice name': the musher said.
'It's perfect. It means peacefully and she is exactly
that': the mother of the girl said.
'You're right. That name is perfect. So what do you
think little pup?': the musher asked. The pup barked and it went on in a howl.
'I guess that's a yes': the musher said. Shanti was her name now.
#
Balto and Boris saw the whole scene. Balto walked towards the musher. The
musher put Shanti on the ground. Shanti looked at Balto and smiled. Balto
smiled back. Boris looked at the pup suspicious. Shanti jumped on him and
licked his feathers and then howled. Boris quickly pushed her off. Shanti
looked sad.
'Ow, Boris. She was just playing': Balto said.
'Yeah, playing. I don't like that': Boris said. The
musher and Shanti continued their walk. Balto and Boris decided to go to the
beach to check on Kodi and the others.
#
'Good, very good, Kodi!': Kirby yelled. Kodi and Ralph
were running at high speed and making sharp turns on the beach. Ralph always
slipped and Kodi now did very well.
'Alright, now you Kirby': Kodi said when he came to a
halt.
'Alright, Dusty are you coming?': Kirby said.
'Yep, I'm coming': Dusty responded. Kirby and Dusty
did the same exercise as Kodi and Ralph, while Kodi and Ralph watched. After a
while they were done.
'Alright then, now we need to practice slippery
ground. The pond close to balto's boat will do. Come on': Kirby said. All four
of them left the beach and went to the pond.
#
Balto and Boris arrived at the beach only to find no
one there. 'Hmm, where could they have gone?': Boris asked.
'I don't know. There're tracks over there. They probably
went that way': Balto said looking to the right.
'That's near your boat, right?': Boris stated.
'I guess they're training somewhere else now. Lets go
see': Balto said. They followed the tracks. They weren't walking long when they
heard them. They saw the pond and the four of them slowly walking over it. At
least they were trying. 'Kodi what are you doing?': Balto asked.
'Dad! Hey, we are trying to walk on slippery ground.
Kirby's idea': Kodi said.
'And why do you need to do that?': Balto asked with a
surprised look.
'Because we almost crashed into a rock yesterday':
Kirby said.
'What! Why didn't you tell me Kodi?': Balto asked
shocked.
'Because nothing happened. We avoided the rock, but
barely and that's why we are training. So we never get so close to crashing
again': Kodi explained. Balto calmed down.
'We have something to tell you Kodi. We were just in
town and you wouldn't believe what happened': Balto said. Kodi looked worried.
Balto and Boris told what had happened between the musher and the man and that
the pup was now named Shanti.
'What! How could that man say that. What a horrible person!':
Kodi yelled angrily.
'But our musher is the best. He just stepped up for
Shanti and Balto and you Kodi! He's the best': Kirby said loud. The others
agreed and Kodi calmed down. Deep down Kodi felt that if he ever saw that man
hurt Shanti or his father or any of his friends, he would attack him.
#
The training was over and it was getting late. Balto said he would go stop by Jenna. Boris went to the boat. He was exhausted. Dusty, Ralph and Kirby left for the shack. Kodi said he wanted to hang around a bit. Everybody left and Kodi went to the post office. He waited there, because no one seemed to be inside. Then he saw the musher walking with Shanti. Quickly Kodi ran towards him. The musher saw him coming. Kodi stopped in front of him and looked at him. The musher patted him. Shanti walked from behind the musher and squeaked at Kodi. Kodi snuggled her. Shanti squeaked some more and snuggled him back. The musher let Shanti get inside. Kodi stood there watching her. 'Come on then, if you want to be with her so much': the musher said. Kodi walked inside and lay down on a cushion next to Shanti's basket. Knowing she was alright he fell a sleep.
Where The
Heart Takes You
Chapter three: What I’ll Do To Protect Someone
Next morning Kodi woke up and saw Shanti eating out of
a bowl. He then noticed another food bowl. The musher came in.
'Morning you two. Kodi you better eat, we've got to go
soon': the musher said.
Kodi knowing they had to deliver the post soon stood
up and ate. The musher was outside getting the sled ready. Kodi had enough and
walked to the door only to be stopped by Shanti. She jumped at him and both
fell down. Kodi played a little with her until the musher called him. He liked
her face and walked outside. Shanti was about to run after him when the musher
stopped her.
'Easy Shanti. You have to stay inside for now. I'll be
back as soon as I can': the musher said putting Shanti in her basket.
He walked outside and closed the door. Shanti
scratched the door, but it didn't work. She squeaked loud, but no one could
here her.
#
Curly and
'So are you ready?': Kirby asked Kodi.
'Yes absolutely. The wetter is clear and we're gonna
do this fast': Kodi said convinced. Kirby nodded.
Then the musher put them in their harnesses and got
the postbag. Kodi looked at the window and saw Shanti standing there
on the desk. Kodi felt a little sad, but knew she couldn't go with
them and certainly not wander around. Much time to think about it he didn't
have.
'Mush!': the musher yelled and the sled team sped
away.
#
Shanti scratched at the window when she saw Kodi run
off with the others. 'Why?': she
thought. 'Why would he leave her?'
Shanti saw a man walking towards the window. It was
the same man who was screaming yesterday. Shanti got a little scared. She
feared this man. Suddenly a big object came straight for her. Shanti jumped off
the desk and slipped. A hard crashing sound startled her. She looked around and
saw a huge rock on the floor. The window itself was shattered. Pieces were all
over the floor. Shanti didn't move until she heard the man run away. Carefully
to not step on the glass she made her way to the desk. She climbed on it and
looked through the hole where a minute ago was glass. Wind rushed past her. She
could get out! Shanti completely forgot that she was scared and jumped out the
window. She landed on the snow and fell threw it. She climbed out and ran
happily around.
She came to an alley and walked inside. Bit by bit she
became scared again. It was creepy here. Shanti felt a shiver over her back and
swiftly turned around and saw a huge black figure. Shanti squeaked and wanted
to run. She turned and hit a box. She fell down feeling pain. The figure came
into the light. Shanti looked up and saw a big dog. He was black with white.
'Hello little pain in my butt!': the dog said harsh.
Shanti feared him greatly. 'So you're the new pup in town. My name is Steele.
What's your name?': Steele asked with a grinn.
'Sh..Sha..Shant...Shanti': Shanti said with
difficulty.
'Ah, Shanti what breed are you. I don't recognise it':
Steele said.
'I'm a wolf': Shanti said. Steele's face turned to
hatred.
'A wolf you say. I hate wolves': Steele whispered
showing his teeth. Shanti felt her heart pound in her throat while Steele came
closer still showing his teeth.
#
'Whoa!': the musher said. The sled team was back. Kodi
was carefully picked up from the sled and put down on the ground. The musher
left to hand over the postbag.
'How are you feeling?': Kirby asked Kodi.
'I'm fine, it hurts, but I feel bad for not being able
to help': Kodi said.
'No problem, we're done anyway and besides no one knew
there would be ice there': Kirby said with a smile. The musher came back with
another postbag. The sled dogs looked surprised.
'Sorry we have to go again. Seems we found a lost
bag': the musher said. The sled dogs understood and turned the sled around.
Kodi looked sad.
'Hey it's alright. We'll do this one without you. You
just rest': Dusty said to Kodi. Kodi smiled a bit and the sled team sped away.
Kodi watched them until they were out of sight.
Kodi looked at his right paw and saw it was bleeding a
bit again. He licked at it. He decided to wait here for the sled team. He
looked up at the musher's house and saw the damage to the window. He looked
shocked and jumped on a box nearby. He looked inside and saw glass everywhere.
But no shanti. He smelled the air. Nothing. He then saw footprints. Small ones
and wolf like. He followed them away from the house.
#
'I'm going into town. Are you coming too?' :Balto
asked Boris.
'Yes in a minute. Are you going to Jenna?': Boris
asked.
'I guess. Yeah I think so': Balto said.
'Ok, I'm done. Lets go!': Boris said. Balto jumped off
the boat and walked to town with Boris running after him.
Balto and Boris walked into town. Jenna wasn't at home
so they decided to go to the post office. The sled team should be back by now.
Balto felt a bit uneasy, but didn't mention it to Boris. Boris was busy
counting his feathers. Muk and Luk were playing with him last night so he
wanted to be sure he had all his feathers.
#
Kodi saw that the tracks were going towards an alley.
He heard some noise coming from it. He ran harder. Then a high squeak
sounded. Kodi knew immediately it was Shanti and sped up. He reached the alley
and ran around the corner at full speed. He braked hard causing a big pile
of snow to fly up. He saw Shanti scared in a corner and a big
dog covered in snow. Shanti had a scratch on her back. It
was small, but she did feel the pain. Kodi felt angry. The big dog shook
the snow off him. Kodi looked shocked. It was Steele. Kodi felt the anger boil
inside of him. Steele looked at him and snared at him. Kodi felt his anger turn
into hatred when Steele moved towards Shanti. Without knowing what he was
doing, Kodi leaped up and bit Steele in his neck. Steele didn't expect
this, but quickly threw him off and bit back. Kodi howled in pain, when Steele
got a hold of his back. Kodi fell down. Shanti screamed in fear. Kodi got
strength from it and got up. Swiftly he turned and went straight for
Steele again. Both struck each other and kept hitting and biting.
Shanti felt scared and also glad to have Kodi protecting her. Kodi felt his
anger and hatred grow and lost himself in blind fury. Steele looked at him with
anger in his eyes. Kodi looked back with huge hatred. Kodi jumped straight
at him with his teeth ready to strike.........
#
'They're not back yet? That's weird': Boris said.
Balto didn't hear him. He saw the broken window. Boris looked up and his
mouth fell open. 'What, how did this happen?': Boris asked stunned. Balto
didn't respond. He was looking at the ground. Boris looked too. 'That's blood
right?': Boris asked.
'Yes it is': Balto said. He sniffed at it and
immediately jumped back.
'What! Balto what's wrong?!': Boris asked.
'The smell! It's, it's.....it's Kodi's!': Balto
said. Boris looked shocked. Jenna came walking towards them.
'Hey Balto!': she yelled at a distance. Balto didn't
hear her. He smelled the air and swiftly ran past her. Jenna looked
worried at Boris.
'Jenna look here': He said. Jenna saw the blood and
was shocked. 'Jenna it's Kodi's': Boris said. Jenna looked at him and quickly
ran after Balto. Boris ran and jumped in the air and flew after them.
#
'Aaaaaaaaaahhh!': Steele screams. Blood dropped from
Steele's back. Kodi cut his back with his teeth. Kodi didn't wait for Steele to
recover and attacked again. Steele avoided the attack and quickly bit in Kodi's
back again. Kodi howled in pain, but didn't give up. He got up again and
attacked again. Shanti was watching all of this. She felt like she should help,
but knew she wasn't much help. She squeaked softly.
#
'Hoooowwwww!' Balto, Jenna and Boris heard a howl. It was Kodi! They went
straight to it. Balto ran inside an alley where the sounds were coming from. He
instantly stopped and Jenna bumped into him. Boris landed in the rooftop of the
ally. They saw Steele standing at the other side of the alley. Steele's
mouth was covered in blood. It wasn't from a wound of himself. He didn't have a
wound on his face, so it wasn't his. Balto noticed Shanti scared in a corner
with a cut on her back. Steele was laughing. Balto looked back at Steele. Out
of nowhere Kodi jumped straight at Steele letting his teeth sink in his neck.
Blood poured out and Steele screamed in pain. Quickly he turned and grabbed Kodi's
neck. Balto rushed forward and launched himself at Steele. Steele didn't see
this coming and fell down with Balto standing on him. Kodi saw his dad but
wasn't responding to him. He just kept looking at Steele. Balto said to Kodi
the would fight together. Kodi nodded. Steele got up ready to attack back, but
Kodi and Balto attacked quicker. Jenna and Boris stayed close to Shanti and
looked at the fight.
#
'Finally free to go. I'm so done for today': Kirby
said while yawning.
'Hooooowwwww!' Kirby, Dusty and Ralph looked at each
other and swiftly followed the howl they just heard.
They reached an alley. They ran in and saw Jenna and
Boris next to shanti. Then they saw Balto falling on the ground. Steele stood
grinning. Kirby wanted to help Balto, but saw suddenly Kodi. Kodi's mouth was
covered in blood and he looked full of hatred. Kodi launched at Steele
and sank his teeth in his neck again. The sled dogs looked shocked.
Was that Kodi?
The Kodi they knew?
Balto got up and bit Steele too. Steele fell down and
Balto released him. Kodi did not. He bit even harder. The musher came running
into the alley. Balto pulled his son off of Steele. Steele got up and
jumped at kodi and bit his back for the third time. Kodi howled in pain and
Balto bit Steele's paw. Steele let go. Before anyone of them attacked again the
musher stepped in. With a stick he scared Steele away. Kodi wanted to run
after him, but the musher grabbed a hold of him. The sled dogs ran towards
them. Balto looked at Shanti. She was scared. The musher tried to keep Kodi
calm, but Kodi struggled and growled. He wanted to hurt Steele, no kill him!
Kirby looked at Kodi and noticed how much he looked like a wolf now. Shanti
squeaked and Kodi immediately calmed down. The musher let him go and Kodi
went straight to Shanti. Shanti snuggled him. 'I'm fine now.
Thank you for saving me': Shanti whispered. 'I'm glad you're okay, I'm sorry I
let myself go': Kodi whispered back.
#
The musher took everyone to his house and looked
at the wounds. Kodi was hurt badly, but he was doing fine. Shanti was
fine too as was Balto. Kodi said he was sorry, but no one blamed him. He
was part wolf and his wolf part was triggered when Shanti was in
danger. Shanti snuggled him again and everybody was happy
again. Kirby asked how Kodi's paw was and Kodi laughed.
'You're worried about my paw! Have you seen my
back!': Kodi said laughing. Kirby laughed too and filled Balto, Boris and Jenna
in on Kodi's accident. All were happy now.
#
For the next few days Kodi was taking it easy. The sled team delivered the post
without him. Kodi kept training as much as he could, so that he could work soon
again. Shanti became less shy and often trained with Kodi. The raced and played
together. Shanti felt safe in
'Hey are you ready?': kodi yelled from a distance.
'Yes!': Shanti yelled back.
'Now!': Kodi yelled.
Shanti pushed off hard and ran as fast as
she could. At the end of the line she turned sharply and slipped for a moment.
She quickly regained herself and ran back at full speed.
'Nicely done!': Kodi yelled as she came over the
finish line they made. Shanti however couldn’t stop and bumped into Kodi. They
fell down and laughed.
'Haha, we better work on your breaks': kodi said.
Shanti agreed and they both went to the musher's house that stood near the post
office.
#
It was getting late. All the sled dogs were inside the
musher's house. When it got too cold, the musher let all the sled dogs
sleep inside his house instead of the shack. Shanti fell a sleep quickly
and Kodi kept talking with Kirby about the delivery. Shanti felt being
pulled into a dream.
It was dark and
then light. Snow slowly fell down and two dark figures appeared. It
was too dark to see who it was, but it felt familiar and at the same
time unfamiliar. She shivered. The figures came closer. Shanti didn't know
who they were and why they were here. She got scared a little. One of them
spoke in a very low and creepy voice:
'We found you at last. You must come with us.
We've come to get you. Come with us!'
Shanti jumped up. It was a dream. It felt so
real. She looked around, but everything looked normal. She lay down again
and went to sleep again, hoping she wouldn't see that dream again.
#
Two dark shapes walk towards
Where The Heart Takes You
Chapter four: Unnerving Feelings
Throughout
#
Early
in the morning the musher woke up. He walked into the living room and saw 6
dogs and a wolf pup fast a sleep. Softly he made it to the kitchen and started
to make breakfast for himself and the dogs. As he was busy in the kitchen
waking sounds were heard from the living room.
‘Maahhh’
Ralph yawned. Kirby and Dusty were also waking. ‘Morning. You now I’m hungry’
Ralph said as if this was a new experience. Kirby and Dusty looked at him as if
trying to say ‘Duh’.
‘Ehm,
Ralph, you are always hungry. It’s not a big surprise’ Kirby said. Ralph looked
a bit dazed until he smelled the food. As fast as possible he raced into the
kitchen. Seconds later sounds of stuff falling and breaking on the ground
ringed through the whole house.
‘Ralph!
Easy boy!’ the musher said from the kitchen. All this noise woke up the still
sleeping animals.
‘Mwaaahh.
What’s with the noise?’ Kodi asked. He stretched himself and looked around.
Curly and
‘Ralph
was searching breakfast in the kitchen and forgot his breaks’ Dusty said
laughing a little. Kodi laughed as well. He then turned around after hearing a
voice.
‘What’s
happening?’ a sleepy voice asked. Kodi snuggled the little pup and she opened
her eyes. ‘Big Brother?!’ Shanti said and immediately after she said that she
jumped at him and both fell on the floor. After laughing and rolling over the
floor, Shanti got up and went into the kitchen.
‘Ehm?
Big brother?’ Kirby asked. Kodi turned to the two of them and smiled a bit.
‘Yeah
well, she kinda asked if she could call me that and I said I didn’t mind’ Kodi
said feeling a bit proud to be her big brother. Dusty smiled softly and Kirby
looked suspicious.
‘Hmm,
well we’ll see how you do as a big brother’ Kirby said as he turned to the
kitchen as well followed by Dusty.
‘Hey,
for your information I am a brother to many for real, so why wouldn’t I be good
at it?’ Kodi said a little offended. Dusty turned around.
‘He’s
just toying with you, Kodi’ she said. Kodi smiled and together they went into
the kitchen.
#
After
breakfast they all went outside. They had the day off and decodes to have some
fun. Kodi, Ralph, Kirby, Dusty and Shanti went to the beach. Kodi walked close
to Shanti and she kept watching if she was still near him.
‘Hey!
Let’s race on the beach!’ Dusty shouted. Kodi felt like racing. He looked at
Shanti.
‘Would
you like to race as well?’ He asked her. Shanty nodded and both stood with the
other three.
‘Ready!?
Set! Go!!’ Kirby yelled and all five sped forwards.
Kirby
was neck in neck with Kodi and Shanti third. Then came Dusty and behind her
Ralph. Shanti jumped forward and landed next to Kodi. They came close to the
finish line. Shanti was getting tired and started panting a bit. She was behind
Kirby and Kodi was now in front. Shanti made one last jump with her mouth still
open catching air. A sudden scream caused Kodi to slip and slide over the
finish line. Kirby stripped and lay flat just an inch in front of the finish
line and Shanti ended second thanks to her jump. From the shock of the screams
he crash-landed on the ground.
‘Shanti!’
Kodi yelled as he ran over to her. Kirby got up only to see Dusty and Ralph
cross the finish line.
‘Damn
it!’ He mumbled.
‘Shanti?
Are you okay?’ Kodi asked worried. Shanti slowly got up and smiled at Kodi with
snow covering her face. Kodi couldn’t help but laugh as did Shanti.
‘What
happened?’ Dusty asked when everyone gathered. Just as she had asked Boris the
goose jumped on Shanti knocking her off her paws.
‘Boris!
What are you doing!?’ Kodi yelled. The other sled dogs looked shocked. Balto
arrived on the scene.
‘Boris!
What?!’ was all Balto managed to say. Kodi roughly pushed Boris off of Shanti
and checked her. She was a bit stunned, but alright.
‘Well,
she was about to bite Kirby’ Boris said as if that was obvious. Everyone looked
confused and Kodi and Shanti looked hurt.
‘What?’
Shanti said confused. Everyone was a bit surprised to hear her speak for she
barely spoke at all.
‘I
saw you! You had your mouth open and jumped forward to Kirby. Kirby looked
stunned.
‘No,
I did not mean to …… ‘ Shanti said but Kodi took over.
‘Boris
you got it all wrong. She was tired and therefore had her mouth open and she
jumped to get in front of Kirby, not to bite him!’ Kodi said. Boris was about
to speak again when he realised his error.
‘Ai.
I see, sorry Shanti’ Boris said. Shanti just smiled at him. Even though
everything was cleared, Kodi and Balto had a feeling more people would react
like Boris for Shanti was more wolf than anyone else in the town. Balto was
half wolf, Shanti definitely ¾ or fully.
They
decided to go back to town.
#
They
walked inside town and noticed a few dogs were acting very anxious and nervous.
These dogs lived in the houses farthest to the end of town. It seemed as if
they were nervous to go near there. Balto quickly forgot about it when he saw
Jenna.
‘Hey’
He said and Jenna answered with a nuzzle. Kodi and Shanti were playing in the
snow. Kodi looked like a pup again.
The
other sled dogs were further away checking if their musher was around. A few
people walked by Shanti and as soon as they saw her playfully bite Kodi’s ear
they walked around her in a big bow. Shanti noticed and looked a bit confused.
When she realised they didn’t trust her she looked a bit sad. Kodi noticed and
acting as her big bro made her forget it by playing some tricks on her. Shanti
squeaked of joy as she tried to get away from Kodi who followed her with ease.
Boris
was still looking suspicious at her. When he heard a honk above him he noticed
Stella. He waved one of his wings at Balto and flew up – though not too high –
and left with her.
Kodi
and Shanti were panting as they walked to Balto and Jenna.
‘Hey
mom’ Kodi said. Jenna greeted him back and then nuzzled Shanti who squeaked
gently from joy.
One
of those anxious dogs walked by. ‘There’s something there! Run! No don’t make
me go there! There’s something near there!’ He barked panicky at his boss. The
man felt a bit irritated and walked further towards his home.
Kodi,
Balto, Jenna and Shanti looked confused and a bit anxious about the dogs
behaviour.
The
rest of the day went by like any other day and at night Kodi and Shanti slept
together on Kodi’s cushion in the shed. The other sled dogs were fast a sleep
as well.
Shanti
had that strange dream again, but it quickly went over into a nice dream.
#
The
two dark shapes came out at night. They crept closer and this time entered the
town. They sniffed the air and sneakily, but at a quick pace ran through the
town. One of them carefully walked over to the door of the musher’s house. It
sniffed at the crack under the door. The other one was sniffing in an alley.
Suddenly
a light went on a few houses away and a man came outside holding a bag that
emitted many smells. When the man saw the two dark shapes he screamed for help,
dropped the bag and ran inside. The two figures quickly ran away, the one who
was sniffing the alley tripping over a garbage bin that lay on its side.
Quickly it got up and the two dark shapes ran out of
#
The
next day Kodi woke up with Shanti still next to him, but the other sled dogs
already gone. Shanti woke up when he moved off the cushion.
‘Morning’
Kodi said as he nuzzled her gently. Shanti yawned and stretched before getting
up. Kodi opened the shed door and heard several voices outside, humans and
dogs. Shanti walked up to him and both went outside.
‘There’s
something bad in town!’ ‘We have to check everyone corner!’ ‘No we have to
throw out every dog!’ ‘No man we have to throw out those who are part wolf!’
the voices kept going on and on.
Balto,
Jenna, Boris, Kirby, Dusty and Ralph stood a little away from the people
listening to them. Kodi and Shanti walked over to them.
‘What’s
going on?’ Kodi asked. The others now noticed him and Shanti.
‘Seems
like something got into
‘They
are arguing about what to do’ Dusty continued.
Suddenly
a man who turned to them. He looked passed them all and straight at Shanti.
Shanti felt a shiver over her back and Kodi stepped closer to her feeling
danger coming.
‘It’s
that wolf pup! She caused this. Perhaps it were her parents, they sniffed
right?’ He said and asked as he looked at the man who saw the dark shapes last
night. The man nodded. ‘See! It must be her wolf parents! She is dangerous!’
the man said.
Some
people agreed with him, but a few did not. Shanti cowered a bit when the man
shouted at her and Kodi stepped in front of her when the man came closer.
‘Let’s
not jump to conclusions. Let’s first verify if it really were wolves and than
we’ll deal with it’ The man in charge said.
Most
people calmed down and agreed. The man who shouted at Shanti did not agree and
said he would get rid of her himself. He stepped forward and stretched a hand
toward her. Kodi growled loudly showing his teeth. Balto and the others looked
a bit surprised at Kodi’s reaction, but felt the same. Shanti shook with fear
when the man did not back off. The other people yelled at the man to leave her
alone. The man grinned and stepped forward again. Kodi stepped forward towards
the man growling even louder. The man reconsidered for a moment, but stepped
forward again. Kodi was about to jump him when his musher appeared.
‘Stop
provoking my dog’ the musher said as he grabbed hold of the man’s arm. The man
pulled himself loos and walked away angry. The musher calmed Kodi down and
patted Shanti who still cowered behind Kodi. The people went back to their
daily shores.
‘You
okay?’ Kodi asked when he saw Shanti. She nodded weakly. Kodi nuzzled her and
they followed the musher into the house with the other sled dogs to get
breakfast. Balto looked in deep thought and worry. Something was near
#
Balto
was sniffing the streets trying to track a smell he knew would be around there.
It was already late and the sun had already started setting. In the low
sunlight he reached the end of town. He smelled wolves. They were close. Kodi,
Shanti, Jenna, Boris, Kirby, Dusty and Ralph arrived. Before they could ask
what Balto was doing they all saw two dark shapes in the open snowy area.
‘It’s
them!’ Balto shouted and he ran after them followed by the rest. Kodi worried
about having Shanti go there as well, but before he could do anything Shanti
was already following the others and Kodi quickly ran after her.
#
‘Stop!’
Balto yelled. To everyone’s surprise the two dark shapes stopped. When they got
closer they saw that it were two wolves.
Both
wolves looked at them. The male was a dark grey with black paws. The female was
white with brown paws. In a way she resembled shanty, but the colours on a
different place. Shanti pushed through the crowd and stopped when she saw the
two big wolves. Kodi stopped behind her. The female looked stunned and happy
when she looked at Shanti. The male stepped forward to her. Kodi quickly stood
in front of her. The male growled showing his teeth. Kodi responded with his
own growl.
‘Give
her to us!’ The male ordered. Kodi did not say a thing, but gently pushed
Shanti behind the others with his paw. The male growled and the female joined
him. Kodi stepped forward showing no fear, what the sled dogs and Jenna and
Boris certainly wer showing now. Balto stepped next to his son and both nodded.
Where the Heart Takes You
Chapter five: Fight for Someone
Important
Balto
and Kodi faced their opponents without fear. Though Balto was a bit worried for
Kodi. The tow wolves stepped forward again, Balto and Kodi not moving an inch.
The rest behind them did however step back a bit giving them their space.
Kodi
and Balto walked sideways away from each other. Kodi faced the male while Balto
faced the female. Without warning the male charged forward and bit Kodi in the
neck. Kodi howled in pain. Balto tried to get to his son, but was cut off by
the female wolf. Both charged each other, the female biting Balto’s paw and
Balto biting her neck.
Kodi
struggled and got loose from the male. Before the male could attack again Kodi
bit his back causing the male to howl in pain. He was more angry than before
now and roughly turned around causing Kodi to let go and immediately aimed to
bite Kodi’s chest. Kodi rolled over his back to avoid him and jumped up.
Balto
and the female were continuesly trying to bite each other. She bit Balto’s paw
and Balto bit her neck in return. This went on and on.
The
others were looking stunned. They knew Balto could fight well, but never
thought Kodi would be so good. Shanti looked stunned as well, but seeing these
wolves she started to feel nervous. It seems as though they knew her and seeing
she was found alone she got a bad feeling.
Kodi
howled highly and the others saw blood pouring over his back from his neck. He
had a deep teeth mark in his neck and the blood slid down over his back. Kodi
stumbled to get up and even though he felt his strength leave him he charged at
the male. The male easily avoided him and bit his back causing more blood to
appear. Kodi dropped down on the snow leaving a puddle of blood on the ground.
The male stood still for a moment before turning to the group.
Balto
was still struggling against the female. He tried desperately to get to Kodi.
He was so distracted the female knocked him of his feet. Balto pushed her away
and immediately jumped at her and bit at her throat. She dodged it barely
leaving a small cut across her throat. She growled angrily and aimed for
Balto’s throat. Balto jumped over her and turned around quickly. Before the
female had turned around Balto sank his teeth in he back. The female howled
full of pain.
The
male heard his mate and turned to see. He saw her drop to the snowy ground with
blood all over her back, though not as bad as what he did to the kid he was
fighting. His female gave him a look that said I’m fine and he turned to the
group again.
Shanti
shivered as the male came closer. ‘No!’ Kodi yelled weakly. Shanti was afraid
seeing her “big brother” hurt. The male was a few meters away from her.
Suddenly he howled loudly as Kodi had jumped on top of him and sunk his teeth
in his neck while still standing on him. The female and Balto stopped their
fight to see what happened. The male collapsed from the pain combined with the
weight of Kodi standing on his back. Kodi jumped off of him and growled
menacingly.
The
female ran away from Balto and stopped by her mate’s side. She nuzzled him and
he opened his eyes. ‘Toril?’ she asked worried. He answered with an angry growl
and slowly rose from the ground. ‘I’m fine Myla’ He said back. The others were
still staring at them. Toril turned his head around and looked at Kodi.
‘Not
bad, kid’ He said a bit calmer. Kodi didn’t let him fool him and growled even
louder. The male and female, now known as Toril and Myla, jerked their heads up
as if they heard something. Seconds later everyone hears voices of humans.
Toril
and Myla turn around ready to run away to hide when Kodi jumps in front of him.
Balto and the others look shocked thinking, Is
he crazy? He has a chance to get out of this fight! Toril looks angry
again. The people of
#
The
next morning Kodi lay the musher’s house with Shanti close by him. The other
sled dogs were wandering around outside waiting for the musher. Kodi’s wounds
had seemed pretty bad, but over night most of it had healed already.
The
musher was pulling the sled outside and placed it in fornt of the post office.
The sled dogs were already standing nearby ready to go deliver the mail. Kodi
walked outside and saw them. Shanti was still a sleep inside the house. Kodi
walks over to them not looking all to thrilled about delivering post.
‘Kodi!’
Dusty shouts as she sees him walking towards them. She runs over to him and
dog-like hugs him. The others walk towards them.
‘Hey
you okay?’ Kirby asks. Kodi weakly nods. The others notice he’s not very
thrilled today.
‘You
know, we have post to deliver. Isn’t that fun’ Dusty tries to cheer him up.
Kodi loves his job as post dog. Surprisingly Kodi only looks more depressed at
hearing this. The others look kinda worried.
‘Kodi?
Don’t you fell well?’ Ralph asks. Kodi looks up at them.
‘Sorry
guys. I just don’t feel like delivering post today’ Kodi says. After hearing this
his friends look very concerned.
‘But
you love your job!’ Kirby says not believing what he’s hearing. Kodi sighes
indicating he doesn’t feel like discussing it now.
The
musher calls his dogs and reluctantly Kirby, Dusty and Ralph walk to the sled
leaving Kodi standing behind. The musher places them in their places and then
notices Kodi walking back inside. The musher checks on him. As he enters the
house he sees Kodi laying beside Shanti looking rather tired. He decides to let
Kodi stay home and carefully closes the door leaving the doggy hatch open.
Moments later Kodi hears the sled team rush past the window on their way to
#
Balto
wakes up on his boat. He yawns and gets up. Boris is no where around. He sighes
as he remembers last night. Slowly he walks off the boat. Before he took
another step Boris crash-landed in front of him startling him badly.
‘Boris!’
Balto yells in surprise. Boris dizzily gets up. He then snaps out of his
dizziness as he sees Balto.
‘Balto!’
he nearly yells. Balto looks a bit confused. ‘I think Kodi might be sick!’
Boris says. Balto’s eyes open wide.
‘What!’
Balto shouts in worry. Boris brushes the snow of his feather before answering.
‘He
hasn’t gone with the other sled dogs to deliver mail. I thought that was worth
some worry, I saw them when I flew not too high over
#
Balto
stops in front of the house of the musher of Kodi. He enters through the doggy-like
hatch and sees Kodi laying with Shanti. Kodi is making soft sleeping noises as
is Shanti. Balto smiles and softly goes outside again. He bumps into Boris who
followed him.
‘Oh
Boris, sorry I ran right passed you’ Balto apologises as he sees the ruffled
feathers of Boris. Boris just brushes it off and together they walk away as
Balto says Kodi seems fine.
#
Kodi
and Shanti woke up and decided to go outside. They walked to the far end of
Shanti
squeaked as she happily ran across the white plain forgetting all her troubles.
Kodi just watched her for a minute until she squeaked him to join her. Kodi ran
up to her and the two began throwing snow around from the jumping causing both
to turn white. Shanty kept squeaking with joy a sound Kodi always liked
hearing. They raced a few laps and Shanti jumped Kodi a few more times.
Eventually they both lay down on the cold snow catching their breaths.
Kodi’s
head jerked up as he heard footsteps, heavy footsteps. Shanti looked confused
until she too heard it. She cowered a bit and Kodi reassured her. They stood up
Kodi standing in front of Shanti. Then the man appeared who destroyed the
window to let Shanti run of. Shanti shivered as she saw him. Kodi immediately
took a defensive position realising this was the man who first began saying
Shanti should leave.
The
man grinned as he saw Shanti and Kodi. This time he would certainly scare
Shanti out of town even though that dog was protecting her. The man closed the
distance to about a few meters. Kodi growled dangerously as the man stood
towering above them threateningly. Shanti stepped a bit back and Kodi was glad
for it. He didn’t want her to get hurt. Then the man revealed a bronze pole.
Kodi felt an unnerving feeling at the back of his throat, but stayed put. He’d
risk everything to protect Shanti.
#
Balto
and Boris walked through
‘Boris!
Balto! Good to see you. There is a problem!’ Stella nearly yelled at them. Both
looked confused and worried.
‘What
is it?’ Balto and Boris asked simultaneously. Stella panted a bit.
‘I
already informed Jenna. Kodi is in trouble at the other end of
#
Jenna
was running to the outskirt of
#
Kodi
stayed put as the man pulled the bronze pole back. Kodi had made up his mind.
He would fight to protect someone important. The man swiftly brought the pole
forward, but before it could hit its target Kodi closed his mouth around it
holding it in place.
Balto,
Jenna, Boris and Stella gasped as they saw Kodi grabbing the pole. Inside they
felt relieve that Kodi didn’t get hurt.
Kodi
barely registered his parents being there as he was too busy. The man started
pulling at the pole scolding loudly. Kodi felt the sudden pressure against his
teeth and released the pole. The man furiously brought it back again and got
ready to hit Kodi again. Shanti cowered. This time however Kodi was distracted
for he sense something else around there. The pole hit him at the side and Kodi
fell down flat on the ground.
Shanti
shivered and squeaked in fear. Jenna, Boris and Stella gasped from shock, but
Balto growled startling the others.
Kodi
felt a serious head ache, but got up nevertheless. Shanti was cowering
backwards and the man was closing in on her. Kodi though he was in pain jumped
up and landed between Shanti and the man just as the man lashed out with the
pole. Kodi got hit on the head and a little blood poured down his face. He felt
down and gasped for air as his vision got blurry. Shanti howled for the first
time, though it was a howl of fear.
The
man gets ready to lash out again when a sudden growl sounds close by. The man
turns around just as Balto grabs the pole in his mouth and jumps past the mans
till holding it and pulls him on the ground.
Kodi
managed to keep his vision from moving around and saw though it was blurry his
dad growling angry at the man who was on the ground. Balto growls threateningly
at the man’s face like he never growled before. The man cowered a bit before he
draws a knife from his pocket and lashes out at Balto.
‘WATCH
OUT!’ Jenna, Stella, Boris and Kodi yell at the top of their lungs.
Balto
knows he can’t dodge it and looks in shock as it comes closer. It is just
inches away from Balto’s chest when a sudden harsh force collides with balto
pushing him out of harms way. The man misses and cuts through air.
Balto
opens his eyes and sees Toril, the male wolf, slowly getting up. Balto himself
gets up looking rather shocked. The man stands up as well and turns around.
Kodi got to his feet as well. The man sees Balto, Toril, Myla and Kodi standing
in front of him all four growling. The man looks actually scared now and runs
off.
Shanti
squeaks softly and Kodi immediately runs to her and nuzzles her gently. The two
wolves look happy at this. Jenna nuzzles Balto having been so afraid.
‘So
who are you guys exactly and what are you doing here?’ Stella asks since she
hasn’t seen these two wolves yet before.
Toril
looked at them and then at Myla before speaking.
‘I’m
Toril and this is my mate Myla. We are alpha’s in our pack and the parents of
her’ He says as he looks at Shanti when saying –her- . All of them gasp or just
look shocked.
Shanti
looks them both straight in the eyes noticing something familiar as she softly
speaks. ‘My parents?’.
Chapter six: Hidden Instincts
Revealed
‘My
Parents?’ Shanti weakly asks. The two wolves nod and Shanti feels an enormous
weight on her heart.
The
others understand what this means. She has to make a decision. Myla walks
towards Shanti.
‘I
know how difficult this is, but we want you to come back with us. We miss you’
Myla says like only a true mother can. Shanti keeps looking down debating
everything in her mind.
‘Shanti,
you don’t have to decide now. Take your time. We’ll come back later to see if
you have made a decision’ Toril says. He and Myla then turn around and leave.
Kodi
can’t stop looking at Shanti. Boris and Stella softly fly away while the sled
dogs leave quietly as well. Balto and Jenna consider for a moment, but then
they too leave. Kodi stays where he is with Shanti across him. Eventually she
looks up and meets his eyes. She looks more than troubled and sad. Kodi almost
feels the struggle inside her and comfortably nuzzles her. Shanti nuzzles him
back and then runs off. Kodi knows she needs time alone and reluctantly leaves
for the shed.
#
The
sun was slowly setting as Kodi saw the shed in the distance. He heard voices
from his team mates inside. Kodi walked closer trying to ignore his aching head
and body from where he was hit. Kodi took a deep breath and walked inside. The
instance he walked in the voices became loud to his ears and the headache
forced him to close his eyes. The little blood he lost during the fight was
already dried.
Dusty
suddenly stopped talking causing the others to cease their ramble as well. They
followed Dusty’s gaze and saw Kodi standing in the entrance with closed eyes
and a painful expression on his face.
‘Kodi?’
Dusty asked worried. Kodi lifted his head and forced his eyes open even though
the pain in his head was agonizing.
He
saw his friends looking worried and smiled weakly at them as if reassuring
them, though it didn’t work.
‘I’m
fine, really’ Kodi tried. Suddenly his vision got very blurry and he started
rocketing back and forth and sideways. He could barely hear his name be called
with much worry before he felt himself fall down and hit the ground. Not
another second lasted for everything around him went black and he didn’t feel
anything anymore, or heard or saw anything.
#
Shanti
was wandering through the town. She didn’t feel like going to the shed tonight,
nor did she feel like going to Balto or Jenna. Strangely she neither liked
going to the musher right now. She sighed as she placed her paws on the cold
snow walking through the streets.
‘My parent. They’re not dead,
they’re here. They came for me. What should I do? I’m a wolf and belong with
them, don’t I? I feel so at ease here in
The
thoughts kept floating through her mind giving her a serious headache. She was
at a total loss. Shanti sighed once more
and herself standing near Balto’s boat.
‘Great, and I thought I didn’t
want to be around anyone. Now I subconsciously walked here’.
Shanti
sighed at her own thoughts. She was pretty tired and wouldn’t mind taking a
nap. she changed her mind and decided to just keep walking, for now. Again lost
in her thoughts she did not realize she was walking towards the outskirts of
town where a certain wolf couple hid from the humans.
#
The
two wolves raised their heads as they heard noises outside the small hide out.
Toril carefully crept outside and to his surprise saw his daughter standing
quiet lost. Myla soon followed and smiled upon seeing her long lost daughter.
Shanti
felt a bit awkward. Here she was standing in front of her real parents not
knowing what to say. She was glad though to see her mother smile. Clearly she
was hoping to see her.
‘Uh..I…’
Shanti tried but she couldn’t say anything useful. Luckily for her Myla
understood immediately.
‘It’s
okay, you probably want to know more about us and your pack right?’ Myla ask
already knowing the answer. Toril understood upon hearing his mate and motioned
Shanti to come closer as to talk.
Shanti
sat next to them and still not knowing what to say or ask looked down a little
shy, which normally would be weird with your parents.
‘I
guess we should just tell some stuff’ Myla said upon noticing her daughter’s
slight distress. ‘Let’s see, our pack was of about 15 wolves. Then you and your
two brothers and sister were born. Your sister was the second one and your
brothers the first and third born. You were the last one.’ Myla told her
daughter with a calm voice.
Shanti
was listening closely and her eyes opened a bit wider upon hearing her mom
speak. ‘ was? Why is she speaking as if
it isn’t anymore? Did something bad happen? Is that why I was separated from
them?’
Toril
noticed his daughter’s confused and slightly more distressed expression. He
understood what she found out.
‘Yes
it’s true’ Toril said cutting of his mate’s story. She realized what was wrong
and knew they had come to that part of the story.
Shanti
looked up at her father fearing the worst. He sighed and then looked at her.
‘Our
pack was attacked by another wolf pack. Most of our own were either missing or
….dead’ Toril said the last word a bit quieter, but Shanti had heard it alright.
She felt sad even though she didn’t know anyone from her pack.
‘It
happened shortly after you and your siblings were born. your brothers couldn’t
get away and no wolf of ours could get to them. Your sister had already crawled
out of the den and your mom had run of with you. At least we saved your life.
Your sister is also still alive saved by her uncle. After we reestablished who
was gone and who not me and Myla began our search for you. She had lost you and
could not find you again. That is how we came to
Shanti
looked lost in thought. This was much information to hold. She nodded as if
trying to tell them she understood and didn’t need to hear more. Luckily her
parents understood her gesture. After a minute Shanti stood up and walked
outside again. The moment she felt the cold wind she started running away to
#
It
was very early in the morning as Kodi awoke. He found himself on his cushion in
the shed though he did not remember laying down on it. He noticed his team tames
around him fast asleep. Kodi sighed and understood they must have put him down
here after he fainted. Kodi slowly got up and felt the headache coming back at
full force. He ignored it and walked outside slowly for his body also hurt.
Outside
it wasn’t dark, but is wasn’t light either. It was still dusk. Kodi felt
relieved that he didn’t wake up when everyone else was for he did not feel like
talking right now. Kodi decided to just walk around town a bit and maybe see if
his musher was awake. He stepped onto the streets and walked through the cold
and wet snow.
Unknown
to him at the moment was a shadow moving in an alley watching his every step. A
small shimmer was seen near the shadow. Kodi noticed nothing and walked further
ahead.
#
Shanti
woke up and found herself laying in the boiler room. Apparently she laid down
inside last night seeing she didn’t recall anything. She stretched and stood
up. She was still clueless about what to do and decided to not think about it
for now. She stepped out in the cold snow even though it didn’t feel that cold
to her. She decided to go see Kodi who most likely was in the shed. She turned
to the direction of the shed when she felt a sudden panic come over her. She
couldn’t explain it nor could she say what she felt so panicked about. What she
did know was that it was coming from the open area at the other side of
#
Kodi
had found the musher still asleep and walked through town until he reached the
open area at one side of
Then
Kodi heard footsteps and turned around instantly. His expression became one of
anger mixed with worry. In front of him barely a few meters away stood the
horrible man that tried tog et to Shanti last night. In return for protecting
her, Kodi had received a few blows from the man with a bronze pole, which he
was holding right now again. Kodi was even feeling slightly afraid for he was
in no condition to fight this man.
Thinking
back to what had happened Kodi felt his wolf heritage crying to be set lose.
Kodi stood up and growled threateningly ready for anything the man would try.
The
man grinned as if hoping the dog or according to him part wolf scum, would put
up a fight. Kodi didn’t step back when the man stepped closer.
#
Balto,
Boris, Jenna and the rest of the sled team were walking around
#
Shanti
ran so fast her legs had a hard time keeping up with her body. She barely
noticed her other friends across the street and she didn’t have time to think
about them. She had to get to Kodi! She didn’t know how she knew something was
wrong with him, but somehow she knew.
Shanti
reached the end of town and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the scary
man from yesterday. He was standing about ten meters away from her. Shanti felt
the fear rise in her when she remembered what he did to Kodi just to get to her.
That’s when she remembered why she ran over here and she directed her gaze to
the ground and saw Kodi about a meter away from the man growling in a way of
protecting himself.
The
others arrived now and stood just as frozen as Shanti upon seeing the man. They
quickly noticed Kodi and ran closer with Shanti following behind them.
The
man had heard the other dogs coming and turned around while still holding his
pole in Kodi’s direction and pulled a gun out of his pocket. Without warning he
shot a bullet in the air, forgetting people would hear it.
Balto
and the others stopped abruptly upon hearing the gunshot. They knew things had
gotten much worse now. This was very dangerous.
Shanti
stood slightly behind and aside the others. She looked at Kodi and noticed how
unsteady he stood. He wasn’t afraid, but he was probably still hurt from last
night. Shanti didn’t know what was going on around her for she was caught in
flashes of her short life in
‘Brother, I had those once, but
now not anymore. Wait I do have a brother. Perhaps not by blood, but certainly
by feelings. Kodi is my big brother! And I’ll protect him now!’
As
soon as that thought had crossed her mind she snapped back to reality and
noticed the man had turned slightly towards Kodi and hold his gun pointed to
the side not aiming at anyone at the moment. She felt anger rise inside her
followed by a sudden hatred. The urge to rip this man apart was hard to fight.
So she decided to let that urge float into something else, like ripping apart
his tools. She was determined and stepped forward one step before she ran
straight for him.
#
The
others were closely watching the man forgetting about Shanti. Then suddenly
Shanti shot passed them growling furiously and charging at the man. The man
quickly turned and aimed his gun at her. Shanti jumped at the moment he pulled
the trigger. Whiles he was in the air the man swung his pole around to hit her.
Kodi and the others yelled in fear. Shanti couldn’t dodge it and she wasn’t
planning to dodge it anyway.
The
pole was inches away from her and Shanti opened her mouth and grabbed hold of
the pole surprising everyone, but she didn’t stop there. She pushed harder
while still in her jump. For her it felt as if going in slow-motion. She put
all her anger in the bite and felt the pole crack under the pressure. Then the
winning sound of a breaking bronze pole.
Shanti
landed close to Kodi on the other side of the man. The man looked in horror at
the bronze pole that was snapped in two by a mere wolf bite. The others were
just as shocked. Shanti was breathing heavily, not from exhaustion, but from
anger. She turned around and growled at the man who flinched upon seeing her
expression. She was looking with hatred at the man.
Kodi
couldn’t keep his eyes off of Shanti. She was so different now. Not the scared
pup who hid behind him, but a strong wolf full of determination and anger. Then
to everyone’s surprise she howled the loudest and most beautiful howl ever. The
man flinched again and even fell down.
The
people from
The
musher was checking Kodi who himself was still looking at Shanti. Shanti faced
away from the man who was now stumbling to get his things and she turned around
to the open area of snow behind her. She could make out two forms who were her
parents. They howled to her and she responded. They then slowly faded out of
sight. Everyone around her heard the howls and understood who it was from.
Shanti looked at Kodi who was looking down sadly.
‘Kodi?’
she said slowly. Kodi looked at her and noticed she was smiling. ‘Would you
mind continuing to be my big brother?’ Shanti asked him. Kodi’s face lighted up
and soon after Shanti nuzzled him.
‘This is where I want to be’
Shanti thought.
#
One
month later.
The
sled team was on it’s way to
Balto
and the others had watched them until they were out of sight.
Shanti
enjoyed the cold wind and the running. She loved her life now.
‘This is where my heart took me,
to where I truly belong’ Shanti thought as she noticed