Hope
Nome, Alaska
Alaska, the territory that won't receive full recognition as a state for another thirty years. In this land, the strong survive. And if you aren't strong, then your only purpose is to feed the strong. This land is where all hope goes to die. When a diphtheria epidemic hits the town of Nome, the only thing the citizens and the dogs can rely on is hope. So, maybe hope doesn't die in this land. Maybe, it is reborn again.
Balto is walking around the small town of Nome. He's looking for the only thing that can cure his one ailment; food. He approaches the butcher shop and he hears two dogs approaching. He runs into the alley and peeks around the corner to see who it was. He sees two dogs come into view. They are both grey like him except one has a black tint in his fur and the other one has silver eyes. The one with silver eyes has a concerned look on his face while the other one is smiling.
Balto hears the silver-eyed one say, "I don't know what you saw, but whatever it was, it's not here now. Maybe he's around here somewhere."
"I think you're right. I just wanted to talk to him. I…He's around here. I can smell him."
The silver-eyed one shakes his head. "Kyle, you are creepy. Why can't you just leave him alone? That egotistical glory…Steele doesn't know the truth about us. And I hope he never finds out. The humans…the people here treat us nicely. And you need to run more. I outrun you every time you fatty. Makes me wonder if you're related to Nikki."
"I'm not related to fatso. I just don't like to run. I'm a fighter and you're a runner. That's the difference between us. And no one knows that we're part wo-"
The silver-eyed one places his paw on Kyle's mouth. "Quiet. Lest someone here's us you dolt."
Kyle growls at him and shakes off the other's paw. "Would you stop doing that to me Alex? It's…It's irritating. Now let's find him before I go mad."
"I think you're already there."
Kyle growls at Alex and walks away from the butcher shop. Alex laughs at Kyle and starts to walk toward the alley. Balto shrinks back and hides behind some boxes. He hears the snow crunching under Alex's feet and Balto can hear him getting closer. He didn't want to attack him, but if he had to, he would.
Alex is standing with Kyle near the sleds. He watches Steele act all big and strong in front of his friends. 'I hate that mangy cur so much.' He watches as Kaltag, Nikki, and Star were sucking up to Steele and calling him the greatest thing on the planet. He knew Kaltag and Star pretty well, but Nikki, well…he didn't really know Nikki well enough. He shakes his head and looks back at Kyle. He sees Kyle is focusing on something. Alex turns his head and sees something is standing in front of the butcher shop. He looks back at Kyle and Kyle is walking towards whatever was over there.
Alex shakes his head. "C'mon Kyle. Whoever that is probably doesn't need us to ruin his day."
"We're not going to ruin his day. I just want to talk to him, that's it."
"Usually when you talk to someone you become an ass and you try to kill them."
"I do not. That's ridiculous. Though I do have a question for you."
"What's the question?"
"Where did you find the Bible? No wait, I was there. When did you learn to read?"
"I don't read stupid. I just have it in case something…happens."
"Like what?"
"I…I don't know. I just have it. It's…It's comforting. And these people would probably like to read it."
"Um…okay then. Let's head towards the butcher shop now."
Alex watches Kyle walk towards the butcher shop and he follows him.
Jenna is watching Alex and Kyle approach Balto. She sees Balto spot them and duck around a corner. 'Why can't Steele and his…goons leave Balto alone? It's not like he's hurting anyone.'She overhears Alex and Kyle's conversation, "And no one knows we're part wo-"
"Quiet. Lest someone hears us."
She keeps watching them and she sees Kyle head off towards God knows where. She looks back at the butcher shop and sees Balto is gone and Alex is walking into the alley. She believes that Alex is going to hurt Balto and she runs over and is going to stop him.
Balto is still hiding behind the boxes and he hears Alex is getting closer. He keeps still and Alex walks right past him. He sees Alex isn't really looking for him.
Alex looks up at the sky and smiles. "Sure is beautiful isn't it."
Balto stares at him in surprise. 'No way this…Alex, is talking to me. He's probably thinking out loud.' Alex twists around and is suddenly met with an upset Jenna.
Jenna growls at Alex. "Why won't you and the others leave Balto alone? He didn't do anything to you!"
Alex is looking up at the sky and he smiles. "Sure is beautiful isn't it."
He knows Balto is behind him. He trusts Balto is a good dog and if he's wrong then Balto will attack him. He twists around to see Balto and sees Jenna is in front of him. She looked like a raging demon bent on Alex's destruction.
She growls at him. "Why won't you and the others leave Balto alone? He didn't do anything to you!"
Alex is trying to be brave, but he isn't that kind of dog. He's brave, but he can't be brave to a girl who's yelling at him.
He sighs heavily. "Jenna, I…I just wanted…I needed to…I should go now."
He starts to walk forward and Jenna sees him lower his head in shame.
She steps in front of Alex and frowns at him. "Why are you…why are you upset?"
Alex looks up at her and smiles. "Well…I thought I would tell him our secret. I wanted him to know something that I can't tell you. Can't take any chances. You could watch the alley way if you still don't trust me."
She nods her head and walks towards the main road and heads towards the other side of the road and twists around and starts to watch the alley way.
Alex walks over to Balto and smiles at him. "You might want some answers from me. Well, I just want you to know that you're not alone."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you're not the only one out there. Kyle is also part…wolf and I am as well."
"You're…You're part wolf?! How come Steele doesn't bully you and Kyle?"
"Because we're like…well…we're like his thugs. We will rough up whoever he wants us to, but Kyle and I have different views on that. Kyle will beat any dog near death while I ignore the order and let Kyle deal with it. I…I don't want anything to do with that glory…Steele. And sorry if I scared you back there. I didn't mean to."
Alex turns around and walks away from Balto to go find Kyle.
A/N: I wrote this because I needed to think of something for chapter 13 of Eden and nod and I came up with this. The story is just starting so I can turn it into a horror story or whatever I want. :D R&R