He watched in slowmotion as the world tilted around him and the ground vanished from his paws. He felt the back of his head and neck slam into something hard. The snow padded his fall as he slumped forward from the impact. Everything seemed to darken for a moment as he laid in the snow. He heard laughter to the right of him dimly. He tried to get to his feet but between the snow and his unsteadiness, it took him a few tries.
As he tried to focus a sudden weight pulled on his neck. He stumbled around and came face to face with Steele. The black and white husky had a hold of Jenna's scarf and was tugging with all of his might. He felt himself slide as Steele's momentum dragged him through the snow. He tried to break away but he felt weak from the blow he suffered. The rest of his body felt battered from the long journey. He made himself hold on as Steele clung to the scrap of cloth.
The cliff loomed closer as he was pulled by the larger husky. Suddenly the scarf untied and Steele stumbled back. He hung in the air for a moment and then vanished over the side. The wolfdog ran to the edge and watched Steele's painful descent to the bottom of the cliff. Steele came to a loud rest at the end of the fall. The dog was still alive and struggled to his feet.
Balto watched for a moment then turned away. He ignored his injuries as he joined the other sleddogs. The small dog at the front of the line held up the harness. He looked from the harness to the dog in confusion. When the dog puffed out his chest and held the harness higher, Balto slipped in and let the tresses settle over him. The weight was strange but wonderous to him. He felt like a leader.
He commanded the dogs and they took off up the hill, leaving Steele behind to struggle by himself. Balto ran ahead with the team fanned out behind him. His head ached but he wouldn't let it or his bruised ribs stop him from enjoying this moment. His paws ate up the miles and the team followed his directions without hesitation. But none knew a darkness was lurking. That it was waiting to strike the team.
They survived being lost, an avalanche, and a deadly tunnel to bring the medicine home. Balto was glad they only lost one container of the serum they needed to save the children. He howled out his return as he and the team raced into town. People lined the streets as they slid to a halt before the small hospital. He looked over the team as he caught his breath.
He was proclaimed a hero by the town. He had laughed at one dog's comment about having a statue built in his honor. He was just glad everyone would be okay. He barely noticed the deep throbbing in his skull.
A few weeks later~
Balto laid curled up under a blanket. His paws twitched and kicked as he dreamed. He whined as a nightmare took over. He found himself falling into darkness.
Balto looked around him as he heard creatures growling and snarling. Around him was darkness. Suddenly a bright light lit up before him. Fearful of the dark, he chased after the light. The ground sucked at his paws as he ran. He had to get to that light. He pulled himself along as the ground clung harder to his paws.
A raven swooped down and struck at him. He cried out as it struck his head. The raven came after him again and he was helpless against the attack. The bird struck at the wound along the back of his head. Balto saw red as pain washed over him. Then the attack stopped and the ground released his paws.
Balto took off into the shadows as he searched for the light. The light would lead him home. Then the shadows took the form of big fir trees. They grew high to brush the redden sky. He looked up at the trees as they surrounded him. He crouched away as red began to drip from the trees. Ruby drops splashed onto the black and became rivulets as more drops followed. He cried out and turned to run. But he was surrounded on all sides by the red.
He panicked as the red brushed against his paws. He looked for a way to escape but the red was rising fast. It was soaking into his chest as he struggled towards the light that shone in the distance. It reached up his neck as he tried to swim through the syrupy muck. But the red was dragging him down. It clung to his legs and pulled as he swam. He howled out as the blood engulfed his head and he suffocated in the ruby darkness.
He awoke screaming as the dream let him go. He got ahold of himself and flopped down onto his side. His coat was soaked in sweat and the blanket was entangled in his limbs. He worked himself out of the blanket and dragged himself over to the open door of the wheelhouse he slept in. He took deep breaths and looked out at the barely rising sun.
That dream had been terrifying and if Boris were there, he would've told him that it meant something. Balto only knew that he never wanted to have it again for as long as he lived. He shooked out his coat and jumped down to the shore below. His paws sank into the cold wetness of snow and it felt wonderful. He decided that since he was up, he would go to see Jenna. Maybe she could take his mind off of that horrible dream.
With a destination in mind, Balto started off at an easy trot. His head throbbed in rhythm to his gait and he slowed to a walk. He sometimes forgot the pain in his skull and neck because it was a constant companion since his fight with Steele. Thinking of the black and white husky brought a cruel smile to Balto's face. The hot-shot was low on the social ladder since the townsdogs found out he had lied about his involvement with bringing the precious medicine home.
Balto had saved the town and found love with Jenna as Steele was forced to the outside. Though some of the dogs still picked on Balto, it didn't happen as often. Everything was looking up for the wolfdog. Now if only the pain in his head would go away then everything would be perfect.
He soon reached Jenna's home. It was a quaint place and was much nicer than his stranded boat on the shore. But Balto knew most people were still uncertain about him so he was fine with his home. He howled for Jenna and soon the red and cream husky joined him outside. She was a lovely dog with dainty paws that were in contrast to his large, wolfish paws.
"You're up early this morning," she trotted up to him and nuzzled his cheek.
"Didn't sleep so well so I decided to drop by." He felt a warmth in his cheeks.
"My girl and I have to go for a trip later on in the morning." Jenna gazed up at him, her soft brown eyes full of love.
"I hope you two have a good time together," Balto sat back on his haunches and felt the nightmare fade in the glow of Jenna's love and attention. He could sit near her forever easily. It wasn't just her beauty that struck him though. She was smart, brave, and was willing to fight a bear for him despite her softer upbringing. What more could he ask of such a gem?
"I should go back in, Rosie will wonder where I am. I'll see you later today." She licked his cheek and then disappeared into the house.
He waited in the snow until he couldn't see her anymore. He rose up and headed further into town. Maybe he could get a piece of sausage from the butcher. Ever since he saved the town, he got a few perks like a secreted piece of meat or a warm stove to nap by. He passed the blacksmith's and soon came to the butcher's shop. He slipped through the back and waited as the butcher finished up with his customers.
Balto yipped and the burly man turned. "See ya came to get some food. Hold on." The man lumbered over to a string of sausages and grabbed one. He tossed it to Balto, who wolfed it down in a few bites. He yipped a farewell and ran off to do something else. The throbbing in his skull grew insistent.