The Search Begins

Bolt entered the train yard, overwhelmed by how many tracks there were. It wasn't a typical train station like the ones he saw in the big city. There were hardly any humans, only a few who were running the trains and they didn't seem to be the coaches the humans rode. Bolt was discouraged a bit, but he hoped he could find one that would lead to Mittens.

He was fortunate enough to find the perfect opportunity to embark on his journey. Penny and her mother had left to visit and spend time with some relatives who lived across the country. They couldn't take him along, but Bolt wasn't disappointed. He was grateful for the opportunity he was given. He recalled seeing a train yard that wasn't too far from the big city he lived in from his last journey home. He wasn't sure where it could take him, but he figured it would be the best place to start.

So many trains, so many options. He didn't want to risk taking one, only to get lost again, but if he had to, he'd take every one if it meant finding Mittens. As he searched the yard, something suddenly caught his eye, a dog. Perhaps he could help him. His hopes were high, perhaps he's just a stray taking shelter here, but it couldn't hurt to ask.

He padded up to the dog, his head rested on one of his paws. Bolt was unfamiliar with his breed, but he had black fur with distinct brown stripes. He didn't turn to look or even twitch when Bolt approached him.

"Uh, excuse me. Are you familiar with these trains at all?" Bolt asked, a bit nervous on how the dog would react. The dog finally took a quick glance towards Bolt, but turned to stare out into the train yard again.

"That depends." His voice was deep, not husky though. He wasn't old either. Bolt wondered why he was here.

"Do you know where the trains go? Like to a big city possibly?" He shook his head.

"I don't know where they go, but I do know that train over there," he gave Bolt a soft grin and looked over to a cargo train in the distance, "that train brings many supplies to this area every day. Perhaps it comes from a big city. Although, I can't guarantee it will take you to where you want to go."

Bolt relaxed as the friendly dog spoke. He looked at the train attached to an endless line of cargo boxes.

"Thank you, kind sir." It was a good enough start for him. "My name is Bolt by the way, what's your name?"

This time he made eye contact with Bolt, but didn't say anything at first. He narrowed his eyes and finally answered.

"The humans here call me Smoky." Curious as to why he worded his answer like that, but Bolt didn't question it. "I hope you find what you're looking for, Bolt."

"Thank you again, Smoky." He nodded and said his farewells, and headed for the train Smoky guided him to.

A sudden bump in the track awoke Bolt as his jaw slammed onto the floor of the cargo train.

"Son of a…" He rubbed his jaw with his paw. It wasn't bruised, but it still hurt like a mother.

It was night out. Bolt padded over to the opening of the cargo train. The moon was at its highest point and lit up countryside below with a soft glow. Unlike his home city, the rural area allowed the stars to sparkle brightly to light up the dark sky along with the moon. He spotted the big dipper and suddenly remembered the first time he found it. Mittens showed him it.

"So you're saying that some of these stars make out figures in the sky?" Mittens nodded.

"That's right. They're called constellations. Look, I can see the big dipper!" She pointed to the sky. Bolt tried looking to where she was pointing, but wasn't quite sure what he was looking for. Mittens saw the confused look on his face and softly giggled to herself.

"You don't know what I'm talking about, do you?"

"No idea." He smirked and shrugged while looking at Mittens. She smiled back and suddenly Bolt felt warm in his head. "Uh, so… What does this big dipper look like?" He asked, quickly breaking his stare.

"It kind of looks like a pan those humans use to cook stuff with." She attempted to draw the image with her paw in the air. Bolt watched closely and looked at the sky again. After a minute, he recognized the familiar outline that Penny would use for breakfast in the morning.

"Do you see it?"

"I do. That's so cool. Are there others?" She nodded.

"There are lots of them. There's also the little dipper that looks just like the big dipper, but smaller basically. I can't really remember any others." Bolt looked for the little dipper, until he noticed Mittens shaking.

"You okay, Mittens?"

"Yeah, just a little cold."

"Oh, well. You can lie down with me." Bolt lay on his side so Mittens could lie in front of him against his warm stomach. She closed her eyes and put her delicate paw over his. He wrapped his arm over Mittens to keep her warm. He heard her purring softly.

It was the first time he cuddled with her. He suddenly missed the warmth of her body and her tiny, warm paw touching his. He closed his eyes to sleep and pretended she was by his side again, hoping he would dream of her and eventually make it become a reality.