Happy New Year yall! Joe Stalin here, wishing you all the best for 2006! I come bearing chapter 5 of 'A New Threat' to get the new year off with a bang!

Things go from bad to worse for poor Balto, as the grip of 'The Pack' tightens! Enjoy!

Balto

A New Threat (Part 5)

In Nome, a stillness in the air had descended as the twilight period began.

Doc had been on his way home when he heard someone approaching him from behind. Turning round, he saw Kaltag approaching him at speed, though with a noticeable limp.

Doc padded upto him ''Is there something wrong Kaltag? You look as though you've seen a ghost!''

Kaltag winced ''I wish I had. Oh God Doc! The barn...dead...blood everywhere...!''

''Hey, hey, calm down my boy! Don't get so flustered, I can't understand you!''

Kaltag took a deep breath ''Down there, the old barn...she's dead''

Doc frowned ''Who's dead?''

''I don't know! Didn't you hear me? She's dead!''

Doc shook his head ''I don't know what on earth your talking about Kaltag''

Kaltag sighed exasperatedly ''Come with me then! I'll show you myself''

Both dogs took off down the street. They walked for a short time, Kaltag in front, until they came to an apparently deserted barn. Kaltag stopped.

''She's...in there Doc'' he said quietly.

Doc nodded ''Ok Kaltag. I'll just be a minute''

Doc padded upto the barn. The door was slightly ajar, and he pushed it open with his paw. Inside it was dark, and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust, but soon a shape began to form.

''What in the...?'' he muttered, padding further inside the barn. What he saw froze his blood.

There before him was the body of a female dog. Her fur had once been yellow, but now it was stained bright crimson from the gaping wound torn out of her throat. Doc felt a sudden wave of nausea coarse through his body.

''Kaltag! Kaltag, come in here!''

After a moments pause, Kaltag slowly padded inside. Doc noticed that he was trying his best not to look at the body.

''How did...how did you find her?'' Doc asked.

Kaltag shook his head ''I didn't. Nikki told me where she was. He went looking for you after he told me, and I...looked for myself''

Doc shook his head ''I've never seen her in town before, have you?''

''No. But Doc...that isn't all'' Kaltag shook his head and padded back to the door. Doc followed.

''What do you mean 'that isn't all'? What the devil are you talking about?''

Kaltag sighed deeply ''I've heard...that there have been more bodies found''

''More? How many more?''

''Four. One was found in another barn further away from here, another was found in an alleyway close to the hardware store.Then there was a third body found in the hardware store itself, and another further towards the woods''

Doc frowned ''And do they all have the same injuries?''

Kaltag shook his head ''No. The one in the barn had similar injuries, as did the one found in the alley. But the one in the hardware store had had his neck broken. Pushed down the stairs apparently. And the one up near the woods...had been thrown off a roof'' he shivered.

''Good lord. Is there a link at all?'' Doc asked.

''They're all dead aren't they? Isn't that enough of a link?'' Kaltag snarled, taking Doc by surprise.

''I'm sorry Doc. It's just...I can't take it in. Four murders''

Doc sighed ''We're going to have to call a meeting for tomorrow morning. Compulsary attendance. Everyone needs to know that...we have a murderer on the loose''

''Murderers'' Kaltag muttered.

''What? What are you suggesting Kaltag?''

''Each murder happened at a different location, and by different methods. Sounds to me like more than one culprit''

''But...but this is absurd! Are you suggesting to me Kaltag that we have got a pack of killers in Nome?''

''Yes! That is exactly what I'm suggesting Doc! And that isn't all!''

Doc frowned ''What else could there be?''

Kaltag took a deep breath ''The body in the hardware store, the one with the broken neck. He was...rabid''

Doc froze ''Rabid? Are you sure?''

Kaltag nodded ''Yes. It appears that...we're dealing with the same wolves that attacked Anchorage last week''

''Oh my good lord! Right, thats it! Round up everyone you can Kaltag, tell them to congregate at the mill at once! This can't wait until tomorrow!''

''Right. I can do that'' Kaltag said.

Doc stopped his before he took off ''And tell them under no circumstances are they to walk the streets alone! I want them all in groups no less than three!''

''Right!'' Kaltag replied, before taking off down the street.

Doc wiped the sweat off his brow ''Oh this is dreadful! I've got to warn Jenna!''

Without a moments hesitation, Doc took off in the direction of Jenna's house.

Kaltag ran as fast as his injury would allow him. As he turned a corner, he almost collided with two dogs coming the other way. Both of them looked up surprised as he came to a stop panting for breath in front of them.

''Hey buddy, where's the fire?'' one of them asked.

''Yeah, that could have been serious if you hadn't have stopped!'' the other one replied.

Kaltag looked up at the two dogs. One was a dalmation wearing a green pullover and red collar. The other was a german shepherd with light brown fur and a blue collar. Both of them were larger than Kaltag, and both had piercing amber eyes.

''Sorry. I'm in rather a hurry'' he replied, smiling faintly in apology.

The german shepherd cracked a grin ''We figured that''

The dalmation cocked an eyebrow ''Anything important?''

Kaltag nodded ''Yes as a matter of fact. Listen, there's a meeting at the mill in the next few minutes. Compulsary attendance''

The german shepherd raised his eyebrows ''Blimey, sounds really bad''

Kaltag nodded ''It is. If you see anyone else on your way, tell them to go to the mill as quickly as possible in groups no smaller than three''

The dalmation frowned ''Why?''

''That's not important! Just tell them that, and tell them to be on their guard, okay?''

Both dogs nodded ''Sure, no problem'' the german shepherd replied.

''Thanks'' Kaltag said, before taking off down the street.

Both dogs turned to each other bearing the same puzzled expression.

''What was all that about?'' the german shepherd asked.

''I think...everythings falling into place Jack'' the dalmation replied, suddenly breaking into a vicious smirk.

Jack sniggered ''So, groups no smaller than three aye? We'd better comply then Theo''

Theo nodded ''Yep. Lets find Nick. We should have a couple of minutes''

Jack raised an eyebrow, his smile never wavering ''What for may I ask?''

Theo smirked ''Oh I think you know my friend''

Jack's grin widened ''Lets go then''

Both dogs padded away down the street

The first thing Balto noticed when he woke up was the dull ache at the back of his head. His vision was blurred, and it took several seconds before it started to clear up.

Staggering to his feet, he realised that it wasn't just his head that was pounding. His entire body throbbed in pain, and he winced.

''What happened to me?'' he thought.

That was when he looked down at his back leg. There was dried blood surrounding a sizeable bite mark, and there was a small pool of blood on the floor where he had been lying down.

''How did that get there?''

He shook his head, trying to clear the throbbing pain. It wasn't painful as such, just annoying. What was more, he was finding it difficult to remember what had happened. Everything was a blur.

Shaking his head, he tested his weight onto his injured leg. It hurt, but nothing he couldn't handle. He looked round.

''How did I get here in the first place?'' he thought, but no answer came to him.

He took a step forward, and stopped. His mouth felt like cotton, and there was a bitter taste at the back of his throat. He scrunched his face up as he swallowed.

''Urgh! What was that?'' he tried to think, but again nothing came to him.

Frustrated, Balto padded out of the factory.

Dingo sighed for what seemed like the hundreth time that night. His mother was asleep by the fireplace, after eventually crying herself to sleep. Dingo shook his head, then continued looking out of the window. The street outside was completely deserted, and there was no sign of Kodi.

''It shouldn't have taken him this long to get back''

Dingo frowned. Was it possible that something had happened to Kodi? No. That couldn't be possible. Kodi was tough, far tougher than Dingo himself. There had to be another explanation.

''Maybe he stopped to see Dusty. Yeah, that'll be it'' he thought.

With reluctance, Dingo turned away from the window and padded upto Jenna's sleeping form. It broke his heart to see her this upset, and all because of his father.

Dingo suppressed a growl. This was all Balto's fault. His fathers stupid actions had caused his mother such pain, and all for nothing more than a one night stand.

''If he ever shows his face here again, I'll...'' Dingo snarled in frustation. He didn't know what exactly he would do, but it wouldn't be pleasant.

A sudden scratching at the door caught his attention. After a moments hesitation, Dingo padded upto the door and pushed it open. What he saw took him completely by surprise.

''Doc?''

Dingo stepped back as Doc bolted inside the house. Dingo immediately noticed the troubled expression on Docs face.

''Doc? What's the matter?''

''Where is your mother Dingo? I need to talk to her, urgently''

''She's...she's back there'' Dingo gestured to where Jenna was asleep, his forehead creasing in concern.

Doc nodded ''Ok, I just need to have a word with her, then...''

Dingo cut him off ''Doc, is there something going on?''

Doc sighed ''Dingo, I'll explain later. Right now I just need to speak with your mother''

Dingo frowned ''Doc, tell me whats wrong''

Before Doc could answer, there was a scratching at the door.

Dingo frowned ''Well, it's about time he showed up!''

''Is Kodi here? I need to talk to him as well'' Doc said as Dingo padded upto the door.

''Kodi, you'd better have one hell of an excuse!'' Dingo called out as he opened the door.

He staggered back in alarm at the sight that met him.

Kodi stood framed in the doorway, one leg pressed to his side. His fur was slick with blood, and he was being held up by another dog behind him.

''Kodi? Kodi, what happened?'' Dingo stuttered as Kodi limped inside, escorted by Carver. Dingo noticed the vicious looking slash wound on Carver's muzzle as he passed by.

''Hey Dingo could you give me a hand? This guy weighs a ton!'' Carver said, forcing a smile.

Dingo padded upto to Koid's other side, and together helped Carver escort Kodi towards the fireplace. Jenna looked up in alarm.

''Kodi? Oh my God, what happened?''

Kodi looked up weakly as he lay down on the floor. Jenna moved closer and nuzzled him.

''Kodi? Kodi speak to me'' Jenna choked, unable to tear her eyes away from Kodi.

Kodi's eyes opened slightly, as he tried to focus. Taking a ragged breath, he lay his head back down on the floor and closed his eyes.

''Doc? Doc get here quick!'' Dingo shouted frantically.

Doc rushed upto Kodi, and lay an ear on his chest.

''He's breathing'' Doc said, relief in his voice.

Jenna sighed with relief and lay here head on Kodi. Dingo turned to Carver.

''Where did you find him?''

''I found him further up the street. I thought he must have gotten into a fight or something, what with the injuries he's got'' Carver replied.

Dingo looked closer at the wound on Carver's muzzle, who turned away in embarrassment.

''Where did you get that Carver? Looks pretty bad''

Carver shook his head ''It doesn't matter''

Dingo frowned ''You told me you were going to find Dad. Did he do that to you?''

Dingo looked straight into Carver's eyes, who turned away unable tohold his gaze.

''He did didn't he?'' Dingo frowned.

Carver nodded, raising a paw to wipe away the blood surrounding the wound.

''Look, it isn't important. It was my fault really''

''How could it be your fault? He's the one who injured you! And from the looks of it he did a damn good job!'' Dingo replied.

Carver shook his head ''I shouldn't have gone looking for him. It was my fault. I had no right in getting involved in things that don't concern me''

Dingo growled ''When I see him, I'll...''

Carver lay a paw on Dingo's shoulder ''Hey! Don't talk like that kid. He's your Dad after all''

Dingo shook his head ''Not anymore he isn't! He stopped being my Dad the moment he left the house!''

Doc padded over ''We're going to have to get Kodi to the vets. He'll be better there''

Dingo nodded, and padded over to Jenna, who was nuzzling Kodi's unconscious form.

''Mum, he'll be okay. We're going to take him to the vets okay?''

Jenna nodded, causing tears to run down her muzzle ''I know he will. He's a fighter''

Dingo smiled faintly, then turned to Doc and Carver.

''You guys stay here and look after Mum. I'll be back in a minute''

Doc shook his head ''No you won't Dingo. I'll come with you''

Dingo frowned ''Doc, what was it you came over for?''

''I...I was going to tell you about the current situation. I've called an emergency meeting at the mill, and I came over to escort yur mother after...well, you know'' Doc looked embarrassed.

''Situation?'' Carver asked.

Doc nodded ''I'm afraid...we have a murderer in town. Maybe more than one''

Jenna looked up startled ''Murderers?''

''We've found...four bodies around town''

''Four?'' Carver's jaw dropped slightly.

''Are you sure Doc?'' Dingo asked.

''Yes, I'm afraid so. That's why I will help you takeKodi to the vet. It's not safe to be alone on the streets'' Doc looked at Carver.

''While we're gone, will you...'' Doc gestured to Jenna.

Carver nodded ''Sure thing. The least I can do''

Doc smiled ''Thank you''

With Docs help, Kodi was lifted onto Dingo's back.

''I won't be long Mum'' Dingo nuzzled Jenna, before padding out of the house with Doc in tow. As soon as they were gone, Jenna dissolved into tears.

Carver padded over ''Jenna, I know it's hard, but he's going to be all right''

Jenna shook her head ''He said...he wouldn't be long. That's what Kodi said before he left''

Carver sighed ''Dingo will be okay. He's got Doc with him. There's no point in you getting into a state, you'll only make yourself feel worse''

Jenna choked back fresh tears ''If Balto was here he would...'' she stopped.

Carver smiled faintly ''You still have feelings for him don't you?''

Jenna nodded slightly ''I do. I still love him but...could I have just ignored that? Could I have just let it slip by?''

''No one has any right to make you think that Jenna. Something like that...you just can't ignore it''

Jenna nodded ''Your right I know...but I can't stop feeling the way I do about him''

''I understand. It's been tough, and what's just happened hasn't made it any easier. He's a part of your life, and it's okay to still have feelings for him''

Jenna smiled faintly ''Thank you Carver''

Carver returned the smile ''Hey, you made me welcome when I showed up here. It's the least I can do for you''

Jenna's smile vanished as she noticed the wound on Carver's muzzle ''Did he really do that to you?''

Carver sighed ''It doesn't matter. If anything it's my fault. I should have given him time to cool off. If it was me instead of him, and some nosy outsider started questioning me about personal matters, I would have reacted exactly the same way''

''That doesn't make it right'' Jenna frowned.

Carver smiled sheepishly ''Believe me, it isn't the first time I've stuck my nose into things that don't concern me''

Jenna glanced at the window ''I hope he's okay''

''Kodi? I'm sure he will be. He's a fighter, just like his Dad''

Jenna didn't know what to make of that last comment.

Carver's forehead suddenly creased up in concern ''I wonder what this meeting is about?''

''I don't know. Something like this has never happened before'' Jenna replied, a sudden stab of fear causing her to shiver. Carver noticed.

''Hey, don't worry. I'll look after you until Dingo gets back. You have my word''

Jenna smiled ''You really are sweet Carver''

Carver nodded ''Thank you''

A scratching at the door caught them both off guard. Carver frowned.

''They can't be back this early''

''Jen? Jenna it's me'' a familiar voice called out from the other side of the door.

Jenna stood up off the floor and padded upto Carver, a deep frown on her face.

''He's got a lot of nerve coming round here'' she said.

''Should I tell him to go?'' Carver asked. Jenna noticed that he looked nervous at the prospect.

''No, I'll do it''

Jenna padded upto the door and pushed it open. Balto smiled at her from the other side.

''Hi sweety. Miss me?''

Balto was taken completely by surprise as Jenna smacked him, hard, on the side of the head. He stepped back, totally confused.

''She just hit me!'' he thought, completely stunned. The side of his head throbbed, and he could only look at Jenna at a total loss for words.

''Jen...why...?'' he managed to say.

''You've got some nerve coming here! Don't you remember what Doc said?'' Jenna said, her eyes boring holes in Balto's head.

Balto shook his head, unable to come to terms with what had just happened ''Jen, I don't...''

''My name is Jenna Balto!'' she snapped, causing him to flinch.

''Jenna never snaps at me. What could I have done?''

''Oh don't stand there playing the fool Balto! Have you just come over to waste my time?''

''Jen...what have I done?'' he stammered.

Jenna snarled ''Don't you dare play dumb! You know exactly what you did!''

''I...I don't. Please Jen, let me in and...''

''Your not setting foot in this house Balto! Now get out of here before Dingo gets back!'' as she said this, she started to tear up.

''Jenna, your not being serious?'' he tried to think what he could possibly have done to upset Jenna so much, but his mind was just a blur.

''I've never been more serious in my life! Just go Balto!'' Jenna collapsed into tears then. Balto took a step closer.

Jenna growled at him, and he flinched back in alarm.

''Jenna? Is everything okay back there?''

Balto looked up at the source of the voice. A black dog with a white chest and paws padded upto Jenna. Balto gasped, as memories flashed before his eyes.

The factory. Drake. The excruciating pain.

Something inside him snapped. A low growl began down within his stomach, making its way up into his chest and throat. The growl came out of his mouth. Without realising it, he was standing in a crouched position. His front paws dug into the snow ready to pounce. His ears flattened back against his head, and his upper lip curled up over his front teeth.

''You!'' he snarled.

Before Carver had time to react, Balto was on top of him snapping at his throat. Carver crossed his front legs up against him to keep Balto off him, but despite the viciousness of Balto's attack he was smiling.

''Balto! Balto get off him!'' Jenna yelled, trying to pull him off Carver. Balto retaliated, and without even thinking threw Jenna off him. She fell in a heap on the floor.

Carver grinned up at Balto ''That's my boy!'' he whispered.

Balto growled, and swiped at Carver's face. Carver was sent sprawling across the floor, blood trickling from a fresh cut above his eye.

Jenna could see the anger in Balto's eyes, and it scared her. Despite this, she threw herself between Carver and Balto, and tensed herself up.

Balto was taken aback ''Jenna, what are you doing? He attacked me, see?'' he gestured at the bite mark on his back leg.

Carver coughed up blood ''Self defense'' he muttered, struggling to his feet.

Jenna stared at Balto ''Balto, just go. Please''

Balto looked at her confused ''Jen...''

Jenna responded with a growl ''Go Balto!'' the fear in her eyes betrayed the harshness of her voice.

Balto looked at her stunned. A sudden sharp pain caused him to wince, and he grasped his head. When it had cleared, he looked back at Jenna.

''Jenna...I love you''

Balto turned away and bolted out of the door. Jenna realised she had been holding her breath, and she let it out with a gasp. Carver stood up and staggered over to the door.

''Are you allright?'' Jenna asked, noticing the blood trickling out of the cut over his eye as well as his mouth.

Carver nodded ''I'm fine. Thanks Jenna'' he forced a smile.

Jenna shivered ''I...I don't know what came over him. He's never been like that before''

Carver winced ''I guess I showed up at the wrong time then''

Jenna padded over to him ''Your hurt. Here, let me help you'' she helped escort him to the fire, where he lay down.

''Thanks Jenna. I appreciate it''

Jenna smiled, and padded over to the window. She looked down the street, just in time to see a familiar silhouette disappear into the darkness.

''Balto...'' she said quietly.

Behind her, Carver smirked.

''Your on your way Balto my boy. Your on your way''

In a nearby shed, two dogs looked on with amusement at the dead dog at their feet.

''Why didn't he tell us when we first asked him, hmm?'' The dalmation, Theo, asked.

The other dog, a black and grey wolf, leered down with piercing brown eyes ''Stubbornness I suppose'' he sniggered.

They had cornered the dog in the shed and asked him where the mill was. When the dog hesistated, Theo had had no hesitation in tearing out his throat. Now, both of them were on the verge of a laughing fit.

''You two are so immature it's unbelievable'' a third dog spoke out.

''Hey lighten up Jack! Don't tell me you've lost your sense of humour!'' Theo smirked.

''Nah, I aint lost my sense of humour'' Jack replied, padding upto Theo.

Jack grabbed at the dead dogs throat, coating his paw in blood. Before Theo could react, Jack lobbed the bloody mess directly at his face. The dalmations fur went from white to crimson in a second.

Jack smirked ''See? I found that funny!'' he sniggered.

Theo glared at Jack, drops of blood trickling down his neck ''And you call us immature?''

All three dogs collapsed into fits of laughter. The black and grey wolf padded over to the shed door and peered out.

''Hey you guys! Guess who?''

''What is it Nick?'' Theo asked, as he and Jack padded upto the door.

Outside, they spotted a wolf dog hybrid sprinting through the snow. All three broke into vicious smirks.

''Mr Carver's protege?'' Nick asked.

Theo nodded ''Mm Hmm! Right on cue!''

Balto came to a stop, panting for breath. His head was wracked with pain, and his throat was burning.

''Jenna''

Tears began rolling down his face, and despite the snow underfoot he lay down and covered his eyes with his paws.

He didn't know what was happening to him. His whole body ached, especially his head, and the taste in his mouth was knocking him sick. What was worse was the image in his head. The terrified expression on Jenna's face when he attacked 'Drake'. He didn't know what had caused him to snap, nor why he had wanted nothing more than to rip 'Drakes' throat out.

But what scared Balto the most was the realisation. He had enjoyed attacking 'Drake'. The feeling it had given him had been amazing, which was what he couldn't understand.

''What is happening to me?'' he thought. But as usual, no answer came to him. Just pain.

A movement at the corner of his eye caught his attention. Lifting his head up, he could just make out something moving in the shadows.

Getting to his feet, Balto was unawares of what was approaching him from behind.

Before Balto had time to react, several figures pounced on him. Balto felt his legs give way, and felt a pair of paws grip his muzzle shut. He frantically looked around. He could make out four figures, each of them looking down at him with maddened smirks.

As Balto tried to struggle lose, one of the figures lowered his face in front of his. Balto could make out a smaller dog with white fur wearing a red bandanna.

''Hey, chill out pal! Your in 'The Pack' now!''