16.
The two canines raced along the aimless valley. Snow kicked up behind the two, eventually, the greyish-brown one stopped before the red one.
"You need to take another break Jenna?" the grey one asked.
"No- I should be fine, let's keep going," Jenna said. They resumed their pace, trampling over the faint footsteps of a dog sled team. The sun was growing low; its orange veil had already begun to drape the white-capped mountains. They had been running since morning, their breaks becoming more frequent as the red husky lapsed. As they ran, the distance grew gradually; Jenna tripped and skidded into the snow, leaving a long dent in its clean-shaven surface.
The grey one paused and turned his head toward his companion. He walked to her. "We can take a break if you want."
She stayed on the ground and nodded. "Thank you Balto- for putting up with me. It must be frustrating waiting for someone as slow as I am."
"Jenna," he began, "how could I ever be frustrated with you?"
Jenna smiled as Balto snuggled next to her and went on. "Besides, who would be here to keep me warm?"
They stayed in each other's warmth for a moment, eventually Balto got up and spoke, "The terrain's getting hilly, we should probably get over this before the sun sets."
Jenna stood and followed Balto, this time, at a trot. They climbed over the second hill, then the third hill, until the sun had nearly disappeared.
"Balto, it's getting harder to see," Jenna said. She spun her head around and watched her surroundings go dim.
"Jenna, you've forgotten I'm half wolf. I got the eyes for this- just stay by my side." Balto said. Jenna stayed close as they continued to climb.
They pressed forward; the hills began to grow sharp, the steep sides engraved with jagged stones. They took careful steps; both knew that even a slip could do serious harm. Balto stopped; he picked up his head and searched the air.
"I've lost them," Balto said, "Their trail's been scattered by something."
He and Jenna stood there, searching the empty night. Balto sighed, then rested on his stomach and laid his head at his paws.
"We'll start again in the morning," Balto said.
Jenna looked around as well, then followed suit. They sat there for a moment, and then Jenna spoke. "Good night Balto."
"Good night Jenna."
The night was still, then, an explosion. Their ears shot up, they investigated the air. It was a flare.
"Jenna- that could be-"
"Kodi's team!" she finished.
Carefully they made their way toward its location. Another one went off, it wasn't too far away. The canines pressed forward. Finally, they summited the last hill. There it was, situated on a small plateau, a fire, torn up sled and a group of dogs.
"That's them!" Jenna exclaimed. The two made their way down the hill and began to summit the last hill; as they climbed to the ledge, they heard a voice.
"Blast- I did nothing but waste a few flares. Woulda been better if I'd been fired, then I wouldn't be in this mess."
A dog whined, the voice continued. "I'm sorry Kodiak, it's my fault, I should've never pushed us up that last hill, and I should've known something would go wrong."
Balto and Jenna stepped onto the plateau to see all the dogs were asleep, except for Kodi. He lay on Mr. Simpson's lap, who had his back against the remains of his sled, he stroked Kodi fur. Next to Kodi was Star, his breathing was even, yet chest coated in blood. Balto and Jenna walked forward, the fire illuminated their faces. Kodi's ears perked, he shifted from his position and stood. His musher spoke, "What is it Kodi?"
Kodi's mouth was slack. "M-Mom? Dad? Is that really you?" he sputtered.
They ran up and nuzzled Kodi. "We were so worried Kodi- what happened to all of you?"
The dogs began to stir; they got up, realizing who had arrived. Mr. Simpson dug his fingers into his hat, his eyes wide as snowballs. "It can't be-"
The dogs turned their heads to Balto and Jenna as they walked into the fire circle, Kodi stood next to them, "We were climbing- it was too steep." Kodi looked towards Star, "He slipped- and the whole team came crashing down."
Kodi finished, he stared at his paws. "Now we're stuck here, without a sled or lead."
Kaltag stirred. "Hey Nikki, look- the boss is here!"
Nikki didn't budge, he opened his eyes and turned them to Kaltag, "No Kal', you're just delusional." He looked across the fire, straight at Balto, "Oh! You're right- the boss is here."
Nikki and Kaltag walked over to Balto, he spoke, "Jenna and I heard you guys got into some trouble, we were worried so we came down here."
Nikki looked to Balto's left; he blinked and spoke, "Jenna! What are you doing here?"
"Saving your tails- as much as I'm loving this reunion, we've got to figure out something to do," she said, Jenna looked around the group. They sat in silence for a moment, Nikki came forward. "Well… we could turn back."
His eyes searched the group, Nikki met his gaze with Kodi, who stared fangs at him, "We will not be turning back. We have a job to do, we have to press on."
"How far away is the checkpoint?" Balto asked. Kaltag spoke. "About ten miles boss, plus this hill."
All heads turned up the hill, Kodi's eyes narrowed. "This time, we'll do it the right way."
"There you are!"
"I haven't seen you all day."
Kyle stood in front of Aleu, he sat in the snow and crossed his legs as she sat beside him. The ground was light; the moon gave off a momentous glow despite its small size that night. They peered up at the moon, as they had done on many nights. A breeze penetrated the cold heart of the night, the air tasted of frozen pine, snow cold to the touch. Kyle went to lay his hand on Aleu, she backed away.
"Sorry-" he said, "I should've known."
He turned his gaze away, laying his hands over his crossed legs. Aleu's brow frowned, she reached over and licked his hand; Kyle turned his eyes back toward her. She smiled, he smiled.
"I just- can't let them find out." She looked away, "If they do-"
"-I'll be done for certain."
Kyle nodded. "It's ok girl- we can still watch the stars."
Kyle laid down, hands behind his head. Aleu followed suit, lying down on her side. They watched the sky for a moment. Then clouds came by, covering their view. Aleu whimpered as Kyle frowned.
"Here, how about I tell you another story?" Kyle turned his gaze to Aleu, her tail wagged.
"Ok ok," he paused for a moment, wrinkled his nose and eventually spoke, "it was little over a month later, the Germans had begun an offensive."
German artillery rained down like hail, the rate of fire was unprecedented. Sight was impossible, hearing improbable, Kyle tasted the cloak of chlorine. The trench wall caved in, to his left, to his right, he pressed himself against its interior. Kyle kept his rifle held close, one hand on his gun; the other held his helmet down.
"Kyle!" he looked to his left, Eric scrambled over to him, an explosion rained dirt over him.
"Their firing gas shells! Officer says to put on the masks." Eric said, and then slipped his mask on.
In one swift movement, Kyle did the same. He spoke, voice muffled through the mask, "Where's Oliver? Have you seen him?"
Eric went to speak, a shell landed in the trench. It shuddered the space, they both tumbled over. Where it had landed, there was a gaping hole. Where there had once been men, now there was mud. Eric scrambled to his knees; his helmet had been knocked down the trench line. He grabbed a crimson one and placed it over his head. Eric spoke, "He's over-" a shell interrupted, "he's on the other side of the trench- helping out the gunner."
"You left him!" Kyle cried.
Eric looked down the trench and toward Kyle again. "I was coming to get you- we had a trench then."
"But we don't now- we've gotta get to him," Kyle said. He turned and began to move down the trench line.
"But we can't Kyle! We'll get blown to-" Kyle turned down the corridor, Eric muttered, "Blasted!"
He followed Kyle's footsteps, there was a ring, an explosion; Eric fell forward. The men around took cover; he looked back; a shell had landed right where he'd been kneeling. He gulped, picked up his gun, and kept moving, turning down the corridor his friend had taken. Kyle waited at the end, he motioned for Eric to follow him.
Both kept their head low, the shells continued to fall. Then, a different one fell, it sprouted yellow gas. Luckily, most of the men had their masks on, except for one. He clutched his throat, coughed and croaked; Kyle ran to him, Eric followed. Kyle shoved the mask on the soldier's face, Eric fixed it around the back. The man gorged on the filtered air, Kyle placed his hands on the man's shoulder. His arms trembled and he fell back against the wall; Kyle and Eric stayed there for a moment, looked at each other and nodded.
At last, they made it around the other side, they fell onto the trench wall. Another series caused the trench to tremble, the soldiers waited for a moment. Then, they got up, the two stumbled down the trench line.
"Oliver! Oliver!" Kyle called.
Eric turned to the men they were passing. "Have any of you seen Oliver? Oliver Dublin?"
Most shook their heads, others simply failed to acknowledge their presence.
"Do any of you know where Oliver Dublin is?" Eric asked.
"Yes! Yes, I know where Dublin is." A soldier spoke up. Kyle and Eric listened.
"He's just down there- the trench line," he pointed to a gunner's hedge, "he's getting the gunners down there ammo- for the offensive."
"Oh no-" Kyle said, "it won't be long."
Eric nodded to the soldier, then followed a sprinting Kyle down the trench line. They saw Oliver, he carried a box into the hedge. They ran into the hedge, Oliver handed the box off to the gunner, he set it next down against the trench wall.
"Oliver, there you are!" Kyle said.
"We've got to stay together Oliver, we can't be separated." Eric said.
Oliver went to speak, he was cut off. The machine gun roared and they plugged their ears.
"They're coming! The Germans, we've got to help." Oliver ran next to the gunner and popped his head up, he shot and pulled down. The other men in the hedge followed suit, keeping their heads and low and rifles high. The enemy's reply was with bombs, on no-man's land German troops ran without rifles. They carried bombs, grenades, grabbed whatever they could find and threw it at the enemy. Some took the machine guns from their pedestals, carrying them into the battlefield.
A bomb was thrown into the gunner hedge, Oliver grabbed it and hurled it back over. The siege was relentless, the gunner pressed his fire while Kyle fed the gun. It ran out, Kyle reached down to grab another strand of bullets. Then, a line of fire shot over the top of the hedge, cutting down all those who had their heads above the line. The other soldier who had been knocked down resumed the gunner's position but was cut down before he could fire a shot.
"We have to fall back!" Oliver cried.
They turned to leave, then Kyle halted. "Wait!" he ripped the machine gun from its standing position, its shattered stand dangling beneath it.
"Grab those cases Eric! Oliver, get what you can." Kyle ordered.
Eric grabbed as many ammo boxes he could carry, Oliver scurried to get a hold of grenades. A stemmer rang in front of the hedge, nearly causing Eric to spill the casings. Kyle ran out of the hedge. "We've got enough, let's go!"
They didn't need a second invitation, they followed Kyle out of the gunner's perch. As Kyle ran, he looked to his left and right; dead men, bodies, lots of them. They littered the trench walls, those who hadn't succumbed to the threat retreated desperately, not stopping to keep their heads low. Kyle heard the cries of war approaching, the Germans were drawing near.
He ran down the trench line placing the machine gun on a mound of mud and sandbags, Eric and Oliver filed in behind him. Eric connected the chain to the machine gun, Kyle clicked it in.
"Get back!" Eric said, "We'll cover your escape."
A soldier ran past them, he dropped into position next to them. The soldier spoke, "They're right behind me- I'll cover your flank. They'll be coming soon."
Then the enemy came; surprised by the sudden onslaught, they fell in droves, the soldier who'd accompanied them fired in rapid succession, Eric's hands fiddled over the belt of bullets. Their enemies paused and took cover behind the trench walls, Oliver grabbed a grenade from his stockpile, as did the accompanying soldier. They pulled the pins and hurled it towards their enemies. They were answered by a bright flash and chorus of screams. The men continued to pour through the opening, Eric spoke, "the chain's about to run out!"
Eric and the soldier threw more grenades, giving time for Eric to reload the gun. They kept this up, yet the numbers were too great.
"We have to pull back!" Oliver said.
Kyle picked up the gun off the sandbags, Eric grabbed what remained of ammo and Oliver scrambled for any remaining grenades. Then, the soldier's gun was struck by an enemy bullet, knocking it from his hand.
"We've got to run!" Kyle exclaimed, "We've got to run!"
They ran down the trench, continuing to fire on the ever-approaching enemy. They ran down the line, ducking into a shell hole.
"We'll never escape at this rate!" Kyle said. They continued their fire, soon, all ammunition was nearly exhausted. The Germans made it into the trench complex, utilizing the cover it had to offer. They were pinned down, hardly able to pop up their heads to take a shot. Oliver poked his head up for a moment, and then dropped it, he spoke, "They're pouring in- there's too many." He reached for his last grenade, then something engulfed the trench walls. The mist swooped over Kyle and the others, it was chlorine.
"Get out of the pit!" Kyle said. They scrambled out, and could see no more.
"…the Germans had little time to put on their masks. Many of them fled back onto no-mans land." Kyle said.
"We made our way out of the mist, eventually we regrouped with a French regiment. They pressed hard that spring, we took many losses." Kyle sat up, he looked towards Aleu.
He spoke, "I just want to say- thanks for being here for me. Listening to me, I guess I just needed someone to talk about this with."
Aleu rolled back on her stomach, "What do I do?" Aleu said to herself.
"I can't talk to him, but I can't touch him either." She looked away. "What he's gone through is so terrible, I wish I could comfort him."
Kyle smiled and stood. "I'll be back here tomorrow girl, if you want to hear more of my stories."
Aleu's tail wagged and he went on. "Ok there, I'll be waiting here for you."
Aleu stood, they looked at each other for a moment, and then turned away.
"Good night Kyle," Aleu said. Kyle kept walking, her ears drooped and she walked back to her pack.
'Good night Aleu,' Kyle mouthed.
Mr. Simpson hammered a nail into his makeshift sled. It was wobbly, the runners beneath it deranged and strained. It had no place for a musher to stand, it was nothing more than a suspended sheet of hickory and iron. He lifted the mailbag, the musher grunted and placed it on the sled. He retrieved the dogs' harnesses, nailing the severed end to the warped frame. Then, he took a strand of rope, tying it around the mail in a secure knot. He stepped back for a moment and peered at his injured hand. 'It'll take care of itself later.'
He turned to the dogs. "Get in line! We're moving."
They got to their respective positions, Balto and Jenna stood to the side. The musher looked at Star, he had woken up but was in no condition to run.
"Get in the lead," Jenna said, "it's waiting there for you."
Balto smiled, he walked to the harnesses and slipped it over his shoulders. Mr. Simpson looked to Balto, the musher laughed and fastened the harness around him. Mr. Simpson spoke, "Just like old times Balto, we can climb this hill."
He stepped back and took a deep breath. "Hike!"
The dogs began to climb, Mr. Simpson stayed at the back, ensuring that the bag didn't fall. Balto dug his claws in the snow, scraping the face. Jenna stayed at the bottom, keeping an eye on Star. Mr. Simpson stood his position behind the sled and pushed it up the steepest part. Eventually, the slope began to plain, Balto made it to the top. He was followed by the team, the sled, and finally Mr. Simpson; Kodi who was behind Balto said. "Great job dad."
Balto smiled. "Awww… come on. I couldn't have done it without you."
They looked down the slope, coming up was Star, who was leaning against Jenna for support. They made their way up, clawing the rocky slope. Eventually, they made it up without trouble, Star slumped down on the snow. Mr. Simpson scratched his chin, he walked over to Star, saying, "Ok boy, I'm gonna put you up on the sled."
The musher slipped his arms under Star, he lifted and placed Star on the sled.
"Hike!" Mr. Simpson ordered. The team moved at a slow pace, Jenna and the musher followed alongside. They continued over rolling hills; the horizon was grey. Wind curved over the hills and ran past the team. It licked at the team's fur and coated Mr. Simpson's naked arm.
Then, through the haze, something came into Mr. Simpson's view. It was a tavern, outside of it, a team of dogs was parked. They pulled up in front of the tavern, he saw someone peek through the window. The musher looked to his team. "Stay here."
He walked inside, the bartender spoke. "Hey son, you know you need a sled to run a team, don't ya?"
Mr. Simpson nodded. "Send a transmission to the town of Nome."
"Ok," the bartender said, "What do you want to send?"
"Tell them," he paused, "that Mr. Simpson's team made it to the checkpoint."
Aleu woke, she walked out of the den and sucked in the cool, snowy air. It was still early, the sun had only just begun to rise. Today, the air was still, at last, there was no breeze. Aleu laid on her stomach, closing her eyes and feeling the ease of early morning. Someone approached, her ears perked and eyes opened.
"Sitka?" Aleu said, "What are you doing here?"
He took quick breaths, his tongue shooting in and out. "Kila- her scent- leads right out of the territory."
"Do you think she-" Aleu started. Sitka nodded, then sprinted down the ledge, Aleu followed. The pack woke up as the two dashed toward the territory's edge. They ran through the sleeping grounds, passed Nuju and the hunters, and finally stopped next Levgu and Sevgu, who stood next to a set of tracks. Sitka and Aleu came to a halt, Levgu spoke. "We assigned Kila to the late-night patrol, when we came back-"
"-she was gone." Sevgu finished.
Levgu looked towards the tracks. "They're recent- no more than an hour or so."
"If we hurry, we should be able to catch her," Sevgu spoke.
Aleu ran, tracing the trail, the others followed. She sustained a sprint, her legs worked faster than her nose. She kept her head low, honing in on Kila's scent. She followed it into the thick of the forest. Eventually, she paused, the footprints were scattered and scents mixed. The others came up behind her, Sitka searched the space, his nose low to the ground. He wrinkled his nose and spoke, "Rrrgh! There are too many scents mixed in, I can't tell them apart."
They stood there for a moment, trying to decide their next best move. After many moments of silence, Aleu spoke, "Come back Kila!" she called.
"Please! Just come back!" Aleu's voice seemed to echo in the barren forest. She sat and her neck slumped. The brothers looked at each other and walked away. Sitka sighed. "We've done all we can do here Aleu."
Aleu looked back, she spoke. "I'm just going to sit here for a moment. Alright, Sitka?"
Sitka nodded, he walked away, following the brothers. Aleu sat for a moment and then howled. A long howl, it was deep, when she finished, tears were streaming down her cheeks.
"What did I do wrong Kila? How did I fail as a friend?"
"You didn't just fail as a friend."
Aleu's head shot up, it was Kila. She stood mere feet from Aleu. "You failed as a mentor."
"I looked up to you- aspired to be like you- only to have my childish dreams crushed." Lines formed over her nose, her lips quivered and tears trickled down her face. "What sane wolf would ever want to be like you?"
Aleu got up, she snarled and raised her tail. "Kila! Stop this! It isn't you."
"You're right, this isn't me- the weak, inferior me." She inched towards Aleu, taking slow steps. Aleu walked backward, keeping her distance, she growled lightly. "Stay back! I don't want to hurt you."
Kila chuckled. "I'm afraid… you already have."
She attacked, throwing herself towards Aleu. The Alpha barely dodged, she fought to regain her balance. Aleu's face was placid, her eyes wide, they stung with tears. Aleu spoke, "I'm sorry Kila… please forgive me."
Kila smirked, "So now the great and powerful alpha begs for a second chance…" she chuckled, "The time for forgiveness is over, the time for revenge has only just begun."
She snapped at Aleu, who dodged and retaliated. Blood dribbled onto the ground, Kila looked at her side, then back Aleu. She let out a low growl, then charged at Aleu, releasing a flurry of attacks. They rained down upon Aleu, she stepped back, showing her teeth and attempting to ward off her aggressor. They battled back and forth, step by step.
Aleu tripped, Kila took the opportunity, she pinned Aleu. Then, proceeded to sink her teeth deep into Aleu's back. Aleu howled sharply, pain congregated near her neck. Kila let go, blood outlining the rims of her mouth. Aleu knew what was next, she braced herself for the end. Kila lowered her mouth to Aleu's neck, she spoke, "Vengeance is the only type of forgiveness that I give."
She opened her mouth, then a strong force hit Kila. She was knocked onto her side, skidding across the snow. It was Nuju, his fighters surrounded Kila. "You've got nowhere to run, surrender and your death will be quick."
Kila stood, shaking the snow off her, she looked at Nuju. "The time for revenge has only just begun."
"Kill her!" Nuju ordered. His fighters ran towards Kila, she ran in Aleu's direction. Two of them stepped in to protect their alpha, leaving a gap in the line. Kila took the opening, darting into the forest.
"Follow her!" Nuju ordered. The wolves pursued, she darted over tree roots and under their barren branches. The wolves were close behind, gaining on Kila. It would only be a matter of time until they had her. Kila took a sharp turn, the light grew as she ran in this direction. Then, she saw it; bursting through a thicket, she stopped at a ledge. The wolves came through, encircling her, encroaching step by step. Kila looked over the ledge, and then back, over the ledge, and then back. A she-wolf snarled. "Don't try it Kila."
Kila smiled, then, turned sharply and hurled herself over the ledge. Kila landed into the soft snow, there she lay, unmoving. The wolves peered over for a moment, then nodded.
"She's dead," A male said.
Then, they withdrew from the scene. Kila stayed still, eyes closed. Then, they pursed open. 'What fools,' Kila stood, 'Nuju should teach them how to finish the job.'
'My time as beta is over, the time for my journey as alpha, has only just begun.'