18.

Snow rushed past the musher's face, it whipped his cheeks and scorned his lips. The dogs were panting heavily despite the frigid temperatures. He looked into the white spray, he knew he was traveling in the right direction, but couldn't help but have a certain amount of self-doubt. He brushed his glove against his cheek, his hand could feel his cheek, yet his cheek could not do the same. His head was growing cold; he knew if he didn't make it there soon an icy migraine would overtake his mind. He gritted his teeth and dipped his head, attempting to shield his face with his hands. He coughed, his face was down and his legs began to wobble.

Balto looked back, he frowned. "Kodi! Our musher's falling apart, we've gotta make it to town."

Kodi took a look at his musher then he turned back to Balto and nodded.

"Faster!" Kodi said. "Our musher's losing it, we've gotta get there soon."

The dogs moved faster, their legs moving at an unprecedented rate. Jenna was falling back, her paws coated in snow, Kirby looked to Jenna. "Come on! This is the last leg. We're almost there."

Jenna looked over and nodded, her nose wrinkled and she picked up her feet. They pressed forward; they had been coated with snow, nearly becoming a uniform white, only the edges of their pelts stuck through. Then a light, and another, and another, until the horizon was a field of lights. Mr. Simpson picked his head up, he saw them.

"Come on!" He called. "We're so close."

At last, they entered the town, people and dogs surrounded the team as they pulled in front of the post office. The musher picked his head up and he noticed they'd made it, "Woah." He ordered.

The sled stopped, people raced from their houses, there was a great coming amongst the people.

Mr. Simpson staggered off the runners of his sled, his back still bent, a post-office worker came out and helped him inside. As he walked inside he spoke, "The dogs- take care of them, they're exhausted."

The man reassured him. "Don't worry, we will. Come on in here and let's get you warmed up, ok?"

Mr. Simpson entered the post-office and disappeared. Another worker grabbed the bag and brought it inside, people waited for the mail to be sorted and distributed. The team of dogs was heaving as they laid on their stomachs, their legs felt as though they were rubber. The same man who had helped the musher inside brought out a tin dog bowl. He brought it out to the dogs, starting with the leads, and finishing with the wheel dogs.

They lapped up the water, so much that he had to fetch more just after Jenna and Kirby. Once they'd drunk, their musher walked out to them, his hands wrapped in cloth. He walked to each of them, pulling off their harnesses and making sure each was acknowledged.

Once he finished the dogs grouped up, shaking off their snowy coats. Jenna walked next to Balto. "Do you know of anywhere warm? You know- where we can rest our legs."

Balto shook his head as a voice came on the scene. "I do."

All heads turned towards a husky, he was short, his coat tan and underbelly white. The colors blended almost seamlessly, he went on. "Follow me."

Kodi looked to Balto, who nodded. The husky led the group through the snowy street, dogs looked on the newcomers. They passed through the town, eventually, the dog turned down an alley. He stopped at a worn wooden door and nudged it open. The dogs followed him inside the small room, lamps hung on the wall. A few huskies sat inside, they observed the sled dogs, then one came forward. "Well, vat have you brought here Ivan? A bunch of strangers, get zem out!"

The husky snarled as Ivan stepped before him. "They have had a long journey, let zem rest."

The husky continued to growl, Balto stepped next to Ivan. "I'm Balto. We don't mean any trouble- we just want to rest our legs."

The husky ceased his growling, he held for a moment, then formed a toothy grin. "Aaahh, so youse are sled dogs? Well I am too, my name iz Vadik, I have run these parts for many years."

The dogs found places to sit and Balto smiled. "We are Vadik, we just delivered the mail."

"Vonderful, any sled dog is welcome in this place. Please, make yourselves comfortable." Vadik said. The dogs settled down, Balto moved next to Jenna.

"So where are youse all from?" One asked.

"Nome." Jenna said.

"Nome," the husky said. He thought for a moment, then went on. "So youse are a long ways from home."

"We are." Jenna said.

A younger husky smiled, he walked over to Jenna. "And vhat is your name?"

"Jenna."

He flashed an enticing smile her way. "Well you certainly are a fine husky."

Jenna barred her teeth and spoke. "Balto's my mate."

The husky flinched and he tucked his tail between his legs. "I'll be leaving, see youse later."

With that, he scurried out the door. The dogs watched him leave and turned their heads to Vadik. He chuckled, "Sorry, young Egor iz a little… well. Let's just ignore him."

One of the huskies walked up to Vadik, who lifted his ear and listened as they whispered to him. His brows lifted and he nodded his head. The husky sat back down and Vadik spoke. "Balto."

"Yes?"

"We were vondering, what is a wolf like you doing on a sled dog team?" He asked.

Balto bit his lip, his gaze averted. "Oh- about that, I'm only half."

Vadik chuckled. "Half and half, I see. It must be vonderful being part wolf, the other half is Husky I assume?"

Balto nodded. "Yes- it's certainly something."

Vadik looked toward Kodi. "And you must be his son."

Kodi stuttered and lips parted, "H-how did you know?"

"Za feet," Vadik responded.

Then he turned towards Dusty, who sat next to Kodi. "And you-"

"Yes?" Dusty asked.

Vadik smiled. "Za love interest."

"W-what?!" She sputtered.

Vadik looked toward Kodi. "Za way you look at her."

Kodi and Dusty averted their gazes, they slowly moved away from each other. Jenna giggled and whispered to Balto. "He's got it."

He chuckled and nodded. "Let's talk about something else, ok?"

Vadik nodded his fellow huskies, they stood and mingled among the visitors. Conversation drowned out the night, giving rest to the team's legs. Laughs were shared, friends made, Kodi and Dusty maintained a safe distance from one another and Vadik continued to embarrass unfortunate souls. Taking a break, Balto and Jenna walked outside. The storm had slowed to a flurry, and the sun had long since set. They lay down next to each other, Balto spoke. "Ya know Jenna? I'm glad you came on this trip."

"Me too," Jenna said. They laid next to each other, enjoying each other's warmth. Then, Jenna's brow frowned. "Oh no."

"Oh no what?"

"Rosy, she must be terribly worried." she sighed. "Maybe I shouldn't have come."

"No Jenna- don't say that. Rosy would understand, you were worried about our son." Balto comforted.

She nodded. "You're right, Rosy would understand."

They continued to sit in silence. Then Balto spoke. "Do you think Vadik might know what Bodarks are?"

"Bodarks?" Jenna said. "You mean the thing Boris called Eran?"

He nodded. "Yeah- he might know what they are. It may give us more answers."

Jenna nodded and they got up. Balto nudged the door open and they made their way into the crowded space. In a corner, they found Vadik, who was talking to Kaltag and Nikki.

"…and then Balto was walking over the stone bridge when it began to-" Nikki noticed the couple approaching, he refocused his gaze. "Oh! Hey there boss, I was just telling Vadik here about how you saved the airman, Duke."

He chuckled. "Yes, yes. That was something. Boys, if you don't mind, Jenna and I would just like to ask Vadik a few questions."

"Sure thing Boss!" Kaltag said. They stepped back and spoke amongst each other. Vadik spoke. "So vhat is it that you wanted to ask me?"

"We were wondering if you knew anything about Bodarks?" Jenna asked.

Vadik's eyes narrowed, he grumbled. "Bodarks… I haven't heard zat word since I was a wee pup."

Balto and Jenna looked on, Balto spoke. "And what are Bodarks?"

His lip curled. "Men- men who have been cursed to walk as wolves. Even when they're not a wolf they smell like one, they can talk to them, growl at them, both wolves and dogs."

Balto went wide-eyed. "It can't be-"

Aleu looked out into the night sky; a breeze chilled the air and brushed the snow off trees. Kyle lay next to Aleu, close, but not so close that they might touch. Kyle spoke. "I just love watching the stars with you girl. Something so mysterious about them, how perfect they are. How I wish I was…"

Aleu took a breath and spoke, "Yeah, perfect."

They watched the night sky for a little longer, then Aleu looked towards Kyle. "Could you tell me another one of your stories?"

Her tail wagged and Kyle looked toward Aleu. "How can someone get tired of watching the stars?"

Kyle noticed Aleu's tail. "Ahhh, I see. You're waiting for me to tell you another story. Well, tonight I got a longer one if you wouldn't mind."

Aleu nodded and Kyle went on. "It was the Sixth of June, 1918. We were supposed to be on leave, but the Germans thought otherwise.

Kyle hugged the base of an old oak as he clenched his rifle, toggling its steel trigger. Far down, in the field, bullets had already begun to fly. The grass brushed against his legs, swaying in the summer breeze. A shell fell over Kyle's division, none flinched, they were waiting for the real threat. Kyle breathed through his nose, smelling the strong scent of gunpowder, sweat, and blood. His ears twitched, footsteps, they were coming.

He looked to Oliver at his right, Eric at his left, they checked their guns, and Kyle did the same. His stomach churned, Kyle wet his crusted lips. The enemy came closer, their footsteps louder. Officer Abram stood behind a tree, in line with his comrades, he observed his troops. He turned his head toward the enemy, through the trees he saw the beginnings of his enemies. "Fire!" He cried.

"Wait!" A voice called out. Blue coats dashed through the trees, it was the French. Some had dropped everything to run, others carried their rifle in hand. They came calling. "Retreat! You must retreat!"

A captain stepped up. "Retreat, hell we just got here!"

Another set of footsteps followed; it was those who wore spiked helmets. The unit turned from their cover, their muzzles lighting up the German's horizon. At first, they drove their foes back, the enemy scrambled for cover. The unit pushed forward, holding the line and causing the Germans to fall back. Eventually, they began to lose momentum, their enemy's numbers relentless. They fell one by one, Kyle fired at a momentous rate. He reached to his belt but he felt nothing but crisp leather. He turned to officer Abram, who'd taken cover behind the same tree. "I'm out of ammo!"

He looked to Kyle, gritting his teeth. "What do you think I am!? An armory? Pull some off a dead body."

Kyle turned towards the nearest corpse and he braced himself to make a run for its ammo. Then, Officer Abram cried, Kyle turned to him and retrieved ammo from his body. He kept firing, Captain Lloyd, the same who had spoken before took cover in the tree adjacent to Kyle. "We're losing our right flank! We need men to provide support."

Some men provided cover fire while others moved to help the flank, Kyle went to the flank. He dashed through the trees, eventually coming to the left flank. There, he found the marines taking cover under heavy fire. A machine gun was perched on a small hill, bodies were strewn across the landscape. The gun's fire shook the ground as it unraveled the measly reinforcements sent by Captain Lloyd. Kyle ducked into the shell hole where Oliver and Eric hid from the gun's fire. A bullet grazed Kyle's helmet, knocking it from his head. Then, the man following Kyle fell into the shell hole, lifeless. Kyle snatched the corpse's helmet and retrieved his ammo. Oliver turned towards Kyle, holding his own down. "They've been keeping this fire up non-stop!"

An artillery strike interrupted Oliver, dirt spewed into the hole. He continued. "We can't poke our heads up, what do we do?"

Kyle lied on his stomach, catching a short glimpse of the gunner's perch. "If we can poke up our heads long enough, then we can probably take out the gunners, right?"

Kyle turned to Eric, he nodded, Kyle looked toward the corpse. "Him- we'll use him as cover. Take him and lay the body across the top, it should work like sandbags, take those thick sticks and prop his body up with them."

His friends followed suit, they moved the body near the hole's top. Then, they grabbed sticks Kyle spoke. "When the fire goes quiet, you and Eric put the body up there. I'll keep it up with sticks- it won't stay there very long, so grab your rifles quick."

They nodded; Eric and Oliver grabbed the body and got into position. The gunner's fire paused, they pushed the body up, Kyle propped it with sticks. Immediately the Germans fired on the body. Shielded behind it, the marines fired on the machine gun. Kyle and Eric maintained fire from behind the corpse and Oliver chucked a grenade in the gunner's direction. Within a moment, the corpse fell. Kyle bickered to himself. "Blasted!"

Then, an explosion sounded, the gunner's fire ceased. Oliver spoke. "My frag- I think I got them."

Oliver peaked the cap of his helmet up, at the perch lay the strewn bodies of German soldiers jumbled among sandbags. Oliver looked to his comrades and nodded, they moved out from their hole. The other marines who'd taken cover followed suit, coming out from their cover. They ran across the shell-stricken field, toward the perch. A German poked his head from behind the ruined perch, he raised his rifle.

Eric noticed the disturbance; he raised his rifle and fired. His enemy fell forward; the horde of marines stormed the perch. The marines dispatched any further enemies in their way. Once Captain Lloyd made it into the perch, he turned to Kyle and his friends. "You three- good job, I want you to take out the next turret."

"Us sir?" Oliver asked. Captain Lloyd nodded, then signaled for the unit to push forward. Kyle looked to his friends, and then the forest beyond, they moved forward.

It wasn't long until they'd reached the next machine gun. It greeted them with a flurry of fire, taking out a line of men. They ducked among the trees, then German soldiers charged ahead. Captain Lloyd ducked behind the ditch the three hid behind, he spoke. "We're losing numbers fast, you've got to take out that turret."

Eric spoke. "Give me some cover fire, I'll sneak behind that ditch to our right. I should have a clean shot on the gunner."

The Captain nodded. "Get ready to run, in three, two, one-"

"Covering fire!" Lloyd ordered. All his men lit up their rifles and poked their heads up. Eric dashed for the ditch. He scrambled behind it and quickly opened fire; the gunner fell backward. Another one replaced him; Eric once again, dispatched him. No replacement stepped in. From the German's line a holler sounded, they came charging forward. The Marines took cover but many were cut down by the mass of fire.

Eric kept his fire, doing his best to repel the enemy charge. He heard someone from behind him, he whipped it around. It was too late, Eric stared down the barrel of his enemies' rifle. Then, blood lurched from the German's chest, he fell backward. Eric looked to where the shot came from, it was Oliver. "Get back here Eric! We'll be overrun!"

Captain Lloyd ordered. "Covering fire!"

Eric skid back into position, more men fell in the fray. The Marines were no more than a couple dozen strong, their enemies kept flooding. Captain Lloyd raised his pistol, he was knocked back, blood surging from his arm.

"Captain!" Kyle called. Lloyd let his arm sag, he ground his teeth. He grabbed his pistol and continued his fire. He ordered. "Grab all the frags you can and throw them at the enemy! Get them before they're close."

Captain Lloyd reached down and unhinged his own, passing it to Kyle. "Sir, we've got to attend to your wound!"

"Just throw the grenade!"

Kyle pulled the pin and hurled it over. The line in front of the Marines became a land of pits powder. The Germans hastened for cover, giving Lloyd the time he needed. He ran over his ditch, he cried. "CHARGE!"

The Marines sprinted towards the cowering Germans, Lloyd brandished his pistol, firing it at a cheetah's pace. The marines cut down the Germans before they could fire a shot. One threw a grenade into the gunner's perch, destroying the weapon. They climbed the hill, their enemies scattered. They surrendered into pairs, twos and threes. The Marines paid no mind; they simply cut them down where they stood. They took the hill, killing the fleeing Germans from their great height.

Once it seemed the last of the Germans had fled, Kyle sagged against a mound of sandbags, he breathed heavily, sticky sweat clung to his skin. The soldiers rested for a moment, some pulled ammo off corpses while others tended to the wounded. Eric and Oliver walked over to Kyle, Oliver stuck out his hand, Kyle grabbed it. He stood. "Good work Eric, that was some fine work of yours."

Eric nodded, then looked into the depths of the forest. "This battle I believe, has only just begun."

"We fortified ourselves there, waiting for reinforcements. Eventually, along with the aid of other marines, we captured our section of the woods. Soon after, we were reorganized, and the main assault had begun." Kyle said to the fascinated wolf that hung on his every word.

They waited among the trees; a swaying field moved in front of them. Captain Lloyd's arm dangled in a sling. He observed his gun, brandishing it in his good hand. He looked across the battlefield; the shells had already begun to pound the rich soil. He began to walk down his regiment, calling. "Fix bayonets! Lock and Load!"

The regiment responded in turn, removing the bayonets from their sheaths and clicking them on the tops of their rifles. Kyle did the same, as well as Eric and Oliver. They stood next to Kyle, waiting for the signal to charge. When Captain Lloyd passed the three, he stopped. "You there- I need your shot, follow me during the charge."

Eric nodded, he walked behind Lloyd, as he went Eric turned and mouthed 'Good Luck' to his comrades. Kyle and Oliver nodded in reply, Kyle spoke. "Looks like we're on our own for this one."

"We need to stay together; this battle is going to be a bloody one," Oliver said.

Kyle nodded as he looked over the fields of wheat. Gunnery Sgt. Dan Daley walked up from behind the lines, observing the rows of men, then stepped from the trees.

"Advance!" he said. The men moved out from their place, they slowly advanced into the field. Shells landed around them, sending plumes of soil and soldiers into the air. They kept their backs hunched over, knees bent. The wheat scratched at the sides of Kyle's trousers, grain clinging to his thighs. Then, they came into range.

"Charge!" Sergeant Daley said.

They ran forward, men fell like playing cards. They made use of whatever cover they could get. The closer they came, the more intense the fighting. Oliver followed Kyle, they took a stationary position in the wheat, shooting what they could.

"They're too entrenched, we'll never get by them," Oliver said.

Kyle grit his teeth. "We've just gotta keep moving- Come on!"

They raced from their spot and toward the enemy line. The machine gunner continued to take scores of men, a shot rang through the air, causing the gunner fell back. Another assumed the empty position and he too, was knocked back. 'Good job Eric, you got a fine shot' Kyle thought.

They pressed forward, as they ran, Oliver was knocked back, his helmet flew from his head. Kyle raced to him. "Oliver! Are you ok?"

Oliver brushed the side of his head, "Yeah, hit me right on the metal."

Kyle looked up. "Oliver- there's a wall, we can get a good position from behind it."

Oliver got up and followed Kyle to it, he slid behind the stone wall, Oliver did the same. The machine refocused on the stone wall, some men tried to take cover, but it was too late. Kyle and Oliver kept their heads low. Oliver tried to find an opening but he couldn't, the fire was too intense. Kyle looked left and right. "Oliver- you move down the line. I'll draw his fire so you can pick him off."

Oliver nodded; he crawled along the leg-high wall and made his way down. Once he'd made it a good way down, he stopped and rested against the trench wall. He nodded to Kyle; Kyle pulled his head up for a moment and fired a round. The gunner swiveled toward Kyle, then Oliver picked his head up, the turret's fire ceased. Another resumed his position, aiming towards Oliver, then Kyle picked his head up, and the man behind it was downed as well.

Kyle pulled back behind the stone wall and looked to Oliver at his right. His vision was obscured by a vile explosion resulting in the stone wall was dismembered, sending shards of stone and shrapnel flying. A rock bashed into Kyle's shoulder, causing him to fall over, miraculously, the hit wasn't fatal. Kyle got up and noticed the crumbling pillars of stone had separated him from Oliver.

"Wait for me Oliver, I'll be over on your side in no time!" Kyle said.

"No! Don't worry, I'm going to cut around back for a better angle!" Oliver said. He crawled along the wall.

Kyle moved to catch up to Oliver, he cried. "Don't go Oliver! Wait, don't go- Oliver!"

He watched his friend crawl along the line, eventually cutting around an edge of the wall. Kyle slung his rifle over his head and got on his hands and knees, crawling along the wall. He stopped at the wall's gap. Kyle looked on the field, and then at the wall's gap. Kyle took a deep breath and then ran across it. He scurried down the final section of the wall, straight to where Oliver had disappeared. Around the wall was an unprotected field, Kyle looked around, and then pulled back. 'Oliver would give his life for mine, It's only fair I return the favor.'

Kyle dashed out into the field, charging toward the German line. He ran next to other marines, the gunner positioned his turret toward Kyle, only to be cut down by his pristine aim. Kyle kneeled in the grass; he searched the plains for his lost friend.

"Get up!"

Kyle looked to his left, Sergeant Daley ran and stood next to him. "You're not injured, are you?"

"No sir," Kyle said. He followed the other marines, no longer searching for his friend. The gunner's position had resumed, Kyle dove into the tall wheat for cover. Sergeant Daley and another followed him. Daley lay in between the two, he looked at Kyle. "I want you to flank right."

His head spun to the other soldier, "And you- flank left."

They nodded, and he went on. "Alright boys, you ready!? Go!"

They stood; Kyle ran right and the other soldier left. The gunners cut down the soldier to Kyle's left, Sergeant Daley charged the turret. He thrust his bayonet into a German, another came up next to him. Kyle knocked the rifle from his hands and slashed his bayonet across his enemy's face. Then, he drove the point to his heart to confirm the man's death. Other marines joined up from behind. The German's turned to run from their defenses, some stopped and tried to hold the line while the others made it out.

The Marines cut them down mercilessly, it was a battle for neither victory nor defeat, the dead or alive, few prisoners were taken. They pushed up through the woods, but the Germans persisted, retreating to further and further defenses. As the incline grew so did the enemy's fire.

The company charged through the woods, they breezed through their enemies with an iron fist. They took a great many casualties in doing so; yet they pressed forward, no matter the cost. Finally, they came to where the fighting was thickest; the hill's summit.

Kyle lay on his stomach, the artillery fire rolled over the tree coated hill. He crawled next to his comrades; Kyle pressed his head into the dirt as a shell hit the ground. He resumed his position, pushing himself with his arms and knees. Kyle crawled behind a piece of fallen timber, kneeling behind the cover. Some of his comrades joined him. A stream of bullets pierced the trunk; Kyle sat with his back to the log, chest down the hill.

Kyle noticed someone coming, they were obscure. Then, he recognized one, it was Eric. He climbed up the slope along with Lloyd. Behind them, a regiment of soldiers came for support. The machine gun laid down another round of fire; soon, Eric's group would be in range, nearly unaware of the danger. 'If they get up here, it'll be a massacre- I've got to do something.'

Kyle looked to his left and right, the men next to him took cover under the heavy fire. Kyle spoke to one at his left. "Look- down the hill. They're coming, they won't see the gun, they'll be toast."

The man looked down. "You're right, they'll go straight to the almighty. What do we do?"

Kyle thought for a moment, then peeked his head over the timber, and after a moment back down. The soldier spoke once more. "What do we do? They're not getting any slower."

Kyle bit his lip, he looked down, there didn't have much time. "We've got to charge- there's no other way. Charge and take out the gunner."

The soldier wrinkled his nose. "You really think I'll do that. That- that's suicide!"

"You got a better plan?" Kyle spoke. The man sputtered for a moment, then checked to see if his rifle was loaded. Kyle did the same saying. "We'll use our grenades to create a screen and hide us from the enemy, we'll run out and try to take out the gunners."

He looked towards the other man, Kyle spoke. "We got to try to rally the troops, if we don't. We're all as good as dead."

Then the tops of their helmets peered over the log's top, Kyle reached for his grenade. Then, a frenzy of fire, Kyle took cover. He looked to his left, only to see an unrecognizable face. Kyle growled, he grit his teeth, he would have to do it himself.

Kyle snatched the man's grenade, the turret's fire ceased, he pulled the pin. Kyle tossed both grenades out into the open, he waited, then they exploded. He hurdled the timber and dashed toward the gunner, he cried. "Charge!"

Through the haze, he shot a German, another came at him with his bayonet. Kyle blocked his attack and drove his bayonet through his abdominal area. Kyle kicked the corpse away and kept moving, he looked up the hill. The turret was trained toward Kyle. Then, an explosion, it tossed the sandbags in every direction. The gunner was thrown from his position, down the slope. Kyle looked back, they were charging, the men had rallied.

They pressed up the hill, the Germans were driven back, they regrouped on the next hill. The marines lost their initial rush, they were forced back onto their hands and knees. Kyle crawled behind a small ledge, shielding himself from the oncoming fire. Someone scrambled down next to him, it was Eric. "Kyle! Thank goodness you're ok."

Eric lay down and swiveled his head, he spoke again. "Kyle- where's Oliver?"

Kyle averted his gaze to the ground. "He- I- lost him."

"You lost him?!" Eric said. A shell pounded the earth; they shut their eyes and grit their teeth. After a moment they reopened their eyes, dirt covered their faces from the blast.

"Yes! I lost him- we were separated." Kyle pressed his head into the dirt, another shell slammed into the hill.

Eric shook his head. "We'll find him later, come on Kyle."

Eric crawled forward, inching up the hill's incline. The turret was positioned just higher than them. Kyle's face was still buried in the earth, his eyes hot as the sweltering summer. Eric looked back.

"Come on Kyle!" Eric yelled. "A sitting duck is a dead one!"

Kyle picked up his face and continued crawling up the hill. The marines moved forward, the air was brewed with the blood and sweat of young men. The screams, gunshots, and explosions penetrated the ears of the soldiers. Aside from all this, they continued to press on. Suddenly, to Kyle's right, a grenade exploded and sent shrapnel flying in every direction. He pressed himself into the ground. Once again, Kyle picked up his head and looked towards his friend Eric, and no longer saw him.

"…we ended up taking the hill, the battle raged on for weeks." Kyle sighed. "I never did see Oliver again."

He shook his head, saying. "I looked and looked; I swear I asked everyone in the regiment. Yet nobody had seen Oliver since the start of the battle, I was the last confirmed witness."

Kyle let out a long, low breath. He stared into the darkness aimlessly, eyes colored a shallow grey. Aleu sat up, she spoke next to him. "You know- when I lost a friend. I thought about those that I had, I was grateful for them. Look who you have now, you have me."

She gave off a friendly whine and licked Kyle's cheek. Kyle turned towards her, a few tears glistened on his face, he was smiling.

"Thanks girl- I'm glad to have you," Kyle said. Aleu smiled. "Yeah, me too."

The team made their way through the alley and into the street. The sky was dark and the northern lights shone bright. The silhouettes of figures moved through the night. In the wee hours of the morning, not many were up. One of the group spoke. "Looks like you'll have fine weather on ze way back."

A greyish-brown one turned to the sled dog. "And why is that so?"

The dog turned his head upwards. "The sky- itz beautiful. A good omen."

They continued down the street, all were silent. Soon they approached a small, yet sizable crowd of people. While all were different in many respects, each had one thing in common. They all carried a letter, package, sack, trying to thrust their way through into the post-office. The dogs moved around the crowd, there, they saw Mr. Simpson checking the harnesses. Balto and the others approached, the musher picked his head up.

"Oh- there you guys are." Mr. Simpson stood and the dogs got into formation.

They awaited their musher, who picked up a pail and walked towards them. He placed it next to the sled, then moved to secure the dogs. Ralph looked back at the pail, his tongue dangled and he sniffed the air, Jenna turned her gaze toward him. "Are you really that hungry?"

Ralph broke his trance, he looked toward Jenna. "What? Me? I just want to make sure the breakfast isn't lousy, that's all."

Jenna raised her brows and cocked her head. "You sure about that Ralph?"

"Yeah, I'm just-"

"No he's not." Vadik walked along the sled.

They looked toward Vadik, Jenna spoke. "How can you tell?"

"Hiz appetite," Vadik said.

Ralph sputtered. "H-how do you know?"

"Last night, youze took a scrap and walked away with it. Then you did it again, and again, I wonder where those scrapz went?" Vadik asked. He rolled his eyes to Ralph's stomach.

Ralph averted his gaze, his stomach no longer grumbled. Mr. Simpson finished strapping in the dogs, then went back and grabbed the pail. He threw at the feet of every dog, a few small fish. They gobbled them up in haste, making quick work of their breakfast. As Balto ate, he paused at his last fish. Balto looked towards Vadik, who lay with his head at his feet, a short distance from the team. "You want it?"

Vadik picked his head up. "Me? I couldn't pozsibly take your breakfast, you'll be needing that."

Balto shook his head as he nudged the fish with his muzzle. "Go ahead, you deserve it for what you've done for us."

Vadik moved forward, he bit the fish, chopping it in two. He walked back to where he was scarfing down its meat.

"I'll only take half, youze need the fish more than I do." Vadik licked his lips clean. Balto nodded, he picked up the other half and ate it. When Balto finished, he turned to Jenna. "You ready for this Jenna?"

She nodded. "Don't worry Balto- with you and Kodi up there, we should be just fine."

Balto grinned, then, he noticed Mr. Simpson moving to the back of the sled. The dogs readied themselves, their legs tensing.

"Hike!" He called, and they were on their way home.