Chapter 3
Balto turned to me. "Don't worry about that. It'll heal.'' He reassured me.
"No, it's…it's not. It's not ok. Let me look at you.'' I said, trying not to overreact. As I was saying this, however, my heart was beginning to race. I hoped he hadn't been hurt too badly.
I quickly looked him over in hopes of seeing any injuries. What I saw horrified me; there were large cuts and scrapes on Balto's side and chest. Tufts of fur had been ripped out; his right ear had a nasty cut on it. I instantly felt my heart ache. He had endured all of this…for me?
"Balto,'' I said. I could feel my eyes beginning to water. "Come here.''
Balto limped toward me, grunting every time he got closer. He eventually reached me and looked down at me with large, sorrowful eyes.
"Oh babe,'' I said, my heart breaking after seeing him so close. The scars on his body were much more apparent up close. I paused for a second before saying "Come sit down. Lie here with me.''
I made way for Balto as he sat down next to me. I cuddled up next to him, wanting to comfort him. Balto hugged me back and pulled me closer.
There were a lot of things that we had to talk about but right now I was content with just sleeping with him. Slowly, we closed our eyes and drifted off into sleep. We slept until the sun went down and the crickets started chirping.
I awoke with a groan and lazily looked around, wondering what time it was. Balto groaned next to me and stood up, grunting when he put pressure on his left paw.
"It still hurts?'' I asked. Balto nodded.
"I'm sorry baby,'' I said apologetically. I didn't know what else to say. I kept thinking it was my fault, even though I knew it wasn't. If Balto hadn't stepped in to defend me, he wouldn't be injured right now.
"It's ok. You had nothing to do with it Tod.'' Balto said.
"But…I couldn't save you from that bear.'' I explained. Balto shook his head.
"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you.'' Balto turned away from me, ashamed. I could feel my heart ache for him. My baby was hurt and I wanted to make him feel better.
"That's not true Balto. You did your best.'' I reassured him. Balto wasn't listening to me. He was having his little moment of self-pity. The one thing I discovered about Balto is that he always tends to pity himself when failure occurs, even though he is far from a loser. He's not a loser; he's a hero. He saved a whole town and I'll remind him he'd a winner every day for the rest of my life to convince him otherwise.
"Hey,'' I said, trying to get Balto's attention. He turned to me.
"You did a really good job protecting me today, even if you did get hurt. Without you I probably wouldn't be alive. You were big and strong and stood your ground and for that, I'm grateful. Thank you.''
"You're welcome,'' Balto rasped. "Now if you don't mind I'll go find us something to eat.''
"Ok. Be safe.'' I said.
"I will.'' Balto said, and walked out of the cave and into the forest surrounding our house. I watched him walk off with a small smile on my face.