Chapter 2 It Won't Be Long Now.
The virus quickly spread from the doctor to his family. The house once filled with the joy and noise of a family now sat silent. The occupants of the house still remained and soon people began noticing ravens and crows flocking around the house and disappearing into any opening that led inside. Three concerned neighbors opened the door and the ebony birds exploded in agitated caws flocking out in a swirl of feathers also revealing the four bodies lying close together picked half to the bone. The neighbors bolted out the door to get help leaving the third to fend off the flesh hungry birds returning moments later with over a quarter of the town.
- That did it. The virus quickly spread from the deceased family to the onslaught of gawkers resulting in almost half the population of Nome being overrun by illness. There was no stopping it now. In its short life span it had evolved into the most diverse and adaptable disease mankind had ever faced. It could survive frigid cold or blistering heat and was now in the very air they breathed; even making its way into the water they drank. It could be passed on by direct contact, or by simply breathing at another person. It was noticed that animals, even insects, began to die of the same virus and pretty soon, there were as few animals as were there people. So far it had a kill rate of 100% and most infected humans were dead in a matter of 48 hours. Animals, on the other hand, had an average life span of three days; plenty of time to spread it around. In five days, the majority population was either dead or dying and news reports clicked in stating that the disease had spread into Canada and the upper part of North America.
Strangely enough, though, the only living things in these infected areas that didn't seem to be catching this virus were of the canine genus. Doctors tried to understand why, but caught the virus themselves before they could get very far.
- Africa, Europe, The Middle East, South America, Asia; o body was safe from the disease now nick-named 'Silent Wraith.' The population of the world was reduced to zero in a little over two weeks following the first case in Nome. Birds and fish had spread Silent Wraith over every inch of the planet; even to the most remote locations of both Arctics. Its last human host was a European man named Balute Klemmer. The last animal was an albino axis buck. As the final hosts ceased to live, so did Silent Wraith. The world now remained quiet saving the saddened howls of heartbroken dogs as they mourned the deaths of their beloved masters.
- Nome was littered with abandoned vehicles, garbage, and the sickening sight of half decayed bodies of animals and people. The smell of rotten flesh was inescapable and it invaded the nostrils of every dog that remained in this otherwise lifeless city. Many dogs, including Jenna, couldn't deal with the pain of losing their humans and decided to die with them. The remaining dogs gathered around the middle of town that night for a meeting. Every dog there was relying on Balto to lead them. He fit the bill better than any other, for not two years ago; he'd saved the town from the Diphtheria epidemic. So why not lead them now? Balto took his place on a stack of crates and gazed upon the two dozen huskies and mutts that mixed together in a mass of colors and voices that fought for an opinion.
Balto spoke, "Okay everyone, let's settle down."
The muttering ceased and all eyes were now fixed on Balto.
He took a breath and continued; "Now I'm sure that most, if not all of you, are aware of our situation. We have very limited food here in town and little water that is drinkable. If we stick around here we'll all starve." He paused and ran his eyes over the silent crowd. "So, it is with great sadness that I suggest that our best chance for survival would be to carry what we can on sleds and leave town."
The dogs below him began murmuring amongst themselves again.
"I know this may seem a bit rash, but if we stay here, we'll all die of starvation or wind up in a civil war, killing each other for resources."
A large black and white husky with a faded gold collar spoke out; "If we leave town, we'll all be picked off one by one by wolves. We need to stay here in the safety of or home."
A few dogs nodded their heads in agreement.
"Steele, we don't even have enough food to last us until the end of the month," he paused and turned his attention back to the others, "I can understand your concern for the wolves, but let me tell you of my plan. We can journey to the coast and rendezvous with my daughter. She's smart and strong. There, we can set up a threshold and collect food from the main land…"
Steele interrupted.
"Your daughter has been living with the wolves for, what, over a year now? She and her pack would take one look at us and we'd be dead before we even knew what happened." Steele looked to his right, then to his left.
Balto was becoming agitated, "I know my daughter, Steele, she'll greet us with open arms. Now, her pack may be slightly hesitant to let in a bunch of dogs, due to our history of bloodshed, but they won't be a problem. Alue is now the alpha of her pack and won't stand for any disloyalty."
"I agree with Steele," said a light grey husky, "wolves are treacherous, violent abominations. They'll take one look at us and eat us all alive. After all, they will have run out of food as well."
Balto glared, "I can understand your reasons for not wanting to abandon your home, but it's our only option."
For the first time, a copper colored male husky spoke, "Please listen. Has my dad ever steered us wrong before? I think that if he says leaving is the best option, then I'll follow his lead without question."
Balto smiled and Kodiak stood up and walked over, looked up at his dad, then sat on the side beneath him. Ten more dogs (some of them from Kodi's mail team) stood and lined up at his side. The rest of the dogs (a quarter of them mutts) stayed where they were.
"If you follow his lead you'll be dead before you make ten miles." Balto's group stayed put. "I can see where this is going," Steele said, "Any of you who wish to stay will come with me and follow under my command. "
Thirteen dogs rose and settled next to Steele. Balto looked down at the one remaining dog.
"Dingo, it's your choice. Any decision you make will not change my love for you as my son."
Dingo smiled then rose and settled again at Steele's right side. Balto looked over his ten followers.
"Gather any food you can find from your homes and pile it up in front of the post office. I'll arrive later with two sleds. Bring only food and any water you may have in containers. We leave at dawn. Any of those who are late will be left behind, got it?"
The ten dogs nodded and dispersed leaving Balto alone on the crates. He gazed down at Steele and his followers.
"If any of you change your minds, you know where to find us."
He jumped down and padded off with the memories of the Calaway family, Boris, Stella, Jenna, and the two polar bears running through his mind. He decided there that it was best to forget about them.
A/N
Sorry about the long update. Here's chapter 2. Chapter 3 will be along shortly.
