Chapter Four(4)-Revealed Secrets

Author's Note: In this chapter, many secrets will be revealed. Steele, Balto, and Auermoctoc's friendships develop further. I will not keep you waiting any further. Onward to chapter four. Enjoy!

Flashback End-Present Day, 8:23 A.M.

All Steele could do was stare at Auermoctoc in complete surprise. He would have never thought that he had such a rough life. Auermoctoc started to tear up, and his voice was quivering now. "It was difficult and I don't know how I didn't cry all the time. Haha, you know, it's kinda funny. Sometimes, the most tragic events, we can get over so easily." Steele put his paw on his back and said, "Eh kid, don't feel so bad. I know that life can be difficult. I never would have known were it not for me realizing how much pain I caused Balto." Auermoctoc looked up at Steele with a smile on his face. "Thanks man, you're the only person I've ever told that to. You seem like you could be a good friend." Steele returned the smile and said, "No problem man."

4 minutes later, Rhondunhadaegun emerged from the bushes with another hare. Auermoctoc looked at him and said, "Dude, do you ever get full? You know if John was here, he'd kill you for eating again now." Rhondunhadaegun laughed and said, "No he wouldn't. He wouldn't lay a finger on me if he knows what's good for him."

Johnathan and Balto returned at that moment. John pulled out his pistol and knelt down beside him with it to his head. "What did you say about me?" Rhondunhadaegun froze in his place. "N…No…Nothing Johnathan." John chuckled a bit and said, "That's what I thought. Haha, I'm just fuckin' with you kiddo. Relax." Rhondunhadaegun let out a sigh of relief. "You had me goin' for a minute there John." Johnathan stopped laughing and stared at him, "No, seriously, you better fuckin' respect me you goddamn maggot, you understand me?" Rhondunhadaegun sat straight up and looked ahead, "You got it sir." John smirked and replied, "Good." Steele cocked his head to the right a bit and asked, "Wait a minute, how did you two get back so quick? Where's the water?" John rubbed his neck and said, "Yeah, about that..."

20 Minutes Earlier:

Balto and Johnathan

Balto was walking through the forest in the direction of the small river. Johnathan was carrying the two buckets, while following Balto and his powerful nose. At the current pace that they were walking at, they only had about another 5 minutes until they reached their destination. John stopped for a second and took in the surroundings to become familiar with the route. After a moment, they continued on to their destination.

Once they had arrived at the river, John said, "Ah, well, this is as good a spot as any to collect some water. Huh, we should see if we can catch a fish." Balto simply nodded and sat down beside him. He focused on the water and noted how clear it was. John knelt down and stuck a bucket in the steadily flowing stream. After about 10 seconds, the small bucket was full.

He set it down beside him and turned to speak to Balto. To his surprise, Balto was also about to speak. He gestured for Balto to speak first. "Thank you. I was just wondering, are you ever gonna tell us all how you're still doing the things you're doing?" John took a deep sigh and began to explain. "Not everyone, just you. Do you think you can handle it?" Balto nodded and stared attentively at him.

"Alright, it all started way back in 1839. I was trying to look for some cures to common illnesses. I was currently working to see if I could do anything to help anything at that point. I had already improved a bit on working for medicine for the common cold. One day, I thought I had finally figured out somethin' for rabies. But I was wrong. This concoction would bring upon me, what many people would see as a blessing. But to me it's a curse. I took a sip, and didn't feel any different. I thought I had failed and was going to die due to a bite I suffered from my neighbor's dog.

After a few days I wasn't dead or sick so I figured it worked. Oh, it worked alright, but a little too well. After a few months, I noticed that I hadn't aged at all, or even gotten sick. Several years passed with the same results. After my friends had aged and died, I still remained the same. After another decade, the American Civil War began. I was gonna do some work on inventing things but felt that I could contribute most by fighting on the field. I did so by joining the union army.

I had been cycled many times throughout the war due to things like: battalion destructions, redeployments, more reinforcements, etc. I was becoming tired of it all until I realized that there was no ending of my constant survival. I had to accept it.

So, I did things that no one else could survive. I ran right at 20+ enemy soldiers and killed all of em'. Of course, I suffered my fair share of wounds no doubt. But, I began to feel empowered by my abilities. Eventually my commander noticed my success and nobility, so he started assigning me to 5 or 6 man reconnaissance teams. Our success rate was pretty high. After a few years of scouting and the war was finally over, I decided to stick to the military life but that's a whole other chapter in my life.

Anyway, the main point is that I can't die from anything that a mortal being can cause. No matter how badly wounded or ill I become, I can't die. It's fucking ridiculous. I don't want anyone else to have to deal with this, so I don't give it to anyone else. This is completely crazy, and I know you don't believe me, but it's true kid."

Just like that, he stopped and grabbed the other bucket to fill it with water. Balto just sat there dumbfounded, confused. John finished filling the bucket and turned to stand. Balto snapped out of it and stood up also. The two prepared to head back when they were interrupted by a bear growl.

John said, "Oh shit! Bear!" Balto turned to face him and was surprised. The two stepped back and John laughed a bit and said, "Kid, what the hell is it about you that always attracts bears?" Balto laughed and said, "I don't know. Wait, how do you know about that?" Johnathan looked at him and was about to speak when he remembered the bear was there.

The grizzly swung his large claws at him and John rolled out the way. At that moment, Balto lunged at the bear, but was smacked away. John pulled out his rifle and was about to fire, but the bear knocked it out of his hands and let out a mighty roar. He then grabbed his trusty Colt and fired 4 shots at the bear. The grizzly was stunned, but became even more pissed off. John said, "Fuck!" and helped Balto up. The two ran back towards the cave and left the water behind. John fired one final shot at the bear before following Balto, as they disappeared behind the thick foliage.

(I know it got a little weird and confusing around the end. I will make the rest of part two easier to understand. The next chapter will be up in a few days.)