Chapter 7

(A short update for y'all. Enjoy!)

If the first week of recovering was the longest of his life, the fifth was definitely the shortest. With two friends to spend the day with, an hour seemed to go by in a matter of a few minutes. William and Sara, Rosy's parents, had grown to trust Balto so much that they let her play alone with him outside. They weren't allowed to go outside of the yard, but that limitation didn't dampen their collective spirits any.

He didn't ever abuse their trust; the little girl was so kind to him, as was Jenna. They were both true friends. There came a night when Balto was tired, sore, and ready to curl up when Jenna stopped him. She was accompanied by Rosy.

"You can come inside, tonight, if you want Balto."

"I can what?" Balto asked incredulously, not sure I he'd heard Jenna right. Rosy confirmed what he'd heard though.

"Come on boy, let's go in the house! It's much nice than out here!" the girl called, already on her way back to said house. Balto shrugged and followed Jenna in.

He was able to walk at an almost normal pace, the red furred husky at his side in case he needed help. Rosy held the door open for him, and he stepped inside timidly.

"Everything will be alright." Jenna assured him, sensing her friend's weariness.

Neither William nor Sara objected, so Balto took that as a good sign and continued on. Rosy led him through the small kitchen, into the family room and to a door. She opened it and went inside, hopping up on her bed and covering herself with the sheet and quilt. Jenna followed her up, but Balto hesitated. Rosy noticed this, and called him up.

"Come on Balto!" Rosy patted the bed, inviting him up. He was able to climb up without much trouble from his leg, settling down on the soft material, sinking into it. Rosy lay between the two canines, putting an arm around each.

"See? Everything's fine." Jenna said warmly, giving Balto a kind smile.

"Oh it's more than fine, this is the most comfortable bed I've ever been in!" as if to accentuate that point, Balto sunk down further into the material. Sara came into the room a moment later. She shook her head and smiled at the situation before her.

"You going to be okay like that Rosy?"

"Oh yeah, we'll be just fine! G'night mom!"

"Good night dear."

Sara turned the light off and shut the door halfway before exiting the room. She and William spoke in hushed tones outside, and Balto heard his name mentioned a couple of times before they too went to bed.

Despite how nice the bed was, and how dark the house was, the wolf dog just couldn't fall asleep. He lay wide awake, simply staring at Rosy and Jenna. For how long, he didn't know. They both slept so peacefully, and he couldn't take his eyes off them. He was content here, and would've had no objections to time stopping at that point and just letting him stare at the two before him.

With a jolt Balto remembered Boris, who he'd completely forgotten about for almost six weeks! Balto chided himself, the goose would be so worried about him, but Balto was sure he'd understand when he heard about Jenna and Rosy. He'd be happy for Balto. And it wasn't like he could walk out there anyways, that was way too far. He'd be an open target for anyone, and if that Night was still around… The clock in the family room chimed twice, and Balto realized just how late it was. He settled himself in, Rosy's arm hugging him closer.

…

Balto was awoken by a loud knock at the front door, and he looked up drearily. Jenna and Rosy were already out of the room, both in the kitchen eating their breakfast. At the sound of someone at the door, both came into the family room again. William set down his book, got up and went to the door. He immediately wished he hadn't. As soon as he opened it, another man rushed in, with a dog that was none other than Steele. The man pointed a finger at William.

"I heard you're keepin' that wolf dog here. Is it true?"

"Yes, he hasn't caused us any problems-"

"I don't care. It's about what he can cause. Do you trust him around your little girl? He could turn wild at any moment, that wolf blood running through his veins…" As he said this, Steele's master glanced at Balto.

"I want him."

"No!" Rosy exclaimed from behind her mother, who quickly shushed her.

"Why?" William inquired.

"To get him out of our town, I don't want this threat in here."

Balto watched with fear in his very soul. The look Steele was giving him was enough to send shivers through his whole body. William called him off of Rosy's bed, and Balto crawled off, being careful not to hurt or strain his healing leg. He stepped up at William's side. He had grown a lot during the treatment, and Steele didn't quite look as dangerous as he once had.

"He doesn't look like a threat to me, he's been nothing but gentle with our daughter and Jenna."

"He's a smart dog, I can tell. He could be foolin' you though. Are you willing to take that risk?"

"Yes, I am." William reached a hand out to touch Balto, and that was when Steele made his move. He'd circled around so he couldn't be seen when he made the move, and as soon as the hand was within three inches of Balto, Steele slammed a paw down on the wolf dogs back paw, causing him to let out something between a pained and angry growl. William pulled his hand back instantly, Jenna, Rosy, and Sara all looking on in horror. Balto so very much wanted to turn around and claw Steele, but he knew that would just stun them further.

"Why Balto?" Jenna whispered.

"But, I didn't-"

He was cut off as the other man grabbed him by his neck, clamping a chain around him and choking him to keep him calm.

"See? We can't trust him."

William looked away in disappointment. This man was right, "Go on, take him then."

"You're making the right choice. Let's go Steele."

Balto was dragged out of the house, the man hauling him not even caring about the wolf dogs injured leg. The pained looks of fear and betrayal on the faces of Jenna and Rosy would haunt him for some time, and the wolf dog felt a sort of deep, angry fire burning inside of him. He was sick of Steele and the treatment he endured. As soon as he was better, he would show all of them a thing or two about torment.