Chapter 10

Balto was lying down in the main cabin of the boat. He had had a rough day. He had been shot at, and chased by a maniac.

He thought about his mother. He could barely remember her. He had slowly lost the memories of his family as he grew older. The only memories of them was that fateful day when they had been killed.

He dozed off.

He woke up the next day with pain throughout his body. He had been injured by Claude the day before, but it hadn't affected him until now.

Boris waddled over. "Vhat happened yesterday? You vere beat up!"

Balto sighed. "It was nothing Boris." He yawned in the bright morning sun.

Boris pulled a newspaper from below deck.

"You made front page." Boris grunted.

"Really?" Balto looked at the front page.

Wolf Drops In On Mayor's Birthday Party

"That's wolf dog." Balto said.

"Zat is serious stuff."

"I'll see you later."

"Vait! Vhere are you going?"

Balto frowned. "Into town. Geeze." Boris had become a bit overprotective lately.

Balto padded into town. Steele was waiting for him. He had a big grin on his face. "Well look what the cat dragged in."

Balto tried to go past him. He moved over and blocked him. "What? Leaving already wolf dog?"

Balto sighed, then did something he had never done. He reached out and punched Steele in the face. Steele was sent spinning into the wall behind him.

Balto padded by. "Thanks for yesterday."

Steele watched him leave as he rubbed his nose. "Don't mention it."

Balto padded into the old mill. To his surprise Jenna was there, talking with Togo.

Togo smiled when he saw him. "Balto! Good to see you."

Balto nodded. "Yeah."

Jenna looked at him concerned. "You okay?"

Balto nodded again. "I'm fine."

"What happened yesterday?" Togo asked.

Balto shook his head. "Nothing happened."

"Jenna tells me differently. Balto I'm the head of security here. If there's a freak running around this town you need to tell me."

"That freak is dead. I'm the only freak left in this town."

With that Balto stormed out of the mill. He padded down the street. Jenna ran up to him.

"What was that?"

"Look Jenna, I'm very grateful for what you did yesterday." He sighed. "I just…I need to be left alone."

Jenna nodded. "Well it was nice meeting you Balto." With that she turned and padded back to the old mill.

Balto let a small smile appear on his face as he watched her go. It lasted about a second. He padded back to the boat.

He padded onto the ramp and came aboard the boat. "Goodnight Boris."

"Vhat? Bed already?"

Balto chuckled grimly. "Bed? No. Crappy torn blanket? Yes."

Boris frowned. "Vhat is wrong vith you? Got your tail in bunch?"

Balto shook his head. "Everything they said about me is true. I am a freak."

Boris shook his head. "Zat is not true. You are no freak."

Balto growled. "You didn't see that wolf Boris! He was insane." He calmed down. "And I'm part wolf."

"Do not judge all volves on him." Boris said. "Zere are many good volves out zere. Like you're mother."

"Where do you get the nerve to talk about my mother!" Balto snarled.

Boris backed off. Balto calmed down. "Sorry. You didn't deserve that."

Balto lay down under the blanket. A blizzard was going to come soon.

"Why did you deal with me for all these years Boris?"

Boris smiled. "Because I didn't vant to see you alone. You vere too young. And because you vere like son to me."

Balto nodded. "I never met my father. I was told that he died the day I was born. I wonder if he would be proud of me."

Boris chuckled. "Have you actually done anything yet? My father alvays told me zat you must leave mark on vorld."

"One day I plan to. Goodnight Boris."

Boris nodded. Balto almost immediately fell asleep.