Chapter 3: Red Snow

The following morning the weather was cloudy and it was really cold, like every normal winter day in Nome, but today there was a different, almost disturbing atmosphere.

Kodi immediately woke up hearing human voices coming from outside the post office. The husky got on his paws and after stretching went to look out a window, obviously being careful not to wake Dusty, who in the meantime was still sleeping; he stood on his hind legs, resting his upper ones on the wall and took a look out the window. He saw some men looking down. When Kodi moved his gaze towards the ground he noticed a large puddle of blood completely absorbed by the snow which made him shiver.

As soon as the humans left, Kodi came out and began to investigate by smelling what had happened. He realized that the blood and the smell belonged to old Kaltag and something else that smelled familiar to say the least although he wasn't quite sure as it was somehow well hidden.

Shortly afterwards he heard footsteps in the snow coming from his right. The husky raised his head and looked away as he saw his father, Balto, coming towards him.

Balto: "Kodi, what happened?"

The half-wolf asked, a little shocked to see all that blood on the snow.

Kodi: "It's about Kaltag. Looks like he was mauled by a predator or something"

Balto: "but that's impossible. Wolves and bears never come close to the villages, they are aware that there are hunters in these parts"

Kodi also noted that whoever did it left no trace behind. No footprints, it's as if this predator had disappeared into thin air along with Kaltag. At that point Balto had a sort of suspicion. But Kodi preferred to investigate first and ask around if any dog might have seen or heard something.

Balto: "Do you think it's one of those supernatural wolves you and Xaver faced?"

Kodi: "I think it's the most likely thing, but we first need to know who or what we're dealing with, do you know who I can ask for information?"

Balto: "yes…I think so"

So it was that father and son walked around the village looking for some dog that had probably seen or heard something last night. As fate would have it, there was an elderly Saint Bernard dog named Doc nearby; he was usually always one of the first to know about things happening in Nome and he was also the first to worry about it.

Doc: "Did you see what happened? Poor Kaltag, he certainly didn't end well."

The old dog commented, looking at the large crimson blob, a few meters away, and finally breathing a worried sigh. Kodi didn't waste a moment and started asking him questions.

Kodi: "Doc, did you see or hear anything last night?

Doc: "no...I just woke up this morning and only saw the blood stain and then I smelled it"

Kodi: "Do you have any ideas about what might have killed Kaltag?"

Doc: "It could have been wolves or a bear; during the winter prey is scarce and it is not strange for predators to wander near the villages. But it's hard to be sure; In my entire life I have never seen a predator disappear without leaving any footprints behind."

Balto: "So you have no idea who might have killed Kaltag?"

Doc: "no... in any case this thing worries me a lot"

Kodi: "what do you mean?"

Doc: "if this still happens, I fear humans will take serious actions. They will send hunters to take down any predator present in the woods. Until all this ends."

At this point Kodi understood that the situation was quite serious and worrying; moreover, the time available was not on his side at all. Doc couldn't help them much so he thought he'd go and ask someone else who perhaps knew Kaltag better.

Doc: "I'm sorry if I can't do much to help you"

Kodi: "Doc, do you know anyone who hung out with Kaltag?"

Doc: "yes; now that I think about it: his owner had adopted a new dog a few years ago, I think he participated in the selection with you and qualified third. If I were you, I would ask to him"

Balto: "I know the place where Kaltag's master lives, follow me son"

And so Balto led the way with his son, Kodi, to the house where the owner of Kaltag lived. The house was a small, old bungalow, but still well maintained and recently renovated.

Curled up on the deck chair positioned on the porch was a young adult husky with a gray and white coat with ice blue eyes, he even wore a black leather collar with a gold plate with his name engraved inside: "Blizzard". The husky pricked his ear to the right hearing their footsteps in the snow; he shifted his gaze and saw the half-wolf and his son outside the porch.

His attention, however, was interrupted by his master who came out of the house: he was an elderly man around fifty years old, with short gray hair and a thick beard with brown eyes that showed great concern; he was often used to Kaltag wandering around the city at night, but that morning he did not return and this worried the man quite a bit.

Man: "Where did that dog go? It's not like him to stay out all night, I hope he's okay."

He commented, sighing and scanning the horizon wondering where Kaltag was or if he was okay, before finally returning inside the bungalow, closing the door behind him. Balto sighed sadly seeing how worried that poor man was and since they were aware of the sad fate that befell his dog, he wouldn't be happy to find out the harsh truth.

Balto: "that human really cared a lot about Kaltag"

Kodi: "he won't like it at all when he finds out that Kaltag is unfortunately dead"

Blizzard in the meantime understood that those two dogs had come to ask him about Kaltag; so he jumped off the deck chair causing a wobble and an annoying squeak, he obviously didn't care about. He walked down the three steps of the porch and approached Balto and Kodi.

Blizzard: "what do you want?! We already have enough problems here"

Kodi: "we just want to ask you a few questions about Kaltag"

Blizzard: "huh, do you care that much about that dumb old dog?"

The gray husky's response surprised Kodi; he really didn't expect that the dog who had lived with Kaltag since he was a puppy wouldn't have even an ounce of concern or empathy.

Kodi: "How can you say something like that?!"

Blizzard: "I say what I want. Rather than go around being detectives, don't you have anything better to do today?"

The husky said with an arrogant tone, looking at father and son as if they were not at all welcome guests. However, Balto did not lose heart and immediately asked Blizzard questions even though the latter was not at all in the mood to collaborate.

Balto: "When did you see Kaltag yesterday night…did he tell you where he went last night before disappearing?"

Blizzard: "no! And even if it were, it's none of your business... now go away before I call my master! He doesn't like wild animals running around his house"

Blizzard shouted growling at Balto, an annoyed Kodi was about to stand in front of his father to protect him and teach Blizzard a lesson, but unexpectedly Balto stopped him and looked at him with that reassuring look of his. In the end Balto decided to resign himself and they both left; before following Balto, Kodi looked at Blizzard with a menacing glare.

However, Kodi was very nervous, he couldn't tolerate his father being treated this way, especially by a dog much younger than him, and so when they were far enough away from the house Kodi argued with his father about what had just happened.

Kodi: "Why do you let that guy treat you like that?"

Balto: "trust me son, it's better this way"

Kodi: "It's better this way?! Dad, you are the hero of Nome! You saved all those lives. No one should allow themselves to treat you as if you were a wild animal."

Balto: "My appearance is wilder than you think. And even though I saved the children from that epidemic, there is still someone who doesn't appreciate me"

Kodi: "then why don't you tried to tone him down? I could give that Blizzard what he deserves! But you didn't let me do it, why?!"

Balto: "son, if I even try to fight back towards a city dog, the humans would probably be alarmed and not hesitate to hunt me down with their guns, I don't think you want that"

Kodi sighed looking down thinking that actually his father wasn't entirely wrong, but still he found it unfair that he suffered all those humiliations, despite all the efforts his father had made to save Nome from the epidemic there was still someone who didn't he accepted it.