"The last thing I could remember was when the night sky was lit so brightly by the Aurora Borealis, which was unusual, even in Nome. There were rumors it was even been seen far south, where it has never gone before. I was with my family, watching as the unthinkable happened... The sky itself cracked open like broken glass... Family... Jenna...! JENNA!!"
Balto's eyes popped open and his head was up in a flash, his heart racing. How long was he out? He starting looking around to answer the second, more worrying question. But as he scanned his surroundings, he came to the third question... "Where am I?" The snowy mountainous landscape was unfamiliar to him. Dark and foreboding...
A sudden but light sneeze not far from him attracted his attention to a small mound of snow. A shivering mound of snow. Maybe... Balto had little trouble getting to his feet and walked over, but as he neared the thing, he knew right away it was too small to be Jenna. But, he might as well check anyway. He stood next to it and began brushing the snow away from the creature with his paw, and his eyes widened with surprise...
The little creature, curled up tightly to stay warm, was hairless and long-necked, almost like a strange reptile. He had never seen something like this in his entire life, and was momentarily unsure what to do next. But a closer look showed the critter is young, like a cub, and is practically immobile & and freezing to death...
Snow began to fall around them, and Balto searched around to see a nearby mountain, with a slab of hard rock sticking out of its base. The wolf-dog did not hesitate to gently lift the creature onto his back and carried it to the shelter. Once placed back down out of the snow, it curled up again and shivered, even sniffled. Balto curled up around him, hopeful to keep it warm as they would have to wait out the snow...
