Sled Dogs

Trust Issues

Blood and betrayal flew everywhere. That's what I would say if I had to describe the battle in one sentence. Crimson coated every dogs' claws and teeth. Tears stung eyes as they fought. Friends to enemies. Laughter to screams. Nobody could be trusted. 

I fought vigorously. I ignored my blood clumping my fur together as it dried. I could deal with it later. Tundra had been cowering in a corner earlier, but he was gone now. I hoped and prayed nobody had followed him or attacked him.

As I pushed a dog off of me and into a wall, my muscles tensed. Snowy had pinned down Via. She was going to throw her down a cliff. I rushed over as Via's claws dug into the stone, the only thing preventing her from falling. I kicked Snowy out of the way as I rushed over to her aid. Heaving up Via was difficult in the state I was in. She looked no better than me. Brown and red blotches covered her fur. 

"A thanks would be nice," I panted.

"Oh you want a thanks?" Via snarled.

I knew I was in danger. I scrambled back when I realized we were not fighting side by side anymore. Snowy was coming towards me too. I was cornered with the cliff behind me. Tears stung my eyes as I realized my fate. I didn't want to know how far the fall was. I prayed that it would be quick and painless. 

Snowy launched forward at me and sent us careening towards the cliff. She dangled from me for a few seconds before falling with a ear-splitting howl. I looked up at Via for help as I felt my claws cutting through stone towards the edge.

"Please, Via," I begged, my voice cracking.

She chuckled as she walked towards me, holding out a paw for me to grab. I took my chances and grabbed it. She pulled me up. Halfway. Just long enough to lock eyes with me and smirk. I tried to find my footing, but it was all in vain. She hurtled me off the cliff. The wind was deafening and I squeezed my eyes shut. 

..........

When I regained my senses, I heard a soft groan of pain. I wasn't alone. I wasn't dead. 

I forced my eyes open and adjusted to the lighting. I looked around frantically and saw Snowy heaving herself up from the snow. Her fur was caked in blood. I tried to get up but my muscles screamed. Then my lungs. I quickly noticed that I had been holding my breath. As I took a breath in I was shocked by the cold. It filled my lungs and stung. I held my tongue and dealt with the pain. If Snowy saw me, I was as good as dead. 

I quickly pushed myself off of the ground and found my balance. Then, Snowy turned around. She snarled and glared. She was weaker than me, and I made it known. I stood straight and locked eyes with her. 

"We don't have to kill each other," I suggested.

"Why? You're on Via's side," she replied.

"Not anymore."

"W- what?"

"She threw me down here."

"Oh."

"We could... have a truce?"

"Fine. Truce."

I smiled and she managed one two. We wandered until we found a way back up to the battle. Everyone was shocked to see us alive. Especially Via. She was furious.

"Miss us?" I taunted.

Via snarled and lunged. Snowy and I took her down easily. We soon won the battle and banished Via. Snowy offered me a second chance. I shrugged and took it. I had nowhere else to go, after all. Tundra would come back and join me, he always did. 

I wish I could say this was the only major problem involving Snowy. I'd soon discover that it most certainly was not the last.