looking very worried at her. Saba breathed a sigh of relief. It was all just a dream. But it seemed so real…It was creepy. Saba shuddered.

The next morning was Sunday. There was never practice on Sunday, so Saba was free to do whatever she pleased. She was just strolling down the street when Jess and Kila showed up right on time.

“Hey guys, I had a really weird dream last night.”

“Did you fall off your bed like last time?” Jess asked.

“No, it was just weird.”

“How weird?”

“Well, this “wolf” came to me and started talking to me. I refused to listen and yelled goodbye at her. That was it basically.”

“Not a very weird dream though.” Kila said.

“But the thing was, it all seemed too real for it to be a dream. THAT was the scary part, but somehow I end up right where I went to sleep, and during the dream I was in the living room.”

“Now that IS weird. Are you going to tell your future boyfriend?” Jess teased her.

“Jess…I’m actually not so sure I like him as much as I used to. Remember the day I yelled at my dad and I haven’t spoken to him since?” Both friends nodded. “That was the day I stopped talking to Nao, because I thought everyone only hung out with me because of who my dad is. Now he probably stopped trying to get my attention and moved on. You’re the only friends I have now, because I know you like me for who I am, right?”

“Totally!”

“Of course!”

Saba hugged them both. “Thanks!”

The next seven nights, Saba had that same dream over and over again, and each time she refused the mysterious wolf. Then came the day of her first real mail run.

Saba was so nervous about this. But she tried to make herself focused. Everyone she knew was there on the sidelines: Jess, Kila, (still no Aitu), Jenna, and…Balto

Saba gasped. Her father actually came! Was she mad or not? She didn’t decide yet, so she didn’t look at him. She waved to her friends and they waved back. Jenna shouted words of encouragement, but Balto just smiled, a proud smile. Saba only glanced at him as she took off. She was trying to hide her returning smile.

Saba couldn’t talk to Nao because he was the lead and she was in front of the wheel dogs. Besides, he probably wouldn’t talk back to her anyway.

Saba was getting really bored, so looked up at the sky while she ran. She wasn’t completely free, but she was running. But…did she like this?

The only reason that she ever did dog sledding was to make her dad proud. Now he is, even after she said all that mean stuff to him. Even though her task was completed, was she happy?

At first she was really excited to do it, but then knew she would have to work all day and all night for this. Then she wondered if it would take time away from her friends. And after, she wondered if she wouldn’t like it. Does she like this?

Meanwhile, back in Nome, Jenna walked home and Jess and Kila went back into town to tell the news. Balto stayed though.

“My little pup…You grew so fast…too fast. I forgive you Saba. I love you. No matter what…”

Balto had tears welling up in his eyes. Then he got up and went home, so proud of his daughter for what she is doing.

That night, the team told ghost stories by the fire. Saba only listened, even though everyone wanted her to tell the story of her dad again. Nao never spoke to her, so Saba had no one to talk to.

Saba knew she wasn’t happy with her life, but what was it? Well, the only part she knew was that her friendship with Nao went down the drain. That’s part of the reason why she’s depressed. So she told herself to be strong and just talk to him like the good ol’ days.

Nao was building his nest when he saw her. He just glanced for a second and kept on working.

“Nao?” Saba whispered.

Nao looked up, eyes narrowing. “Oh, so you’re talking to me again?”

“Nao…I need to talk to you.”

“I’m busy. Leave a message after the ‘Go away’.”

“I can see that you’re mad at me, but I just want to ask you one question. Just promise me you’ll tell the truth.”

“I don’t know. Do you not trust me now?”

“PROMISE!”

“Fine!! What’s the question?”

“Do you like me for me?”

Nao looked too confused to be mad at her now. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, Do you like me for who I am, or for who my dad is?”

“Saba, ever since I met you I liked you. Those feelings never changed even after I found out Balto was your dad. I was just excited that’s all. I’m over it now. I just needed some time, which you won’t give to me.”

“I’m sorry. It’s just that I had a talk with my dad a few weeks ago, I yelled at him saying that the only reason anyone would want to be my friend is because of my dad.”

Nao completely stopped working and looked at her. “Saba, that is not true, though it may be to some people. Not for me. I wanted to be your friend before I found out, and I want to now.”

“Me too. Nao please forgive me. It’s lonely without you.” Saba’s eyes were too pleading for Nao to refuse.

Nao smiled. “Okay. I’ll be friends with you again. I kind of missed you too.” Nao hugged Saba tightly. Now Saba knew that she and Nao would just be friends, nothing more. So she stopped with the “take it slow” thing.

Saba had the dream again, and the wolf was persuading her to follow her like always. But then something new happened.

“Who are you anyway?” Saba finally asked.

“I’m your Spirit Guide. I’m here to help you choose the right path in life.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. Please Saba? Don’t blame me for everything that’s happened. I had nothing to do with it. In fact, I know how your father felt.”

“Really? How?”

“I’d love to explain, but I need to show you something first.” The wolf turned around, and automatically, Saba grabbed her tail with her teeth and followed her.

“What’s your name?” Saba asked when they were flying through the air.

“My name is Torngasak, but called me Tor.”

“No offense, but that kina sounds like a boy’s name.”

“I get that a lot. But I don’t mind. Here we are.” Tor led Saba to a very different yet very familiar part of Nome.

“Where are we?”

“You don’t remember this place from weeks ago when you went into this alley.” Tor pointed to the one in front of them. “And those three dogs chased you out?”

Saba widened her eyes. “Oh no! Don’t take me back here! They’ll eat me alive!”

“Saba it’s okay. Remember, you’re sleeping.”

“Oh right. Still, why did you take me here?”

“Because, I need to show you what these dogs are going through.”

“And I suppose you know?”

Tor closed her eyes. “Yes, sadly I do.”

“How? I mean, you’re a wolf. Don’t wolves live in the woods.”

“I used to. But I was kicked out.”

“Why.”

“Because I started to fall in love with a town dog”-

“You’re Aniu aren’t you?”

Tor shook her head. “No, but I get asked that question a lot because my story is a bit similar to hers, at the beginning.”