Chapter 6: Better to Know and be Disappointed, Then to Never Know and Wonder 

They walked away from the cliff and began to make their way to Anthony’s. However, the weather quickly escalated from calm and peaceful to the howling winds and heavy snowfall. They luckily had already made it to Taylor when the weather had turned sour. Once they had entered the shed, they scurried over to the fireplace and warmed their bodies. Brigham jokingly nudged Akira, “Whew, that was a close one Akira.” Akira shook the wet snow off her body, which mostly hit Brigham’s face. Akira laughed, “Sorry, yeah I know though, it was getting pretty rough.” After they had finished drying off, they went into the other room to get food, but were surprised to find there was not any. Brigham was suspicious, “hmm, Anthony is always good about keeping us fed. I wonder what’s going on.”

Akira had a sinking feeling about what was happening. “You think his dad told him not too?” “ No, he said his dad really likes you, so he would make sure you’re taken care of.” “Let’s go find out what’s going on.” Brigham usually welcomed her spontaneity, but the weather outside was bad and getting worse. “I know you are worried about Anthony, but its too dangerous to go outside.” Akira’s worriedness had spurred a rise in her temper.  “Look, you don’t understand what it’s like, he’s my owner and he’s loved me and taken care of me for my whole life. I need to know he’s ok.” Brigham was startled by her tone, but he knew there was no reasoning with her. “Alright but how bout we take the alleyways and other back-ways. Is that ok with you?” Akira nodded, she didn’t care, she just needed to see if Anthony was fine. “Let’s check the doctors office first.” “Ok, lets go.”

 They left the shed and entered into the intense blizzard. The wind combined with snow made it near impossible to see anything. They walked through the alleyways, because they knew they would provided limited shielding from the storm. When they finally made it to the doctor’s office, they looked into the windows. The first window they looked through only let them see the place where the beds were. But there was more children than usual, in fact so many that all the beds were full. “Akira began to grow more worried. “What’s going on Brigham?” “I don’t know, but lets keep looking.”  They moved onto another window and looked in. Inside this window was the waiting room, which was also filled with children and their parents. Brigham was starting to become worried at this point and get concerned. Anthony… The next windows they looked in were various rooms for patients and rooms for the doctor to diagnose patients, but they never saw Anthony, not even his father. There was were two other doctors that Akira had never seen but still Akira began to get hopeful, “maybe he’s just at home and forgot, yeah that’s probably it.” “There’s no harm in checking,” Brigham was still suspicious of the situation at the doctor’s office. Akira wanted to get there as soon as possible so the two ran back to the house. They did not even go through the alleyways because Akira was so determined. When they arrived, they looked in the window to Anthony’s room and finally found their answer for where he was.

Anthony was lying in his bed with his parents beside him. All hope Akira had accumulated since the doctor’s office had vanished the second she saw Anthony. He was coughing severely and was sweating. Akira turned to Brigham in desperation, “What’s wrong with him?!” Brigham could feel the sadness and helplessness in her voice, “I don’t know, but is there anyway to get in closer?” “There’s a dog door in the back, we could get into the house through there.” Even though Brigham was curious about why there would be dog door if Akira was not allowed inside, he knew now was not the time to bring it up. They snuck into through the dog door and quietly made their way towards Anthony’s bedroom. Brigham knew he had to be extra stealthy considering his presence would not be the best thing in this situation. They got to the entrance of the doorway when Anthony’s father burst out of the room yelling back to his wife. “I have to get to the hospital; I’ll send someone over to get Anthony, but there are at least fifty children with just as severe cases of pneumonia and little to no antibiotics!” His wife called after him, “Honey, Nome has already said they will send it to Pilgrim Springs and then the sled dogs here will go get it.” However he had not heard her and with that, he slammed the door shut and ran out into the blizzard.

Akira started to cry and Brigham nuzzled her. “Hey, hey, don’t worry… everything will be fine Akira.” Akira, however, was unfazed by his statement and only replied despondently, “How can you be so sure?” What had started as a magical night had quickly turned into a horrible nightmare.  Brigham was unsure how to answer this question at first, but he soon realized exactly what he must say. “Cause I’m going to do whatever it takes to save him.” Akira stopped crying and looked up at Brigham. Her eyes were still wet from the crying and he wiped them with his paw. Brigham… “How?” Brigham had not actually thought out how he would save Anthony’s life. But he was determined to live up to his word.

In Nome, Balto had heard about the need for the medicine to get to Taylor. Jenna and Balto were in the den of Rosy’s house while the storm was going on outside. The blizzard was just as bad in Nome as it was in Taylor, limiting any flights or boats to get to Taylor.  “Balto, what do you think will happen to all those children in Taylor?” Balto was old now and his face showed it; he frowned, “I don’t know love, if only I was still fit I would help in some way.” Even in his age, Balto was still the hero that Jenna had fallen in love with fifteen years ago. He was still handsome as ever and had been the best mate she could have ever wished for. “I just hope they are saved, I know exactly how those people feel considering that the same thing happened here in Nome.” Balto thought that was the peculiar part. Why would there be another sickness plaguing another town? Something is going on here, and I have a feeling my mother might have a hand in this.

 “Balto? What are you thinking? You think Aniu is involved in this?” Balto chuckled, “You know, you can’t go around reading people’s minds Jenna, it’s invasion of privacy.” They both nuzzled each other and kissed. “But I do think she might be involved in this and it might have something to do with Brigham.” Jenna became excited, “Maybe Brigham will save the town.” Balto let himself become a little excited but still reasoned through the situation. “Maybe, it would not be unlike him to do such a thing.” Jenna sighed, “Let’s just hope we’re around long enough to find out what happens.” “I know what you mean, I can feel that our days are winding down. But I’m glad that I could spend my whole life with someone as beautiful as you.” “Seriously, after fifteen years you still call me beautiful.” “Yeah, well I cannot tell a lie, and I mean it when I say I love you just as much as I did the day I saw you.” They kissed a long romantic kiss, “I’m just glad we ended up as we did, I wouldn’t change a thing.” “Ditto.” They nuzzled each other by the fireplace and the slowly fell asleep. As Balto fell asleep, he wondered about his son, I hope you are alright Brigham, your mother and I both miss you dearly; no matter what happens, we’re both very proud of you and love you.

Chapter 7: In Troubled Times, Friends Abound

Brigham had spent the entire night with Akira trying to comfort her. They were lying by the fireplace when she finally stopped crying long enough to fall asleep. She dug her face into his coat and eventually drifted into sleep. Brigham felt the most peace he had ever felt, even more than the night before he set out on his journey alone. He loved being with Akira, and though it seemed wrong, he was glad that she fell asleep in his embrace. When he awoke the next morning, Brigham heard a loud noise coming from outside. The sun was shinning but the snow was still falling. He opened the door only to be consumed by a loud cheering. The sound of the cheering was coming from the middle of town and it sounded like everyone was there. Curious, Brigham left the shed and Akira and traveled into town. Brigham was not concerned about being seen, because he figured everyone was in one spot. Nonetheless, through force of habit, he traveled through the alleys. The noise continued to get louder; he could hear a man yelling something. As he got closer her could just make out what he was saying over the crowd.

 “We must pick the fastest dogs to pull the sled from Pilgrim Springs here to Taylor. This race will act as a tool for such goal. Musher’s, get your dogs ready for the race, it will start in ten minuets.” Brigham’s ears perked and his body became stiff with excitement.  A race? I’m probably faster than any other dog is this town, but who would I be kidding if I thought they would let me in the race. Even if they let me in the race I’d never be let on the team. Brigham’s ears started to press