Chapter 8: The Calm Before the Storm

            In Nome, the medicine was ready to leave and the sled was set. Balto, Jenna, Kodi and Dusty watched as the sled, led by Kodi’s son Sean, left for Pilgrim Spring’s. The blizzard was almost unbearable, but many townspeople came out to wish the team good luck. The snowstorm was at its peak in Nome; the visibility was so limited that as soon as the team had gotten less than a hundred feet out of Nome, they vanished into the storm. Jenna turned to Balto as Dusty simultaneously turned to Kodi; they both spoke at the same time, “You think they will be alright?” Balto and Kodi were thinking the same thing, I really hope so, I really hope so.

            Brigham and Nakota had a lot of time to catch up because they would only have to leave in two days. They went back to the barn where all the sled dogs slept before their trip, and seeing as it would be a long and hard one, the Musher wanted to make sure nothing happened to them before the trip. Nakota filled Brigham in on what happened after he escaped. He told him that after Brigham left, the miners had exhausted the gold supply and how they were starting to kill off the dogs. Nakota had managed to get a group of dogs to stage a coup during chow time. The dogs attacked the miners and managed to free the others. There was a bloody battle between the dogs and the miners, but the dogs were at a severe disadvantage because the miners had guns. Nakota had to take a few pauses to gather himself while he told the story. It was hard seeing all his fellow dogs being killed by the miners. He had led a few other dogs to safety while the chaos in the camp ensued. But many of the dogs went their separate ways, trying to get back to their hometowns. Nakota knew it would be hard to find his way back to Taylor, but he had to try. Nakota told Brigham about how he had ran into this wolf tribe under the leadership of a noble wolf named Ulra.

            Brigham had to inject and exclaim the fact that Ulra helped him too. Nakota was surprised to hear that considering the area between Nome and Taylor is vast and the chances of meeting the same exact tribe are very slim. Nakota continued his story with how Ulra had directed him in the way of Taylor. Nakota returned to Taylor in a couple days but his owners had moved and he had no home. Akira had been his old girlfriend but when he was taken, she had moved on and become bitter at the world for another broken heart. She had to cope with the notion that Nakota had died and that he would never return. Even when Nakota had returned and found her, she would not go out with him again, because she was too distraught and told him she had no more love to give anyone. Nakota had found a home with the Musher who noticed his speed as the local butcher was chasing him.

            Nakota fit in quickly with the other sled dogs and he soon became the lead dog. They had actually used the team for mail sometimes to ensure that they were always in shape. Nakota told Brigham of what it was like to pass the exact place where the miner camp used to be. He told him how most of the equipment was still there but it was all abandoned. “I wonder where they went,” said Brigham. Nakota replied, “As long as they are out of Alaska or even just our area, I’ll be happy.” “Yeah, me too.” The other sled dogs had started being nicer to Brigham now and were especially curious seeing as he was Balto’s son, the dog who saved Nome. Brigham finally felt as if things were going his way and that he was fitting in. Man, life is so great now, I’ve got the girl, the friends, a great job. But is this what Aniu was talking about? She said I would do something great surely it has to be this whole medicine dilemma.

             Brigham slept soundly that night, dreaming of the wonderful life that he was living. He dreamt of Akira, he and her were mates and were growing old together; she was just as beautiful as the first time he saw her. When he awoke he was the only one awake. It was still a dark out, but there was a faint light on the horizon. Brigham walked to the entrance of the barn. He looked out at the mountains and the light that was slowly creeping behind them like a timid light not wanting to be seen. He watched as the light began to shed colors of bright orange and blue. He was awoken from his trance when he heard a familiar and unmistakable voice. “Brigham?” He turned quickly to see Akira holding something. She was so breathtaking, and as he looked at her, the sun began to emerge over the mountains behind him, perfectly hitting her body. Her eyes shone in the sunlight and the rays played off her fur. “You’re up really early Akira, is anything wrong?” She smiled at him, admiring his features. His half wolf blood made his body very lean and muscular. It also gave him a sort of rugged look. “Nothing’s wrong Brig, I just wanted to see you before left.”

            Her thoughtfulness only made him love her even more. He knew she was the one, and he was actually hoping that he could see her before he left. “Thanks, I’m really glad you came.” She walked up to him, “I wanted to give you something before you left, so you would remember me.” “Oh, ok well what is it?” “Its something Anthony gave to me when he first bought me.” She held out a little pin that a star on it, the star was made out of crystal and had a little heart in the center.  She’s giving me something Anthony gave her….. Anthony, I’m getting this medicine for you, hang in there. “Are you sure you want to give me this, isn’t special?” “That’s exactly why I’m giving it to you Brigham, because I don’t know if you’ll ever come back, the storms only supposed to get worse. What if you fall into a river or off a cliff? What if you get attacked by a bear?” Brigham was comforted by her compassion and care and smiled, “Don’t worry Akira, I’ll be fine. I’ve been in worse remember? And besides, Aniu is watching over me like you said; I will come back to you, and I will save Anthony.”

            They both leaned in and kissed passionately and tenderly. They never wanted to forget the feeling, the volcano-like ecstasy that erupted when they kissed. Brigham never wanted to forget her scent, so he made sure he took in as much as he could. Akira had already fallen for Brigham, but this kiss was what pushed her over the edge into love. When they parted, they both were breathing heavily. They both looked at each other and chuckled. Brigham smiled, “Man, I don’t even think I need that pin anymore.” “Yeah yeah wonderwolf, just be safe alright? And maybe if you make it back, there will be more where that came from.” She winked and walked away smiling to herself. More where that came from? How can something sound so cliché but still be so awesome? He is an amazing kisser though; I’ll give him that.

             As Akira walked away, Brigham smiled the biggest he ever did in his life. Thank you so much Aniu, thank you for letting me meet her! By this time, the sun was not as timid, and was separating from the mountains. Even though it was still early, the rest of the dogs were waking and stretching. Nakota walked out from the barn smiling. “You know, if you weren’t my best friend, I’d have beat you up for kissing my ex.” Brigham was slightly embarrassed, “Y.. You saw that?” “Ha, you’re not the only one who gets up early Brig. But forget about it, we need to go suit up.” They both walked back into the barn and got ready for the run of almost 10 hours to Pilgrim Springs.

Chapter 9: Destiny Never Forgets Whom It Calls

            The team was ready and the town was outside ready to send them off. It was no later than 8am when the team left the roaring crowd. Akira was one of the many other dogs in the crowd seeing the team off.  When they left the snow was falling steadily and the wind was at a minimum, but not even 2 hours into the run the weather had taken a change for the worse. The snow was now falling hard. Which, coupled with the high winds, meant the snow was almost horizontal. The Musher had even changed the line up of the dogs in order to get more power out of the front. He now had Brigham and Nakota in front, which helped for a little while, but the weather remained the victor. The Musher knew he needed to find shelter, but the dogs continued to push on. Nakota turned to Brigham trying to yell over the howling wind, “We need to find shelter Brigham! The storm is too bad.”

            Brigham wanted to keep going, he knew Anthony could not hold out for so long, but he also knew that it was not just him out there. Brigham looked around and saw a small cave, “There! Head for the cave.” The team managed to escape the storm and find shelter in a cave. The cave was warm and The Musher had managed to build a fire. He gave the dogs some meat and water and let them rest. “As soon as the storm looks bearable, we will head out; so rest up.”

            As soon as