she sprang through the door, clearing the opening with ease. Standing on the top of the cage she jumped down, right onto the top of Balto who was waiting below.

“You did send my flying,” Balto said looking at her.

“Sorry,” she replied picking herself up.

“No problem. So now you are free would you do me the pleasure of telling me your name?”

“Of course I am called Mist after the morning I was born. Well Balto thank you for saving my life,” Mist replied licking his cheek.

“Oh don’t thank me yet we still have to leave this place,” Balto replied looking out of the building.

“The sooner we leave the happier I will feel,” Mist replied joining Balto at the door. “Though I’d feel terrible leaving the other wilds animals trapped.”

“Well we could free them,” Balto replied looking at the cages, though the cages were shut none of them we locked. “We can free them the exact same way I freed you and it would cause problem for humans.”

“Well then let us make a start,” Mist replied wickedly. 

   Quickly both wolves worked to open the cages much to the surprise and delight of the occupants within. The minks and wolverines leaped out of their respective cages like devils, fangs bared and eyes glowing with utter rage. The birds were much more polite thanking the pair before flying away.      

 “Time we were going. I used to live in a town, I’m half dog ok, and I can get us out of here,” Balto said once the last of the animals had left the building.

“Oh I had you down for pure wolf. Dog, wolf, its only blood, all I care is leaving this place,” Mist replied smiling. 

“Stay close.”

“Oh I’ll be right on your tail Balto,” Mist replied as Balto stepped out of the building.

     Silently the pair made their way through the yard under the light of the setting sun, their ears pricked and their amber eyes glowing softly. Passing a cabin Balto saw the door was shut and the men were still locked inside. Voices and a loud screeching drifted through the air causing both to tense. Looking around a corner onto the station platform the pair watched as a train from Anchorage pulled in, its passengers climbed down from carriages while cargo was unloaded. On the platform watching the process was a large dog a mixture of Malamute and St Bernard, catching their scent he turned around, his hackles raising the instant he saw them. Snarling he dashed across the platform sending humans and luggage flying in his wake. Seeing the rage in his eyes Balto and Mist took to their heels, running through the station yard as fast as their paws would carry them. Over boxes, barrels and old metal the pair jumped, Mist tripping over an old pipe that send her to the floor.

“You will not get away from me you filthy wolves,” the Malamute snarled as he caught up with them. “You should be in your cage she wolf.”

“Now on that I have to disagree with,” Mist snarled biting the dog on the shoulder.

“Foolish dog,” Balto muttered turning away as the sound of boots drifted into the yard.

         Looking up Mist gasped as the human who had captured her walked into view, looking between him and the dog fear entered Mist’s eyes. Seeing her fear Balto looked at the human to his relief the man was not carrying a gun.

“Mist follow me I think I have a plan,” Balto whispered.

“I hope you do,” Mist whispered in fear.

        In a flash Balto jumped over the head of the Malamute followed by Mist, running onto the old train engine Balto and Mist leaped over the wooden fence, landing meters away from the human hunter. As Mist landed the fear appeared in the hunter’s eyes, panicking as he was without a gun. Balto’s eyes flashed in anger at the man, before Mist could react, Balto bit the hunter’s leg causing him to fall to the ground, groaning in agony. Smiling at Balto’s actions Mist jumped over the man. Swiftly Balto led Mist through the near deserted streets of Fairbanks both running for the lives.

   Leaving the town Mist let out a howl of joy to be free to her surprise Mat’s voice answered her. Both broke into identical grins as relief rushed through them, they were free and they had struck a blow for the animals. Above them they heard a sharp cry, looking up they saw two of the bald eagles they had freed flying free. In reply both howled their goodbye.

    Arriving at the clearing they saw Mat, Pukiq, Nada, Eagle, Arden and Mat stood in a circle with their tails wagging in delight. Running over there was wining and nuzzling as the wolves greeted each other. Quickly Mist related what had happen to the other wolves all pleased to meet Mist and impressed by Balto’s ingenuity. Sitting together hours later Arden looked at the two new wolves.

“What now? Where will you go?”

“We’re not sure to be honest,” Mat replied, looking at Arden and the other wolves. “We planned to find a pack we could join.”

“Neither of us are alpha material,” Mist replied. “The idea of leading never appealed to us but to live in a pack, to be part of a family that is what we want.”

“Well from my view you have found it, that is providing the rest of you agree?” Arden replied looking at Eagle, Balto, Nada and Pukiq.

“I agree,” Pukiq replied nodding.

“So do I,” Balto said looking at the pair.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Eagle said from her place beside Mat.

“Two wolves to add to this pack,” Nada said smiling widely.

“Then it is settled Mist, Mat will you join us?” asked Arden.

“Yes we will,” Mat replied.

“A new pack,” Mist said throwing her head to the sky in a howl.

     Together the new pack howled a song of joy into the night their voices carrying across the forest. At last a strong pack was formed as the moon rose the wolves planned their next move and just as down broke the pack turned east away from Fairbanks and humans.

    As they left Balto’s eyes lingered on the train line, a train line led to Nenana. His thoughts drifted back to Nome and the sled team, for Nenana was the place Steel had collected the medicine from. For a second Balto considered travelling to Nenana then his thoughts drifted to Mist and his actions in Fairbanks.

“Human and dogs are foolish creatures, both ignorant and prejudice against those who are different. I was wrong to trust humans. All they care about is money and status in society. Dogs are little better caring only for breeding and status. If both had trusted me things might have been different. No more looking back at the past Balto you will only look to the future. Your pact with humans is done! Time to move on with your life you’ve lived in the shadow of what happened for too long. It was a terrible tragedy what happened but you are not to blame.”

   Then Eagle howled and Balto looked at his pack were waiting for him, returning the howl Balto ran after them. Rejoining his pack Balto nuzzled them, together the pack set off through the forest for a new life.

      Anniversary

    A year had passed since the epidemic and the death of the children. In the anniversary week the town was again filled with sadness as people remembered their loved ones. Nome had not yet recovered from the tragedy, in the past year there had been unexpected consequences of the children’s deaths. Two of families who had lost children had left Nome on the first ship of the year, one had gone to Juno and the other had gone to the father’s birth state Nebraska. Three couples were having problems while a fourth had split up with the women leaving Nome and returning to her parents in Fairbanks.

      Standing in front of Rosie’s grave Arthur, Violet, Rosa and Jenna looked at the flowers that bloomed even in winter. Sitting on the ground Rosa was huddled next to Jenna, only half understanding what was happening.  For Rosa as with many of the pups born since the tragedy, had only been told a little about what had happened and their parents intended to keep it that way. Their parents thought it best they knew only the minimum so sparing them the pain and suffering. Turning on their heels Arthur, Violet, Jenna and Rosa left the cemetery tears running down the cheeks of the adults. As the sun began to set, the entire town gathered outside the town hall for a memorial service. Dogs sat next to their humans both kinds united in grief. On the steps of the hall the mayor read out a speech before the pastor preformed a service. As the pastor took his seat Dr Welch climbed to his feet, walking over to the podium he faced the crowd.

“The day I diagnosed the first case of diphtheria was the worst day of my career for I knew then what might happen. I prayed my acting quickly the disease would be contained I then put my trust in the team. I regret that I did not spot the signs earlier.”

    Unable to continue Dr Welch returned to his seat his head bowed in sadness. One by one the parents took to stage, some together some just one parent. Each spoke of their child reminiscing about the fun times, telling jokes and stories. Getting up from his seat Arthur walked to the stage with Jenna by his side, Violet remained in her seat cuddling