trust you enough to let you play with their puppies. When I saw those things happening, I realized that even though everyone trusted me, for some reason they weren’t going to offer the same to you.” Balto started becoming emotional. “I could see you going through the same things I had to when I was a puppy, and I knew I had to do everything in my power to keep them from torturing you the way they did me. That’s why I do things like not letting you go to that dance. I’m just trying to protect you, sweetheart.” Aleu started shaking her head. She couldn’t have cared less about what people thought of her because she was part wolf; she wanted to be able to do what she wanted regardless. “I don’t want protection, Dad; I want freedom.” “You don’t understand, Aleu.” “I don’t?!? You don’t!” she yelled in her mind, and it was clear to Balto that she was becoming very upset. “Please, Dad…” “Listen, honey. I know exactly how you feel. I went through this, too; not being able to do the things I wanted to because of how I looked. I know how it hurts, and how frustrated it makes you. I wish things didn’t have to be this way, but I think it’s for the best if you stay safe from that cruelty. You’re still young; you might not be able to take it.” Aleu’s eyes were starting to get moist. “Okay, so I’ve got maturity, but I’m not tough enough to handle a little name-calling or something, because I’m young? You know, the more and more you talk to me, the more and more I feel like I’m being talked down to.” “I don’t mean it like that, honey; please believe me.” “Oh, really?!? If that isn’t how it is, then how come I can’t get through to you, no matter how often I try?” “I know what you want, Aleu, but…” “You may think you know what I want, but you still don’t understand what I’m saying! I don’t know if that’s just bad communication, or that you’re too stubborn to listen!” A tear ran down Balto’s cheek, and he held up a paw, his voice breaking. “H-hang on, Aleu. Just a second, okay?” He sniffed and wiped his eyes. “Look…I know that we’re not agreeing on this. You want something that I feel you shouldn’t have. I know that’s not easy, but…we love each other. That’s what matters, right?” “I know,” Aleu said, “so maybe you should try acting like it.”

Aleu caught herself too late, not believing that she had said something like that. She could see that Balto was cut to the heart, but strangely, along with instant guilt, she felt…satisfied. “What’s happening to me?” she thought. All she could do was watch as Balto began sobbing and turned away, walking back to the wheelhouse, his head hanging with misery. She turned and headed down the plank, but when she was just a few yards from the ship, the small voice became very strong. “Do you know what you just did? Mom told you about how much Dad loves you. How can you do this to him and feel good about it?” Aleu was overwhelmed with guilt, and she headed back up onto the deck, wondering what she would say. Would he be angry? How could she make him feel better? She left these thoughts behind as she came to the wheelhouse. Inside, Balto was lying down with a paw over his muzzle, tears streaming from his eyes as his shoulders shook. Aleu reached toward him, putting a paw on his back. “Dad?” she whispered. Balto sat up and turned to face her. “Yeah, sky eyes?” he said brokenly, using her pet name. At this, Aleu knew he wasn’t angry, and she put her paws around him, pulling him close to her. He did the same, letting his tears fall on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Dad,” Aleu said, her own eyes welling up. “Please forgive me.” “I do, honey, I do, always,” Balto wept, nuzzling her. “It’s me I don’t forgive.” “Why?” “Because you need a better dad than I am for you. I’m messing up, and it’s hurting you, and I hate myself for it…” Aleu kissed him on the cheek. “You’re a great dad, okay? You’re a wonderful dad, and I love you. You were right; the fact that we love each other is what matters.” They held each other for a while, and decided to go home together. They said goodbye to Boris, Muk and Luk and returned to Rosy’s house. As Aleu went to sleep, she wondered if perhaps anything had been accomplished. Deep down, she expected there had. “Maybe things will be better between us now,” she thought. “I certainly hope so.” She went to sleep soon, thinking about her father.

Aleu felt much better about herself the next day, believing that her speaking with Balto had truly done some good. One thing she couldn’t get out of her mind, however, was that he hadn’t actually stated that he would loosen her restrictions at all. “Not to worry,” she thought. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Her chance to find out came quite suddenly, in fact; Doc made a surprise announcement in the machine room that a large Thanksgiving party was in the works, complete with heaps of food, music and dancing, and even a few skits, making for an all-night event. There wasn’t a dog in town that wasn’t excited at the news, and that included Aleu. She knew that if Balto would let her go to this party as well as her siblings, it would prove that he was finally treating her equally. With a spring in her step, she searched until she found him. Apparently, Kodi had just asked and been granted permission. “Thanks, Dad!” he said joyfully. “It’s going to be so awesome!” Balto chuckled, always pleased at seeing his children happy. “Hi, Aleu,” he said, noticing her. “Hi, Dad,” she replied. “So…about this Thanksgiving party? Is it okay with you if I go?” Balto looked like he was about to say yes…but only for a moment. His happy face fell, and he hesitated. “Um…” His face looked hesitant and guilty, and after several moments, he slowly shook his head. “I don’t think so, honey.” Words couldn’t describe the way this made Aleu feel. She was disappointed, frustrated, defeated…and very, very angry. Her face showed it as she stood there with her mouth open for several seconds. Kodi was obviously embarrassed at having been allowed to go while his sister was denied, and he fidgeted, trying to avoid eye contact with Aleu. Balto, looking dreadfully ashamed, reached out a paw to touch her face. “Listen, darling…” he began, but she pushed his paw away, turning and heading out the door. “Dad…” Kodi said quietly, “why…” “Never mind, son,” Balto said, shaking his head sadly and leaving.

Aleu didn’t know whether she wanted to cry or scream as she trod furiously over the snow, heading for Rosy’s house. She had been absolutely crushed by Balto’s decision, especially considering that she had believed he would finally relent, even if only some. “I should’ve known!” she snarled aloud to herself. “I should never have expected him to get any better! Guess I felt like being stupid!” She wondered if she should talk to her mother again, but she quickly refused, not feeling like talking to anyone. “So what now?” she said as she entered Rosy’s house. “I’m sick of trying to talk through it, so WHAT DO I DO?!?” The last part came out as a shout, and she gritted her teeth in frustration, thinking “What do I do? What do I do?” over and over.

Then, suddenly, she had an idea.

She didn’t like the idea…at least not at first. She tried to push it away, immediately trying to think of other options, but it stuck, and came back. As she thought about it more, it gradually became more and more appealing.

She could run.

On one hand, it seemed like a bad idea. After all, wasn’t it better to try to resolve problems instead of fleeing before them? On the other hand, she didn’t know how to get through to Balto, which would be necessary to solve the problem. Not only that, but resolving took time, and Aleu was desperate. She felt as if she needed to escape, needed to simply shake off the weight of her current situation and run far away. A pang of guilt came as she thought of how it would affect her family, especially Balto. However, this didn’t last long before her resentment destroyed it. “Why am I feeling sorry for Dad? If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t even have to consider this. As for the others, they don’t get put through the same thing, so what does it matter?” Aleu was rapidly running out of reasons to stay and gaining reasons to run. One thing that bothered her was where exactly she would go. Nearby was a relative term; every other settlement was a good distance from Nome, and would make for a harsh journey. She considered several places, wondering what would be best. Suddenly, she had a flash of inspiration. If the people in Nome didn’t like the fact that she looked like a wolf, and her father denied her freedom because of it, she would go where it wouldn’t matter. She would go and live with wolves! “That’s not a bad idea,” she thought. “I’ve always wanted to live like them. Even if they don’t like the fact that I’m part dog, it’ll sure as heck be better than this.” She was excited at the prospect of fully exploring a part of herself that she barely knew. After a little more thought, it came down to a simple choice: stay and be trapped by her father’s restraints, or run and get a chance to call the shots.

Finally, she chose to run.

That night, Balto and Jenna said goodnight to Kodi, Saba, Dingo, and Aleu. Aleu gave Jenna a kiss and nuzzled her, but when Balto came, she didn’t kiss him. She did nuzzle him, but halfheartedly. He noticed it somewhat, but didn’t say anything about it. “See you in the morning,” Balto said as he left the room.

“No, you won’t.”

Early in the morning, when there was barely any light, Aleu got up silently and left the house, running to the telegraph office. It was too early for the operator to be there, so Aleu was alone when she entered through the unlocked back door. She quickly found what she was looking for: a typewriter. She quickly used it to write a note on a small piece of paper. She wouldn’t even have been bothering but for a persistent feeling of regret. She did wish she could have gotten through to Balto, but it hadn’t happened, and she wanted to give it one last shot, but