“Why did you have to do that!” she asked angrily between laps. “We could have both gotten away!”

“I’m fine!” I repeated pushing her away. “I just have to walk it off”

I picked myself up and shook off. Splattering Kaya and Ataneq with water and slobber.

“Sorry”

I started walking.          “See! Fine!”        

I took two more steps and collapsed.

Boss cackled from his side of the creek.

            “Get him on my back!” Ataneq ordered.

“I’m ….okay…..still….just a ….scratch”

I slipped in and out of consciousness, seeing bits and pieces of my territory as it started to snow. I saw a glimpse of Aniu through the snow. She winked and disappeared. I hadn’t given up yet. Everything went black, then I opened my eyes and we were back in the cave again.

“I can't breathe…” I managed.

             Kaya started re- cleaning the wounds again and Ataneq watched me worriedly from the mouth of the den.

“I saw Aniu. What does that mean” I breathed.

            “Then the answer is simple. Don’t give up and you won’t die” Kaya tried to joke, but I could hear the worry in her voice.

            “Just stay awake, okay?"

“Sure, but no promises”

The cave started to disappear in a storm of dots.

            “Buck?! Keep breathing"

I couldn’t answer her. Everything was going black. Balto was going to be the only one to survive in our family…

            “Buck!! No!!!”

“Sorry” I managed one last time.

Ataneq, Buck and Kaya (c) me

Boss (c) Tadie

Aniu (c) Universal