Chapter 10: Through Strains and Tribulations, the Bond of Love is Strengthened

             It was 4am when Brigham finally went to bed. Even though the storm was still raging outside of Pilgrim Springs, he was able to drift peacefully into sleep. He dreamt of the run back, all the children in Taylor, of Anthony, but most importantly, of Akira. He couldn’t stop thinking of her all day and now that he had nothing else to grab his attention, his dreams became consumed with her.

            In Taylor, as if their thoughts and dreams were connected, Akira was dreaming of Brigham. But instead of it being filled with joy and happiness, her dreams consisted of worry and pain. In her dreams she dreamt of the endless possibilities of harm that could be done to Brigham. Even though some were a bit hyperbolized, they still had very much of an impact. She had struggled to fall asleep, feeling that if she managed to fall asleep she would find peace. But as stated before, she soon realized that she would find the opposite of a peaceful nights sleep.  It was as if someone had taken away all the hope in her world, but it kept happening. Her world would return to normal, with Brigham coming home safely and then he would not because of some freak accident. Then it would return to normal with the same beginning. Even if the accident changed, the ending was always the same; she would lose the love of her life and never be able to see him again.

            They both awoke the next morning, but with in two completely different ways. Brigham woke up eager and ready to make the run back to Taylor. But Akira woke up sweating and breathing heavily. Brigham and his team had to wait a few more hours before they could run because of the weather. In Taylor, the storm had stopped and now the sky was clear. Akira laid in her bed wallowing in her sadness for a few hours also. Even though the two simultaneously acted in their morning, they could not have been any different emotionally.

            The weather had cleared and the team was admitted to leave. But Akira did not want to wait for the team. She was too afraid that when the team came back she would see Brigham on the sled or even not at all. She left town; everything in Taylor reminded her of Brigham, the shed, her house, even the multifarious alleyways in Taylor reminded her of Brigham. She left town and headed to the one spot she felt would help her calm down. She was slowly falling into depression and could not see anyway out.

            But before we continue, many of you might be wondering why Akira would be feeling this low. You might say that she should not feel this way because there is hope that Brigham is perfectly fine. But one must remember that she does not know, like you and I, that Brigham is fully alive and headed back to Taylor. So put yourself in her shoes. Many times, even though we know there is hope, the very fear of there being none overshadows it. You can know that there is hope, but you chose not to believe it because you feel if things end wrong, it will be worse. Imagine you are waiting for something special, you get your hopes up and nothing comes. If this were to happen to us a few times, we would dismiss the hope and expect the worst. Remember that not too long before she met Brigham, she lost Nakota. Although she did not lose him, she had come to believe that she had because he never returned.

            Akira feels that even though she knows Brigham will come back, he did promised, she could not rid herself of the unrelenting fear of him breaking his promise. The uncertainty creates a schism within her, one that is tearing away at the very fabric of her being. But let us return to the story being wiser for our momentary psychoanalysis and introspection.

            While Akira was trudging out into the snow, Brigham was running as fast as he could back to Taylor. All he thought about was saving Anthony and the other children and being with Akira again. I’m coming Akira….  She walked while he ran; the pain inseparable even when apart. But she still felt sadness swathing her. The day was beautiful, one of the most beautiful Alaskan days in the history of the state, yet she was unable to enjoy it. The trees slowly danced as the wind came and went in-between them. The aroma of the forest and wilderness around her would be enough to tame the most livid of creatures, but she was not swayed. She walked in a sorrowful trance; to the only spot that she thought could cure her of this despondency. And no matter how she tried, she could not stop thinking about the one she loved.

            Brigham, was closing in on Taylor, he was merely hours away, and he ran with everything he had. His heart was not only beating fast because of the sheer speed in which he was attaining, which was not enjoyable for the other dogs, but from the anxiety of seeing Akira again. The forest was blurring in his mind, because his focus was locked on Akira. Even though he had dreamt of being on a dogsled team just like his hero father, he dreaded leaving her in Taylor. He had loved her from the moment he saw her in his dreams, and it felt like he was missing part of himself being away from her. If only she was on the team… He smiled to himself as he ran. Haha, like that would ever happen… but that would be pretty sweet though.

             The team was making record time and instead of the predicted 6 or so hours, it took them a little under 5. Brigham could see the town as the sun was just starting its slow set. He arrived into town to thunderous applause; it sounded like the whole town was there to welcome the heroes. After the doctor unloaded the medicine and took it inside, many people swarmed the team, and especially Brigham. It was like he imagined it to be, like it was for his father. Everyone who had hated him and feared him were now petting him and saying good dog. He did not even know this many people knew his name.

             Nakota was taken to the vet to rest and heal his wounds. After the medicine was administered to the children and the townspeople had stopped mobbing Brigham, he looked around at the dogs. He was still smiling from the excitement, until he could not see Akira anywhere. He looked over the welcoming party again and again, but Akira was not there. He even asked her friends if they knew where she was, but all they knew was that she was moping around all morning. Brigham was trying to concentrate but he could not with all the commotion around him.

            He went to her shed to see if she was there, but she was not. Brigham was beginning to become worried, he knew Anthony would be fine and he would visit him, but he had to find Akira. Brigham tried to think of where she would go. Akira… where are you? “Aniu?! I could use some help.” But his plea met no response. Maybe she’s preoccupied with wolf business, I’ll try again. “Grandmother? Akira is missing and I need to know where she is…. Please help” Please…. Brigham lowered his head, I can’t lose her, not after all we’ve been through.

             The sun was getting closer to the mountains and the sky was turning orange. He knew that if he did not find her before nightfall, he might never find her. Brigham began to get angry, not only with himself for leaving her but also with his grandmother for not helping him find her. “Seriously!?! You can’t help me find the girl you picked out for me?!” He waited for a response… “Fine! I’ll just tell my dad how you let his son down!” If she would get off her high place in wherever she is where she can see everythi…. “Wait! Our spot, that’s the only other place where she would be!!” Brigham broke into a full out sprint on the spot.

            The sudden acceleration kicked up a pile of snow. He ran even faster than when he was taking the medicine. And this time, he did not have the other dogs to slow him down. He ran so fast that his feet became lighter and almost felt as if he was lifting off the ground. He had entered the forest in no time and was dogging the trees and bushes with immense agility. He had to get to her before it was too late. Akira…. Please be there.” He was so determined to get there, he gave up on dogging bushes and recklessly decided to either run through them or jump over them. Several of the bushes he ran through had thorns but the pain was miniscule to the pain he would feel if she was not there. He got to the spot and ran to edge of the cliff. He looked over it but could not see anyone. Tears began to form in his eye when he smelled an unmistakable scent. “Akira!” The put his nose up in the air to try to find where the scent was coming from but it proved unnecessary when a familiar voice spoke. “What?”

             He turned quickly to see Akira sitting under the natural shelter at the back of the cliff. She looked at him wide eyed as tears streamed down her face. “I thought…” Before she could finish, Brigham ran over to her and embraced her tighter than he had ever done before. He never wanted to lose her again. She embraced him with the same intensity. “Don’t worry Akira, I’m here now… I’m here. “ She jerked back and stared him straight in the eyes. The tears had stopped for the time being. Brigham was confused, “What’s wro…” “Don’t speak.” Brigham looked shocked. “This may sound selfish, but I have to get it off my chest. I didn’t get any sleep because all night because I dreamt that you were never coming back. I know you did it for Anthony and I’m forever grateful to you for saving him, but I can’t take you leaving after I just fall in love with you.” Brigham smiled, she loves me! “Just please,” the tears began to fall from her eyes again, “please don’t ever leave me again!” He hugged her even tighter as she cried into his fur. “Don’t worry Akira, I wont ever leave you again, I promise.”

            The sun began to set behind the mountains. But from the cliff, the sun shown majestically over the landscape. They walked to the edge of the cliff and watched the sun set. Brigham turned to Akira and smiled, they kissed passionately. When they parted Brigham spoke, “You know we should head back to town, they are probably wondering where their hero is.” She jokingly pushed him, “Well wonderdog, how bout we wait till after the sunset?” He kissed her one more time and they both turned to face the sunset. The sky was a splendid mix of purple, orange and blue. And as the sun fell behind the mountains, the Northern lights could be faintly seen in the distance. They sat and watched the spectacle together.

            Together they were inseparable, and even through the darkest of times, the light came through. When there was no hope, it abounded, and even when there was disunion, all were brought together to fulfill one outcasts destiny. His destiny, one that would test the very power of his will and soul, one that would connect different worlds, would be fulfilled. But his destiny was not only to make him great, but for the one who made him, to be great. For the one who had planned everything out, down to the flow of a river that would carry him away, to be recognized. They watched the sun set, but this would not be last one they saw. As Brigham’s story ends, so does another one begin, the story of the rest of their lives.