Table of Contents

Foreword

Northern Delights

  Madison Keller

Flying Back to Paradise

  Jelliqal Belle

Personal History

  Tim Susman

The Lion Sleeps

  Frances Pauli

Tucked Away

  E. S. Lapso

When Pigs Fly

  Amy Fontaine

Funnel Dresses

  Priya Sridhar

A Christmas Tale for the Disenchanted

  Mark Blickley

Bite the Apple

  Christopher Shaffer

Lonesome Peak

  John Giezentanner

When the Milk Men Come

  Searska Greyraven

Nor’Killik

  Matt Doyle

We Are One

  Thurston Howl

Lucid

  Nicholas Hardin

Castle Phoenix

  Bill Kieffer

Kypris’ Kiss

  Slip Wolf

Behesht

  Dwale

Hope For the Harbingers

  Allison Thai

About the Authors

About the Artist

About the Editor

ROAR

Volume 8

Paradise

Edited by Mary E. Lowd

Bad Dog Books

2017

ROAR Volume 8

First publication 2017

Edited by Mary E. Lowd

Cover by Teagan Gavet

Copyright © 2017

Published by Bad Dog Books

www . baddogbooks . com

All stories copyright their respective authors.

Print ISBN: 978-1-61450-379-8

eBook ISBN: 978-1-61450-380-4

All works here are printed with expressed permission from their authors.

No portion of this work may be reproduced in any form, in any medium, without expressed permission from the copyright holder.

For all the women who were warned.

For all the women who were given an explanation.

For all the women who, nevertheless, persisted.

Foreword

When I selected the theme for this volume, I envisioned a tome full of stories about shining science-fiction utopias. That was my vision of paradise. But the authors had different ideas. Furthermore, the real world intruded. Not a lot of people felt like writing during the last few months before the deadline; even fewer of them were able to reach deep enough inside themselves to find a vision of paradise to share with the world.

Thank you so much to all the authors who persevered and found a way to write about paradise, even in these uncertain times. This volume of ROAR received fewer submissions than the last two, but the average quality of those submissions was extremely high. And the visions inside those submissions were a revelation for me. I’ve learned about paradise from editing this book.

Paradise can be the stark natural beauty of our own world; it can be the connections we have with the people we love; it can be a moment in time. Paradise can be a place we’re seeking or a place that we didn’t realize we already had until it started to slip away. It can have a dark side. Even those shining science-fiction utopias can come with a price.

This is the first volume of ROAR I’ve edited where the stories snapped together into an order almost effortlessly. It’s like these eighteen stories wanted to be together and work with each other to tell an even larger story. Together, they become a journey through different visions of paradise—beginning with the personal and natural, traveling through the societal and technological, and all the way out to the supernal and divine.

I’ll leave you with a parting thought. One vision of paradise is a quiet room, a comfortable chair, and a good book—preferably one with plenty of anthropomorphic animals! A great book can heal you when you’re hurting, give you an escape that you desperately need, or even rekindle a lost spark of hope.

I hope this book can be a small piece of paradise for you, dear reader.

-Mary E. Lowd

Our world is filled with stark natural beauty—like the Alaskan wilderness. It can be harsh. It can be dangerous. For Rafael, a Chihuahua on a mission, it can be an obstacle. But sometimes, we find paradise when we aren’t looking for it, in a place we’d never expect.

Northern Delights

Madison Keller

Rafael walked out of the airport and into a frozen wasteland. Overhead the sky was gray, the sun completely hidden behind the clouds. The wind whistled, sending a swirl of snow down his back. Rafael shivered and pulled up the collar of his bubble-gum pink winter coat. The color hadn’t been his first choice, but even in the dead of winter stores in Phoenix didn’t exactly carry a large selection of winter wear.

He was already cold, and he was only three steps from the warmth of the airport lobby. Rafael scowled and began following the signs towards the Taxi Cab waiting area. His cell rang, belting out Don Omar singing “Pa’ este baile no hay salida.”

“You’ve reached Detective Ferreira,” he answered, cutting off the catchy tune. A gray and white barrel-chested malamute walking ahead of him startled and turned to stare down at the little Chihuahua. A lot of people had that reaction when they found out he was a policeman.

“Where are you?” His boss barked at him. The Captain was a Pitbull and Rafael could picture him sitting at his desk, jowls quivering with rage, eyes narrowed.

“I’m great, boss, and how are you?” Rafael bared his teeth at the phone and then up at the bigger dog. The malamute blinked and then hurried his steps away.

“I asked where you are detective,” his boss repeated, the growl in his voice deepening.

“I’m taking some personal time off, sir. Family emergency.” Rafael hung up. The phone rang again, which cut off abruptly when Rafael popped off the back and pulled out the battery.

Rafael jumped into the back of one of the cabs idling at the curb waiting for passengers. The cabbie, a big shaggy thing of indeterminate species, did a double take as Rafael settled into the seat. “What kinda rat are you?”

“The dog kind.” Rafael barked back as he snapped on his seat belt.

The cabbie shook his head but hit the ‘fare’ light on his dash. “Where to?”

“Iditarod starting line.” Rafael said and settled back into his seat.

The shaggy dog shrugged and pulled away from the curb. Rafael sat up in his seat, struggling to see out the window. Mostly he could only see the tops of buildings, all covered in snow. Big flakes drifted by the windows.

“Nice jacket,” the wolf said, grinning at him in the rear-view mirror.

Rafael grinned back at him. “Thanks, it’s a family heirloom. You know where the racers waiting to start wait?”

“What, don’t tell me you’re a competitor?” he howled in laughter.

At this Rafael let out a genuine laugh. “Ha, not hardly. A friend of mine is. Just wanted to wish him luck before he starts.”

“A little guy like you? In that crowd? You’ll never find him in time. The back area is always a cluster. Best bet is to find a place along the starting stretch and cheer for him as he goes by. I know a good place where the crowd won’t be too thick.”

Rafael grabbed at the door as the cab made a sudden turn. “Cabron! Watch it. Thing is, I really need to talk to my friend before he starts the race. It’s important.”

“Your dime. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” The cabbie pulled over to the curb.

Rafael popped off his seatbelt and stood. Crowds of dogs streamed down the sidewalk outside the cab. In the distance a block ahead of him, almost obscured by falling snow, he could see a flag-topped tower.

“Thanks. Keep the change.” Rafael handed the cabbie a twenty before climbing out.

When he opened the door he shivered as the cold air blasted him, seeming to whistle right through his hat and jacket. The snow on the sidewalk crunched under his boots. The sidewalks were shoveled, but more snow was falling all the time. Snow was piled high against the buildings and was ground to slush in the streets beneath the passing car.

Rafael tucked his head down and followed the press of dogs towards the starting line. Either his neon jacket did its job, or the big dogs of Alaska were used to watching for smaller puppies in the press, because no one even came close to stepping on him. But the cabbie had been right about the crowds. Rafael couldn’t see anything but furry legs and tails wagging in his face.

“Excuse me, excuse me!” Rafael yelled, trying to get the attention of any of the bigger dogs around him with no avail.

Finally the tide of the crowd spit him out by a long table with a banner across it that read ‘Racer Check in.’ Arrayed behind it where three big dogs, all northern breeds, like the racers. The area to the left of the table was separated from the crowd by plastic barrier tape.

“Can I help you?” A dark gray malamute glanced at him as Rafael waved a paw about above the tabletop.

Rafael pulled out a glossy photo of a golden furred chow dog and stood on his tiptoes to put it on the table while holding up his Phoenix Police Department badge. “I’m looking for Wang Wei Snelling. He’s a racer. It’s vitally important I talk to him before he leaves.”

“I recognize him. Don’t have many chows signed up to race.” The malamute handed him the photo back and checked a list in front of her. “The race starts soon, so you have about fifteen minutes to find him. The runners all wait over there. I’ll let you through.” She then pointed to her left.

“Thanks, ma’am.” Rafael wagged his curled tail, already half frozen, and ducked under the tape.

Hundreds of dogs milled about on the other side although his job was made easier by the fact that most of them had white or gray fur. However, his own small size was still a problem. He couldn’t see more than a couple of feet through the press. Even worse, loads of backpacks and supplies were piled seemingly at random in the snow blocking his way.

“Excuse me, have you seen this dog?” Rafael held up his photo of Wang Wei and plowed forward into the press, yelling to be heard over the din.

“What the hell are you supposed to be?” said the first dog who noticed him, a towering brown and white saint bernard.

“I’m a Chihuahua.” Rafael answered him evenly although his hackles rose. “And it’s vitally important that I find this dog. His name is Wang Wei and—”

The bernard cut him off with a loud woof. “Haven’t seen him. Now go away, I’m busy.”

Rafael shrugged and sidled around the dog and his bags. The next dog, a white Eskimo dog with triangular ears, was a little more polite but knew no more than the first dog. Rafael continued to make his way through the crowd, climbing over luggage and questioning the other racers. Noon was fast approaching and Rafael hadn’t gotten any closer to finding Wang Wei.

“Please, sir, have you seen this dog?” The words had long since lost their meaning, but Rafael held up the picture and asked the question.

“Him? Yeah, I have.” Said a big dog. Rafael wasn’t sure but thought he might be some kind of husky.

“Thanks anyway,” Rafael said and started to turn away before what the dog said sunk in. He jerked and spun back. “Wonderful! Can you point me in his direction?” Rafael tucked the photo back into his coat, shivering as he zipped it back up. Even with the coat and hat he was freezing.

“Even better, little guy. I can take you right to him!” The husky mix wagged his tail and gestured.

Rafael fell in beside him, pumping his legs furiously to keep up as the dog took off at brisk pace through the crowd.

“Thank you so much. You have no idea how important it is that I speak with him.” Rafael panted and glanced at his watch. 11:55. He only had a few more minutes before Wang Wei’s group was off and running and then it would be too late.

The husky led him into a ring of three other big dogs. He turned to face Rafael and raised his paws to his sides. “Here we are.”

Rafael stopped and blinked in surprise. He glanced around, but didn’t see any other sign of Wang Wei. “What?” Before Rafael could get out anything else heavy hit him in the back of the head. He was out before he impacted the snow.

* * *

The back of his head pounded, but it was the jouncing that woke Rafael. He felt suspended in a soft cloud, smelling of jerky and fabric softener. Soft light diffused his bed, coming from somewhere above him. A steady thump, thump, thump sound that matched each bump could barely be heard over the howl of the wind. Rafael was warm in his pink coat, but his hat was missing and a cold breeze bit into his exposed ears.

Rafael fought free of the constricting fabric and clawed his way up, towards the light. A hole became visible above him, covered by a flap of fabric. Rafael poked his muzzle through, all that would fit through the small opening. Outside of the protection of what he now recognized as a large dog’s backpack the icy wind stung his nose.

“Help! Help!” Rafael barked and clawed at the cinched hole, which remained stubbornly closed. “Let me out.”

The bouncing stopped. “What? Who said that?” A female voice said.

“I’m in your backpack.” Rafael yelled as loud as he could.

The backpack swayed and bobbed, and Rafael felt it settle down to the ground. The light dimmed as a shadow fell over the bag, there was a click and then the flap covering the hole flipped open. Rafael stared up into the eyes of a large female husky.

Her muzzle gaped open in surprise, one ear flicking back. She closed her mouth with an audible click and a huff. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I wondered why my bag felt heavier, but the race was starting and…” She huffed and shook her head. “Now puppy, why are in you my backpack?”

Rafael growled and scratched again at the cinched hole until the husky reached over and opened it. Rafael poked his head out of the bag, but immediately regretted it as the wind whistled through his upturned ears. He pulled his ears flat back against his head, wondering where his hat had gone.

“I’m not a puppy, and I have no idea how I ended up here.” Rafael felt around inside his pink coat until he located his wallet. He pulled it out and flipped it open, lifting it out to show the husky his badge. “I’m Detective Rafael Ferreira with the Phoenix Police Department. Hey!”

He yelped as the husky girl reached into the bag with a paw and picked him up by the back of his coat. She lifted him out and then set him gently down on the snow. The sudden movement made Rafael’s head swim with a pounding vertigo that send him reeling. He collapsed face first into the soft powder.

Now that he was outside the backpack Rafael was already starting to shiver. He sat up looked around himself. He was sitting in a snowbank, surrounded by dark pine trees. Snow was still falling, but the light had waned. He’d been out for hours at least.

The husky held up a paw, hissing in sympathy as she touched the back of his head. Even her feather-light touch made him yelp and jump.

Rafael reached up and probed at the bump on the back of his head. He growled. “Oh, those stupid huskies!”

The husky girl scowled and stood back up to loom over him, crossing her arms across her chest.

“Oh, not you.” Rafael could see the hurt in her eyes. He didn’t want to piss her off. He had no idea where he was and he couldn’t see any other dogs around. “I was talking to three huskies. They hit me in the head…and I guess stuffed me in your pack afterwards.”

The husky girl huffed and crossed her arms across her chest. “Three huskies? Leader mostly white with light tan markings?”

Rafael nodded. He was shivering violently now. He didn’t dare perk his ears back up for fear of them freezing solid.

The husky girl swore, ears going back flat on her head and baring her teeth. After a few more minutes of swearing she calmed down. She looked around them at the swirling snow and the trees, then pulled a folded map out of the pocket of her coat and began to study it.

Rafael hugged himself, tempted to climb back into the girl’s pack. The wind was cutting right through his thin khaki pants. Perfect for a warm Arizona winter and totally inadequate in these subzero temperatures. “What’s your name?”

She glanced up at him and grimaced. “Mae, and I’m sorry but it’s not been a pleasure to meet you. Now quiet, I’ve got to figure out how to get you back to civilization. I think it’s closer to go back to the checkpoint at Yentna Station,” she stabbed a point on her map and traced with a finger. “Rather than continue on to Skwentna. It will put me behind schedule, but there’s no helping it.”

“No, you can’t take me back!” Rafael protested, jumping up and down in the snow in front of her. “I need to go with you.”

“What? Not happening. You’re already getting hypothermia.” Mae folded back up her map. “Now, get in the bag.”

“No.” Rafael could tell she wasn’t in the mood to talk, but his mission was too important. “Did you see a large golden chow chow with the runners?”

“Yeah, I did. Hard to miss an Asian dog among all the American northern breeds. Why?” Mae crouched down next to him, positioning her bulk between him and the worst of the wind.

“He’s one of my confidential informants, here from Arizona for the race.” Rafael inched closer to her, grateful for that and the warmth that radiated off her.

“So?”

Rafael almost growled in frustration at the delay this was causing. He’d already lost his chance to catch Wang Wei before the race started, and now he was losing daylight to this cruel prank. “There’s a hit out on him. I have to warn him.”

Mae snorted. “You’re a detective and this Wang Wei is just some criminal that helps you out, right? So why do you care?”

“Wang Wei’s information saved the life of me and my partner last month. He warned us of an ambush.” Rafael looked away as he was wracked by a particularly violent shiver. “I owe him this much.”

“What about the Alaskan authorities, surely they—”

“No!” Rafael growled and met Mae’s eyes. “The ambush Wang Wei saved me from… It was other policemen.” He gulped. “I don’t know who I can trust. I need to warn Wang Wei in person. What little I was able to find out about the assassination is that it’s going to happen during the race.”

Mae stared at him, her muzzle gapping open for a moment. “That doesn’t narrow it down much. The route is over nine hundred miles long!”

“I know. I tried to call him before he left, but he was already on a plane, his phone turned off. I followed him here, hoping to warn him before he left, but there were so many dogs! And then that, that cabron hit me, and well, you know the rest.”

Mae growled and narrowed her eyes at him, then sighed heavily. “That cabron is the winner of last year’s race, Ingram Yap. Ingram’s been trying to bully and intimidate me ever since I came in ahead of him in the qualifiers last month. He probably was trying to slow me down.”

She gave a big sigh and held up a paw as Rafael started to speak. “It benefits us both to continue on, so don’t worry. I’ll take you as far as Skwentna. It’s a checkpoint, so all the dogs racing have to check in with the volunteers there.”

Rafael brightened and nodded happily. “Thank you!”

He let Mae lift him up and stow him back in the bag. While he bounced along on her back, he dug around in her clothing until he found his hat, which must have fallen off while he was being jostled around. With that back on his head and bundled in her blankets, Rafael almost became warm enough to stop his shivering.

The gentle swaying of the backpack lulling him to sleep competed with the pounding in his head. Eventually the warmth and the rhythmic motion overcame the nausea and pain and he drifted off to sleep.

* * *

A sharp jostle woke Rafael up. Mae barked, the sound muffled by the backpack. The bouncing of the pack increased in pace, slamming him repeatedly into Mae’s back. The muted noise made it hard to tell, but the crunching footsteps sounded like they came from more than one pair of feet as the cadence didn’t match the frequency of his crashes into Mae.

Rafael burrowed up. The light had faded, and he had to feel around above him for the cinched hole. The cold breeze coming from it guided him and a moment later his gloved paw was free and grasping around blindly looking for the cinch. Now that he’d seen the outside of the pack he knew how to open it, but the shaking and bumping meant he had to fumble around for several moments before he found it.

The instant he pulled the clasp free and opened the hole polar air whipped in, instantly freezing his nose and nipping at his eyeballs. Rafael narrowed his eyes and popped his head out. His head pressed against the cloth flap that covered the hole, blocking his view of the sky. The ground rushed by underneath of him, the snow swirling in the air glowed with ghostly reflections of Mae’s headlamp. Beyond the glare of Mae’s LED headlamp the night swallowed the landscape, making it feel like Rafael bounced along in a snow-covered void.

Now that his ears were out of the thick canvas, he could hear two sets of puffing breath and distinguish the thudding of six different feet. A lolling bay sounded out from the night.

“Mae! Mae!” Rafael howled as loud as he could.

“Stay down!” Mae huffed, clearly short of breath. “Moose. Dangerous.”

Even from right behind her Rafael could barely make out her words over the howling of the wind. “Moose?” he repeated softly to himself. He’d seen pictures of them, even seen them in person at the zoo in their fenced enclosure. They were massive, sure, and had big horns, but he’d never thought of them as dangerous.

“Raf!” Mae barked. “Flare gun. Bag. Help!”

Rafael dug back into Mae’s pack with frantic urgency. He’d remembered feeling a hard plastic edge digging into his side as he’d pulled himself out. He ripped off his gloves and cast about where he thought it had been. His paw brushed something hard, and he grabbed in, pulling it closer. The familiar grip of a pistol was comforting in his grip, despite the strange feeling of the plastic rather than cool iron. Gun in paw, Rafael popped his head back out the hole and pushed aside the top flap.

The bobbing light from Mae’s lantern revealed a gigantic moose which towered over Mae and him. The beast’s breath huffed out in a plume of steam that froze instantly. Ice crystals hung from the beast’s shaggy fur and dripped from its heaving nostrils. The moose lowered his head, centering his wide, flat antlers, so that tips pointed right at Rafael. Each pounding of the giant’s hooves sent up clouds of snow and brought the moose closer to Mae.

Rafael looked at the orange, plastic pistol then at the moose’s three tons of charging fury. It was sized for a bigger dog Rafael could barely get a finger around the trigger, but compared to the bulk of the moose it looked like a toy.

“Hur…ry!” Mae huffed. It was obvious she couldn’t keep this pace up much longer.

Rafael shivered, blinking away the ice crystals that were forming on his eyelashes and lifted the gun, wrapping both paws around it in an effort to keep it steady.

The moose whuffed and sped up, or maybe Mae slowed down, but he knew he had only moments to act. The moose lowered his head still further, but he was so much bigger than them it put his chin in line with Mae’s head. The flap of skin hanging from its neck streamed in the wind. Rafael had never been so terrified. His heart hammered in his chest. He was shaking and not from the cold.

Rafael took a deep breath, sighted down the barrel directly at the white of the moose’s eye. The whipping wind and snow obscured his vision, and the backpack was bouncing up and down wildly. Rafael did his best to compensate for the movement, thankful for hours of practice on the range. He willed his shaking paws to still and pulled the trigger.

The flare exploded from the gun with a flash and a pop, streaming towards its target like a comet. The light was so bright in the dark of the night that it burned a red line across his vision.

The light smashed into the moose’s nose and burst with a hiss. The moose barked in surprise and slowed down, shaking his head from side to side in an effort to dislodge the burning projectile. Mae continued running, and the beast disappeared into the night behind them.

“I got it, Mae!” Rafael yipped in excitement. “You can stop now.”

Mae continued running although she slowed her pace. The bouncing slowed down to a manageable jostle. Perhaps she hadn’t heard him.

“The moose stopped chasing us.” Rafael cried louder.

“Heard you.” Mae huffed. “Not out.” She took a deep breath. “Of danger yet.”

Now that the adrenaline from the danger with the moose was fading, he was starting to feel cold. As he stared at the darkness and falling snow, he realized what Mae was doing. His flare had done nothing but startle the moose. It might continue to chase them once it recovered. Or there might be more of them.

Rafael wiggled back down into the backpack and felt around until he found the gun’s little zipper pouch of ammo. After a lot of fumbling around in the dark, he managed to reload it, just in case.

Mae ran for another few minutes after he finished loading the flare gun, and when she did stop, she first ducked behind a tree. Rafael felt the backpack jostle and a moment later Mae peered down in at him, blinding him with the light of her head lantern.

“Ouch, bright!” Rafael dropped the gun and covered his face with his paws. The LEDs still burned his eyes around his fingers. He blinked tears from his eyes and burrowed his muzzle into the crook of his arm.

“Oops, sorry.” Mae said.

Rafael heard a button click, and the light dimmed.

“That better?” Mae asked.

Before Rafael could respond Mae scooped him out of the bag and squeezed him to her chest in a massive bear hug. Her arms totally engulfed his little body. She was wonderfully warm and soft and Rafael relaxed into her grip, doing his best to hug her back while trapped. He wagged his tail, whipping her arm.

“You did great with that moose. If you hadn’t been here, I might have been done for.”

“It was nothing,” Rafael lied. His heart was still pounding. He’d faced down his share of criminals on the mean streets of downtown Phoenix, but he’d never felt anything near the terror he’d experienced upon seeing that wall of muscled moose barreling down on them.

Mae loosened her grip and lifted him. “You’re shivering!”

“Just cold.” Rafael said. He wasn’t lying, not exactly. The air was so frigid each breath was like a knife to his chest. Where the tip of his muzzle wasn’t pressed against Mae, he could feel the cold air almost seeming to go right through him. But being with Mae was like lying down with a furnace.

“Here.” She set him carefully back down into the backpack and then fiddled with an outside pocket before passing him a large square plastic gel pack.

“What is it?” Rafael stared at it with fascination. The clear pack was labeled ‘Paw warmer’ and it was almost as long as his arm.

“It’s a chemical gel warmer. Take off the packaging and it will heat up and keep you nice and warm until we get to Skwentna.”

Rafael ripped off the printed plastic coating and kneaded the bag inside with his paws. Almost immediately it began to heat up. “Amazing! Heat in a bag.”

“Careful not to puncture it with your claws,” Mae cautioned him. “Also, it works best if it’s close to your fur. Unzip your coat and put it inside.” Mae began closing back up the backpack. “Oh and keep that flare gun handy.”

“What?” Rafael squeaked.

“Yeah, this area is known as moose alley. The forest is dense so the moose like to use the trails. A couple of dogs get chased each year. Guess I’m one of the lucky ones.” Mae blew out a breath and gave him a wide mouth smile. “Good thing I had along a stalwart guardian.”

Despite himself Rafael felt himself returning Mae’s grin. He was still mad at Ingram for pulling this prank and possibly dooming Wang Wei. But it had put him in the right place, at the right time, to protect an innocent dog from harm. Lately so much of his job had become paperwork done from behind a desk, and he realized he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so connected with his job and life. It made him remember why he’d become a cop in the first place.

* * *

Despite the cold, Rafael kept his head free of the bag, ready and waiting in case another moose tried to give them a hard time. Ice crystals formed on his whiskers from each breath. He constantly had to duck his head back into the bag and press his face against the blissfully warm gel-pack, but he persevered.

Other than the crunching of snow under Mae’s paws and the shushing of the surrounding pine trees in the wind the night was silent. He’d grown up in the big city, and night to him meant the pounding thunder of a gunning motorcycle, the conversing of passing dogs, and the rumbling base leaking from a passing car.

Even the sky was unfamiliar. When Rafael craned his head back, he could see hundreds of stars twinkling brightly overhead. The sight awed and humbled him. When he was a puppy, his father had taken him up to the mountains to star gaze, but even there the lights of the city had hidden all but the brightest stars. He began to pick out constellations he’d learned about in grade school. There was Orion, the Hunter. Usually depicted in mythological art as an English Setter. Mae turned a corner and his view shifted, revealing Leo, the roaring lion. Rafael bared his teeth menacingly at the sky.

Rafael ducked back into the bag to warm his ears and nose, and wipe ice crystals from his lashes. When he emerged again, the trees had fallen away. Mae now ran through a wide open field. The light of the stars reflected on the glittering snow, green and purple dancing and flashing like they ran through a gaudy neon nightclub. Rafael’s muzzle dropped open. Stars didn’t do that. He craned his head around until he looked out over Mae’s fluffy ears.

Shimmering hues swung their way through the heavens above them, frolicking and bobbing through the air like a symphony of colors. “Wow…” Rafael chuffed quietly.

Mae chuckled, her ears flickering and Rafael lowered his head. He hadn’t realized he’d spoken aloud.

“Quite the sight, eh? I never get tired of it.” Mae said over her shoulder. All Rafael could see of her was the back of her head and the tips of her ears, but he could feel her smile.

Rafael looked back up at nature’s light show and admitted that he didn’t think he ever could either. He opened his muzzle to say as much to Mae, but then shut it again. He didn’t want to sound like an uncultured yokel. He stared at the dancing sky without answering for a long minute. “Yeah, it’s alright, I guess.”

Mae growled. Her ears went back flat against her head and she picked up speed, jostling him around so much he had to grab on lest he bounce right out of the bag. “I know. Alaska’s a boring backwater full of hicks, and you can’t wait to get back to your big city and palm trees. Yada, yada.”

“What? That’s not what I meant.” Rafael barked out between bounces. But it was too late, the mood had been ruined.

“We’re out of moose run and it’s still another few hours before we get to the checkpoint, so why don’t you get some sleep?” Mae said.

Rafael wanted to apologize to Mae to beg her forgiveness, but he sighed and stayed silent. He’d give her an apology at Skwentna, once she’d had a chance to cool down and when he could do it face to face.

* * *

Rafael was woken another dog barking a greeting to Mae. He uncurled from his ball and popped his nose out of the backpack. The cold crisp air burned his lungs. The air smelled of wet dogs, wood smoke, and dawn. He shivered and pulled his head back in.

He unzipped his coat and pressed the gel pack to his muzzle until he was warmed up, then tucked the pack back against his chest.

“Where I am in the standings?” He overheard Mae say.

“Not too bad.” An unfamiliar dog replied. “You’re the Eighth dog to check in from your time group. Won’t know your overall standing until I radio in your time.”

“You going to press on?” The other dog asked Mae.

“Not yet. I need a few hours of sleep before I continue.” Mae said and began taking off the backpack. Rafael ducked back out of sight, suddenly conscious of being seen. He didn’t want his presence here to get Mae in trouble, or to be forcibly sent back to Anchorage before he could save Wang Wei.

The backpack hit the ground with a thump and then he heard Mae fumbling with the opening. She reached in a paw and grabbed him by the back of his pink coat, pulling him out. Rafael struggled against her grip as the cold air hit him.

“Don’t worry, no one’s watching.” Mae whispered to him as she sat him down.

Rafael shook himself and then straightened his hat and coat. His boats crunched on the snow as he spun about. They were in an open field covered in an icy layer of snow. The sun was barely peaking over the horizon in the distance, the light glittering and bright on the almost untouched expanse of snow. A trail snaked away into the distance, disappearing into the trees near the horizon.

Two snowmobiles were lined up next to the poles of a suspended banner. It read Welcome in big red letters. Underneath in smaller black print was Skwentna Checkpoint. A few dogs were congregated next to the far pole holding up the banner. A large fluffy Saint Bernard dog wore a red jacket with a white cross on the back, first aid for the runners. The rest of the crowd were huskies and malamutes. A few wore backpacks and Rafael judged them as being other runners taking a break at the checkpoint.

A white, curly-tailed American Eskimo holding a clipboard was walking away from him and Mae, headed towards the knot of dogs. The back of her jacket read volunteer in big yellow letters.

“I’d talk to Kiska about your Chow.” Mae said, bobbing her head towards the retreating American Eskimo. “She’s one of the race coordinators. If Wang Wei has come through here already, she’ll know.”

“And if he hasn’t?” Rafael shivered and tucked his tail between his legs. He’d only been out of Mae’s backpack for a few minutes and he was already getting cold.

“Then it means we beat him here.” Mae held out a paw. “And then all you’ll have to do is hang out here until he comes through, tell him your piece, and then hitch a ride back with Kiska.”

“Oh.” Rafael dug the toe of his boot into the snow and ducked his head. “I’m sorry about last night. I…” Rafael took a deep breath. He had begun to like Mae and the fact that she was mad at him had left a hard knot of dread in his stomach. “I wanted to sound more traveled than I am, in order to impress you. To tell the truth, I’ve live in Phoenix my entire life. This is the first time I’ve ever left Arizona. I’m terrified, and cold, but it didn’t excuse what I said last night. I’m sorry.”

Without warning Mae dropped down next to him. Her muzzle gaped open and her tail wagged furiously. “I accept your apology.” She pressed her nose up against his for a moment then stood back up, brushing snow off her pants. “You look cold. Hurry and go talk to Kiska and by the time you get back I should have my tent set up.”

“Thanks.” Rafael said, and then took off after the white dog.

Her long strides meant that she’d reached the gathering of dogs by the time he was able to catch up to her. She was already in conversation with them when Rafael came up behind her.

“Excuse me, Kiska?” He barked politely to get her attention.

Every dog in the huddle turned to stare down at him, and as one their muzzles dropped open in surprise and one ear cocked back. One of the huskies burst into riotous laughter and Rafael belatedly recognized him as the dog that had tricked him back at the starting line. Ingram. Rafael pointedly ignored him and addressed Kiska.

“I’m looking for this dog. His name is Wang Wei. He’s a golden Chow.” Rafael fumbled with the zipper on his pocket for a moment, the unfamiliar gloves and cold making his normally dexterous paws clumsy. Finally he prevailed and held up Wang Wei’s photo, doing his best to straighten it out. His trip in Mae’s backpack had left it rumpled and creased.

Kiska gaped at him, barely glancing at the picture. “What kind of dog are you? Are you a dog? And how did you get all the way out here?”

“Hitched a ride,” Rafael responded. “And I’m a Chihuahua.” When everyone stared at him blankly he continued, “From Arizona.”

“Oh, my. You’re a long way from home.” Kiska tutted.

“Yes, and the faster I find this dog, the sooner I can get back to my nice, warm home.” Rafael raised the picture higher, holding it in front of his face.

Around them the group of dogs broke apart, the huskies and malamutes gathered up their backpacks. The medical Saint Bernard wandered off to greet two new dogs arriving at the checkpoint.

“You just missed him. He got here about an hour ago, just before the sun came up. Stuck around long enough to check in, then took off again.” Kiska said.

Rafael cursed and stuffed Wang Wei’s photo back into his pocket. “Thanks.” He turned to go.

“Popular guy, that Chow,” Kiska mused as Rafael turned to go.

“What do you mean?” Rafael said, his hackles stiffening. He’d known assassins were after Wang Wei, but his whole plan hinged on beating them to their target and warning him of the danger.

“You’re the second dog this morning to ask after him.” Kiska shrugged. “Anyway, if you came by air you’re out of luck. No airstrip at the Finger Lake checkpoint.”

“I didn’t. Um, can I ask who else asked you about him?” Rafael shivered violently. His gel pack was failing, turning to a cooling lump in his coat and the cold began to creep down through his hat and gloves.

“It was,” Kiska turned and pointed to a group of distant figures jogging along the trail. Even as they watched, he disappeared into the trees beyond the meadow. “Oh, they left without saying goodbye. Anyway, one of that group.”

Rafael growled and stomped his feet in an attempt to warm up, “Which one, specifically?”

“They all arrived in a clump, and it was a bit of chaos, let me tell you.” Kiska cocked her head, her ears flicking as she thought. “One of the huskies, I’m sure of it. Was it Bernie? No. Oh, yes, it was Ingram! Such a nice dog. He wanted to check on Wang Wei because it is his first race. Ingram and his pack are seasoned runners, you see. They told me like to check up on first timers.”

“Oh, that’s nice of them.” He said, but inside he was tensing up. Nothing that Mae had said about Ingram pointed towards him being good dog.

“Yes, it is.” Kiska leaned down and cocked her head. “I need to go check in these runners, but you should go see the medic and make sure you don’t have frost-bite. You’re not dressed properly for this weather.”

Rafael shivered harder and nodded.

Kiska bobbed her head in satisfaction and bounded off to greet the new dogs, who were now engaged in animated conversation with the medic. Rafael turned and shuffled back to where he’d left Mae. As promised a colorful one-dog tent was set up and Mae’s curly tail was just disappearing through the zippered opening. Rafael followed her inside.

Already inside the tent was significantly warmer than outside. Rafael hadn’t realized just how much the slight breeze had been chilling him until he was out of it. His shivering subsided some. The tent was small, and Mae’s fluffy husky body took up most of the space. If Rafael had been any bigger, he wouldn’t have fit. Being this close to Mae he could feel the heat radiating from her, and the scent of her made his tail wagged involuntarily.

“Good news?” Mae asked him as she shook out a body-bag style sleeping bag that had been tied to the bottom of her pack.

Rafael shook his head, “No, bad news and worse. Wang Wei has come and gone already.”

Mae unzipped the side of her bag in one smooth motion. “So, I suppose next you’re going to ask me to take you with me to the next checkpoint.”

Rafael shook his head. “No. Kiska and the medic both have snowmobiles. I’m sure if I explain to them the need they’ll give me a lift. I just came back to say goodbye and to ask you a question.”

“Oh.” Mae blinked at him and he would have sworn she looked almost disappointed, but no, he had to be wrong.

“So what’s your question?” Mae said, wriggling out of her coat. The fur underneath was snow white and looked pleasantly soft. Rafael caught himself wondering what it’d be like to cuddle up to that fur. He cut that thought off and pushed it away.

“If I told you that Ingram was checking up on a first time runner, to give advice to a less experienced dog, what would you say?”

“I’d say you must have hit your head on something.” Mae flashed him a grin. “Ingram is ruthlessly competitive. He’d never willingly do anything to help a new racer. Why?”

“That’s what I was afraid of.” Rafael grimaced and relayed what had happened. “I’m think Ingram and his buddies might be the assassins after Wang Wei.”

Mae opened her muzzle to argue with him, and then shut it again. Her face and ears flickered through a variety of emotions, obviously thinking through Rafael’s accusation. Finally she shook herself as if shaking off water.

“No, I don’t think so. I think he was probably just upset that a first-time racer, and a foreign breed dog, at that, beat him to the checkpoint.” Mae sighed and plopped down on her sleeping bag, looking longingly at her pillow for a long moment before turning her attention back to Rafael. “However, I wouldn’t put it past him. Give me a few minutes to pack back up and we’ll head out.”

“Mae, I appreciate the help you’ve given me so far, but get some sleep. The snowmobiles—”

“Aren’t allowed on the trail the runners use. They have to stay on the roads.” Mae said, cutting him off. “You wouldn’t be able to meet up with Wang Wei until the Finger Lake Checkpoint, at the soonest, and Ingram could catch him long before then.”

“How, if Wang Wei’s the faster runner?”

“Fast isn’t everything, in the Iditarod.” Mae said. “It’s about endurance.”

While Mae packed back up her tent, Rafael went back to talk to Kiska. By the time he was done explaining to her what he needed Mae had finished packing her bag. She jogged over to them, her pack slung over one shoulder.

“I’m ready to go.” Rafael told her, while marveling at how fast she’d packed her back and how small of a bundle her tent was once she’d taken it down and rolled it up.

Mae put the bag on the ground and Rafael crawled inside.

As they left Rafael heard Kiska call out to them, “Mae, good luck!”

“What was that about?” Mae huffed out as she jogged away.

“I took some of your advice.” Rafael said, snuggling down into her spare clothes. He stayed there until he was warm again, then as much as he could he kept his head outside the bag to watch the scenery go by.

He’d never thought of snow as beautiful before. Pictures he’d seen of snowy landscapes had seemed to him bleak and almost monochromatic. However, as he gazed about it was the first word that popped into his mind.

Snow draped the trees in coats of white. Flashes of blue and green pine-tree needles poked from beneath the snow. In the distance snow-capped mountains dominated the distant horizon. A rabbit, startled by Mae’s steps on the snow broke out of the bushes and hoped along in front of them for several moments before veering off back into the underbrush. The sun never rose much above the horizon, which gave the sky a perpetual pink blush of dawn. The sun glittered on the undisturbed snow and lit the surrounding trail in an ever changing patchwork.

“This is part of the Northern Lights trail.” Mae said to him during one of her running breaks. “It’s one of my favorites.”

“I can see why.” Rafael replied with a genuine smile.

After several hours Rafael twisted around in the pack so he could talk to Mae easier as well as to help watch the trail ahead of them. They had a pleasant conversation and Mae told him all about growing up in the backwoods of Alaska, and the fight she’d when she’d announced her desire to be a runner like her father.

“What was the big deal?” Rafael asked.

“It wasn’t,” she huffed, and sped up. “Feminine. They lamented that I’d never find a mate and get puppies of my own, since I spent all my spare time running.”

Rafael grimaced. “I’m sorry,” he said, and meant it. “I understand how hard it can be when it feels like everyone is arranged against you.”

“Because of your size?”

“There are other Chihuahuas on the force.” Rafael sighed. “But yes, we have to do more to prove ourselves than the bigger dogs. When I was promoted to detective over a lot of larger dogs that had been there longer, a few of my co-workers, well, I think I already said enough about that.” Rafael fell silent.

The only sounds were Mae’s harsh breathing and the crunch of her boots on the snow. Somewhere in the distance a hawk cried.

“I feel like, if I can save my informant, and get this big bust, I’ll prove them wrong.” Rafael said finally.

One of Mae’s paws reached back over her shoulder. Rafael grasped it, sharing a moment of solidarity. Rafael leaned forward, over Mae’s shoulder, and licked Mae’s cheek. He knew he was blushing would have been visible through his short fur and was glad Mae couldn’t see him.

“Mae, I—” Rafael began as he slid back into place, but Mae cut him off.

“There, up ahead!” Her paw pulled away, leaving him off balance. “That’s Ingram, I’m sure of it.”

Rafael leaned to the side to see around the back of Mae’s head. Far in the distance stood a group of dogs. They were off the main trail, almost at the tree line. Rafael could just make out the marks they’d made where they’d cut off the main trail. Three white and gray furred figures were chasing, herding really, a fourth gold furred dog into the woods.

“His coat.” Mae said in response to his unasked question. “Ingram has been doing the race for years and has corporate sponsors. I recognize the placement and colors of the patches.”

Mae sped up, her lope turning into a jog, and then a sprint. Rafael thought Mae had been pushing the pace before, and now he found out how wrong he’d been. Snow flew from her boots. Rafael jounced around so much had to throw his arms around Mae’s neck or risk flying from pack.

As they reached the point where the dog’s tracks left the path, Mae slowed down. The other dogs had forded a path through the snow, and Mae took advantage of the work they’d done by placing her feet in their paw-prints.

One thing that struck Rafael in Alaska was how still and silent it was. Because of that when there was a sound it seemed louder than it should have been and they carried. Between the crunches of Mae’s boots on the snow came a dull thwack. It took Rafael a moment to register the sounds as fists connecting with flesh.

Rafael drew in a hissing breath. “Hurry,” he whispered as they neared the trees.

Mae ducked under a low-hanging branch sending a small flurry of snow spraying down on Rafael’s head. He brushed it off while Mae stopped and knelt down to pull off her backpack. The area underneath the trees was relatively clear of snow and Rafael emerged from the pack onto a soft bed of fallen pine needles. He was carrying Mae’s flare gun gripped in both paws.

Mae left her pack and jogged off into the trees. Rafael did his best to keep up with his short legs. He didn’t dare lose Mae in this forest. The way sound echoed was eerie, and he wasn’t sure he’d be able to find Mae if he lost her, even if she was calling to him.

Rafael felt like an elephant blundering along behind her. Despite the fact that she was at least three times larger than him, Mae passed with barely a sound, like a ghost. Rafael must have stepped on every twig, branch, pine-cone, and crunchy leaf between him and their goal.

Thankfully it seemed Ingram and his pack were too involved in what they were doing to Wang Wei to notice. Mae stopped, held up a paw and pointed. Rafael stepped up next to her and peered through the underbrush. Ingram and his pack had Wang Wei surrounded and were pounding on him. Wang Wei had curled into a ball, his front paws over his face. Blood streaked Wang Wei’s golden coat, and he whimpered in pain as the other dogs hit. As he watched Ingram picked up a tire iron which Rafael hadn’t noticed previously lying by his feet. Ingram lifted it above his head, ready to strike.

Rafael took a big breath, lifted the flare gun, and then stepped forward shouting, “Stop, police!”

Ingram’s head snapped up and everyone stopped moving. In the sudden silence, the pop and hiss of the flare-gun going off was deafeningly loud. The flare shot up from Rafael’s outstretched paws to burst above the trees in a flash of red.

Ingram whirled to face Rafael, snarling, the tire iron still head above his head. Before Rafael could react Ingram charged towards him. His two pack buddies turned to face him, leaving off their attack on Wang Wei, but otherwise made no move to help.

“I said stop!” Rafael dropped the now empty gun and scrambled back.

Ingram swung at him. Rafael darted to the side and dropped to all fours. The tire iron whistled overhead, missing Rafael’s head by mere inches. He felt it brush the tip of his pointy ears and realized that at some point he must have lost his hat. Again.

Mae snarled and jumped over Rafael’s head. She wrapped a paw around Ingram’s arm, and with her other one began trying to wrestle the tire iron out of his grip.

“Mae, what’re you doing?” Ingram growled at her.

“Stopping you from making a big mistake, Ingram.” Mae growled back.

Rafael was trapped underneath, darting this way and that between the bigger dogs while trying to avoid being stepped on.

From his left came a yelp of pain and a deep growl. Rafael took a chance and glanced that direction to see that Wang Wei had risen, and taking advantage of his tormentors’ distraction, pounced on them from behind. Despite the fact that he was injured and outnumbered, it looked like Wang Wei had Ingram’s pack mates taken care of.

He was so engrossed in watching Wang Wei thrash the two huskies that he lost track of feet. A boot stomped down and caught the tip of his tail. Rafael yelped and reacted on instinct, twisting around and sinking his teeth into the owner’s leg. Only after did he think to check who he’d bitten. He tried to glance up, but all he could see were parkas and pants. Instead he inhaled deeply. The scent was similar to Mae’s, but not her. He ground his mouth down harder, biting deeply into Ingram’s leg. He tasted blood.

Ingram lifted his leg, prepared to stomp. The move jerked Rafael’s head and pulled him up. He clawed at Ingram’s boot with his front paws, trying to pull his lower body up. Ingram stomped into the snow.

The boot came down hard on Rafael’s left leg and tail and he had to grit his teeth to keep from crying out and releasing Ingram. His leg throbbed; he couldn’t tell if it was broken or not, but the pain was incredible. His vision wavered as Ingram lifted his foot. Rafael’s flailing front paws connected with Ingram’s leg.

He dug in his claws, clinging tight, opened his jaw, and pulled himself up Ingram’s calf. He waited until Ingram stomped down again, catching nothing but snow and pine needles, then bit down as hard as he could right at the back bend of Ingram’s knee.

The big dog howled and Rafael’s worldview turned into a falling jumble of fur, snow, and leaf litter. Next thing he knew he was buried under a pile of fur and suffocating under Ingram’s bulk. By the time he crawled free Mae had Ingram on his stomach, her knee in his back and one arm around his neck. Wang Wei had Ingram’s two pals, one massive paw holding each of them face-first against the ground.

Mae yipped with excitement when she saw him. “Are you alright?”

Rafael rolled over and gently prodded his leg. He winced in pain. Almost certainly broken. “I’m alive,” he said, flopping over to his back and panting. “We saved Wang Wei, that’s what counts.”

“Detective Ferreira!” Wang Wei barked. Only Rafael’s long acquaintance with the big dog allowed him to hear the relief and thanks in Wang Wei’s voice. “To say I’m shocked to see you would be an understatement.”

Rafael turned his head and gave Wang Wei a tired smile. “Hah. By the way, your life is in danger.”

In response Wang Wei let out a rumbling basso laugh that shook snow from the trees above them.

Mae frowned at Wang Wei then turned her gaze back to Rafael. “Raffie, I thought you were a better shot with a gun than that. What happened back there?”

Rafael wrinkled his nose. He hated being called by a nickname, but then again he owed Mae a huge debt of gratitude. So instead he just replied. “I didn’t miss.”

She shook her head and turned her attention back to Ingram lying prone under her. “And you, Ingram! What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking I was broke and needed the money.” Ingram growled back as he struggled against her.

The roar of snowmobiles drown out the rest Ingram’s reply. Probably for the best.

Rafael smiled widely and shouted. “Cavalry is here.”

After what felt like hours to Rafael and his throbbing leg, but was probably more like fifteen minutes, Kiska, riding double with the medical Saint Bernard from Skwentna station, roared up along with a string of local police dogs.

It took Rafael quite a while to explain what had happened and why he was here. But eventually, after repeatedly showing them his badge and they made a call in to his supervisor in Arizona—that made Rafael wince but there was no help for it—the local police agreed to arrest Ingram and his pack members on charges of attempted murder.

Rafael’s story was confirmed again when they searched the dogs and found an unregistered .22 in Ingram’s pocket along with a Wang Wei’s picture, on the back of which was written Introduce him to the man in black in big, block letters.

The medic splinted Rafael’s leg and loaded him onto a stretcher attached to the back of one of the snowmobiles, layering him in blankets.

Mae came up as they were strapping him down. She leaned over him and gave him a long hug, then pulled away and planted a kiss on him, muzzle to muzzle. It was hard to wag his tail, buried as it was, but Rafael tried. Mae was brave, determined, and beautiful. This morning he’d have said he’d never have a shot at a girl like her, yet here she was.

Rafael returned the kiss with gusto. Mae was a fantastic kisser, sensuous, slow, and teasing. When she pulled away she did so slowly, giving the tip of his nose a lick as she did. She stood and stepped away as the snowmobile roared to life. Rafael twisted to watch her face as they pulled away.

“Mae!” He yelled over the rumble of the engine.

She waved and blew him a kiss.

* * *

Rafael was kept in the hospital overnight for observation. They said along with his broken leg he was suffering from mild hypothermia and dehydration.

His broken leg laid on the bed entombed in a thick cast. They’d wrapped him in warm blankets and made him drink what felt like gallons of hot tea.

Over the nurses protestations that he needed sleep, Rafael made them turn on the television to show news of the race. A lot of the coverage was about the surprise arrest of race darling Ingram Yap, charged with the attempted murder of another racer. They praised the quick thinking of an out-of-town detective with saving the victim’s life, but gave no mention of Mae’s assistance. Rafael flipped the television off in irritation.

Early the next morning the call he’d been expecting came. Rafael gulped, steeled himself, and took the portable hand-set from the nurse.

“Good morning, Captain.” Rafael said with false cheer. He was helped along by the drugs for the pain, which buoyed him in a cloud of hazy euphoria.

“Lieutenant Ferreira, good work up there.” The Captain replied.

Rafael pulled the phone away from his ear and stared at it for a moment before putting it back. “Excuse me?” He’d been sure he’d lost his job. After all, he’d gone haring off to Alaska, out of his jurisdiction without permission or backup, and he’d dragged civilians into the mess to boot.

“Captain, I’m just a detective, not a—”

The Captain cut him off with a woof. “As of now you are. You just made Lieutenant and earned yourself a nice bonus to go with it. Thanks to you, Wang Wei has agreed to turn state’s witness. Last night we arrested dogs we’ve been after for years, but never been able to get charges to stick. Well, they won’t be able to weasel out of this one.”

“Wang Wei, is he alright? I lost track of him when the medics took me away.”

“He’s fine. A little bruised up, but fine. He’s in protective custody now, and guarded round the clock by a team of our finest.”

“Thank the lord.” Rafael blew out a breath in relief.

“Indeed.” There was a muffled sound then the Captain returned to the line. “They tell me you’ll be out of the hospital by this afternoon. I’ll arrange your return flights and have someone pick you up at the airport in Phoenix.”

Rafael chewed licked his chops. Last night he’d been making plans for what to do when he was fired. Now he was looking a promotion and a raise, along with a big bonus and status as hero of the department. He thought of Mae and their journey of the last two days.

“Sir, that’s not necessary.” He took a deep breath, realizing his paws were shaking. He tightened his grip on the phone. “I quit.”

Dead silence came through the other end of the line.

“I quit.” Rafael repeated with finality. A weight lifted from his shoulders, a burden he hadn’t realized he’d been carrying until it was gone. “I’m staying in Alaska.” He hung up the phone before his boss could say anything else.

Rafael spent the rest of the morning on the phone ordering plane tickets, hotel rooms, and finally calling movers to pack up his apartment in Phoenix. When the doctors gave him the all clear that afternoon he hoped in a cab to his first destination, awkwardly navigating the snow with his crutches.

By the end of the week he was getting around on the crutches like a pro and easily descended the stairs off the plane in Nome with little problem. Despite the snow and blowing wind he was pleasantly warm in his new weather-appropriate outdoor gear.

He’d spent the week eagerly following the runner’s progress in the news, easy to do as he’d discovered that the race seemed to be playing on every television in the state of Alaska. He wasn’t sure exactly when Mae was set to finish, but the predictions had her coming in later that day.

Rafael hobbled over to join the crowd around the Burled Arch, a great wooden thing that marked the official end of the race. The snow around the wooden arch was packed down from so many boots on it. The winner along with five others had come in yesterday, and from what he’d seen on the news hundreds of dogs had come out to cheer.