I got up early, making sure to avoid Ryder. I took Ace and Jack with me and made my way up to the Post Office. Rosie, Little-Paw and Howler were all waiting for me. I left Ace and Jack with them and went to Lily's house. Honey was asleep on the sofa so I crawled through the window and took her back with me. Kiara and King, two of the older post dogs, were at the post office too.
"Okay, eight dogs..." I pulled a piece of paper out of my pocket. I had scribbled down the Iditarod race rules on it a couple nights ago. "Eight dogs is fine..." I muttered "I'll have to lie about my age..."
Ace was looking at me, wide eyed. I sat beside him and continued to read the rules. We had my dad's old sled and kit. It was one of the only things they had been able to save.
"Okay, Ace will be lead dog," I smiled "Dad's lead dog was called Alpha. His other dog's were called Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot and Golf,"
I had hidden eight dog harnesses in the back of the room. After making sure they all fitted by making the dogs wear them, I stood back to decide which dog would take which position.
"Ace will be at the front leading," I said and Ace sat at the front of the crowd. "You need to be in partners; so Honey will go with Ace," Following my instructions, Honey sat beside Ace. "Behind them Jack and Rosie and after them will be Little-Paw and Howler," The dogs, obediently, did as they were told. "Kiara and King can take the rear," They sat at the back of the line, beside each other. I clipped each of their harnesses together.
"Wait there, I'll be back in a minute," I went into the back room and dragged a big sledge out with me. I hooked the Kiara and King's harness onto the front of the sledge. I half carried half pushed the sledge out of the Post Office. Today, I'd practice all day, if I could without Lily and Ryder seeing.
I had wanted to run this race since I was old enough to hear my father speed through the finish line. He would win every race. Lily and I would listen to it on the radio. Father was a champion. He never came last. When he they announced that the ice beneath him had broken, I didn't believe it was possible. I kept asking Lily if he had got out but she didn't reply. Him and his dogs went under and no one could save them.
Lily would never let me go. I can see why, with what happened to Dad, but she wouldn't understand. She didn't use to help Dad with the post or like to sit in the sledge when he did his post round. She didn't help look after the dogs and feed them and groom them and clean the sled. But, that didn't matter now. All that matter was that I practice enough for the race. Then I'd be fine.