The Matrix by Bryan Kim

Arctic Dogs

by Sam Heiden

Antarctica had never felt colder on Jolene’s face. The wind was harsh, and it pierced through her layers of protection, whipping around violently. A storm had brewed, somewhere off past the dome, and was setting the scene for the morning. The yellow starting line faded in and out of her vision with the movement of the fuzzy snow. To Jolene, this weather was perfect. It showcased what the beauty of Antarctica was really supposed to be: a winter wonderland. It also eased her stomach, which had been in knots since the morning.

Startling Jolene, the announcer box boomed upon the open dome, “In position racers! Five minutes, five minutes until we start! For everyone in the audience, just hold tight to your seats. These mushers are going to blast off! And for the reporters freezing in the front row, careful! You’re in the splash zone!”

Excited murmurs erupted from the crowd. Jolene couldn’t see them, not from where she stood hiding behind the stands. She held onto her stomach, trying not to hack up what was left of breakfast. Her nerves couldn’t handle a packed stadium such as the dome, where thousands of eyes would be watching her. The cheers caused Jolene’s legs to stiffen and for her vision to feel splotchy.

Jolene tried to calm herself down. She focused on her breathing and thought of something that would bring her back to reality. The thoughts went to her mother, who was now somewhere in the mix of crazed fans. She’d be wearing that neon pink jacket of hers and a tie dye cloth mask she used to shield herself from the snow. Her mother didn’t care that she stuck out like a sore thumb. Jolene could imagine her now, jumping enthusiastically within the crowd, tearing up from the sight of her daughter competing among some of the greatest dog racers in the world.

With hesitant steps, that felt heavier the closer she got, Jolene approached the yellow line. The crowd’s tension rose, the reporters’ cameras clacked. As she stepped on her sled, the speakers started again.

“And here we have a first time competitor, Jolene Stone! Let’s all show her the love of the dog sled races, come on folks!”

The crowd erupted in cheers. Jolene heard whistling, cheering, and clapping from the stadium. Her face felt flushed and her hands shook from the unwanted attention. All eyes really were on her now, unwavering eyes.

Jolene’s mind raced. These people were here for entertainment, to watch the best compete. How disappointed they would be if they knew how much she had struggled to qualify. How ashamed her friends and family would be when they watched her lose. Dead last, unable to even make it to the finish line. The snow would be too harsh for someone like her, the tundra too unforgiving. She wasn’t capable of competing, she should walk away now while she had the chance.

“ONE MINUTE. SIXTY SECONDS UNTIL THE RACES START!”

Jolene stepped away from her sled, the reins glided out of her hands without complaint. The crowd was too loud to notice her hesitation, to see how fast her chest was rising in and out. Her eyes darted around the stadium, thousands upon thousands of people sat in the dome. Waiting anxiously for the race to start.

Gripping onto her chest, Jolene moved away from her sled. Though she wanted to turn and run, her eyes wouldn’t let go of the crowd.

Then, Jolene found her. She wore a bright pink jacket and her mask was dyed with rainbows. Out of her hood, tight curls poked out, no matter how hard the woman had tried to push them back in. You couldn’t see her mother’s mouth, but from a stadium away Jolene could see how excited she was. Bopping out of her seat, her body rocking back and forth, her eyes lit with fire.

The countdown started. The people yelled along, only ten seconds left.

Jolene’s breathing came to a halt. Her mother had been with her this entire time, watching her fight through every challenge. It would be shameful to not even try. How disappointed her mother would be if Jolene left now.

Seven seconds left.

With a beating heart that pounded through her ears, Jolene went back to the starting line, back to what she had fought so hard for. Six seconds.

Stepping back on the sled, Jolene did what she could to catch up with her competition. She tightened her goggles, five seconds left. Secured her bags, three seconds now.

Gripping back onto the reins, Jolene raised them high. Boom.

A gunshot echoed throughout the arctic, and with a heavy flick of her wrist, the sled rocketed off. Mushing out of the open dome, Jolene could hear the screams of her mother high above the rest of the crowd.