I do not own Molly of Denali, or any of the characters contained within this story. Molly of Denali is the property of Kathy Waugh and Dorothea Gillim.
I look forward to the reviews and criticisms (I know there will be some). I hope you enjoy the story, and just like the cartoon on PBS Kids, I am trying to stay true to the characters as shown each and every day. I am also including real elements like they've done on the show (racism, environmental, life, and death, etc..). I hope you like this when I start to repost the chapters.
Please review all of my stories. Feedback would give me ideas I can use for not only this story but for future ones. Thank you for your time and happy reading.
My story takes place in 2021 when Molly is twelve, Tooey is twelve and Trini is nine.
Finding a Way Back
Looking at the window, Layla noticed that the sky was still very dark. She also looked at the landscape, it was smooth because of the recent blizzard. Layla had been awake for quite some time. She placed some more of the foods and equipment Walter used when he led tours into the backpacks they would be carrying.
"Walter, have you checked that the snow machines were charged?" She asked as she zipped the backpacks she was preparing for her father and husband "I wonder if there's anything else he might need? The kids aren't that far from here, we just have to find them." She wondered.
"I'll let you know once I am able to get to them. I have to dig a trail to the shed so I can check them. I would then have to plow the door so Nat and I can get them out. He's bringing a trailer for the extra machines we'll be taking, right?" Walter asked.
"I forgot you have to dig a trail in order to get to them. Dad should be here any minute now. Hopefully, he did bring the trailer." She yelled back to Walter.
As she was talking, Nat entered the Trading Post and removed his snowshoes and gloves. He then walked over to the coffee pot and poured two cups of coffee and a cup of tea. He then picked up one cup of each and walked over to his daughter.
Layla turned and screamed, jumping away from the person in front of her. Nat seeing her extremely startled he guessed she didn't hear him when he entered the trading post.
"Ti'yaa!" she yelled. "You scared the daylights out of me. You could have said something, so I knew you were here." She screamed holding her chest feeling her heartbeat.
Nat smiled slightly as he offered her the cup of tea he had been holding. She accepted and slowly drank it, as she continued trying to bring her heart back to normal. "Thanks dad, but my heart is on the same pace as a freaking weed eater."
Nat smiled, "I am sorry Dak Niighit. I didn't mean to scare you. I didn't know I'd be that quiet when I entered." Layla's heartbeat slowed before she drank more of the tea her father had given her. "Walter is trying to dig out to the shed so he could check the sleds."
"I heard when you were yelling just before I scared the daylights out of you. I also saw the backpacks on the counter, I believe you had prepared some things for us to take during our search for the kids?" Nat asked looking back to the counter where the backpacks were.
"Yes, Ti'yaa. I have been packing things I thought you and Walter would need." She admitted. Looking the backpack over. He turned to Layla, "You are not joining us?" Nat asked mildly perplexed. "No sir, I'll be staying here and be the go-between with you, Walter, and everyone else here. We can receive and relay updates as the search progresses." Layla mentioned walking back to the counter followed by Nat.
"Good idea, I just thought you'd want to be a part of the search." Nat asked wondering. "Yes I wanted to, but Walter mentioned that someone needed to be here in case the kids called, or another video surfaced." She sighed. Nat watched as Layla fidgeted with her cup, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Seeing her expression, he placed his coffee onto the counter, reached forward and took the cup from her hands. Layla watched as Nat placed the cup onto the counter. She was taken by surprise but was grateful when her father reached forward and pulled her into a hug. A hug she just now realized she really needed.
"Ti'yaa, thank you for understanding my feelings. I am so worried about the kids and the video showed us they were alive and okay but hurt. That was the hardest part to see. I know the others probably felt the same way. I am just hop—" Layla was stopped when her father pulled her in and hugged her harder and she was not able to talk.
"Layla, I know you are worried about Shahnyaa, and the rest of the kids. I don't like seeing you hurting because you feel helpless and want to be a part of the search. However, your part of this operation is here since Walter, and I will need you to relay messages and be our link to the others." Nat said.
Layla felt her eyes watering again as her father held her. "I know dad, I am needed here. Let me check on Walter and see if the snow machines are charged." She extricated herself from the warm embrace and turned into Walter who returned from the shed and was standing behind her.
As she turned she nearly screamed again since she had not expected him to be there. Instead of running into him, he spread his arms out and caught her in a hug. She instinctively buried her head into his chest. "mmmf fyofff mphan grff wfffth thdasd"
Walter and Nat looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. He then released her, and she looked up at him. "What did you say my love?" He asked.
"Did you plan this with dad?" She asked arching an eyebrow. "Plan what? Walter asked. Layla smiled and sighed loudly. "Hugging me after he hugged me, nearly scaring me like he did earlier."
"No, hugging you is never planned, I always want to hold and hug my loving wife. How did he scare you? Walter asked.
Layla extricated herself from her husband. Stood back and looked from Walter to Nat shaking her head. Nat and Walter laughed as Layla quietly admonished them for scaring her.
"Never mind that, are the snow machines ready?" She asked.
"Yes, Layla, they are ready. Are you ready Nat?" Walter asked turning to Nat.
"Yes, I brought my snow machine and a trailer that can hold two machines or Tooey's dogsled when we find them. "Yes I thought of that. I will need help getting them onto the trailer. We need them to be snugly secured so we'll have them when needed." Walter mentioned retrieving a cup of coffee for himself.
"Sure thing, I can help. Layla I called two people to help since we're using extra machines. I already told Midge we were going to be searching for the kids."
Layla wracked her brain as to the people Nat could have called to help. "Ti'yaa, who could you have called? Atsaq and I will be working to get the runway ready for the kids when you bring them back."
"They'll get here while Walter and I are loading the snowmobiles." Nat concluded as they left to take care of the machines. Layla returned to the front of the trading post and started cleaning up. Twenty minutes later, she had tidied up but never disturbed the hot cocoa cups she had prepared for the kids.
A few minutes after she had finished, the front door opened, and Daniel and Kenji walked into the trading post followed by Atsaq and Nina. Layla beamed when she saw them. She ran from behind the counter and quickly hugged Atsaq and Nina, she then turned and hugged Daniel and Kenji.
"I had an idea who dad said would be helping but I didn't expect you to be a part of it since you had to keep Joy informed about the kids." Layla mentioned as she released Daniel.
She saw that his eyes were red and puffy. She then looked from Daniel to Atsaq and her expression to Atsaq caused her to react. "Daniel, can I look at you for a moment.?" Atsaq asked hefting her aid bag she had been carrying.
"Sure, Atsaq." Daniel allowed as he walked towards her.
She checked his eyes and placed a few eyedrops into them that took care of the burning. She still saw his expression had not changed. "Daniel why are you going? You could let Nina and Kenji handle this while you stay connected with Joy." Atsaq suggested.
"I know Trini and I are new here, but I want to be a part of this since you have all embraced us as natives. Besides, I am tired of worrying about little Texas. I want to help and no offense Nina. I am stronger and can probably be of more assistance when getting them out of the hole they're in." Daniel countered looking from Atsaq to Nina and Kenji.
"None taken, I have also been embraced by Qyah as a native. I don't mind keeping Atsaq and Layla company while the search goes on. I understand how you are feeling even though I don't have any kids!'."
Layla prepared more coffee and some tea for the new arrivals. Atsaq, Daniel, Kenji and Nina noticed the cups with hot cocoa packets within them. Did the kids leave those before they left?" Nina asked.
"No, that is there for the kids when we get them back here." Layla mentioned looking to the cups as she pulled out the laptop and turned it on.
"Oh." Nina and Atsaq mentioned. Kenji and Daniel just nodded and smiled slightly.
A chill in the air roused Trini from her slumber between her two best friends. She tried to snuggle back in to get a little more sleep. A moment into trying she realized this was going to be impossible. She could feel the cold air and also had to use the bathroom. She pulled her arms from around them and tapped on their heads, the only part she could reach of them.
A moment later Molly mumbled something but did not wake up. Tooey, however, felt the cold chill and stirred a little before waking. Looking around he yawned, stretched, and tried to stand up but was not able to since Trini was almost in his lap preventing him from standing.
"Yes Trini, what's wrong? He asked finishing his stretch and looking at her.
"Hi, I am sorry to wake you, but I have to use the bathroom, and I tried to wake Molly, but she didn't wake up. You did though." She said smiling.
"Oh okay. I can help with that. Molly Nani, wake up. Trini has to use the bathroom and needs your help." Tooey sang as he tapped her shoulder.
She stirred for a sec and tried to rollover but was not able to. She then opened her eyes, glanced around the makeshift tent, and remembered where they were. "What did you say Tooey?"
"Trini needs to use the bathroom and so do I. I'll go outside and check how much more snow we're going to have to deal with." Tooey mentioned slowly trying to get out from under Trini and make his way to the side and climb out of the hole. The girls watched as he gingerly made his way up, pausing a couple of times to rub his legs.
"Tooey, need help with the dogs. I am sure they need to be walked as well." Molly said as she was removing the hides that were covering their legs. "You're right. I'll get their leads and bring them up so you and Trini can help each other without them crowding you."
He retrieved the leads and coaxed the dogs back up and out of the hole. After struggling for about five minutes, he was finally able to get them out of the hole. He walked around with them for about 15 minutes. After they had relieved themselves, Tooey felt better too, since he joined them.
While Tooey was making his way out of the hole. Molly reached over and removed the pickaxe they had used the day before. "You're not going to need that I just need help to get these off so I can go."
Molly placed it back down and helped her to get most of the bulky clothes off so she could move around without the extra weight. It took quite a bit of time for Tooey to get out of the hole.
As the dogs lounged around after their walk, he looked around and noticed that he could not see the road and had no idea which direction they had been riding in when they fell into the hole. Only looking back towards the hole and looking down. He saw the direction they had been traveling.
Turning back around, he saw clean, level snow covering the area. He looked from the top back down and could not see the girls since they were both under the makeshift tent. "I think the amount of snow the blizzard put down last night was about four feet."
Molly and Trini paused and looked at each other when Tooey relayed the status of the snow. "Oh boy, this is going to be hard." Molly mentioned.
"When we're done, can we check and see if we can send another video?" Trini asked as she removed the heavy parka and was now in her usual leggings, skirt, and jean jacket.
"I was thinking about doing that once we woke up. When we're done, we'll eat something even though I know we didn't get much since we weren't expecting to be caught in a hole for the last two days." Molly mentioned sighing loudly.
"I might as well use the bathroom as well." Molly admitted. Tooey walked around after using a tree. He saw the snow and could not make out the trail they had being using. "How are we going to get the sled out of there? How are we going to get her back to Qyah? Trini is much too hurt to be able to walk there. Are they ever going to trust me again with the dog sled since I should have seen that hole before it opened up and caused our crash."
Tooey's mind was wandering as the time passed. "Tooey, we're done." He heard them calling as his thoughts were turning gloomy. "I'll be right down." He yelled walking back down the crevasse where the girls were. Taking careful steps, he led the dogs back down into the hole.
Once the dogs were secured back on their leads, and were huddled together, He entered the enclosure and closed the curtain of hides around them.
As he went to sit down next to the girls he was handed a package of pilot bread. "Mahsi Molly." He said trying to sit down slowly only to fall back onto the side of the sled and hitting his back. "We broke open one of the packages for the co-op. We'll just have to pay Maurice back since we opened his supply." Molly mentioned passing over a jar of pickled Muktuk."
"When I was walking around I looked towards the sky and saw that it was not sunny but instead was cloudy. I get the feeling it might storm again." Tooey surmised as he was eating.
"I know it's winter but without the sun and this darn cloud-cover I was able to determine which direction is Qyah. Some musher I turned out to be." Tooey sighed as he ate his bread.
Molly and Trini looked from Tooey to each other. "Tooey, I think you're the best musher with which I have ever ridden. I would not ride with anyone else I trust more than you." Molly regaled patting his shoulder.
"I have only ridden on sleds you have been driving. So just like Molly, I trust no one else but you, your dogs, and your knowledge of sledding." Trini concluded eating her bread.
"Beside your knowledge of dogs and their behavior gave me my most favorite dog in the whole wide world. Four-spots." Trini said slightly hugging Tooey grimacing as she did.
"Molly do you think you and I are strong enough to lift this sled out of this hole if we unload everything. Get it back on top and then reload it again?" Tooey asked.
"It's worth a shot. I think we can. I have a question though. How are we going to get Trini out without causing her injuries to get worse?" Molly asked looking from him to Trini.
Tooey shrugged his shoulders, "I have no idea how we'll be able to do that." Tooey sighed again slouching in the makeshift tent.
Molly pulled out her phone and saw that through the night she had only used three percent, she still had fifty-seven percent power. She also saw that the bars were still hovering between one and two.
Trini hearing the exchange got sad because she knew her injuries were going to be a problem. They might have to remain in the hole because they would not want to injure her further. She retreated into her mind and thought about things. "I shouldn't have come. I didn't mean to be a problem to my best friends."
As Trini was thinking, Molly was watching her. She noticed as Trini was deep in thought that her expression and demeanor changed. Molly realized that Trini was saddened about what she and Tooey had been talking about.
Molly pulled out her phone and opened the VLOG app and then looked up and smiled to Trini and Tooey. She didn't want to depress Trini more, so she turned the phone and showed her that she had an idea for what she was going to do.
"Once everyone is finished, we can make another video and see if we can get to Qyah again. Even though I have no idea if the first video reached Qyah." Molly stated finishing her bread and muktuk.
Tooey quickly ate, then prepared for the video. Trini had not been paying attention and was still thinking about their situation and slowly ate her breakfast. A moment later, she looked up and noticed that Molly was looking at her. She then turned towards Tooey and saw him moving closer to the middle of the tent enclosure.
"What's going on? Did I miss something?" She asked in confusion. Seeing Tooey moving into position she recognized that they were probably about to do another video. "Are you able to send another video to our families?" Trini asked getting excited and ready at the same time.
"Yep, in a few moments we'll be sending another video. Hopefully, it'll reach people that can contact Auntie Midge in Qyah." Molly mentioned crossing her fingers.
Tooey and Trini sat on either side of Molly so she could be in the middle and could include them in the video like last time. "Are you guys ready?" She asked. "Yep." They both said, laughing at the same time. Holding the phone up, she pressed the button to activate the app for her VLOG.
Layla watched as Nat with Daniel behind him, and Walter had Kenji behind him sped off into the distance heading in the direction of Nenana pulling the trailer with two additional snow machines on it.
"I hope they're found today. They have been gone for three days now." Nina mentioned placing her arm around Layla's shoulder and neck, hugging her.
Layla nodded as she placed her hand on the arm across her shoulder. Atsaq stood next to them and placed her arm around Layla's waist as the men were moving further and further away.
"I have been hoping the same thing since we saw that video they were able to send. I can't wait to see them again tonight." Atsaq mentioned as she looked to the sky that was dark as usual since they were in the middle of winter.
"Me too" Layla sighed. Nina nodded her head showing she agreed to her friends next to her. All of the women nearly jumped out of their skin when the trading post phone rang, startling them. Layla ran around the counter and quickly answered the phone. "Denali Tr-" was all she was able to say.
"I got another video from the kids. Are the rest of them still there with you?" Auntie Midge nearly yelled over the phone. "No, Auntie Midge, the men left about five minutes ago to search for the kids. Hopefully bringing them back home." Layla quickly told her.
Nina and Atsaq were hanging on every word despite just hearing Layla talking. "Well in that case, good luck to them in their search. Do you want to see the video?"
"Of course, let me get Nina and Atsaq." In less than a second Nina and Atsaq were in front of the laptop Layla had at the Trading Post.
"We're ready Auntie Midge." Layal said. "Okay, give me a moment to open a facetime window." Aunt Midge stated before hanging up.
A few moments later a new window opened up and they were able to see Auntie Midge on the screen. Auntie Midge was about to say something when she noticed Layla, and Atsaq were taking deep breaths, steeling themselves in case what she had for them was intense.
"Just like before, I have not seen this video. Nenana's Tribal Chief sent it over a few moments ago." A moment later the view changed from Auntie Midge to Molly. She was in the front and on either side of her were Trini and Tooey.
"Hey everyone, it's me Molly, Tooey and Trini. It's day three since we had left Nenana and have been stuck in this hole." She then turned and moved out of the way, so the camera showed them. They waved for a moment before turning the camera back to include her.
"I have no idea when or if this'll reach anyone." She took a deep breath and then continued, "We have to apologize for something we had to do. We had to open part of your shipment Maurice. We were hungry and you had food in there that didn't need refrigeration. We'll pay for any food we had to open when we get back to Qyah."
She then turned the camera and showed a couple of the boxes that had been broken open and a few packages that had been removed. A few tense moments passed before Molly started speaking again.
"I have some more news, and I not sure if you'll like what I am about to say." Layla, Nina, Atsaq, Renata and Midge watched as Molly took a deep breath. They all held their breath.
"Tooey and I were thinking about unloading the sled. Then climbing out of this hole, bringing the sled out, reloading it, and then figuring out a way to bring Trini up without hurting her any more than she already is." Molly stopped.
"From the last video, I don't think moving her would be a good idea." Atsaq stated. "Molly would never do that unless she thought it through first. I know she never wants to hurt Trini, Tooey or anyone." Layla stated with her eyes glued to the screen.
Atsaq and Nina watched as Layla defended her daughter. "Dak Niighit, we know all about Molly, I was just saying that I don't feel moving Trini would be a good idea." Atsaq repeated.
Nina still looking at the screen thought for a moment. "I don't think they should leave the depression they fell into."
"Why not?" Layla asked turning to Nina.
"I know they can probably get out of there, but their orientation could be off because of the snow and it being dark. They could venture off into a direction that doesn't have roads, and that'll make finding them even harder." Nina concluded.
"You're right. If the kids try to help themselves they could end up in a worse situation." Layla stated with a look of horror on her face.
As they were talking, Midge paused the video, turned to the screen, and typed a few moments as the ladies were talking. "Oh boy," Said Midge.
All of the women stopped talking when they heard Auntie Midge say that. "What's wrong Auntie?" Atsaq asked, "The good news is that they'll have a short window to find the kids and get them back home." Auntie Midge began.
"What's the bad news?" Nina asked steeling herself for what she hoped wasn't about to happen again. "The bads news is there's another blizzard about to hit within the next thirty minutes. Unless they find the kids and return or just return they'll all be caught in the open."
"Oh no." Layla and Atsaq stated looking at each other.
Nina quickly picked up the satellite phone she had and called Nat. A moment later, "Go for Nat" he responded.
"Weather update from Auntie Midge, another blizzard coming, and it'll arrive in about a half an hour. Dad you either need to find them and return. If not possible, turn back and return to base before you get caught in it as well." Nina ended the call, looking up and seeing Atsaq comforting Layla as she pulled up a couple of chairs and sat down beside her best friend.
"I'll let the other's know and call you back." Nay promptly hung up.
"He said he'd call back. I assume this will be when they've determined their next course of action." Nina relayed.
As Nina hung up the phone everyone turned and noticed that Auntie Midge had also been listening to half of the phone conversation. "What did he say Nina?" She asked.
"He just said he'd call back. When he does I'll put it on speaker." Nina offered. "Thanks, would you ladies like to see the rest of the video?" She asked.
"Yes please," Layla said looking up with her eyes glistening.
"Layla, Molly, Tooey and Trini are smart kids. They would not do anything that would endanger themselves or others they care about. You might not have anything to worry about. Let's see what else they might have to say." Auntie Midge consoled them as she pressed the play button and resumed the video.
The video resumed, "Tooey and I were thinking about unloading the sled. Then climbing out of this hole, bringing the sled out, reloading it, and then figuring out a way to bring Trini up without hurting her any more than she already is." Molly stopped.
On her right Trini fidgeted, feeling the movement Molly turned, "Molly, Tooey, I know you guys want to get us out of here, but I don't like what Tooey had said before."
"What do you mean?" Molly asked. "What did I say." Tooey asked.
"You said that the road was covered, and at this time of the year you can't see the sun. I think we should stay here where we're warm, have food and can be found if the grown-ups start looking for us." Trini pleaded.
Molly looked at Tooey and they both looked at Trini. Without saying a word to each other Molly and Tooey hugged Trini.
"Like I was saying, we're staying here and waiting to be rescued. Hope to see or hear from you soon. This is Molly, Tooey and the smartest one of us right now, Trini."
The video ended. It was a moment before Auntie Midge was back on the screen. "See I told you those were smart kids. Trini talked them into not making a mistake and making things worse."
Layla, Atsaq and Nina all laughed. "I am glad there was a voice of reason in the group." Atsaq pointed out. Layla stood, "Anyone hungry?" Nina and Atsaq and Aunt Midge all said "Yes." Layla stopped and turned to the computer.
"Auntie Midge I can't bring pancakes, bacon and tea over the computer to you."
"I know, I'll make some for myself, I just wanted to answer the question since you asked." Smiled Midge. "Thanks Auntie, please keep us posted as we have some breakfast."
"Will do." With that she signed off.
"Do you need help?" Nina and Atsaq asked. "The more the merrier." Layla answered turning and heading upstairs.
Yupik Dictionary
Waquaa! – Hello
Aana – Mother
Tua-I-Ngunrituq – Goodbye
Tuntuvak - Moose
Gwich'in Dictionary
Shgguya – My grandchild
Ti'yaa – My father
Dak Niighit – "She rises into the air" Layla Mabray's Native name.
Shchada'a – My grandfather
Dinjik – Moose
Khoh t'án - Rose
Shahnyaa – One who informs us – Molly's native name