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.
A New Round of Problems
"Kenji, have you put the dogs into their shed for the night" Atsaq asked still rummaging through the various medical kits she had strewn all of the table.
"Yes I have, Do you have all of the supplies you ordered?" Kenji asked, closing the door, and observing Atsaq. "I have all of the essentials, I could really use a few more things but we'll have to get them after the storms pass." Atsaq stated with a groan.
"Honey, are you expecting the worst or just trying to be prepared?" Kenji inquired arching an eyebrow. "Being a doctor, I just like to be prepared for whatever could happen, whenever it happens." Atsaq mentioned as she closed the aid packs she had been working on.
"Has Auntie Midge given an update to the weather report she gave when she broke the news to us that the kids were missing?" Kenji wondered aloud "No, honey I have not heard an updated report since we were all there with her when she made the announcements." Atsaq mentioned.
Kenji observed his wife for a few moments, she was fiddling around with the boxes the supplies had come into and was arranging them despite them being empty. He also saw her pull out the newly organized aid packs and begin placing them onto the table again.
"Hun, what are you doing?" Kenji asked again arching an eyebrow and smiling. Atsaq looked up as she was placing the gauze and tape onto the table. "Checking the supplies, making sure I have all that I need. Do you think we'll need to place a second order in, once the kids are found and taken care of?"
Kenji shook his head as he watched his wife repeating an action she had already completed. "Honey, you already checked the supplies and placed your orders for the additional equipment you felt you might need." He countered as he walked beside the table.
"I know you are just as worried about the kids as I am." Countered Kenji watching his wife. She fidgeted for a few more moments before looking up at him.
"I know being a doctor I am supposed to be neutral when it comes to dangers and trauma. Kenji, I am still a mother and one of the missing kids is my youngest son. So please forgive me if I am acting more like a mother and less like the village doctor." Atsaq cried as she buried her head in her hands. Kenji calmly walked over and held her until the crying subsided and was replaced by the strong-willed person he married all of those years ago when they had been younger.
"I am just as worried as you, and I know your mind is on our son, but the others could also use your help, and we need to keep them in mind too. Okay, Khoh t'án. Everyone will be returned to all of us safe." Kenji stated as he gently squeezed Atsaq. She smiled as Kenji was hugging her. However, she quickly stole a glance at the window and saw the blowing snow.
* Denali Trading Post *
"Walter?"
"Yes, Layla."
"I called dad a little bit ago. I gave him the latest update from Auntie Midge. He said when the storm subsides, we'll join whatever group will be assembling to go look for the kids." Layla mentioned as she finished counting the register and closing the drawer.
"Ok, I saw the three mugs, and packets of hot cocoa next to them. I also wish their safe return." Walter said looking towards the counter where the mugs were. Layla placed the receipts into a box and noticed Walter sighing after he looked at the mugs.
"Walter, I just want to squeeze Tooey, Trini and Molly when they return. I want them to know that they are sorely missed."
"Atsaq, Kenji and Daniel also want to squeeze them as well. So, we may have to get in line to be able to hug them when they are brought back to us." Walter countered. Layla laughed, "You may be right, but I can't wait."
Layla smiled and walked over to Walter, and they stood before the store window and watched as the snow and wind changed the usual landscape into something they would not recognize in the morning.
* Kidelee Residence *
Nat had been staring out of the window for the last half an hour. All he saw was swirling snow and a few branches from the nearby dead trees. He looked down at his cup of tea.
It had since become cold, but he didn't care. His Sheggoya and her best friends were out there, and he was not happy with that. "May the Elders keep them safe and out of harm's way. If that is not possible, then please bring them home for us to care for them." Nat lowered his eyes from the window after his prayer.
Feeling more spirited, he picked up his phone and was about to dial when he smiled briefly. His mind went back to when Trini asked how she could text on his ancient phone. He thought it was cute.
He also thought back to the Native Youth Olympics when Molly and her friends competed against other kids in Alaska. Molly brought home the gold. His smile widened.
Tooey was her friend and was always nearby her whenever possible. Nat reminisced back to the days when Molly and Tooey were little kids. He was always protecting her, and she was always protecting him. They had a special bond with each other. The kind of bond siblings would have. Letting nothing happen to the other because they did everything they could to keep each other safe.
"I hope they are helping each other now and return to us soon." Thought Nat as he began to dial the ancient phone. "Dak Niighit, have you charged the snow-go's yet?"
"Yes sir, Walter started doing that when Auntie Midge reported that search parties would be assembled once the storm subsides."
"Good, once there's a major break in the snow, I'll be coming over and we'll plan from there okay." Added Nat.
"Yes Ti'yaa, we could never have a search party without Molly's Shchada'a." Smiled Layla.
"You darn right, I will see you in the morning or as soon as the snow slows down. Stay strong my little one." Nat faintly smiled.
Yes, Ti'yaa, I love you and will be expecting you soon." Smiled Layla.
"Good night Dak Niighit. I love you too." Nat smiled.
"Good night, Ti'yaa." Layla smiled as she hung up the phone.
Walter watched as she was talking to her father. He noticed when she hung up she had tears running down her face. He walked over to her and when she turned around she walked right into his arms, and he gently squeezed her as she buried her head in his chest and began crying in earnest. As she was crying, "Fnks, Ghi chreded frat."
As he held her, he looked down and release his grip on her. She said something that was so muffled he had to open his arms so she could lift her head and speak more clearly.
"Thanks, I really needed that." Stated Layla as she rubbed her eyes with her sleeve.
"Dad called and said once the snow slows down we are going to search for the kids."
Walter nodded as he listened to Layla relaying what her father had said. "The snow-go's should be fully charged by them. Let's get some supplies ready that you think we'll be needing." Walter mentioned.
Layla thought for a few moments, "Let's bring the usual things you take when conducting hikes. That equipment would be particularly useful in snow. Right?" asked Layla.
"Not only are you a great pilot, you're also a wonderful level-headed person that knows how to think on her feet." Smiled Walter as he hugged her.
Layla leaned into the hug and turned her face. So, it wasn't muffled like before. "When I am flying my feet aren't on the floor." Layla added.
"Did I mention that like our daughter, you can be a smartass sometimes. Snickered Walter.
"All of the time, my love, all the time." Layla mentioned as she pressed her face into her loving husband's chest.
Trini visibly winced as Molly helped her quickly put her parka back on after using the bathroom. "Do you feel much better?
Trini held her breath as she tried to hold her stomach in as Molly was zipping and buttoning the parka. "A little, I am still having trouble breathing though." Added Trini.
"I hope we can get back to Qyah soon, you need to get seen by Atsaq. I don't want to cause you any more pain." Molly whispered. When Trini was properly dressed Molly whistled.
She then reached up and again pressed her hand to her head. When she lifted her head, Trini noticed that her eyes were like the googly-eyed glasses she had. Molly then shook her head trying to clear the pain she was feeling. Only, to make it worse. A few moments later, Tooey peeked over the edge of the snowdrift, "Everyone decent?" Tooey asked looking at the girls.
"Yep, we're good. I'm still hurting, and my breathing is harder but I'm nice and warm thanks to you and Molly." Trini mentioned hugging Molly.
"Anytime, just like Molly, I will do what I can to help if I can." Tooey smiled slightly as he slowly led the dogs back into the hole before climbing back into the hole they now called home. Molly watched him like a hawk. She saw each time he winced when putting pressure on his legs as he climbed down. He sucked air through his teeth when he bent over to enter their enclosure and sit down.
Once Tooey was "comfortable, Molly wrapped the pickaxe with hides and placed it back into the slot where she found it. "Is the weather worse or letting up? She asked.
"Looking south towards Qyah, it doesn't look bad, but the wind is coming from the west and it's strong and furious." Tooey mentioned, as he helped Molly put their enclosure back in place, just to keep the snow from getting inside the makeshift tent.
"I hate that old saying about hindsight." Molly began.
"What about hindsight." Trini and Tooey asked, bursting out into fits of laughter. Seeing her laughing, Molly cringed when Trini laughed a few times, then abruptly stopped, and held her chest and stomach.
Tooey immediately stopped laughing when he saw that he had caused her pain. "I am so sorry Trini. I didn't mean to hurt you." Tooey apologized.
Trini reached forward and grasped Tooey's hand and squeezed it gently. "It's fine, I also thought it was funny that we said the same thing. I just didn't realize how much laughing would hurt until it happened." Trini smiled slightly.
Although she was short of breath, Trini turned back to Molly, "What did you mean about that hindsight thing?"
"Are you okay? I don't want to cause you any pain. I saw how much it hurt a few moments ago?" She asked.
"Like I told him, it's fine. Just tell us about hindsight, whatever that is." Trini mentioned.
"Hindsight is when you think about something after it happened instead of preparing for it before you do something." Molly stated.
"Oh, that's what hindsight is." Trini mentioned finally understanding.
"So, what did we not prepare for that you just thought of?" Asked Tooey.
"What we had forgotten was-" Molly suddenly stopped as she thought of something else.
"Oh my gosh, I just remembered a way to let our families know we're okay. Mostly." Molly sheepishly said looking at Trini.
"How?" Trini and Tooey asked simultaneously. This time without humor.
"My VLOG." Molly said smiling.
"Oh yeah, but Molly," asked Tooey.
"Yes?" Molly asked filling with dread.
"Can the signal get through this blizzard and back to Qyah, or anywhere else for that matter?" Tooey asked.
"I hope so, but even if it doesn't, someone else might get it and can relay it back to Qyah, somehow." Molly stated with hope in her voice.
Trini watched as Tooey and Molly debated. "Can I ask a question Molly?"
"Sure Trini, what is your question?" Molly asked reaching into her backpack.
"How much time do you have for a VLOG?"
"Well, that depends on how much time I have. As well as the strength of the signal we'll have." She stated as she pulled out her phone.
"So, how much time will we have to get a message out to our families?" Tooey asked as he moved closer to Molly and Trini.
"Oh boy." Molly stated as she looked at her phone.
"When someone says, "Oh boy." That makes me worry." Tooey stated as he watched Molly.
"I feel the same way, that statement says more than just the two words you just said. "Oh boy," means we can't send a message out to our families." Trini whispered.
"No, don't misunderstand, I can send a message. I have almost 60% charge, but I only have one maybe two bars. I am not sure the VLOG will go far from here." Molly replied shrugging her shoulders.
"Oh." was echoed by Trini and Tooey, again without humor.
* Auntie Midge's House *
Auntie looked at the screen of her computer. She noticed that her daughter Renata had her lesson plans on the window. "Renata, would you mind if I close your plans so I can look a few things up?"
"You can close it mom. I have already saved it to my flash drive." She heard from the bedroom. Before she closed the active window, she looked at the window and saw the snow swirling around stronger than she had seen earlier.
She typed the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) in the search bar of the computer for the Weather Channel. She waited a few moments for the channel to launch. Once launched, she typed in the location she wanted to know about.
A moment later the quiet of the room was shattered as the phone rang. Midge turned towards the phone in the kitchen. "I'll get it" came from the bedroom.
Turning back to the computer she saw that the blizzard was intensifying. She sighed loudly before Renata came into the kitchen. "Mom, the tribal chief of Nenana just called. I let him know you are on the computer. He will be getting a hold of you on there." Renata relayed.
"Thanks, Renata." She replied.
A few seconds passed before a chirp came from the computer. Opening the window, Henry the Nenana tribal chief was on the screen. "Hello Henry, to what do I owe this call and video?" She asked.
"Hello Midge, I am calling because I recently received a live video from Molly and her friends. The video was not long so I recorded it and I'm sending it right now."
Midge perked up immediately and waited impatiently for the video to finish downloading. Renata walked into the kitchen, Midge waved to her and motioned for her to get her mobile phone from the charger.
A moment later the computer chirped again, and Midge and Renata saw that the video was finished. Midge opened a video conference room. She then called Daniel, Kenji, Atsaq, Walter, Layla, and Nat.
With bated breath, she waited until everyone had entered the conference call. Each person entered the conference call in turn. Once assembled she took a deep breath before starting.
"I know you are all wondering why I gathered us together. I just received a video from Henry the tribal chief of Nenana. He recorded the video from the kids. I called you all together, so we call all see it at the same time."
"Thank you Auntie Midge" Layla stated as Walter held her. Midge noticed she had tears in her eyes. She also saw that Walter had a stoic expression.
"I am glad to have some news." Atsaq mentioned. Midge saw that her eyes were dry but red. She surmised that Atsaq had been crying but not at the moment.
"Thanks Midge, I have been worrying all afternoon and evening." Grandpa Nat mentioned.
Dainiel was the last one to enter the conference call. "Sorry, I was talking to Joy and letting her know that I had not received any new news yet when you chimed in." Everyone saw that he had propped his phone up and it was pointing towards the computer.
Everyone welcomed Joy to the conference and exchanged hello's. Once completed, "Can I have everyone's attention. I am going to open the video, and we'll see it for the first time together."
A moment later, the room which had everyone's faces on it changed to a full screen of Molly in an almost darkened setting.
* Somewhere between Nenana and Qyah, Alaska *
Molly turned from Tooey and Trini before she pulled up her phone and started the video. A few moments later she saw that the video was active.
"Hey everyone, this is going to be a shortish message. It's me Molly, Tooey and Trini." She began. In the background both Tooey and Trini waved. Trini's wave was very brief since she was in pain and moving too much caused her to hurt worse.
"If this can reach Qyah, I would like our families to know that we are all fairly okay." She stopped and motioned to Tooey. He reached forward and helped Trini to kneel in the tent enclosure they had created to keep them out of the wind.
A few moments later, Trini was helped by both Tooey and Molly. They helped her to remove her parka, then her smallish jacket Tooey had lent her, as well as her button-up shirt before removing her t-shirt. Once she was topless Molly zoomed into the bruises that had been covering her chest. After a few seconds of scanning her injuries, she turned away from them and returned to showing them all together.
In the background, Tooey was helping Trini to get dressed again before the brutal cold was able to affect her. "Tooey and I have no injuries beside a bruised face on me, and sore legs on Tooey. Trini, however, has suffered the most since we had fallen into a deep snowdrift. When we landed Trini fell forward and hit her chest on the cargo we were bringing back to Qyah."
Molly sighed deeply before continuing, "I have reason to believe I caused her problems since I landed on her when we had fallen into this hole." Now people saw something that was rare. Molly's eyes watered over, and tears were flowing. "I am sorry Daniel and Joy. I never meant to hurt Trini. She is my best friend, just like Tooey. I apologize for hurting her."
Molly placed the phone down and reached back and gingerly hugged Trini. Trini hearing her also began to cry. "I forgive you for falling onto me. I know you never meant to do this. You have nothing to be sorry about." Trini said between sobs.
A split-second later Tooey could be seen sitting close by and tears were flowing down his face. He looked at the phone and had no shame. "I am sorry as well, I should have seen the drift and avoided it. So, we all got hurt because of me."
Trini and Molly forgetting the camera was active reached back and pulled Tooey into a hug. As the kids were holding each other and crying. They didn't notice that the video had stopped when they were in the middle of their hug.
* Auntie Midge's House, Qyah Alaska *
"Oh no. My Trini bear!" Joy screamed. Daniel took a quick breath and just watched the last scene on the screen of the kids hugging each other.
Layla had tears in her eyes, because she understood her daughter's feelings about hurting one of her friends. Molly would never harm a fly much less another person. "Molly Doodle, you can't blame yourself for this." Walter mentioned looking at the screen and holding Layla.
Atsaq held back her tears and quickly assumed a professional demeanor. "Joy, Layla, Renata, and Auntie Midge based on what I had seen Trini may have broken some of her ribs in the fall. Once they are found I need to get her to Fairbanks or Anchorage and into a better stocked facility than what we have here. Dak Niighit, I know your hurting, but I need you to help me with the kids when we get them." Atsaq mentioned taking a deep breath herself.
"Atsaq, the plane is fueled and ready to go. However, the storm. How are we going to get to Fairbanks or Anchorage or anywhere if the blizzard persists?" Layla stated.
"We'll make it Dak Niighit, I don't care if we use another dog sled, snow-go, truck, or plane. We are going to get those kids medical attention once we get them back safely." Atsaq nearly screamed holding her voice in check..
"Okay everyone. I can hear that emotions are high. Let's get some rest tonight and hope that the weather clears up so we can get those kids back again." Auntie Midge stated with finality.
"Atsaq, we need you to be ready for when the kids are brought back to the village." Atsaq nodded and pointed to the kits she had been working on earlier.
"I am always ready Auntie Midge." Atsaq mentioned.
"I'll be ready, Walter and Dad are charging the snow mobiles as we speak so they'll be ready when we need them." Layla muttered as she was getting herself together and wiped her eyes.
"If I was there, I would fly a copter to pick them up like I did at Denali." Joy piped in from the phone propped against the fireweed honey jar.
"Mahsi'cho Joy. If you were here the kids would have not spent a single night in this storm because you would have already rescued them." Midge began directing her response to Joy.
"You know we'll be doing the best we can to get them back to the village, and we'll get them back as safely as we can based on Molly's report." Midge replied.
Midge saved the video and then returned to the conference room with everyone on the screen. "We have a plan for when the storm subsides. I'll see you all then. Based on the report from Molly, we know they are safe. Daniel and Joy, I am sorry she was hurt, but Atsaq and Layla will be handling the transporting of the kids to the hospital in Fairbanks or Anchorage whichever is easiest when they are returned. Good night everyone."
Everyone said their goodbyes. She closed the screen and looked to Renata. "What were you thinking about the video from Molly." Midge asked.
"I have always known her to be resourceful and capable. That was why they were allowed to go to Nenana alone. I knew they'd be fine. However, little Trini is going to have a hard time when her ribs are taken care of. I hope that is all that is wrong with them. I would not want any surprises." Renata finished placing her hand on her mother's shoulders.
Midge reached up and placed her hand onto Renata's. "I love those kids like my own." Midge smiled beaming at her daughter. "I know mom. I feel the same way whether they are in school or not."
Renata reached down and hugged her mother before returning to the living room. Before she sat down she walked to the bedroom and saw Oscar sitting at his desk reading some music. She also saw his fiddle on the bed. "Oscar. Your friends are safe. Molly sent a video. We should find them by tomorrow, hopefully."
"I hope so too mom, I have been worried for them since I heard grandma talking about them a couple of days ago when they were lost in the blizzard." Oscar mentioned as he wrung his hands and placed them into his lap.
"They'll be fine Oscar. They'll be home soon. Just wanted to keep you posted." Renana finished by hugging him as he was sitting.
"Thanks, mom. I'll let Vera and Jake know too. Good night mom."
"Good night Oscar."
Molly, Tooey and Trini sat in the makeshift enclosure wiping their eyes. "Do you think the VLOG went through and someone in Qyah was able to see it." Tooey asked.
"Unfortunately, I have no idea who was able to receive the transmissions when I broadcast." Molly admitted shrugging her shoulders.
"Can I mention something Molly and Tooey?" Trini from the middle of them as they were still hugging her.
"Um, okay, what do you want to ask?" Tooey asked.
"Sure, go-ahead Trini." Molly mentioned.
"Despite the pain I am feeling, I would like to keep hugging you guys." She asked snuggling into their embraces.
"Okay but why if we're hurting you." Tooey asked almost letting her go.
"Why Trini." Molly asked with a bewildered expression on her face.
From the safety of the group hug Tooey and Molly had given her they could hear her, "This is the warmest I have felt since waking up earlier. I don't want it to stop."
Molly and Tooey looked at each other and smiled. "I just looked outside the tent we have here, and it is getting darker." Tooey mentioned inclining his head.
"I guess we can stay here and keep Trini warm. We also might as well get some sleep." Molly said as she yawned.
"Before we sleep, we need to figure out what to do about food. We haven't eaten since we left Nenana yesterday or was it the day before." Tooey pondered.
"I think it was the day before yesterday. We'll see what we can find in the morning. Okay Tooey?" Molly asked.
"Um, can you two do more sleeping and less talking about something we don't have?" Trini mentioned as she yawned.
"Sorry Trini, we were just planning for the morning. Hopefully, the blizzard subsides so we can do something about our hunger." Molly stated as her stomach growled.
"I know Molly, but just like you all I am also hungry, and sleeping will keep us from thinking about it. Good night you too. I am also glad we are together and can help each other despite the fact that I was the one that needed most of the help." Trini concluded closing her eyes and snuggling into the arms embracing her.
"Good night Trini. Good night Tooey." Yawned Molly as she leaned against Trini's arm as she snuggled in.
Tooey nearly broke his face in two as he too yawned, "Good night Trini. Good night Molly."
Tooey leaned against Trini's back and made sure his arms were around her and were insulating her from the cold air he was expecting to feel in a few hours as the storm continued.
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