Will You Except Me?

Welcome to my world.

I wake up drenched in a cold sweat. It seems like this is starting to be a daily routine for me, go to sleep, have a hellish nightmare, wake up hoping I didn't piss myself....nope its just sweat. (thank God)

I make my way to my tiny bathroom and turn the shower on. I really don't want to look in the mirror because I know what I will see looking back at me. Limp lifeless auburn hair, dull green eyes and don't forget the huge bags under them, pale almost sickly skin and let's not forget the mile long legs. Is it normal for a 16 yr old girl to be 6'1?

I quickly shower before the hot water runs out and dry off as quick as I can. I know my momma is gonna be yelling for me to hurry up so it's a mad dash to find my clothes. I make it to the kitchen and breakfast is waiting. Yay another day of dried moose.

Do you get eggs and bacon in the morning where you live? Must be nice. If you're wondering why my hearty breakfast consists of moose well I got three words for ya.

Welcome To Alaska.

My parents moved here when I was just 6 months old. They never said why but I knew that there was a big reason behind their decision to move me from the wonderful warm state of Texas to this frozen hell.

Maybe I'll find out one of these days. After countless times asking my parents why dad up and decided to become an Alaskan State Trooper all I got was "for the adventure" um....what adventure?

As I finish up my yummy breakfast I can hear heart breaking howls. "Kat please go out and quiet that mutt, I can't stand that sound" my mom says. I love the way she talks about my lil care bear. Okay so he's not a care bear, he's my husky wolf pup that is basically my best friend. I know this might sound weird but I am almost positive this dog understands me better than my parents do.

I go outside and Tikaani greets me with a wolfy smile. I found him on my 13th birthday. My dad decided we would try white water rafting and let's just say it didn't end well. We got stranded on a river bank and as dad was searching for dry drift wood I heard a noise in a near by bush and me being a young naive idiot went to investigate. There I found this sweet little ball of fur half starved and alone. We later found his small pack, well bits and pieces of his pack. One thing I hate more than freeze dried moose meat is poachers. They kill for sport and that's what happend to Tikaani's pack.

I dish out Tiks food and hurry back inside. I try and sneak past my dad as he gets geared up for work but alas I'm busted. "Kat you need to be ready in 10 minuets, we gotta be up at the preserve by 10am" my dad said. "Are the hunters back?" I asked. In case you're wondering I live in the tiny village of Anaktuvuk on the edge of The Gates of The Arctic National Park. I literally have the Alaskan Wilderness in my backyard and every day I get to go out with my dad and battle the elements and idiot hunters. No high school (home schooled) no cable, no internet, basically no life.

At first my dad thought it was a great punishment to make me tag along but now he found out I have a keen eye for traps and tracks. I don't know how to explain it but I get kind of like a tingling sensation when I get close to the preserve. Almost like something is out there calling to me, signaling to me that it's near.

I tried telling my parents this and they threatened to fly me to the closest village doctor to get tested. Every time I bring up my dreams or the feelings I get when I get close to the preserve they go off the deep end. Needless to say I've learned to keep my mouth shut and try and figure things out myself.

I'm not looking forward to today because I know dad is going to try and make me stay behind in the cabin and go through profiles of wanted poachers but like I do every day it's going to be a begging fiasco of getting him to let me tag along into the preserve. Hopefully this will be the day he caves.

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Image of the village of Anaktuvuk on the side.

I know this chapter is kinda meh, but please keep on it I promise it gets better. Just wanted to give a little insight on Kat.