The northern lights tightened their embrace around Feng, drawing the images of his parents in closer and closer. He lowered his head and gave his heart over to their warmth.

“They tried to take everything away from us. They took our freedom. They took our home. They even took you from us, our only son,” Feng’s father said. “But there is one thing they could never take away from us…”

The aurora loosened its grip and slowly lowered Feng back to reality. His mother spoke.

“We still love you.”

CHAPTER 63

Bugz opened her eyes. For a brief moment, she wondered where she was. She no longer heard whistling. She could only see light. Her heart still ached. Her mind still worried. This can’t be heaven. She blinked hard, attempting to reset her vision. She could see the northern lights cascading around her.

The aurora hugged Bugz, wrapping her in its glowing arms.

“It feels so good to be held by you.” Bugz felt warmth. She felt the grief, anxiety, and heartache leave her body. For a moment, she felt ready to give in. But just as quickly, something returned to her.

Bugz’s mind cleared. She could see only the rope, the tree, and the northern lights dancing around her. Waawaate may have helped her, but she knew she had to go the rest of the way herself. She picked up her carving knife and tore through the looped end of the cedar rope, severing it. Bugz examined the now forked rope in her hand. In an instant, she’d transformed it from a noose to a Sundance rope, from a harbinger of death to a symbol of life.

Bugz held the rope in her hands. She breathed deeply and smelled the fresh, sharp scent of the bark in the air. Bagonegiizhigok. Hole in the cedar. Bugz closed her eyes and spoke to her brother again.

“Thank you, Waawaate.”

CHAPTER 64

Feng broke free from his vision, ran into the clearing, and rushed toward Bugz. He remained so caught in the moment that he didn’t realize Bugz was simply standing there holding one end of a Sundance rope. He thought she still needed his help, that she still needed to be saved.

Feng tripped during his final steps and stumbled toward her. As he reached for her legs, a surprised Bugz lost her balance and fell backward. Though Feng tried to play hero and catch her, they fell awkwardly together and landed in a heap on the ground.

CHAPTER 65

Bugz opened her eyes and saw Feng’s staring back at her. She smiled at him and remained in his arms as she slowly regained her bearings. Her head ached from the fall. Feng’s clumsy diving catch had caught her completely off guard. Yet apart from a few aches and pains, she was mostly okay. She sat up and asked, “What happened?”