Arctic Thunder Read Online Free PDF Page B

red taillights of other vehicles ahead of them. This time, however, he spotted some white lights.
    â€œWelcome to Inuvik,” Fitz said, waving at some buildings on their right. “That’s the Finto Inn, and over there’s the Nova Inn where you folks will be staying.” They drove up a small hill and continued into town. “We’re on Mackenzie Road, which is the main street. It goes right through Inuvik.”
    Ben pointed to the left. “Is that the hospital?”
    Fitz nodded. “It sure is. To the right is all residential. Our newer homes are mostly to the right, and they continue up over what’s called Co-op Hill. There are quite a few older homes down toward the river. We’re almost downtown. Wouldn’t you know it? Our one traffic light and your first time here it’s going to be red.”
    Mike watched as the light shifted from orange to red. “Did you say your one light?”
    All three adults turned and looked at Mike’s puzzled face.
    â€œI sure did,” Fitz said. “This is our one and only traffic light whether we need it or not. Apparently, well before my time, a group of exchange students came up here from southern Canada. They were so excited about their visit that they wanted to give the town something to remember them by. Something we didn’t have. Well, this is it — our one and only traffic light.”
    â€œHoly crap!” Mike said.
    â€œTo the left is the post office,” Fitz said. “Past that are the RCMP station and your house. We’ll go there after. Over to the right are the schools. Mike, you’ll go to that one.” He pointed. “Samuel Hearne Secondary School. It has grades seven through twelve. Behind the other school you can see the Inuvik Family Centre. It has an arena, a curling rink, and a fitness centre. The conference centre there has a pool, squash courts, and a play zone for kids.”
    Mike strained to see the schools and the complex behind them.
    â€œLight’s green.” Fitz shifted the Explorer ahead. “To the right is one of the big tourist attractions in Inuvik. The Igloo Church is a pretty distinctive landmark, for sure. You know, Mike, they say they built it that way so the devil can never corner you.”
    Mike smiled weakly at Fitz’s lame joke. He had to admit the building looked pretty cool. It was brilliantly lit, and sure enough, it was in the shape of an igloo. The building was round, and of course white. A set of wide stairs led to the front double doors, which boasted elaborate stained glass windows. A blue cross extended from the roof of the entranceway. The dome of the church was silver and shone brightly in the surrounding darkness. On top of the dome sat another circular structure with tall, narrow stained glass windows completely around the outside. On the very top was a tall blue cross. Mike sat back. Okay , he thought, so people don’t live in igloos here, but they go to church in them.
    They drove on slowly, Fitz giving them time to glance in every direction as they proceeded. “It’s going to look a lot different tomorrow when the weather clears up, but this gives you the lay of the land.”
    â€œThe population is thirty-five hundred?” Jeannie asked the corporal.
    Fitz nodded. “That’s pretty much bang on. I think the last count was thirty-five hundred and twenty or something.”
    Mike paid attention with part of his brain, but the other part started to drift off. He slumped in his seat and dreamily listened to the adults continue to talk, his head propped against the back of the seat and window.
    â€œOn the right is our Northern Store,” Fitz said. “It carries everything from groceries and clothes to hardware. They do pretty well getting in fresh food. Of course, things get more expensive and a bit dicey when the ferry’s out in the fall and the ice road’s breaking up in spring.”
    â€œFitz,