Sunday, April 25, 2021

The Invisible Trail by Roy Klipping Chapter 8

 

Chapter 8

I sat back on the log, still half dazed, and bewildered as to what had just happened.  I tried to gather my thoughts as to what to make of it.  I replayed what happened in my mind wondering what caused such an explosion or wave of energy. Why did the sky and the whole area turn a bluish color? I thought for a few minutes then looked down at the stones not knowing if I should pick them up or just leave them there. As I was looking around my surroundings my eyes fixed on the papers that I just realized I hadn't even looked at.  I reached down and picked them up, then laid them on my lap and unfolded them. The first thing I noticed was what looked like some sort of handmade drawing. The closer I looked, the more I could absolutely tell it was a map. It had some writing on the very top of the page, but it was getting darker by the minutes so I couldn't quite tell what it said. I crept closer to the fire almost putting my back to it so the light of the fire would give me as much light as possible. It said (carry me well and travel safe, I will be here when you find your way). And that was it.  Puzzled, I guess I just thought someone wrote that for whoever had the map. I noticed there were many scribblings all throughout the page. One part said (first stop), and another said (4 days in). There was also what looked like possibly a river drawn in, because it made its way the length of the page. At the top it looked like there was a lake or pond where the line stopped at. Then I noticed another smaller line that ran along the bigger line and there were several places where there were a slash running through it. Anyway, as I placed this paper down between the other pieces of paper, I saw something.  I picked it up and looked closer. I believe it was a lock of hair. In the light of the fire, it was hard to tell, but it looked the color of Amber. It was about six inches long and maybe there were thirty strands tied together with a small black thread, or maybe it was yard. As I examined it I started to imagine who it belonged to. I carefully laid it down on the paper that I think is a map and then looked down at the one the lock of hair was on. It was just a blank paper thicker than what I have ever seen. It had a tinge of yellow for color.  I looked through the next couple papers and it looked like it was just some scribbling and some numbers here and there.  The next paper though was something else. This one I could see was a handwritten letter in a woman's handwriting. Excited to see what it said, I laid all the other papers down and knelt next to the fire. As I was about to read it, I heard footsteps.  I laid the letter down on my lap and looked up and over to where I heard them.  They were getting closer.  At this point I wasn't sure what it was, maybe a bear or deer.  I stayed quiet and kept listening,

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