Horror of Alley Creek

Chapter Six: Sh*t happens

While Robby and I walked down the trail, I couldn't help but notice that instead of paying attention to what was in front of me, I was almost constantly looking at the ground. At first, I wasn't sure why I was, but then I realized it. The same tracks that the woman had showed Robby, and I were scattered along the trail along with deer tracks.

"Mitch," Robby began. "You listening?"

I looked up at him. "Uh, no. Not really," I bent down, looked at the tracks more, and placed my hand next to it. The tracks were bigger than my hand.

Robby bent down as well to look at the tracks. "Do you think?" he moved his gaze to me.

"I think so," I replied, looking at him and then back to the tracks. "They're huge. I thought the phone was making things dramatic."

"Same," Robby agreed as he straightened his back. "Think we should radio it in?" he questioned.

I stood up as well. "I'm not sure what they would do about it. Someone could have brought their dog here, even when they shouldn't." I scratched the back of my head. "Then again, I don't think I've seen so many tracks from deer in one area."

Robby nodded. "Let's see if we find anything else. Then report it in." I nodded in agreement, then we were back on the trail again.

I think two hours had passed when the radio started going off again. This time it was my radio that went off, which made Robby jump ever so slightly. I raised a brow at him and he looked away, slightly embarrassed by having just been spooked by my radio.

"213, 214, this is 201," Alan said over the radio.

"201, this is 213, and 214," I replied into the radio.

"We received an SOS signal in the Alley Creek area. Can you two go check it out and see how serious it is?" Alan replied back.

"Copy that. We're heading over." I released the button on the radio. "We'll let's go see what's going on." I glanced at the sky. "Should be interesting if it is serious. We might end up getting rained on."

Robby nodded. "Yeah, and I think it's that group that went in. They were probably goofing off with the SOS settings and accidentally sent one out."

"I wouldn't put it past them to do it," I agreed as we made our way back from the Whiskey Bend trailhead that led to Alley Creek.

We arrived at the truck and pulled out our first aid bags and some extra gear in case it was serious. "Do you have the map?" Robby asked.

I was finishing doing up my jacket when he asked that. I looked at him as I had part of the necklace I always wore in my mouth. "Yeah, I always have it with me," I mumbled through the pendant.

Robby nodded slowly, trying not to laugh. "Got it, but uh, why do you have that in your mouth?"

"Hey," I started as I pulled it away from my mouth. "I use it as a thing so I can think."

"I didn't know a triskelion spiral and Celtic trinity knot made a good thinking device," Robby laughed. "Still can't believe you still have that from when you went to that Renaissance fair with Maddison. She got you that and you got her a tree of life necklace."

"Let's just get going. The sooner we get this taken care of, the sooner we can get back home." I lifted the bright red first aid bag off the backseat.

Robby did the same with his a few minutes had gone by before he said something. "Okay, I'm just curious, but what do you think it is this time?" he paused for a moment. "Like if it is serious."

"Well, I doubt anyone has fallen off a cliff. So, maybe a broken bone? Could be as bad as a bear attack, but I don't think it's very likely right now."