Rift Chronicles

Rift Chronicles Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Revelations and Awakening

The group continued back down the creek in hopes of possibly picking up the trail. They began to look around the creek for any signs of someone passing through the area. After getting back to where Token's trail seemingly ended, they split up, making sure to keep each other within eyesight while trying to find any signs of him. Ten minutes passed and an idea came to Raff, so she called the others over. Once they came over to her, she said, "I've been looking at Token's footprints, and I might've figured out which way he is heading."

Grant and Larch said at the same time, "Go on," both of them hopeful as neither of them had found any clues within the past ten minutes.

While speaking, Raff pointed at the last set of footprints. "Notice how these last footprints turn slightly to the left. I think he may have continued in the creek itself to throw off anyone following him." She looked up at them to see what they thought.

Larch bent down to take a closer look at the tracks. Raff was absolutely correct, there was a slight turn in them toward the left. He nodded and said, "I think you might be right, though there's no telling if he changed course in the creek."

"Still, I think we should follow the creek in that direction, with at least one person on each side of the creek in case he ever exited it," added Grant.

Raff smiled as the two of them seemed to agree with her assessment. The trio continued down the creek in the direction the last tracks had pointed, with Grant and Larch on one side of the creek and Raff on the other. After walking down the creek, Raff was excited to find on her side a muddy set of tracks exiting the creek. She let out an excited gasp and gestured for the others to come over while saying, "Over here! I found the trail."

Larch and Grant raced through the shallow creek to Raff's side. Once there, they looked down at the tracks and, sure enough, they matched the shoe markings and size of the other footprints. Grant approvingly placed a hand on Raff's shoulder at the finding and Larch had a large cat-like smile on his face. The hunt was on again! They followed the trail once more with eager anticipation of catching up with Token. As they entered a more grassy terrain, the clear footprints faded into bent grass where Token had stepped. The trio followed the trail for several hours until it had hit midday. Then, as they were walking, the trail suddenly split into two. The group stopped and began to discuss what direction they should follow.

"It's hard to tell which one is the right way. They're both around the same size," said Grant as he bent down to look at both pathways.

"Any idea which way we should head in next? Because I'm stumped," admitted Raff in confusion.

"Huh," was all Larch said as he was in deep thought.

Everyone's train of thought was broken when a loud "krraaaa" could be heard overhead. They all looked up and saw a lone raven flying overhead, the first one they had seen or heard since being on the island. Larch's eyes widened and he went pale in terror but regained himself before the others could notice. Grant said as he looked up at the raven, "I think he's far from home... It's too bad we couldn't fly to get a bird's eye view of the trails. I think that would be handy about now."

"Yeah, that would make this a lot easier," giggled Raff.

"Hey, I have an idea. How about you two go down the path to the left and I'll go down the path to the right? We'll go down our respective paths for an hour and then come back here. Hopefully, that will tell us what path to go down." proposed Larch.

"Are you sure that's safe?" asked Raff.

"Of course it is. I still have my bracelet so if I get into any real trouble I can call the Hunters for help, whereas you two will be together at least to support each other," reassured Larch.