Bubbles and Lost Dreams
Read by Rachel Lynn Anderice
Written by Karen Backway
Chapter 5 - A Dangerous Crossing
“Oh no! Spunky, your paw! It’s blistering up,” cried Molly.
“We should get further away from this stink and the badgers. Can you walk Spunky?” asked Radar.
“I’m fine. Don’t lick it, Molls,” said Spunky, pulling his paw away from Molly. “The oil will burn your tongue.”
Radar led the way, Molly and Abby following behind Spunky. They followed the ridge as it wound down to the river.
Abby and Molly splashed themselves with water and rinsed off spider webs and mud from the journey through the brambles.
“What a dreary place this is,” commented Molly as she helped Spunky wash his paw.
“I wish we had some honey to soothe that,” said Radar. “It looks very painful.”
“That’s odd,” said Molly. “My oval button is being pulled - like a magnet - near Spunky’s injured paw. Oh! Look! It’s lifting the poison away leaving a purple stain. It’s healing Spunky’s injury! Abby our buttons can heal!”
But Spunky was staring across the river.
“We need to cross,” said Spunky. “But not safe to swim here. Too rough, too close to the split. Not safe.”
“The only way across the river, without swimming, is over The Ridge Bridge,” said Radar. “It’s not too far ahead but we should cross after dark, then we have a little cover.”
The Ridge Bridge is formed by three ridges that meet over The Twin Mountains River where it divides. Most of the river flows south through the forest, but a branch flows west, along the south side of The Ridge. The Champlain Hills, which were burned in the battle between The Motch and The Mannett are south of that ridge. North of the ridge is a range of ridges, called The Champlain Ridges. These ridges form a massive maze of under-ridge tunnels. The three ridges that form The Ridge Bridge are The Champlain North Ridge, The Twin Pine Valley Ridge and The Forest Ridge (which is known as Mama Owl’s Ridge to forest animals).
The Champlain Hills were destroyed by the fire and a terrible place to get lost and The Champlain Ridges and under-ridge tunnels were very confusing and inhabited by badgers that had lost their homes in the fire.
“The Ridge Bridge leads to The Champlain Gate, where The Quillza have their headquarters,” said Radar.
“Not safe,” said Spunky. “But must risk it. Too late to turn back.”
His pendant was clear again, so Spunky figured the team was not in any immediate danger.
“We need to hide and rest,” said Spunky. “Cross once dark.”
They followed Radar along the river shore for a while then turned and headed up the ridge close to The Ridge Bridge in search of a place to rest out of sight.
“This should do, we can see The Ridge Bridge, into the hills and into the ridges,” said Radar, very pleased with his find. Molly and Abby curled up beside Spunky. Radar kept watch. He had a bad feeling he could not explain.
Spunky woke Abby and Molly just after sunset.
“There will be a full moon later, we should cross soon,” said Radar. “I will scout ahead, back soon.”
Spunky followed not far behind Radar, Molly and Abby on his back.
“The Ridge is clear,” whispered Radar, returning to his friends. “Quick and quiet. I will go ahead and find a hiding spot and meet you on the other side.”
Spunky nodded and Radar buzzed away.
“Quick and quiet,” said Abby.
Spunky trotted as swiftly and silently as possible into the darkness.
