Eric and The Fox
Chapter 7 - A One Way Bridge
Chapter 8 - At The Ferret Colony
Written by Karen Backway
Read by Rachel Anderice
Not far along the ridge path, Misty and Mello turned down a narrow little path that led to a secondary ledge they hoped Eric could manage. If not the group would have to backtrack to the beginning of the East Horseshoe Ridge to trek through The Horseshoe Cliff Valley.
“Well, well, he is not a bad climber afterall,” said Mello. “I can see he has some skill we did not give him credit for.”
“I had some practice climbing ridges in The Twin Pine Valley,” explained Eric, looking over his shoulder at Sylvie with a see-I-told-you glance.
“The Twin Pine Valley? Up north by The Champlain Ridge?” Misty asked, stunned.
“Yes, though it is not The Champlain Ridge at that point,” answered Eric. “Billy was helping us learn to survive in The Champlain Ridges should the need ever arise.”
“You were in The Champlain Ridges?” asked Mello looking terrified.
“Actually when I was a puppy I lived in the under ridge tunnels, until we were rescued,” answered Eric.
“Oh my goodness, my goodness,” said Misty. “You escaped The Champlain Ridges. We were told that was not possible.”
“That is a long story, I can tell another time. For now we are on this adventure,” answered Eric.
“That is why we are not supposed to go to that end of the ridge. It’s too near The Champlain Hills and Ridges,” added Mello.
“Are we going into The Champlain Hills?” Sylvie asked, concerned.
“No. The Champlain Hills are across the river on the west side of the island,” answered Misty. “We are not allowed to cross the river. Any who cross, never return.”
“That sounds bad,” said Sylvie, quite worried.
“The river is easy to cross on the east side,” said Eric. “There is a tree bridge.”
“Uh oh,” said Mello. “Are you from The Forest mainland, across the east river?”
“Yes… Why uh oh?” asked Sylvie, puzzled.
“That is a one way bridge,” answered Mello.
“What do you mean a one way bridge,” asked Eric. “We can cross back as easily as we crossed the first time.”
“You would think so, but it is not so, not so,” said Mello. “It is a one way bridge. There is some invisible barrier at the midway point, the only way to cross back is through the rapids.”
“A one way bridge? Are you sure?” asked Eric.
“Oh yes, yes,” said Mello. “The only way, the only way, is to swim through the rapids.”
“Well that explains a lot,” said Eric. “I bet your Mama and Papa tried to return to the waterfalls, but could not cross back along the tree bridge. That would explain why they climbed so far up into the ridge when they knew the fox pups were home alone. I bet they were looking for another way off the island.”
“Oh dear,” added Sylvie, starting to cry. “How will we get back to the waterfalls then?”
“Is there another bridge across the east river Misty?” Eric asked hopefully.
“Not that we have discovered yet,” answered Misty.
“Oh no! Eric, this is dreadful. Even if we find Mama and Papa, we cannot return home,” Sylvie cried, bursting into tears.
