Troll Daddy's Arc

Chapter 7 of 13

Troll Daddy reached the far side of the bridge and turned to watch Troll Sister cross. She moved slowly, gripping the rusted rail with both hands. Each step made the metal groan beneath her weight. Halfway across, something shifted. The bridge lurched sideways with a sharp crack. Troll Daddy ran back onto the bridge and grabbed Troll Sister's arm. A granite boulder dislodged from the archway and crashed into the creek below. The water swallowed it with a dull thud. The deck tilted as rivets popped loose from the frame. He pulled Troll Sister forward and they stumbled onto solid ground just as the center section collapsed behind them. Metal screamed as it twisted into the rushing water. Troll Mother stood frozen with Troll Baby clutched against her chest. Troll Brother stared at the gap where the bridge had been, his mouth open. Troll Daddy looked back at the debris caught in the current. His clearing work with the sledgehammer had weakened the already damaged structure. He had gotten them across, but barely. One more person and it would have given way with them still on it. He knelt beside Troll Sister and checked her scraped palms. She was shaking but unhurt. Beyond the archway gate at the top of the slope, he could see the ridge trail that would take them home. They had made it to high ground. But the lesson settled hard in his chest. He had acted without thinking through the cost. His son had found the route, and his carelessness had nearly destroyed it. Next time he needed to look closer before swinging the hammer. Next time he needed to teach his children to do the same.