The story you are about to read is the original short story version of “The Crossing.” I wrote this story almost twenty years ago. I wrote my latest novel of the same name, based on this story. However, you should be aware that the story you are going to read here is not the same as Chapter One of the book, though it is similar. I am doing this as an introduction to the novel, which I plan on releasing some time this year.
In addition, I commissioned a young local artist to illustrate 14 pictures that are sprinkled throughout the book. For my blog, I am putting the cover illustration (which also serves as the illustration for chapter two), and the illustration included in chapter one.
It is my hope that if you read this short story version, and see a representation of the artwork, that it will stimulate interest in my newest release, and, hopefully, translate into better sales. Therefore, I proudly present Chapter One and the original short story, “The Crossing,” for your reading pleasure. J.D. Crosby, a.k.a. David James
The Crossing
“Animals to the white line!” The Great Hawk had spoken.
All the young animals scurried toward the line that was on the asphalt road. The Great Hawk in a loud but controlled voice spoke again, “In a ritual of passage all young must make The Crossing to the Great Forrest. Those of you who complete The Crossing will search for your mate and then return here to raise families of your own.” He flapped his wings to signal the parents to back away from their young, as he spoke, “Several of you will cross, some of you will fail, all of you should hold to your beliefs and the beliefs of your clan and this ceremony.”
The animals below were busy chattering to each other. Once they heard the words of the Great Hawk, the parents watched their young step closer to the white line and prepare to cross. The young animals focused their attention on the land that was located on the other side of the four lanes of asphalt. Although they could not see the forest, they knew it was there on the other side of the vast expanse. There were two lanes of road that were closest to the young ones. Then the land known to them as the Little Woods, then two more lanes of asphalt road. The young animals always trained and prepared for the crossing once they had spent four seasons in the land known as the fertile fields. Finally, members of this group were ready to take their steps towards a more vast world.
“Get ready,” were the next words from the hawk’s mouth.
All sounds of talking were gone. It was early dawn and the light of morning was sprinkled on the horizon. Although the young could not see the light, however, the Great Hawk could. The traffic on the roads would start pretty soon, and by midday, it would be unsafe for any animal to attempt to cross.
“Animals up,” the hawk squawked.
“Wait, wait,” came the desperate cry from far behind the rest of the animals. It was Terrance, the turtle, and he wasn’t the alone Cindy the snail was also moving as quickly as both of them could go.
“Oh no, not again,” came the mumblings of disgust from the crowds of parents that had gathered by the edge of the road. “He can’t make it, he always tries to cross and usually fails, and this is his fourth try. Why doesn’t he just give up? He may get killed this time, he has been lucky the past three years.”
Terrance heard the grumbling and ignored it. Slowly he waddled through the crowd of parenting animals, and with his head held high, walked up to the white line. The other youngsters, moved over to make room for him.
The Great Hawk looked down and saw the slow stride of the turtle, and a small smile came to his face. “Animal’s up,” he said once again. Then in a burst of energy, he frantically flapped his wings and shouted, “Let the crossing begin.”
At once the large group of animals lurched forward across the line and began the first part of their journey. The fox, rabbits, and squirrels were across the first section in less than two blinks of their parent’s eyes. The opossums kept starting and stopping, starting and stopping, as did the raccoon, and a few of the younger squirrels. These young ones had grown up with each other, played and took care of one another. Now, they were about to enter the real world. Survival of the strongest, they had been taught that rule since they began “The Crossing” training. Now they were actually practicing what they were taught, growing more independent and developing their survival skills with each step that they took, worrying only about themselves.
Terrance and Cindy were halfway across the first half of the first lane. They were working very hard and panting for breath. However, they did not even think about stopping. The Great Hawk was circling high above looking for oncoming traffic. He noticed that some of the young ones had already made it across both sections of highway. And were quickly making their way to the Great Forrest. He could see that those few were each going their separate ways most likely to never see one another again. Some would die in the Great Forrest; some would find love, happiness, and a purpose in life. Others would become food for other animals of the forest, to ensure that species survival. There was nothing the Great Hawk could do but watch.
He turned to focus his attention on Terrance who was currently across the first lane of traffic and just starting to make headway into the next lane of the road. When he saw a flash of light coming in the opposite direction. It would not affect Terrance or any other of the slower youngsters who were on that part of the highway; however, several of the quicker animals that had crossed through the Small Woods, and just coming out the other side and were in terrible danger.
The Great Hawk changed the expansion of his wings and started flying straight down towards the animals coming out of the Small Woods. “Stop, stop, car, car,” he said in an exasperated voice.
Some of them stopped, but a small few of them were so excited and anxious that their momentum carried them right onto the asphalt and into danger. Of the five who did not stop, only Pauley the opossum did not make it. He was caught by the stare of the headlights of the vehicle and was frozen with fear. The Great Hawk would not inform his parents until after this event was over.
Terrance and Cindy paused for a moment once they made it halfway. They were catching their breadth when Cindy said to Terrance, “You are very brave to attempt The Crossing ceremony again. Especially after what those rude parents said to you.
“Actually I never belonged there in the first place,” Terrence said in a slow drawl. “I was food for some winged prey, but, he lost his grip on me in the trees just before I hatched.” He stopped moving so that he could complete his story. “I landed in a nest, a hawk’s nest. The Great Hawk’s mate saw that I was different and flew me to the ground when I was old enough. I think he likes me, but he has never really said anything to me,” Terrance smiled as he said those words.
They once again slowly started to cross the Small Woods. He had never made it this far before, “This could be a good omen,” the five-year-old turtle thought to himself. After some time they came to the far edge of the Small Woods. The sky above them was showing the signs of the waning nighttime. The turtle snapped some twigs just before reaching the edge of the road some of the other animals turned to see Terrance exit from the tall grass. “What is wrong? Terrance asked as he noticed the fear on the other animal’s faces.
“Pauley is dead,” another opossum spoke he was known as Bill. “The metal monster crushed him with its claws.”
“You are frightened then?” Cindy asked them.
“Yes, this was folly, we should have not taken the chance, we are too young for this.” The fear echoed in their throats as the animals spoke the words in unison.
“I have worked my whole life to make it this far.” The turtle spoke sincerely. “I know that this time I will make it, and you can make it across too. Now come on and let’s get going.”
The animals stood their ground and did not move, Terrance spoke once again, “It is your heritage, not mine, I just want to go home. Now, are you going to join me or chance going back and trying again next year? You will be made to try again you know that don’t you?”
The other animals started to mumble words, but Terrance ignored them and walked up slowly to the road. First one step and then another and he was entirely on the asphalt, with Cindy right next to him.
High above the animals on the road, the Great Hawk kept circling and watching over the young ones. Most were in the Great Woods by now. However, he was holding vigil over the last remaining critters. The Great Hawk saw them on the asphalt, “making good time,” the Great One thought to himself. He was a little higher this time, and then something from his peripheral vision caught his attention. He focused his attention on the lights he saw coming the turtle’s way. There were four massive, several wheeled, metal monsters coming towards Terrance and the other animals. There was no way he would be able to avoid them all.
With little effort, the hawk quickly changed direction and shot towards the small group of animals “Hurry,” he screeched, “Hurry, the monsters are coming. Terrance, you and Cindy go back you cannot make it.”
There was no quit in Terrance this time, while the other animals quickened their pace, Terrance had only one speed, and he was using it. Cindy was not worried because she was with Terrance and he knew what was best.
Above the Great Hawk could see the danger approaching quickly, but could do nothing to stop the impending doom. However, he could not bring himself to look away.
They were just about halfway across the third lane when they could feel the vibration of the oncoming metal monsters. “Cindy, quickly move closer to me. In fact, get under my shell if you can, then I may get crushed but you won’t.”
She moved as tightly as she could to her good friend the turtle, and by the time they saw the giant monsters they were frozen in place.
Just then Terrance felt something jerk him upwards, he stuck his head out of his shell and noticed he was high in the sky in the claws of the great one. He could only think of one thing to say, “ Great one, I cannot leave Cindy she trust me she believes in me.” But the hawk was working too hard to gain altitude with his baggage. Once he was on the other side of the highway, the Great Hawk sat him down, very close to the Great Forrest.
Slowly Terrance turned around and headed back to the edge of the road. “Where are you going?” the hawk asked the young turtle.
“I have to go check on my friend,” Terrance said emotionally.
“Don’t go, Terrance, I will go check,” the hawk insisted.
In a show of strength the turtle said, “No just walk with me, I don’t want to know the truth until I must.”
The two unlikely friends stood and waited and looked to see if they could find the remains of Cindy, but they were to close to the ground to see anything. Once the sun had started to show itself rising in the sky, Terrance decided he was going back to go look for his friend. The Great Hawk tried to change his mind but could not do it.
Thus Terrance took his first step on the road and then two, but he heard a soft voice say, “Wait, go back Terrance, I’m fine.”
Terrence took his two steps backward and waited for his friend. The Great Hawk immediately took flight to see if any other traffic was coming it was not. Cindy safely made the crossing.
Once she was near him, Terrence with tears in his eyes welcomed her with a smile and hugs. “You were so brave,” Terrance emotionally said.
“No, Terry,” Cindy said, sincerely, “you were the brave one, you offered to save me. When the Great Hawk lifted you up, I was thrown forward into the middle of the lane. I moved quickly to get midway between the monster’s claws, you would have been surely crushed I am glad the great one saved you.”
“Shall we go then?” Terrance asked his best friend.
“Absolutely,” was her response.
They both looked up to the sky and shouted “Thank you, Great Hawk,” however he was on his way to deliver the news of The Crossing to parents waiting on the other side. All the young ones had made it to the Great Forrest but one; it had been a good day.
