The Creek was peaceful today, the warm air filled with the sound of trees gently swaying in the breeze. Craig wandered through the familiar paths, his homemade staff in hand, always looking for something new. His usual crew wasn’t with him—Kelsey was off with Mortimer, and J.P. was probably at the Capture the Flag field. Craig enjoyed exploring alone sometimes, finding new spots to add to his maps.

As he passed the Trading Tree, he noticed Kit negotiating a trade with another kid. Craig smiled to himself. He didn’t need to trade; his adventures were about discovery, not exchange. The Trading Tree was for kids with specific goals, unlike him—Craig just went wherever the Creek took him.

Further into the woods, Craig stumbled upon a clearing he hadn’t seen before. Tall grass swayed gently in the breeze, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. In the center stood a large, oddly shaped rock formation. Intrigued, Craig took out his notebook and made a quick note of the location.

He stepped closer to the rocks, running his fingers over the rough surface. It felt deliberate, almost like the rocks had been arranged in a certain way. Craig couldn’t help but think this could be a spot worth coming back to.

As he circled the rocks, his mind wandered back to all the places he’d mapped—the Stump, the Capture the Flag battlefield, the Sewer Tunnels. Each discovery added a new layer to the Creek’s story, a mystery he was piecing together one spot at a time.

Lost in thought, Craig almost didn’t notice the faint sound of footsteps crunching on the dry leaves nearby. He paused, his curiosity piqued. Who else could be out here, so far from the usual spots?