Featured Author: Darlene L. Turner
Asterbine National Park’s hidden waterfall was nothing more than a myth, a ghost story told around a campfire years ago—that is, until Kate Bowman’s eleven-year-old daughter found a map with a proverbial X marking the spot.
“It will be fun, Mom. An adventure.”
Ella’s words echoed in Kate’s mind as Kate clung to the swinging bridge’s rope and peered over the edge. A raging river greeted her below. Adventure, my foot. More like a scene from an Indiana Jones movie. At least there were no crocodiles staring back at her, waiting for her to fall.
“Mom, come on,” Ella yelled from the other end. “Don’t be a scaredy cat. It’s safe. See?” She jumped on the rickety wooden planks.
The bridge rocked from the disturbance, sending Kate’s pulse into overdrive. “Ella, stop!” She tightened her grip.
“Don’t worry,” a rich baritone voice said from behind. “It’ll hold.”
Kate stole a glance over her shoulder and stifled a gasp. A man stood at the edge of the treeline, his green eyes mirroring the forest surrounding him, leaving her speechless. The rocking motion stilled, but not Kate’s racing heartbeat. Was the uptick in her rate because she was hundreds of feet above a river wanting to swallow her whole, or from the handsome man dressed in a uniform a few feet away?
He approached. “Park Warden Doug Irving at your service. You are?”
She swallowed the lump in her throat, finding her voice. “Kate. Are you sure? It looks old.”
“Positive. This bridge has seen multiple seasons and countless hikers. It’s stood the test of time.”
“Mom, let’s go.” Her daughter’s impatient command echoed throughout the park’s great divide. “I want to find the waterfall before it gets too dark.”
Doug stepped around Kate. “Waterfall? There aren’t any in this end of the park.”
Kate adjusted her backpack with her free hand. “This is my daughter, Ella. She says there’s one hidden past this swinging bridge.”
Doug rolled his eyes. “You’ve been listening to Old Freddy, our park’s resident storyteller. He likes to create havoc, sharing about a hidden waterfall where a couple supposedly found true love from the water before they drowned.”
Ella held up the map. “This tells me the folklore is true. Freddy said locals have spotted them wandering in the forest throughout the years.”
“Well, I haven’t.” Doug strode toward Ella. “Can I see that?”
“So, the legend isn’t true?” Kate eased her iron grip but kept her hand in place, taking baby steps on the swaying plank boards.
“`Fraid not.”
“Told you, sweet girl. This isn’t one of your favorite adventure books.”
Ella sighed and thrust the worn map into his hand. “So, what’s the X mean then? I found the map hidden in a rock crevice on Talber Trail. Why hide it if it wasn’t true?”
Doug studied the map, his jaw dropping. “I’ve never seen this section of the park.” He traced his finger around a wooded area marked with a hand-drawn waterfall beside it.
Kate leaned in, peering over his shoulder and catching his woodsy scent. “Wait, wouldn’t you know every inch of this park?”
His gaze lifted from the map to her, his expression morphing from kindness to hurt.
Oops. She hadn’t meant for that to come out the way it did. “Sorry. I just meant it’s odd you wouldn’t know about it.”
“I’m fairly new to the area, but this map has to be fabricated. I will ask Freddy if he planted them across the park.” Doug folded the map and handed it back to Ella.
“Can we at least check it out?” Ella motioned toward the trees. “It’s that way. Mom? Please?”
“Fine. I need the exercise anyway.” She turned to Doug. “Nice meeting you.”
“Oh, I’m coming with you. I need to see for myself if the legend is true.” He proceeded the rest of the way across the rickety bridge.
Ella smirked and whispered, “He’s cute, Mom.” She didn’t wait for a reply but followed the warden, whistling a tune.
I agree, Ella. I agree.
Fifty minutes later, the trio ducked under low-hanging branches and pushed through waist-high weeds, stepping onto a flat rock plateau overlooking the river. A cool mist kissed Kate’s cheek, and the distant rumble of rushing water hinted at a possible waterfall nearby.
Doug moved to the edge and peered around the trees blocking the view. “I’ll be.”
“What’s there?” Not wanting to get too close, Kate cemented her feet in place.
“A large opening in the rock.” He pointed to the right. “In order to get there, we need to go this way, but be careful. The rocks look slippery.”
Kate inched forward. “No way. I’m not going down there.”
He stepped down. “Kate, I won’t let you fall. I promise.”
“Mom, we have to see if it’s there.” Ella moved beside Doug, her eyes pleading for her mother to follow.
“Fine.” Kate obeyed.
Doug turned and led the group down the nature-made staircase, step by step. At the bottom, they followed the sound of thunder and proceeded through the opening.
A towering waterfall glistened in the sun, raining down over layers of rock and trees growing on both sides, emptying into an aqua pool. A rainbow appeared in the mist at the base, displaying its spectacular colors.
“We found it!” Ella squealed. “Freddy was right. Let’s go for a swim.”
Ella’s contagious squeals propelled Kate forward. “But we don’t have suits.”
“Wait, let me go first.” Doug removed his duty belt, shoes, and socks before wading into the water. “It’s beautiful.”
Kate and Ella took off their shoes, swimming after him. Within moments, the group reached the thundering falls.
Doug turned and held his hand out to Kate. “Come on.”
She placed her hand into his. A warming jolt raised the hairs on her arms, and she sucked in a breath.
He smiled and winked.
Had he felt the spark too?
Maybe the legend was true after all.
She believes the best stories blend edge-of-your-seat tension with hope, faith, and the quiet reminder that God’s light still shines in the darkest places. Darlene’s work has earned the Daphne du Maurier Award, the Holt Medallion, and multiple Selah Awards, honors that reflect her passion for storytelling with purpose.
Darlene met her husband Jeff at the turtle races and lives in Ontario, Canada. When she isn’t plotting fictional danger or researching law enforcement details, Darlene can usually be found fueled by flavored coffee and wrapped in plaid. She invites readers to step into her stories—just don’t expect to put the book down once the suspense begins.
You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com, Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Goodreads, and BookBub.
Spark Flash Fiction 