A Summer on Toland: Week 4

Introduction to the Toland Adventure

We’re on our fourth week of the Toland Adventure, a scavenger hunt/interactive story that will take us on an adventure to find the ghost of William Toland, a New York writer who disappeared in 1883. The Toland Adventure is based off of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”, by Mark Twain.

Where is toland – My Quest: Week 4 – The Scary Cave

Once upon a time there was a goblin that lived in a scary cave. The goblin had never seen anyone outside of the cave before, so every time someone came to visit he would try to scare them away.

If I wanted to know more about the goblin’s life, I had to go into his lair and meet him face-to-face. Luckily, my friends have all visited Toland before and told me to try going down a certain path. I followed the path until it split into two, leading me through a small tunnel that let out into a much larger cave.

I stood at the entrance of the cave looking at all of the torches lining its walls. The goblin could be anywhere, so I didn’t know which way to go next. I took out my phone and opened up the map, but all of its lights went out with a poof! When the light cleared there was now a small line leading me down one of the two paths.

I closed my eyes for a moment, breathing in an out before choosing which path to follow. I set off walking down the left side, but soon had to duck down after seeing a giant spider web blocking my way.

I got up off my knees and brushed myself off before continuing my path. Soon I heard a small whisper coming from the right side of the cave. I walked over until I saw something shining at me through the darkness. It was another stone with runes carved into its surface. After picking it up I realized that this must be the book William was talking about.

I tucked the book away in my bag and continued walking down my path, which lead me out to a small ledge with an amazing view. I could see all of Toland from where I stood, but nothing else around me was familiar. Nothing seemed like it would make a good hiding spot, so I started making my way back to the goblin cave.

As soon as I got back to the entrance of the goblin lair he came rushing out at me. He was our height, but had bright orange skin and wild black spiky hair that stood straight up on his head. His clothes were ripped and dirty from hiding in the cave all day.

He told me that he wasn’t going to hurt me, but that I needed to go back where I came from. He didn’t want anyone to find him, but my friends were waiting for me outside of the cave and if I didn’t come back they would come looking for me.

After telling Toland that I wasn’t going to leave without the book, he finally agreed to give it back. He told me that he had been hanging onto it for Thomas and would be happy to return it. He then started shivering and wrapped his arms around himself, telling me that he was cold. Once Toland was warmed up, I could finally head back home.

Summary thoughts:

I’m not sure how the goblin came across the book in the first place, but I was glad to get it back. He even tried to give me his cape, which I politely refused because he looked cold without it. I will admit that Toland is much more terrifying than his friend Tommy.