Page 99 of Lost In Kakadu

Suddenly it broke free and slithered away, leaving the end of its tail and a bloody trail in its wake. A growl burst from her throat as she plucked the axe from the ground, took a deep breath, and in one swift movement she brought the axe down, severing the snake’s head.

The snake’s body thrashed spasmodically.

Abi screamed and jumped away. “It’s dead! It has to be dead.”

A wave of nausea wobbled up her throat and she fell to her hands and knees and gagged. Her stomach was too empty, and her mind swirled with dizziness as she fought the urge to pass out.

When her queasiness abated, she leaned back on her haunches and stared at the first animal she’d ever killed. Its sleek body was a striking pattern of gold and pale green diamonds that shimmered in the sun. The axe blade was almost smothered by the tangle of bloody flesh that was now in three pieces.

What do I do now?

The appearance of ants got her moving. Abi stumbled to her feet and tugged the axe from the ground trying not to look at the blood that would be there. She dug a hole with the axe and satisfied it was deep enough she rolled the snake head and tail into it and quickly covered it up.

Then, despite being repulsed by the idea, she rode a wave of nausea as she picked up the slippery carcass. It was so heavy she could barely lift it and her stomach turned as she curled it over her shoulder. The snake was enormous and even with it up and around her neck both bloody ends still touched the ground.

“Hey Mack, I wish you could see me now.”

It took all her strength to drape the dead weight over one of the low hanging branches and she was completely drained when she finished.

I hope we can eat it after all that.

She fell to the ground gasping for breath. But the sight of dripping blood made her get back up.

She checked on Mackenzie. He was still unconscious, but his chest moved with steady breaths, reassuring her he was alive. Abi washed her hands and face and the axe and then she forced some more water into Mackenzie’s mouth.

Her stomach rumbled but she had no intention of eating without him. She put on a shirt, relieved herself in the bushes, fetched another bottle of water and then resumed her position with Mackenzie on her lap.

For the first time in her life, she began to pray.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Mackenzie woke with his mouth dirt dry and his skin crawling with fire. A damp cloth brushed against his chest, but his eyes took a while to focus on Abi smiling above him. The sky behind her was marbled with orange and fuchsia.

“Hey, you’re awake?” She leaned in and kissed him, her lips soft and cool.

His body ached and recalling the itching, he gasped at the large red welts and hundreds of small, festering pimples along his arms.

“You had an allergic reaction.” She helped him to sit.

He ran his tongue around his dry mouth. “Did I black out?”

“For most of the day.”

“Jesus.” His brow furrowed as her statement sunk in. “Really?” He shook his head. “Are you okay?”

“I am now. I thought I was going to lose you.” Tears threatened to spill over her lashes.

“I’m not going anywhere.” He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. “You must be exhausted.”

“I’m more hungry than tired. I haven’t eaten since our plate of grubs.”

He stretched to release the knot between his shoulder blades. “I feel like I’ve been clubbed over the head,” he groaned. “Why didn’t you eat the beans?”

“I couldn’t eat without you. We share, remember?”

He smiled as he remembered their fight over the chocolate bar on the first day of the crash; it seemed like years ago.Maybe it was.“How about you grab a bean can and I’ll get the fire going.”

“Actually, I may have caught us dinner.” She had a cheeky smile.

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