Page 33 of Lost In Kakadu

Mackenzie strolled toward her. “How’d you sleep?”

“Terribly. How’s Charlie?” A crease lined her cheek from the way she’d slept.

“I think he slept okay. I heard him snoring once or twice.” He kicked at a log in the fire pit, and it crumbled onto the cold ash. “Let’s get this going.”

Mackenzie surveyed the surrounding area. The grassy area was about the size of a squash court, but beyond that loomed dense, virgin bush with thick vines hanging like giant spaghetti twisted into tangled tapestries. Masses of grey beards hung below moss-coated branches and slivers of sunlight punched through the canopy labyrinth creating a mottled pattern on the rotting leaves of the forest floor.

We were fortunate to have crashed in this clearing.

Mackenzie kicked the ground with the heel of his shoe releasing a chunk of dark brown earth like it was a slice of rubber.

Digging a grave is going to be hard work.

Abigail walked to his side. Wet eyelashes rimmed her red eyes, and she had a ribbon of hair clinging to her freshly applied lipstick. “Are we burying them today?”

She must’ve read his mind.

“I think we have to.” His stomach turned with that admission.

A loud cry had them both gasping. Mackenzie dashed to Charlie who lay flat on his back with his hands on his chest, his eyes wide open.

Mackenzie knelt beside him and gently touched Charlie’s forehead. “Hey, mate. How’re you feeling?”

“Could be better.” Charlie’s voice was barely audible.

“Well, you’re here with us now. We have plenty of food and water and we should be rescued today. So, hang in there.”

Charlie reached out with a shaky hand and clutched Mackenzie’s wrist. The old man’s crippled fingers dug deep, surprising Mackenzie with his strength. “Did you bring my satchel?”

Mackenzie tried to picture which case he was talking about. “Do you mean your suitcase?”

“No. My shoulder satchel. It’s tanned leather with a metal clasp at the front. I had it in the plane.” Fear showed in his pale blue eyes.

“Um, I didn’t see it.”

“You must find it. I need it.” Charlie’s fingers trembled as he pleaded.

“Okay. Calm down, buddy. I’ll get it after you’ve eaten.”

“No. Now!” Charlie released his grip. “Please?”

Mackenzie feared Charlie was about to cry. “Okay, I’ll go right now.”What’s so important about that satchel?He patted Charlie’s bony shoulder and turned to Abigail. “You stay with him. I’ll get the satchel and come straight back.”

She touched his forearm. “Be careful.”

Mackenzie dashed along the same path they’d travelled the day before, noting the temperature was even hotter than the previous couple of days. He wiped sweat from his temple. High in a tree, he caught sight of two yellow birds with long, black beaks trotting along a mossy branch. He paused to watch them for a few seconds.

He cocked his head at a strange noise, a distantthump, thump, thump.

His heart exploded in his chest as he turned and ran.

“A helicopter!”

It sounded like a big chopper too. The thump was heavy and slow. He imagined a large army helicopter with two propellers travelling slowly overhead.

“Here we are!”

Thump, thump, thump. It was getting louder.

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