Lost In Kakadu (5 page)

Abigail arrived at his side and held the three quarter full bottle toward him. “The drips have stopped.”

“We need more wood to keep this going all night. Come and help me.” He foraged in the bushes and when his arms were full he shoved the bundle toward Abigail. She hesitated at first, then with a scowl, she wrapped her arms around them, scurried back to the fire and tossed them on the flames. Sparks shot into the air.

“Watch it!” Mackenzie yelled. “We don’t want sparks on the plane.”

She turned, pouting. “You do it then.”

“Oh, don’t be a pain in the fucking arse.”

She pointed a finger at him. “Don’t use your gutter language on me.”

“You’ll be grateful for my fire when you’re freezing your arse off at four in the morning.”

Her eyes snapped from the fire to the plane, then a smug look crossed her face. “It’s too far from the plane to give us any heat.”

Damn. She was right
. “At least it’ll give us light when we need the toilet.”

He saw her stiffen. She obviously hadn’t thought of that, but she still stomped away and sat on a suitcase with her arms folded across her chest. Mackenzie tried to ignore her and continued gathering wood. From time to time he glanced in her direction. She was either applying another layer of makeup or checking her phone. He knew the phone was a waste of time, he’d already tried.

The sunset came quickly, a grand display of gold and red that blazed through the tree canopy. Then, as if a heavy blanket had descended upon them, they were consumed by darkness.

Mackenzie dragged a large log near the fire and sitting on it, held his hands toward the flames. The heat quickly warmed his fingers and the twisting flames mesmerised him. They sat in silence for a long time before Abigail finally spoke.

“Sorry for the way I behaved earlier. I should’ve helped with the wood.”

“It’s okay. You can help tomorrow.” He paused. “What’s your hurry for makeup anyway?”

She looked astounded by his comment. “Because I looked hideous.”

The glow from the fire cast a yellow tinge onto Abigail’s pale skin. He guessed her age at about forty-five but with no age lines he suspected she used Botox. The black smudges under her eyes were now gone and she’d smoothed her hair.

Mackenzie poked the fire, instigating a spiral of sparks. Hunger pains churned his stomach. “Hey, where’d we put that Snickers bar?”

Her eyes snapped up and her hand went to her mouth. “I, um … ate it.”

“You what?”

“You gave it to me.”

“No, I didn’t. I offered to share it with you.”

“I was hungry. I didn’t think you’d mind.”

He stabbed the fire. “Why wouldn’t I mind?”

“Well, you people are so conscious of—”

“People? What people?”

“You know … gay.”

“Do you even know anyone who’s gay?”

“Of course not!”

His first impulse was to fight back, but he decided she wasn’t worth it. Besides, he was too exhausted. “Look, let’s just get through the night and after we’re rescued you can go back to your narrow-minded life.”

“That will be just fine with me.”

He tossed the stick into the fire and stomped toward the plane. His mind raged. It’d been many years since he’d had an argument over his sexuality. And, of course, Rodney had been there to support him that time.

“Where are you going?” Abigail called behind him.

“Away from you.”

His silhouette was a tall, dark shadow projected onto the trees. In the distance the smooth, white bark on a large gum tree radiated in the firelight. He diverted to it to relieve himself, then returning to the cases, rummaged for his jacket. The temperature had plummeted since sunset and he was instantly grateful for the extra layer.

Reluctantly, he returned to the plane, each step heavier than the one before.

The chair beside Rodney was as cold as his heart and his fingers trembled as he reached up to touch Rodney’s cheek. He recoiled at the coolness of his skin and tears began to sting his eyes. When he couldn’t hold them back anymore he put his hands over his face and wept.

With Rodney gone, he was now completely alone.

* * *

Night had fallen when Charlie regained consciousness for the second time. The surrounding blackness was complete.

His tongue felt like leather. For a brief, horrifying moment, he wondered if he was dead, but the throbbing in his chest assured him he was indeed alive. Pushing up from the ground he finally remembered where he was and stared into the blackness. The plane materialised, just metres before him and he fought agonising pain as he crawled toward it.

He clambered back into the wreck, curled up against the wall and prayed.

* * *

Flame tongues licked the rough bark beneath a log keeping Abigail distracted but she was jolted by the heart-wrenching sound of Mackenzie crying. Never before had she heard a man cry. It sounded so deep and primal. Closing her eyes, she felt the warmth on her eyelids as tears trickled down her cheeks.

How could you leave me, Spencer?

But Spencer had abandoned her many times before. The last time, when he’d failed to meet her at the steps of Parliament House, had been one of the most humiliating. And yet he’d brushed aside her anger with the flick of his hand, trivialising her embarrassment. Earlier in the evening, when she’d slipped into that elegant ball gown, she’d almost felt
beautiful, but Spencer hadn’t even noticed her. His eyes were already on the three young women whom he’d captivated with some exaggerated story.

A rustling in the bushes startled her and she scanned the blackness for signs of movement. She couldn’t see anything. She rolled her shoulders, then with clenched teeth and alert eyes, she returned to her suitcase. The dancing shadows played havoc with her mind as she wrapped a silk scarf around her neck. With nervous glances over her shoulder she crept toward the bushes, quickly pulled her skirt up, relieved herself and then dashed back to the plane.

She looked up into the macabre scene. The fire cast an eerie glow through the jagged hole in the side and the bodies lay in an array of awkward angles. Her pounding heart amplified as she stood beneath the small cabin space and she gripped onto the shattered wreck as her legs weakened beneath her. The thought of spending even one moment in the plane with them made her queasy. Mackenzie sat in the seat beside Rodney, elbows on his knees, his hands over his face.

“Mackenzie,” she whispered. But he didn’t move. “I can’t sleep in here.”

He groaned and turned to her. The firelight cast deep shadows under his eyes and at the corners of his mouth.

“I can’t sleep here,” she repeated.

When he came toward her she was surprised at the kindness she saw in his eyes and instantly regretted the things she’d said. “I’m sorry I didn’t share that chocolate with you.”

He dropped down beside her and without thinking she grabbed his waist, feeling his muscular body beneath his jacket. Embarrassed she quickly recovered and edged away.

“It’s okay. We’re both under stress.” He stepped into the clearing. “I wouldn’t be able to sleep in there either.”

“What are we going to do?” She scratched at the ant bites on her neck.

He shrugged and turned to her. The concern in his eyes was confusing. After the way she’d behaved, he should hold nothing but contempt for her.

“We could take turns sleeping by the fire, I guess.”

Never before had she slept without a roof over her head and the thought terrified her. The knot in her stomach tightened as she eyed the surrounding area, imagining all manner of creatures crawling about the woods. A shrill bird’s call shattered the silence and she squealed and jumped toward Mackenzie.

He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Come on, you can sleep first. I’ll take the first watch. You must be exhausted.”

She was exhausted. Scared, hungry and exhausted. The sooner this night was over the better. Mackenzie placed the bags in a protective semi-circle behind her as she curled on her side on the grass and stared into the fire.

“Thank you,” she said as he took a place opposite her.

A cold shiver ran over her shoulders and she buttoned her jacket up to her neck. The cool night air was a complete contrast to the stifling heat only hours earlier and she was grateful for the fire.

With her hands beneath her face as a pillow and the warm fire blazing, she was as comfortable as she was going to get. She glanced at Mackenzie through the heat distorted air above the fire. He seemed so calm, hypnotised even. The thought of being trapped alone in the jungle was terrifying and she was grateful he was there and felt terrible for the things she’d said. Her body ached and the ant bites itched and stung at the same time, but she closed her eyes and eventually succumbed to sleep.

Mackenzie tapped on Abigail’s shoulder. She woke with a fright and two anxious seconds beat by as her mind raced from sleep to present. When the horrid memories came crashing back she gave a big sigh. The fire had burnt down to a glowing coal pit and she frowned at the pitch blackness that still surrounded them.

“What time is it?”

“It’s only two o’clock. Sorry, but I couldn’t stay awake any longer.”

“Oh.” She sat up. It was her turn to keep watch and from the moment she changed places with Mackenzie she felt the darkness closing in on her. She tugged her scarf around her neck and clutched her jacket lapels to her chest.

Mackenzie lay on his side and in a matter of minutes he was asleep.

She’d never felt so alone. A cold stone in her stomach grew colder as she looked around. The emptiness was overwhelming. Her breathing grew heavier and as she scanned the blackness she imagined all manner of creatures staring at her.

Stop it.

The desire to return to sleep was strong but the hunger gnawing at her stomach and the invisible insects buzzing in her ears ensured she’d remain awake.

Inhaling a deep breath, she poked at the coals and willed herself to calm down.

The high pitched squeal from a flock of lorikeets snapped Mackenzie from his sleep and it took him a moment to orientate himself. As he rubbed sleep from his eyes he couldn’t help but look over at the wreck. His heart wrenched at the sight of Rodney’s body and he looked away, swallowing the lump in his throat.

He needed to relieve himself and walked to a towering gum tree that had to be at least four stories high. The tree’s smooth bark was like velvet. Random, thin strips of it had peeled and curled back, their edges darkening as they had dried out.

On the way back to the plane he noticed shafts of sunlight spearing through the overcrowded treetops. When he held his palm up to one of them he was amazed that he could actually feel its heat. He followed the light up to the canopy where only small patches of pale blue sky were visible and a new reality hit him.
If I can’t see the sky, how’s a rescue party going to see me?

Returning to the now dead fire he kicked at the remains of a log and it snapped in half and fell into the cold grey ash. Abigail stared at him in silence. Her eyes were bloodshot and he couldn’t decide if it was from lack of sleep or because she’d been crying.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes … and no.” Her voice was a brittle whisper.

He knew what she meant. This whole situation was crazy. It seemed ridiculous to just be sitting here doing nothing but he had no idea what else they could do. He was confronted by a complete feeling of inadequacy. He’d never been camping or done anything even remotely outdoorsy. One glance at Abigail was enough to know that she was well out of her comfort zone. The fact that she was still wearing high heels was a testament to that.

He’d been trying to ignore a slight sting in his leg but it was obvious it wasn’t going away. Slipping onto the dew dampened grass, he rolled up his jeans and stared in shock at a small, jagged piece of metal sticking out of his calf. Streaks of dried blood lined the wound and when he touched it he barely felt any pain. Before he could dwell on it, he yanked at the metal, and couldn’t believe how easily it slipped out. He watched with numb regard as fresh blood oozed to the surface.

“Oh God, what happened?” Abigail said.

“I had something stuck in my leg.”

“Is it okay?”

“Yeah, I don’t think it’s too deep.” Mackenzie hobbled to the bags, took out one of his T-shirts and tied it around his leg. The image of Rodney winding a bandage around his hand filled his mind. Mackenzie had cut his palm while slicing an onion and although he’d tried to bandage it, he was hopeless. But when Rodney came home he reapplied the bandage with genuine care. Mackenzie ran his finger over the scar. It had faded so much it was barely visible now. Those little moments were the ones he was going to miss the most.

Back at the ashes he shoved a few sheets of paper between new layers of twigs and flicked the lighter. The fire quickly sprang back to life. His grumbling stomach was loud enough that Abigail looked up at him with guilt-ridden eyes. But he ignored her and his twisting hunger pains as he stared into the dancing flames.

Abigail moaned as she pushed up from the ground. “Can you excuse me for a moment?”

He watched her head away from the fire, wrestling with her high heels on the grass. After a brief stint in the bushes she dashed out of the greenery as if being chased by a bear. “Have you heard any planes?” she said as she dusted off her skirt.

“No.”

She seemed to be looking for a place to sit near the fire, her face twisted with disgust. Then she spun on her heel and walked towards the luggage, pulled up the handle on her suitcase and started dragging it to the fire.

“What are you doing?” Mackenzie said.

“I’m not sitting on the dirt anymore.”

Mackenzie jumped up. “Here let me do it.”

“Thank you. You can put it here.” She indicated to one of the few patches of grass near the fire.

She actually sighed when she sat down on it. “Did you find any more food?”

“No.” Mackenzie couldn’t stand waiting any more. He had to do something. He tightened the shirt around his leg and returned to the plane. A circular glass panel in the cockpit winked in the sun and he kept his eyes trained on the light as he pulled himself toward it.