Lost In Kakadu Read Online Free PDF Page B

the nose of the plane, now crushed to about a third of its normal length. The smell of petrol fumes caught his attention and he saw a small drop of amber liquid drip from the metal and land in the red dirt where it was quickly absorbed.
    “Get me a water bottle, will you?” He heard Abigail’s steps moving away as he inspected the undercarriage. One of the wheels was completely destroyed with the rubber dangling off it like an old muddy sock. The other was miraculously intact.
    When Abigail returned she thrust a water bottle in his face.
    He jumped back. “What’s your problem?”
    “Why are you allowed water and not me?”
    “I don’t want the water.” He pointed at the leaking petrol. “I want to catch these fuel drips.”
    “Oh.” She diverted her eyes.
    “Drink as much as you want. I need an empty bottle.”
    She removed the lid, wiped the rim on her shirt and then gulped down a third of the water before she handed it back.
    Quickly finishing the bottle, he lined the bottle opening up under the drips. “Can you hold this here to catch these drips?”
    He moved back and Abigail crouched down and took the bottle from him. Mackenzie ran his fingers around the cargo door, but knew it was pointless. “It’s jammed shut. We’re never getting in there.”
    Backing away from the plane, he looked up at Rodney. His handsome features were now contorted into a ghastly Halloween mask and Mackenzie crumbled at the sight. He tore his eyes away. Through the trees, he noticed the sky turning slate blue and realised it would be dark soon. We need a fire .
    Eucalyptus and petrol smells filled the air offering up an idea. He walked to the cases and emptied out a toiletries bag. Abigail was concentrating on catching every dribble when he returned to the undercarriage and dropped onto his hands and knees.
    Abigail jumped back. “What the hell are you doing?”
    “Shit, lady, what’s wrong with you?” He glared up at her. “I’m just collecting the dirt covered in petrol.”
    “Oh. You startled me.”
    He scooped handfuls of wet dirt into the toiletries bag and carried it back to the bags. For the umpteenth time he listened for a plane, or any sign he was about to be rescued. But it was silent, too silent. He shook his head and reached for a black canvas bag that was labelled Toni Walker and smiled as he removed a lighter soon after.
    Scraps of paper were everywhere. He gathered a small pile and a collection of sticks along with a huge branch. It appeared to have been broken off in the collision as its shredded end still beaded amber coloured sap. The fuel laden dirt was a perfect fire starter that he sprinkled in a circle. He flicked the lighter and soon the fire was so big he had to move several steps back.
    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