Roads End Chapter 3

The lump smashed into the opposite side of the car, the scrape of nails screeching on metal made me wince and grind my teeth together at the hateful sound.1

My cars head lights were still on and when the thing suddenly stopped and jumped around the front of the car, I nearly screamed.2

Until I saw what it was.3

A kangaroo. A freaking huge kangaroo starred into the blazing headlights of my car.4

That was when I realized the car was running creating a growling noise.5

I must have turned it on accidentally when I bolted in. I let out a sobbing shriek of a laugh and wrapped my arms around the top of the steering wheel and leaned my head against it, trying to calm my breathing.6

I was totally spooked. My heart racing at a hundred miles an hour, my palms damp and slippery.7

All over a fucking kangaroo.8

I calmed down slowly, breathing in, then out slowly, though I was still paranoid, looking over my shoulder ever thirty seconds as if I was expecting the Mulga Monkeys to begin dropping out of the trees.9

With a sigh, I straightened in my chair and began the drive up the blackened stretch of road. Again.10

I flew over several grids, narrowly missing yet another kangaroo and several sheep.11

The dull grey of a water tank near another, screened by trees and bushes, flitted in and out of my vision every now and then as I drove.12

Grid 15.13

16. 14

17. 15

18.16

I rounded a bend in the road as it led me through a hilly part of the area, high rocky slopes loomed over me and I swear... Yes! there it was, shinning down at me from high above was a bright moon...17

A red moon?18

It was burnt orange red, an effect that happened often when I was living on a station such as this.19

Dust from the dry plains and areas from other surrounding stations, sometimes rise into the atmosphere, creating a reddish haze over the moon... but it usually cleared up by the time it was half way up. 20

This one was at its height, and still glowing red.21

If I'd been the superstitious type I'd have said it was an omen, to turn around and run.22

But I'm not.. Just paranoid and with not an inkling of sense behind these two eyes apparently.23

Because I drove on (of course).24

20.25

I drove over the grid, slowing to let a mob of sheep move past when, with no prompt from me, they bolted.26

Oh sure, they probably would have run a bit if I'd moved the car a bit, given them a nudge, but this was different.27

They were running from something behind them as if they were being moved by station hands. Impossible on a night like this one.28

I turned my head to look behind me for my flask and just as I was turning back, a quick movement in front of me caught my eye.29

To fast to catch, I could have almost sworn it had been a huge dog.30

I looked down and shook my head. Stupid. 31

Sure some dogs got loose 'round here, but none on this side of the dog fence could be as big as a horse. 32

Probably just that.33

A horse.34

I chuckled to myself as I poured the coffee, shaking my head at my ludicrous thoughts.35

Come on. A dog as big as a horse?36

A quick spin of the lid closed the flask and I dropped it over my shoulder onto the floor behind me.37

I was about to start the car when I paused. Why hadn't there been a thump on the car floor when I dropped the flask over?38

Usually there is a rather loud thump though the drop was not more then a foot, but this time. Nothing.39

Not even a whisper, then I heard it.40

Breathing.41

I wasn't alone in my trusty little car.