Blood and Starlight by Nicole R. Taylor

Author:Nicole R. Taylor [Taylor, Nicole R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nicole R. Taylor

Lawson gripped the steering wheel of the stolen Toyota Hilux ute and glanced in the rearview mirror. The country road stretched out behind him, long and dreary as it carved a path between two large fields of recently harvested canola. The sun had already begun to set, making his perception of time shrink even further.

He didn’t feel great about pinching some poor person’s car, but it was the only way to get back to Targangil in time, and even then, he might be too late to help Grace.

He came to a four-way intersection just as he needed to turn on his headlights. A highway crossed the back road he’d been travelling, the emerald-green road sign pointing out the directions of the nearest towns and cities. Right to Bendigo, and north to Echuca. Checking for traffic, he went straight, cutting across the major road and into more farmland, knowing it didn’t matter which way he went, the drive would still take him at least nine hours.

Back roads were safer, especially if they suspected he’d go back to Targangil.

A shrill, rising sound broke through the droning of the radio and road noise. Lawson picked up the burner phone from the centre console, his anxiety rising.

Recognising Henry’s number, his heart forced itself into his throat. “Henry?”

“Lawson?” The old man’s breathing was laboured, and in the background, he could hear the distinct sound of sirens. “Got some bad news, mate.”

“What the hell is happening there? I can hear sirens.”

“They rammed my bloody car off the road. Wrapped it around a tree.”

“Shit.” He glanced at the darkening road, watching for kangaroos, who loved to throw themselves towards bright lights at dusk. “Are you all right?”

“That old piece of junk saved my life,” he replied, gasping. “It’s on fire, though. So is the paddock. They didn’t check to see if I had a pulse. Played possum. They thought the fire would take me out, bastards.”

“Sloppy, but you should take all the luck you can get.”

“The firies and the cops are almost here. Listen, Lawson, I was five minutes from the Atkinson farm. I warned her like you asked, but I don’t know if she got out in time.”

“How long ago?”

“At least fifteen minutes. I called as soon as I could.”

Lawson thought about calling Grace, but if they had her phone, they’d be able to trace his location. It might already be a risk talking to Henry.

“I can’t help anymore,” Henry went on. “I’m stuck. Ah, shit.” The sound of rustling and thudding footsteps echoed across the call, mingling with the sirens. “I’ve got to get out of here. Embers are coming down on the road.”

“Get yourself out of there,” Lawson told him. “I’ll go after Grace.”

“You think they got her?”

“Yeah, most likely.” His heart twisted. “And I know exactly where they’ll take her.”

“Be careful, kid.”

“You better be careful, too. When they figure out you’re still alive, they’ll try again.”

“Don’t worry about me, Lawson. I’ve got fifty years’ experience hiking the Snowies. They’ll never find me…but you’d better help Grace.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.