To Kill or Escape by Ryn Shell

Author:Ryn Shell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rural Lit Press

CRAMMING JOY

He crammed a childhood full of missed experiences into a week of carefree play. Colin and he ran, clambered and crawled in childish abandon. They explored everywhere they went on the five acres of wattle scrub-covered hills. Jarrah found all the natural springs, creeks and small clearings. He revelled in being unselfconscious and naked in the sunshine.

Gradually, he began planning how he could fulfil his desire to live here permanently. He needed to find work. He wanted to own this land. He did not want to remain a drifter in the town camp, forever at risk of being stolen and placed in a home again. He touched the worn hem of the boys’ home shorts. As he fingered the fabric, Colin interpreted the expression on his face.

“I’ll nick you some clothes,” Colin offered, in his casual manner.

“You will not.” Jarrah was concerned he might have offended with his sharp reply. “Thank you very much. I’m not against nicking things if you have to,” he quickly added. “I stole food while on my way home,” he explained. “I never even thought I was stealing. I was hungry and needed food.”

“Survival, mate,” Colin said. “Nickin’ things you need is different from nickin’ things you want. You need decent clothes.”

“Clothes are different from food.” Jarrah realised Colin might take a risk for him if he didn’t discourage him. He strove to hide his mounting apprehension. “I want to get a job, but I’m not sure where or how. Oh, I’ve worked hard before. Grown vegetables, took care of a dairy herd. I did the milking and fence maintenance.” He frowned. “I’m not sure now where I’ll be safe to go and ask for work.”

“You don’t have to work,” Colin said. “It’s safer for you to stay away from the town. Stick close to the camp. We take care of each other.”

“I’ll get work, Colin, because I’m going to take care of you, help keep you out of trouble; because, I need a friend, even if you don’t want one. Have we got a deal?”

“Deal,” Colin said. “Come on, let’s check out those tracks on the cliff.”

“I want to find the one that will get me to the big cave opening.” Jarrah pointed halfway up the escarpment.

“Cripes,” Colin said. “I’ve never climbed that high before.”

“I’m going to pick out a cave to be my home.” Jarrah gave a broad grin. “I’ll sit up there and be able to view the land I will own.” He climbed to the first cave opening and perched on the ledge, his legs dangling over the side.

“The land is up for sale.” Colin crawled along the narrow cliff ledge towards Jarrah and sat down to rest with him. “I saw the advertisement on the window of the corner store.”

“This lot we’re on is five acres.” Colin waved an arm and twisted to take in the vista. “This parcel of land takes in the hills and all that clearing with the stream, pools and the Dreaming Billabong.”

A horseshoe-shaped cliff surrounded the land.

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