Ghost Bird

by Fuller, Lisa;

  ‘What? I wanted to get out?’

  ‘Mmm hmm,’ is her response. Great cousin that she is, she puts the car in gear and takes off.

  ‘So we’re goin fishin?’

  ‘Yep, but I thought we’d try a new spot this time.’

  ‘And Aunty Al knows about it?’

  ‘Ahuh,’ I mutter. ‘Didja, umm, tell Aunty about it?’

  ‘Nah, she’s down the pub tonight. Matt’s watchin the kids,’ Rhi states oh so casually, like she trusts her doughy younger brother with their siblings all the time. ‘So … if we’re goin fishin, where’s the gear?’

  I freeze. God, I am an idiot sometimes. I turn to look at her and she shakes her head at me.

  ‘I don’t know what I’m more disgusted with, that you’re gettin me into more trouble or how shit you are at lyin. I should take ya straight back ome.’

  ‘Come on, cuz, I need to get out there tonight,’ I plead. ‘Mum and Uncle Joe are in Dubbs, but we’ve only got …’ I check the car clock, ‘one and a half hours tops, before they get back.’

  She turns the car towards the aerodrome road and takes us up to the seating area there. Stopping the car, she turns to look me in the eye.

  ‘All of it, now.’

  I sigh. ‘I found something Laney was hidin so I called the Miller’s place but Sam got pissed and hung up on me. I thought I was screwed. But then he came and found me.’

  She fist-pumps. ‘I knew it!’

  I look at her strangely. ‘He told me May needs to see me and it’s tonight or never.’

  Her jaw drops. ‘Is that it? No secret tryst, no forbidden romance? We’re going out to meet a hot boy out in the middle of nowhere so you can talk to his ancient crone of an aunty?!’

  Slumping back, she bangs her head repeatedly against the headrest.

  ‘Ah, cuz, now I’m even more disappointed in ya.’

  I’m starting to get pissed off. ‘Will ya stop it with this me and Sam shit? I need to focus on my sister, you know, the one who’s been missing for almost a week? The one I’m havin nightmares about? The one who needs me and I’m not there?’

  It’s my turn to spin away from her. This scene has gotten a little bit more hysterical than I wanted. A tentative hand touches my shoulder.

  ‘I’m sorry, cuzzie, it’s just … you’ve always been the good girl. It’s been nice seein ya break a few rules and not worryin so much what the mob thinks.’

  I snort. ‘I’m not doin this for fun, Rhi.’

  Her hand squeezes. ‘I know. I’ll stop, okay?’

  I face her again. ‘Rhiannon Thomson givin up. I’ll believe it when I see it.’

  She laughs and hugs me. ‘Am I forgiven?’

  ‘Only if you forgive me for lyin about what we’re doin.’

  ‘Done!’ She leans back and we do a pinky promise. Rhi might be as mad as a cut snake, but she’s a solid-gold cuzzie.

  ‘But, Rhi, are you sure? We might actually get disowned for this.’

  Her face crinkles in thought, but she soon tosses her worry aside. ‘It is what it is, cuz, and you gotta trust your gut, just like Nan always said. They can’t be too pissed at us for doin what we were told.’

  It’s Rhi logic so I’m not too sure it’s sound, but I need the comfort.

  ‘Right now my gut says we ave to stop off and leave a note for your mum.’

  ‘Rhi—’

  She cuts me off. ‘Non-negotiable, cuzzie. The gut says we leave a note.’

  I sit in silence and sulk while she drives back to our house.

  Going fishing with Rhi at Tolderodden. Should be back before you get home.

  I stare at it for a second and my guilt makes me add: Sorry. T xo

  I slip back into Rhi’s car and try not to look at her.

  ‘We’ll be back before them, right?’

  She ignores my question and puts the car in gear.

  ‘Let’s away, to your clandestine meeting with an octogenarian where absolutely no romance is allowed with er hot nephew.’

  ‘Got a new word-of-the-day calendar, cuz?’

  ‘Shut up bitch, I’m expandin my vocabulary.’

  I bust out laughing.

  Bumping our way across open ground we follow the tracks. The headlights show only thigh-high grass all around us with distant shapes of trees. Good thing Rhi remembers the way because I’ve forgotten. I have zero sense of direction. She mumbles something like ‘good blackfulla you’ when I confess this and then drives us straight there. Or I hope it’s ‘there’. I have no idea.

  Seeing a bank of trees ahead is the first hint we’re closing in on the river. We come across a steep drop down towards the water. Below, a fire winks at us through gaps in the scrub and I relax. There’s someone here. It has to be them.

  Coming into an open space our lights fall on the Miller’s car first. Beyond that the fire beckons through the trees. I can make out two figures further back, spread out along the banks of the river, probably with fishing lines in hand. As we roll up I see Sam set up his line around a branch shoved into the ground, before going and helping May do the same.

  Sam gives me the dirtiest look while helping May hobble to the fire.

  ‘Wow, you weren’t kiddin, he is pissed. Did he say why?’ Rhi whispers.

  ‘Cos I called his house. He said I wanted im to get another floggin.’ I blush.

  ‘Well, that’s a bit fucked up.’

  She breezes past me and eventually I remember to follow. Shoving my hands in my pockets I walk up, keeping my eyes on May as Sam lowers her into a camp chair he’s set up. Once she’s comfortable he busies himself getting a billy on the go. It’s kind of awkward and words stick in my throat; never a problem with Rhi.

  ‘Hey, you mob, anythin bitin?’

  May smiles. ‘Not on the fishin line; although somethin’s bitin him on the arse.’ She tips her chin at Sam.

  ‘Yeah, this one too.’ Rhi copies the tip, aiming it in my direction.

  My finger goes up before I think about it, then I blush as the old aunty looks at me. She stares till I drop my eyes.

  ‘Hrmm, so ya came then. Nephew said ya wouldn’t, but I know ya been seein her still, ay?’

  I wrap my arms around my middle and move closer to the fire, despite the heat. I nod. ‘Bad nightmares, real bad.’

  Rhi shoots me a concerned look and settles down by the fire. We know how to listen, us mob.

  May nods again and stares into the flames. ‘They won’t let er go, not easy way. Ya find her soon and make them or they’ll keep er.’

  I gulp past my heart. ‘Who’s got er?’

  ‘No good to name that ere, girl.’

  ‘Then how’m I sposed to find her?’ My frustration flies out of me and I feel Sam’s glare amp up. Right, don’t yell around the crazy lady.

  The old lady gives me a long look. The light flickers in her cataracts, reminding me eerily of a cat’s. ‘Don’t be stupid, girl. Ya grandmother taught ya better, I know she did.’

  I’ve had about enough of this.

  ‘Look, either ya know who’s got er or ya don’t, but ya gotta stop the vague warnings. I need to be out there lookin for my sister!’

  Those old eyes watch me in disgust. ‘Forgot it all, didja? She’s not been gone that long. Poor old thing.’

  Rhi’s head tilts to the side. ‘You knew Nan?’

  ‘We were best friends once, me and her. Don’t they teach you kids nuthin?’

  ‘But … you’re a Miller.’ Rhi’s confusion mirrors mine, even Sam’s.

  ‘Ahh, that old bullshit. It never bothered us none, but she was there when they took me, hid like I told er to. Then my dear old dad …’ She seems to gasp past that point, like I’ve seen Pop do when forced to talk about Nan. ‘She got blamed cos I got grabbed and she didn’t. Cos she was alive and
whole, and me and Dad weren’t. People do and say stupid things when they’re grievin and I was too lost in darkness to help er.’

  I watch, fascinated, as tears leak out and over her cheeks. She doesn’t even seem to notice. A Miller crying for a Thomson, and they call her the crazy one.

  ‘Never got a chance to help er then, so I’ll help er granddaughters now, cos she’d ave helped me if she could.’ May eyes Rhi. ‘Spittin image ya are, girl, hurts and heals to look atcha.’

  Rhi’s face crumples and she ducks her head. I kneel and wrap an arm around her shoulders. Everyone says Rhi is as lovely as Nan. For months after the funeral Pop wouldn’t look at Rhi and it did something inside her. Seeing my strong cousin cry makes me defensive.

  ‘We went to Potters’ like you said. Bruises was all we got out of the trip.’

  She snorts. ‘Cos you weren’t lookin properly, stupid girl. Used your head, didn’t ya? Used ya logic and education and all that white man stuff.’ She turns and spits in the fire. ‘Never thought I’d see the day that Tandy’s girls would turn from their own ways.’

  ‘But, all the old fullas say not to go near that mountain. Ya want us to do things proper way, so shouldn’t ya be goin off at us?’ Rhi is as confused as me, but at least she isn’t hurting anymore.

  ‘Bah, old bastards thought that would keep the kids safe after what appened to me. Read it all wrong they did but wouldn’t listen to me. Oh no, I’m Mad May, you know.’

  The bitterness is so heavy it silences us all for a moment.

  ‘So … you’re sayin that I can go there. That Laney is there?’ Laney’s the only reason I’m here, I can’t get distracted from that, even if it is fascinating. I can’t help any of that, but I can help my twin.

  Her sharp eyes collide with mine and I feel the threat in them.

  ‘You can and she is. But so are they.’

  ‘Who? The Potters? I’ll risk it for Laney.’ I stand and hold my hand down to Rhi. ‘Come on, we gotta get to her.’

  ‘You can’t be serious?’ Sam is up facing me over the fire. ‘Ya know what they’re capable of and you’re still gonna go? Ya can’t be that fuckin stupid!’

  ‘What choice do I ave? The cops are takin too long, the adults won’t do it without them. My sister is dyin!’

  The words burst out and I admit aloud what I’ve been trying not to say to myself. That last dream cinched it. Laney is fading and I am desperate.

  Rhi takes my hand and stands. ‘You’re the one said ya didn’t believe in this anymore. Why now?’

  ‘I don’t know, Rhi, cos what came to the back door last night?’

  ‘No girl, cos you know it. You feel it.’ May nods at me from her seat. ‘White man’s logic won’t help you in there, only ya instinct. Follow it to ya twin and you’ll make it.’

  ‘Aunty, you can’t seriously be tellin her this,’ Sam yells. ‘What if she ends up dead – or worse?’

  ‘And what wouldn’t you do for your brothers, son?’ May looks at him till his gaze drops.

  ‘Well, I’m goin too!’ Rhi jumps in.

  ‘And me.’ Sam’s quiet reply has us all staring.

  ‘I thought you hated me.’ I frown.

  ‘Yeah, but I don’t want to see you dead and I don’t mind Laney.’ He shifts around on his feet while Rhi casts me a knowing glance. I roll my eyes at her.

  ‘Do what you want, but I’m goin.’ I spin on my heel and head for the car.

  ‘Hang on, Tace, I need to get Aunty back home first!’ Sam yells at the same time Rhi calls, ‘Let’s have a cuppa and hash out a plan. I don’t wanna get jumped again.’

  But I need to move. I am terrified and if I don’t start now I might let it freeze me in place. The look May shot me said she knows what is waiting. I feel phantom claws brush my chin and shiver. If I think about it too much I might never go back.

  ‘Come on, Rhi, let’s go. Sam, you can follow us out there if you want, but I need to go. Now.’

  Stepping out of the fire’s light I walk to the car and stand beside the passenger door, my back to them. Clenching and unclenching my fists, I fight my fear and my tears. I keep hearing Laney’s screams. I can’t leave her there any longer. A blade of grass tickles my ankle and I scratch it with my foot. When the tickling moves to both ankles, tightening a bit, I look down expecting to see grass, weeds or even fishing line caught around them.

  Hands?

  A wrench and I go flying backwards onto my arse. I barely choke out a sound as they yank me under the car. I try to hold on, but everything is torn from my grip. I try to kick, but they’re too strong. I’m being pulled out the other side of the car into the long grass.

  ‘Rhi!’

  Yelling and running feet. Flashing light fading. Darkness and grass. Flying past. Rocks knocking out breath. Scraping. Still I’m struggling.

  ‘Sam!’

  And he’s there. Grabbing my hands, pulling me. He holds on as the hands on my ankles tighten, hurting. I don’t look. I can’t look. Oh fuck. I stare at his face. His horror tells me everything. It feels like they’re pulling me in two.

  ‘Don’t let go,’ I beg.

  He grits his teeth and holds. Rhi is there. Arms around Sam. They pull and pull. I cry out in pain.

  ‘Fuck off you pricks!’

  May.

  The old girl runs like one renewed. Firestick in hand she dashes in. My captor lets go as the light touches us. A screech of pain, but not one that comes from a human throat.

  ‘The fire!’ May cries.

  We haul arse back to the camp. Sam and Rhi have to carry me, I can’t seem to get my legs to unlock.

  Back in the light, they lower me down. Rhi pulls my shaking body into a hug as Sam crouches to check my ankles. They feel bruised, but I’m too scared to look. I felt something cutting.

  Harsh breathing is the only sound for a while.

  ‘She’s okay,’ Sam declares. ‘Ya just need a bit of Savlon. I got it in the car.’

  ‘No!’ I grab him by the shoulders. ‘No. Don’t go near the dark.’

  ‘It’s okay, Tace, it’s just there.’ He points to his car, which is closer than ours. I swear I see something moving under it where the light can’t reach.

  ‘She’s right, stay in the light. They’re ere for er, but they’ll use one of us to tempt er closer.’ May’s voice is trembling. She drops beside us, looking worn out.

  ‘Are those …’ Rhi’s voice came tiny and afraid.

  ‘Don’t say it!’ Sam hisses, jumping to his feet. ‘Just don’t name it. We’ll wait them out, that’s all.’

  I’m watching the shadows, trying to see into them. Firelight dances almost playfully, stretching over dirt and grass, except for our shadows. Lifting an unsteady hand I point at Sam’s shadow, long and thin reaching out beyond the light. Something moves.

  I shriek as May grabs Sam’s hand and yanks him to the ground. Whatever was there spits and screeches like an angry possum. A flash of movement and it returns to the shadows. A glimpse of limbs and hair is all I get. It’s enough.

  ‘Stay down!’ May whispers.

  We all turn and check our shadows. They’re way too close to the edge of the light. Shapes shift everywhere the light doesn’t reach.

  Sam hunches over my ankles again, hiding his face.

  ‘How much wood did you collect?’ I ask, knowing the answer. They hadn’t expected to camp the night.

  His scared eyes meet mine. ‘Not enough.’

  ‘Why are they doing this?’ Rhi whimpers.

  My seated position is pushing something into my right bum cheek and I remember why I wanted to see May in the first place.

  ‘I found something in Laney’s room. A necklace.’

  Shifting to reach the pocket, I dig around till I grab it. I pull it out, undo the tie and drop the necklace into my hand. As the pend
ant hits air, a howling rolls around the camp. Many voices, all of them sounding like women screaming in the dark.

  ‘Put it away!’ May shouts.

  I don’t ask questions, just shove it back into my pocket, not bothering to use the bag. The howling stops, but the shadows are moving faster now.

  ‘Ya just showed them. Ya have it. We have it.’

  ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t know.’

  May tucks herself into a tight ball, rocking backwards and forwards in a way I’ve seen traumatised people do on TV. Sam crawls over to her and wraps her in his arms. She shudders but doesn’t relax.

  ‘They come after you, they don’t stop once they know, once you’ve touched it,’ she mumbles and it becomes an uncontrollable storm of words.

  Rhi slips her hand into mine.

  I look up to find Sam glaring at me over May’s head. ‘What didja do?’

  ‘Me?’

  ‘She said they want ya, we all saw it. So what didja do, Tace? They don’t come after people like this, not so openly and not for nuthin. So what’d you do?’

  ‘I didn’t do anythin. I’ve been at home for God’s sake, bein a good girl … I mean there was Potters’, but we all went there. I, I only found it, I didn’t take it!’

  ‘Neither did I, but they’ve been tormentin me ever since, just for touchin it. They can’t torment the one who took it, he’s long dead, so they go after the ones who touch it. Who know of it and don’t return it.’

  ‘That’s not fair!’

  ‘Neither is bein driven mad for sixty years!’ May shouts again and all goes quiet. Even the night seems to still.

  ‘But they said those whitefullas …’ Sam’s voice interrupts our match. He looks sadly at his aunt. ‘They said those whitefullas did this to you.’

  May’s fragile hand reaches up and cups his cheek. ‘They did. One of em had a wife, got her jewellery made up from local stones as a present, to show off his money. My old dad tried to warn im, but he wouldn’t listen. He cursed that poor woman into an early grave. But instead of takin them things back, instead of fixin his mistake, he punished Dad for bein right by stealin me. Made me touch it, wear it while he—’