The locals laughed at me for trying.
It was almost a decade ago.
I’m stronger now, in more ways than one.
Let them laugh. Soon I'll be too far away to hear it.
If I can hitch a ride, that is.
My cuts and bruises will scare away the nice camping folk by the river.
The only other vehicles heading north are usually out of town contractors.
Maybe I’ll get lucky if one of them stops to fill their tank.
Gonna wait near the town fuel pump for thirty minutes or so.
After that, I’ll need to start walking before it gets too hot.
A thirteen or fourteen day walk to Longreach, I’ve calculated.
If I allow time to sleep during the day in whatever bush or shed I can find.
Hopefully a shed with a water tap.
I’ll walk at night, mostly.
The only torch I could find at home had a cracked lens and a jammed switch.
Too heavy to carry anyway.
There’s a waning gibbous moon tonight.
Not as bright as a full moon but it will do.
And the stars will keep me company, as they always do.
Best case scenario, someone kind will open their passenger door.
Hopefully by day three before blisters and dehydration get the better of me.
No matter what happens, I will not turn around.
I will never go back.
Because he meant it this time.
He’s going to kill me.
To walk back through that door would be a death sentence.
???
I sneak behind a bush to pee.
Not that anyone can see me out here.
I don’t want to draw any unnecessary attention.
