Weird Bones

by Karen Goldrick

The boy they called Toad led him down the track and into the dense Banksias and … Jared didn’t know where they were going, just that they needed to find Mirage … whoever or whatever Mirage turned out to be. Toad seemed certain Mirage would help him find a way back.

Jared stumbled as his thongs, which had always seemed so useful on the beach, snarled and tangled every stick and stone. Toad wore bare feet. Perhaps he’d ditch them, but his Dad, if he ever found him, would be angry and lecture him on the waste of good money. It was hard to keep up as twilight swallowed Toad ahead, and the cicadas drowned out all other noise.

Eventually the track turned up and emptied them onto the beach. By this time it was utterly dark. Jared could hear the waves, but couldn’t make out the place where the sea meets the sky. Toad had turned right, and was sprinting through pale sand which squeaked with every step. After tripping over yet again, Jared tossed away his thongs, and ran after him.

Toad moved down the beach, where the sand was cool and firm, and much easier to run on. There was a shadow ahead, on the shoreline. Waves brushed its side.

Rocks.

No. Not rocks. The outline was of a boat, wedged between sand and sea. No matter how hard the waves pushed it wouldn’t move. Toad waited for Jared to catch up.

“Wait here.”

“No. I’m coming with you.”

“You’re too slow. We have to be back before tidefall. Wait here.”

“No.” Jared tried to slow his gasping and panting. “What about Mirage. Don’t I have to meet … him … umm … her?” He sat on the edge of what had been the port deck, clutching a stitch.

“I’ll find Mirage. You wait. If the Whendel come, you can hide underneath.”

“Who?” His breath came more easily now. He followed the line of Toad’s finger, pointing out to sea. Then he jumped. Lightening. Too far away to hear the thunder. Jared wasn’t usually scared of storms, but this time his heart raced and he felt his pulse thud in his ear.

“See.” explained Toad. ”... and …”

There were two storms. One, almost as far to the North as he could see, where forked lightning repeatedly stabbed the ocean. The other, due East, almost shadowlightening playing in the clouds. “They’re just talking. Having a chat. But if they fight, the Whendel will come.”

“They’re just two storms, and I’m not staying here if they come. I’ll get hit by lightening.”

“You stay here.” said Toad. “If Whendel comes, you hide.” and with that he was off.