Forest Spirit. David Laing

understanding. ‘And did I hear right? The attendant mentioned something about Burnie. You going on to Tasmania?’

      Barely whispering, Jars explained. ‘I’m going to a place called Cray Bay, to live with my uncle and his family.’

      ‘Is that so? Mmm, I know of it. It’s a little fishing viIlage on the west coast, not far from the high country. Very interesting. Going to Tassie myself as a matter of fact. Close to where you’ll be living. I’ve got some business to do there. Might even get to Cray Bay.’ He chuckled. ‘You never know, our paths might even cross again.’

      Jars didn’t reply. Hoping that Lucky would take the hint, she leant back once again and closed her eyes.

      ‘What’s up?’ Lucky asked. ‘Somethin’ bothering you? Yep, I can tell. Your face tells me you’re a bit worried about something or other. I know ’cause I’ve been trained in that sorta thing, readin’ body language and all that. Part and parcel of my job.’

      ‘It’s … it’s …’ Jars opened her eyes and sat forward, then suddenly, without knowing why, she found herself telling Lucky what had happened to her. ‘I miss them,’ she concluded.

      ‘Miss them? You mean your family?’

      ‘My animals too. Who’s going to look after them now that I’m gone? I was the only one who really knew them – understood what they needed. I was the only one … the only one to – to …’ Her throat constricted and the words refused to come. She quickly turned away, resting her head on the window. She closed her eyes, hiding the sudden mistiness that had clouded over them. As she did so, Lucky placed a blanket over her legs. Soon, she slept.

      The rest of the journey was completed in a smoky kind of haze, as though she were half awake and half dreaming. The charging buffalo, the crash and the piercing screams, the blood and the calls of the cockatoos; all clumped together attacking her mind. The old man in the cave was there too – the ghostly figure with the strange words.

      ‘Boy, you can sure sleep,’ Lucky said when she opened her eyes. ‘You’re awake just in time, too. We’re about to land.’

      Jars rubbed her eyes. ‘Do you mean we’re in Melbourne already?’

      ‘That’s right. When we get there one of the flight attendants will take you to the Burnie departure area. I’d take you there myself except I’ve got to meet with somebody as soon as we touch down.’

      In the bustling airport, the world was a blur. With the help of the attendant, Jars found a seat in the waiting area. She sat and looked around. The clock on the wall told her it was 6.05 pm, and the lounge began to fill with other travellers. An overhead television was broadcasting today’s news.

      An hour later, the flight to Burnie was announced. Lucky appeared from nowhere. He helped her to her feet, then guided her towards the departure gate. He followed as she boarded the plane.

      At 7.35 pm, the plane touched down in Tasmania. She undid her seatbelt, rose and got into a line behind the other passengers ready to disembark. She wondered where Lucky was.

      ‘Wynyard at last,’ she heard a man say, and her stomach fluttered. Wynyard? How could that be? She was supposed to land in Burnie. Had she caught the wrong plane? Was she at the right airport? Her eyes darted from side to side; then she saw the sign through a window:

      BURNIE AIRPORT

      Relieved, she shrugged and eventually exited the plane. She took a deep breath. She had arrived.

      Jars shivered. The evening air was cold. Blowing on her hands for warmth, she made her way towards the airport buildings, a mixture of fear and excitement wrestling in her belly.

      ‘Jacinta, over here.’ The voice, a woman’s, came from a group of people standing near a doorway marked arrivals.

      Then she saw them, two adults whom she presumed were her aunt and uncle. They held a single sheet of cardboard in front of them, each grasping an edge:

      JARS KELLY.

      WLCOME TO TASSIE!

      As she entered the arrivals section where her aunt and uncle were waiting, she caught a glimpse of Lucky, who must have been one of the first to leave the plane. He was hurrying from the building with two men, one on each side. Both were dressed in grey suits and dark sunglasses. Through the glass exit doors, she could see that they were heading towards a clearly marked car. She frowned. Strange. Why would Lucky be leaving the airport with two police officers?