Lost In Kakadu (33 page)

“Hey, Abi, where’s Charlie’s journal? I found some berries.”

She removed the leather-bound book from her pack.

“Find the antioxidant.” He sniffed the leaves. They smelled a little like cloves.

“Here it is.” She folded the book open.

Mackenzie laid the branch beside the page and compared the drawings and notes with the real specimen. The leaf was unmistakable with jagged edges that narrowed to a point, like a grape leaf. As described in the journal the berries were the same blood red colour and they were the size of a blueberry.

“I think this is it.”

“Are you sure?” Abi’s eyes glowed.

“Only one way to find out.” Mackenzie shrugged. He’d volunteered as the guinea pig for so many bush specimens he wondered if his chef’s palate would ever be the same. He plucked a couple of berries off the branch, tossed them into his mouth, winked at Abi and chewed. The leathery skin popped as he bit down and a sweet cranberry taste with a nutty overtone oozed onto his tongue. It was a pleasant surprise.

“And?” Abi asked.

“Well, I’m not dead yet.”

She thumped him in the shoulder. They’d debated a long time ago about testing new foods. Despite her reluctance they agreed that Abi would wait at least half a day after Mackenzie had eaten before she ate anything new. The wait would be difficult this time though as they’d eaten nothing but meat for many days.

“So what are we going to do with the eggs?” he asked, distracting her.

Her eyes lit up. “I don’t know, what do you think?”

“I think we should boil one first and see what it’s like inside.”

“I’ll help with the fire.” Abi built the fire like an expert, starting with kindling at the bottom and increasing the size of the twigs she piled on top. She ignited dried grass with the camera lens and the flames grew by the second.

Mackenzie threw a large log onto the crackling flames. He secured the water-filled bowl between two logs in the fire and assessed its stability. Bubbles soon developed at the edges.

The egg’s heavy weight seemed out of proportion with its size as he eased it into the tepid water. It bobbed up and down like a cork and he decided the longer it boiled the better. After about ten minutes, he used two sticks to fish it out, and then crushed the shell and peeled it away to reveal white flesh inside. “It looks like a normal egg.” He raised one eyebrow.

She licked her lips. “Slice it open.”

He cut into the egg and was surprised the middle looked just like a boiled chicken egg. “Holy shit, it looks okay.” Mackenzie had half expected to see a small reptile curled up inside. He picked it up and gasped at the rancid smell, like a combination of eggs and anchovies that’d been in the sun for days. “Oh God … that’s disgusting.”

“Let me smell.” Abi recoiled after a quick whiff. “Is it off?”

“I don’t think so, but it’s going to taste like shit. Bon appétit,” he said as he opened his mouth.

“No, wait. Let’s do it together. I need to eat something and if I see you gagging, I won’t be able to eat it.”

He saw the determination in her eyes as she reached for the other half.

“Ready … set … go.” The bitterness stung his tongue and the combination of the rubbery texture and overpowering fishy taste made his eyes water. His throat constricted. “That’s shit,” he said after he’d choked it down.

Abi’s face contorted and she held her hand over her mouth. He recalled the first time he made her eat a mushroom. She’d choked violently and then spat it out. Eventually she had no choice but to eat them and they were now a regular part of their diet.

Mackenzie fetched a water bottle. “We’ve eaten some pretty wretched stuff out here, but that takes the cake.”

Abi nodded, still struggling to swallow.

“I think I’ll make an omelette with the rest and we can imagine it’s combined with freshly smoked salmon.”

Abi’s eyes bulged as she finally swallowed. “Oh God, that’s disgusting.” She stuck out her tongue. White flecks were still visible. “Do you still think they’re okay?”

“Yep.” Mackenzie hoped he conveyed conviction in his voice. They needed this food and taste wasn’t a priority when it came to survival.

That night was the first in over a week it didn’t rain and despite the dreadful food still churning in his stomach, Mackenzie enjoyed a fitful sleep in the trees high above their private oasis with Abi curled up beside him.

* * *

Abi woke once again to a debilitating queasiness that had her on her hands and knees dry retching. Finally succumbing to the nausea that gripped her, she threw up. She sat back panting and Mackenzie’s gentle hands were comfort on her shoulders.

“You need a doctor. I think you’re really sick.”

The concern in his eyes was raw and true. Her chin quivered. Their love was so real, she didn’t want to spoil it but she couldn’t hide the truth any longer. She’d been suspicious for a few weeks, certain for a few days. The nausea, her continual exhaustion and sore, swollen breasts were undeniable signs. She was pregnant.

Mackenzie smoothed her hair. “It’s okay, honey. We’re going to make it. I know it.”

“Mack,” she said, tears spilling over her cheeks. The moment had come; she stared into his light brown eyes, anticipating his reaction. “I’m sorry, Mack, but I’m pregnant.”

His jaw dropped, his brow furrowed, his eyes pierced hers. “You’re pregnant? We’re having a baby?” He jumped up and spun in the air. “I’m having a baby,” he yelled into the surrounding trees. “Abi, oh my God. This’s amazing. How did you … when did you?” He pulled her to his chest squeezing her so tight she couldn’t breathe.

Overwhelmed with relief, she crumpled into his embrace.

“You’ve made me the happiest man in the world. I’d accepted that I’d never have children. A baby … we’re having a baby.” He pulled her back from his chest, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. Then his eyes lit up. “Show me.”

“Show you what?”

“Where the baby is … your pregnant belly.”

Delirious with happiness, she lifted her shirt and laughed as he eased her back onto the ground and his fingers glided over her still flat stomach. He then surprised her by pressing his ear to her smooth skin. “Hello my little bubby, it’s your daddy here.”

She cried tears of joy as she threaded her fingers through his hair. “Oh Mack, I’m so glad you’re happy.”

“Happy? I’m ecstatic. I just want to jump up and scream, tell the whole world.” And he did exactly that, dancing about the bushes yelling at the top of his voice. “I’m going to be a daddy. Me … Mackenzie Steel … a father. Woo hoo.” He punched the air with his fist, then he ran back to her and fell to his knees. A serious look crossed his face. “How many … how much?” He still couldn’t find his words.

She guessed his questions. “I think I’ve missed three or four, maybe five periods. I wasn’t really taking notice. I’ve never had to worry about birth control.” She dropped her eyes. “The day Spencer found out I was pregnant with Krystal, he made sure he’d never have any more children. Anyway … I guess I’m anywhere between three and five months pregnant.”

He held both her hands, fear showed in his eyes. “We need to move faster now. You need a doctor and the sooner the better.”

“I know.”

He wrapped his arms around her, kissed her forehead and looked into her eyes. “We’ll make it, Abi. All three of us.” He clenched his teeth, squaring out his jaw, and the look of determination in his eyes was the most powerful thing she’d ever seen.

* * *

The days, nights and weeks that followed were a whirlwind of grunt and determination, but the never-ending river continued to stretch out before them like an enormous umbilical cord. Abi succumbed to her tiredness and the hours they spent walking decreased dramatically. She was constantly hungry but they’d been fortunate with the discovery of Charlie’s Ozioxidant berries, as they gave her an energy boost she desperately needed. She chewed on their collection of the dried out fruit at every opportunity.

The river grew clearer with each day’s hike, fewer crocodile tracks were a welcome relief and Mackenzie continued to find food with an uncanny ability. One day they discovered a billabong where Mackenzie speared a foot long barramundi fish clearly visible in the water. Eating fish for the first time in months was like discovering a new sense in her body and Abi savoured every morsel of the white flesh. They devoured the entire fish in one sitting.

The scenery gradually changed again. They no longer had to navigate their way through unyielding shrubs. The landscape was more like an open savannah. The knee high grass was easier to push through, but the downside was the lack of shade and relentless heat. Mackenzie rubbed mud over their exposed skin to avoid crippling sunburn. They both resembled creatures from a B-grade horror movie when he was finished. Termite mounds as tall as Mackenzie and shaped like mud cathedrals dotted the area. In the moonlight, they looked eerie and haunting, like men in heavy robes walking through the field.

As the days turned into weeks, Abi’s stomach hardened, her fingers and ankles swelled and each night she had to elevate her legs to reduce the throbbing.

They continued to walk with the river on their right hand side and often risked a refreshing, albeit brief, splash in the water at the end of a hard day. They ate well as they travelled up and around many small waterfalls. Mackenzie expertly speared fish, frogs and eels in the rock pools at the bottom.

At the end of one hot afternoon, Abi heard a deep rumble in the distance and looked to the sky with trepidation. It’d been a couple of days since the last downpour and she preferred to sleep in a dry bed. She frowned at the scattering of white, fluffy clouds across the clear blue sky but the rumbling continued to gain depth and consistency. It wasn’t until she saw the light water spray in the air that she realised they were approaching another waterfall. Her anxiety was replaced with relief and she picked up her pace. One of the pleasures of following the river was stumbling upon a waterfall. They often used it as a rest stop and she likened it to watching a fire, as she could relax and stare at both for hours.

“This one must be a biggy!” Mackenzie read her mind.

An enormous bowl revealed itself below them. Abi stood at the top of the rocky ledge looking down into the enchanting scene. The river tumbled over a natural rock wall into a large pool about thirty metres below. The water then cascaded down yet another waterfall before it carried on in an aquamarine coloured stream that stretched as far as she could see.

“Looks like a nice place for a skinny dip.” Mackenzie raised his eyebrows at her.

“You’re on.” Abi melted at the thought of clean, fresh skin.

They navigated their way down the steep cliff by traversing along a narrow track and Abi wondered if the paw prints she noticed in the dirt were from a dingo. At the bottom, Mackenzie helped her over the last rock hurdle and onto a flat rock at the lagoon edge. The bottom of the pool was easily visible even though the water was an interesting aqua colour.

“It looks good,” Mackenzie yelled above the roar of the tumbling water. “Come on, get your gear off.” He tore off his filthy clothes and stood naked before her. She never tired of looking at his well-toned body. His physique was a work of art with sculpted muscles and flawless skin.

Abi stripped off. Her clothes fell in dirty clumps onto the rock.

Mackenzie stepped into the pool first, steadied himself and then reached up for her. She glided into the water and welcomed the embrace of the cool, refreshing liquid. The weightlessness was heavenly on her aching back and she stretched out, floating with her pregnant belly protruding from the water like an island. Mackenzie duck dived, briefly showing his white bottom cheeks before he disappeared beneath her.

She closed her eyes, letting the water wash away weeks of dirt and rejuvenate her weary body. Mackenzie popped up beside her spouting like a whale, and laughing, she splashed a wall of water over him.

“This is magic,” he said before he swam toward the waterfall and vanished in the cloud of fine spray.

Her rough hands were the perfect scrub for removing embedded grime and the return to clean skin was like a youth potion. She raised her left leg and marvelled at how long and dark her leg hairs were as she scrubbed her knee and calf free of sweat soaked dirt. A shimmering object on the side of the pool caught her attention and frowning, she swam toward it. Her eyes widened as she realised what it was.

“Mackenzie,” she called as she turned to where she last saw him. The moment he resurfaced she called out to him again.

He wiped his hair out of his eyes.

“Come here, quick.” As he arrived at her side, she pointed at the object.

“A can! Jesus, Abi, you know what this means? We’re nearly there.”

She grinned at him. This was the first sign of civilisation they’d seen in months.

“Yee haa,” Mackenzie howled as he splashed heavily into the tepid water.

But Abi didn’t share his excitement. She wasn’t sure if she ever wanted to be found. Although she’d welcome a hot shower and a soft bed, she didn’t want to go back to the pathetic existence she had previously called her life.

Mackenzie swam up beside her. “Excited?” His boyish grin was barely visible beneath his overgrown beard.

She shrugged her shoulders.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. It’s everything. I don’t know if I’m ready.”

“We’ll be all right.” He blinked at her, his eyes soft and caring.

She tried to lighten her mood. “But we’ll never skinny dip again.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Or be stuck wedged against each other in the middle of the night.”

“I bet we will. We’re so used to it now, we won’t be able to sleep any other way.”

Abi laughed. He was a master at looking on the bright side. “This is serious, Mack. We’re about to return to our previous lives. Lives with family and work and friends and … and I don’t want any of that. I just want you.”

“I know we’re going to have some serious readjusting to do but—”

“Readjusting? More like being reborn. Nothing out here has been real life. What if our love can’t handle real life?”