Bundaberg Writers' Club

Two and a half days away from the place Harry identified as the Jump-up Jess knew three things: being thirsty was the pits, cross-country had been a mistake, and maybe she should have picked somewhere less isolated to smash the truck's fuse box. But Harry had to know she wasn't the type to give up easily. She stood a while in the shade of a spindly tree. Another day should get her to the distant tree line. She shook the water bottle and considered at least wetting her lips. Nah. Time enough for that later. When she was a little more desperate. She laughed, scattering the crows, shouldered the backpack and headed out for the next clump of shadow.
The sun was edging towards the horizon when she saw the cave. Not so much a cave, she thought screwing up her face, more a niche in the rock that had provided shelter for multiple generations of wallabies, judging from the pawprints and old droppings surrounding it. She slid to the ground and shivered. Already the temperature was dropping, and she wondered briefly about the possibilities of a small fire before discarding the idea. Probably not safe, either way. Jess pulled the backpack towards her and folded her arms around it. A small smile played across her lips as she thought of Harry. Did he know yet? Had he twigged?