Book - Road Back to Kak

“Good.” For a moment she frowns, and when she opens her mouth to speak I am confused by her words. “We still headed to Kakadu?” Though I cannot physically experience open-mouthed shock, my metaphorical jaw drops. I hadn’t expected this kindness, and it takes me aback. I cannot fathom how brave this woman is. I am a hunted escapee whom everyone seems to think is dangerous, and yet Janine is volunteering to remain with me. I had expected her disdain – surely, no one would subject themselves to the danger I brought. A surge of happiness flows through me, an emotion I have scarcely experienced since I was taken away from my family. She offers me a nugget, which I gratefully accept. We eat in a comfortable silence – interrupted only by the shifting of the old Honda Civic - with the dusty road stretching far ahead of us. The scenic cloak of colour above us goes through its typical period of transition; the dark ochre fades to encompass all light, save for the bright piecing stars up above. We can’t see the road anymore, so the woman hits a button and the front of the car emits a solitary light. I also notice the sights changing; the buildings fading into bright orange rock slope and the smooth black road ending, turning into rocky and uneven terrain. With each twist and turn the vehicle belches clouds of dust, but the car smoothly manoeuvres the off-road terrain. We pull into a grove of trees. It should be familiar, but so much time has passed since the last time I was here. Everything seems deprived of life and debris towers above my family’s home. Janine and I exit the car, and its air conditioners poor attempt to regulate the afternoon heat. Janine begins pulling various tools from her boot. I can feel anxiety bubble up inside of me. My mother’s face is etched into my mind but what if they don’t recognise me? Making my way slowly through the dust, I look up to see four faces. I have no trouble recognising them. We slither toward each other in the underbelly of Kakadu and finally we are reunited, some of the last golden snakes in this area. Our silver heads nudge together in our growing excitement, and joy flows through me. At last I am home. Time seems so disappear and these years sink into the past.