The Gut Compass

							                        “The Gut Compass”



The blades of the chopper slowed such that Nick could greet Andy as he strapped himself

into the seat. “G’day Mate --- lift off.” Nick didn’t want to leave time for the yank

wanker to tag along.

“Beauty of a mornin” Andy yelled over the engine roar as they lifted above the crowd

gathered below. “Where to Mate?” Andy didn’t have to tell Nick that copters weren’t

much use for searching rainforests but he understood a necessary chance when a 4 year

old darling was lost.

“Gloucester Falls”. Nick’s gut was about as true a bearing as any compass. The hairs on

the back of his neck prickled whenever that Yank opened his mouth during the last 18

hours. He seemed pretty adamant about Gloucester Falls so his gut was pointing true

north right to it. It was beyond Nick’s way of thinking that a 6’4” man could come out of

the forest leaving a 4 year old behind but then again the tosser couldn’t follow simple

directions for safety so why was he surprised. Simple enough --- stay on the fuckin track.

“Ok Mate” Andy Windsor didn’t offer uninvited advice even though Gloucester Falls

was a bit away from where the searching had been for the last 12 hours. Nick Adams had

a stellar rep. Andy tried not to be too harsh on yanks but this story wasn’t helping his

opinion of them much.

Nick thought of the Mum sitting quietly on the veranda but looking determined that she

could cope with what came her way. Quite a contrast from the boisterous rantings and

sometimes near sobs of her partner……..the tosser. Kate Miller, the mum was a looker.
Dark shiny sleek hair just bobbed under at the shoulders and those sky-blue eyes grabbed

your attention as soon as she smiled which was so natural she couldn’t help it when she

had taken his hand to thank him for all being done.

Down on the ground, Molly stepped over one of those pipe looking trunks that turned up

toward the sky with the umbrella looking ferns growing out of it. She and her mom had

looked at pictures in the books all the way to Queensland Australia--- she couldn’t wait to

see kangaroos. Now she couldn’t wait to see her mom.

She thought she heard water trickling over rocks and turned toward the sound, ignoring

the thorns that sliced her short, chubby legs. She sat down, drinking as fast as she could.

She again heard the loud pounding sounds --- what were they? She’d been hearing them

off and on all night. She quickly stepped back and her hair got tangled on a low branch.

She wrenched it free, her panic having dulled all pain hours ago. The forest canopy

swallowed her as she sobbed and stumbled, repeatedly whispering to herself I will get

back, I will get back, I will get back.

As she backed up she bumped into something furry, Afraid to look she just turned and

trudged up the path. She could feel them following her as they had all night. They

seemed to be herding her this way and that. She felt less alone with them nearby even

though she hadn’t looked at them yet. All she knew was that big snake had slithered

away when the pounding noise had started.. She could feel it in her gut. That was a good

sign. The sun seemed to be shining brighter up ahead.

Nick panned back and forth looking for the impossible sight of a four year old girl

through the thick fauna. He pulled the picture out of his shirt pocket --- blue eyes like her
Mum, round little face with dimples and the same smile, dark hair --- he flashed it at

Andy who just frowned and Nick slipped it back in his pocket.

Andy Windsor had a 4 year old tucked away safe at home. He wouldn’t want him out in

Barrington Tops alone even though he’d already taught him about the dangers of

bushwacking --- best to leave the snakes, spiders and dragons be. Stay far away from

those stinging trees and while lillypilly red berries look good they are still bitter. That

last one was passed down from his Dad who thought it best to teach kids not to eat

anything in the bush because so much could be mistaken with something poison. It

would be a miracle – but a beauty of one if they could find this girl alive.

Nick spotted her in a clearing amongst the trees --- it was a sight like none other he had

ever witnessed. She was curled up on a rock, likely kept warm by the heat of it from the

morning sun and the rock was surrounded by 8 or so paddies --- his nickname for

Pademelons. They were standing there like sentinels guarding the princess asleep in the

tower. The paddies scattered hopping off as the copter touched down. His eyes were

moist as he picked her up and bustled her into it. He gave a big smile and thumbs up to

Andy. She was bleeding from scratches here and there and her dress was wet and soiled

but she didn’t whine, or cry or even say a word. She snuggled up against him and her

eyes said a big thank you.

Andy wiped his cheek when he saw the relief on the Mum’s face as she came running

toward the little girl. The wanker reached her first ---- he was screaming and moaning

and held the little girl who so far had been speechless out at arms length ----

Molly Miller spoke her first words loudly, clearly and so all could hear “I told you when

you left me --- I would get back!!!”
Nick shot the tosser a bullet piercing stare ---- his gut had been right. Fear filled the

wanker’s eyes and he began to back up as the crowd of men surrounded him.



Michele Allen

998 words




“