The Red Centre

Words 1000


‘Oh, my God, Sylvie! We’re actually here at Uluṟu. Can you believe it?’

Sylvia shivered despite the afternoon heat. ‘It’s spooky, isn’t it?‘

‘There’s definitely a presence, it feels almost spiritual.’ Dot agreed. She took Sylvia’s arm and tucked it in hers. ‘It’s been great doing this trip with you. I’d have never dared done it by myself.’

‘I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’ She gave her old friend a hug. ‘Now, we’d better get ready for tonight’s experience.’

‘I’m excited to know what’s on the menu.’

‘There’s sure to be some kangaroo and crocodile. I hope so anyway, we’ve not come all this way from Texas to eat beef.’

🦘🦘🦘

Sylvia and Dot joined the rest of the tour group for what they hoped would be the highlight of the trip. A dinner under the stars at Uluṟu. A once in a lifetime experience blending the raw majesty of the Australian Outback with culinary indulgence.

The coach was filled with excited laughter and chatter which gradually quietened as they reached their destination. Leaving the coach, the group, which comprised of mostly seniors, were led to a viewing platform situated to take advantage of the sweeping views of the iconic rock.

The group stood in awe as the sun dipped below the horizon. Uluṟu, bathed in a kaleidoscope of crimson and gold, took their collective breath. Long shadows cast across the rugged landscape and endless desert.
Dot spoke softly. ‘Arthur and I were supposed to do this for our Golden Wedding Anniversary.’ She raised her champagne glass to the heavens, ’I can die happy now.’ She wiped away a tear before managing a rueful smile. ‘Come on, Sylvie, let’s eat!’

🦘🦘🦘

‘Look, a shooting star!’

Sylvie swiveled in her chair, mid-bite of her dessert, and searched amongst the millions of celestial bodies. The inky blackness of the night sky, a perfect foil for star gazing, took her breath away. ‘This is unbelievable, Dot. Who could have imagined so many stars?’

They’d almost finished the wonderful meal, the haunting sound of a didgeridoo and dingoes howling in the desert adding to the magic, when a sudden guttural bellow shattered the peace.

Dot grabbed onto Sylvia’s arm. ‘What was that?’

Everyone seemed to pause to listen for what might come next.

Sylvia’s spoon clattered on to her plate, the sound unnaturally loud in the sudden silence. Her heart thudded in her chest as she listened intently. She didn’t have long to wait. A second primeval roar, closer, louder, angrier, shattered the silence.

All eyes looked to the tour guides for reassurance. The momentary silence suddenly filled with chatter, everyone seemed to speak at once, speculating as to what animal could have made that sound.

Tom, an indigenous ranger, stood by the campfire. Sylvia and Dot left the table and went over to speak to him.

‘What was that, Tom?’ Dot noticed the troubled look on his young face and knew this wasn’t normal. ‘Could it be an injured animal? Dingo?’

‘It was probably just a kangaroo.’ His voice held a tremor, ‘or a fox.’

Sylvia whispered to Dot, ‘A kangaroo doesn’t scream like that!’

Tom shone his powerful torch into the darkness outside of the camp site, it highlighted dry clumps of spinifex and a stand of straggly eucalypts.

‘There! Did anyone see that?’ someone shouted.

Tom swung the light and caught a glimpse of something moving rapidly between the trees. ‘Everyone, stay where you are!’

The didgeridoo music had long since stopped, there was no sound other than Tom’s boots crunching on the gravel. No one moved. People shone their phone torches where the figure had been seen.

The roar came again, deep, guttural, feral and menacing, but it now came from behind them. Everyone turned to the sound. There, in the light of the torches, it stood. A giant kangaroo, at least eight foot tall, impossibly muscular, its chest broad, scarred and bloodied. Mean red eyes shone, saliva dripped from the open mouth from which razor sharp teeth glistened in the firelight.

The group froze, unable to comprehend what stood before them. Tom suddenly yelled out, ‘Run!’

Everyone scattered, terrified screams tore through the desert night as they attempted to escape the angry beast.

Dot grabbed hold of Sylvia’s hand and they began to run unto the darkness.

‘Where are we going?’ Sylvia gasped as they ran as fast as they were able on the rocky ground, stumbling in the utter blackness.

‘Anywhere but here!’ her friend gasped, before the realisation hit her like a punch in the gut. They were running blindly away from the safety of the campfire into the domain of the monster.

Sylvia screamed as her foot twisted on the rough terrain.

‘Get up! ‘

‘I can’t. I think my ankle’s broken.’ She sobbed.

‘Shh, it’ll hear you.’ Dot knelt beside her friend in the dirt. ‘Listen.’

A loud rythmic beat reverberated through the warm, red earth.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

‘It’s getting closer!’

Boom. Boom. Boom.

From out of the darkness came sounds neither woman wanted to hear. Screams and wet crunching sounds. They huddled together, their hands over their ears, eyes tightly shut, cringing, expecting the worst at any second.

‘Oh my God. Oh my god.’

‘Shh, Dot! It’ll hear you!’

Boom. Boom. Boom.

‘It’s coming closer!’

‘Shhh.’

‘I can’t stand it! I can’t just sit here and wait to be killed!’

Boom. Boom. Boom.

‘Dot! Sit down!’

‘I’m sorry Sylvia!’ She sobbed as she ran into the darkness.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Panicked, Dot fell time and again. Unable to get to her feet she crawled, until exhausted, she closed her eyes.

🦘🦘🦘

A sickening smell roused her. Elongated feet, gnarled, cracked skin, coated with blood and gore, inches from her face. Her eyes travelled up the massive legs to where a huge pair of swollen testicles dangled above her.
The last thing Dot saw were long, curved claws, glistening with blood, before they ripped off her face and disemboweled her in one savage slice.








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