Camp established, the family enjoyed a chicken stew cooked in their camp oven suspended over an open fire; easy to prepare, easy to cook, easy to clean up, and with the right soup base, a family favourite. Dishes done, they all settled down to their coffee, tea or hot chocolate, depending on their fancy for the night. Bob went to the back of the Prado and pulled out his guitar, a must around a campfire in the bush, one of their favourite activities.

After two songs Tim piped up, ‘What are we doing tomorrow?’ to no one in particular.

Kate looked at Bob before answering. ‘Your Dad tells me the country around here has hills and caves, some of which have Aboriginal paintings. My suggestion is we do some exploring, what do you think?’ Her question was aimed more at the kids than Bob. The two of them had discussed the possibilities earlier and thought the kids would probably go for it.

‘Yay,’ said Tim. He was tired of being cooped up in the car for long periods of driving. Jessica just smiled and nodded. She wanted to explore as well.

‘Kate glanced at her watch. ‘Another 20 minutes, then clean your teeth and it’s off to bed.’ Everyone agreed. It had been a long day and bed was starting to sound good. By 1030, everyone was in the sack.

Bob burst out of his sleeping bag. ‘What the hell was that?’ He hurriedly grabbed a torch, put on his runners and went outside the tent to look around.

Kate joined him. ‘What do you think it was?’

Bob glanced at his watch, 0215. ‘Dunno. It was a loud crack, but I couldn’t work out where it came from.’ They both scanned around the campsite, but nothing was obvious. ‘It could have been rock movement, or maybe even splitting, as they do over time, a branch falling? We’ll have a better look in the morning. Everything seems ok here.’ Kate agreed as they made their way back to the tent.

 

 

 

Add more dialogue to match the intended actions plotted below.

 

Hike planned for the day to the top? of one of the peaks. Path seen day before on drive in. Meal and relaxing night around campfire playing guitar, telling stories and jokes. All to bed. Bob woken by loud crack during night. Using torch tries to find cause but no success.

 

Morning Bob investigates and finds first campsite they abandoned covered by fallen tree. Injury, if not death, could have resulted.

Warnings by Thomas and Maude take on greater significance. *Totem treated with respect. Kate looks up Aboriginal folklore and discovers *significance of this totem*. It was given to Jessica. She should keep it on.