Chapter Two
The Boys
Outside Cactus Loop, Arnhem Land — Present Day
Ext. Diggers Cave Area — Day
Same red rocks, now weathered by 10,000 years.
The ancient cave entrance gapes.
Danny Marshall (16, chubby, determined) riding a rusty mountain bike, skids to a halt outside the cave.
He gets off and stands, looking at the entrance like it wasn’t there a moment ago.
He looks back to see his friend Juba jog in, breathing heavily from his run.
Juba
(hands on his knees as he catches his breath)
What are you staring at? Seen a ghost?
Danny
Feels different. Like something’s waking up.
They both stand a while.
A small twister hurries by. Dust plasters them.
Juba
’Bout time. I’ve heard stories.
Danny
Let’s get the gear outta the cooler.
Juba
Yeah. Tide’s almost up.
Juba takes off.
Danny
Hang on!
Danny huffs after him, catches up, slaps Juba’s head as he lumbers past.
Juba
(laughing, easily passing Danny)
Race ya!
They sprint toward an outcrop of rock.
Lines are cast. Shoulder-to-shoulder they sit.
Juba
Know what? This melted-lookin’ rock we’re sitting on is the oldest in the world.
Juba
Older than the world, actually.
Danny
How can it be older than the world? That’s just plain dumb.
Baitfish jumps in unison. A tern slaps the water. They watch in contented silence.
Juba
Probably a meteorite. Came here from outer space. That’s what I heard from my uncle Feelgood.
Danny
Cripes. He’d know. He’s older than the world and all the planets put together. Must be at least forty. Imagine being that old?
Juba
(tiny smirk)
Yeah. That’d be about right. Hey, you asked Kirsty out yet?
Danny
(looks daggers)
Shut up, will ya?
Juba
(gently slaps Danny on the back of his head)
Bruce will beat you to it, and he’s thick as a plank.
Danny
(mumbling)
She’s up herself anyway. I got better things to do. Like this.
Juba
That’s the truth.
Danny yanks his line. A fish flashes through clear water.
Juba
(excited)
Got yourself a bloody beauty!
Danny lands the fish, unhooks it and hands it to Juba to kill and clean.
Danny
We’re sleeping at the cave tonight.
Juba
Yup. Gonna cook this little beauty and have a feast. How’s your old lady?
Danny
(shrugs)
She’s doing okay. Mopes around a lot. Bugger all anyone can do about it.
Juba
(arm punches Danny)
Listen, Danny. I ain’t got a dad either. And you’ve got me, okay?
Danny
(to the sea)
What, like a dad?
Juba
(huffs)
You know what I mean. Dork.
Danny
Don’t like thinking about all that shit. You know. How he croaked.
Juba
Topping yourself takes a lot of spunk, Danny.
Danny
Try telling that to an empty chair. He was a bloody coward. Leaving me and mum like that. I hate him.
They wait in silence as the sun drops over the horizon.
Juba
Look at that moon. Gonna be a big one tonight.
The boys stay quiet for a while.
Danny has his eyes downcast as he harbours a frown.
Directly ahead of where they sit, the sky appears to split open.
Mouth agape, Juba looks up.
Danny hasn’t noticed.
The presence, shrouded in a light mist, hovers nearby.
The air shimmers like heat haze.
As Juba studies it, reality bends inward, creating a lens effect.
Its surface ripples between states: liquid mercury, crystalline facets, something that might be living tissue.
It doesn’t have edges—it has suggestions of edges.
It is deathly silent.
Juba nudges Danny with his elbow.
Juba
Danny, I want you to slowly look ahead. And don’t panic, ok?
Danny quickly lifts his head and there in front of them, not twenty meters away is the alien presence.
In one rapid movement, Danny gets up and runs as fast as he can to the cave entrance.
He hides and peers out.
Juba just sits there as the strangeness dissipates.
Danny
Far out!
Juba
That was no aeroplane.
Danny
(from cave entrance)
What do we do now chief?
Juba
We don’t tell anyone. You got that? This is sacred business.
Danny
Sacred my arse. I’m gonna tell everyone.
End of Chapter Two