Chapter Fourteen
Aftermath
Diggers Cave — Night
Ext. Diggers Cave — Night
A large number of Feelgood’s people gather in quiet clusters outside Diggers Cave.
Feelgood stands with his back to the cave entrance, surveying them.
The rain begins to ease.
As moonlight cuts through the thinning clouds, figures emerge—flickering like ghosts.
Small fires spark from the darkness, one by one, dotting the wet earth.
The mob grows.
Men, women, and children begin painting their faces and bodies with ochre and ash.
Deep resonant didgeridoo sounds vibrate across the landscape, followed by the sharp click of rhythm sticks.
Shadows start to move around the fires, feet stamping in sync, voices rising in slow, hypnotic chant.
Feelgood turns to Budya.
Feelgood
I need to tell him.
Budya nods. She lays a hand gently on Juba’s shoulder.
Feelgood
Juba. You’ve heard the stories—sat through a thousand yarns with us old buggers. Campfire stuff, passed down from wrinkled hands and fading teeth.
He almost smiles.
Feelgood
But we didn’t tell you everything. Not the whole truth. Marwen said… his return was a mistake. And now only one of us can fix it.
Juba nods once. His face is unreadable.
Juba
I saw the signs. Kutji spirit. Kestrel. Willy willy.
Feelgood
Then you know. You’ve got a job to do.
He leans closer.
Feelgood
Son, you’ve got Marwen’s blood. You’re the line. Except for me, the last of it. But… there’s something else.
Juba
What?
Feelgood
The moon-creatures could’ve gone with either of you. But your brother—he’s already poisoned the blood.
Juba
What brother?
Feelgood
(long pause)
Fleabag.
Juba
That’s not… we’re not…
Feelgood
Same line. Where you learned balance, he learned to burn things. Spirit’s there, but twisted.
Juba
So it has to be me?
Feelgood
(soft)
Yeah, boy. It has to be you.
Juba
(wide-eyed)
How?
Feelgood
Marwen left one last message. He said—wait for Vash. Then…
Juba
Like Marwen did?
Feelgood
But Kutji knows something we don’t. Might not be all bad.
Juba
(shivering)
I get it. Can I see Danny first?
Feelgood
Course you can.
He turns to Budya.
Feelgood
Budya, take him to the lighthouse. We’ll follow up later.
Outside, the chanting builds—louder, urgent, spiralling toward something bigger than anyone can name.
End of Chapter Fourteen