Ted's Outback Mission

• James Thompson, Grade 8
• Short Story
• 2017

I was on top of a mountain, I was just thinking, and then...
I was running down a mountain being chased, I did not know by who, or what! I was running as fast as I could, all I could smell was smoke. I saw our house in the distance, it looked like our house was covered in flames.
My mum was yelling out “Ted, Ted, Ted!” I could barely see her. I turned to see if I was still being chased but could not see anyone.
When I finally arrived at our house, it was just the frame burning to the ground. My mum, Alicen, was crying. This house was all we owned and my mum and I lived on a very small income. I knew that this fire was set on purpose and I needed to know who did it.
I set off to find clues with my dog Anker and later found myself in central Queensland. I walked into a bar and saw a man with a black coat. I sat down and as he handed me a drink he said, “Nice dog.” I said, “Yeah, his name is Anker.” We started talking about how my house when set on fire. The stranger said that there has been a gang of arsonists going through the country, “The gang is Townsville” said the stranger, “I will help you.”
“Sorry, I am Ted,” “I didn’t catch the name.”
“Taipan Pete.”
“When does the next train come to town?” I asked.
“I am going on the next train, it will be here in an hour, will show you around.”
“Ted, Ted, Ted!” he yelled, “we are in Townsville.” I slowly opened my eyes and saw Pete starring right in front of my face. “We are here,” said Pete as I was sitting up.
“Okay, where is that gang?” I said as I felt like I wanted to crush them.
“They are probably at the pub.”
“I will meet you there,” I said to Pete. “You go and get the Police.”
As I got to the bar, it was creepy. I walked over to the bar tender and asked, “Have you seen a gang of arsonists in town?”
The bar tender looked up and whispered, “If you want to accuse people, go somewhere else.” As I walk out, a guy followed me.
He said, “That gang is sitting in the far left corner of the bar.”
I turned to say thanks but he was gone. When Pete arrived with the Police, I showed them where they were sitting. The Police had evidence so they could arrest them right away. I thanked Pete and wished him good luck in his journeys.
Went I got back home my mother was waiting for me. When she saw me she was crying out, “Ted, Ted, Ted!”
I said to my mum, “I’m happy to see you and we can build a new home with the reward money of one million dollars.”