OUTBACK

• Sarah Baker, Grade 5
• Short Story
• 2022

Dawn breaks and I am woken by beige pictures and trickling sounds from all the colourful and miraculous birds in sight. As I enthusiastically get up and out of my bed I am sighted with the view of curled and boiled fences surrounding grassy fields, leading out into the unknown distant future. I am not aware of the creatures lurking within my path but as you know, I’m used to it. As I walk out the wooden door, I can see many holes of dirt surrounded by many panes of glistening gold. As I start my morning duties, I suddenly spin around seeing rain clouds lurking towards me. As I start sprinting my way back to the house to warn my family, I trip and dramatically fall as if I am leaping off a cliff “Ahhhhhhh.” As I get firmly back on my feet all I can see is darkness. I look up and all I can see are tiny specks of light as I start to panic. My heart beats at the rhythm of a train and I start calling. “Help, help.” But all I can hear in return are bolts of lightning and thunder coming towards me. I think to myself, ‘Is this really the end, what will happen?’ As I slowly move around, I place my hand on a circular object which feels as if it’s trying to cause utter danger towards me and the magical and mysterious sources hiding within these walls. I touch it as it flickers on like a snake about to prance at its pray. I manage to get it on and realise it’s a torch and I use it to my advantage to explore and all I call see is pastel glimpses. As I slowly pace myself around the unknown summer dirt, I suddenly feel a chill brush along my body as it makes me uncomfortable. “Shhhhhhhhh,” litres of gushing water rush into the hole. Dramatically I lose breath and swim my way to the top with all my might. As I tumble out, I lay there helpless and still as I take a big deep breath in, I close my eyes to pure darkness and flickering lights...