Echoes in the Woods by Georgina Scott (ebook reader web txt) 📕

kept deteriorating with cleanliness and smell over time. Luckily, Mary and Mac thought of everything and had a chemical toilet.

It was 10:45 am by the time they found a spot to make camp. They chose an area where it was easily accessible to the river, no steep banks. It had a little beach to access the water, which made it easy for the canoes and kids to enter and exit the water without any dramas. It also had privacy and shade, it was the perfect spot.

As Mary and Mac set up camp, Ella and Jake went to explore. They played and swam in the water, and when they weren’t playing and swimming in the river, they had lots of fallen logs and bush land to play, making up imaginary games and friends.

“Ella, Jake, come on, we are going for a walk,” Mac called out. Both of them came running towards him, laughing. “Get your hats, and put on your ruck sacks. Make sure you fill your water bottles,” said Mac. Mary put together some wildlife spotting sheets. They split into pairs, boys against girls. The boys went ahead but not too far, just so they couldn’t hear each other’s answers.

The girls decided that they weren’t very good at spotting and naming birds and insects, but were okay on fish and mammals. The boys, however, were a lot better at spotting and named everything on the sheets. Once they had finished and the kids started to lose interest, Mary took the sheets and placed them in her rucksack so she could tally up later on who are the winners and who are the losers, which come with a forfeit and the winners get a prize.

Meeting back up, they continued for another hour before deciding to turn back. Ella and Jake held each other’s hands on the way back, laughing and joking. Mary and Mac hooked each other’s arms and walked behind, “What do you think Mac, are those two made for life?”

“Who knows, they have a lot of growing to do yet.”

“Well, I think they make a cute match.”

“They are only twelve and eleven, behave woman! Anyhow, he has a long way to go; he still hasn’t opened up about what happened on the farm.”

“It’s only been six months Mac; he is still bottling his feelings up. He is still bedwetting, three days out of seven now, I am not going to make a fuss of it. He knows we are here for him and he will open up but in his own time. We have to give him that.”

“I’m still very angry with Faith; how could she allow this to happen. It’s been six months and no visit. Yes, she phones him every day. At least she kept her word on that!”

“Yes, I agree with you there. Do you think there is something in it with what they said about Jake not being right?” said Mary.

“Not sure, but I do believe Matthew. That boy is too old for his own good.”

“Well! I have been watching Jake, checking his room and stuff and I see no signs of anything for us to be alarmed about. Maybe he was killing things to release the tensions and frustrations. I mean let’s face it; he was being beaten, violently badly beaten. He had no one to turn to and we don’t know how long it has been going on and to what extent. Give him time Mac!”

“I’m afraid, now that Jake has been removed from the farm; I have dread in the pit of my stomach. I fear for Faith and the boys!”

“Are you saying that Jake was a barrier?”

“Yes, and now that obstacle has been taken away, I am worried.”

“Oh Mac, John loves Faith and the boys, I really don’t think he will hurt them.”

“I do hope you are right babe, but I can’t help the way I feel. There is something very wrong. You didn’t see the exchanged look between Jake and John; it sent chills down my spine.”

It took an hour and a half for them to get back to their campsite. Ella and Jake changed back into their swimwear and played in the river. Mac sat reading his book whilst Mary prepared the meat for the barbeque; the bread rolls and salad had already been prepared.

They all sat down for dinner around the barbeque, talked and sang songs. Watching the sun go down then the stars started to appear in the sky one by one; Ella and Jake changed into their pyjamas whilst Mary made hot chocolate. They stayed up one more hour before sending them to bed.

“I see no signs that Jake is unhinged babe,” said Mac.

“Like I said, you have to give him time; he will open up and then, when he does, we will face it head on,” said Mary.

“Let’s go to bed babe, I’m tired,” with that Mac put out the campfire and they both headed into the caravan and went to bed.

Chapter 6

Mark and Henry were in their beds fast asleep and Matthew was in his bed reading Marvels, the war of the realms, where all ten realms have fallen to Malekith and his army. He was distracted by a sound of a vehicle approaching the house really fast. He turned off his side light and peeked through the curtains. He knew his dad had gone out for the evening to a local farmers meeting. He realised it was his dad in his truck, driving erratically before the accident, where he hit a tree. Running out of his room, down the stairs and out the front door, towards the car, he saw that his mum was already at the scene, pulling his dad out of the truck. She turned, “Matthew, help me grab his legs.”

He was a dead weight. They managed, between them, to get him in the house and onto the couch. “Mum, is he going to be okay?” with tears bursting from his eyes.

“Yes, darling, he will be fine, it looks far worse