Free The Crocodile Nest by Des Hunt

cowpat. ‘See if you can hit that,’ she challenged.
    Luke was shaking as he released the safety and took aim. ‘Use the cab to support your elbow,’ said Kev.
    That steadied things enough for Luke to take a shot.
    ‘You missed,’ said Lora next to him. She almost seemed happy about it.
    ‘Try again,’ said Kev. ‘Take in a breath, let it partly out, and then hold it while you fire.’
    This time some of the cowpat splattered into the air. ‘I got it!’ yelled Luke.
    ‘So, do it again,’ said Kev. ‘Do several shots.’
    Luke fired four shots, getting three hits and a miss.
    ‘All right,’ said Kev, ‘that’s the end of the lesson. Put on the safety and let’s find a possum so we can do it for real.’ He slapped the roof of the cab. ‘Take it close to the bush, Beth, and we’ll see if there are any in the trees.’
    There was a graunch from below as Beth sorted out the gears. ‘Sorry!’ she yelled. ‘It’s a while since I’ve driven a vehicle with a clutch.’
    She took off with a jerk, and then kangaroo-hopped across the paddock for a distance before she got it under control. ‘Sorry!’ she called out again.
    As they cruised parallel to the bush, Lora scanned the beam through the trees. It didn’t take long to find one. This was a big black animal sitting on a branch near the top of a tree. Once again, Luke’s heart gave a stutter: he was about to shoot his first wild animal. It might not be a pig, but it would do for starters.
    ‘OK,’ said Kev, after the ute had stopped, ‘aim for the head, if you can.’
    Luke raised the rifle to his shoulder and looked through the ‘scope. Now the animal’s eyes seemed so much brighter. It was looking directly at him, as if it knew something was about to happen, but wasn’t sure what. For a time the image kept moving, until Luke got his breathing right and pulled the trigger.
    Nothing happened.
    ‘Take the safety off,’ said Kev.
    Nervously, Luke slipped the lever to one side. Now the possum seemed to be wobbling all over the place. When he thought it was in frame, he fired.
    This time he heard the shot, but the image through the ‘scope was unchanged. The possum was still sitting on the branch staring at him.
    ‘You hit the branch,’ said Lora. ‘I saw a bit fly off.’
    ‘Try again,’ Kev encouraged.
    This time Luke aimed a little higher. Again he missed.
    Lora let out a noisy sigh. ‘You were too high this time.’
    Luke thought of telling her to try and do better, but kept it to himself: she just might take up the challenge. This was going to be his possum, not hers.
    ‘OK, we’re a bit far away.’ Kev tapped on the roof. ‘Move in a bit closer, Beth.’
    Luke lowered the rifle to his side.
    ‘Put the safety on,’ said Kev.
    Before Luke had a chance to do so, Beth let out the clutch—far, far too sharply.
    Then lots of things happened very quickly.
    The ute lurched forward, throwing them all back towards thetailboard. The rifle juggled in Luke’s hands. He grabbed at it, to stop it dropping over the back, but as he grabbed the stock, a finger slipped under the trigger guard. The gun fired. Lora screamed and fell to the deck.
    Beth heard the scream and jammed her foot on the brake. Again, it was much too sharply. Those on the back were thrown forward, smashing against the cab. Another shot was fired, but this time there was no scream from Lora. She lay quietly without moving, jammed up against the battery. The spotlight sat on top of her, its light now as black as her clothes.

Chapter 12
    They sat in Kev’s lounge, heads bowed, eyes staring at the carpet, each blaming themselves.
    Beth was the worst affected. Her wedding ring had not stopped moving since she’d sat down. Kev was beside her on the two-seater, looking just as miserable. Alice sat at the dining table, chewing furiously. If she looked up, it was to check on how Luke was making out.
    Luke was feeling miserable. The word sorry was going around and around in his head.