“You don’t strike me as a depressed person.”

“The pills work then.”

“Okay. Just trying to understand. I got really screwed up taking drugs, although they weren’t legal, they did some crazy things to my head. I’m nervous for you.”

“You’re right, Lucas. My Mum was into all this stuff. She knew how the brain works.” Isabella held up the pill. “She designed this. She would talk to me about neurons, dendrites, cells, DNA, genes—a hundred billion neurons connected by a hundred trillion synapses.”

“Are you sure it’s not psychological? Taking the pill as a way to stay connected to your mother?”

She bowed her head and then looked up again. “I hadn’t thought of that. And this pill didn’t come onto the market ’til after Mum died. They used it as some kind of memorial event for her. You’re good for me, Lucas.”

Isabella swallowed the pill.

“I needed to take that, Lucas. I start to see things when the medication wears off. I prefer not to see those things. I’ll wean myself off them once things get back to normal.”

“Back to normal? What happens if things don’t get back to normal? And what do you see?”

“I see shadows and little pesky-looking things. I researched them, and they’re called imps. Things will get back to normal, Lucas.”

<°)))><

The revs of a motorbike could be heard. Lucas went to check; Isabella followed. A lone bike rider was working his way up a winding track—his red jacket flashing between the gaps in the trees. The bike’s lights came on. Behind the bike rider, smoke was rising from the property. Mrs Perdu had set fire to the barn. Isabella hoped the dark clouds hovering above were full of water.

“I hope it’s just the barn that’s burning. The local fire brigade will be on to it soon, I hope,” Isabella said.

Lucas was focused on the motorbike. “That bike rider is probably just out for a joy ride.”

The ground rumbled under Isabella’s feet. She then heard the siren. Good, a fire truck was on its way, and they now had sirens that could be felt and heard.

“Maybe we need to think about doing the transfer. I’m sure you’re keen, Bella, as you seem to be enjoying this adventure. Most parts, anyway. I’m a bit nervous.”

“I am too, Lucas. Who knows where we may end up? I could be back in prison with you.” She gave him a soft punch on the arm.

“That’s not funny.”

“Lucas, you know we can find out where the GPS location is. Let me check the status of my phone. I haven’t checked for a while—there have been a few distractions, but I think there should still be some power left. The torch worked fine. There must be a site where you can enter a GPS location.”

“You’re a smart girl. And we can discuss those pesky things you’re seeing later. Maybe we need to get away from here. I really want to work out why they’re after you—fewer distractions would help. There are still other things in the briefcase that we should look at it. Maybe they can fill in the blanks for us.”

The motorbike was now a distant sound, and was being drowned out by the continual thumping of helicopter rotor blades, its lights bringing back daylight along its flight path.

Lucas pushed Isabella under a rocky outcrop. “Best we conceal ourselves. It sounds like a big helicopter—probably a Defence one—they’ve come looking for their boys.”

“If it’s Defence, Lucas, why don’t we just give ourselves up? We have proof of what happened. That may not be good for you. But we would be safer.”

“I feel responsible for looking after you, Bella. I can’t do that from prison.”

“That’s cute, Lucas.”

“But the sooner I get myself back there, the sooner I’ll get out.”

“What does the mistress say to that in the movies? For better or for worse, I’ll be waiting.”

“You really are a comic, Bella.”

“We have to laugh, considering what’s going on. Maybe we need to catch and bottle what’s in the air.” Isabella took a deep breath.

The thumping was louder now. The helicopter was right overhead and passed quickly.

“One thing does puzzle me,” Lucas said. “Why the aggression? Willing to kill us. Yep, maybe giving ourselves up is the way to go. Let’s head back down to the property.”

They made their way out of shrubbery and watched the helicopter head towards the smoke. They found a track formed by the trampling of sure-footed animals toing and froing to their feeding grounds in the open grasslands. Just as they were about to come out of the bushland and in to the open space they heard the motorbike. The revs were loud, louder. It was returning, and coming towards them.

<°)))><

Spots of rain appeared.

Lucas looked at Isabella. She was attractive and becoming more relaxed in his company. Why were these people after her? After her . . . of course the bike rider was looking for them. He needed to act. He needed to protect his new-found friend.

He found a large dead branch lying amongst the forest litter and then looked at the contours of the track as it entered the thick bushland. There was a suitable place to conceal themselves. The bike was getting closer. Now it was all timing.

Lucas saw a flash of yellow enter the bushland. He gripped the branch tightly, swung, and collected the rider across the chest. The bike spun out of control and the rider jumped before the bike hit a tree. Lucas was on top of the rider with a knee pressed against his chest before he could find his footing. It was one of the men from back at the barn. Lucas was concerned as there were two of them; the other rider wore a red jacket.

“Are you looking for someone?” Lucas asked.

The man was struggling trying to reach something on his side.

“No, you don’t want to do that. Keep still.” Lucas looked at the man, who had short black hair and a face that meant business. Lucas was not perturbed—he had kept himself fit in prison and could handle himself in most situations, thanks to his previous life where he enjoyed fighting with others. He captured the thoughts before they attacked, stayed in the present . . . there was something back at the bush fort he wanted.

“Bella, there’s some rope back at the boulder. Could you bring it back here.”

He watched Isabella rush off.

“What are you up too, mate? Why are you tracking us?”

“Just doing what I’m told. How did you escape the fire? I thought this was a waste of time searching the perimeter. Who are you, anyway?”

“Just a friend.”

Lucas heard footsteps behind him. Isabella, with the rope.

Lucas gripped the broken branch again. “Okay, up you get. Over to that tree there and sit down.” There was little resistance. Lucas tied him up and noticed the two-way radio. He grabbed it and turned the volume up.

There was a crackle sound. The two-way was on. “On my way, Groundhog.”

“What does that mean, Lucas?” Isabella asked.

That’s why the guy hadn’t resisted. He knew his partner would soon come and find him. “They’re on to us, Bella. This must be Groundhog. I would say they also have a GPS reading.”