Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
JJ
“Please don’t tell me we’re going in that?” JJ pointed at the way-too-small helicopter with its red body and thick gold-striped panel. That couldn’t be safe. It was tiny.
“We certainly are.”
This was JJ’s first helicopter ride, but this was not what she had envisioned. Sure, Brooke had been extremely tight-lipped about the experience when JJ had paid over the phone, and all JJ knew was it was some kind of special helicopter package, but this? This looked pretty fancy… and terrifying.
JJ wiped her now-sweating palms on her pants.
She and Brooke were still in their hiking gear after their day spent exploring a couple more trails.
The sun had come out and cooperated for the entire day, a complete turnaround after yesterday.
Brooke had told JJ not to get changed, and not to bring anything, so here she was with nothing but her day pack.
Brooke fit right in with the rugged red plains, like she’d been born to hike around the outback.
Her hair was woven into a single plait which dropped over her shoulder and rested atop a dusty pink hiking shirt.
They were both wearing cream-coloured hiking pants as though they’d tried to match.
When they’d first seen each other this morning, they’d chuckled at their similar outfits, but there was no way JJ was wearing the muddied grey pair from the day before!
That’s why she always packed a spare—just in case.
Brooke nudged JJ’s elbow and led her to the pilot halfway to the helicopter.
“Afternoon, ladies. I’m Ed, and I’ll be looking after you today.
” Ed looked like a park ranger in a blue button up work shirt, light work shorts and chunky work boots that appeared more brown than black with the amount of red dust caked on them.
He readjusted an old baseball cap on his head and gave them a brilliant smile. JJ’s nerves settled just a little.
Ed ran through the safety measures and within minutes they were walking the rest of the way to the helicopter. JJ had only been on a plane once or twice and in this moment wished she had more flying experience.
“Which one of you is in the front with me?” Ed asked, looking between them as he held the door open.
Brooke grabbed JJ by the arms and pushed her forward. “This one!”
Cramped into the front passenger seat, JJ turned with a tight smile to check on Brooke, who gave her two thumbs up. JJ would’ve preferred to be sitting next to her in the back, but the pilot had explained proper weight distribution was necessary.
Buckled up, the noise and vibrations from the engine and rotors intensified along with her heartbeat. The pilot handed JJ a pair of noise-cancelling headphones to help deaden the sound and allow them to speak with each other.
“You good?” Brooke’s now digitised voice came through the headset.
“Yep,” JJ said, gripping the edges of her seat as the pilot started flicking and fiddling with the switches between them.
JJ took a deep breath. She really did have the best views in the front with almost a solid 180 degrees.
Her phone burned in her pocket, screaming for her to take a video of the experience, but she was frozen on the spot.
They hadn’t even moved yet and her stomach was already doing somersaults.
Then her stomach really did lurch as they pulled away from the ground.
“Whoa,” she said. It was the strangest feeling as they lifted in a cloud of dust and dirt, leaving the scorched earth behind. They now towered over the old gums which had surrounded them moments before.
Her grip tightened as they banked a little to the left. Up they climbed, her view of the land becoming vast and breathtaking.
So breathtaking.
No, really, she needed to breathe. Her lungs were burning.
She sucked in a big gulp of air and forced her breath into a natural rhythm as the helicopter pushed forward. There was a squeeze on her shoulder. A gentle rub. A reminder that Brooke was there. The silent support had JJ’s muscles relaxing.
JJ assumed they’d do a loop of the ranges and hoped they’d get to see all the main points of interest in the area.
It was one thing to hike the trails up to the viewpoints, but this was something else entirely.
Ed explained the landmarks and pointed out random sightings—like a line of emus beelining for a creek, their shadows making them look like tiny chickens on the ground.
Ahead, Wilpena Pound stood proud from this high up, all red and white rock with swathes of dark green bushland covering it for kilometres.
JJ eased forward, a soft grip still on the chair as she drank in everything she could.
“Goats!” Brooke said, her exclamation blaring in JJ’s ears.
Ed growled. “Those pests are everywhere up here now, destroying all the vegetation. They’re out of control.”
JJ turned to face Ed. “We had a run in with some the other day.”
“I’m sure it won’t be your last,” he muttered.
Ten minutes later, they came upon a ridgeline thick with trees. Ed lowered the helicopter, coming so close to the tree tops that JJ scooted her feet back as if to avoid them. They sank below the canopy into a small clearing, a tiny helipad coming into view.
“Oh, we’re stopping?” JJ asked.
“Of course,” he replied with a slight raise of his brow. “Wait till you see this view.”
JJ clambered onto solid ground. Her knees almost collapsed under her like jelly, muscles aching. That was intense. She felt like running to the nearest tree and giving it a hug. What a ride!
They walked to the edge of the viewpoint. Okay, wow. Even after seeing it all from the sky, the new angle hit differently. JJ inhaled, the scent of eucalyptus thick. Brooke stood next to her, gaze soft as they took it all in.
Dozens of notifications filled the quiet, the incessant pings and buzzes sounding frenzied. JJ blinked several times, her pocket pulling at her attention. Her eyes met Brooke’s. The beeps ceased and they returned to the view with small smiles. Tech couldn’t compete with this outlook.
Clouds formed deep shadows on each ridge, etching into the towering red land mass and making the ranges appear even more rugged. The ancient formation seemed so untouched, like a scene straight out of Jurassic Park.
“Welcome to Sky Ridge,” Ed declared, coming up behind them. “One of the best and most secluded sites to view the ranges from. I’ll go prepare your things.” Without another word, he turned on his heel and headed back to the helicopter.
“Huh?” JJ said.
Brooke bumped her shoulder. “We’re staying here tonight.”
“What?!” JJ rounded on her.
Brooke hooked a thumb over her shoulder. “We’re swagging it, and Ed here is dropping off our supplies. Food, firewood—everything we’ll need for, oh, the next fifteen hours or so.” Her flash of teeth was absolutely wicked.
“No. Way.” JJ beamed. “Okay, this is honestly one the coolest things I’ve ever done.” She tamped down the urge to lunge onto Brooke. Brooke was just her tour guide. JJ had asked her to do this. Though Brooke’s glowing face told JJ she was pretty chuffed at her response.
“We haven’t even done it yet!” Brooke chuckled, playing with the end of her plait.
JJ shook her head. “I don’t even care. This is—wow.” Then she stopped. “So glad this wasn’t booked for yesterday. Being in a swag during a hailstorm would be the worst.”
“Um, yeah, no thanks! Though, they probably would’ve cancelled.” Brooke turned back to the view.
JJ frowned. That would’ve been worse. It was nice knowing their plan had worked out weather-wise for this section of the trip.
Ed had everything set up in five minutes, then gave them a quick rundown of everything they needed to know. “Have fun ladies. See you in the morning at ten.” With a wink and a wave, he slipped back into the chopper.
JJ’s eyes widened. “Oh, does he think we’re…”
Brooke’s head whipped around. “Oh! Gosh, surely not?” The laugh that followed sounded forced, a little awkward.
Both faced away as Ed took off, wind kicking dust at their backs.
And then they were alone.
In the middle of nowhere.
Again.
At least it was on purpose this time.
And no need to worry about serial killers, not unless they flew helicopters...
“Going to have to watch out for drop bears tonight!” Brooke said, poking JJ in the side.
JJ ducked out of reach. She didn’t need Brooke adding any more fuel to her nightmare fire!
Brooke looped an arm through JJ’s and pulled her towards their camp for the night.
They came to a flat, rocky outcrop setup with a fire pit, an esky of food, two camping chairs with folded blankets, and one very tiny, extremely cosy swag.
JJ swallowed.
“I thought we’d have individual swags,” Brooke said, eyes zeroed in on their sleeping quarters. “You’re really going to have to keep those hands to yourself tonight.”
“Ha-ha. Well, there’s no way we’re changing the sleeping arrangements now.” The helicopter was long gone.
For dinner, JJ offered to cook as a thank you to Brooke for organising the experience.
They'd been left with hamburger supplies, which happened to be one of JJ’s go-to dishes.
The cheese was currently melting onto the beef patties, a little dripping off the sides and sizzling onto the cast iron pan, while the buns toasted over the open fire.
It smelled like summer, camping down south with her family when she was little, her dad at the barbecue, always burning the meat.
She breathed in deep and smiled. Brooke sat staring at the flames, glass of wine in hand.
“Sauce?” JJ asked, turning the squeezy bottle upside down and giving the bottom a good whack.
“Oh, definitely.”
JJ brought over their two plates, handing one slowly to Brooke so it didn't fall apart.
“You didn't tell me you were a master chef,” Brooke joked.
JJ shrugged and smiled. “I learned from the best—my mum and Gran. Careful, it's hot.”