‘Now what would a bunch of Abos be doin’ out here on our land?’ Dan Potter snarls from his perch on the roof of the Holden. Nobody says anything good about Eric’s older brother. He’s the type who’ll take shots at black kids with slug guns, although the cops always says there’s no ‘proof’ of that. Never mind we can identify all the local cars in town by the sound of their engines, let alone the make and model. The statement of a bunch of blackfullas isn’t ever proof enough.

‘Maybe they’re tryin’ to find a place to sneak around?’ Eric laughs. ‘He’s a Miller and those two are Thomsons; they’re all fuckin’ dead.’ He’s sprawled across Sam’s hood looking bored. The others’ eyes drill into us, but Eric barely seems to be paying attention.

‘Or maybe they’re tryin’ to find a way to claim this place for themselves?’ Mick Franks straightens from his spot against the passenger side door.

He’s old enough to be my father, has the brains of a fifteen-year-old during puberty and is one of the workers out here. Rumour is he’s doing some cattle duffing for them to help pay the bills too.

If I wasn’t so scared I would scoff at his words. All the property owners are paranoid we’re out to get their land. I feel a sick thrill at the idea of them living in panic that someone could roll in and take it out from under them. Karma.

Sam steps forwards, drawing all eyes to him. ‘We were just goin for a walk.’

‘Bullshit!’ Dan’s face twists and I see something ugly. He isn’t just pissed we’re trespassing, he’s enjoying himself.

‘You’re right.’ I stand shoulder to shoulder with Sam. ‘We came out to find my sister.’

Mick laughs. ‘Why? That little slut’s hitched a ride on someone out of town so she wouldn’t have to face trespassin’ charges.’

I swallow my fury at their words. We’re trespassing too, and I’d seen for myself the beating that Tyrone and Clinton had copped. We aren’t safe and I’ve put us right in the middle of it.

‘There’s way too many boongs out here lately.’ Mick glances over his shoulder at Dan and I hear the smile before I see it. ‘Maybe another example would stop more comin’ here in their dirty bombs?’

Dan grins and jumps off the roof. The sound it makes as he hops down makes me wince. ‘Yeah, maybe a worse one to put ’em off for good?’ Both men move forwards, relishing the violence.