Postcards With An Edge

Marcus,

I have just arrived in Hawker. It’s close to nowhere and very far away from anywhere else. Hope to leave for Wilpena Pound in the morning. It’s about an hour’s drive there, and then about 3 hours walk to the first Akurra site. Probably camp there for a few nights then come back. I have asked a few natives about Akurra and have been corrected for calling it the rainbow serpent. Apparently it’s different, same same but different. I hope to hire a local as a guide either today or in the morning. Also, none of the settlers want to discuss the rumoured sighting, which makes it hard to find anything out. There seems to be a strange rift between the natives and the settlers. There is a pub that has rooms to rent, hearty meals and cold beer. I’ll be staying there the days I am in town.

Paul.

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Marcus,

I saw it! It was huge. I have never seen a serpent, or any creature, that size before. It came on the last night as we we’re preparing for bed. We heard it first. Then when Shamus, my guide, shined the spot light on it. We caught a glimpse of its face but it quickly turned as the light hit it and headed back the way it came. It was hard to tell how big it was, but it must have been over 40 metres long. It was gone in an instant, but I saw it. It was beautiful. It left no tracks. I didn’t want to leave but we were running out of supplies. We will stay the night in town and head off again tomorrow, I need to see her again. Will speak to you soon.

Paul.

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Marcus,

Shamus has disappeared. He became frustrated last night and decided to sleep away from the camp site. Only a few metres, but in the morning he was gone, although his belongings remained. The locals had warned us of cooking meat near the water sources, we had heeded their warnings, until last night. Shamus had bugged me for days, the brat. The settlers want to take revenge on Akurra, but the natives have warned them that she cannot be killed and will react violently. A group is heading out in the morning to attempt to kill her. I will be going with them, I will get evidence of her existence and I shall endeavour to persuade them not to go through with it.

Paul.

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Marcus,

They are all dead. All who picked up arms against her were killed. I pleaded with them not to go, but in the end I cared not for them. I am the only one that saw it and lived. The creature mustn’t be harmed. I couldn’t allow it. She and I, we are linked. I will do anything to protect her. I have done everything to protect her. They brought this on themselves. I will not be returning.

Paul.