Read Online Footprints by Robert Rayner - Free Book Online Page A

written in the sand. Above it there’s an invitation to join a march to protest the closing of Back River beach.
    â€œWhen shall we hold the march?” she says.
    â€œNext Saturday,” says Drumgold. “Two o’clock.”
    Isora adds the date and time to her poster and says, “It’s getting too dark to see. I’ll do a few more at home tonight.”
    â€œWe’ll put them around town, with the petitions, tomorrow night,” says Drumgold.
    â€œWe’ll have to be careful,” says Harper. “We don’t want people to know it’s us doing the–” He stops. He’s heard something. He doesn’t know what. He cocks his head, listening.
    Isora says, “Where’s George?”
    She’s about to call, but Drumgold, peering through the trees towards the beach, puts his finger to his lips. He motions for Isora and Harper to get close to the ground. Staying low, he works his way through the brush towards the beach. Isora and Harper follow. They are close to where the woods give way to sand, still working their way forwards, when there’s a shot and something smashes into the woods with a noise like tearing paper.
    Harper says, “Jesus.”
    Isora gasps, “George.”
    Drumgold holds his hand back to her. She takes it and moves beside him.
    Harper lies still. He’s afraid he’s wet himself.
    A voice from somewhere on the beach says, “Did I get it?”
    Another voice answers. “Can’t see. There!”
    Another shot zings into the undergrowth.
    The second voice calls, “You got it.”
    Isora whispers, “Fuck.”
    Harper can see her shaking. Drumgold is holding tight to her hand while he peers at the beach. He murmurs, “Droopy and Diamond Head.”
    â€œWe’ve got to let them know we’re here,” Harper whispers. “They’re going to shoot us.”
    â€œWait,” says Drumgold.
    Something rustles through the undergrowth beside them. George throws himself at Isora. She rolls onto her side, hugging him. He’s panting heavily and Isora puts her hand around his jaws, muzzling him.
    Diamond Head says, “What was it?”
    â€œCoyote?”
    â€œToo small.”
    â€œRabbit?”
    â€œToo big.”
    â€œBobcat, maybe.”
    â€œOr that damn dog the kids let shit all over the beach.”
    â€œThe dog wouldn’t be out here by itself.”
    â€œRight – which means the kids could be somewhere around, too. Let’s take a look up here.”
    â€œThey’ll find the camp,” whispers Isora.
    Drumgold mutters, “Make for the logging road as soon as you can. I’ll meet you there.”
    Still on his stomach, he worms backwards away from them and disappears into the woods.
    Harper raises his head a fraction to peer at the beach. The security guards are walking straight towards where he and Isora are hidden. Diamond Head holds a rifle loosely in one hand. Harper glances at Isora. She still has George pinioned against her and is lying halfway across him, stroking him with one hand and muzzling him with the other. The dog is trembling violently. Harper thinks, If George breaks free, or barks, or whines, will Diamond Head fire into the undergrowth? He wonders if he should do the responsible thing and reveal their presence and ensure Isora’s – and his own – safety, despite the trouble that would lead to. Could he face Drumgold if Diamond Head fired again and hurt Isora? But could he face Drumgold if he lost hisnerve and revealed their presence needlessly? He wishes he had his friend’s insouciant cool in the face of threat.
    Diamond Head and Droopy are now so close Harper is staring at their legs and feet.
    â€œIt went in here somewhere,” says Droopy. “Let’s take a look.”
    Harper braces himself for discovery.
    Diamond Head says, “What’s that?”
    The loud snap of a branch has sounded from