Evening was drawing in, and they still hadn't reached Gemtree.
We'll have to spend the night under the stars, said Arthur.
It'll be FREEZING! said Emerald.
FREEZING! said Ruby.
What would you girls have done if you hadn't met me? said Arthur.
Met someone better, said Emerald. Someone with a car.
Our friends have a Jeep, said Lavender.
It was the first time she's spoken to the girls.
Ruby peered into the wire basket.
Aw, she said. What's your name?
Lavender, said Lavender.
And them others? she pointed to Ouvert and Baby Pierre.
Don't say them others, said Arthur. Say, the others.
Yes mister teacher, said Ruby. How old are you anyhow?
Seventeen, said Arthur.
Woop, woop, said Emerald. Seventeen. Well, get out your water and snacks if we're all staying here.
Arthur got out his water and chocolate and nuts.
Darkness fell.
The ghost gums gleamed ghostly. The spinifex rustled. A kaleidoscope of stars appeared in the cold black night sky.
If we had a fire, observed Emerald, we could eat lobster.
No, you couldn't, said Ageless.
An owl screeched.
An ifrit! screamed Lavender. Who's been unfaithful?
What's that mean? asked Ruby
It means ...unreliable, it means.... you don't follow, it means ....you went out in FRONT, said Lavender. And your hands get cut off!
They all huddled closer together.
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