car door slammed Peta

The car door slammed shut, followed by a screech of tyres. Acrid black smoke from burning rubber filled the air. As the car sped away the occupants turned back anxiously.

“D’ya think they saw us?” Joe asked short of breath from the sprint to the car. He chucked the bulging sack behind the back seat out of sight.

“Maybe. Betta hope not.” Steve replied.

Things were not going accordingly to plan. Jo and Steve swallowed air as they struggled to catch their breath and regain composure. Overweight and out of condition, they were in no shape to try and out run the opposition.

“Why does this always happen?” Steve asked as he thumped the steering wheel with sweaty palms. His face red from anger and exertion. “Bloody losers. We had it to the last detail stuffed it up. It that’s bloody idiot Charlie. We gotta ditch him. Got that thing sorted yet mate?”

“Nah. I think its buggered. Probably when Charlie dropped it. D’ya think he made it out?”

“Dunno. He betta ‘ave. Or we’re really up shits creek.”

Joe fiddled with the GPS but there was no sign of life.

“Have to do this the old fashioned way”.

Opening the glove box was no easy task. The lock has rusted long ago. Prising it open with his penknife Joe grabbed the old Medway, pages curling up at the edges.

Flicking through the maps Joe found the one he was after.

“OK Steve, I reckon we take the first left then head straight down to the roundabout. Right then third right should take us straight to the beach. Its 6.30 so we should have just enough sunlight left to get the sign and head back.”


“Fuck fuck fuck”.

“Calm down mate. You’re not helping things.”

“Its easy for you to say. Your reputation’s not riding on this. I have a lot to loose if we don’t get this right.”

Steve’s knuckles whitened as he gripped the wheel turning hard into the beach carpark.

Joe consulted the crumpled list he’d jammed in his pocket.

“OK its that one over there – see the white one with the red printing? Looks like we got here first. Let’s make it quick and get outta here. Stuff Charlie he’ll have to make his own way back.”

Checking around they eased out of the car. Half squatting they moved in unison towards the sign.


SWIM OUTSIDE THE FLAGS AND YOU DIE.

The brutal statement was repeated below in Japanese. Just as instructed.

Steve kept watch while Joe worked the screws at each corner. The sign shook loose of its hoarding. Joe quickly covered it with an old towel. “Got it mate ready to roll.”

“Thank Christ for that. Lets get out of here fast. You drive.”

Starting the engine, Joe graunched into reverse. Foot hard to the floor and they were off again until Joe hit the brakes sharply.

“What the hell are you doing” Steve yelled.

“Its Charlie. Look here he comes and he’s got the teddy bear. He’s got the fucking teddy bear. We’re a shoe in now mate.”

Joe and Steve leapt from the car, blocking the exit to the carpark.

“Charlie you bloody beauty!” Steve gave his old mate a stifling hug as Joe danced around like a lunatic.

“she’s in the bag now boys. Lets get the loot back to the finish line. We’ll show them bastards. No guts no glory. HA! The trophy’s mine again.”

Joe and Charlie stood together staring at Steve bewildered after all they had gone through for the treasure hunt.