Chapter Two: Waves
"Where are we going Brax?" whined Heath. They had been walking for what felt like an hour already and Heath was feeling weary. Brax could see the lack of food was taking its toll on the young boy. Heath who usually could not sit still for a minute was struggling to keep up with the slow walking pace. It made Brax all the more determined to follow through with his plan.
"Don't ask questions. We are almost there." Brax replied. Casting his own weariness aside, he picked up his brother and piggybacked him the remainder of the way.
They stopped outside a little corner store. Big blue letters on the shop front read 'Summer Bay Convenience Store.' Summer Bay was the closet neighbouring town to Mangrove River. Even though the two towns were close in location, that was where the similarities ended. The derelict and crime-riddled streets of Mangrove River were worlds apart from the well-looked after, beautiful coastal town of Summer Bay. Brax rarely came to The Bay but he thought he had more of a chance of getting away with his plan here, where no one knew who he was, than in his hometown.
Brax put Heath down and walked him to a large cluster of bushes that were across the road from the store. Brax dropped to his knees facing his brother. "I need you to wait for me behind here, OK? I won't be long."
"Where are you going Brax?" Heath asked anxiously.
"I'm just going across to the store to get us some food."
"I want to come too!" moaned Heath.
"No, I need you to wait for me here. Don't move and don't talk to anyone. I'll be back in a minute." Brax didn't wait for his brother to reply before rushing across the road towards the store. Brax did not want to do what he was about to do, but he knew he had no choice. For the welfare of his brother there was little that he would not do. No risk that he would not take. Having Heath take the same risks was not an option though, so he walked into the store alone.
"Good afternoon young fella! Is there anything I can help you with?" Brax's heart sank as the friendly old shopkeeper greeted him. Brax was hoping that the store would be a bit busier. He wanted to slip in unnoticed. The attention of the shopkeeper made everything much more difficult.
"No I am fine thanks!" Brax mumbled and walked over to the furthest aisle from the counter. He slowly paced down the aisle. He felt his stomach rumble as he examined the shelves crammed full of food. He could not afford to be reckless though. He had to be smart.
A group of teenagers walked into the store. They were chatting and laughing and jovially greeted the shopkeeper. This was the opportunity that he had been hoping for and Brax knew that he had to act fast. Being careful to remain out of sight of the counter, he grabbed a block of cheese and slid it into his pocket. He walked back along the aisle and peered around the corner. The shopkeeper was busy serving and chatting to the group, so Brax stuffed two chocolate bars into his other pocket and rushed out the door.
Brax raced back across the road to where Heath was sitting. "Let's go Heath, we need to move quickly." Brax dragged his brother down the street to the Summer Bay beach. He found a spot near where some local surfers were enjoying the waves and both boys flopped down onto the sand. "Here, eat some of this." Brax handed Heath the block of cheese. It wasn't the ideal meal, but cheese had its benefits. It was small enough to fit in his pocket and filling enough to take the edge off the hunger. As Heath devoured his half of the block, Brax looked out at the ocean. The surfers gliding on the waves looked untouchable. Out there on the ocean the harsh realities of the land seemed far away. Brax longed for that kind of freedom.
"Hey, save some for me!" Brax chuckled as he grabbed the cheese off his little brother.
"I'm still hungry Brax!" Heath moaned.
"I know, but I need some too! And I have a surprise for you…" Brax watched as Heath's face lit up.
"What? What surprise?" Brax handed Heath the chocolate bar that he had managed to grab on his way out of the shop. Heath let out a happy squeal as snatched the chocolate bar from Brax. It was the first smile that Brax had seen on Heath's face for days and it made it a lot easier to cast the guilt aside. The stealing did not feel so wrong when he could see his brother slowly coming back to life in front of his eyes.
After their feast Brax was not in a hurry to start the long walk back to Mangrove River and looking over at Heath, he could see that he was in no hurry either. Their home was not a place of comfort and the golden sand of Summer Bay felt warm and the ocean soothing. "That will be us one day Heath." Brax stated, looking out at the ocean.
"What?" Heath replied confused.
"Surfing! One day I'll find a way to get us a surfboard and we will be the champions of the waves. No one will be able to stop us out there! How does that sound?"
"Really Brax? You will get us a surfboard?"
"Yep really!"
"Awesome!" Brax smiled at the thought of it. Him and his brother surfing, unstoppable in their ocean refuge. He would make it happen!
When the sun began to set, Brax begrudgingly decided that they must leave their beach haven. "Let's go Heath, it's time to go home!"
"Do we have to Brax? Why can't we stay here at the beach?"
"Because it's getting late and you have to get home to finish your homework. You can't upset Mrs Anderson again tomorrow." Brax pulled Heath up to his feet and they began the long journey home.