Driftwood

by Mandy Magro

  ‘I know, we just heard it on the radio. Thank Christ all the cattle left yesterday; they’ll already be out of harm’s way and halfway down the coast. That’s one less thing to have to worry about.’ Jay took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing pulse and gather his unsettled mind. ‘Now, there are a few things I need you to do for me, Fang.’

  ‘Yep, whatever you need, Jay. No problem.’

  ‘There’s a cyclone survival box in the storage room at the homestead with torches, batteries and some food. You might have to pack a bit more food from the pantry into it as there are a few more of us here than usual. Then you can fill all the sinks with water, grab the portable radio from the shed, and start clearing up or tying down any loose items around the outside. You know, anything that could be a missile in the winds. Sorry to ask so much, Fang, I’ll be back as soon as I can to help out, buddy.’

  ‘On it already, boss. You guys take care and get your arses back here as fast as you bloody well can.’

  ‘Will do. Catch ya, mate.’

  ‘Yep, keep safe, Jay.’

  The two-way went quiet, leaving the group on their own, nothing else to do but race back to the homestead as fast as their horses’ legs would carry them.

  Watching as his mum disappeared around a bend, Jay reached out and clutched Taylor’s trembling hands. ‘I will make sure you’re safe, beautiful. Nothing is going to happen to you, all right? I promise. Just stick close on the ride home and keep your head down. Safety in numbers, as they say.’

  Taylor squeezed Jay’s sturdy hands, smiling weakly. Then, reluctantly letting go, they enticed their horses into a canter and then a gallop, the thunder of the horses’ hooves competing with the howl of the wind around them.

  It took three hours to gallop back at breakneck speed. There was no doubt that Iva was well and truly on her way. And being a category five cyclone, it would be intent on destroying everything in its path when it finally arrived. Sheets of loose corrugated iron had already been ripped from the walls of the shed and were now scattered around the grounds, while massive branches of trees that had stood the test of time now bowed and snapped under the sheer ruthless force of Iva’s will.

  Jay surveyed the damage from his place in the saddle while squinting against the pounding rain, knowing full well that being outside was treacherous, but necessary: it would be futile to try to get the final preparations in place in the hour before Iva hit with full power. Normally, they had always had plenty of time to prepare. Never before had he been put in this position, with only precious minutes to spare, and the clock was ticking. The most important thing to him right now, though, was getting Taylor into the homestead safely. She was looking deathly pale, her body swaying on Boomerang almost to the point where she was going to fall out of the saddle. He’d promised he would take care of her, and he meant it. Then, and only then, could he focus on what needed to be done, with the help of Tom, Fang, Graham and Adam.

  Arriving at the stables along with the blokes, Taylor slid down from Boomerang. She gave him a grateful rub on the neck as she hastily led him towards the covered area, her shoulders hunched against the horizontal rain. Every part of her was fatigued from the gallop home. The Toyota was parked up near the homestead and she heaved a sigh of relief that Patty had made it back safely. She prayed Patty had listened to Jay and was already holed up in the bathroom with the dogs because, by the looks of things, they didn’t have long. She hated to think how all her friends back in Driftwood were going to survive this if the winds were this bad forty kilometres inland.

  Her body screamed for a reprieve but she pushed on, leaning her shoulders into the shrieking wind. Dread continued to claim her rationality, the sheer force of the already intense winds nothing compared to what was coming. This was going to be the most terrifying night of her life and she prayed they’d all make it through. She may not have been through a cyclone herself but she had seen the carnage left by them before on the news, and it wasn’t pretty. She stumbled through the open door of the stables, the world spinning beneath her feet as a wave of panic washed over her. Releasing Boomerang’s reins she collapsed to the floor, nausea making her heave, her anxiety and utter fatigue overwhelming her. Jay leapt from his horse and ran to her side, his arm going protectively around her waist as he tried to soothe her.

  Fang appeared from outside the stables, his voice barely audible above the wail of the wind as he shouted to Jay, ‘Iva is nearing the coast. We have to move quickly and get these horses somewhere safe. Pronto!’

  The men removed saddles and halters, shouting to each other over the noise outside. Jay gathered Taylor up into his arms, her body shivering against his. They were all wet through, the roaring wind not helping with the cold. ‘Come on, let’s get you into the homestead, gorgeous. Then I’ll come back and help the blokes out.’

  Taylor didn’t argue, crumpling into him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her body was utterly shattered and her mind swirled as she fought to take a breath. She’d never had a panic attack in her life but this certainly felt like one. She allowed him to protect her as they scurried towards the homestead. All along the way they dodged flying debris that had the force behind it to kill.

  The front door swung open as they approached it and Patty stretched her arms out for them both. ‘Oh, thank God you made it back. I’ve been worried sick.’ She pulled them inside, slamming the door.

  Jay hurried towards the lounge room and gently placed Taylor on the couch, grimacing as the SEWS warning rang out loud and clear from the telly. A booming voice announced Iva was almost here. ‘Mum, please get her changed into some warm clothes. I’ve gotta go help the men.’

  Patty wrapped her arms around him, concern creasing her brows. ‘No, Jay, you can’t go back out there. I won’t let you.’

  Jay softly pressed her back. ‘Mum, I don’t have time to argue with you right now. I’ll be back soon.’

  Taylor reached out and clutched his arm, her eyes pleading for him to stay. ‘Jay, I’m begging you, don’t go back out there. The men should be in here too.’

  ‘We have to put the horses and Tiny away safely in the stables, tie a few things down, and then we’ll all be in.’ Jay leant in and kissed her so tenderly her heart melted. ‘See you soon, Tays.’ He halted and reached into his pocket, pulling out an antique fob watch. He ran his fingers over the face and then handed it to her. ‘Here, take this, Tays, it was William’s. Grandad Reg gave it to me when he left Waratah; I’ve always kept it with me since. It sounds silly but it might help keep you and Mum safe.’

  Taylor smiled weakly and shook her head. ‘Thanks, Jay, but I reckon you need that more than us. You keep it with you and let’s pray William keeps you safe out there.’

  Jay hesitated for a moment and then carefully placed it back in his pocket. Opening the door to return outside he glanced back at the two women he loved with all his heart, both of them staring wide eyed at him from the couch, clearly fearful for his safety. He gave them a faint smile before disappearing into the roar of the wind, knowing full well he was stepping into the mouth of a monster.

  CHAPTER

  24

  2012 — Far North Queensland

  ‘She’s here,’ Patty screamed, as unknown objects were catapulted against the outside of the homestead. The house was creaking and groaning but it withstood the blows, for now. ‘Where are Jay and the men? They can’t bloody survive this out there!’

  Taylor squeezed Patty’s hands, unable to consider the idea that Jay and the blokes were still out among Iva’s anarchy, her fear for all of them rendering her speechless. Wouldn’t they be hiding somewhere safe by now? She was trembling as much on the outside as she was within, as she and Patty lay huddled in each other’s arms on the floor of the lounge room. They both listened intently to the regular updates on the television, their eyes glued to reporters from all over Australia as they relayed the horrific images of Driftwood and surrounding areas being blown away. An image of Coral Bay was shown, the
massive trees along the coastline snapped in half. The main street of Driftwood was eerily vacant but at the same time shrouded in bedlam. Sheets of iron flew down the street like paper as buildings were being ripped to shreds. One reporter said that all the residents had been evacuated to the community centre, as it was the strongest building in town. Taylor and Patty said a prayer together for every person there. Never before had Taylor prayed so hard, but in this situation, faith in a deity was all she had to hold onto.

  Outside the huge lounge room window a flash of lightning lit up the blackened sky and in the abrupt illumination Taylor watched dumbfounded as a tractor tyre went hurtling through the air as if it were as light as a feather, followed by what appeared to be a small shed. It all felt so surreal, as if she was watching a horror film and she was the starring role.

  Patty shook Taylor’s shoulders, attempting to snap her out of her stupor as she bellowed over the roar of wind. ‘Tays, we can’t wait here any longer for the men. We have to get down to the safety of the bathroom. Right now. Before this gets any worse.’

  Breathless from fear, Taylor watched wide-eyed as the room’s walls began to cave inwards, as if the house was inhaling. The internal pressure was suddenly so intense that all the flames on the candles they’d lit doubled in height. It was chilling to witness, as though there was a malevolent entity within the room. The intense drop in air pressure made both Taylor and Patty wheeze for air. She clutched Patty’s arms, feeling like she was going to be sucked right out of the lounge room window. She trembled as she imagined her body being sliced like butter by the jagged glass.

  A loud smashing noise grabbed their attention, and they watched as a star picket flew through the kitchen window and within millimetres of them, before spearing through the lounge room wall. Glass, debris and rain spewed forth from the broken window. It was as though the devil himself had made a spectacular entrance as Iva performed an insane dance of destruction throughout the lounge room, picking up everything in its wake and smashing it to the floor. Taylor held her arm up to shield her face as she crawled along the floor behind Patty, both of them sobbing and praying as they scrambled for safety in the hallway.

  A resounding boom echoed throughout the homestead and then everything went black, the eeriness creeping up on Taylor and digging its claws into her flesh. Goose bumps covered her. The television abruptly went silent, all communication to the outside world now gone. They were all alone, and Iva was here. The evil spirit had arrived, and the men still weren’t back. The very thought of Jay, or any of the men, lying dead somewhere sickened her. It was a living nightmare inside the homestead, so how in the hell were the men going to survive the mayhem out there?

  The creepy blackness engulfed her and the ear-piercing noise resembling that of a freight train tore through the house. Taylor couldn’t hear herself think. Windows began to shake tremendously, as though Iva was trying to find another way in. The clatter was terrifying as the cyclone screamed outside the perimeters of the house, ripping, rattling, bashing and tearing at the roof and walls like a hungry beast trying to get to its prey.

  Above them the roof groaned and squeaked, the sound of tearing iron like fingernails down a blackboard, as the fierce winds used every bit of might to try to rip the roof from the homestead. Like a determined burglar, it seemed as though nothing was going to keep Iva out. Now losing faith, Taylor was counting down the minutes until Iva claimed her and Patty. She couldn’t see any way of them getting out of this ordeal alive. If they did, it would be an absolute miracle.

  They cowered as they continued to crawl down the hallway and pictures flew from hooks, smashing all around them. Shards of glass pierced Taylor’s cheek and she cried out more in fright than pain. Patty yelled over her shoulder, struggling to be heard. The front door flew open and a powerful gush of wind and debris rushed forth like the hounds from hell. Taylor was tossed backwards against the wall, winding her badly. Patty grabbed her ankles, screaming, fighting to keep Taylor with her. Taylor dug her nails into the timber doorframe, crying out in sheer agony as she felt her nails lifting one by one. Her body’s weight was insignificant as it flopped around in the wind like a rag doll, Iva trying its very best to suck her out of the house.

  Finally succeeding in lying back down on the floor, Taylor followed Patty as they slithered like snakes along the floorboards, both of them too petrified to crawl. They stayed low, calling out for each other along the way. Their voices were almost inaudible but it was still comforting to know they were there for each other.

  After three agonising minutes they reached the bathroom door and Patty fought to get to her feet. Taylor pushed her entire body against Patty’s so she didn’t get dragged away. They edged the door open, stumbling over as they made it into the windowless room. Down on all fours, Taylor felt around for the survival box, startled as moistness travelled up her cheek. Fumbling in the darkness her hands came to rest on something familiar. It was Floyd and his presence was bizarrely comforting. Finally finding the box, she rifled through the contents, her hands coming to rest on a torch. She switched it on, her heart melting as she spotted Buster and Floyd in the corner. Buster was quivering with both paws over his face and beside him sat Floyd, protecting his new little buddy.

  Shining the torch beam around the little space, Taylor took it in. This would be her and Patty’s shelter for however long it took Iva to leave and she was pleased to see it looked very stable. Hearing a gurgling sound, she carefully followed the noise and found herself peering into the toilet, shocked to see the water swirling around like a whirlpool. Beside the toilet was the hand basin, which Fang had obviously filled. The water in it was being sucked downwards through the plug, the pressure in the pipes outside immense. Taylor squeezed her eyes shut, wishing the horror away, but her ears were unable to block out the demonic screaming of wind and the thunderous crashing noises as Iva smashed against the house with its giant fists.

  Utterly exhausted, Taylor and Patty huddled into the corner of the concrete bathroom with their dogs on their laps. Underneath a thin mattress they dozed and woke constantly, unable to fall into a deep sleep. Then, suddenly, it went unnervingly quiet, as if a switch had been flicked and all the power behind the cyclone was gone. Taylor pushed the mattress off her head, halting her breath, her ears straining to hear something, anything.

  She gently shook Patty out of her slumber. ‘Patty. Wake up. I think it’s gone. Listen. There’s no more noise. We can go and look for the blokes now and make sure they’re all okay.’

  Patty rubbed her eyes, listening. ‘Tays, this is the eye of the cyclone. We’re only halfway through the nightmare: we still have to see the other side of Iva. The only difference is that this time the wind will be blowing in the opposite direction.’

  Taylor slumped, shoulders hunched, feeling as if the wind had been knocked clean out of her. They were only halfway through? Hadn’t they endured enough? A wave of anger washed over her as she smacked her hand against the wall. ‘What are we going to do about the men, Patty?’

  Patty embraced her. ‘Nothing, love. We can’t do anything. I’m just holding onto the faith that Jay is a clever bloke and that he and the men have found shelter somewhere else for whatever reason. We have to believe that, Tays. You have to help me believe in that by holding it together. Okay?’

  Taylor wiped her eyes, sniffling. ‘Okay,’ she whispered.

  Male voices shouted throughout the homestead, calling out Taylor’s and Patty’s names. Hurried heavy footsteps came towards the bathroom door then four silhouettes appeared. All the men were sopping wet, with cuts and bruises on their faces and arms. Taylor held her breath, praying that Jay was there. But he wasn’t and she began to wail.

  Patty gripped Tom’s arm, her voice shrill. ‘Where’s my boy? Why’s he not with you? What’s happened to him?’

  ‘We thought he might have been in here, with you two,’ Tom murmured back, his face twisting in emotional pain. ‘Us four have been hiding out at the cottage. We were
in the middle of securing down the stables when it was completely annihilated around us — one minute Jay was there, trying to save the horses, and the next, he was gone.’ Tom collapsed to his knees, clearly beaten. ‘I’m so sorry, Patty. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know where he is.’

  ‘No! I’ve lost almost everyone I love. I can’t lose Jay, too!’ Patty screamed as she took steps towards the bathroom door. Adam grabbed her and cradled her in his arms.

  ‘Sweetheart, no! You can’t go out there. It’s too dangerous.’

  Taylor sobbed, watching as Patty sank into Adam’s embrace. Graham and Fang squatted beside her, their arms around her shoulders, heads hung low, completely defeated.

  ‘He’s not coming back, is he?’ Taylor whispered, shocked she’d even spoken the words out loud.

  Fang and Graham looked at each other, and then towards her, their desolate eyes speaking a thousand words. Fang took her hands in his. ‘I can’t answer that honestly, mate. All we can do right now is pray for him. Would you like to do that?’

  Graham placed his hand on her shoulder, smiling so warmly she could barely hold herself together. She nodded shakily, feeling like a thin pane of glass that was about to shatter. ‘I reckon that would be a great idea. Adam? Patty? Tom? What do you reckon?’

  Tom shook his weary head. ‘I’m going back out to look for him so how about you lot say two prayers: one for Jay’s safety and another that I find him before this cyclone hits again.’

  Adam gently let go of Patty and stepped forward. ‘Tom, mate, we all want to go out there and find him, but right now all that’s going to achieve is putting more of us in danger.’

  ‘Exactly, Adam, that’s why I’m going back out there alone and the rest of you are staying put.’ Tom stood, ignoring everyone’s protests as he pulled a small photo frame from his pocket and handed it to Patty. ‘Please take care of this. It’s the only thing that holds any value to me. It’s all I have of her. I can’t bear the thought of losing it.’