While We Fall (The Eva Series #2)

Chapter Twelve

“But Ben! It’s not my fault!” Jo yelled. She and Ben had been arguing ever since we made it out of that hellhole of a town in the middle of nowhere. The only quiet moment I experienced was when we pulled over so Wyatt could drive, I was too tired to go any further.
“I’m not saying it’s your fault, Jo!” Ben fought back. “But you need to understand, we can’t stop and help people anymore. It’s not safe.”
Ben was furious that we stopped to help Sharon only to be betrayed and almost killed. I knew he was right, but I was too tired and too focussed on getting us to Elliot’s to argue with them. Wyatt and I sat quietly in front while they battled it out. I could tell it was creating a rift between them, and I hoped they would stop soon and get back to pretending they don’t care about each other.
“Things are different now.” Ben continued. “People are doing whatever they can to survive, and that includes lying, stealing and killing. We need to toughen up, we need to put our own survival before anyone else. It’s not just zombies we have to be afraid of now, it’s humans, too.”
“Guys, can we call a time-out here?” Said Wyatt. “Besides, we won’t be stopping again anyway, we’re almost there.”

After driving for days, surrounded by burnt earth and cracked soil as far as the eye could see, and surviving everything from zombie filled towns to crocodile infested waters, my hope grew the moment I saw the sparkle of the ocean in the distance.
“Guys, look!” I smiled, pointing out the window.
Finally, we were driving down the long, winding road of the Queensland coastline. I smiled at the sight of clear blue skies, turquoise ocean and palm trees.
“It’s gorgeous.” Sighed Jo as she moved closer to the window to get a better look at the picturesque scenery.
I sat as close to the window as I could, marvelling at the sight before me. The ocean glistened in the sunlight like diamonds, and we weaved in and out of the lush green rainforest headed to our life-saving destination.
All of a sudden, the RV swerved and took a sharp turn to the left, causing me to smack my head against the glass. Dixon whimpered as he fell off of the couch and skidded across the floor.

“Sorry guys!” Wyatt said. “I nearly missed the turn-off into Elliot’s driveway. It’s more concealed than last time I was here.”
Dixon jumped up and huddled next to me as I rubbed my sore forehead. The sight of the ocean disappeared behind us and now all I could see was bushland. The RV bumped up and down constantly as Wyatt navigated the winding dirt road.
“I don’t see any house.” Said Ben, leaning forward from the cabin to peer up the hill in front of us.
“It’s pretty hidden on the mountain. Got a long and bumpy ride ahead of us before we get to the front gate.” Replied Wyatt, slowing the pace of the RV to navigate the narrow road.
As we bumped along the dirt driveway, I noticed a make-shift sign on a tree. A piece of wood had been nailed to the trunk, with a warning scrawled on it in red paint.

WARNING: PRIVATE PROPERTY. NO TRESPASSERS.

Further down the road, I spotted more signs.

YOU ARE UNDER SURVEILLANCE. TURN AROUND NOW.

DANGER: TRESPASSERS WILL BE SHOT.

SERIOUSLY. GO BACK NOW.

Chills ran down my spine like electric shocks. So far, this place didn’t look like the safe haven I had imagined.
“Don’t worry, it’s just a security measure. He’s paranoid, remember?” Said Wyatt, sensing the build up of tension in the RV.
“Are you sure we’ll be safer here than out there, man?” Asked Ben.
“Ben, he’s my brother. We can trust him.” Replied Wyatt.
I sat back away from the window, trying to ignore the signs of danger. I needed to believe that this nightmare was over, I needed to believe we were finally safe.
After an uphill drive along the winding dirt road, we reached a tall, rusted gate.
A large padlock and chain had been wrapped tightly around the entrance gate, and another sign was plastered proudly on the bars.

YOU WERE WARNED. WHATEVER HAPPENS NEXT IS YOUR OWN FAULT.

Ben and I exchanged worried glances, but neither of us dare say anything for fear of upsetting Wyatt.
“Stay here.” Said Wyatt as he unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped out of the RV.
“Nope.” Sniggered Ben as he climbed out of the RV in one swift movement.
Jo and I followed cautiously behind, with Dixon by our side.
A tall cyclone fence sat on either side of the gate and continued on deep into the rainforest on both sides.
I stepped up to the gate and peered through the bars. I tried to search through the trees for a house, but saw nothing.
Something doesn’t feel right, I thought.
My heart started beating harder and my skin started to prickle as I realised what that something was.
I was being watched.

I quickly turned my gaze up higher into the trees, trying to spot whatever had it’s eyes on me.
Suddenly, a tall figure fell to it’s feet right in front of me on the other side of the gate.
I gasped in fright as I jumped backwards, slamming my back into the front of the RV.
“Owww…” I moaned as I rubbed my sore back, looking up to see what had frightened me.
It was a tall man, with a shaved head and a goatee. He was wearing a camouflaged singlet and pants, and black combat boots. Two stripes had been drawn onto his cheeks in mud, and he was filthy, as though he had been running around in the jungle for days. I was so shocked by his surprise entrance that I didn’t even notice the gun in his hand.
“Elliot?” Wyatt asked as he approached the gate, sounding as shocked as I felt.
“Wyatt!” The man smiled, suddenly appearing much less threatening. “I knew you would come!”
“It’s good to see you, man.” Wyatt smiled. “You look… different.”
“Good to see you, too, brother. Now, show me your legs.”
“What?”
“Your legs, boy. I need to make sure none of you are infected.”
“Oh.”
We all lifted our pants and sleeves to show him we hadn’t been bitten.
Satisfied, Elliot slid his gun into its holster, pulled a set of keys out of his jacket pocket and started unlocking the gate.

“Come in! I’ve been waiting for you, although I must admit I didn’t expect you to bring company.” Elliot smiled as he pulled the gate open and waved us inside.
“Yeah, this is Eva, Ben and Jo,” Wyatt replied, gesturing to each of us in turn. “Oh, and this big guy is Dixon.” He added, rubbing Dixon on the head, causing him to wag his tail in joy.
“Welcome everyone!” Elliot said, holding his arms out wide and puffing his chest out. “Welcome to paradise!”
Before any of us could greet him, Elliot turned on his heels and started running into the bush.
“Wyatt, my boy! Lock the gate behind you will you? The house is just up the path. Go on in and make yourself at home. We can move the RV into the garage later. I’ll meet you up there!” He yelled as he disappeared into the trees.
“He’s quite the character, isn’t he?” Laughed Jo as she started walking up the path just as Elliot had directed.
“He’s definitely something.” Muttered Ben sarcastically.
Wyatt locked the gate and we began following the path towards the house.
Turning a corner, we entered into an open area of green grass, palm trees and landscaped gardens.
“Woah.” Said Ben, and we all stopped in our tracks to admire Elliot’s house.
In the middle of the open land on top of the hill sat a huge cabin. A long patio wound around each side, and I could see solar panels covering the roof, with what looked like a rooftop garden in the centre. A large satellite dish sat awkwardly on the other side of the house, and next to it was a water tank.
Relief washed over me as I stared up at our beautiful new safe haven.
“We made it.” I said, tears filling my eyes.

Jo jumped up and down by my side and wrapped her arms around me, squealing excitedly. I hugged her so tight I thought I might crush her.
Ben and Wyatt high-fived and laughed like they hadn’t laughed in what felt like years.
Jo let go of me as Ben scooped her up into his arms and spun around in celebration.
Butterflies danced around my stomach as Wyatt wrapped his arms around my waist and held me tight.

“We’re safe now, Eva.” He whispered in my ear before kissing me gently on the cheek.

I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks.

I didn’t quite know who or what I was praying to – whether it was God or the Universe or just dumb luck that brought us safely to this place – but whatever it was, I was eternally grateful.