Page 47
Kirby’s eyes met mine, and she mouthed shit.
My pulse hammered as they came closer.
Then an older woman rounded the corner of the house, a floral mask covering the lower part of her face. Her skin was weathered, and her denim shirt was clean and untucked. With silver hair cut short on the sides and longer on top, the breeze ruffled the strands as she sized us up.
Neither of her hands held a weapon, but she had plenty of room under her shirt to hide one.
“Looking for someone?” she asked, her voice muffled behind the mask.
Ava shifted, half concealing the nail gun behind her thigh. “I think we all know we’re not from here,” she said with a quick smile. “We’re just trying to find a place to stay for the night.”
The woman’s eyes filled with a faint trace of amusement. She took in our weapons, then the dirt caked on the edges of our shoes. “Where are you travelling from?”
“Sydney Airport,” I said. “We’re trying to get back to Melbourne.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “When did you land?”
“Yesterday morning,” Kirby said. “Planes were crashing by the time we left.”
“My God, I had no idea. Is it bad everywhere?”
I thought about the shopping centre and our first overnight stop in the childcare centre. Jeremy. None of it had been good. “Everywhere we’ve been.”
Her posture deflated a little. “I only saw the first few attacks on the news before the broadcasts stopped. There’s been no new information since. So, it isn’t under control anywhere? No army? No police?”
I shook my head. “Not that we’ve seen.”
She let out a slow breath through her mask, staring down the drive for a moment before returning her attention to us. “You’re trying to get into the Watsons’ place.”
It came out more like a statement than a question. I glanced at the back door. “We saw them leave. It looked like they were taking off for good.”
“They were.” Her voice softened. “Margaret’s husband died. She’s heading to her cousin’s farm in Gundagai with a friend. They had the idea they’d be safer with some space around them, but I don’t know about that now.”
None of us said anything. Nothing felt safe anymore.
“I was watching you from my window,” she continued. “You didn’t waste any time.”
“We don’t have any time to waste,” Ava said, her half-smile devoid of humour.
“No. I don’t suppose that’s ever been truer.”
Kirby tilted her head toward the house. “Do you mind? We’re not looking to steal anything, I promise. We just need one decent night’s sleep.”
The woman studied the three of us again, but it looked like she’d already made up her mind. “It doesn’t really matter anymore. She’s gone for good.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a keyring, thumbing through the collection before removing one. “Margaret gave me a spare a long time ago. I took care of their dog, Hugo, whenever they went away.”
She held it out, and Kirby accepted it carefully. “Thank you.”
“It’s just a roof. I doubt there’s any food left.” She nodded toward the garage. “I noticed you were on foot. There’s a car in there, too, if you need it.”
Ava’s eyes widened. “Would the keys still be in the house?”
“Can’t say for sure, but there’d be no reason for her to take them.”
“Thanks,” I said. “We appreciate it.”
“No problem.” Her eyes crinkled at the edges. “Look after yourselves—and be careful around here. Most of the people passing through look like they’re just trying to get somewhere, but I’ve seen a few I’m not so sure about.”
“We’ll pay attention.” Ava gripped the nail gun in both hands again.
