The Cavern

by Alister Hodge

  He grabbed two schooner glasses from a wash tray. “You guys must be parched. What’ll it be? VB or VB?”

  Sam glanced along the bar and realised the only beer on tap was Victoria Bitter. He gave a short laugh and nodded, accepting the glass and taking a sip after the barman had poured it.

  Wiping foam from his nose, he turned on his seat to take in the rest of the downstairs area. The bar itself spanned almost one entire side, with glass on the wall behind reflecting images of various spirit and liqueur bottles. An ancient king-sized pool table claimed one corner while the rest of the area was dotted with small tables, some at waist height for eating, others raised further off the ground for bar stools. On the far wall was a series of black and white photos of soldiers. Sam wandered over with beer in hand for a closer look.

  “Are these from the Vietnam War?” he asked, peering at one where a wounded man was being loaded onto the retrieval tray of a small helicopter.

  “Yeah. I served three tours, ’69-71. Lost a few good mates there, so figured the best I can do for them is to keep some of the memories alive. There’s no RSL in town, so this is as good as they’ve got.”

  Sam reached a hand up above his head, gently running one finger along the wood stock of an SLR rifle that was mounted above the photos. He glanced back over his shoulder. “Is that legit?”

  The barman gave a slight nod. “Don’t worry though, I removed the firing pin so it can’t be shot. It’s no danger to anyone these days.”

  Jack took a tray of glasses from the dishwasher behind the bar and started methodically drying them with a cotton napkin. Without looking up from the glass in hand, he started talking again. “There was an awful lot of ropes and stuff in your car – not quite the usual stuff tourists pack around here. What brings you guys to town?”

  “We’re here to map the cave system found on Mr. Anastas’ property,” said Ellie.

  The barman put down the glass and folded up the cotton napkin, a crease between his brows. “You and your mates might want to reconsider,” he said, voice mild.

  Ellie glanced at Sam, and he could tell by her expression she was already annoyed. If there was one thing he knew would get her back up, it was being told what she could and couldn’t do.

  “Why would we do that?” said Ellie, a slight edge to her voice. “We have permission to enter Mr. Anastas’ land, I don’t believe it should be of concern to anyone else in town.”

  Jack leant back on the bench behind him, meeting Ellie’s gaze finally. “I couldn’t give a damn about rules or permissions. It’s your safety I’m concerned about. There are things in this area that are better left alone.”

  “Like what?”

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, god knows the last couple didn’t,” he muttered. “Look, I used to work in one of the opal mines before they closed, and some of the things that happened down there were horrific.”

  “I appreciate your concern, but we’re professionals and don’t plan on taking unnecessary risks. Between our crew, we have thousands of hours experience in caving, and besides, we have Sam here as paramedic support. There’s really no need to worry.” Ellie’s tone conveyed a finality to the conversation.

  Jack clenched his jaw, then turned his attention to Sam. “So, you’re an ambo?”

  “Yeah, a paramedic with the NSW Ambulance Service.”

  “You know, our local station is severely understaffed at the moment. The permanent ambo just quit out of the blue and bolted overseas to a sick family member. No idea when he’ll be back.”

  “Who was left running the show?” asked Sam, not liking where the conversation was headed.

  “A lass called Mia. Nice enough, but she’s only a year out of training and it seems a bit shit that she’s been left unassisted. Maybe you’d be interested in helping her out while you’re in town?”

  “Sounds like she got a rough deal, but I’m on annual leave at the moment. I’d be willing to help normally, but I’ve already committed to supporting the caving expedition,” Sam said with an apologetic shrug of his shoulders.

  Behind him, heavy footsteps descended the stairs and he turned to see the other members of the party arrive. Aaron was red in the face and looked like he was ready to bite someone’s head off. Ellie slid off her bar stool, walking to meet them.

  “What’s happened?”

  “I just got a fucking call from the farmer,” said Aaron. “The council contacted him today and said he’s not allowed to give us access to the bloody cave.”

  Chapter Six

  Sam’s head jerked up off the pillow, woken by a light rap of knuckles on wood. He blinked groggily, disorientated for a moment until he remembered where he was. Ellie was still sound asleep next to him, the sheet covering only her legs in the heat of the hotel room. There was no air-conditioner, and it had been the early hours of morning before they’d both finally passed out to a restless sleep.

  He stretched out a hand and grabbed his phone off the bedside table to check the time. 8AM. With the expedition temporarily on hold, neither of them had bothered to set an alarm.

  Again, a light, but persistent knock.

  “Hello, Mr. Lewis?” said a female voice, muffled by the door.

  “Just a sec,” grunted Sam as he swung his legs off the side of the bed and sat. Who the hell would be knocking on my door at this time of day? He quickly pulled back on the jeans he’d been wearing the previous day and shrugged a t-shirt over his head as he walked to the door. Before opening it, he glanced back at the bed and saw that Ellie had already pulled the sheet up and over herself, eyes still firmly clamped shut despite the interruption.

  He opened the door part way and found a woman in a navy-blue NSW Ambulance Service paramedic uniform standing on the other side. She winced slightly at his sleep messed hair and crumpled clothes.

  “Mr. Lewis?”

  Sam nodded.

  “My name’s Mia. Sorry about the early time of day, but I was wondering if I could speak to you downstairs?”

  Sam groaned inwardly. He’d forgotten just how quickly word travelled in small towns. “Yeah, give me a minute to pull some shoes on. I’ll meet you down at the bar in five minutes.”

  As Mia left, Sam closed the door and leant his forehead against it, silently cursing the barman who’d obviously spread word of his occupation.

  “Let me guess, that was the paramedic Jack was talking about?”

  Sam pushed himself upright from the door with a low groan, and found Ellie staring at him from the bed. He nodded with a frown and started to pull on a pair of boots.

  “Don’t get sucked in, babe. You’re on annual leave, they can’t expect you to pick up a bunch of shifts just because you happen to be here.”

  Standing straight again, Sam headed for the door. “If she asks, I’ll just say no. Be back in a few minutes.” Inwardly though, Sam knew the conversation wasn’t going to be so easy.

  ***

  Sam found Mia waiting at one of the small square tables in the downstairs bar area, her legs out before her, crossed at the ankles. She held out a takeaway coffee cup as he approached.

  “Peace offering for the early meeting,” she said, a sheepish smile on her face. “I took a guess and got you a flat white.”

  “No worries, I should’ve been up anyway.” Sam accepted the cup and took a seat opposite. “I hear you’ve been left on your own out here. How long until they have a replacement?”

  “No idea. Every time I enquire, I get told there’ll be someone sent out soon, but it’s going on two weeks now with no other support. It’s getting beyond a joke.”

  Mia looked down at her cup for a moment, fiddling with a rough bit of plastic on the lid. “I know you’re technically on holiday and supposed to be supporting some sort of caving trip, but Jack also said it had been placed on hold for the moment, that the council was giving you grief over access?”

  Sam nodded. “Yeah, probably just some bureaucrat throwing their weight around and wanting to feel i
mportant. Aaron’s headed there this morning to sort it out. He’ll sign some forms or grease the right palm, and we’ll hopefully be back in business. Why are you asking?”

  “It’s just that I’ve had a few prank calls recently, where I’ve had to go out of town to remote farm locations on my own. Last week there was one where the property was deserted, although I could have sworn someone was watching me. Creeped me out big time.”

  “Have the police done anything to help?”

  “I reported it, but the local sergeant said he ‘wasn’t paid to chaperone little girls at work’. So, as it stands, I’ve had fuck-all support.”

  “What about family? Have you got a brother or something that could do a ride along?”

  “I wish. I only moved here for the contract. My family and partner live in Newcastle, so I’m stuck in this shit hole town on my own for another six months.”

  Sam’s resolve crumbled. He knew it was dangerous to attend call-outs as a solo operator. Only the previous year, a remote area nurse had been murdered while working alone in South Australia. Mia’s fears were founded on fact, and that was something Sam knew he couldn’t just walk away from.

  He took a breath and capitulated. “What can I do to help?”

  “Are you sure? I was so embarrassed coming to ask, especially while you’re on holiday…”

  “We’ll have to clear it with headquarters first, but if they give the go ahead, I’m happy to join you on a few call outs.”

  “You don’t know how much I appreciate this,” Mia said, voice catching with relief. “I’m fine with jobs nearby, but if I get another call out of town, I’d really appreciate if you could ride shotgun with me. Even if it’s only for a couple of days. Once it’s known I won’t be alone, it might make the creep responsible for the calls think twice.” She reached across the table and gave his wrist a squeeze in thanks. “I owe you heaps. Anything I can do to help with your caving expedition – just let me know.”

  ***

  Sam pressed the red button on his phone and tossed it on the bed.

  “By your face, I take it that your boss cleared you to work?” asked Ellie. She’d been less than impressed when she heard that he’d agreed to help Mia.

  “I didn’t really have a choice, babe. Sounds like she’s got a local stalker. It’s dangerous enough as a single bloke attending some of those calls, let alone a young woman.”

  “As long as it doesn’t interfere with our work,” she said with a slight pout. She got up from where she was perched on the edge of the bed, came over and gave him a light kiss. “You’re too nice for your own good sometimes. But then again, I’d probably have been disgusted if you left her to attend those dodgy calls solo.”

  “Can’t win, eh?” said Sam, more amused than frustrated. “Ah well, I’ll survive somehow. Any news from Aaron about the council?”

  All humour dropped from Ellie’s face at the change in topic. “Nothing new. He’s still trying to pin someone down for a meeting.”

  A vibration sounded from Sam’s phone on the bed. He leant down and picked it up. “You’ve got to be freaking kidding me,” he muttered, before answering the call.

  He listened for a moment. “No worries, I’ll be downstairs in a minute. See you soon.” He hung up and slipped the phone into his pocket.

  Ellie bit the bottom corner of her lip. “You’ve got a job already, don’t you?”

  Sam nodded, a grimace plastered over his face as he grabbed his jacket off the chair and headed for the door. “Hopefully won’t be long. I’ll give you a call later.”

  Chapter Seven

  As Sam clipped himself into the passenger seat of the ambulance, Mia was already accelerating away from the curb in front of the Pintalba Hotel.

  “Didn’t take long for a call out,” said Sam with a rueful smile.

  Mia looked unapologetic. “Can’t plan for emergencies.”

  She took a left at the next intersection, heading out of town on the same road Sam’s group took for the cave the day before.

  “Dispatch got a call from a lady with chest pain on a property south of town. I haven’t been to this address before and I know there’s a couple of abandoned homesteads out that way.”

  “So, the same sort of shit you had pulled on you last week?” asked Sam.

  “Yeah, but with any luck, this one will be legit. I’ve got a pile of pulp fiction I’d rather be reading back at the station than wasting my time on bogus calls.”

  Sam settled back in the worn leather seat and stretched out his legs. Paddocks of stunted yellow grass zipped by, hemmed in by rusted barbed-wire fences. Emaciated sheep with dirty fleeces stood under occasional stands of water-starved trees.

  “Is it just me, or is this town more depressed than a suicide attempt?”

  Mia flicked him a quick glance, a smirk on her face. “Yep. If it was human, it would have scored a mental health admission for sure. It’s a bit of a struggle to not let it rub off on you.”

  “How long you out here for?”

  “I’ve got six months left on my placement before I can start applying for jobs closer to home. Six long months.”

  “What are the locals like?”

  “Between you and me, most of them are a little… how shall I put it?” She cocked her head to the side a moment to think. “They’re just odd. There’s no other way to describe it. I mean, like most small towns, the older people tend to be insular and on the conservative side. But these guys take superstition to a whole new level.”

  “How so?”

  “Half of them believe in ghosts, and the other in a creature called the ‘Miner’s Mother’ that’s supposed to live in the abandoned mines. There’s a local ghost tour run by a guy in town. If you get a free evening, you should definitely do it. He’s the best story teller I’ve heard for a while, manages to make half the tourists shit themselves,” she said with a chuckle. “So, what are you guys doing in the caves?”

  Sam gave her a quick run-down of how the farmer had discovered the sink hole and that they were to be the first group to explore and map the new complex.

  “Hey, if you do that ghost tour, make sure you ask the guide about the caves. I got chatting to him one night in the pub, and he told a story about a meteorite strike in the early 1900’s. A rock the size of a washing machine punched through to a cave system, but then a rockslide buried the entrance before anyone explored it properly. Maybe it’s the same system?”

  Sam shrugged. “Good chance.” Off to the left of the road, an old weatherboard house came into sight. “Is this the place?”

  Mia nodded as she geared down before turning into the dirt driveway. She had to slow to a crawl, the ambulance lurching over myriad potholes as she approached.

  A semi-circle of ancient cypress pines reared up around the house like mute sentinels, gnarled branches dropping a thick litter of brown needles on the corrugated-iron roof. Paint curled from the surface of the weatherboard walls, littering the ground with psoriatic white flakes. The windows at the front were smashed, jagged glass standing proud from the edges, framing an interior lost in shadow.

  “Somehow I don’t think we’re going to find anyone living here,” said Sam.

  Mia swore under her breath. “I fucking knew it was another prank.”

  She braked heavily, wheels skidding slightly in the dirt as the ambulance came to a stop before the veranda. Something caught Sam’s attention in his peripheral vision, and his head jerked to the side, searching the empty window on the left side of the house. He could have sworn he’d seen a figure move back out of sight, but more likely than not it was just a shadow from a tree branch playing tricks on him.

  “Might as well have a quick walk around the house, make sure we’re not missing anything before we call it quits,” said Sam as he swung open his door and climbed out. Now that he was out of the vehicle’s air-conditioning, the heat of the day hit him like a physical force, prickling a line of sweat across his forehead within moments. He turned on the spot
, looking for any signs of human presence.

  “Hello?” he shouted. “Is anyone here?”

  Nothing. Aside from a slight breeze rustling the pine needles above, there was dead silence. No birds or insects. It wasn’t natural. The skin on the back of Sam’s neck crawled, and he suddenly felt very exposed. Black empty windows of the house watched him with a psychopathic flat stare.

  Mia arrived at his side with her work bag slung over one shoulder, but she hung back slightly, her reluctance palpable. Sam walked up onto the veranda, ancient floorboards creaking with each step. The front door swung open with a gentle touch of his fingers. As his eyes adjusted to the gloom, features emerged from the shadows. A desiccated hallway stretched to the rear of the building, doorways opening to either side like cells.

  “See anything?” asked Mia from the driveway.

  “Nothing so far.” Sam stepped inside, forcing himself to at least check a few rooms. The house had been stripped long before, with nothing but stained walls and bare floorboards remaining.

  As he peered around a corner into what must have been a sitting room, a board gave way beneath his right foot, splintering like balsa wood. Sam managed to catch his weight with a hand on the wall before his foot dropped through, and he stepped back gingerly. Kneeling down, he pushed at the broken section of board, and it came away, dropping into the cavity below the house, leaving vicious splinters of wood at the opening. Sam took a shaky breath, knowing he’d been lucky to not injure his leg badly. He knocked his fist lightly on the doorway, hearing a hollow sound in return. The place was probably riddled with termites, boards eaten back to mere paper-thin exteriors. He backed carefully to the front door, not wanting to spend any more time in the death trap.

  Once outside, he wandered around to the back of the building. An old Hills Hoist washing line creaked, a tattered towel hanging from one side shivering in the light breeze. The material of the cloth had been white at one time, but now half of it was stained a rusty red.