by Mark Stewart
OVER THE next ninety minutes Anneli and Wade grew accustomed to each other, cementing the fact they were meant to be together. They laughed talked and stared at the sky to view the approaching storm. Their conversation changed to serious when their love for each other not only mushroomed; it grew rapidly. They explored each other’s histories in detail. They easily eradicated any potential problem. Discovering Anneli just graduated from her law studies took Wade completely by surprise.
Lying on her stomach, Anneli arched her back. Leaning on her elbows, she quoted.
“I don’t care if it rains or a storm hits, right now is perfect. I can’t believe anything could bring a halt to the magnificent start of Christmas.”
“It sure has been a wonderful morning,” declared Wade, running his fingers through Anneli’s long hair. “Are you up for another surprise?”
“What, there is more?”
Using her wrists, Wade pulled Anneli to her feet. He slipped his fingers through hers, walking back to the miner’s hut. After swiping a length of nylon rope from off the ground near the door, they followed a track for a few minutes. Veering off onto a narrow sandy trail they came to the base of a radio tower on the other side of the hill.
The structure mirrored a high voltage electrical tower. Its large square base at ground level tapered to a point some seventy feet in the air. Large transmitter dishes dotted the outside of the structure near the top.
“Are you up for a climb?” asked Wade.
Adrenaline started flowing through Anneli’s veins. “Yes,” she answered confidently. In secret, she could feel her knees trembling at the thought of climbing the tower in a mini skirt.
Wade unwound the rope, tying one end around Anneli’s waist, the other around his black leather belt.
“Only in case,” he insisted, starting to lead the ascent.
Anneli’s mind raced. Instead of saying she didn’t want to climb the tower she clamped her jaw shut, biting at the inside of her cheek to hide her nervousness. Besides, the man she started to have strong feelings for seemed confident enough to see to her safety.
Anneli held the thin rope in her left hand. She waited for Wade’s feet to clear a half a body length from the crown of her head before starting to climb.
The first twenty feet didn’t look easy. They needed to reach up for the cross bar of the metal structure before sliding along the thin railing to the other end of the frame. The rusty metal edges turned their hands orange. On the outside of the main tower legs, there were two rods about the thickness of Wade’s middle finger. They jutted out of the frame slightly less than ten inches.
‘Obviously used for the purpose of foot and handholds,’ thought Anneli studying the rods.
After completing the climbing sequence several times, the duo made it to the first metal platform. The area looked to be about the same size of a standard car.
Anneli pointed to the ladder welded to the side. “The next few levels seem easy.”
They climbed to the fourth level before deciding they were high enough. The pair sat on the painted metal floor overlooking Darwin the sea and the surrounds.
“What a picture-perfect view,” Anneli described.
“It sure is,” agreed Wade.
Anneli lay prone to view the sky. Wade lay next to her on one elbow staring into her eyes. He felt content nothing and no one will interrupt their time.
“Wade this is a beautiful spot.”
“It’s only beautiful due to the fact you’re here.”
Anneli sat bolt upright looking at his warm, friendly lazy smile. She needed to bury the idea of throwing herself at him. If he wanted her, it would have to be long division. Marriage the whole works. Never again will anybody try to order her to do something she didn’t believe was right. The man she will give her virginity to will be of her choosing.
“Wade, thank you for the compliment, you make this place special too.”
The couple embraced at the same time a low rumble rolled across the sky. The first raindrop fell onto the bridge of Anneli’s nose. The second drop hit on the top of her head. A strong gust of wind buffeted Wade’s shirt. The first lightning bolt split the sky above Darwin. The billowing black clouds quickly swallowed the picturesque sunrise. The temperature dropped several more degrees. Another thunder clap rumbled in the heavens causing the radio tower to vibrate. A few more drops of rain fell onto the metal platform causing the water to splatter into the air.
“A little rain never hurt anyone,” blurted Anneli, brushing the water from her legs.
In only thirty minutes the sky changed from a bright red sunrise to a solid charcoal coloured cold front. The ink coloured clouds were billowing faster.
From their vantage point, Wade pointed to Charlotte bobbing on the sea of white caps. “The wind is strengthening.”
“Maybe we should get back to the Darwin CBD,” suggested Anneli.
Wade glanced at his watch. “I don’t think we have enough time. It’s now three minutes past nine in the morning. It’ll take at least fifty minutes in this wind to get back down the mountain. In my opinion, the two of us on a motorbike is far too dangerous if the rain saturates the road. I vote we climb down from here to wait for the storm to blow itself out. The warning the old man gave might have been correct.”
“No offence, your quaint hut has a lot of holes. I don’t think it’s the safest place to wait out a storm.”
“You’re right we can’t stay in the hut. I’ve just thought of a backup plan.”
By the time, Wade finished talking, the rain had started to splatter the dirt near their feet. In seconds, the myriad of small dents in the metal floor was pooling.
Hailstones larger than a five-cent coin soon followed.
Wade looked down to study the tops of the trees growing close to the base of the tower. The canopy of leaves started to thrash about in the gale force wind. The ageing radio tower felt to be in a state of constant vibration.
The structure vibrated and swayed slightly to the left.
“Wade, I’m scared. This tower doesn’t seem too stable,” screamed Anneli.
The tower groaned as it swayed to the right. Lightning pierced the blackened overhead sky time and again. The wind ruffled Anneli’s long hair blowing it into a mane as it streamed away from her scalp. Wade’s clothes took on the appearance of a flag in a storm.
Wade took hold of Anneli’s hand to help keep her upright. “I have to agree. The way this tower is vibrating she might topple at any moment. Come on; we’ll have to hurry. We need to get to the safe place I’m thinking of.”
By the time, Wade and Anneli walked over to the ladder the wind seemed to have doubled in strength. The sky looked to be a massive disco ball from the endless flashes of blue. The deep rumbles were catching up on the lightning strikes.
The first part of the descent was incident free. When Wade and Anneli they reached the next metal floor, the rain easily soaked the two climbers to the skin. Their clothes clung to their backs causing robotic movements.
Wade and Anneli didn’t know Cyclone Tracy would hit landfall in only thirty-five minutes.
“We have to hurry,” yelled Wade over the wind. He grabbed hold of the first rung and started down.
The tower vibrated. Again, it swayed slightly to the left. Wade clung to the main frame. Anneli dropped to all fours then lay prone. She gave a sharp scream. Any piece of dry fabric on her mini skirt instantly soaked up the large pool of water on the metal plate.
When the tower stopped swaying, Wade looked up at Anneli, giving her a quick nod.
She started down. Three feet above the next platform Anneli jumped onto the plate.
They both wore a smug expression as they cuddled in a loving embrace to protect the other from being buffeted by the gale force wind.
“Before we start our final stage of the descent, we will rest here for a few minutes,” declared Wade.
“Good idea,” replied Anneli, staggering a little.
The wind started to push the rain
sideways. The tower vibrated yet again. The rivets and the bolts holding the metal plate Wade and Anneli were standing on snapped. Shrapnel flew in every direction. One side of the plate kicked up before settling back on a horizontal plane. Anneli lost her footing and was wrenched out of Wade’s arms, throwing her across the plate towards the edge. She screamed in fear. The sudden weight on the rope saw Wade hydroplaning across the metal surface after her. A surge of water raised by his slide followed Anneli over the edge, cascading to the ground in one long waterfall.
The rope between the two tightened to piano wire tension.
Wade managed to grab hold of a cross beam. He dug his heels into the metal floor to stop the slide.
“Are you hurt?” called Wade, grimacing from the effort at stopping the fall.
“No, I’m fine,” yelled Anneli over the wind. “I’ve received a cold shower, but I’ll be okay.”
Wade exhaled a massive sigh and repositioned his handhold by pulling himself back an inch or two. Slightly to his left Wade spied a long bolt sticking out of the floor. If he could only reach the bolt, he’d use it for a perfect foothold and easily haul Anneli up. “Hold onto something,” he called.
“Wade, if you give me a little slack, I’ll be able to reach the beam in front of me. It’s just out of reach.”
“The only way to do what you’ve asked is for me to let go.”
“Trust me. When I have hold of the cross beam, the strain will be off the rope. You’ll be able to haul me up easily.”
“I’m not going to let go.”
“You have to,” urged Anneli.
“I’ve stumbled on a solution. I just need you to hold onto something, and I’ll be able to pull you up.”
Anneli viewed the ground twenty feet directly below her. She could only imagine the scene from Wade’s position.
“I’ve another idea,” she called.
“Whatever it is, I’m not buying.”
“I knew you’d never agree to my request. Let me explain. There’s a bolt wedged precariously on the edge of the plate. I’ll swing towards the plate above my head, reach up and grab it.”
“Okay, I agree. Make sure you hold on tight. The moment the rope slackens, I’ll reposition myself to pull you up.”
Anneli moved her legs back and forth to start a swinging motion. On a forward, swing she grabbed hold of the bolt. Using the sharp thread, she started cutting the rope.
Wade’s shoulder started to ache. Soon it’ll start to pull away from its socket. If he didn’t let go soon, he’d have a dislocated shoulder.
“Anneli, have you gripped the bolt?” His call sounded weak.
“Hold on; I’m almost through.”
The pitch in her voice, the words she spoke and the way she delivered them gave away her secret. Wade’s eyes bulged.
“Stop cutting the rope,” he yelled.
Anneli doubled her efforts. “How did you know?”
“I made a calculated guess. Please, the only thing you have to do is reach out, take the strain from off the rope so I can pull you up.”
“I can’t reach the cross beam due to the plate’s overhang. If I time my stunt perfectly when I cut through the rope my return swing will see me hurtle towards the beam.”
“What if your timing is off?”
“Let’s put it this way. You’re determined never to let go. On your stubbornness alone, you’ll either slip, the rope will break, or lightening could strike the tower. After all, this structure is a metal radio tower and a fragile one at that. My plan is the only way to save us both.”
Wade knew he couldn’t hold on forever. If he waited too long his strength will be gone. Whatever they did it needed to happen now. If Anneli’s plan mistimed in any way, she’d slip from the beam in front of her and plummet to her death.
“Okay,” he called. “If you stop cutting the rope, I’ll let go.”
Anneli quickly decided he might be stalling for time. Instead of stopping she kept up her sawing technique. When the rope slid over the bolt’s thread for the umpteenth time the ageing bolt head sheared clean off. She leaned sideways in a desperate attempt to catch it. Her fingertip tapped the bolt head, making it ricochet against the tower frame. She watched it plummet to the ground, blinking her welling tears into submission.
Anneli hung suspended in midair. Staring at the rope through fearful eyes she saw one nylon fibre after the next stretch, fray and snap. She cleared her throat, trying to sound confident. “Wade, I’ll start swinging. When I say, just let go.”
Wade slowly shook his head. His mind slipped into overdrive, desperately searching for a solution, well aware he’d been in tighter situations.
“If you want to pray to the man upstairs now might be a good time,” called Anneli.
“Okay, I’m ready,” called Wade.
“You sound a little perplexed. Don’t worry; it’ll work out, trust me.”
Wade picked up on the terror in Anneli’s voice. Something sounded wrong, of what, he didn’t know. Before he could think of what it might be, Anneli started swinging.
The half-cut rope quickly frayed more from the extra strain. The wind intensified further, howling through the metal structure. The tops of the trees were being bent halfway to the ground. The lightning flashes came every few seconds. Thunder quickly followed each bright flash.
The ache in Wade’s arm rapidly developed into excruciating pain. He estimated in moments his shoulder might slip out of its socket. In desperation, he glanced around the area for something else to help save them. His gaze zeroed in on the jutting out bolt Anneli described. The rope must be hooked when he dived over the side. If Anneli mistimed her swing, the bolt would assist in the perfect backup plan. He didn’t have time to go through the entire scenario, so he prayed the rope might stay strong enough. “Wait a few extra seconds,” he called.
“No, it’s now or never.”
Even though Anneli didn’t weigh much, the strain on Wade’s shoulder from the swinging motion seemed to be taking its toll. He needed to let go.
Wade dug his heels in, setting himself to dive. He vaguely remembered hearing Anneli’s voice yelling, ‘now.’
Everything happened at once. Wade let go of the only hand hold which helped to keep them alive. His body lurched forward at the same time Anneli swung back for the beam in front of her.
The rope tightened, pulling Wade towards the edge and perhaps certain death.
In the seconds leading up to this maneuver being played out, Wade ironed out his backup plan. Deep down he hoped he didn’t have to risk the highly dangerous stunt. If there was more time to prepare he’d have thought of something else. He wanted to kick himself for placing Anneli in such a disastrous predicament.
Anneli swung too hard. Reaching out for the beam her hands slipped off the cold, wet surface of the metal frame. She started to plummet towards the ground. Realizing Wade might soon follow, her eyes widened in fear.
‘If I’m about to die I’m unusually calm,’ Anneli thought. Goosebumps erupted on her arms. Her long black hair hung heavy. Water dripped from off the tips. The only thing she could focus on was the ground rushing up to meet her.
Using his toes as a springboard, Wade dived for the edge of the structure. He concentrated on the foothold sticking out. He gritted his teeth, focusing on the rope as it went from slightly slack to over tight. He dived over the side of the structure. A torrent of water followed him towards the ground. If he timed his backup plan to perfection, the rope would snag on the foothold, allowing him to open his arms and collect Anneli when they collided. Doubt over his plan made his stomach turn into knots.
‘What if for some unforeseen circumstance the rope missed the foothold?’ The thought struck Wade hard. Either way, in seconds he’d know the outcome.
Wade felt a huge tug. He opened his arms to collect Anneli. She crashed hard into his chest, locking them into a swinging embrace.
“Nice catch!” exclaimed Anneli.
“You missed the handhold
you were aiming for.”
“It was wet.”
Lightning pierced the sky over their heads again. Another deep rumble came louder. The wind speed seemed to be doubling every few minutes.
When the duo caught their breath, Wade pushed Anneli towards the metal structure. She clung to the main beam and slowly descended, taking extra care.
Finally, they made it to terra firma. Wade untied the rope around their waists, coiling it in his hand. When he came to the cut, he looked at Anneli. He snorted, trying to sound angry.
“You almost cut the rope in two. The rope couldn’t take much more. Only a few strands remain undamaged. Saying that, I’m sure your plan would’ve worked.”
“I’m happy you thought up a second plan,” confessed Anneli.
Wade slipped the rope through his belt. Reaching out he gently took hold of Anneli’s hand to begin leading the way back to the hut.
“What now?” Anneli yelled over the roar of the wind.
Wade looked through the window to view the condition of the hut. Already water covered the dirt floor making it look like mud. “You’re right about waiting out the storm in the hut.”
“We can’t stay outside,” screamed Anneli. “To me, this storm might be forming into a massive cyclone.”
Wade almost pulled Anneli off her feet, sprinting towards the motorbike. She straddled the black seat, ready for a fast ride. Wade picked up the long rigid canvas bag he brought from the yacht and quickly tied it to the side of the bike. “Hold on tight. I know a safe place.”
“Of course,” she whispered.
A loud clap of thunder directly overhead drowned her words.
Wade glanced over his shoulder. “I missed what you said.”
“Where are, we going?” she asked.
“You’ll see. Hang on tight.”
Anneli didn’t need telling twice. She pushed her hands around Wade’s waist, locking her fingers together. Through his soaking wet shirt, she could feel his taught stomach muscles tighten.
Wade roared the motorbike over the top of the hill, slipping and sliding on the soft waterlogged ground. Another round of forked lightning lit the sky, highlighting the area. Almost immediately thunder vibrated the ground.
The narrow path they were travelling along quickly formed into a creek from the monsoonal downpour. In minutes, the track will be useless to trace. The gale force wind and the rain forced Anneli to close her eyes. Instead of asking again where they were going she decided to trust the man steering the motorbike.
Fifty feet directly in front, the two riders came to a small narrow opening in the side of the hill. At speed, Wade burst through the entrance. Twenty feet from the cave’s mouth they stopped in the middle of a thirty-foot wide cavity. Wade killed the bike’s engine before looking over his shoulder at Anneli. He knew from the moment they kissed on the bridge he’d fallen in love. Looking at her now, it was a foregone conclusion.”
“I hope you’re not thinking I look a mess?” questioned Anneli.
“Never,” replied Wade. “If it’s your worst look, you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever had the privilege to meet.”
Anneli’s face flushed red at the compliment.
Wade climbed off the bike. His wet clothes were almost transparent. Anneli’s eyebrows shot skywards at what she saw.
‘You look and feel great yourself,’ she thought. “You didn’t mention there’s a bunker close to the hut,” quizzed Anneli, masking her erotic thoughts.
“This place isn’t a bunker,” explained Wade. “It’s a disused mine. Back in the early nineteen-hundreds, a man known only as Sea Dog started to dig. Legend has it; he did find gold. His biggest mistake happened to be bragging about it to the wrong people. They robbed him of his life.”
“What happened to the gold?”
“No idea. I couldn’t unearth any more details.”
Anneli started to turn in slow circles. Comparing it to the few caves she had previously visited over the years, the mine appeared the same.
“I placed a few provisions in here just in case I happened to be caught unawares by the rain.”
“Planning ahead for the unexpected is a good thing,” advised Anneli, refocusing on the man standing directly in front of her.
Wade walked over to a knee high, Tasmanian oak cabinet. He squatted. Using his fingers, he dug at the hardened dirt directly underneath the lock, unearthing a small silver key. He unlocked the door, pulling the contents off the only shelf. He pushed a small matchbox into his back pocket before handing a towel to Anneli. She grabbed it and immediately started to dry her hair. Next, he unraveled a blanket on the ground. A black tracksuit sat in the middle. Wade looked doubtful. “The clothes are too big for you. Sorry, it’s the best I can do.”
Anneli bent to pick up the tracksuit. “Thank you. The only thing missing is a change room.”
“I’ll take a look outside to see if the rain has eased. I’ll come back in five minutes.”
Wade walked towards the entrance of the mine. To try to block out the urge to view Anneli’s half naked body, he concentrated on the storm which seemed to be getting worse by the minute. Behind him, Wade heard a groan. He subconsciously turned his head in time to see Anneli standing naked. She stood side on to him totally oblivious to the pair of eyes staring at her. Wade’s mind soaked up the image of her complexion. Her long black hair, still wet from the rain, cascaded over her shoulders and draped towards her feet. He felt the twinges of love pull at his heartstrings. He wanted to walk over to hold her in his arms for eternity. Wade sighed, forcing his eyes to look back at the rain. He watched the strengthening wind push the hail sideways. Each lightning strike and thunderclap rolled together into one continuous light show and one infinite baritone of noise.
Light, quiet footsteps approached from behind him, jerking Wade back into reality.
Anneli pushed her arms around his waist. Instead of looking out at the storm she closed her eyes. Her mind started to bathe in his strength. His masculine smell wafted into her nostrils; exciting her. She wanted him to hold her in his arms, take her to a private location so they could make passionate love.
Wade could feel Anneli’s warm body against his. He instantly thought of the previous erotic scene when he turned from viewing the storm. He knew he should only shelve her beauty in his memory. Sweeping Anneli off her feet so he could make love to her engulfed his thoughts.
Anneli’s voice broke the spell. “I found a dry shirt inside the tracksuit. It’s too big for me. I’m warm enough in the tracksuit.” She secretly hoped Wade would take off his wet shirt. Her pupils danced at the thought of seeing his deep chest and broad shoulders.
Standing square to Anneli, Wade stripped off the wet shirt. Before dressing, he reeled her in close. He felt her warm breath sweep across his cheeks. Their lips were close and parallel to each other. The embrace tightened. Their lips were hovering apart by only the width of a hair. Anneli moved her arms further across Wade’s shoulders. The move pulled them in even closer. For the next few minutes, there’d be no communication between them. There didn’t have to be. Each knew what the other wanted. Their lips lightly touched. For several heartbeats neither seemed to dare to take the final step. Both were pondering the same question. Will the kiss feel the same as it did on the bridge or will they be disappointed?
Which one will be brave enough to make the final move?
CHAPTER EIGHT
Thirty minutes until Cyclone Tracy crosses onto the land.