Ghost Species

by James Bradley

  When Eve first arrived at the compound she could not have imagined how close she would come to feel to this small space of land. Still deranged with grief, she barely spoke as Lukas drove her up through the hills and helped her unload her things into the room that has become hers.

  The others greeted her warily – later she would learn that several of them had resisted her being allowed to join the group, and that it had only happened after Lukas insisted – but for the first weeks their uncertainty about her manner and appearance were of little interest to her. She spoke seldom, preferring to work alone, or spend her days in the bush behind the property.

  Then in her third week she was assigned to help Carla and Tomas clear a fire break along the eastern boundary. The week was warm, the work hard, and at first, Eve laboured in silence taking her breaks alone and speaking only when spoken to. On the second day, though, Carla followed her when she retreated to the shade to rest.

  ‘You’re strong,’ she said sitting down beside her. ‘This would have taken twice as long without you.’

  Eve shot a furtive glance at the other woman. Until then she had assumed Carla was older than the others, her direct, practical manner making her seem more responsible; up close it was clear she was not much older than Eve herself.

  ‘Thank you,’ Eve said. She felt maladroit, lumpen, yet Carla’s gaze was kind.

  ‘Lukas said your mum died not long before you arrived.’

  Eve’s throat closed up. She nodded, unable to speak.

  ‘That’s hard,’ Carla said. ‘My mum died when I was in my last year of school. It gets better, but it doesn’t stop hurting. I still miss her every day.’

  Eve stared at her hands.

  ‘If you ever need somebody to talk to, or just to be with, just tell me. I know you’re friends with Lukas, but he’s not the most emotionally available guy, if you know what I mean.’

  Eve snorted, a snotty, tear-filled laugh breaking free. Carla pulled a handkerchief from her pocket. ‘Here,’ she said, ‘take this.’

  She never took Carla up on her offer, but after that, things were easier. And they needed to be, because that first year was harder than even Lukas had expected. After a long summer of blazing heat and fires, the winter never really came, months of sunshine and no rain leaving the ground parched and bone dry for the spring, so their first crops failed.

  They were hungry then, fretful. Lukas said it wasn’t just about food, that they were all traumatised by what had happened, by the sense the world had unravelled around them. ‘We had forgotten how to imagine other worlds,’ he said to Eve one evening, ‘and then everything we know got swept away. It’s not surprising people are confused and frightened: they’re grieving.’

  Yet as the summer stretched on they began to find their way. They brought in a small crop of wheat, and the sheep lambed. There were still crises, arguments – Virat broke his arm two days after Christmas; Malla and Otis still can’t be left alone together – but gradually things improved, and they began to become a community, at least of sorts.

  It is after midnight before she sleeps, yet she is on breakfast duty, so when the morning light wakes her she hauls herself out of bed and dresses. When she first arrived she found the proximity to the others’ kitchen duties demand uncomfortable, and so avoided them wherever possible. Yet as the months passed she came to enjoy the sense of shared purpose and easy comradeship they inspire.

  For a time she let herself believe this feeling meant she was really one of the group, but one night last winter she was reminded it was not that simple. She was outside the kitchen when she heard Malla and Octavia, speculating aloud about her mental capacity. ‘On the spectrum, for sure,’ Octavia said. ‘Could it be something genetic?’ Malla asked. ‘She’s so weird-looking.’

  Eve had turned and run out into the yard. She was at the goat shed when she began to sob. But she couldn’t avoid them forever, and that night when they had gathered for their meal, the two had chatted to her as easily as ever. Perhaps they had no idea she had overheard their conversation, but even so, it seemed strange to her they could say such things and then carry on as normal. It confuses her, this talent for duplicity, the ease with which sapients lie and dissemble leaving her feeling slow and stupid. Is it simply their nature? Or is it the price of their society? Their constant competition for status and power? Either way, such moments only ever serve to leave her feeling agitated, trapped in her separateness.

  In time her sense of hurt and betrayal has faded, but she still finds it difficult to trust Malla and Octavia, and so is pleased to discover she is rostered on with Carla and Sophie. At the meeting the night before Sophie had been visibly agitated, arguing both that they should try to accommodate whatever demands were made of them and that they couldn’t allow themselves to be taken over. This morning she is calmer, but clearly still anxious.

  ‘Virat said they were at the school yesterday as well,’ she says at last.

  ‘Who? The guys who were here yesterday?’ asks Carla.

  Sophie nods. ‘They wanted the names of kids. Laura told them she wasn’t allowed to give them names.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  Carla nods. ‘Laura told Virat after the meeting.’

  ‘Why would they want the kids’ names?’ Eve asks.

  The other two look at her for a long moment. ‘I don’t know,’ Carla says. ‘But I think we can assume it’s not out of concern for their welfare.’ She turns to Sophie. ‘Did Virat tell Lukas?’

  Sophie looks uneasy. ‘I’m not sure.’

  Carla stirs the porridge, her face grim. ‘We’ll tell him at breakfast.’

  Eve doesn’t reply.

  After breakfast Eve heads up to the enclosure to check on the goats. They run towards her, bleating and nuzzling. Crouching down, she strokes them, delighting in their yellow eyes and gentle nature. After a minute or two they seem to decide she does not intend to feed them, and begin to drift away, until only Smilla remains. Eve kneels down, drawing the young goat’s face close to hers, and Smilla butts her gently. Laughing, Eve glances up and sees Lukas approaching from the house. He stops a little way off and smiles.

  ‘How are those goats?’

  Eve smiles and stands up, her hand on Smilla’s side

  ‘They’re good,’ she says, blushing. ‘You weren’t at breakfast.’

  Lukas shakes his head. ‘I was up early. Tomas and I have been moving stores up into the hills.’

  Eve lets Smilla nuzzle her hand. There is a hidden storage area under one of the sheds; the fact Lukas has decided not to use that surprises her. Does he think it is no longer safe? The idea of Drago and his men tearing the place up frightens her.

  ‘To the caves?’

  Lukas nods. Smilla moves slightly, and Eve rubs her head, caressing the ridge of her skull.

  ‘What about the animals?’

  Lukas’s expression tells her that this is what he has come to discuss. ‘We need to take some of them up there as well.’

  ‘How long for?’

  ‘I’m not sure. A few days, maybe longer.’

  ‘How many?’

  ‘Half of them. And most of the females.’

  ‘What will happen to the others?’

  Lukas pauses. ‘Hopefully nothing. But we need to be prepared.’

  Eve nods, and Lukas smiles. ‘They’ll be fine, Eve.’

  She nods again, but as Lukas turns away he pauses and looks back.

  ‘One thing? Let’s keep this between us.’

  Eve spends the morning selecting which of the animals will be taken up to the caves. The task is not easy: she knows there is no guarantee those that are left behind won’t be taken when the men return, but eventually she assembles a group to relocate, Smilla among them. Lukas is in the house with Tomas when she returns; seeing her, he steps out and follows her back up to the barn.

  ‘Good work,’ he says.

  It is hot and windy as they lead the animals through the bush and up towards the caves, and
in the trees the leaves rustle and shift. But despite the sound of the leaves the forest itself is silent, devoid of life.

  The caves are low, wide shelves set into the broken stone of the cliff. Perhaps they once offered shelter to the Aboriginal people who cared for this country, but now they are empty, their recesses cool and musty with the smell of earth. As Eve tethers the goats and the cow she stares at the sacks of grain and bags of vegetables and boxes of jars Lukas and Tomas have already concealed at the rear of the caves.

  ‘We need to bring water up from the creek,’ Eve says.

  Lukas nods. ‘I’ll help,’ he says, and together the two of them head down towards the creek, filling buckets and hauling them up towards the cave. By the time they get back Tomas has finished winding out a roll of wire and staking it, creating a small fenced area. Eve leads the goats and the chickens in, setting down the buckets and scattering some hay and grain.

  ‘We need to make sure the goats can’t get at the food,’ Eve says.

  Tomas nods. ‘I’ll make sure it’s walled off.’

  That night the table is quiet, those seated around it apprehensive. All know tomorrow is the day the men said they would return; all know it is an encounter that is unlikely to end well.

  Yet despite the sombre mood, Sami seems buoyant, talking and laughing, answering questions from the others. In the past day or two he has looked better: his skin clearer, his eyes brighter. For a time he entertains the table with stories about Lukas as a teenager, rambling anecdotes about wild times at parties and other adventures. Watching him Eve struggles to reconcile this Sami with the one Lukas described. How could Sami have betrayed him in such a way?

  Lukas by contrast is restless and distracted, barely looking up as he eats and then leaning back and staring at Sami as he talks. Finally, when Sami tries to engage Lukas, he snaps at him, cutting him off.

  ‘Stop talking shit,’ he says.

  Sami’s rounds on him. ‘Fuck you, Lukas,’ he says, getting to his feet, his sudden anger startling Eve. ‘You think you’re so good.’

  ‘Remind me why you’re here again?’ Lukas asks.

  Sami shakes his head. ‘Because I thought you were my friend, that you might be able to help me.’

  ‘And nothing else?’

  Sami stares at Lukas with sudden loathing. ‘Whatever.’ He stands up, his rapid motion sending his chair toppling back onto the floor with a loud crack, then stalks out. The back door slams.

  For several seconds the room is silent. Eve looks at Lukas, expecting him to say something. But he continues eating in silence, his hand lifting the food to his mouth robotically, his anger palpable. Gradually the others begin to speak again, but Eve does not. Instead she keeps her eyes down, afraid to meet the gaze of the others.

  Later, she knocks on Sami’s door.

  When he emerges he looks jumpy, angry. Wary, Eve asks him if he is okay. He opens his hand in frustration.

  ‘Fucking Lukas,’ he says. ‘He thinks he knows everything.’

  ‘He shouldn’t have spoken to you like that,’ Eve says. ‘I’m sorry.’

  Sami looks at her. ‘It’s not up to you to apologise, it’s Lukas who should be sorry. He’s always been like this. Acting like he’s better than everybody, treating me like I don’t matter.’ He hesitates, looking at her. ‘I like it here,’ he says. ‘You’ve all been really good to me.’

  Eve smiles, although she is confused by his sudden change in mood.

  ‘I didn’t see you this afternoon,’ he says.

  ‘I was busy.’

  ‘With Lukas?’

  Eve nods. Sami pauses, looking at her. ‘I saw you up by the barn with the goats this morning. Are you worried about them and these guys?’

  ‘Of course. But I think we can keep most of them safe.’

  ‘What do you mean? How?’

  Eve hesitates. ‘I’m not supposed to say.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  Eve shakes her head, but Sami looks hurt.

  ‘It’s all right. I understand.’

  She stares at him, remembering Lukas’s story. But then she reminds herself this is Sami.

  ‘No,’ she says. ‘It’s okay. Lukas has been hiding stores in the caves above the farm. We took some of the animals there today. That way they’ll be okay if these men try to take any of our stock.’

  Sami looks at her. His eyes are dark, liquid with concern.

  ‘You have to promise me you’ll be careful if they come back. These sort of people are dangerous. You should do what they want.’

  Eve nods. ‘Of course,’ she says. ‘We just want to stay safe.’

  The men arrive at midday. This time there are four utes, and they don’t park by the gate. Instead they head up the drive. Lukas is in one of the back fields, but as they begin to climb out he appears and, vaulting the fence, heads towards them. Drago walks forward with two others to meet him. Drago has a black pistol tucked into his pants, its grip protruding in front of his shirt; the other two carry rifles in their hands.

  ‘Nice to see you again,’ Drago says.

  ‘I wish I could say the same,’ Lukas says.

  Drago smiles, the expression entirely without warmth. ‘I’m sorry you feel that way. But that doesn’t change the fact we need to work out what you’ve got up here.’

  ‘And then take it?’

  ‘You catch on quick.’

  ‘And what if we say no?’

  ‘I wouldn’t advise that.’ He points at the barn. ‘Your livestock are up there?’

  ‘What we have.’

  ‘And what about stores? Grains, vegetables?’

  ‘Mostly in the house.’

  Drago turns to the other two. ‘Go take a look.’

  Virat steps forward to block their way but Lukas raises a hand.

  ‘It’s okay,’ he says. ‘Just make sure they don’t damage anything.’

  Eve steps aside as the two of them push their way through the front door. As they pass, the smaller of the two leans close to her, pushing his face into hers.

  ‘Jesus,’ he says. ‘Get a load of this bitch. What a fucking freak.’

  His companion laughs, and the first man darts towards her; not enough, but enough to make Eve start. He snorts.

  ‘That’s right. You should be scared.’

  Still shaking, Eve follows them to the kitchen. Together with Carla she stands and watches as the pair fossick in the pantry, then begin loading jars and bags into crates and carrying them out to the cars.

  ‘This seems pretty thin,’ says Drago once they are done. ‘I expected you’d have more.’

  Something in the way he says it makes Eve fall still. Not the threat, but the sense there is something else here, something Lukas, who is smiling and shaking his head, hasn’t understood.

  ‘Sorry,’ says Lukas. ‘But that’s it.’

  ‘Really?’ Drago asks. ‘Are you sure about that?’

  Lukas hesitates. ‘Quite sure.’

  Drago nods. ‘That’s a pity. Because we hear you have a whole other cache up in the forest.’ He looks at the one behind him. ‘In the caves, wasn’t it?’

  Eve freezes.

  Lukas has gone pale. Drago smiles unpleasantly. ‘What? You thought we were stupid?’

  Lukas tenses. Drago steps forward. ‘I warned you what would happen if you lied, didn’t I?’

  Lukas is about to speak when one of the others steps in from the side and clubs him in the side of the head with the butt of his shotgun. The sound is blunt and sickening. Lukas grunts and tumbles sideways. Drago gestures to the other two, and they lean down and hoist Lukas to his feet. He slumps between them, his head lolled forward, blood running down the side of his face.

  ‘Just remember,’ Drago says, ‘this was your choice.’ As he speaks he punches Lukas hard in the face, then the stomach, then again in the face.

  And then, without thinking, Eve hurls herself at Drago, slamming into him and sending him sprawling. Spinning around she sees the other two
have let go of Lukas and are reaching for their weapons. With a snarl she grabs the nearest by the arm and hurls him sideways, sending him cartwheeling to the ground. Turning to the other she lunges at him as well; he stumbles back, his face pale. Dropping down beside Lukas, she cradles his head in her arms.

  Behind her Drago is back on his feet, wiping blood from his face. ‘What the fuck!’ he shouts, groping for his gun.

  Eve looks around. Although he is taller than her she is stronger than him. Drawing back her lips she growls, the sound low, bestial, and Drago hesitates. Perhaps in some deep place he recognises her for what she is: the more powerful creature.

  ‘Take the food,’ she hisses. ‘But don’t hurt him.’

  Drago stares at her. ‘What kind of freak are you?’

  She snarls, a low sound that emerges from deep within her. For a long moment he does not move. Then he steps back.

  ‘Forget it,’ he says. ‘Just get the food.’

  Eve watches him back away, not taking her eyes off him. In her arms Lukas is breathing in a slow whistle and gurgle. But it is only when she sees Sami standing by the fence, waiting for the men, that she grasps what has happened, and her part in it.

  Eve carries Lukas to the house and lays him on the bed. He is bleeding, fading in and out of consciousness.

  ‘Go find Malla!’ Tomas shouts at Otis.

  ‘And have them do this to her as well when they get back?’ demands Carla, her face wild. ‘We can’t stay here. We need to get away. Hide.’

  ‘Lukas can’t be moved,’ Tomas says, pushing his hair aside to examine the wound on the side of his head.

  ‘And you!’ Carla says. ‘What did you think you were doing? Now they’ll kill all of us.’

  ‘They would have killed Lukas,’ Eve says.

  ‘Better him than all of us,’ says Carla. There is a silence.

  Eve swings around. ‘What?’