by Tony Thomas
‘I’m not so sure anymore. We don’t really know what’s going on. I’ve found out more from you than from anything else.’
‘Hold on a sec Dad. . .’ Jim whispered urgently. The line went quiet. Jeff was starting to panic when Jim came back on the line. ‘Dad, I think you were right. We heard them try the door again then I think they left. At least we can’t hear them anymore.’
‘Jim, this is really important. Stay where you are, don’t try and check on them because they might be waiting.’
The phone went quiet again. Jeff could hear a heated conversation, he was worried it might be overheard in the house. After another couple of moments, Jim came back on the line. ‘Don and Roy wanted to go lock the doors upstairs. I told him they were locked and that people had broken in. We’ve agreed to stay down here for a while more.’
Jeff sighed in relief, not just that they hadn’t gone upstairs, but that Jim had stood up to his friends. ‘That’s good, Jim. Listen, I think you should stay there as long as your food holds out. Only go upstairs when you have to. Keep trying to find a rescue station or place that can help you, okay?’
‘Okay, Dad. But we don’t really have much in the way of food or drinks. We’ll have to go out tomorrow.’
‘Jim, you might need to wait longer than that. Either way—you should probably go to sleep soon. It’s getting pretty late there and really there isn’t much else you can do.’
‘I’m not sure I’m going to be able to sleep now. I’ll see what else I can find out and let you know before I crash.’
‘Thanks Jim, I’ll talk to you soon.’
09:15 SST (11:15 AEST): Singapore
‘Are you sure this is strong enough?’ Lincoln asked, holding up the sheet rope.
‘I tested my weight on it,’ Mick said. ‘I’m sure it’s not going to be a problem. Besides, now that we’ve added your sheets to it, we can double it up.’
‘I’m still not sure this is a great idea,’ Lincoln interjected. ‘Climbing down the outside of a building is a really dangerous plan.’
‘Linc, you can stay here if you want to and keep what little food and drink we have,’ Chris replied calmly. ‘I am not staying trapped in this room. We’re not going to be any more ready than we are now, and the streets below us look clear. You saw the news reports. Those things are hunting at the moment. Soon they’ll be zombies. I want to be on a boat heading away from Singapore before that happens.’
‘How can you even be sure we can get a boat?’ Lincoln asked. ‘This is nuts. We’ll be seen for miles trying to climb down.’
Mick was starting to get frustrated. ‘Then we’ll get a car to drive in until we find a boat. Stay if you want to. I don’t much give a shit. I’m going. Chris is going. Lara—what about you?’
Lara looked at Lincoln, then at Chris and finally at Mick. ‘I can see what’s worrying Linc, but I have to agree with Chris. We can’t get out through the building. If there are infected on every floor we’ll never make it. No one ever goes onto the balconies in these buildings, so if there is an infected in one of the rooms they won’t be able to get out. We can rest on each balcony for as long as we like. Getting on a boat might be a stretch, but I sure as hell don’t want to be trapped in here. Maybe we can find a car or a taxi or something once we get down so we can drive away from trouble. I say go.’
Mick clapped his hands together. ‘That settles it. Are you coming Linc?’
Lincoln stood looking down at his feet for a moment. He sighed before saying, ‘I guess I don’t have a choice, do I? It’s a good thing we had that team building crap so we’ve got trainers and sports clothes.’
‘Good point,’ Chris said. ‘Let’s all get changed. We’re going to need to travel pretty light, but I think we should take whatever food and water we can, as well as some clothes. We can lower the bags between floors.’
‘Laptops?’ Linc asked.
‘Fuck that,’ replied Mick. ‘It’s up to you but I can’t see any point carrying the bloody thing.’
They each turned to their bags, removing nonessentials to make way for food and drinks. Changing clothes took only a few minutes. In less than ten minutes, they were ready to go.
‘I’ll go first,’ Mick said. ‘I’ve done a fair bit of climbing, I’m really confident in the rope, and I’m the heaviest, so you’ll all know it’s okay. We’ve got two ropes, a safety line and a climbing line. The climbing line is long enough to go maybe four floors at a time, but we’ll start with just one floor to get used to it. After I’m down you can lower the bags to me. Then Lara can climb down, then Linc. Chris—you’ve climbed before as well, so you come last. We’re looping the rope over the rail so we can pull it through at each stop. Before you start, tie the end of the safety rope around your waist. If you fall it’ll catch you and you can go up or down to the nearest floor. When you climb over the balcony, make sure you hold both ropes tight. We’ve tied loops into the rope. Make sure you have both loops in your hands. Your feet don’t matter so much, but you have to have both loops in your hands or the rope will slip. Everyone got it?’
Lara and Chris nodded. Lincoln just looked scared. ‘I’m not sure I can do this’, he said, ‘I’ve got a bit of a thing about heights.’
Chris gave Lincoln a reassuring grip on his upper arm. ‘I am freaking the fuck out on the inside, let me tell you. But I know I’m gonna die if I don’t do this. You can do it. Take your time and do it.’
Mick looked thoughtful, although he had a half smile. ‘You know, if you really get stuck, we could tie the rope around you and lower you like one of the bags.’
‘Fuck you Mick!’ Lincoln said.
Mick grinned, ‘That’s the spirit!’
He walked outside and began looping the rope through the rail. He tied the ends together so the rope formed a loop. He took the end of the safety rope, flipped it around his waist, and tied a quick one-handed bowline to make a loop. Chris took the other end, tied it around his waist. Mick then grasped the rail, leaned his stomach on it, and stepped both legs over. He turned and stood on the ledge holding the rail. ‘Here we go,’ he said.
Mick found the first two loops and gripped them with his right hand. He kept his left hand on the top rail. He found a loop for his left foot and put his weight on it. Holding the rail with one hand and the loops with the other, he lowered himself enough to put his right foot on another loop. He took the weight on both feet and his right hand in the loops before letting go of the rail and grabbing the next pair of loops with his left hand. ‘See—just keep three points of contact all the time.’
Mick took two more steps down, moving slowly and methodically before stepping onto the rail of the next balcony down. Once he had his balance, he jumped onto the balcony.
‘Piece of piss!’ he exclaimed, as he undid the rope from his waist. ‘You can lower the bags now, might as well do two at a time.’
Chris pulled the rope back up and quickly tied the first two bags—Lara and Mick’s—to the rope. He lifted them over the rail and lowered them to Mick. Mick quickly untied them. ‘Next!’ he called.
Moments later, the next two bags were with him.
‘Right-o, Lara, your turn,’ he called.
Lara looked a little nervous as Chris tied the rope to her waist. ‘Don’t sweat it,’ he said. ‘You saw how easily Mick did it. Just take your time. He’ll catch you if you slip.’
Lara eased herself over the rail. She put her right foot in the first loop then slowly climbed down the three loops to the rail. Mick had a hand out to steady her as she stood on the rail of the balcony, and she jumped lightly down.
Lara leaned over the balcony looking up to Chris and Lincoln before calling up to them, ‘Easy as pie! Take your time and don’t look down.’
Lincoln couldn’t bring himself to reply. Grimly he leaned on the rail and levered himself over so that he was standing on the outside of the balcony. He looked down and gulped. It was a long way to the ground. He looked to the balcony rail below, he could see M
ick was reaching up ready to steady him. Lincoln looked straight ahead at Chris. He took the first loop in his right hand then reached down with his right foot and found a loop to stand in. As he lowered his left foot, he felt Mick grasp it and guide it into a loop. With newfound confidence, he released the rail and climbed down the rope more quickly. As much as Mick was being a pain in the arse, he knew that he wouldn’t let him fall. After two more steps, he was on the rail. Lincoln jumped onto the balcony. Greatly relieved, he untied the rope from his waist, ‘Next!’ he called.
‘Good on ya, mate’ Mick said cheerily.
11:30 AEST: Sydney
Dan belatedly realised that he should have gone with Gen to talk to Joanne. After confirming the stories from the prime minister, he had disconnected the call with Piotr and Ian. Both needed to check on their homes—although in Ian’s case, it might not be a problem.
As Dan walked into the lounge room, both Gen and Joanne were sitting on the lounge engrossed in the news report.
‘Governments in some of our neighbouring countries have claimed to have brought the problem under control, although this is hotly disputed by reports being independently filed by journalists and users of social media. . .’
Suddenly a deafening roar drowned out the TV. Dan went to the rear of the house and looked up as two very large helicopters flew over the house headed south. A few moments later, another two helicopters passed over. Within the space of five minutes, Dan counted twelve helicopters pass overhead, all heading in the same direction.
‘I wonder what that’s all about?’ Dan said still looking out the back windows.
‘I bet it’s the State Government and Governor General being evacuated,’ Joanne said. ‘They’re bound to get them out if they think they’re at risk.’
Dan turned, confronted by Joanne not only being there but offering an opinion. ‘Hello, Jo.’
Joanne appeared uncomfortable but looked directly at Dan and said, ‘Hi, Dan, I’m so sorry for the way I behaved before. I know that neither of you will want to trust me now, but I promised Gen and I’m promising you—I won’t run out again and I won’t leave doors unlocked behind me.’
Dan was a little mollified by this, but had to demand, ‘There’s one last thing I need you to promise, Jo’, he glanced at Gen and said, ‘You can’t preach or talk religion. We don’t want to hear it. Okay?’
Joanne looked somewhat shocked by this request. ‘Dan, I know I got carried away, but you can’t ask me to give up my faith just like that!’
Gen spoke up. ‘No one is asking you to give up your faith. We’re just asking you to go back to how you used to be and keep it to yourself.’
‘Uh, I’ll try’ Joanne said, ‘Although I don’t understand why believing in a God is a problem.’
Dan took a breath but before he could respond, Gen interjected with, ‘Jo, you have our position. We don’t want to hear it. Leave it at that.’
The conversation was halted by the roar of another pair of helicopters passing overhead.
11:30 AEST: Hordern Pavilion
Pete and Jeff stood with their back to the emergency exit. They were trying to work out what was happening. A few minutes ago, there had been a lot of yelling and screaming near the entrance to the hall. It had calmed down fairly quickly but had left them very nervous, particularly after the news they had heard from home.
‘Any idea what that was all about?’ Pete asked.
‘None at all. I’m not feeling real comfortable at the moment though,’ Jeff replied.
‘Me neither’, said Pete, ‘In fact I think it might be a good time to get the hell out of here. Care to join me?’
Jeff nodded, ‘I think you’re right. I don’t feel too safe anymore. I spoke to a fellow who lives in Miranda and he told me he had seen a zombie attack.’
‘Bullshit? Really? In Miranda? Fuck, I live at Cronulla, did he say anything about that?’
‘He said Miranda and Lilly somewhere.’
‘Lilli Pilli?’
‘Uh, I think so. Is that close to Cronulla?’
‘Close enough. Fuck, I thought the Shire would be safe.’ Pete paused. ‘I’m still going to get the fuck out of here. I feel trapped and I want to head home. Do you want to come with me? It might make it easier if there’s two of us.’
‘Yes, I think so, what should we take?’
‘I’m thinking just my phone and that’s it. I’ve got clothes at home. I can’t see the point in carrying a bag at this point.’
‘Okay, let me grab a couple of things,’ Jeff said, he couldn’t bear the thought of not carrying his passport, and his laptop had all his information on it. He quickly grabbed his travel bag, checked it, and came back to the emergency exit.
Pete looked at him and said, ‘Ready?’
Jeff nodded. Pete pushed the emergency release on the doors and they slid through. He quickly pushed them closed again. They were in a narrow walkway with the Hordern Pavilion on one side and an 8-foot brick fence on the other.
‘Maybe we’re safer inside the fence?’ Jeff mused.
‘Not if any of those sick fuckers are inside,’ Pete replied. ‘Let’s go.’ He started walking quickly along the walkway. They soon came to the end of the building. No one was in sight. The fence at the back of the building was much lower, only about waist height.
‘Don’t feel quite so safe now eh?’ Pete said.
Jeff nodded. ‘I see your point. Okay, let’s get over this and get out.’
Both men jumped the low fence. Pete indicated to walk into the Entertainment quarter. ‘Driver Avenue was loaded with cops and buses,’ he said. ‘We’ll get across to the other side and then cut through Centennial Park.’
‘Where are we headed?’
‘Unless you’ve got a better suggestion, I’d like to head to my home. I can pick up my car and we can get out of town.’
Jeff hesitated a moment, remembering that Pete had been concerned the attacks were close to his home, ‘How far is it?’
‘It’s a fair walk. Fortunately, I’ve got a mate that lives at Randwick. I know he’s out of the country at the moment and I know where he keeps his keys. I’m thinking we might borrow his car.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Mate, he can’t get home. If he’s there I’ll ask him nicely. If he’s not, all bets are off. We’ll take the car and head to my place.’
Jeff was wary but decided to trust Pete’s judgement. ‘Okay, I don’t know what else we can do. I’m with you.’
09:45 SST (11:45 AEST): Singapore
‘What floor do you reckon this is?’ Mick asked, as Chris climbed down and pulled the rope through ready for the next section. As their confidence had increased, they had changed from a single floor at a time to two floors and now three floors. Mick doubted they would get up to four floors at a time before they made it to the bottom.
Lincoln looked over the rail and counted, ‘Probably another ten to go, but I don’t think you can climb in on the last three or four, there’s plants and stuff in the way.’ Lincoln looked around, ‘so far so good on the zombie front as well. We might even get away without them spotting us.’
‘My guess is that zombies don’t look up much,’ Chris said. ‘Why would they? They’re just looking for food after all.’
‘Still, I reckon we should keep as quiet as we can for this last bit,’ Lincoln replied. ‘Don’t forget that one in the room about six floors up? That was pretty sketchy.’
‘It was fucking terrifying,’ Lara said.
They had stopped for a rest on one of the porches. Mick had looked through the window into the room. Most of the rooms up until then had had closed curtains. After all, if you left them open in Singapore at night, there was an awful lot of light shining in. This room’s curtains were not quite all the way across, leaving a gap about 15 centimetres wide. Mick had cupped his hands around his face and pressed into the window.
Suddenly he jumped back saying ‘Fuck a duck!’ They had all turned to look at him when th
ey heard a thump on the window. A woman, wearing a negligee partially covered in blood, was clawing at the glass. She started hitting it with her hands and head, obviously trying to get out and attack them.
Chris was the first to recover, ‘One floor, let’s go, now!’ They had all snapped back to focus, following the same routine they had earlier. Mick went down first, then the bags, then Lara, Lincoln, and finally Chris. Since then they had been assiduously careful not to go too close to any doors.
‘Okay six to go then a big drop. Let’s get cracking,’ Lincoln said.
Mick fastened the rope around his waist and said, ‘Three floors again, let’s get this over with’ then climbed over the rail.
11:45 AEST: Sydney
‘Dan, come see this!’ Gen called. She was standing on the rear porch of the house, looking out over Port Hacking and across to the Royal National Park. Joanne was still sitting on the lounge, watching TV. Dan had gone into the kitchen to make a sandwich.
‘Why are you outside, Gen?’ Dan asked, a little surprised to see his wife on the porch.
‘The fences are keeping those things out, not the doors.’ Gen said. ‘Besides, I need a break from the bullshit on TV. What I called you about was the number of people crossing the bay. Look.’ Gen pointed down towards Gymea Bay.
Dan was surprised to see there were at least thirty boats in the water, all were heading across to the Royal National Park side of Port Hacking, and then following the bay out towards the sea
‘Looks like they’re trying to go to Maianbar or Bundeena,’ Dan observed. ‘Surely there’ll be something stopping them—both those places have limited access roads. It’d be pretty easy to block them in.’
‘By road, maybe. But there are dozens of walking tracks. I’m sure it’d be possible to walk through if you really tried.’
‘I guess they could head out to sea and then go down the coast as well.’
As Gen and Dan watched, a deep thudding sound started to build in the distance.