"Creepy."
They pedalled past Fitzroy Gardens and Mei turned off the paved road down a dirt track into Yarra Park, running along the banks of the snaking Yarra River.
The town was now gone and the sky was dark. The ghostly white trunks of the grey-green eucalyptus glowed in the dim light. Mei followed the track until a dead end.
"We have to hide the tricycle. I'm more scared of my mama than the Bunyip."
They pushed the Salvo tricycle deep into the bushes and covered it with fallen branches. The leaves leaving an astringent, crisp scent behind on their hands.
"This way." Mei pointed to a narrow path into the thick bush. "That's where the Bunyip lives. Or lived."
"I'm still miffed Wilby beat us to it."
"I'm not."
"Where's your courage, young Mei?"
"I've got courage. I'm just not stupid."
Evangeline followed Mei along the overgrown path, stumbling over clumps of long-haired grasses. Despite the chill of autumn in the air, the foliage was thick and green. They pushed past red-stemmed bracken, spiny-leaved bushes and pale trunked trees, while all around them, the bush heaved with croaks and squawks, rustles and shakes. Her heart pounding in her throat, her eyes darting left and right. Everything around her, so strange and unfamiliar.
A throaty rasping hiss started above their heads. Evangeline stopped short with a choke. Do Bunyips climb trees?
"What is that?" she stuttered.
"Scared, are we?" Mei stopped with hands on hips.
"Of course not," Evangeline said. "I am merely on alert for the Bunyip."
"It's only a possum."
"Surely not. That sounds far too ominous to be such a small animal."
"Come on, circus girl." Mei shook her head and set off again down the path.
"What are you doing out here?" said a voice out of the bushes.
Mei and Evangeline squealed.
Chapter 15
"What are you girls doing out here?" A tall grey-bearded Aboriginal man stepped out of the bushes.
"Bunyip," Evangeline blurted, with a tremor in her voice. She had seen the Aboriginal people clustered around the outskirts of Melbourne but had never spoken to a native Australian before.
"You looking for the Bunyip?"
"We were going to catch him. But we're too late."
"With what?"
Evangeline gestured to her beast catcher and the man stepped forward to inspect her arm.
"Have you seen one before?" he said, poking at the steel rod with his gnarled walking stick. "He's too strong for this."
"It's the latest in engineering innovation," Evangeline said, thrusting out her chin. Mei nodded from behind her friend's skirts. The man sucked on his teeth. "We were going to the river to test it. Although it is a little pointless, now the Bunyip is dead."
"He not dead."
"It was in the newspaper," Mei said with a raised eyebrow.
"Lots of white fellas running about here. Trying to catch him." The man chuckled. "They all too slow. Bunyip knows this bush. He's smarter than them."
"But they said they killed one." Evangeline narrowed her eyes.
"No white fella is gonna catch the Bunyip."
Mei and Evangeline exchanged baffled glances. Who was right; this man or The Herald?
"You know the Bunyip well?" Mei said.
"I seen him a few times. When I was a young fella, he was here. Me and my cousin stood on the bank down there. He tore one of our hunters clean open. Claws straight through his skin and bones. Blood and guts spilling all over the ground. I can still hear the man's screaming. Long time since I come back here."
"Blimey." Mei swallowed.
"No sign of him for a long, long time. But now he come back. Maybe you white fellas disturbing his territory. No one likes strangers coming into their home."
"Do you know where he lives?"
"He is around here. I know, I can feel him. I seen his tracks. But I don't want to find him. I leave him be."
The man shrugged his shoulders.
"But the Bunyip is killing people. It must be stopped."
"You are silly girls." He shook his head. "You won't beat the Bunyip. You'll be dead in the water like the girls from my mob. Nice girls. Bunyip ate them up."
"Why not take your revenge?" Evangeline tilted her head to one side.
"I want him gone but I don't want to kill him. I want him to move on somewhere else. There's much better fishing down the river. He'd be happier there. You white fellas just making him angrier. You should leave him alone. There'll only be more dead."
"But it's not only us. He is killing your people too."
"It's the way it's always been. You best to leave him alone. Keep away. You can't beat the Bunyip. This is his home. You should go back to yours."
Without another word, the man slipped back into the bush like a ghost.
"Wait," Evangeline called, but she and Mei were all alone again. Her shoulders slumped. "We need to know more."
"Who do we believe?" Mei said. "Did they kill him or not?"
Evangeline chewed her lip.
"I know who my money is on. Who is more trustworthy."
"Who?"
"The one with no money."
"I hate riddles. Is he dead or not?"
"Who has the most to gain? Wilby, of course. Five hundred pounds. Not the elder."
"So the Bunyip is still alive?"
"Maybe," Evangeline said. "We're here now regardless. Let's test the beast catcher. I didn't get a chance for a proper trial in my bedroom."
"The river's this way."
Evangeline and Mei continued down the track through the scrub. Then a fearful sound filled their ears. A guttural, terrifying shriek, tearing a trail up their spines.
"Is that what I think it is?" Mei stuttered.
Evangeline gulped.
Chapter 16
Mei gripped hold of Evangeline's arm, both friends stifling their screams.
"The man was right," Mei whispered.
"It's still out here."
The howl sounded again. A flock of screeching white cockatoos burst out of the trees. The best friends jumped.
"It's comin’ closer."
"This is our chance, Mei," Evangeline said, puffing out her chest while desperately trying to lock her shaking knees.
"He sounds really big."
"We can catch him. Stop him from eating any more young girls."
"I hope he hasn't got a likin' for it." Mei said, rubbing the back of her neck. "I don't fancy being someone's supper."
"Don't fear, Mei. We have the beast catcher." Evangeline checked her leather gauntlet and unscrewed the main chamber. "Bangers?"
Mei handed over the sack. Evangeline slid handfuls of the small red firecrackers down the large tube.
"So, this should work?"
"Absolutely," Evangeline said. "I think."
"You've tried it?"
"Not exactly. It all makes perfect sense in theory. There's only one way to find out."
"Why do I let you talk me into these scrapes?" Mei said, with a sigh.
"Because you have an adventurous spirit." Evangeline grasped her friend by the shoulder. "And I need you."
"Alright." Mei grimaced. "The noise came from this direction."
They left the track and pushed through the bracken towards the howls, Evangeline's heart rate accelerating with each step. The sounds of croaking frogs growing louder, the clumps of grass thinning to bare dirt.
Splash.
It sounded like a large stone falling into the river. The hairs on the back of Evangeline's neck stood up to attention. She reached out and grabbed her friend's hand, Mei's palm was damp and Evangeline squeezed back in support.
Another screeching yowl echoed through the bush, this time even closer. The bellow was deep and powerful. It resonated through her rib cage, forcing her heart to skip a beat.
"It knows we're here," Mei whispered.
It was now unclear who w
as the hunter and who was the prey.
"Are you ready?" Evangeline said. Mei nodded pensively. Evangeline pushed through the last remaining trees to the river, her beast catcher arm outstretched before her.
From the rocky banks, Evangeline could see in all directions for the first time. The river seemed so calm as the dark brown water ambled by.
"There," Mei stammered.
Further down the bank, a large shape emerged from the river. First, the head with the black eyes, then the undulating neck, then the strong solid body with a lashing tail. Water pealed from its smooth grey-black skin as it stepped onto the banks with clawed webbed feet. Evangeline had no breath in her chest as she watched the Bunyip stride onto the shore, muscles rippling as it moved. The beast immediately locked eyes with Evangeline and, staring straight at her, opened his mouth and screeched, saliva dripping from his pointed yellow teeth.
"Ready?" Evangeline said, her heart thumping.
"No." Mei replied.
The beast took small languid steps towards them, his neck swaying hypnotically. Evangeline steadied her aim and pressed the ignition button. The beast catcher crackled, electric sparks spraying from her wrist. The Bunyip flinched. Evangeline licked her lips, a new wave of confidence coursing through her. The beast was not invincible. She waited for the bangers to ignite. The Bunyip crept closer and closer. But the beast catcher stayed silent.
"Quick. What are you waitin’ for?" squeaked Mei. "Shoot."
"Um." Evangeline flustered. She felt the electric current, but nothing was happening.
The Bunyip was within twenty feet. The catcher should have fired by now. Evangeline's confidence crumbled into panic.
The Bunyip roared. His foul breath reaching their nostrils and the scent of rotting meat filling the air. Evangeline's stomach turned at the thought of the dead girls inside his belly.
"What's happenin’?" Mei yelled.
"I don't know," Evangeline said. She pressed the ignition button again. But nothing, not even a sizzle.
Was her invention a failure? Would she and Mei be the next victims of the terrible Bunyip? Or would her catcher explode and blow Evangeline into a million pieces? Is this how the Professor lost his arm? Was she doomed to repeat his mistakes? If only he'd finished the story.
Boom!
The catcher fired.
The blast was powerful, knocking Evangeline backwards, jerking her arm and shifting her aim up at the sky, instead of towards the Bunyip.
"Run," she yelled but grey firecracker smoke clouded the air. She did not know which way was the river and which way was land.
"Ouch."
The next thing Evangeline knew, the zap of the electrified net pressed against her face. She was thrown off her feet and tossed to the ground as the magnets snapped shut, wrapping her in a ball. Her fall was cushioned by some other object.
"Get off me."
The object was Mei.
Evangeline and Mei were trapped inside their own net, wrapped up like a Christmas ham, while the Bunyip roamed free on the banks.
"Knickers," Evangeline said.
Chapter 17
"Ballocks," Mei said.
"We know the beast catcher works," Evangeline said. "Just a slight kickback problem. And perhaps a loose wire."
"I'm the one with a loose wire. Why did I let you talk me into this? Again."
Mei and Evangeline scrambled to their feet carefully, any sudden movement would send them toppling over.
"Where is he?" Mei said, as the smoke cleared.
The Bunyip was nowhere to be seen. The river bank was empty.
"The noise must have scared him off," Mei said.
"Let's hope so." Evangeline sighed. "It appears we're safe for the moment."
"If he hasn't gone to get a friend," Mei said. "Get us out."
Evangeline tugged at the magnets along the bottom of the net, groaning as she tried to prise them apart. But the magnets were fixed, holding firm and fast.
"Let me try." Mei tugged and tugged with all her might, without success. They were stuck inside.
"It's useless," Evangeline said. "My invention works too well."
"The parasol?" asked Mei.
"Silly me."
Evangeline pulled the vicious pink parasol from the strap across her back. She clicked the button twice, ejecting the thin saw blade and began sawing.
"I hate ruining my own handiwork," she grumbled.
"Either that or we end up as dinner."
Evangeline tore a large hole in the copper net, reminding herself she could always knit another. They crawled out and onto the bank.
"Are you hurt?"
"I'll live," Mei replied.
Evangeline nodded, the only thing injured was her pride.
"Where has he gone?" Evangeline said, inspecting large footprints in the mud.
"I don't want to know. Let's go home." Mei wiped a smear of mud from her face. "I could murder a cup of tea."
"I agree." Evangeline tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. "Let's come back tomorrow. Better prepared."
"With double the bangers."
She folded the torn net into a bundle and they headed back into the bush, muddy but with all their limbs. The night was quiet again, the noise of the beast was gone and Evangeline began to breathe once more.
"Did I tell you Albion Middlehall came to call this afternoon?"
"Oooh," Mei teased. "Gentleman caller."
"He wanted some information."
"Of course," Mei said. "Mrs. Middlehall."
They continued to traipse through the bracken and bushes, discussing nice normal topics, until they realised the path was nowhere to be seen.
"This way." Mei pointed.
"Are you sure?" Evangeline said. "I'm positive, we came from this way."
"You must have bumped your head. It's this way."
"I clearly remember. We went past that tree."
"You're wrong. They all look the same to you."
"I am very observant, I'll have you know," Evangeline said, with hands on hips.
"Except for now."
The friends crossed their arms and glared at each other.
"Mei Fang. It is this way I tell you."
"Evangeline Caldicott. You're mistaken."
Suddenly the peaceful night was shattered by a bellowing roar. Mei and Evangeline inhaled sharply, their eyes darting in the direction of the cry.
"He's back," Mei breathed.
Chapter 18
Branches and leaves in all directions, there were no visible landmarks, even the moon had hidden herself away. Evangeline wished she knew more about the stars in the upside down Australian skies.
"This way," Mei said again firmly.
"I am telling you, it's this way," Evangeline said, raising her voice.
"Shhh. He'll hear us."
Mei spoke too soon.
The beast bellowed again. The frightening sound coming from their left.
"Let's go this way?" Evangeline pointed in the opposite direction.
"Yes. Hurry."
Mei took off into the bush. Evangeline picked up her skirts and started running, branches scratching her face and grabbing at her hair. Mei led the way but then suddenly stopped short. Evangeline skidded to a halt, bumping into Mei from behind.
"What's wrong?"
"No." Mei cried, her chest caving in.
"What?"
Evangeline moved alongside her friend.
It was the river bank again. The same place with the same footprints running along the mud. They had run in a circle.
There was a thundering snap of branches as the Bunyip came crashing out of the bush. He lunged forward, snarling, only ten feet away. With black eyes, dead and dangerous, he leaned back on his haunches like a cat ready to pounce.
Evangeline and Mei clung to each other.
The Bunyip inched forward. A smirk on his grey lips.
Evangeline and Mei stepped backwards but there was nowhere else to go. They were
trapped on the river bank, the massive creature blocking their way back to the track and the Yarra River flowing behind them.
They took another step backwards. Mei stumbled on a rock and rolled her ankle. She grimaced in pain and Evangeline helped her back to her feet.
The creature roared.
They took one more blind step and Evangeline's heart was banging like a hail storm. A cold rush swarmed around her feet and she glanced down. They were ankle deep in water.
The Bunyip jumped.
Evangeline tumbled into the river, arms flailing, her skirts ballooning around her. Quickly water-logged, the sodden fabric dragged her down below the surface. The river was deeper than she expected. She kicked, trying to get a foothold on the bottom but her feet found only water.
"Swim!" called Mei, balancing precariously on a pointed rock and clutching an overhanging tree.
"My lessons start next week." Evangeline gulped, choking between mouthfuls of water. The Bunyip slid into the river.
Evangeline propelled herself backwards, using her arms. But the Bunyip lunged forward, his teeth snatching hold of her skirts. He started to reel her in.
Evangeline thrashed in the water, shouting and splashing, but his grip was strong. She reached across her back for her parasol, but it was gone. The pink umbrella was laying on the river bank underneath the lashing tail of the Bunyip.
"Over here," Mei yelled. "You big ugly thing."
The Bunyip ignored Mei, dragging Evangeline onto the shore.
Mei leaped from her rock with a lump of driftwood as thick as her arm. She swung with all her might, the lump of wood thwacking the Bunyip across the face.
The Bunyip growled, but did not let go of his grip on Evangeline's skirts. He began to shake his head, to and fro, jerking Evangeline around in the water. She spluttered and coughed as her head bobbed under the surface again and again, filling her lungs with water.
Unable to take a breath, her heart thundered in her chest. She thrashed and fought, but the Bunyip was too strong, the water too deep. Evangeline began to lose consciousness. Was drowning a worse fate than being eaten by the Bunyip?
Mei struck again. But the rotten piece of wood shattered across the creature's face, crumbling into a million pieces.
The Antics of Evangeline: Collection 1: Mystery and Mayhem in steampunk Melbourne Page 13