WAX

“Get goin’ sheila; up the hill Laura, hurry,” Jody yelled. She looked back into the darkness and could hear ear curling shrieks in the distance.

Laura clawed into the muddy hillside, slinging one arm after another; jumping hard as her fatigued legs could muster.

Jody turned back to the darkness, her jade eyes dancing back and forward between the tree line.

“LAURA,” Jody yelled.

“I’M TRYING JO—” Laura fell from the hill landing on her back. She inhaled deeply. Jody rushed over and stood her to her feet.

The shrieks intensified; sending tremors to their chests. Leaves rustled, branches snapped, and the eerie desynchronized sniffs raised hairs.

Jody dropped to her knees and scrambled through her backpack.

“J-Jody,” Laura whispered. Jody pulled a bundle of dried eucalyptus from her bag. “Jody, they’re here!” Jody grabbed the fire starter and frantically struck it on the dried branches. “Jody, the VerMen!” Laura gripped her oily hair. “What do we do? I don’t want to die!”

From the darkness, a humanoid beast crawled on all fours, frothing from the mouth. It's iris a pitch black, long wiry hairs grew from the side of its face, it’s ears long, sharp teeth protruded past it’s lips, and a long vascular tail dragged between it’s legs.

It’s ears twitched at the sound of Jody striking the fire starter. Standing at 8ft, it turned slowly with a stoic expression. The other VerMen emerged from the tree line and charged the girls.

In the nick of time, Jody ignited the eucalyptus. The camphoraceous scent caused them to stop in their tracks. They shielded their eyes and rubbed their noses until mucus dripped.

Frothing at the mouth, they kept their distance as Jody extended the branch.

“G-get up that h-hill. NOW LAURA!” Laura clawed into the hill until her hangnails bled.

As the flames started to die down, the VerMen closed in, squeaking as they approached.

Jody’s skin glistened beyond the flames. With every quick glance up the hill, the VerMen would move. Jody would swing in their direction; movements causing the flames to die faster.

Laura made it to the top. She tied a rope around a tree and tossed it down to Jody.

“Okay,” She yelled. Jody threw the flames at her feet and quickly climbed the rope. As soon as the flames died out, the VerMen raced up after her. Fighting one another for the right to feast.

“Hurry,” Laura yelled. Jody could feel the warm breath at her ankle. When she reached the top, Laura pulled her up by the jacket and the two ran.

The two ran as fast as they could. As the VerMen closed the distance, Jody tripped over a rock and tumbled forward. Laura stopped and dragged her by the arms until she herself fell.

The two scooted back as the VerMen approached. They suddenly stopped, and started shaking their heads before fleeing. When the two looked up, they were sheltered by a canopy of eucalyptus.

“Thank Christ,” Jody said as the two collapsed to their backs.

###

The girls made their way through the bush until they stumbled upon an old cabin in the woods. Laura’s amber eyes outshined the lantern.

When she tried to make a run for it, Jody extended her arm and shook her head. Laura scoffed.

“Looks abandoned,” She whispered.

“As far as we know.” Jody took a deep breath and gestured with her head. “Come on then.”

When the two reached the cabin, Jody took a deep breath before walking up the creaking porch. She shut her eyes tight as she raised her hand to knock. Three consecutive bangs after the other.

“G-good day,” Jody said with her ear to the door. Nothing. When she turned the knob, the door creaked open. “Good day,” She yelled inside. Her own voice greeted her from the back of the cabin. She turned to Laura. “Close quarters, any ammonia left?”

Laura shook her head. Jody bit her lower lip. The girls walked across the creaking floor boards. The furniture was covered in dust, the dry wall hung by a thread, and spider webs were around every turn.

Laura stuck to Jody like a tick as she checked every room. Four bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and bath.

In the final room, the two discovered skeletons holding hands on a bed. On the night stand rested a stained shot glass with small syringes inside.

When Laura reached for the glass Jody popped her hand.

“We’re not here to F spiders sheila. Know what that is?” Laura shook her head. “Milked a king brown, did themselves in, and your hands covered in cuts.” Jody grabbed the rifle from above the bedroom door. “Leave em’ be,” She said.

Laura nodded. The two of them agreed to never enter the room again.

###

Once the house was cleared. Jody put her hands on her knees and let out a dramatic sigh. She removed the band from her blond hair and shook her head.

When she stood up straight she started to limp.

“You alright, mate?” Laura asked.

“Must’ve done me ankle. Adrenaline worn off.” Jody walked towards the bathroom. “Gonna piss, bets ready for bed.”

###

Laura looked up at the ceiling as the moonlight bled through the window. Her bedroom door suddenly creaked causing her to jump out of bed.

Jody was standing in the door way with a deadpan expression.

“Relax, sheila. Just wanted to say cheers, hitting the sack.”

“Catch ya in the morning,” Laura said. Jody nodded. It’s as if her feet were glued to the floor as she tried to walk away.

“Just wanted to say…you did good back there. Mummy and dad would be proud…love you, mate.” Jody slowly closed the door.

Laura frowned and slowly pulled the sheets over her head.

“Sure,” She said.

###

The warm rays pierced through the window warming Laura’s freckled face. She stretched and scratched underneath her arms.

Her eyes bucked. She quickly tied her long hair in a ponytail, put on her pants, shoes, grabbed her bag, and raced out the door.

As she ran for the front door,

“Good day, mate,” Jody said from the kitchen. Laura turned to her out of breath. “Steady on sheila”—Jody sat a plate on the table— “Made you some brekkie. Propane stove. What are the odds?”

Laura slowly put down her bag and joined Jody at the table. Two eggs, sunny side up on a plate.

“But the smell—”

“VerMen, aren’t sniffin’ about, we’re surrounded by eucalyptus, and check this.” Jody ran to the next room and returned with a case. “Bottles of peppermint oil you can use as a molotov, to keep the bloody beasts away, and” —Jody picked up a bow and arrow —” A bow!”

Laura’s eyes danced around the kitchen.

“Don’t know how to use it,” Laura said.

“We can practice. Now eat up. Climbed six meters for those eggs.”

Laura was hesitant. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a warm meal. Jody’s paranoia wouldn’t allow it, and climbing six meters? She didn’t want to climb a hill a fraction of that height. Was this all some elaborate test?

Laura scarfed down the eggs and licked the plate clean.

###

After breakfast, Jody and Laura grabbed the bows and headed for the front door.

Before exiting, Jody lit a plumbers candle and sat it on the counter. She let out a deep sigh.

“Waste, is it not?” Laura asked. Jody turned to her.

“Huh? Oh, uh, broke muh ticker.” Jody held up her wrist watch. “This’ll burn twelve hours so I can keep up with time…anyway, lets go practice mate.”

Jody skipped out of the cabin. Laura eyed the candle before closing the door.

###

Laura pulled back on the bow and released. When the arrow landed at her converse, Jody burst into laughter. The birds resting on the house flew away at the sound.

Laura looked around swiftly before shushing Jody, but to no avail.

“You’ll attract them. Forget your own rule?” Laura asked. Jody waved her off.

“Don’t be a wowser, we’re safe.”

“What’s gotten into you?” Laura asked under her breath.

“Not lunch. So…” Jody walked around the corner of the cabin.

She heard that? Laura thought to herself. Jody returned with two fishing poles.

“Let’s hit the stream sheila,” She said. Laura took the pole hesitantly.

###

The two sat on the embankment for hours without a single bite. Jody groaned.

“Well, this is boring.” Jody stood and removed her shirt.

“What’re you—”

“We’re goin’ for a swim mate,” Jody said. She took Laura’s pole from her and pulled her shirt off. Laura frowned as she slowly pulled down her own pants to her ankles.

“But what if there are croc—” Jody pushed Laura into the cool stream and jumped in after her.

Laura swam to the surface and gasped for air. Jody laughed as she continuously splashed Laura.

“Enough,” Laura said. Jody continued. “Said stop mate.” Jody continued on. “JODY!” Jody rolled her eyes and stopped. She floated on her back.

“Relax, mate. You could use the bath.”

“What’s gotten into you?” Laura asked. “Your acting like all the danger just up and vanished.” Laura swam to the bank. “Thought we weren’t here to F spiders…and you got your only pair of socks wet.” Jody’s face grew still as she watched the brunette hair leave the water.

“We’re always running.” Laura turned back to the river. “Hiding, trying to get to some ship that may or may not take us to America. Just wanted to enjoy one day with my sister. Pretend that for one day that there aren’t giant rat people trying to eat us,” Jody said.

Jody floated on her back and looked to the sky. Suddenly the sun was blocked out by Laura cannon balling on top of her. The two started splashing one another and raced in the stream until the sun set.

###

The two laughed as they approached the cabin. Mid-conversation, Jody abruptly ran into the bush and returned with the infamous king brown.

“Jody!” Laura rested her hand on her chest as Jody held the elapid behind the head.

“We can milk it and soak the arrows in the venom,” Jody said. Laura nodded and fought her trembling as Jody ran into the cabin with the snake.

When Jody entered the cabin, she looked at the depleted candle and let out a staggered breath.

###

Laura sat on the porch and watched as the sun sank into the hills. Jody joined her.

“Brings back memories, huh sheila?” Jody asked. Laura smiled.

“Yeah, Dad burned food on the barbie while me, you, and Mummy played forty-forty,” Laura said. Laura’s lip trembled and she turned her head away from Jody.

Jody draped her arm over Laura’s shoulder and pulled her close.

“What do you say we play a game?” she asked. Laura scoffed. “Come on, mate. Can’t play tiggy with the two of us.”

“Jody I’m eighteen,” Laura said.

“And I’m twenty-two. Come on, that tree over there will be the base.” Jody stood Laura up on her feet. She waved to Laura as she approached the tree.

Jody faced the tree, covered her eyes and started her count to forty. Laura backed up slowly. She took off her boots to minimize noise and crept into the cabin. Once inside, Laura looked frantically around the house.

As the count got to thirty, Laura came up with an idea. She walked into the forbidden room with the deceased couple and hid under the bed.

“Forty! It’s on mate,” Jody’s voice muffled from outside the cabin. “Oh look, boots,” She said. Laura covered her mouth as she laughed under the bed.

When the cabin door opened, Laura could hear consecutive sniffs approaching the door swiftly. Laura’s hand slowly dropped from her face and her smile with it.

The bedroom door opened. Jody’s boots could be seen under the bed. The floor boards creaked as she slowly knelt down. She quickly removed the sheet revealing Laura under the bed.

“Nice try mate,” she laughed. “But we agreed not to come in here, gotta honor the dead.” Laura extended her hand, and Jody pulled her from underneath the bed.

“Your turn mate,” Jody said. Laura’s thumbs chased each other infinitely as she followed behind her sister.

“What was that, Jody?” Jody turned to her.

“I don’t hear anything.”

“I mean the sniffing, kinda weird mate.”

“Oh, uh, yeah, better wash between those toes. Boots were sour.” She hit Laura in the shoulder. “Come on, my turn.”

Jody eyed the melting candle as the two of them walked out the cabin.

###

Later that night, Jody sat on the couch with a pair of sunglasses on. The flickering candle reflected in the lenses as she watched the wax drip.

“Gonna hit the sack mate,” Jody jumped when she turned to see Laura.

“Yeah. Yeah, alright then,” Jody said as she rubbed her legs. Laura stood on her toes.

“Looks like sleep for dinner tonight, but…thanks for today…despite my attitude.” The two laughed. “Maybe tomorrow if we get up early we’ll catch us a mess of fish,” Laura said.

Jody nodded. When Laura reached for her sunglasses she leaned away.

“Indoors?” Laura asked.

“Migraine. A full belly will help tomorrow. Get some rest mate,” Jody said. Laura nodded and headed to her room.

“Hey, Laura.” Laura peeped around the corner. “Just so you know, this was one of the best days of my life. I’m a little tired, so just let me sleep in a bit, yeah?”

“Sure, cheers mate” Laura said.

###

Laura awoke to finches singing outside of her window. She shielded her eyes from the suns rays before sliding off the side of the bed.

She tied her hair, put on her pants, boots, and exited into the hallway.

When Laura walked past Jody’s door it was quiet, but she could feel her presence beyond the door. As she approached to knock, she felt a deep pit in her stomach, as if she were descending down a roller coaster.

Laura lowered her hand.

“Five more minutes wont make a difference in the fish,” She said. She walked into the living room where she found the candle completely melted on the counter. “Glad we didn’t burned this dried dump down!” she yelled.

The floor boards creaked in Jody’s room. Laura stood fiddling with the sleeve of her shirt.

“Well, if your up, I’ll go get the rods.”

###

After washing her face in the creek, Laura returned to the cabin with the rods.

She purposefully stomped to Jody’s door and knocked.

“Good day, mate, can’t sleep all—” Laura stepped on something. The rifle rested at the foot of the door. A muffled squeak came from beyond the door.

Blood rushed to Laura’s cheek bones. She leaned the rods against the wall and picked up the rifle.

“J-Jody?” Nothing. “This isn’t funny mate, answer me.” When Laura tried the knob, the door wouldn’t budge. There was something leaned against it.

Laura rammed the door with her shoulder several times until she burst in. She fell to the floor. When she collected herself she stood to her feet with the rifle in hand.

She turned to the bedroom closet. Something long and pink trailed from it.

“J-Jo—”

###

Dear Laura(POOTIE BOOTY),

Hey sheila. If you’re reading this… means I’m dead, or different or…

I was bitten, Laura. Last night climbing the hill. One of those pesky buggers got me ankle. Whoops, right? There I was being hard on you for letting out a butt burp. Too bad there’s no cure.

I’m so sorry mate, but your gonna have to make it to America alone. I know you can. Dad always said you were a real Aussie. Especially if you got the balls to do me in. Only way your reading this.

Thought I’d do you a favor. Do myself in with the king brown venom. Drank it all, even licked the glass clean, but nothing. Guess it has to be injected. The pile of bones were on to something with the syringes.

I’m running out of time. I can feel it, Laura. My spine growing longer, my iris are black, my hearing is sharper than ever, and my own teeth are cutting my gums.

Not to mention my sense of smell. Our game earlier…I can smell the eggs on your breath…that’s torcher enough…haha…

Don’t feel sorry for me mate. Not for the mess I got myself in, or for what you HAD to do. You freed me Laura. I’ll send the parents your best. Now do me a favor, LIVE. Make it to America, get married start a family, maybe get a kangaroo like you always wanted and name…

Dear Lara…I…I…

###

A drop of blood fell from Laura’s forehead and on to the trembling page. Laura sobbed on the porch as she read. She was covered in scratches, drenched in sweat, and out of breath.

She looked over her shoulder at the giant tail peaking out the front door. Laura stood to her feet, tore her sleeve, and shoved the cloth in the bottle of peppermint oil.

She ignited the cloth and tossed the bottle in the decaying cabin. Laura watched as the flames consumed the cabin. She closed her eyes and reminisced on the previous day with Jody. When shrieks came from the distance, her fiery eyes opened void of anything, but intent.

Laura tossed her bag and the rifle over her shoulder and walked into the bush.

END