“Would you like to go have a coffee or something? I’m sure you would have a favourite café?’
“My favourite café is here. And I have an interesting way of making coffee.” She pushed the door open wider. “Come in.”
Wiley sensed an unusual stillness and quietness in the air. The birds had stopped singing and the cool breeze was gone. He was sure he heard thunder, but the sky was clear and blue. He entered the house. Just as both feet touched the timber floor, he felt it.
His feet felt strange. Something was pushing underneath him, an energy wanting to lift him. Then the noise came, a deafening, rumbling, roaring noise. The house started to shake like a train pulling into the station. For some reason, his thoughts went to Harry Potter.
Trinkets on the hallway table rattled.
They needed to find cover, and quickly. “Do you have a heavy desk or table somewhere?”
“Yes, in the kitchen. It’s close.”
It was difficult to walk. He felt like he was surfing as he followed Sheila, who used the passage walls to steady herself. Pots and pans fell from shelves.
The table was made of solid timber. They dragged out the chairs and crawled underneath, lying close together. Wiley looked at Sheila and saw fear in her eyes. He touched her hand.
“Just a mild earth tremor,” he said, with false bravado.
He wasn’t one to self-reflect but the look of fear in Sheila’s eyes touched something inside him. His thoughts went to his mum and dad, his life, their relationship, and his relationship with Sheila. He had little time for such thoughts. The image of the man with the placard dropped into his head. I will pray for you. Crazy thoughts.
“Well, you certainly know how to make an entrance.” Her voice crackled. She was one to always bring humour into a situation. A lid from a pot lay on the floor, balanced on its black knob, swaying gently. He squeezed Sheila’s hand as he watched the sway slow down. Security alarms blared in the distance. Houses all shook up and triggering alarms. Soon the looting would start.
“I think that’s it.”
Wiley fought the thoughts at first, but it wouldn’t go away. Stupid thoughts. Something had a grip on him, and he couldn’t shake it off. He wanted to get out there, to be with the looters. That wasn’t what he was here for. So what was he here for?
* * *
Jack sat with Cath and one of his team members in a meeting room. He had a quick look out the window. He was sure the building moved or shook a little while back. Things seemed all okay.
“Wiley had a relationship with a Sheila Boone for a number of years. They shared an apartment but went their separate ways. The latest address we have for Sheila is in Noosa,” the team member said.
“Well, I wonder who Mr Wiley is visiting,” Cath said.
“But we have one small problem. There’s been an earthquake in the Noosa region—substantial damage and possibly some loss of life. Police resources are stretched.”
Yes, the building did move.
* * *
The earthquake was a blessing for Wiley. Sheila was vulnerable, so was more receptive and welcoming.
They moved the chairs back to their places around the table, and picked up the pots and pans and other bits and pieces that had fallen from shelves. Being in a digital-free world had huge disadvantages. Wiley had no idea how bad this earth tremor was although he could check on his phone.
Sheila stood with her hands resting on one of the dining chairs, frozen to the spot. “I feel helpless. It shows how little control we have over the world. It frightens me.”
“We’re alive, and there’s no damage. That’s a good thing.”
“Should we go outside and see if there’s any damage? There may be neighbours who need assistance.”
Wiley stepped into the hallway entrance as the birdsong started again. A breeze brushed his face. He gave Sheila a gentle hug. “Let’s just wait a little longer, to make sure there are no aftershocks.”
She gave a shudder.
“I’m sure there won’t be. They would be minor anyway.” He didn’t know how factual that was, but it made sense. He hoped it wasn’t a preshock.
He looked out the kitchen window into the park. The large tree had fallen, smashing the outdoor gym. A few people stood around hugging each other, comforting each other. It didn’t look like anyone was injured.
The strange stillness and silence returned. He tensed up, expecting another tremor to hit, but nothing came. He waited for the birdsong to return. The loud screeching of a cockatoo flowed into the house. He hoped that was the all-clear call from nature.
“I had some Mormons visit recently,” Sheila said, still visible shaken.
The tension came back. Where was she was going with this?
“They said increasing earthquakes are one of the signs of the last days.”
“I suppose they also told you the Lord will be returning soon?” He felt his own earthquake brewing. Her views had changed. He needed to calm down. He took some deep breaths. Where was his backpack?
“Yes, they did.” Sheila looked at Wiley. “Yes, they said Jesus will return soon.” She leaned towards him. “Do you understand such things?”
She was an amber person. He’d confirm it with his glasses. “I have heard people talk about it, but I don’t believe it. We’ve always had earthquakes. People talk about the Lord’s return every time there are major earthquakes, but he’s yet to come.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Sheila pulled a chair out from under the table and sat down.
Wiley grabbed the top of a chair. “Have your views on Jesus changed?” He squeezed tighter. “From memory, I thought you considered him one of many great spiritual teachers.”
“I think they have, Thomas. Especially with events like today, I feel I’m being drawn to Him. I can’t fully explain it.”
