Win shushed her. 'Something's wrong, Beth... Listen... There's absolutely no noise... None at all. The air, it's so still... It's so hard to breathe.'

She was right. It was deadly quiet and the air was still. They found it difficult to take a breath. Their throats were parched and sheer panic set in.

'We're going to die out here!' Beth sobbed, distraught and exhausted. She gasped for breath.

The words had no sooner left her mouth when the unthinkable happened. With an almighty roar, fire exploded all around them! Trees were engulfed in flames as fire guzzled the thick undergrowth. An enormous wall of fire bore down on them. Win and Beth clung to each other. They didn't know which way to go. They were surrounded. Then a gravelly voice sounded behind them.

'I told you that you wouldn't get away, Winnie.'

Win turned to Merv. 'You crazy b.a.s.t.a.r.d, you're a monster... You can burn in h.e.l.l but we won't!' she screamed, her eyes streaming with tears and ash.

'I lost Beth once and I won't lose her again. I'm her mother and you will never be her father, you evil despicable beast!' Win screamed at him.

He laughed his insane cackle. 'Ya'll never get out, me beauty... Ya made me suffer all those years, ya b.i.t.c.h! Now you can suffer too. You'll burn out here, Winnie. We'll all burn... Burn in h.e.l.l!' He threw his head back, his mad laugh lost in the roar of the fire.

Beth sobbed hysterically. Absolute terror and desperation had taken hold of her. She ran at Merv, pummelling him with her fists, screaming at him. 'You're a monster... A crazy sick f.u.c.king monster!' The intense heat scorched their skin.

Win screamed at Beth to get away from him. She pulled at Beth's arm, terrified he would grab hold of her. 'We can't stay here... Look!'

The fire had crowned in the trees above and there was ground fire everywhere. They had to find somewhere to shelter, otherwise they would burn to death. 'C'mon, we have to find a cave!' she croaked. She almost dragged the hysterical Beth in the direction she hoped would lead them to a cave.

Merv followed, chanting, 'Ya'll burn b.i.t.c.h... Ya'll burn!'

Win's desperate search for a cave in which to shelter was fruitless. She was lost, disorientated by the fire that was all around them.

Merv's insane chanting rang in the air. Beth was near collapse and their skin was red and scorched. Blisters had already formed. The hope of survival faded and Win began to pray aloud. Beth's feeble voice joined in. They awaited the inevitable.

'My G.o.d, look at the b.a.s.t.a.r.d!' Digger's normally deep voice was shrill. The fire had completely taken over the hills. Evacuation orders had been issued to the people of Hamilton Valley. They were told to be prepared to leave their homes at a moment's notice. Despair was on everyone's face. Despair and fear, defeat in their hearts.

'The f.u.c.kin firebug's won this time, crazy b.a.s.t.a.r.d!' Frank Smith said gravely. 'We've had so many people hurt and lost so many properties. Now word has just come in that a woman was found dead at Jindera!'

'That's just the livin' end, poor woman. I feel so friggin' helpless!' Dig swore. 'Surely there's somethin' we can do!'

Frank shook his head. 'The army's done all they can. They've got bulldozers as far back as they can and still she burns on... Trouble is the fires've all linked and we've got one huge fire wall. Unless the wind changes and it breaks...Well, ya know what I'm sayin'.' His voice trailed off.

'Who was the woman they found out at Jindera?'

'Dunno.' Frank's radio crackled and a voice called for him. He listened intently and spoke rapidly to the person on the other end.

Turning to face the group of firefighters, he looked as though he had aged twenty years. 'Well, unless there's a miracle about to happen, it looks like we've had it. The army just radioed in. They can't hold her. We're helpless against it ... We've lost it... G.o.d help us... Only a miracle can save us now.' Frank's voice broke and he covered his face with his filthy singed hand.

'f.u.c.kin' h.e.l.l...' Digger swore.

Frank shook his head, defeated. 'They thought they had it, but while they were workin' on the ground, the fire was crownin' above em, makin' it down right impossible for em... We've had so many blokes injured. If I ever get my hands on the b.a.s.t.a.r.d that did this, I'll kill him... I swear it!'

Frank picked his radio up. 'I'll radio 'round and get everyone I can to gather here. We can only be prepared as best we can when it hits,' he said wearily.

Merv crawled up to Win and Beth and collapsed on the ground near them. The two women were beyond fearing him now. The thought of burning to death out here with this lunatic had drained them both of all emotions. They were simply numb and exhausted with nowhere to run.

'Lay down... Face down, Beth,' Win choked out. She could barely get the words through her dry lips.

Beth moved to do as she said but a sound other than the roar of the fire made her hesitate. Win had heard it too.

'Dear G.o.d... Tell me I'm not seeing things...' She gasped. They stared transfixed as an enormous fire truck thundered from out of the flames armed with army personnel, spraying water onto the raging inferno. They were followed by another vehicle and a bulldozer. They sprayed the flames and doused the three people who had been facing certain death.

'What the h.e.l.l! How'd you get up here? What the f.u.c.k do ya think you're doin' out here?' a shocked Fireman snapped at them. 'Hey, ya crazy b.a.s.t.a.r.d... Get back here! ...Hey... You'll burn to death out there!'

Win and Beth turned to look just as Merv disappeared into the scrub. It was too much for Beth to take. She collapsed in the arms of the fireman. Win took two steps forward and opened her dry mouth to accept the water one the soldiers held out to her. She felt dizziness sweep over her and she too pa.s.sed out.

'Better get these two to hospital, Corporal. It looks like the older one's been in a bit of a fight. That bloke's a gonner. He won't make it in there where he's gone! Somethin' was goin' on out here, somethin' very nasty!'

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE.

Daylight finally arrived, although it resembled night. Thick smoke hovered like dense fog throughout the valley and the air was hot and clammy. The hills were invisible and black smoke billowed high in the air. It was like a scene straight out of h.e.l.l. Some families had already packed and left but many of the locals were staying to protect their properties. Women who had worked hard alongside their husbands to build their family homes and tend their properties were out hosing down roofs and filling gutters, doing everything possible in preparation for what might eventuate. Their husbands were somewhere up in the hills fighting the monster that threatened the valley.

Kathy and Tammi sat outside on the veranda. They had not slept a wink. A pedestal fan whirred nearby but the air it circulated was hot. Karl and Ellie had told them about Beth's kidnapping and all about Merv and Win. They had no choice but to explain everything because Win had obviously gone after Beth when she received the phone call.

Francis had arrived home not long after the detectives had left. He had been out with work mates and they had partied on late into the night. Word had soon travelled about the bushfire in the valley and as soon as he heard about it he headed for home, but had been delayed at the road block.

He came out to see how Kathy and Tammi were coping after being told about Beth.

'You two look as confused as I am. Are you alright?' He sat down beside them.

Kath sniffed and wiped tears from her eyes. Tammi blew her nose. 'It's all so complicated, Francis,' she said. 'They'll be okay, they have to be. The police will find them.' As he spoke, they heard the phone ring. They waited anxiously, hoping it was good news.

Ellie and Karl both came out to them. The trio on the back steps looked up, unable to ask the obvious question.

Ellie smiled, Karl grinned. The girls jumped up, tears streaming down their faces. Francis wiped a tear away before anyone could see.

'Where are they? Are they alright? Did they catch that Merv person?'

The questions tumbled from their mouths.

'Whoa... Hang on a tic.' Karl held up his hands. 'They're both okay but they've been taken to hospital because they were out in the thick of it. They're both in shock, got some burns, cuts and smoke inhalation. The main thing is they're alive and safe.'

Kathy and Tammi were staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed. 'When can we see them?'

'You'll have to wait a bit, love. Everyone's been told to stay put unless evacuating. They want to keep the roads free for emergency vehicles. The police are in there with them and as soon as we can get in there, we will.'

Ellie said she would break the truth gently to Emmie and ring for the doctor to come and check her over. So far they had sheltered Emmie from the whole ordeal, only giving her enough information to satisfy her, playing down the horror of it all. No one wanted her having another heart attack.

Karl went out to the fire brigade crew who were filling up at the hydrant at the front of Kia-Ora and asked them to put it over the radio for Digger to return home as soon as possible.

'Ted and I betta get back to it, we've gotta keep wettin' the roof of the house an' his cottage an' make sure all those gutters are full of water. The water pressure isn't the best but we've gotta keep at it. The fire brigades've been fillin' up at the hydrant out the front all night, so our pressure ain't the best. You can give us a hand, Francis. You get all the hoses you can find an' bring 'em up here near the house. Keep an eye out for flying embers, won't cha? You girls go fill the bath and all the tubs and basins with water. Then grab plenty of towels an' have 'em ready to soak. Then when ya's have done all that, go and get some long sleeve woollen jumpers and trousers an' have 'em ready to pull on fast. No nylon stuff, ya hear?'

Kathy and Tammi glanced at each other, clearly petrified.

'Will we be alright?' Tammi choked.

Karl nodded. 'As long as you do everything I say. Now go and get those things done I just asked ya's to do, and be quick about it. I want all the windows shut tight. Get Hazel to help ya's.' He could see they were terrified and giving them these jobs to do would help keep their minds busy. It was also vital to be prepared.

The transistor radio crackled to life and the announcer began his broadcast with a news flash. Everyone stopped talking to listen.

'A woman has been discovered deceased on the property of Mr Harvey Winters of Jindera. Firefighters arrived to extinguish a fire on the property and discovered the body of Mr Winters' wife, Mary. Mr Winters has been detained for questioning at the Albury Police Station. The death is being treated as suspicious.' The announcer then continued with further updates about the bushfire.

Karl stood motionless, his face drained of all colour. Ellie also had gone deathly white. Francis indicated to the girls to follow him.

Karl turned to look at Ellie, disbelief on his face. 'It must be a mistake... Ellie... It can't possibly be true!'

Ellie was visibly shaking. She held out her hand to Karl. 'Karl, come inside and I'll ring the police station. Karl... If it is true...'

Karl shook his head. 'No Ellie, it can't be true. Not Mary... My lovely Mary!'

Ellie felt sick to her stomach. 'G.o.d... If it is true, Harvey's a murderer... Oh G.o.d!' She trembled at the very thought of what Harvey may have done.

They went inside and Ellie dialled the police with shaking hands. She spoke quietly and waited a few minutes until she was transferred to the detective in charge. Less than a minute later, she hung up the phone and looked at Karl. He read the look on her face and without another word he walked out!

Ellie was stunned. She shook from head to foot, 'This is a horror movie, it can't be happening,' she thought.

Emmie came downstairs as Karl left. Ellie was so upset, she wasn't sure how she was going to break the news to her mother about Mary. Yet it had to be done before Emmie heard it on the wireless. It was just as well the doctor was coming out because it would be the final straw if Emmie had another heart attack.

Taking a deep breath, and steadying herself as best she could, Ellie sat down at the table with her mother. Hazel poured them tea and bustled about, trying to prepare the house the best she could.

Ellie gently and cautiously told Emmie all about Win and Beth. She kept a very close eye on Emmie's reaction. Apart from a tremble of her hands and a slight twitch in her eye, she listened and asked no questions. Ellie was amazed at her mother's calm reaction.

'At least it's all out in the open now, Ellie. Merv will be put away again and Beth can have the family she should have had years ago.' Emmie had a set look on her face.

Ellie didn't bother to go into the fact Merv had disappeared.

'There's something else, Mum.' Ellie hesitated. Emmie shifted in her chair. She never took her eyes from Ellie's face.

'Just tell me, Ellie. I'll be alright,' she said, keeping her voice steady.

Ellie took a deep breath. 'It's Mary, Mum. The news isn't good. Mum... Mum...' Ellie's voice broke and tears trickled down her face. 'Oh G.o.d... Mum, there's no easy way to say this. Mary's dead. She was murdered, Mum, and the police have Harvey in custody. They're holding him on suspicion of murdering his wife!' Ellie broke down then.

Emmie had gone very pale and her body shook. Tears fell from her eyes and trickled down her wrinkled old face as well. She held her arms open and Ellie moved into them. Mother held daughter and both cried tears of sorrow and bitterness and anger. Sorrow for the horrendous way Mary had died. Bitterness from Ellie, for the brutal act and betrayal from the man she had loved and trusted. Anger for the suffering he had inflicted on his defenceless wife!

Added to that, the terror Win and Beth had endured at the hands of crazed Merv, and the havoc and terror wreaked on the valley people for years on end all lay bare... and so did their heartache.

Hazel found them both crying and comforting each other when she shuffled back in to bring Emmie some breakfast. The sad news had to be repeated for her and she had to be told about Win and Beth. The old housekeeper was deeply shocked at what had taken place with Win and Beth and she too broke down at the news of Mary's death.

Emmie was far too upset to eat breakfast and Ellie insisted that she go back upstairs and rest until the doctor came.

Emmie agreed to rest. In her mind, she knew she had to survive this latest ordeal. She had to stay strong to help her family through the pain and heartache that lay ahead.

The exhausted fire fighters gathered at the bottom of the hills, waiting for the perilous approach of the devil himself. Frank's radio crackled again and he walked away to answer it. Defeat showed plainly on the exhausted faces of the men. They had fought the fire until they dropped, but it still raged on. They were all waiting now for it to roar over the hill and feast on the valley below.

'What's that...? You sure about that? ...Well, I'll be stuffed! Thank G.o.d! Yeah... s.h.i.t yeah! Good on ya!'

Frank ran back as fast as his bulky frame would allow. He bellowed to everyone to listen. 'Hey, all you blokes... The b.a.s.t.a.r.d's turned... The f.u.c.kin' wind's changed, hear me? The b.a.s.t.a.r.d's turned and burnin' back onto itself. The danger's over... The f.u.c.kin' danger's over!' He threw his hands up in the air in sheer relief. Men hugged each other, big burly hard working farmers cried with relief and exhaustion.

The miracle they had prayed for had happened.

It had to be divine intervention! The wind had changed direction and was forcing the fire to burn back onto itself. There was nothing left to fuel it, so it was burning itself out.

The word spread quickly throughout the valley. Relief so great, people wept openly. Many thanked G.o.d for the miracle that had saved the valley.

Firefighters rushed in now to put out the closest and smaller fires still burning.

The announcement crackled through the wireless announcing that the worst bushfire in ten years was finally under control, that the danger was over. Hamilton Valley had been spared!

Digger finally received the message that he was needed at home. His heart plummeted, a feeling of dread shot through him and he rushed home, anxiety replacing weariness, arriving at the same time as the doctor.

Ellie broke the news first about Mary. Digger couldn't believe what he was hearing. His exhausted dirty face clearly displayed his shock. Then Ellie had the task of telling him about Win and Beth.

She went about it as calmly as she could, trying to prevent more pain and shock as much as possible. He had been through h.e.l.l out there with the fire and all this on top of it could completely break him.

He sat with his head in his big hands. He didn't glance up as Ellie told him everything, right down to the fact that she, Win and Emmie had known about Beth for some time. She explained why they had kept it quiet.

When she finished, he looked up and quietly asked, 'Karl?'

'He just walked out, Dig. I'm at a loss. I just can't believe all this has happened... I just can't.' She dissolved into heavy wracking sobs.

'Where is he now? Merv or whatever the b.a.s.t.a.r.d calls himself.'

Ellie shook her head. 'I don't know... n.o.body knows. They're pretty sure he burned in the hills.'

Digger stood up. 'I'll go up and shower. I have to see Win, then I'm going to find that mongrel and kill him myself... if he hasn't burned to death!'

Karl kept walking. On and on he went. He was crying, broken. He was utterly exhausted. He had not slept at all because of the fire, and now the news about Mary was too much for him to comprehend. He loved her with all of his heart. She couldn't be dead. Karl walked in the direction of the creek, not really paying attention. It wound through the Kia-Ora property near the disused well. He kept going until he came to the bank of the creek. He stopped under the shade of an old gum tree. He leant back against its trunk, staring straight ahead. He thought about Mary, of everything she had told him about her life with Harvey... Harvey! Karl felt the anger rise inside him. Harvey, the animal who had taken Mary's life!