narratorAUSTRALIA Volume Three

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  Adam looked intently at Owen sitting next to him in the truck. His black eyes were unfathomable.

  ‘Well, my friend, this task is finished. Their water is no longer fit to drink. You have done well.’

  Owen grinned and lowered his head. He had only ever heard words of praise once before and these were from his mother, before disappointment had made her turn away.

  ‘So what happens now?’ asked Owen.

  Inclining his head towards the two men sitting in the other truck, Adam said in a honeyed voice, ‘We go and you lay low. We will contact you at a later time. There will be other plans. Maybe more sensational things − like explosions.’

  He brought his hands together at his chest. ‘As long as there is oppression the fight goes on, eh.’

  For the first time in his life Owen felt that he really belonged; that he was a valuable member of a close-knit group; that he was appreciated, loved even.

  Like the heroic soldier he knew he could have become if allowed, he had been recruited for a specific mission, had infiltrated enemy lines, gathered valuable intelligence. He and his comrades had carried out the planned attack with confidence and commitment.

  If the hysteria coming from the radio in Adam’s truck was anything to go by, the mission had been accomplished. Ever since the contamination warning had been issued, there were reported queues of sick and panicked people at the hospitals. Scuffles were breaking out at supermarkets as people jostled for bottled water.

  A spokesperson from the Health Department had been advising the city’s inhabitants to discard any water that had been taken from the tap. A doctor was describing symptoms of cyanide and arsenic poisoning.

  A hot wind ruffled Owen’s hair as he leapt down from the truck. He raised his hand in a salute to Adam and his companions as they drove away.

  There was one more thing to do.

  He reached into the boot of his car and lifted out a petrol can. He walked several steps away from the car. Pouring the contents of the can onto the dry grass, he threw on a lighted match and stood back.

  Owen smirked as the hot orange flames rose. Again so easy. He had done this before