THE DESERT

By Tessa Harvey


    Zack was whistling as he drove. The tune had skipped into his mind as he watched the sunrise earlier. It had been beautiful - wispy pink-tipped cirrus clouds in a pale lemony sky before the dawn came and the sky became warm blue.
    At first the sun had felt gentle, but as the landscape grew harsh, so did the sun's rays.
    The air conditioner suddenly faltered. It ran erratically for a few minutes, then again resumed a steady rhythm.
    The young man was puzzled but not overly concerned. The car had been very carefully checked in the last few days. Everything was in perfect order. No-one wanted to break down in a desert.
    Without realising, Zack had stopped whistling. He felt suddenly uneasy. Trees were still a feature of the landscape and spotting a few clustered ahead, decided to stop for a while and stretch his legs.
    He would check the car, his phone and have a drink and something to eat.





























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