THE DESERT

 THE DESERT By Tessa Harvey     Sleepily, half-dreaming, Zack looked at the beautiful passing scenery as Irene or Sanjay drove home.     They stopped for breaks to stretch their legs, have some food or drink....     Marlie, helped by Esther, had made the most delicious sandwiches - boiled egg and lettuce, tomato, bacon, cheese. Always they checked their stopping places for marauding ants. But there were few.     Zack thought he saw the same gecko who had watched him days ago. They all loved the way the lizard seemed to blink or wink at them.     Once or twice there was a brief rain squall splattering down on the thirsty land. The galahs swung upside down on narrow gum tree branches,  chattering.     The family prayed for more rain and the wonderful wildflowers, multi-hued that would soon follow. Kangaroos occasionally bounded along near them. A magnificent rainbow drenched them in light. It was heavenly. They were loo...

THE DESERT  By Tessa Harvey     Zack was having a hard time. He seemed to be in a very hot place like a desert. But it was dark and he couldn't see anything at all, not even the beautiful vast skeins of stars in the Outback night-time sky.     Voices were yelling and calling around him in desperation and fear, but they all sounded strangely like his own. He felt a sharp jab in his leg and screamed, thinking the ants were back, but then everything seemed to fall away, and it became very still.     A woman's voice woke him. "Irene," he thought, "that's my sister." He was aware of a deep sense of relief, of normalcy.     "About time you woke up," she said, sounding relieved. "You had us worried there, bro. Sanjay and I have been praying half the night."     Sanjay leaned over. "Hey, open your eyes. No more excuses for lazing around. The fever's gone."     Zack looked at his family. "Great to see you guys. He smiled. ...

THE DESERT  By Tessa Harvey     At 9am, as arranged, Sergeant Bellini called to see Marnie and Luka qand their niece, Esther. The older couple were staying with Esther temporarily.     "You probably have realised why I am here," he asked them.     "You have found my mummy, haven't you? whispered Esther. "Where was my sister?" Marnie asked, softly, "my beautiful Anja."      Luka sighed. "Everyone loved Annie," he spoke gruffly as usual, but tears stood in his eyes, softening his craggy face.     "We have ordered an autopsy," the sheriff continued. He turned to Esther and Marnie. "Her body was found when the land was being excavated for the new shopping centre in the neighborhood district."     "It was Karl, wasn't it?" growled Luka.     "We believe so. Would you like me to send a counsellor or a doctor to you?" "No, but thank you," Marnie replied, struggling. "We are going to our ...

THE DESERT  By Tessa Harvey     "Please Aunt Marnie, pray once more with me for Zack." It was Esther's voice. He remembered from Zoom - that one call when her dad had gone to a nearby town.     He tried to answer. A man's voice, growly. "You gotta face reality, Esther. That boy's pretty crook. He's gonna....."     ".....Get better, in Jesus' name," Marnie spoke up briskly. "No doubt, just believe, Luka." "Bah!" the man growled again.     Zack struggled. Everything felt fuzzy, disconnected. "Reality is Jesus," he finally managed and fell into a deep, healing sleep.     The doctor came in and was pleased. "He is going to make it," he reassured the visitors. "Go home and get some rest."     "Wait," the sheriff came in. Sergeant Bellini. Everyone local called him Sheriff because they respected him.     "Esther, your dad is going to jail. He tried to hide from the hospital secu...

THE DESERT   By Tessa Harvey     Despite the beauty of the desert's sunrises and sunsets and the marvellous glory of the outback stars at night, sleep had not been very comfortable. So Zack fell deeply asleep almost as soon as he had finished a meal of thick nourishing stew and crusty bread with lashings of butter.     It was hardly any extra cost and he gladly paid.     When he woke up early, his feet stuck out of the small narrow bed. The mattress was thin, but better than the one he had camped on at night. The blankets and sheets seemed clean. Zack relished the warm shower. By the time he reached his room, he was ready for breakfast - and home. There was no point in staying. Esther had relatives and he was worried about being away from his attorney-desk job and also helping Sanjay.     His savings were not endless and he enjoyed his work. He liked his mates.     Bending to tie his shoes, the young man noticed the door creaking op...

THE DESERT  By Tessa Harvey          "Son," the older detective slowly spoke, "be careful. The heart is deceptive. But have you thought of Esther? She probably sees you as a sort of white knight. Don't go away just yet. We all need hope." Zack answered, "Who else is helping? Surely Esther is not alone. Where is her mother?"     Sam looked at the young man. "Anna disappeared eight years ago without a trace. Since then, her sister and husband have tried to obtain custody of the child. They are lovely people, with children of their own."     "I am blocking this so-called wedding. The circuit judge is helping us. Karl had let Esther go to her relatives for the summer." The order will be served tomorrow."     "Why are you telling me all this?" Zack asked, puzzled. "I don't really belong here."     "Well Zack, it's like this: people who oppose Karl often have 'accidents.' So I cannot get enoug...

THE DESERT  By Tessa Harvey     Karl had said a few other things as well such as his surprise Zack had made the desert journey safely. Karl had not expected that. He shut the door firmly, trying not to bang it too hard, anxious the neighbours would think well of him and be approving of his daughter's upcoming marriage.     But they did not approve of him, though he was too conceited to notice.     As Zack turned to plod back to the small motel, he thought that's that - a long journey for nothing. He questioned himself about his own motives. What exactly had they been?     Half-turning to look back, he saw Esther watching from the side upstairs window. Even in the oncoming night, he saw she was crying. She looked so young and forlorn, just a child really.     Down the road a police car pulled up. A middle-aged officer wound his window down and asked the young man to hop in the car for a few minutes.     "I'm Officer Sam Bra...