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 open and a bucket being unlidded and thrown upside down. Zack grabbed his phone and his epi-pen and called for help as angry jack jumper ants were scattered everywhere. He dialed 000 and plunged the medicine into his thigh. The bites were vicious. He gasped his location, then his airways seemed to shut down. "Help God!"



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THE DESERT  By Tessa Harvey     Sanjay was surprised at hearing from Zack so soon. "What's up mate?" he said jokingly, "homesick already!" He was smiling, his dark face alight with humour, but soon he realized his friend was really upset.     None of what he was hearing made sense, but he was a strong Christian, as was Zack and prayed for him over the phone. Then he asked cautiously, "Do you think it might be wiser to come back and swap vehicles for now? Just to be on the safe side."     Zack had already considered this, but decided to press on. "I'm not in your league as a mechanic, mate, but I have learned a lot in the last few years. I can fix most of what's wrong. Anyway I will be in touch. Love to Erica."     Just then a customer rolled up with a complicated problem and Sanjay was busy for the next few hours. After lunch he collected their little girl, Minnie, from daycare, took her to the park for a while, then headed home.   ...
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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 ...
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