THE LONELY DESERT 

By Tessa Harvey

Ariella looked up from grading her students' work. Her favourite pupils were the firt years, aged eleven. 
    She taught English mainly. The class had seventeen students. At the last lesson each Friday the children brought their chairs up on the teacher platform and listened while she read to them from an interesting and exciting children's book. Of course her older students mattered also. She glanced around the classroom, though barely noticing the artwork on the walls, the stunning posters... Her thoughts were with her friend far away in a red-dust desert.
    The photo of the black SUV had obviously disturbed Shayla for some reason, but then there was the beautiful and riveting shot of the sunset fading around a giant baobab tree outside a roadhouse. Then nothing.
    Perhaps Shayla was just out of range now.
    Putting aside her school papers, Ariella moved to pack her bag and return home.
    Using her key, she locked the desk and left, looking for the lady caretakers. They were so friendly. One was a bad asthmatic, but was always cheerful. She loved talking about her children. "Goodnight Kathy, goodnight Irene!" Ari called, laughing at one of their jokes. 
    Every morning the senior elderly caretaker left a cup ready and the jug ready for her in the kitchen, as Ariella had a fairly long journey by train and bus to and from home. As she watched the beautiful coastal scenery, Ariella prayed to God. Shocking her orthodox Jewish parents, she believed the Messiah had already come as a baby in the person of Jesus Christ and that He was coming again for His people in great Glory. She prayed because she felt her friend, Shayla was in danger.

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