Chapter Six
Carl sat in the kitchen of his parents’ farmhouse. Though the weather was as hot as an oven outside, the room felt cold to him. It was twilight, but he hadn’t turned on the lights. He preferred the dark. It matched his feelings, and artificial illumination only seemed to drive home the fact that his parents weren’t there. From outside came a kookaburra’s laughter and the songs of cicadas, driving away the unwelcome silence.
Carl’s eyes were sandy and sore, and his head throbbed. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept properly since finding out that his parents had gone missing. After the initial shock and visits to the police, as well as anyone else who might provide a clue as to what had happened, his sleep had been invaded by dreams of his mum and dad.
His sleeping
