Quarantine
First published in the Dead Red Heart anthology (Ticonderoga Publications). The challenge for the anthology was to write an Australian vampire story. Figuring most people would write about desert locations, I chose to write about tropical northern Queensland instead. After all, I used to live there.
"Hello? Helloooo?"
Rob’s voice resonates in the general store.
Wan light casts a silver glow over the shelves with flour, cans of tomatoes, toilet paper, and other such life’s necessities. A bay of fridges hums peacefully against the back wall.
There is no one behind the checkout and there hasn’t been since he came in. It hadn’t worried him; he knows where the photocopier is and doesn’t need help fixing it. But now he needs someone to sign his worksheet.
"Helloooo? Olivia?"
He
