Isle of Zoltan

By Matthew Tait

Every year, the Isle of Zoltan plays host to Scout troops in their hundreds, Cubs from all across Australia who gather to rock climb, explore caves, and fish in isolation from the mainland. But for Bradley and his friends Nigel and Steve, this year will be different. This year they will learn of Crocotta, whose mystery lies in legend, and whose abandonment generations before at the hands of elders warrants the kind of violent revenge only a wild and untamed thing can understand ...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Crib Publications
• Release date: May 3, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224736102

Matthew Tait

A vociferous horror columnist since 2005, Matthew Tait published his first collection of dark fiction in 2011. Since then, he has won the the prestigious Shadows Award for the novel Deception Pass. Described as writing 'the sort of horror Clive Barker must read on his days off' Matthew's fiction often treads the line between the familiar and the fantastic.  

Book preview

‘What kind of name is that for an island, anyway?’ Nigel asked. ‘Isle of Zoltan? Sounds like something from a fairytale.’

Bradley said nothing; he simply shielded his eyes against the sun’s glare and stared at the approaching island with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. It paid to ignore Nigel. The boy was infamous for being a bad influence.

‘Language, Nigel,’ said Mr. Neil. Pulling out a pair of binoculars, he trained them on the shoreline. ‘The same rules apply out here as they do back at base camp.’

Making a pouty face, Nigel fell silent.

Only about a hundred meters to go, Bradley thought. If I jumped out of the boat now, I could probably swim the rest of the way.

Studying the water below, Bradley shuddered. In the foamy wake of the dinghy’s passage, the seawater appeared green and infected.

Mr. Neil caught him staring.

‘It’s a mild strain of algae, Bradley. Nothing to worry about; outbreaks occur this time of the year. Boys, we’re coming up to a sandbar. Be ready to jump out when the time comes.’

The dinghy’s engine – producing a fart-like putter since leaving the mainland – suddenly belched smoke and changed its pitch. As he guided the boat to anchor, Mr. Neil’s sunglasses reflected the approaching sandbar.

Steve, the third member of their Scout pack, had positioned himself on the prow. Standing upright, he lifted both arms high.

Oh man, Bradley thought. I know what’s coming.

Steve shouted, ‘I’m the king of the world!’

‘Lame,’ Nigel muttered.

‘Knock it off,’ Bradley said.

Dejected and embarrassed, the boy looked back at his