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Writer's pictureShadow

Houseburning

We’d been invited to a housewarming party for the young couple who had moved into Hans’ old house. When we stepped through the front door, something wasn’t quite right. Perhaps it was as simple as the paint job. I really shouldn’t have been that alarmed. We were welcomed into the party, filled with people we didn’t know. I dropped myself into a chair. My head spun a little. Scrolling through social media wouldn’t help. I did it anyway, though, while Mum was fetching me a drink of water from the kitchen. I wished that Geoff could have come, but he hadn’t been part of the invitation. It had simply been dropped into the letterbox. The household didn’t include my boyfriend, with his own address. I had pondered moving in with Geoff, but dismissed the idea just as quickly. His home was in a convenient location. I couldn’t bring myself to move, but I couldn't ask him to, either. All these matters swirled through my mind, while we were supposed to be getting to know and celebrating our new neighbours. By the end of the night, I headed home, and wasn’t long out of bed.


 

The younger sister of missing Sydney man Mitchell del Reyan, Nina del Reyan lives on Dharug land in western Sydney. She has recently commenced a teaching degree at Macquarie University. Nina loves her family and friends and is deeply committed to finding answers and justice for the families of missing people.


Abbey Sim is the founder of Huldah Media. She is a creative writing, law and theology student who lives on the lands of the Dharug people in Sydney, Australia. Abbey desires to explore themes of hope, love and longing through her storytelling. She is the author of 'Shadow' and 'From the Wild'.


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