Labyrinth

There were Easter eggs scattered across the floor. My mind drew me back to a year prior. This time, we’d gathered not at the Devereux home, instead spending Good Friday with our del Reyan family. Jesus being crucified seemed like sticking the middle finger up to karma. I shuddered, trying not to think about it, despite the occasion of Good Friday. When the others moved out into the backyard, I stayed in the front room of Uncle Julio and Aunty Caroline’s cottage. Chloe was busily counting out the Easter eggs she had collected, into separate baskets of each of us. In her egalitarian, child’s mind, everybody should have their even share, even the grownups. Either way, I was still, at nineteen, considered to be a kid, which was how I viewed myself, anyway.

“Nina,” Chloe spoke up, glancing up from the multi-coloured shiny wrapped Easter eggs at me.

“Yes, my dear,” I replied, leaning forward a little closer to her.

“When will Mitchell come and visit?” Chloe wanted to know.

I let out a soft sigh, and my gaze trailed away for a moment.

“Sweetie, I wish I knew. Come on, I think there are more eggs to find.”

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Abbey Sim is a candidate for Honours in Communications at the University of Technology Sydney. She lives on the lands of the Dharug people in Sydney, Australia. Having started Huldah Media in 2021, Abbey desires to explore themes of hope, love and longing through her storytelling. She is the author of 'Shadow' and 'From the Wild'.