Unconscience

To my surprise, it was gloomy and raining when I awoke on the first morning at Shoal Bay. Yet, I ambled down the hallway with something of a smile on my face, for Mitchell would have loved this weather, and it wouldn’t have stopped him from enjoying the holiday. I reached the kitchen, where Dad was standing with the small of his back resting against the edge of the bench. He sipped slowly from a steaming mug of coffee.

“Good morning,” I greeted.

Both Dad and I panned our eyes to the windows.

“Good morning,” he echoed.

There was a hint of sarcasm, however, in his tone. I felt anxious, although there was nothing I could do and nothing I could do about it.

“What would you like to do today?” I asked. “We can still do things even though it’s raining.”

“I’d just like to stay here, resting,” I answered, even though it made me feel guilty.

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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'.