I continued to watch out the window as we departed from Shoal Bay, until my neck started to ache if I wanted to spot the apartment block. Then, I shifted the upper half of my body back around to the face the front. I exhaled audibly. Last time we’d been here, Mitchell sat beside me on the trip home. My whole body ached with absence. Taking a breath, I tried to feel settled, knowing two hours in the car still awaited me. It had been a worthwhile trip to take – I couldn’t deny that. Sometimes at the end of a holiday, I would find I would reach the point when I was grateful to be going home. It didn’t surprise me that Mum was asleep in the passenger seat. As Dad drove into the tunnel, I smoothed my hands over my legs. It would be more expensive taking all the toll roads. Yet, we would be able to get home faster. Underground, I marvelled at the lights. A small smile came onto my lips, before it disappeared. Finally, we emerged back into the starry night, and home couldn’t have been too much further away. I breathed out, grateful for that at least.
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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