Decay
Brenton Cassidy
“Decay” is a short story narrated by a serial killer as he stalks his next victim – a teenage girl by the name of “Emily”. The story utilises the theme of ‘finding your way back’ in a literal sense, in that the killer’s victim is finding her way home after a night of partying. In fitting with National Youth Week, the story acts as a commentary on the negative portrayals of youth perpetuated by popular media. The morally bankrupt teenagers described by the story’s narrator corroborate with these stereotypes, and they are challenged during the course of the story.
Man of the Earth
Clare Douglas
Belonging is a timeless and universal concept that all individuals aim to fulfil, physically, emotionally and mentally. Man of the Earth explores the lengths that an individual will go to in order to achieve this state of being, whilst simultaneously highlighting the consequences of this desire. The story illuminates – through the eyes of a young girl finding her way back, physically and emotionally – the often selfish and inherent judgemental nature of man, and the detrimental ramifications of fulfilling inherent human nature.
Halcyon Days
Michelle Tjondro
The short story Halcyon Days epitomises the supreme stronghold of love, and its role in “finding your way back”. Human life becomes fulfilling through the raptures we experience, as shown by the flashback to a past rendezvous, but the unpredictability and reality of life is often too harsh. However, it is the exuberance of the human experience that allows the couple to overcome this, in whichever way they choose. The power of love creates their desire to reunite, to seek something better, and eventually sees them finding their way back to each other.
A Smaller Lump of Clay
Sam Varley
‘A Smaller Lump of Clay’ deals with themes common to youth today (or at least, the ones I talk to). It was inspired by my own angst at transitioning from simple high-school life to big strange university and, y’know, adulthood. And, also by friends of mine who have been burned by ‘young-love’ and didn’t really have any idea how to cope. The theme of ‘finding your way back’ is incorporated into the story in both a literal sense: characters looking for the car; and in a metaphorical sense: characters overcoming issues that have been causing them anxiety. Hope you enjoy.
The Bus
Thao Luong
I was sitting in the backseat of my dad’s tiny green Mazda, weary from a day out, headphones in my ears. The sun was setting – everything was bathed in an orange glow. With not much else to do, I started to look at the shadows my hands made against the seat. I thought it was such an odd thing to do, but still somehow entertaining. I then began to think – what do people do to occupy themselves in such a small space? How does this, in a way, show who we are? And so The Bus was born…
