The Move - A Novella

"The Move" is a story that revolves around a family who relocates from San Francisco to New Orleans due to the father's job on an offshore oil derrick. The family, consisting of the father Indri, mother Alyxya, and their children Marianne, John, Sally, and Anne, moves into a large, old house with a suspiciously low rent. They soon start hearing strange splashing noises at night, which they initially attribute to baby eels they had put in the well. ​ However, the noises persist, leading to fears of the house being haunted. ​

The father, Indri, learns from a coworker that the house has a history of deaths and is rumored to be haunted. ​ Despite this, the family decides to stay until the lease expires. ​ The story takes a turn when Indri's friend Nick reveals that the house is indeed haunted by spirits, which further frightens the family, especially Alyxya.

The family eventually discovers that the splashing noises are caused by Julian Örvarsson, the eccentric brother of their landlady, Mrs. Hammond. Julian, who lived in the house next door, had a habit of swimming in an underground lake connected to the wells of both houses. ​ Julian's tragic death and the revelation of his activities explain the mysterious noises.

The story also delves into the family's struggle with the aftermath of Hurricane Tamerlane, which devastates the Gulf of Mexico and leads to the death of Indri on his oil derrick. ​ The family mourns his loss but finds solace in occasional visits from Indri's spirit, who reassures them of his love and presence.

Ultimately, the family decides to stay in New Orleans, with Alyxya buying and restoring both their current house and the one next door. The story concludes with the family finding peace and comfort in their new home, despite the lingering memories of the past. ​