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Cover of We Used to Live Here
B1 · 4,879 words · English

We Used to Live Here

Marcus Kliewer

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer is a haunting psychological thriller that explores the fragility of trust, memory, and the emotional weight of the past. The story follows a family whose quiet life is interrupted when a group of strangers knocks on their door, claiming to have once lived in the house. What begins as a seemingly innocent visit soon turns unsettling as the strangers reveal intimate knowledge of the home's past, pushing the family into a spiral of doubt and fear. As the night progresses, their polite behavior morphs into something far more invasive and sinister, triggering a series of emotional and psychological challenges for the homeowners. The house itself becomes a character, steeped in secrets and unresolved pain. Through subtle tension, eerie interactions, and revelations about both the strangers and the homeowners' pasts, the story delves into themes of boundaries, trust, and the complexities of human connection. As the family confronts the darkness in their home, they are forced to question what is truly theirs, ultimately leading to a powerful reflection on resilience, healing, and the lingering effects of history.

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Words you’ll meet

The words readers of this text looked up most, each with its meaning and the line it comes from.

linger / ˈlɪŋɡər /verb

To stay in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave

They linger after the meeting, hoping to speak to the director privately.

remainstaydelay

demeanor / dɪˈmiːnər /noun

behavior toward others

His polite demeanor hid his true intentions.

attitudebearingcomportmentconduct

subtle / ˈsʌt(ə)l /adjective

Not obvious; delicate or fine

The artist used subtle shading to create depth in the painting.

faintdelicateunderstated

reclaiming / riˈkleɪmɪŋ /verb

To take back or recover (something previously lost, possessed, or under control)

They are reclaiming their stolen land.

recoverretrieverepossess

tinged / ˈtɪndʒd /verb

affected or characterized by a trace of something

Her voice was tinged with sadness.

hintedcolored

vague / veɪɡ /adjective

Not clearly expressed or understood; lacking definition or clarity

They observe closely, occasionally exchanging cryptic glances or offering vague comments.

ambiguousindistinctnebulous

outright / ˈaʊtˌraɪt /adverb

completely and without reservation

He rejected the offer outright.

absolutelytotally

reluctantly / rɪˈlʌktəntli /adverb

in an unwilling and hesitant way

They reluctantly agreed to our proposal.

unwillinglyhesitantly

adds / ædz /verb

To increase something in number or amount

The new information adds to our understanding of the situation.

contributeaugmentsupplement

glances / ˈɡlænsɪz /noun

A quick look or glance

The glances they exchanged revealed a shared secret.

stareslookspeeks

tense / tɛns /adjective

Showing or causing strain or anxiety

The atmosphere in the room was tense as everyone awaited the test results.

anxiousfraughtstressful

cautious / ˈkɔːʃəs /adjective

Careful to avoid potential problems or dangers

The homeowner is a cautious individual.

carefulprudentcircumspect

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