Helen

April A-Z Challenge - H is for Helen - Shining Light (Origin : Greek)

Theme: Short stories highlighting the lives of 26 fictional characters 

Helen washed her face with the cold water one last time, and looked at herself in the mirror. She finally felt cleansed and free, she was ready to go. She grabbed her bag, as she pulled up her hair into a casual bun and stepped out, concealing herself behind her shades. Her limousine was waiting outside, it would be a long ride, perfect for a late afternoon siesta.

As she arrived, a gentle evening breeze invited her, bringing with it the smells of the ocean. She smiled in relief, she was home! She took off her footwear and let her feet unashamedly kiss the sand. It was the familiar warmth that she had loved, and she enjoyed every step she took towards the water. She could hear the voices and the laughter from the past in the air. The warm rays of the sun gently caressed her bare limbs, as she walked towards the waves. She paused to take in the breathtaking sights of the vast ocean, lit by the sun, a calmness took over her. Then she jumped in, giving herself completely, and was soon surrounded by the comfort of the water.

Helen sat on the sand looking like a goddess from a painting, her wet hair adorned her content face, etched with the most perfect features. She felt loved and secure here, no longer a stranger among the crowd. This was where her heart was, her memories were. As the sun took its position, she sat awaiting to witness the making of her favorite painting. She watched every stroke as the rich hues of orange and red filled the sky, and she replicated the picture onto her mind's canvas. She watched the last stroke, before the blues took over all the other hues, and hoped that some day her family will accept her again. She walked back to her limousine feeling refreshed, ready to live through the next month, before she would be back here again.

As she rode back in the darkness of the outside world, she began preparing herself again for the shining lights.

As she arrived, a chaos invited her, bringing with it the reality of her life. There were paparazzi everywhere, as Helen smiled and waved. She stood perfectly poised for the pictures as she answered questions about her movies, rumors and affairs patiently. She walked elegantly towards the door and turned back one last time to wave, and smiled thinking of how cleverly she had been hiding her most prized affair with her memories!