Chloe strolled down the grassy hill, painted gold in the morning sun. The lake awaited at the bottom; light softly undulating with the waves. Strands of her dark hair tickled her nose and forehead in the breeze. With a stomach full of knots, she thought, I shouldn't be this nervous! She took a deep breath and continued forward while blades of grass caressed her sandaled feet.
The last few years had been difficult. More than that, they had been devastating. Her marriage fell apart, and Kevin wasted no time in serving her with divorce. No drama and no chance at conciliation. Just done. She never knew how quickly, how irreversibly, a life together could dissolve.
The tech company Chloe worked at for the last five years went through a transition in management. She became a victim of the subsequent house cleaning. She found work at the local shelter, and the though work was rewarding, she couldn't see herself there long-term.
Through all this, she became more isolated. She refused to visit friends and family. She made excuses not to go out, and even more to not have anyone over. She replied to text messages days, or even weeks after they were originally received.
She recently realized how very alone she was after finding herself weak and miserable with the flu. She picked up the phone to call a friend to drop off some Gatorade and Saltines but found no one in her contacts she wanted to call. She hadn't talked to anyone frequently enough to feel comfortable asking for a favor. That night Chloe cried, and vomited, and cried some more.
She tried joining a few clubs: knitting, swimming, reading and some others. Everyone was kind to her, but she struggled to make any real connections. She caught herself lying about her interests and thoughts to earn their approval.
She laughed at inside jokes she never seemed privy to, just to be a part of the group. They must have sensed her loneliness, or more likely, Chloe's desperation because they always smiled politely but never invited her for drinks.
Finally, she gave herself a good look and took an inventory of the last decade. Who was she? Who did she want to be? She paged through the yearbook from her senior year of high school searching for who she used to be. Chloe stared at her own photograph and a sense of longing welled up in her chest.
The girl pictured was a little awkward, yes, but she wore a confident smile and her eyes were bright. The woman in the mirror couldn't boast as much. Her eyes were lined with heavy, dark circles. Her skin was blotchy and her hair badly needed a trim. She'd chewed her nails to the quick. She vaguely remembered the younger Chloe, and although that girl was happy, she needed to figure out who she wanted to be as an adult.
In her club meetings, she focused, not on the people around her, but on herself. Swimming was a chore she couldn't abide. The chlorine stung her eyes, and it was all she could smell the rest of the day. It was a relief to remove it from her schedule.
She loved to knit and read, however, and found solace in these activities. She sent her cousins each a knitted hat as a way to open communication and discovered they missed her as much as she missed them.
She started journaling and visiting new places. She kept a modest blog of her adventures and swelled with pride when someone found it useful. She got in touch with friends she cherished growing up and laughed again like she didn't remember she could. She felt ready for the next step.
Smiling wistfully, she set her picnic basket down on the wooden pier. The sun was lower on the horizon, painting the sky in reds, oranges, and pale blues. Preparing for the most important first date she would ever have, she pulled out grapes, cheese, crackers, and wine.
She watched as the first evening stars awoke from their daylight slumber, while pouring herself a glass of merlot. She wrapped a quilt around her shoulders and looked down at her reflection in the clear water.
Chloe smiled and said, "So, tell me about yourself."
About the Creator
A. Grace
I'm a writer, native to the Western U.S. I enjoy writing fiction and articles on a variety of topics. I'm also a photographer, dog mom, and nature enthusiast.
Hind Rajab: A Child the World Heard Too Late
Cinema has always been a powerful medium for telling stories that history books often reduce to numbers. When a film chooses to focus on a single child caught in the machinery of war, it forces audiences to confront reality not as statistics, but as human loss. The movie inspired by the tragic story of Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian girl, does exactly that. It is not merely a film; it is a testimony, a memorial, and a question posed to the conscience of the world. Hind Rajab’s name became known globally after reports emerged of her final hours during the Gaza conflict. She was a child trapped in circumstances no child should ever experience. The film based on her story does not sensationalize her death, nor does it turn her suffering into spectacle. Instead, it approaches her story with restraint, dignity, and an unwavering focus on innocence lost amid violence. The Story at the Heart of the Film The movie centers on a young Palestinian girl who becomes separated from safety during intense military escalation. Through her eyes, viewers witness fear, confusion, and the fragile hope that someone, somewhere, will come to help. The film follows her final journey—both physical and emotional—using minimal dialogue and powerful visual storytelling. Rather than relying on graphic imagery, the filmmakers choose silence, pauses, and close-up shots to convey terror and vulnerability. This artistic choice makes the film even more haunting. The audience is left to sit with the child’s fear, her calls for help, and the unbearable waiting that defines her final moments. By focusing on Hind as an individual rather than a symbol, the film restores her humanity. She is not portrayed as a political tool, but as a daughter, a child with dreams, and a life that mattered. A Child as the Center of a Global Tragedy What makes this movie particularly impactful is its refusal to shift focus away from the civilian cost of war. The story does not revolve around soldiers, strategies, or power struggles. It revolves around a child who should have been worried about school, friends, and play—not survival. This narrative choice challenges the audience to rethink how conflicts are discussed in media and politics. Wars are often framed in terms of borders, ideologies, and victory. This film asks a different question: What is the price paid by those who have no role in choosing the war? By centering the story on Hind, the film exposes the imbalance of power and the devastating consequences faced by the most vulnerable. Artistic Direction and Emotional Weight The film’s direction is deliberately restrained. There is no dramatic background score overpowering the scenes. Instead, ambient sounds—distant explosions, static-filled phone calls, the quiet breathing of a frightened child—carry the emotional weight. This realism makes the film deeply unsettling. The young actress portraying Hind delivers a performance that is heartbreakingly authentic. Her expressions alone communicate fear, confusion, and bravery far beyond her years. The filmmakers avoid overacting or melodrama, allowing the story’s truth to speak for itself. Cinematography plays a crucial role as well. Tight frames and limited perspectives reinforce the feeling of entrapment, while long, unbroken shots force viewers to experience time as Hind did—slow, uncertain, and terrifying. A Political Film Without Political Speeches One of the film’s greatest strengths is that it does not rely on speeches or overt political messaging. Its power lies in its simplicity. By telling one child’s story honestly, it exposes the broader reality of civilian suffering in conflict zones. The film does not tell audiences what to think. Instead, it asks them to feel—and that is far more powerful. Viewers are left to grapple with difficult questions about responsibility, accountability, and the value of human life. This approach has made the movie resonate across cultures and ideologies. Even those unfamiliar with the details of the Palestinian struggle can connect with the universal themes of childhood, fear, and loss. Reception and Global Impact Since its release, the film has sparked intense discussion on social media, in film circles, and among human rights advocates. Many viewers describe it as one of the most emotionally challenging films they have ever watched. Critics have praised its ethical storytelling and refusal to exploit tragedy. For many, the movie serves as an entry point into understanding the human cost of the Gaza conflict. It has been screened at independent film festivals and community events, often followed by discussions about civilian protection and children in war zones. Most importantly, the film ensures that Hind Rajab’s name is not forgotten. In a world where news cycles move quickly, cinema has given her story permanence. Why This Film Matters This movie matters because it stands against normalization of suffering. It reminds us that behind every headline about war are real people, real families, and real children whose lives are forever altered—or ended. By immortalizing Hind Rajab’s story, the film becomes an act of resistance against silence. It insists that her life had meaning and that her death deserves acknowledgment, reflection, and accountability. In the end, this is not just a film about one Palestinian girl. It is a film about every child trapped in conflict, every unanswered call for help, and every moment when humanity fails its youngest members. Cinema cannot undo tragedy, but it can refuse to let it be ignored. And in doing so, this film ensures that Hind Rajab’s story continues to speak—long after the screen fades to black.
By Hasbanullah5 days ago in Humans
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