Creative Writing: The Golden Sun

Karen got down from the bus and stood under the shimmering opalescence of the noon. She tilted her head back and gazed at the road beyond. Under the blue dome, a huge gothic-styled mansion stood a little ahead across the road in floods of light.

“There you are,” the young woman in her early twenties parted her lips in a delighted smile. She pulled her small baggage across the road and walked quickly in the unbearable heat of midday. New sweats began to form where sweats had dried.

A trail of knocking on the tall, wooden door woke the sleepy place. “Coming!” A strident voice rang, and within seconds, the door was opened. A tall, bony woman with a long, unusually narrow face greeted Karen with a broad smile that seemed to almost split her face

You’ll be helping with cooking preparation, washing the dishes, cleaning the kitchen table, and in general, keep the kids accompanied!”

She continued as she dashed from one room to another. “Here – “Jenny sauntered towards a room at the back of the mansion and motioned for Karen to quicken her pace, “– is the kitchen where everyone in the House of Golden Sun has their meals together three times a day. Only you and I are allowed here during non-dining hours. But no one should stay here after ten o’clock at night; the kitchen door has to be locked.” The bubbly keeper then walked towards another room.

The inside of the mansion was a myriad of long corridors, open rooms and tall windows and doorways. Karen tried to count the number of children following them in between Jenny’s fast-paced explanation, but she always lost count at five, and had to start from one all over again. The young college student wondered briefly if anyone else was checking on the children – Jenny was so consumed in telling Karen about the charity home that she wouldn’t be able to tell if anyone slipped out of the mansion. But Jenny did not seem to be bothered at all. Soon Jenny’s voice and quick footsteps blurred into a distant buzz, as sweats dried again on Karen’s

She needed an escapade urgently, and spending time at a quiet town with children seemed to fit the bill. She did not think nor read much before making the call.

To her relief, Jenny did not suspect anything and simply continued, “That is why you are here, lovely girl – did I mention how cute you are? You have this really charming smile, and it’s lovely. And – yes, you are here because a lot of money has gone into rebuilding this place, and there’s very little left to feed the hungry stomachs here, so I’m left with just myself to look after the kids.”

“Money’s not good – yet, so we can’t afford a full-time helper. But I’m stretched…hence the need of a weekend helper,” Jenny took Karen’s hand and beamed at the young girl, “You being able to come out here and help, lovely Karen, is incredible. I really appreciate the help you are willing to offer to us.”

Jenny’s hazel eyes glistened with gratitude and pure bliss. Karen