Wandering Halina

The painting, Halina, famous for its monotone hue , had been stolen a hundred years ago from Paris, France. However, the person who stole it… was never seen again. The painting was found on the other side of the world, not altered, not a scratch. As if, it was never touched. Everyone was quite surprised of how well kept the painting was. It was as if someone intentionally kept it to come and retrieve it later. A hundred years later and it is back in its home, Paris. A 9th grade field trip was scheduled to see the Halina all by themselves. Although these kids had no idea what was in store for them. 

 “Okay teens, pay attention.” The teacher had informed “This painting has been feared by many, because of the mysterious disappearance of it, and its well kept state after it was found. Also because the one who planned the heist was never found.” “What a Bore!” Alex exclaims as the class laughs. “Alex, don't be so rude. The painting is seen as the most wonderful, exquisite, painting in the world, truly magnifique!” The teacher replied “Whatever.” Alex sighed, walking off. Alex was what you’d call “troublè”. 

However, his parents owned the memorial for the Halina painting in North Chicago, where it was found and obtained a hundred years ago. Alex didn’t share their passion for art, but he did like video games. He preferred the mystery type, along with his friend, Celina. “I don’t find looking at paintings all day that bad.” Celina chimed in. “Of course you don’t” Alex responded.

Alex and Celina continued to walk around the museum where the painting was. “Hey Alex, what if the person who stole the Halina wasn't a person?” “What do you mean?” Alex asked curiously. “I mean, I played this game where the paintings would hop around like cute little pets after you finished painting them.” “Well the painting was made way before it was stolen and I don’t think paintings are alive.” Alex says “But hey, me and my parents are going to Chicago this break to host the Halina memorial ceremony. You should come, I don’t think my parents would mind.”  

“ I have never been to the U.S” Celina replied. “Trust me, it’ll be fun” 

The next week Alex and Celina were in Chicago. In the heart of the city, eating Chicago style pizza and shaved ice. The cold, chilly air made the two take refuge in the closest store, an art store. “Why didn’t we drive to the Halina memorial?” Celina asked while browsing the small, cozy shop. “Don’t you remember? My parents have to prepare for the yearly ceremony.” Alex stared blankly at her “uuurghh, why’d we have to come to this dumb art store?”, Alex snarls. “Brrrr, I am not leaving! It’s way too chilly out there. Let’s stay here for a bit, at least until it warms up” Celina states. “Fine, I guess we can wait a little.” Alex says, standing up and walking around the store. The teens walk around, painting pictures and building clay statues. “Hey, I think we made a bit of a mess,” Alex announced. “You're right!” Celina says scratching her head in realization. “We should probably go find some cleaning supplies then,” Celina says, looking around for a mop. Alex follows as the teens walk deeper, and deeper into the abandoned art store, until they stop out of curiosity. “Woah” the teens say in unison. The teens stare down a dimly lit hall. Down the hall there are tons of priceless looking artworks. “What is this place?” Celina says, examining a painting. “I’m not sure…but I definitely don't hate it”, Alex says surprisingly. The teens couldn’t help but notice one of the paintings seemed…somewhat peculiar in a way. “I don’t know why but this painting seems awfully alike to the Halina, except the painting we saw at the museum wasn’t standing, but this one is.” Alex walks over taking a closer look at the painting, noticing, he jumps back “How is this possible, the artist crafted a one-of-a-kind painting, no one could create a replica even if they tried!” Celina’s eyes widened “You’re right he never made a second copy.” The teens stare at each other with disbelief. Suddenly the painting leapt forward and grabbed Celina. “Key.” The painting had mumbled into Celina's ear then disappeared. “EEEK!” Celina screamed, falling back. “What just happened?” Alex asked, helping her up. “I figured it out!” Celina exclaimed. “Figured out what?” Alex responded “No time to explain, we need to go to the Halina memorial now!” Celina declared. The teens leave the messy art shop and run to the Halina memorial, making it fifteen minutes before the ceremony. “ Celina, what is going…” Alex tries to ask before getting cut off by someone. “Alex! Why am I getting a call from your teachers saying that you were not only skipping school, but doing illegitimate activities with those friends of yours?” A very distinguished voice speaks. That distinguished voice just so happened to be Alex's dad, a businessman, who had no tolerance for the trouble that Alex entertains. “Sorry Mister but Alex and I had something we needed to attend.” Celina responds, grabbing Alex by the hand and dashing off. “Sorry!” Alex yells as he gets pulled away.

The teens keep running until they arrive at the center of the memorial.

“Okay, Celina what is going on?” Alex states. “Okay” Celina replies in a hushed voice “You know how I talked about the videogame with the moving paintings” she continued. “Yeah, what about it?” Alex asked. 

“The Halina painting got to the ‘other side of the world’ not by some ‘thief’, but by itself!” Celina expresses. “That’s why we saw a replica in the art store, that’s why it travels across the world, it’s looking for the key!” “What do you mean key?” Alex comments. “When the Halina grabbed me it had muttered the word, ‘key’.” “But why would it need a key?” Alex remarked. “ I don’t know, intèressante.” Celina responded. 

Just then the ceremony started. “Welcome!” The distinguished voice had spoken from the podium, a couple feet away from the center where Alex and Celina were. “Please help yourself to the many assortments we have provided on this fine evening!” “We need to find that painting” Celina told Alex as he thought of a way they could leave the ceremony and head back to the art store. “There’s no way we could head back to the store.” Alex said. “We destroyed it.” “We have to.” Celina insisted. As they sneaked out into the foyer they explained to the security that they had just needed to run a quick errand. They raced out the front entrance, and to their surprise… The Halina was there walking as if it was a baby taking its first steps. “Is that the Halina?” Celina asks. “I don’t know. Do you really think I paid attention at that museum? 

As they stared at the painting in confusion, it turned its head, staring at them. “Key…key…” it mumbled. “ What key? Celina asked “you..YOU!” It seemed the painting was drawn to Celina. Like it had been waiting for this moment all this time. “You…are the key!” Celina steps back in shock “what do you mean, I’m the key?”. The painting was surprising ....”You don’t know about my creator, do you?” the painting said in a slightly saddened tone. “My creator…was your great grandfather, I was his very last painting to the world before his death. This key, it's been passed down from generation to generation…until now”. The painting looks at Celina in great desperation. “Now you are here and I can finally have my coloré after so long. Thank you”. The painting walks to Celina hugging her. “I truly thank you, Celina.” The Halina says with gratitude. The painting brightens, his darkness fades and what seeps through are bright filling colors. “Finally my true form.” The painting slowly transfers onto the canvas…but you’d call it colorè