Shehera

Shehera: A Hero’s Journey

Yasmin Butquis was not the kind of person who sought the spotlight. By day, she was a dedicated physical trainer at a small but thriving gym in her hometown, beloved by her clients for her motivational energy and compassionate guidance. Yasmin had a gift for helping people reach their potential, even when they couldn’t see it themselves. But no one—not her clients, her coworkers, or even her closest friends—knew the full story behind her warm smile.

Yasmin had grown up as Kamaron Butquis, a name that felt as though it belonged to someone else, like a suit tailored for a body she no longer fit into. Kamaron had always been an achiever: a star athlete in high school, a rising fitness influencer in her twenties. But even as she excelled, there was a part of her that felt incomplete, a quiet ache she couldn’t name. Now, as Yasmin, she was beginning to understand the truth, though it frightened her as much as it liberated her. She was still figuring out who she was—a transgender woman in the early stages of her journey, questioning not just her orientation but what her identity meant in a world that often demanded clarity where none existed.

The First Signs

The changes began subtly. At first, Yasmin noticed she could sense more than just physical tension in her clients during their sessions. When one of them came into the gym in tears after a bad breakup, Yasmin felt an inexplicable pang of sadness that mirrored her client’s emotions. She chalked it up to being empathetic—after all, she had always been a good listener. But then it happened again, and again. Whether it was frustration, fear, or joy, Yasmin seemed to absorb the emotions of those around her.

One night, as she sat alone in her small apartment, Yasmin thought back to a day when one of her clients had been on the verge of quitting. Without fully understanding why, she had said something that brought the person back from the edge. “You’re stronger than this moment,” she had told them. “And if you don’t see it yet, I’ll see it for you.” Her words had sparked a visible change—a light in their eyes, as if a weight had been lifted.

That night, Yasmin stared at her hands, trembling with an energy she couldn’t explain. It wasn’t just her words that had helped her client. It was something inside her, something she was just beginning to discover.

The Turning Point

The real turning point came late one evening. Yasmin had just closed up the gym and was walking home when she heard angry voices coming from an alley. Peering around the corner, she saw a young person being harassed by a group of men. Fear gripped her, but something deeper—a fierce, protective instinct—compelled her to step forward.

“Leave them alone,” Yasmin said, her voice steadier than she felt. The men turned on her, their rage now directed at the stranger who dared to intervene. As they advanced, Yasmin felt a flood of emotions—not just her own fear, but the terror of the victim and the seething anger of the attackers. It was overwhelming, like a tidal wave crashing through her mind.

Then it happened. A warm, golden energy radiated from her body, stopping the men in their tracks. They staggered back, their expressions shifting from anger to confusion, then guilt. One by one, they fled, muttering apologies. Yasmin turned to the young person, who was still shaking but seemed calmer now.

“Are you okay?” Yasmin asked, her voice soft but firm. The person nodded, tears streaming down their face. Yasmin felt a strange warmth in her chest—not just relief but something more profound. For the first time, she felt like she had done something that truly mattered.

An Unexpected Invitation

In the days that followed, Yasmin struggled to make sense of what had happened. She had always believed in the power of empathy, but this… this was something else entirely. She didn’t know where to turn or who to talk to. Then, one evening, as she was closing up the gym, a stranger appeared.

“Yasmin Butquis,” the woman said with a smirk. She was tall, with an air of confidence that bordered on intimidating. Her outfit was bold, a riot of colors that seemed to shimmer as she moved. “Or do you prefer Shehera? I heard about your little light show in the alley. Very impressive.”

Yasmin froze. “Who are you?”

“Clitora,” the woman said, offering a hand. “I’m with the Rainbow League. We could use someone like you.”

“The Rainbow League?” Yasmin echoed, her mind racing. She had heard rumors of a group of heroes who protected the LGBTQ community, but she had always dismissed them as urban legends.

“You’ve got something special,” Clitora said, her tone more serious now. “You can sense what people are feeling, can’t you? Maybe even change those feelings. That’s not just a power—it’s a gift. And right now, there are people out there who need you.”

Yasmin hesitated. “I don’t even know who I am,” she admitted. “How can I help anyone else?”

Clitora smiled. “That’s the beauty of it. None of us have it all figured out. But the League… it’s more than a team. It’s a family. And I think you’ll fit right in.”

Finding a Home

Yasmin didn’t say yes right away. She needed time to think, to process everything. But Clitora’s words stayed with her, echoing in her mind as she went about her daily life. A family. The idea of belonging somewhere, of being part of something bigger than herself, was both terrifying and exhilarating.

Eventually, she made her decision. She packed a small bag and met Clitora at the place they had agreed on—a rooftop overlooking the city.

“You’re ready,” Clitora said simply, as if there had never been any doubt.

Yasmin nodded. “Call me Shehera.”

As the two of them disappeared into the night, Yasmin felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time: hope. She was still questioning, still learning, but for the first time, she wasn’t alone. She had found her place—and her purpose—with the Rainbow League. Together, they would protect those who couldn’t protect themselves, and maybe, just maybe, help the world see that everyone deserved to live their truth.

© AF 2019