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As I sit in this green field, I look around at all the cute lambs and bunnies, loving my affection. Aww, how cute… OK, I’m over it. Wow, there are the most extraordinary mountains in the near distance. I decide to go explore them. The cool breeze nudges at the back of my neck, pulling my lightweight dress from side to side. What a beautiful time for exploring. Yay… but how shall I get onto the mountain itself? I roam around in the foothills for no more than a minute when I find a broken path leading up the peak. Though it appears to be quite rugged, it has very little slope. I hike along for a while. After about fifteen minutes, I locate a small chalice off to the left of the path. I pick it up for an overview. There is some sort of carbonated liquid inside. I hesitantly dip my tongue in only to discover it is Mountain Dew! Yay, my favorite. Upon examination, I find my new treasure to be rather abraded. It appears to be made of an almost black metal, weathered from the forces of nature. It’s kind of cool though. I place it in my knapsack and continue on my way.

I continue traveling up the path. The route I’ve been following has gotten much steeper. However, as I push myself to ascend the abrupt trail, I find myself not needing to put extra effort into this hike. After trekking up my path some more, I find a smooth boulder to sit on. Relaxing for a moment, I enjoy feeling the steady winds confront my sweaty forehead. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a lustrous object lying on the path. As I leap in attempt to retrieve the stray artifact, I conclude that I have discovered a most enchanting sword. It’s absolutely beautiful, likely to be brand new. I stare into the immaculate blade, fascinated with the perfection achieved. The handle that I find myself grasping is alluring. It’s made of a black, shiny material with gold flourishes. It looked positively glamorous when held next to my gauzy, white dress. Well, this looks keen. Finders, keepers... Continuing on my way now.

I am seconds away from the top. Lifting myself to the summit, I can see everything. What a glorious success! If I look down the road I took here, I can see my gentle meadow! All the flowers are blooming and the animals are running freely. I turn around to see a large, flat, smooth, round stone. I place the two items I’ve found upon the stone. Hmmm… Well, maybe it’s just the order of collection, but next to this amazing weapon, that old cup looks like nothing. Well, there’s not much else to do up here but sit and think. So I guess that's what I'll do.

I sit down and close my eyes. I can hear everything around me. The smell of fresh air invades my lungs. I clear my mind and focus on the back of my eyelids. Within a few short moments, I see a complex juxtaposition of so many sophisticated concepts. I can't really describe them, but the images cannot escape my mind. I feel oddly complete, as if I have ascertained completely new side to myself. Power and superiority replace past feelings of uncertainty and discomfort.

After some serious epiphanies and numerous pangs of hunger, I direct my crawl to the base of the slope. Hmm, it would be selfish and rude of me to take both of these new found treasures. Should I take with me the sword, which is so exquisite, I can’t shift my gaze from it, or should I take back the nasty old cup? Gee, that’s a tough one. I quickly seize my new weapon and sprint down the trail. (Maybe I should have left the sword; I don’t know how to use it properly… No way, this is gorgeous!) My mind remains euphoric even after I depart from the phenomenal summit. I can’t feel anything aside from overwhelming pride. All I can recall from my descent is an insuppressible rush of independence and a dictatorial impulse to exercise my freedom to be myself. Yahoo! Wow… That sounded so extremely cheesy.

Half way down now, I notice that day is coming to a slow end. I start to consider sleeping in a the meadow, when I see an old wooly friend coming to greet me. She approaches me in perfect love and trust. As we get closer to each other, the sword in my hand becomes heavy, and I can’t restrain it. My lack of control angers me; in an instant, I penetrate the fat body of my sheepish friend. Upon the initial entrance of my beloved blade, the animal's blood spurted all over me, adulterating my beautiful white gown. Repeatedly, I stab the animal, in a rhythmical pattern of slashes. With each swift movement, the casualty would let out a bleat, and a surge of the her thin gore would emit from her mortal wounds. Proceeding with my slow and brutal homicide, I slaughtered the defenseless, oversized cotton ball, allowing her entrails to drop to the earth below her. She looked down at her hooves, then back up at me. Betrayal. A mass of viscera landed near my shoe, pushing me back from the corpse.

Immediately, I paused. My heart stopped. Why? Why did I destroy such an innocent creature? She never knew what was coming for her. She trusted me. I sit for a moment in shock, silence, and sobriety. The red fluid oozed all over the sheep’s virgin wool. I feel like two completely different people. I never would have hurt an animal! The strength I acquired up on the mountain was addictive. Now I see the sacrifice to be made if I am to assume such power. I may be strong and independent, but I can never be safe from myself. I throw the sword into a small canyon. Within minutes, I return to the scene of my crime, this time grasping the chalice. I continue down slower than before.

I apprehensively approach the meadow, seeing for the first time, my victim’s ram. His eyes reflected utter heartbreak. I offer him a drink from my glass, and he accepts. After a gracious sip, he gazes into my eyes. I have been forgiven. Although relieved for this acceptance of my deadly offense, I must confess to myself that I'm not in control. I've submitted to the intense energy consuming my body. Wandering throughout my sanctuary, I can't help but note the loss of innocence. The naïve inhabitants of the meadow don't notice a thing. I'll never be able to retrieve my purity lost on the hilltop. I feel lost within myself. There's no way to fight the force. Surrendering myself into a patch of clovers, I allow the sun to slowly drag me into the darkness of the night.