I run faster. The icy wind whips against my pale face and tears at my soft skin. My hair flies behind me and before me, blinding my face.

The ground is moist with dew. my bare feet sink into it.

The trees and branches tear at me like they're out to get me and my fake silk dress is already torn almost into shreds and unrecognizable.

My heart pounds harder in my chest as I get closer. My breadths come out in gasps and fogs my vision. My fingers clutch around the flimsy piece of paper like it's my life.. and it is.

I need to get there quick. I can still taste my salty tears... I could always taste them. Still see the looks on their faces. That I the second daughter... a princess, couldn't even do a waltz.

I had wanted to hide so desperately... to close my eyes and cease existing... To stop feeling hurt and disappointed in myself. Feeling their disappointment was more than enough.

Finally, I see the clearing. I raise the old withered map to my face and almost want to fall and cry with happiness when I realize that this is it!!

Immediately, I fling the map away and fall on my knees right there. My fingers dig into the rich earth and shovel the sand blocking me from my redemption away.

With each handful my breadth shudders and my chest aches with tiredness. I just want to roll over and give up.

Then, I feel it. Like a crazy scent that makes me want to get where it's coming from.

It is like I am utterly hypnotized and want to reach it even faster. I even consider eating the soil and barreling into the ground just to get it.

My digging becomes crazed and the deeper I got the stronger the urge was to get to it.

When my fingers brush against peeling leather I finally feel like I can breathe for the first time in my life. Not wanting to loose this feeling I keep digging till I can grasp it and pull.

The leather case finally dislodges from the ground and I drag it out and clutch it to my chest taking deep calming breadths.

I carefully place it on the ground and make to open it. Suddenly through the fog of my mind, my senses speak. 'Is this really what you want??'

I freeze and hesitate. Then a softer more seductive voice slithers into my head. Filling me with a wild need to open the leather case.
'Haven't you been mistreated enough?? Don't you want to be happy? To feel... loved.'

Yes!! Yes I do. Tears trail down my cheeks again.

'Then open it.... let me in, let us rule together. Make them cower in fear. Make them respect us as we ought to be respected......

Let me make you powerful...'

I pull the case open.