If I Were To Go ...

There was no denying that getting around was a struggle for her, though it wasn’ necessarily the physical ramifications of her condition, rather than the weakness that came along with it. Some days, she was content to stay within the confines of the den she shared with her brother and parents. Others she would make her way to the medicinal den- the communal place where the majority of their supplies were stored. Then there were days like today, where she would struggle to simply get away. Mariah had spent the better part of her morning working her way near the back of Alias Island- where she often went when she was young.

The yew tree was one easily noticed against the other evergreens and hardwoods. It’s canopy of needles remained at the height of the tree- out of touch from where she stood at its base. Its paper-thin bark and asymmetrical growth in its trunk made it that much easier to identify. Not that she could have forgotten it. Having come here when she was younger, she’d discovered a victim of toxic flora. In order to observe its capabilities, she harvested one of the fallen limbs, and used it as bait for another unsuspecting creature, all in the nature of witnessing death firsthand. All in all, it hadn’t taken long from ingestion to fatality. The rabbit had suffered, but not for long. And perhaps if she had the opportunity to choose, she didn’t think it would be a bad way to go. A few moments of excruciating pain to prevent a lifetime of agony. Looking up into the canopy from beneath its cover, she eyed the clusters of small red berries scattered throughout. It would be so much easier, and who would have the right to judge her for it?