69humpityhumpity

 Ambition is, essentially, a slippery slope. One may risk life and limb climbing up a steep, imposing mountain only to fall back down, or otherwise perish from the harsh, high-altitude atmosphere. On the other hand, personal satisfaction and potential fame awaits one who can succeed where others have tried and failed. Perhaps it's safe to say that, as such, those who take great risks are the ones most desperately wanting purpose and meaning. For Crystal, the quest for purpose is the key tenet to her religious beliefs. According to what she has been taught, the Goddess has a plan for every living being, and every unfortunate event has a prof

 Rain splashed at the wide window. Lightning flashed, brightening up the office, showing the silhouette of a man. Footsteps soon followed, indicated only by the slight vibrations in the floor, since the raging storm drowned out all noise. Another flash. This time, the man was much closer, and appeared to be heading toward the door. He may have seen me in the flash, though I doubt he could make out my features any more than I could see his, and instead he merely knew that the safest option was to escape from the mysterious intruder while he still had the chance. The door opened, and light trickled into the room. I saw his face, old and wri