I know a place disguised as something it is not; a thin mountain ridge traced by sparkling pearls. The concept of the howling winds sound like whispers of encouragement to follow the trail conveniently placed ahead, although the air becomes thinner with each ascending step through the twirling footpath. The familiar scent of cinnamon lingers on the mountain until the trees greet guests with beckoning motions. Infatuation consumes all thoughts as vibrant colors, sweet smells, and out of place pearls introduce a safe and secluded getaway.

“Proceed With Caution”

I picked up a few pearls along the way and found myself constructing a necklace. However, one wasn’t enough. Those giant, scented pearls glistened like nothing I've ever seen and left me reaching for more. A single necklace turned into two, which eventually became four, and somehow became seven.

“Danger Ahead”

By the time I reached the eighth, however, I began to notice the unbearable weight of the pearls on my shoulders; the way they slowed my pace and began to blanket my eyes. But the familiar and comforting scent of cinnamon reassured my safety and sanity...while simultaneously fueling my hunger and greed. As I progressed through the ninth necklace, the first one started to feel tight around my throat as my face transitioned into a mild blue.

“Danger of Death”

Shortly after this happened, I spotted the final pearl before me at the end of the mountain's twirling ridge. Extended on a blurry apparition, the last pearl glistened and persuaded my naive brain into challenging gravity to complete the creation of self destruction. As I reached for it, I slipped off the mountain. But the dark abyss below failed to swallow my soul, for the edge of the ridge caught me by the noose I fashioned throughout my journey. I didn’t feel the need to beg for life nor did I attempt to fight death because the Pearl Ridge gently kissed me goodbye with a cinnamon scented gust of wind.

“Thank You For Visiting”

As I took my final breaths, my beloved pearl necklaces suddenly turned dull and came apart all at once, releasing my cinnamon reeked body back to the scentless land I recklessly wandered out of.

“Please Come Again”