Little Lights Research Paper

Little lights shine their way down the rugged winding path. Foot steps trudge in front and behind staying close together. Dodging thorns and burs left and right. Ouch!—Every time. Quiet laughs fill the silence as we continue on. Our trek ascends us up a treacherous slope and through a cow pasture carpeted with mines and under a barbed wire fence and down a mile long tractor path that feels like an eternity all with our bags and rifles being persuaded down by gravity. Finally, we make it to where we part ways. Goodbyes and good lucks are exchanged while nerves set in. My father and brother confidently head to their temporary homes in the far distance while I stay idle in the darkness with only a little light as my protection. Taking a deep breath, I too, head to my makeshift home hidden among the trees except mine is a
Finally, she is in view; the time has come and I have to do this to avoid the consequence of not. I pick up my rifle and shoulder it how I have been taught since the first time going to the range where I missed every shot, going through an entire box of ammunition. I look through my scope searching for my target area, the front shoulder. The part of the body that stores the organs that pump blood and help the animal breathe. The part of the body where if it’s struck with a bullet, it will kill the creature instantly. No pain. I’m almost ready to pull the trigger when the creature’s head turns towards me, flashing and staring its big, black, inky eyes into my soul. Reluctant thoughts invade my mind, I am going to take a life. I try to push them aside as my arms shake from adrenaline. My father’s deep, soothing voice restates in my hesitant mind, Calm down. You got this. Remember what I taught you. You need to do it. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. His mantra repeats once more as my heart rate becomes leisure as I savor the closeness with my father. Breath in. Breath