Snakes and Ladders

We made the journey like pieces of a board game. We were all moving forward, one slightly ahead the other, pace by pace, how it should be. But all of the sudden, it seemed like everyone was climbing ladders or rolling down snakes.

It felt so unfair that some can just climb to the top on ladders without looking back at what they've left. On the other hand, guilt was felt for those that encountered snakes, those random few that were unfortunate enough to experience the inevitable roll of the dice. Those we never bothered to help either. The paths were never the same since the pieces left the place where they all started. With each turn, a different outcome is presented.

And just like that. Some advance to the finish line, rewarded and proud. Some bounce back, so close yet not close enough. Some slowly tread each box, without the snakes, without the ladders. Some find cheats when others aren't looking. Careless hands throw the dice and the players encounter snakes. Some roll again. Some lose their turn. And for some, the game is over...