I've always been fascinated by pre-columbian cultures, the Inca in particular. While usually the Inca sacrificed guinea pigs to the gods (which is cruel but also kinda funny), when things were really bad they would occasionally sacrifice children. These children were revered as special messengers to the gods, and after being drugged and knocked out, they were left on high mountaintops.
In 1995 the frozen body of an Incan girl was found on a mountaintop in Peru. In this illustration, I'm not trying to glorify child sacrifice, only trying to imagine this girl's last moments from her point of view. Maybe she really did get to see the sun god and intercede for her people. That would make her a hero.
I hope she had a happy ending.