Keep Them Free

She shivered against the autumn winds as she admired the sight of her son, coming in to view.  Tall, handsome and proud, the image of his father. It wouldn't be long before he would be leaving the family, making his own way in life, looking for a mate and having a family of his own. It would break her heart to lose him but there was already tension between him and his father as the adolescent assertion was happening  in preparation for adulthood. Wanting to be the leader, the head of the household.

She shook her head and stretched, as she looked at him playing with the twins in the autumn sunshine.  He was still young enough to enjoy frolicking with his two sisters. Proud of her beautiful family, making the most of the autumn sunshine before the harshness of winter set in.  She dreaded the winter, food could be scarce in this remote place and they were grateful for the visits from the trucks in the cold winter months.  Kindly people who braved the cold to ensure that they were fed.  There was the nice lady, the one with camera, she took photographs and you could feel the love that she had for their way of life. 

There was a feeling of peace and tranquility in this place, but somehow there was a sense of something foreboding in the air.  The birds has disappeared and the air felt still. She heard the roar, the vibration above and the clatter of the cages descending from the helicopters.  There was panic, Father and sons joined together to protect their families as the nets were cast and families were herded into the cages. 

Her beautiful children must be saved and she urged her son to run for his life with his sisters.  Urged him to take them and protect them. They were fast, they were young, they could escape.

She turned as the net and the ropes came closer. terrified she kicked and screamed.  They had her husband, her soul mate.  He kicked and lashed out, eyes bulging in terror, sweat oozing from every pore in his body.  And then she heard the crack, his head fell to one side, her handsome mate had a broken neck.  His face still, frozen with the fear of his fate.  No longer the strong leader that he had been. 

She screamed in terror, kicked and lashed out to get free, the ropes were around her legs and she collapsed as her broken legs couldn't hold the weight of her body.  She would be euthanised, no use to anyone if she was broken, she closed her eyes and gave in to her fate, only glad that her son and his sisters had managed to avoid the capture.

Imagine if it was your family, your village.  I am Mustang.  Keep me free.