The scorching sun was hidden among rays of color stretching the sky. The wind carried a damp aura mixed with the freshness of nature. The long weeds tapped against the side of the vehicle as it drove recklessly down the rough path. The vehicles breathing was haggard, the noise it produced bounced of the floor. Nearby occupants were warned of it’s presence, it roared like a mechanical lion. The road was dotted with potholes that caused the motor to rattle. But the most apparent rattling was that of a rifle, neatly tucked in the front seat . Theon saw the glint shine from it’s mouth, how it sat like a living person. His father was humming in the drivers seat. He wore his cameo clothing, or so he called it that. He had worn a mask covering his mouth, his eyes wild scanning the floor of the safari. He suddenly turned the engine off, it’s heart beat ceased. He bent forward looming over the scenery.
Theon stretched himself to veer over the dashboard. His view had been shaded by his dad's pocketknife, shining in the sun. He ignored the weapon and gazed further on. Emerging from a canopy of hugging trees, was a springbok. Twitching it’s ears in annoyance to the floating insects. Oblivious to it’s surroundings . Theon’s father motioned to him, holding his finger to his mouth. An indication that something grisly was about to take place. Theon targeted his vision to the rifle, questioning it’s authority. He hadn’t spoken to his father about the legitimacy of this sport he called hunting. He was intimidated by the unnatural appearance of his group of friends, how their eyes were bulging from the sockets. Their mannerisms were suspicious, meticulous. With Theon dawdling on unnerving thoughts, his father had escaped the vehicle.
Theon’s head darted from one side to the other in panic. He looked to the springbok and saw with a shock written pupil, a baby appearing. It’s yellowish-fur polished and clean, it’s thin legs shaking with joy. The little one started to gallop around it’s mother, in an innocent display of love . He didn’t want to call his father's name in fear that the doves would fly away. He looked back at them, the mother had found a patch of grass to gnaw on and her baby a pillow of grass to sleep on. He sighed, but his serenity was short lived. Behind a tree in the background, stood a shadow of a figure looming over the unsuspecting springbok. With a weapon of anguish, the mouth excreted a bullet that sheered through the skin of the mother. Her cries were muted by that of her baby. It wobbled upwards and tried to run away, it’s attempts met with sand in the face. Theon was helpless , he felt as if he were a deer in headlights, thrown with a choice of deadly circumstance.
Her body fell with a thud, causing the specs of grass to sparkle around the horrific scene. Theon was frozen to the spot, his eyes targeting the horrific scene before him. The baby was no longer in sight, but his father was. He slung the deer around his shoulder and trudged towards the car. Dumping it’s body on the cold metal. Before tapping the window near Theon, indicating that his part in the crime was due. He hesitated, before taking a deep breath he followed his father into the field. The cold wind slapped his skin , it’s touch was dispiriting . It whispered to him a grim tale in which he was the main character. His father led him to a small ditch, carrying a small heart.
Standing over the ditch, Theon saw the baby springbok that scurried away. It was unable to save itself from the hands of his father, or so he thought. His father nudged him, tapping his shoulder and shining the pistol .He took it from his fathers hand, watching his eyes his father gave a permissive nod. Trembling fingers held onto the trigger, his breathing harsh against the deadly wind. He couldn’t steady his heartbeat, he was unable able to hear the voice of the pistol only the outcry pouring from the springbok. Which soon ceased , it's anguish floated among the trees and it's voice was extinguished to a mere whisper.
Warning
Some may find the following video disturbing. Viewer discretion is advise.
https://www.petakids.com/save-animals/hunting/ https://www.idausa.org/campaign/wild-animals-and-habitats/hunting/