The village was forebodingly quiet , it lacked it’s natural voices. The air was cold, despite the suns warmth the touch sent shivers down her spine. The usual banter of birds, clicking of toads and yawns of cows were stilled. The shaking wheat moved in the fields , rejecting the rhythm of the wind. Nele, standing in front of the stoned thatch , folding her arms sternly. Her brother bumped in to her, without an excuse he remained nonchalant to his insolence. She brushed it off, and walked down the path leading to her friend, Riva. Again the murmurs escaping the fields were nothing but pleasant. She looked around, disturbed and fearful. Before stopping at a halt, at the realization of not hearing the barking of dogs. To be precise, her dog Jax.
She melted her feet into the floor, a stone cold impression turning to a mortified one.
She ran back to her hut, flinging her dress into the air as she ran, it’s vibrant colors scratching the air. She stood in the entrance, panting. Stretching her gaze across the floor, assessing corners but her hopes were shaken. She ran behind the hut, investigating the broken fence. It’s body was torn, the wires were sharp but dented by invisible feet. She ran in the direction of the footsteps. Passing her brother, he ran after her. Shouting, ‘Animals make people sick,’’. She didn’t turn back but yelled, ‘People make me sick,’’. She ran passed a bunch of bushes, stacks of twigs, and an assortment of trees. Before reaching a second gravel path. A crowd of onlookers were huddled together, covering the topic of discussion.
She pushed through the crowd, dodging bags and stepping over packets. She reached the front, and her heart dropped. There were males circulating three vans, carrying a variety of different breeds of dogs. They were caged , squashed and injured. They were placed in boxes with uncaring hands, scratched with harshness. She started to protest, her voice alarming the villagers. Her heart spoke out, her mind was humble. She didn’t yell, she stated with authority. That they had no right to take her Jax. Images of the puppy flashed before her, it’s wide droopy eyes staring blankly at it’s owner. It’s whelp amplifying in a heartbreaking pace. Her speech of anguish was so powerful , she started to cry.
During her rants, the puppy escaped from the cage. It wedged itself through an opening, and wobbled towards her with a wound it obtained. The fence had torn it’s skin, but it remained unperturbed . It was on a mission, one leading to the joy of it’s owner despite it’s own distress. She fell to her knees, embracing the mixed breed. Enveloping it in her warmth. It licked her tears and accentuated her dimples. She looked down at the naive animal, wondrous to it’s ability to remain unaffected by the hatred of others. She was astounded by it’s heart. How it was able to wear it on it’s sleeve, and despite injury still proudly displayed it like a badge of love. She turned her attention back at the looming audience. Her eyebrows fierceness soon faded, her emotions became placid. She just looked at them with an earnest plea, a sincere gaze. ‘If you take him away, you might as well take me , because I too , am an animal, ‘she said squeezing the puppy in her arms.
