The Captive

The soft glow of lights moving about, some slowly, some darting back and forth. I stand on the pathway watching the bright little lights floating around in the darkness, six of them. They remind me of fireflies floating around on a summer night. Above me, I hear the buzz of the electric wires; in the distance, I hear the soft "thud-thud" of cars crossing the railroad tracks; around me, I hear the crickets chirping. All of a sudden, one of the lights falters and stops. Slowly, the other lights pause their wandering, and start floating toward the "stopped light" forming a circle around the captive. I am appointed the "guard of the path" and start walking towards the circle of lights. SNAP! A small rock flies from the slingshot. The sharp tap of a cane hitting a rock, the thud of a "club" hitting the ground, the stomp stomp, and skidding sound of clumsy human feet thumping after the captive. I hear hushed whispers of disappointment as they move on. Once again, all is silent. I continue down the path, following the lights ahead of me, but there's something missing! I only see five lights instead of six. I look behind me and notice the dark shadow of a bush, and then I notice a soft glow coming from behind it. Soon, the small light reappears and starts toward the others, once again reunited. 


I finally "catch up" with the lights, now grouped together, and I can see the faces of the young men. Their headlamps are shining on each-other's faces, so everyone is visible in the blackness. Whispering, they decide to try something new. Once again, I am appointed to "watch" the pathway and not let the rabbit cross to the other side, and disappear into the bushes. I start to walk along the pathway as the boys separate from eachother. Soon, a rabbit is spotted. The new plan involvs surrounding the mammal, but instead of whacking and shooting it wildly, Daniel takes charge. We all are instructed to stand still with our weapons, (in-case the hare decides to dart) as Michael slowly steps closer and closer. When he is about four feet away from the captive, he loads his slingshot and shoots. The rabbit jumps into the air and darts! Once again, I hear the tap of the cane on a rock, the thud of clubs hitting the ground, the whiz of a knife flying through the air, then the sound of it hitting the ground, and disappointed whispers. I feel as if I can hear the rabbit mocking their efforts.


The night is over as we pick the burrs out of our socks, shoes, and pant legs... Maybe next time... Maybe next time we can capture one. 

ps. sorry mom, there won't be meat for supper tonight