Trapped

The Calaboose door slammed shut. The sound of footsteps disappearing into the night.

Perro pondered what to do now as he thought back to earlier in the day. His family had moved to this country town in the hope of finding new work. Ana, who had raised him since he was very little constantly complained that there was never enough food to feed the children, so Leo decided they move towns to somewhere where there were jobs available.

A hard worker, Leo had heard of jobs opening up in a company called Nestle, and decided to move the family closer to the factory in the hopes that he would be hired there, and perhaps, one day, his son would also find employment there.

Although adopted when very young, Perro was seen as the middle child in the family of five. Andrew, being the oldest was usually responsible for both Perro and the baby of the family, Maria, but Perro could be obstinate at times, and this was one of those days.

Andrew had ordered that Perro stay home and keep an eye on little Maria as Ana had asked Andrew if he could go to the local market and buy some supplies for their meal, but Perro would have none of it. Normally, he doted on baby Maria and would do anything to protect her, but this was new country and all he wanted to do was to explore this new home.

Maria, after all, was playing by Ana’s feet so it’s not like she was left alone.

So as soon as no one was watching, Perro silently opened the door and dashed off into the nearby trees.

If only Perro had obeyed Andrew and stayed home.

Having just moved in, the Townsfolk didn’t know this new family, and strangers, unless properly introduced, were not always welcome, so when Perro was seen cutting across a neighboring field, unintentionally upsetting the livestock there, it was no surprise screams could be heard from the nearby house as the woman there saw Perro as an intruder.

The man of the house pulled out a gun. Perro knew what it was as his family had one also, and he froze where he stood, unsure what to do next for fear of being hurt. And that’s where the police found him, frozen to the spot, when they responded to the call from the people of this household.

Perro was unceremoniously dragged into the back of a police van, and taken back to their base where he was locked in the cell. Voices heard crying in other nearby cells, begging for mercy and to be rescued by someone.

As his eyes adjusted to the dark tiny room that appeared to be his new home, he could see a mattress on the floor. It was nothing like the bed he slept on at home, but it’ll have to do. As Perro tried to make himself comfortable on the thin mattress, his heart heavy, his eyes moist as he once again wondered if he would see his family again.

Many hours pass, and the room slowly lightens as the dawn of a new day finds its way through the window high up on the wall.

Footsteps, many footsteps could be heard approaching his door and voices! Familiar voices!

Policeman: …and you say he is part of your family?

Ana: Yes, I’m so sorry officer, you see we just moved here, and we didn’t realise he was missing until dinnertime. Please understand, he is like one of our children! He is very much a part of our family!

Hearing her voice, Perro called out to Ana.

Policeman: Does he have a name?

Ana: Yes, we named him Perro, it’s short for his breed, Perro de Presa Canario.

Leo: Officer, honestly, he would never harm another animal, we adopted him because we wanted a guard dog, but one that we could also use to herd our sheep. He is well trained and has never bitten anyone.

Ana: Please, officer, we adopted him when he was a pup 5 years ago!

Policeman: And he’s registered?

In unison, they answer: Yes sir.

The door opens.

Policeman: Well, make sure he doesn’t wander unsupervised next time; I can’t stop the farmers around here wanting to defend their livestock. Let this be a warning to you, if he ends up here again, you will be fined!

Andrew: Thank you, officer, I am so sorry. This was all my fault; I should have made sure he was secure before going to the market.

Policeman: Ok Perro, you are free to go.

Perro didn’t have to be told twice as he ran into the open arms of his family, happy and very relieved to be going home with them.