What about us

I wake to the sound of monsters; the ground rumbles as if a large earthquake had taken hold of the earth. I check on my baby; she's still sound asleep under my arm. But my mate is nowhere to be seen. Trying not to wake my infant, I pull myself up to get a better view; I grasp the branch above me and haul myself higher. I can see the destruction; my home is being torn apart, piece by piece. The canopy in which we took shelter is slowly disappearing. The trees tumble and fall as they plunge to the ground and break, the terrifying sound of machines echoes higher, and my baby stirs. 

I watch as my forest burns, fire reaching through the trees. I can feel the heat from here as it rages in the distance but constantly getting closer. I'm grateful that my colony had moved; another troop came into our territory after losing their grounds. Our alpha was compassionate to their loss, and they had been with us since winter. The summer came, and so too did the monsters; the humans bought them with them. I tried to calm my rage as my home was chopped down or turned to ashes. What more did the humans need? When will it be enough?

It's not safe here anymore; II need to warn my family. I quickly swing through the trees, speeding into the area my family takes refuge. Tia's eyes open, and she starts to cry out; I try to calm her, but the rocking of my movement merely aggravates her more. The dense trees that once housed us are slowly becoming less the closer I get. I have to stretch further to reach that trees are still standing, the sound of the monsters tearing through the forest coming up closer. I fear I'm too late; panic sets in when I see the grounds ahead are empty.

I land on the floor with a thump, holding Tia close to my chest, the ground shifts beneath my feet. I cautiously pass through the long grass, hoping to be greeted by my loved ones. Instead, I'm met with large cages and humans brutally grabbing at me. Other troops and colonies we have met with speak of these, metal made boxes stronger than stone. Taking our young and killing our alpha, the ones who escaped never speak of the ones caught. That means if I get taken and don't know what awaits my baby or me. I try to fight, biting one of them, and he howls out in pain. I push Tia closer into my chest as I swing my arms and howl back furiously, attacking the intruders who get close. I look around for an exit, but there are so many of them. That's when I hear it.

The call of my mate, Bayu, the alpha, appears, the alpha of our family. He comes through the long grass flailing his arms as a display of intimidation. Throwing his body weight around and roaring at them, his voice carried with the wind. My protector had arrived; I felt relief as he stood in front of us, shielding us from any attacks. But I soon realised how cunning and dangerous the humans were. One came from the side and lifted a large stick covered in metal. He charged at the man furiously; that's when I heard the large bang.

 Then again, and again, Bayu dropped to the floor. Fear overtakes me, and I tend to him. His eyes were wide, and his body had holes in it; I pushed him. My baby grasped his fur, but he didn't move. I looked into his eyes and realised the light had left them, my eyes wide at the realisation he was gone. I make a guttural sound to try and seem threatening. But I am broken; my life mate lies dead at my feet; they showed him no mercy. He was kind and a loving father to his young; I adored him. Now he's gone, and there is only me.

I race forward towards an opening that appears, but then a sharp pain hits from behind. The intense pain is followed by fog over my eyes; I'm getting tired and can't see ahead anymore. Everything is spinning; that is when I feel hands pulling at my baby. I try to hang on, but my arms are weakening, and she has been pulled away from me. The last thing I see is my orange fluffy Tia reaching out for me, her tiny arms grasping the air as she wails. I feel cold underneath me as I'm thrown in the cage, everything getting darker. I can hear the men laughing, the smell of smoke fills the air, and the sound of crashing continues. 

Am I a bad mother? I should have fought harder. As I lose consciousness, the last thing I hear is my baby's cries for me. I feel in my groggy state, like I'm being moved; I hear more humans talking. I met a human once, but they were nothing like this; they seemed kind and gave us food. Bayu accepted his presence around us as he was not threatening, the man particularly interested in children. But Bayu would never let a human touch them; after Bayu charged him, he never returned.

When I awake, trapped in my metal box, I feel a hand grasp at me. I turn to see my baby, her big black eyes stare into mine, pleading. A single window illuminates the room. A man walks over; I see a large blade in one hand and a key in his left hand. It's the same man from before, the one we allowed into our troop. He calls me to him; I huddle at the back of the cage, desperate to keep a hold of my baby. The deceitful human tried to get me out. They can't have her. She's mine; I won't let them have the only thing I have left. You took my home and my family, I scream at him in defiance. He will tell me; he opens the cage and reaches in.

“Sorry girl, the client only wants the baby”, he says with a smile.