Billy from Borneo (5)
They huddled together for a while and then decided to raid the house, or at least the part of the house where the food was stored. It looked as if the occupants were swimming deeply in the dream zone so they didn´t think twice, hungry bellies are fast actors. Oran was the first to steal into the house, his mother came next and then Scaffold. Billy was glued to the spot. He didn´t want to admit it but he was terrified. He whispered as loudly as was safe, “I´ll stay here as lookout, bring me something to eat.” Scaffold turned, whispering in return, “no problem, will do.”
They were away inside for what felt like an eternity, then there was a loud crashing noise and he heard the alarming yells of the skinny hairless apes that take everything. He was still glued to the spot. He didn´t know if he should run or go inside to help, Oran and Scaffold bounded past him and towards the fields near the forest. They were covered in leftovers. He was still hungry and he was still scared. He was pinned to the ground.
“Move your red bottom!” cried Oran from behind him.
“I´m waiting for Mum,” he replied.
It was a lie but it seemed much more noble to say that then to scream and cry. Then two overly excited little hairless apes ran out squeaking in excitement. They didn´t expect to see Billy there. The smallest one ran over and gave him a big cuddle. Billy opened his eyes wide in shock. Now he was really frightened. Was this their way of attacking you, cuddling you to death. Perhaps it was a pleasant way to die but he wasn´t ready yet. He struggled and pushed the ape to the floor and moved backwards, his wide eyes were stuck on the little creature. It giggled. Loud banging noises came from within the hut. Suddenly he felt brave. If he could push one of these creatures onto the ground with the least effort he should be inside helping Mother. He hobbled into the hut. The other little creature ran up to him making funny noises. He was holding a banana and giving it to him. Now Billy was confused, here was an ape that took everything, giving him something. Mother could wait, these creatures were easy to deal with. He took the banana, when he´d finished eating it he wanted another so he pushed the little ape to go in and get him more. The banging noises got crazier. The little ape wasn´t moving fast enough to get him something to eat so he decided he´d go in and help himself and mother while he was at it. He didn´t expect to see mother unconscious on the floor surrounded by much bigger apes with sticks and rope. He turned to run out, but was grabbed from behind and carried to a cage at the back of the hut where he and his injured mum were flung. The cage door crashed shut. The first little ape he met sat by the cage all night and fed him fruit while he sobbed and ate, hugging his mother.