Although I’m only beginning to understand their language, the native people seem to have a collective hatred to our kind, as if it’s almost a law of theirs they must follow. Everywhere I see those like us being excluded: In the supermarkets, in our jobs, even in our homes via the phone.
‘You alright mate?’ a voice that was clearly attempting to be deep rolled around my ears as 2 burly figures in black coats encircled me. With the little language I knew, I thought they were concerned about my safety.
Now why would that be the case?
‘You don’t look like you from these parts my guy,’ The slightly taller one of them took out his hand as he attempted to reach for the phone in my pocket. I stepped back in shock. They couldn’t do this. Could they? ‘Brother, you need to chill. We just need the next bus time bro, if you could check that phone.’
‘Y-yes,’. I spoke in a soft, raspy voice as I tried to formulate the sentence whilst thinking of how to leave these people. ‘Yes, the bus time.’ I reached for my phone in my pocket, only to find my fingers grasping an empty void. Panic sieged my body as I felt adrenaline pump through my bloodstream. That phone had the only set of contacts to my old home, and if it was gone, that would mean I would never be able to see them again. ‘What’s this, bro?’ I craned my neck so fast I felt that the joints would pop off. The smaller man in black was standing with my phone in his hand, examining it closely whilst the bigger one inched closer and closer to me. ‘Um, I need phone back- ‘I tried to speak the best I could, but of course they wouldn’t listen to me. ‘I think I’ll be holding onto this. After all, your people can’t even keep their own home, so how can you keep a phone?’ I heard snickering ringing around me as the two of them put on matching, malicious grins. Can’t even keep our home? How was he able to speak about what I went through? My brow contorted. ‘Give my phone back.’ I said as my hand lunged for the phone. That would show them- yes, that would show them my people and I weren’t pushovers here –. I hesitated for just a moment – could I risk this whilst all these people were watching?
Now I know that I should have. In an instant, I felt my chin drop to the floor as a sharp pain entered my chest. Did they hit me? I didn’t know, but all I could see in the distance were the sight of them boarding the bus, with my phone in hand. And all the while I lay shivering on the ground, blood trickling from my chin.
I remember now, this world is a hostile environment, and we are all merely prey within it.