The laughing of the hyenas frightened James, a young boy who had gone to fetch food in the valley surrounded by hyenas. It was summer, the green plants had withered, and nothing was left for the people of Katunka to eat. Their small town which was in a valley was surrounded by hyenas, just a few people who go out in search of food return, sometimes with no food or a little to sustain them for two days. James was 17, tall, and had green eyes. He was born shortly before starvation hit the land, his mom believed the starvation had affected the coloration of his eyes while others saw it as a gift, a rare gift.
On the other side of the field occupied by the hyenas had green plants with a lot of fruits but no one dared to go there. It's been a week, the hunger had grown intense, James watched his mom lie on the floor weakened by hypoglycemia.
"Mom" he called out, she turned to look at him unable to speak.
"I'm going into the field, it's better we die trying than allow hunger kill us".
His mum mumbled trying to speak as she nodded her head in refusal but no words came out from her. Immediately James left.
The laughing of the hyenas had drawn closer to where James was hiding, it seems they could perceive his presence. He held his breath for a few minutes resting his back on the wall of the cave. The hyenas walked a few more metres before running back to the hills, immediately he sighs in relief. He remained in that position until sunset and sneaked out when it was dark. At some point he would slow his paste and tip toe until he was in a safe place. He looked at the green field with a lot of fruits. It was either he got a few of them and sneak out unnoticed or fetched much and got eaten by the hyenas. At that moment the hyenas were sleeping, he was still fetching when a loud noise of a gunshot disturbing them from their sleep.
They woke up and ran Helter skelter at the sound of the shot to the mountains. He looked at where the gunshot had come from, beyond it was from some strangers who were traveling to the other side of the country. All hyenas had run into hiding, a perfect opportunity for James as he fetched much of the fruit and dragged back to the town with the help of the strangers.
