Seriously Weird: People of the Mist

Ral was beginning to resent all the questions. He wanted to leave. What right did this woman have, to come invading his land, prodding and prying into his life? Who was she anyway?

"Are you hungry?" the woman asked.

Ral nodded.

"I have some food here. Would you like some?"

The woman pulled a plastic bag from her pack and unwrapped some sandwiches. They were lettuce and meat.

"I cannot eat them," said Ral, feeling hungrier by the minute "My mother has the key."

"Is she the only one who can unlock that thing?" asked Carlee amazed.

"Yes." said Ral rather sadly.

"I'll tell you what," said the woman, "I can pull these wires out at the back and get that thing off. Would you like that?"

Ral felt his heart jump. How he had longed to be free of the muzzle. His whole body had yearned to be free of it. The smell of the hills, the fresh air, the wild country - they had called to him every day to rip the muzzle off. But it had always been too strong. His mother's word was the steel band which gripped his heart as much as the wire cage.

Ral lowered his head while the woman worked on the muzzle. She used a small set of pliers and a knife to lever each wire out of its fastening, until the last silver thread came loose, and the muzzle dropped to the ground.

"I can push them all back in later," said Carlee, "You mother will never know."

Ral shook his head.

"I've never had it off outside," he said, "My mother forbids it. She told me there was great danger in being free outside."

"I think your mother was having you on!" said Carlee, "There's no danger in being able to eat food by yourself outside, as long as its good food!"

Ral was happy. He settled sideways on the ground and leaned on one arm. Carlee passed the sandwiches to him and started to eat one too.