The Beast (2022)

Situation In The Village

"It's getting worse and worse." Martin said as we drove to the village. "The poachers used to just be after the elephants and the rhinos. Now they're actively going after the lions."

I shook my head in anger, poachers were a plague that needed to be completely wiped out. Sometimes, I missed when I was actively helping that cause. 

"Why?" Nate asked.

Martin's jaw clenched. "They sell the teeth, the claws, even the bones on the black market."

"That's horrible." Mare said quietly. 

Nora leaned forward, her hands on either front seat. "Well, I mean, I-I've read about the anti-poachers online, and they said that-"

Mare rolled her eyes. "Stop it."

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and Martin's eyes met mine knowingly.

"What?" Nora pouted. 

Mare just scoffed, to which I gave her a look. 

Nate turned back to look her in the face. "You read about the anti-poachers online?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"And what did it say, Norah?" Mare asked with attitude.

Nora leaned back, upset. "Well..."

Mare crossed her arms, "No, what did it say?"

"Mare, stop being rude. Nora, what did you read?"

"Well, they said that people have actually hunted down and killed the poachers. I mean, y-you've heard of stories like that, right, Uncle Martin?"

"Um, yeah." he replied.

"I'm sure a few people have stood up against the poachers, but I doubt it's enough to make a difference." I said.

Nora finally let up and Martin nodded a 'thank you' through the rearview.

---

We arrived at the village. Martin turned off the engine. "Okay, so guys, listen, this is not a tourist village. It's an actual real place where people live. Please just be as polite as possible."

"We will." I said for everyone.

"Mare you can take pictures, but just ask them first, okay?" Martin said once we got out.

She nodded, "Okay."

"The Tsonga are some of the most polite and kind people you'll ever meet. They speak a type of Venda." Martin explained.

"Mom was actually teaching Norah and I before she died." Mare said with a bit of pride in her voice.

"Do you understand TshiVenda?" Martin asked.

Mare replied, her accent a little off but good nonetheless. "I understand TshiVenda."

"That was great, Mare." I smiled at her.

Nate mirrored me. "Yeah, you sound good. I like that."

"Thanks, dad." she said geniuenly.

I looked around at the barren land, "Is it normally this empty?" I heard goats belt out behind a house. It seemed they were the only inhabitants.

Martin looked worried, "No." He called out "Is anyone here?" in TshiVenda.

"Hello!?" I called, too.

Nate walked to the billowing fire pit. "The fire's still hot."

"I don't like this." I stayed by Martin, walking through the ghost-town.

Nate was instantly on edge, his eyes darting around as he following a few yards away from us. "Hey, guys, let's get out of here."