Night watch

Last night I caught one of them trying to escape. I said, “Sorry fella, but you can’t leave.” He gave me a disheartening look and dropped his head on his chest and his arms on his sides as if trying to show me the full scope of his agony. I glanced at the broken lock, realizing that there wasn’t much I could do to stop him and yet he wouldn’t leave unless I told him to. He cried quietly behind me as I put a new lock on the grille. I don’t understand what keeps them alive or what prevents them from killing us all. All I know is what I’m told and I'm just trying to do my job.