In Sheep's Clothing (An Asylum Tale)

The weather had turned by the time Elaine reached Marita’s home. The unseasonal warmth of October, which had stretched into the first week of November, was now gone and the approaching winter bared its fangs. The sleeveless top, a perfect match for her autumnal-hued skirt, was no longer appropriate for enjoying the communal bonfire at the local park.

‘Do you have something warm I can borrow?’ she asked Marita.

‘My mother’s got a vintage poncho. It’s so soft. Go and help yourself – it’s in her wardrobe.’

*

Sometime between the siren-fronted heavy metal band and the sentient pumpkin, Deakes had a meeting with Dr Zhu Jing. The Chinese man understood English but refused to speak it. The conversation consisted of Deakes asking a question, Zhu answering in Chinese then Deakes’s phone translating the doctor’s words.

‘In order for a species – known or cryptid – to survive,’ the robotic voice said, ‘there are three needs that must be met. The first of these is protection from the elements. This varies drastically depending on the species’ habitat and location.’

*

The hamramm galloped through the Anderdalen foothills, away from the cries of men. It bounded across meadows and leapt over streams, straining its limbs in its bid to flee. It only stopped when it lacked the energy to run further.

Clinging low to the ground, the hamramm raised its snout and sniffed at the air. The night was free of the bitter stench of the men’s hatred, affording the hamramm time to rest. It panted heavily as it waited, keen eyes watching the route it had travelled. By the time its breaths were no longer painful to draw, the hamramm knew that it was alone.

None of its pack had followed. Such was the penalty for preying on the emotions of humankind.

The hamramm rose and turned to continue in the direction it had been running. Within scenting distance was a farm. Forty sheep, eighteen chickens, a dozen cows but only two humans. Though people were a hamramm’s prime enemy, the livestock far outnumbered them – the hamramm could hide there.

As it padded closer to the farm, the hamramm prepared itself for a Change. Its best chance to avoid detection would be to blend in with the animals of which there was the greatest number.

It reached the outer fence. Strong muscles bunched, legs pounced and the large hamramm easily cleared the wooden barrier. On the other side of the fence, a newly formed sheep landed, righted itself, then trotted off to press itself into the flock.

*

Elaine opened Marita’s mother’s wardrobe and found the poncho. The warm brown colour perfectly complimented her outfit. The wool was so soft it was like caressing a cloud.

She pulled it out and slipped it over her head. The fabric kissed her neck, making her feel safe and comforted. As she glided her hands over the poncho, she felt as though her fingers could disappear into the material. Or that the wool could seep into her.

‘What do you think?’ she asked Marita, turning from side to side and pouting the way supermodels had taught them.

Marita gave her an appraising look then nodded. ‘It suits you. And Grant is sure to like you in it.’

Elaine issued a grunt and pulled a face. ‘Why does Grant have to tag along? Can’t Davis get any more friends?’

‘Just talk to him so Davis and I can be alone.’

To hide her scowl, Elaine snuggled her face into the softness of the poncho. Its delicate caress calmed her mind and eased her reservations.

*

‘The next requirement is sex,’ Zhu said through Deakes’s phone.

The doctor smiled at Deakes’s shocked reaction, then explained, ‘The species must procreate if it is to last longer than one generation.’

*

On the first morning, the male farmer approached the hamramm warily. The hamramm suspected he knew each of his flock and was suspicious of this unknown sheep. It trotted forward, used the foreign vocal cords to issue a docile-sounding bleat and rubbed itself against the man. The farmer’s confusion vanished and the hamramm’s essence strengthened.

For the remainder of its days, the hamramm maintained its ovine guise. Surrounded by sheep whose form it mimicked, it continued to live on the farm. It traded freedom to roam the countryside for the safe routine of farm life. Throughout summer, it was released daily into nearby pastures, and secured each night in a warm shed.

As the season turned, the hamramm noticed a change in the behaviour of its adopted family. The rams grew more aggressive and the ewes released scents advertising their maturing bodies. Though of a different species, the hamramm recognised that the rutting time was upon them.

Being androgynous, hamramm utilised different mating methods to mammals. Once a ram had shown interest, it waited for the suitor to climb on its back then released its spores through its hide. The fact that the hamramm had discarded its fur for a matted fleece meant nothing – it may resemble a sheep but it was still a hamramm at its core. In this manner, the hamramm’s seeds were passed to the rams and, over the coming weeks, were subsequently spread to the ewes.

*

The boys were waiting for them by the park entrance. Marita rushed into Davis’s arms and they kissed. Grant approached Elaine, leaned forward to peck her cheek and she… let him. For some reason, he was no longer repulsive to her.

‘That was…’ He let the sentence hang, apparently tongue-tied.

His sheepish grin softened his features and for the first time Elaine saw the handsome man the teenager would become. She also realised he was more attractive the less he spoke.

She slipped an arm through his, then called out to Marita that they should press on.

They followed the throng of people heading into the park. Over the chatter, distant bangs and whizzes told of private parties that were already underway. The bonfire was set at the top of an incline two hundred yards ahead.

As they walked, Elaine pressed her face into the poncho. The comfort it provided fed her confidence, soothed her inhibitions. She looked up at Grant and wondered if she could drape the poncho over them both so they could each be cocooned by the woollen softness.

She tugged on his arm, pulling him away from the progression and towards a nearby tree. He followed without a word. When she led him to the far side, away from the eyes of the crowd, he opened his mouth to speak. She raised an arm to press a quietening finger to his lips, brushing the fabric against his face as she did so.

In the darkness, their eyes met and a primal urge ignited their hearts.

*

‘You said there were three factors,’ Deakes said to Dr Zhu. ‘Shelter first, then procreation.’

The Chinese man nodded. Though he chose not to speak English, his eyes communicated his gratitude that Deakes was an astute student and was quickly taking onboard the information.

‘What is the last?’ Deakes asked.

Zhu uttered one word which the phone translated as, ‘Food.’

*

Elaine stared into Grant’s eyes and knew his desire matched hers. They had felt the woollen caress of the poncho, had absorbed its vitality and drive. There was only one thing that could sate them now. Together, they moved away from the tree and rejoined the throng of walking people.

All about her, she could sense the worries and joys of the crowd. The lady in front of her was radiating euphoria as she rubbed her swollen belly whereas dread fell from the man at her side. Elaine reached out and brushed their shoulders, delicately so as not to be noticed. The man’s head rose, his shoulder’s straightening; the woman’s hand fell to her side and her gait became a waddle; and warmth flooded through Elaine.

A boy of around twelve pushed past her, his excitement almost electric. He offered her an apology then, as he moved away, sighed wearily and slowed from a trot to a trudge.

Elaine and Grant walked onwards, surrounded by hundreds of people. Each stranger had their thrills and woes, their concerns and pleasures. And for creatures who preyed on the emotions of humankind, the two hamramm would feast well tonight.