Wolves in Sheep's Clothing Pt.1 by N.D. Graveheart from the DEATHLY AFRAID Collection

Artwork by Breanna Knoth

From afar, in the vast hillsides and fields nearby it was barely noticeable. But after some time, the shepherd recognized a “black sheep” amongst his herd. A singular, solitary sheep that all others kept their distance from. And when the shepherd tried to approach the black sheep, the herd would gawk and yell at his approach. A dense, spreading was felt throughout the flock.

In response, the shepherd kept his distance, though nothing out of the ordinary came from the lone sheep. That was until four days later, when the lone sheep was no longer forlorn. Instead, it was met by two more sheep, while the masses of the herd continued to avoid, and cry during any degree of interrogation.

Three more days had passed, and the trio of hermits had grown to six. Five days later, half of the herd had turned itself to the dewy wool of the half-family, with the lone sheep’s coat now seemingly worn and dragging from the weather. During the following weeks, the entire herd had converged, given a few outliers who followed the shepherd closely to the homestead.

Terror followed in evening growls...

Then on one windy night, the shepherd could hear murderous cries outside. Lantern at hand, he followed bloodied clumps trailing back to the barn. Continuing, he came across the pack. With sharp teeth, grey fur peaking underneath bloodied skin, and moonlit eyes gazing. This was no longer his herd, as the pack began to growl. As the alpha, dressed in the skin of the first murdered sheep, raised his head and howled.

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing Pt.1 by N.D. Graveheart from the DEATHLY AFRAID Collection