Sheep's Clothing

In the forest, on a lonely trail, travelled a single young lady. Her body covered head to toe with a light green cloak, its hood drawn over her face. A basket of goodies bounced in one arm, her other swinging the edges of her cloak along with the tune of she was softly singing.

It was a melody of the promise of peace and prosperity. One sung a long time ago, by the old hunters who used to clear this forest of the monsters that haunted it. The song went that 'though their days were long, that tomorrow would be a brighter day.' Her grandmother taught her it. It was for a day long ago, when these woods were once dangerous.

Her grandmother used to gift her with old songs and stories during her time as a Hunter in these woods. They were gifts that Rudi always loved. Almost as much as the leaf green cloak her grandmother also gave her, the same one she wore back in those days.

Rudi glance down at her basket, seeing the wine, the cheeses, the cake and small plates. Her grandmother had been quite sick, and mostly her family brought her soup and porridge. All well and good, Rudi thought, But that old hunter needs something better than that to get her spirits up! Her parents had visit her last and they were disturbed by how her grandmother was acting. It seemed she was in really bad sorts.

It was as if she kept expecting something to leap from the shadows in the corner of the house. She could hear her mother explaining to her, I swear, she had a glint in her eyes that I haven't seen since I was a kid. Back when she was still a hunter.

But those days were long and gone, though they lived on in the stories her grandmother would share with her. In truth, Rudi felt as if those days were perhaps a bit more preferrable. The town she grew up in, one that Granny had fought for and built, spilt blood for and nearly died for, was really just too quant and proper. And exceedingly boring. She giggled at the thought that perhaps she wasn't really going to cheer her grandmother up, but rather to get some excitement by listening to those old tales.

Her grandmother was getting along in age, and so the time she spent listening to those stories was perhaps even more important now than ever. She peered down at the wine bottle, rattling in the basket as she skipped along, "This should get her going again."

Rudi slid to a stop then. In the middle of the trail, she looked over her left shoulder and into the woods. Trees stood in the shadows of their canopies like silent sentinels. There was no movement. No sound.

Yet Rudi felt like she was being watched.

"Is…someone there?" Rudi asked.

No response.

Rudi shook her head, Stupid girl, getting worked up with the promises of your grandmother's stories.

She kept skipping along.

The bundles of items in her bundle bounced along. A wrapped cake, and a bottle of something nice for grandma. This sickness that had overtaken her was just one in a string of many nowadays. Perhaps it was the sadness and realization that she wouldn't be around for long that had Rudi more on edge this time.

Yes that's it.

However a sudden thought stopped her in her tracks once more.

No that's not it.

Her ears felt like they stretched outwards as she listened intently.

There was nothing. Not a sound.

Shouldn't the birds be singing? She thought coldly. Shouldn't the squirrels be rustling through the branches and through the pine needles of the floor?

Yet there was nothing. Not even the wind rustling through the leaves.

Where did everything go?

Her grandmother's voice came into her mind then, "When there's a monster nearby, the smaller critters will hideaway.

A sharp intake of breath as her body suddenly shot very straight and very still. Almost as if she was trying to blend herself to look like one of the trees. No, I'm in the middle of the trail here.

Still, she did not move as her eyes shot from side to side. Desperately looking for whatever was hiding in those woods.

Nothing.

You're working yourself up, Rudi. She reprimanded herself. And with a deep exhale, she continued forward. This time without the song.

But the feeling only grew. That dark shadow of a feeling, as if something bigger than you was stalking behind. She kept looking over her shoulder but saw only the trail leading back to the village. She reassured herself that it was just in her mind. That the shadows in the trees were just playing tricks on her. She thought with good humor then, that it was her tune-deaf humming that hide frightened the critters away.

Then a branch snapped in the distance, and she bolted.

The items in the basket began to jangle violently, threatening to topple over. Her light green cloak trailed in the cold wind, and her boots beat larger divets in the gravel as she sprinted down the path.

The shadow was growing larger now though. She knew she was closer to her grandmother's than the village though, so she couldn't go back.

Keep going! Keep running! Make it to Granny's, run inside and bolt the door.

She visualized her grandmother's hut, its thatched roof and smoke bellowing from its chimney. She visualized it like it was a glowing chapel. Then she saw it for real in the distance. The sight of it gave her real joy, and she threw herself into her sprint even more.

Rudi was sprinting so fast now that the wind across her ears seemed to blur everything around her that she did hear. And she could've sworn through the breeze that she heard a whole pack of wild things coming after her. Despite the chapel at the end of the road, she felt like the trees to either side of her were large, sharp fangs. The trail itself was the tongue, sliding her in, and her granny's hut now transformed into the back of the throat.

But she made it, leaping over the fence. She could've sworn she heard something land behind her. Sprinting, she reached out for the handle and at the same time could've sworn she felt the shadow of a claw reaching out to grab onto her green cloak.

Yet she pulled the door open and spun inside, eyes closed to whatever she imagined was chasing her, and slammed the door shut. Panting, she leaned into it, the darkness of her grandmother's hut providing her with a cold shade as the sweat dripped off her forehead.

"What's happening?"

Startled by her grandmother's voice, Rudi spun around. The kitchen and living area were empty. No doubt Granny was still in bed.

She's been bedridden, poor thing. Doesn't know what to do with herself I bet. She heard her mother's words again.

"Its just me Granny!" Rudi hollered out to the hallway as she peered through the closed curtains of the window.

There was nothing out there. Not even any sign of anything, no tracks, no torn fence, no shadows in the woods ahead.

Just a feeling then, Rudi thought, blushing rather embarrassed at her antics. She peered down at the basket, I hope I didn't break anything…

Yet the feeling of dread never left. Lingered on instead, like a cold shadow.

Rudi moved through the dark house, down the hall and turning into her grandmother's room. She nearly jumped at the sight of the old family matron sitting upright in her bed.

The room was even darker than the rest of the house. The curtains to the only window in the room drawn closed. Her grandmother's face shrouded by a nightcap pulled far over her head. Yet she could see her eyes glimmering somehow in the darkness, glowing almost like a raccoon's eyes in the dark of night.

"Granny, you startled me!" Rudi giggled nervously.

"Oh?" came Granny's voice, shakily.

"Yes, its so dark in here," she moved to open the curtains but heard her grandmother protest then, "Don't!" Rudi gave her a queer look, but the woman looked obstinate.

"The light will give me a headache…" she spoke softly but firmly.

"Oh right. I'm so sorry Granny…" Rudi shook her head, pulling her hood down, and then smiled as she lifted the basket up. "I brought you some goodies!"

Her shoulders relaxed as she moved towards her grandmother's bedside. Sitting down beside her she noticed with a frown at her Granny suddenly drawing away from her with a flinch.

I've upset her. Come barging in here making a racket, breathing heavily… Rudi though with shame.

"Everything's okay Granny," Rudi said softly.

She placed the basket near Granny's lap, and began to pull items out. Her grandmother's eyes darted between each item pulled out.

"What have we here?"

Rudi smiled, "Just some cheese, crackers, a cake, and…some wine!" she displayed the bottle as if it were a trophy.

Her grandmother seemed nonplussed. That's an odd reaction, don't think she's ever not been excited for alcohol. She must really be sick… Rudi thought with a sadness.

"Are you sure you don't want some light in here?" Rudi asked and began to get up when she felt her grandmother's cold hand clasp her.

"No no, please sit back down…"

"O-okay…" Rudi sat.

She undid the wrapper around the cake and sliced two small pieces from them. Placing each one on a small plate. She then poured her grandmother a cup and handed it to her. The woman took it gingerly with her left hand, and brought it to her nostril and took a long sniff.

Rudi leaned forward, the movement seemed to startle her grandmother. "Oh, I'm sorry-but is eveyrthing okay Granny?"

"Yes…"

"Is there…anything wrong with the wine?"

"No, except…it isn't poison is it?"

A gasp left Rudi's mouth, "Granny, how could you ask that?"

Her grandmother chuckled darkly then, "It's just a question…"

"I'm sorry," Rudi took the cup from her and placed it on the nightstand near to her. "You're not feeling well. I thought bringing you something besides soup would cheer you up but obviously I was wrong to do that. I'm sorry Granny I didn't mean to upset you."

"Its fine," Granny said with that still dark smile on her face.

Rudi titled her head, as if to study her. She still couldn't make out her grandmother's epxression in the light darkness of the room.

"Why don't you tell me some of your stories? From back before? You know, when these forests were filled with monsters. During your days as a hunter?"

Her granny's eyes lit up then, "Ah those were the days…"

Ah, I knew that would brighten her up. Rudi thought. She was always so proud of those days. I bet I can get her rallying by asking about her old glory days. Rudi laughed then, "Alright so tell me, what was the scariest monster you ever put down?"

The light seem to leave Granny's eyes then, for just a brief second but then her smile deepened, "Oh, well…the scariest…that would have to be the Skinwalker."

Frowning, Rudi thought back, "I don't recall you telling me about that one…"

"No suppose I wouldn't have. These creatures are real bastards. Because they don't hunt like normal monsters, no. Other monsters would charge outin the open, or stalk you from behind for a clean kill. Skinwalkers though, prefera different approach," she leaned in, and in the dusty shade, Rudi could see her eyes glimmering more sharply, "They wear the skin of your loved ones. Ever heard of the phrase 'Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?"

"Oh…I suppose so…"

"It originated with them. Old stories of them, when they hunted more beasts than man, they would transform themselves to look like one of the flock. Then they would lure out one member at a time, feast upon them, and return back. Eventually, they started to do this to humans. And that's where their cruelty set them apart from their fellow, dastardly beasts. Because they didn't just kill their victims quickly. No, they enjoyed playing with their food," a knowing, dark smile spread across Granny's face then. "They would slowly reveal their nature to their prey…and relish in the terror that would slowly come over them…"

Rudi felt a coldness come over her. That same dark feeling, of being watched by something unseen had returned to her. Suddenly, her eyes examined her grandmother's face more deeply now. She nearly startled out of her chair when she felt her granny's cold fingers on her arm again. Were they always so cold? So clawlike?

"My," her grandmother's voice hissed then, "What lovely soft skin you have…"

"All the better to hug you with…" Rudi stammered. Her face froze as her grandmother's hand went up to her face, cupping her chin in her hands as her thumb traced her cheeks.

"And what piercing blue eyes you have."

"All the better to see you with…" she laughed nervously, pretending to bashfully look away only to peer towards the door. Could I make it?

"And what rosy red lips you have…"

She smiled nervously at the woman, "All the better to kiss you with…Grandma…"

Her grandmother's expression darkened then.

"You're not my granddaughter."

Blinking, Rudi stammered, "What-"

A flash of silver. And a sudden sharp, cold pain. Her breath stolen from her, just as the the thought that her grandmother's right hand had been under the covers this whole time.

"Skinwalker!" her grandmother spat.

Rudi fell back, slowly as if falling into water. When she hit the floor she felt no pain, but felt the open wound of her chest now gushing red. She could feel it pouring over her chest and spilling down her sides, soaking up beneath her. And Rudi's last thought was that her favorite green cloak would be stained red.