The fear had slipped away so neatly, it was as though it had never existed.
A new sliver of unease wound itself around her heart. It felt different to the fear. It felt like it was hers, as though the fear before had been somehow outside of herself. Battering against her defenses. Herding her.
She stood completely still, blood hammering in her ears. What was going on?
What is going on? her sheep repeated. Hang on—can you smell that?
Hard not to, she replied. The putrid, sweet rotten smell felt like a physical sludge in her nostrils.
No, not that… Her sheep’s voice faded out and Sheena felt its attention turn away from what she was seeing and hearing. She clutched desperately for the picnic basket but her sheep was too quick for her. It hijacked her senses and Sheena felt dizzy as her body tried to concentrate on too many smells and sounds at the same time. When it tried to drag up her psychic vision again, she put her foot down.
This is not the time! she told it, exasperated. Why do you always—
Another swell of fear rose up, coiling around her like an icy wind trying to find a way in. Sheena held perfectly still. This wasn’t normal. She’d been afraid before, scared, startled, but nothing like this.
She looked at the tree line and dread trickled down her spine. It was twenty meters away, maybe less. She could usually run that distance without even noticing. In fact, she generally called it a win when her sheep got less than a hundred meters before she noticed.
Run, the fear told her, and crashed down over her head like a surf wave pushing her underwater. Run back where she’d come from. Back towards the flames.
Sheena bared her teeth. This wasn’t her fear. Something was doing this to her. And if it thought it could herd her, well, she’d show it exactly how good she was at not paying attention to anyone else’s instructions—
Hissing laughter filled her head. Sharp fangs snapped at the back of her neck and Sheena jerked forward, her moment of bravery vanishing like mist. She twisted around and seeing nothing where she’d just felt teeth was worse than seeing those burning eyes in the dark hallway.
Because it’s behind you, always behind you, don’t let it catch you.
Sheena lurched forwards. Her sheep yanked at her legs, almost making her stumble, and then her foot caught on something. The ground rushed up to smack her. She flung her hands forward to break her fall and her wrist folded beneath her, but it was her ankle that twisted painfully as she went down.
Teeth gritted against the pain, she rolled onto her knees. I know you’re trying to help but just let me do this, I can’t get away if we’re fighting over my legs!
What are you doing? her sheep cried out, aghast. Don’t keep running! I’m sorry about your ankle but I had to do something!
Sheena stared at the root she’d tripped over. When her sheep had tried to take over her body, she’d stumbled directly onto it. You did this? Sheena screamed at it. Are you trying to get us killed?
You’re the one trying to get us killed! You keep running towards the fire!
Because it’s trying to herd me there! I know that! Pain was still shooting through her ankle and she focused on that, not her sudden panic. Her heart was beating so hard she felt like she could hardly breath past it. How is making it so I can’t get away going to help?
Confusion throbbed in her sheep’s voice. There’s nothing to get away from!
How can you say that? Can’t you feel it?
Feel what? You can’t keep running into the fire! This isn’t New Year’s! Those are burning houses, not a bonfire! I know I got startled before and joked about being fireproof, but are you trying to get yourself killed?
Sheena’s ears were buzzing. She was so terrified she could barely think straight, and now her sheep was saying it couldn’t feel what she was feeling?
Why are you so scared? her sheep nuzzled against her. There’s nothing here. It’s just you and me.
But didn’t you sense it? Sheena pressed her hands against her eyes. Every second she stayed here arguing with her sheep was a second she wasn’t using to get away. She clambered to her feet, wincing as her ankle complained. Didn’t you see the eyes?
The what?
Behind the door—
I didn’t see anything behind the door! You stuffed me in the picnic basket! You know I can’t see anything from in there!
Which had been the whole point. Sheena took a deep breath and edged along the path, wincing as she put weight on her ankle. Something is chasing us and now I can’t run! Do you want me to just lie down here and wait to die?
What are you talking about? Nothing’s chasing us! You’re acting like a crazy person and that’s MY job!
Her mouth went dry. Fear rolled around her, a solid force pushing her to her knees. Can’t you feel that? Sheena almost sobbed.
And then it was gone.
Sheena ran her hands down her face. Gone, yes, but for how long? It was like a light-switch in her brain. Terror, then nothing to show for it except her shaking breaths and sweaty hands. Not that she could see anything even when she was afraid. Except for those eyes.
If they were even real. Sheena swallowed. Her sheep hadn’t seen the eyes, and it hadn’t felt what she felt. What if she really was losing it?
Maybe everyone is right. Her heart sank. I can’t cope alone. If I can’t even trust my own eyes…
Now I don’t want you to be upset, her sheep said nervously.
Too bloody late for that. Sheena sat back.
But I think we should get up.
The fire. I know. Wouldn’t that just be perfect. Run around like a fucking lunatic and then just sit here and let the fire roll straight over her. Totally in-character. No one would
