It was towards the end of summer when the first sheep disappeared. And it wasn’t the sheep in Kyungsoo’s backyard. It was from the backyard of other villagers. There was no trace of blood or bones or scattered flesh. Everything was picked clean. The shepherd scratched his head as he counted his sheep. At last, he gave up and sighed as he sat beside his guard dog. He patted its head gently. If there was a wolf, it would have barked, unless it was a human who had stolen his sheep.

            Very soon, words spread throughout the village and reached Kyungsoo’s ears. Kyungsoo rushed out into his backyard to check on his own sheep. He found Jongin crouching among the sheep, petting them lovingly like his pets. He smiled at them and fed them hays and some wildflowers. The sheep nudged at his face, showing their love for him. They brayed as they munched on the fresh grass.

            Although Kyungsoo was quite certain who the sheep stealer was, he still wanted to be sure. Kyungsoo made his way into the flock of sheep. The sheep trailed around his heels like puppies. Finally, he reached the center of the field, where Jongin was feeding one of the baby sheep. Kyungsoo cleared his throat uneasily.

            “Jongin,” he began. Jongin looked up at him with such innocent eyes that there was no believing that he could have done anything evil.

            “Have you heard, about the sheep disappearing?”

            Jongin averted his eyes for a moment, turning his attention to the grass for a split second. Then, his eyes went back to Kyungsoo’s. Jongin let go of the baby sheep in his hand.

            “Why, no, I haven’t,” he replied rather calmly. But Kyungsoo could see right through him. Jongin’s nervous eyes couldn’t find anywhere to hide.

            “It could be anything, the village’s surrounded b