Chapter Text
The sheep had no idea how long they had been alive for. Surely it was longer than a normal sheep should be alive. They had seen humans grow and die for stars’ sake! How could that be? The sheep didn’t know. They somehow survived the most brutal colds and the most blistering of heat. They could still be injured and bleed of course, but they seemed to heal much quicker than their fluffy brethren.
This particular sheep had been able to keep their chin up through thick and thin. They choose to make light of this curse. They were here for a reason, they know it. They could feel it in their bones and blood someone needs them. The sheep always seemed to lighten up when they thought about that someone. Whoever they are they need this sheep. The sheep took it to themself to find this person. No matter how far they were, how difficult the terrain, this important person will be able to feel the soft curls of this sheep.
On a particular day, it was raining. The sheep didn’t really like it, sure they loved the puddles and the smell of the rain, but they hated when their beautiful fleece got all wet. People wouldn’t pet them when they were wet, so they try to stay as dry as possible underneath trees or under a random person’s porch. But they had been shooed away from the past five houses and there weren’t any parks nearby with big trees. How were they supposed to get a good sleep while being rained on? The sheep huffed in frustration.
That was until they heard the sound of a little boy crying. The sheep followed the heartbreaking sound into the backyard of a baby blue house with white shudders and a while door with a gold knocker on the front of it. The dark red fence was made out of wood and the gate was open. The sheep decided to trot in.
They saw a little boy crying under the only big oak tree for miles. At least the sheep had found a tree finally. The boy himself didn’t look more than 10 years old. He was wearing a thin and worn-out yellow sweater and blue jeans that look so torn they were practically in shreds. He must be freezing, he’ll catch a cold if he hasn’t already. The sheep slowly trots up to the boy, not wanting to scare him. The boy doesn’t notice. Now that the sheep is closer it can see the boy had dark brown hair. It was almost as curly as the sheep's coat. The boy was hugging his knees to his chest with his back against the tree. Notably behind the tree, out of sight from any of the windows of the house.
The sheep flops right next to the boy, resting its head on the left arm the boy is using to hold his knees close to himself. The boy, who is suddenly aware he’s not alone, jumps at the touch of the sheep's head.
“What the-!” the boy looks the sheep up and down, “Where did you come from…?” He tried to whisper but his voice was almost too hoarse from crying to even do that. The sheep seemed to be peering into the boy’s soul with its kind black eyes, “Are… are you good…?” The boy hesitantly put his hand out for the sheep. The sheep nuzzled into it. “Aw!! You are good!” The boy hugged the sheep. “Ew, too bad you’re all wet.” The sheep made a face, as if they were saying, “I know! It’s terrible!”
The boy, not knowing what to do with this sheep decided to introduce himself. “My name’s William or Wil if you want.” The sheep replied with a cute little “Bleat.”
“Aw! You’re adorable! Now, what should I call you…” Wil contemplated for a moment. Thinking of a name for an adorable sheep was a welcomed distraction. “Well how about Friend? You seem to be the only person… or animal I guess, that wants to be friends with me, so as my first friend I shall call you Friend!” The sheep, Friend, looked sad at the thought Wil had no other friends but it was happy with the name he had chosen for them.
Wil hesitantly asked, as if Friend would turn him down, “Would you like to rest with me here Friend…?” Will got some happy little “bleat!”’s in response as Friend bounced up and down like a happy puppy. “Ok, ok! We can rest while the rain keeps going then I have to go inside. You can stay in the old dog house we have. It’s never been used before. When I was little I really wanted a puppy so I saved up my allowance to buy a dog house because Father doesn’t want a dog in the house for some reason. Father said no puppy after I bought a house for it... But you can use it now!”
Once Wil was situated behind the tree, Friend curled up by his side. Together they drifted off to sleep while the thunder rolled above them.