Beastly

A Creature’s revenge on humankind

Demonised for centuries by humankind, these much-maligned creatures decided to take

revenge. Their plan, inspired by Hitchcock’s Birds, differed slightly. There would be no

violent attacks or direct physical contact. Strict social distancing was essential to avoid

caching some human disease. Instead they would leave their hidden hideouts, brave the

daylight hours and swarm like locusts wherever people met apart from their homes

making their lives intolerable. With commerce crippled and normal activities brought to

a standstill, the terrified humans would willingly opt for self-imposed lockdowns inside

their houses without the need for enforcement or fines. If the tactics worked, others

might be persuaded to join them. Wasps, for example, equally hated by humans, could

roll out a programme of jabs with countless successive boosts. At an extraordinary union

meeting the plan was accepted. ‘If the birds can wreak havoc,’ their leader declared,

‘then so can we bats!’