021518

Ranges and movement patterns of mid-Atlantic weresnails

In this study we identified weresnails in human form on the basis of two criteria: giant slime trails in their dwellings and nascent eye stalks on the days preceding a full moon. We followed human-form weresnails and used a modified tranquilizer gun to implant tracking devices on their shells at the onset of gastrothropy.

*

Gordon hurried home, dodging snow mounded up where the plows had left it. He did love her, desperately, but he had sworn never to bring a child into the world. He was afraid that his horror at what his curse would do to any offspring must have looked a lot like rejection of responsibility. She didn't know, and how could he explain now, when it was too late?

She had cooked a wonderful meal: clam chowder, a green salad, and a spry young California Merlot with an unexpected kick. Then she told him.

"I felt sick this morning.".

"I'm so sorry!" he replied, wondering at her odd expression. "You certainly shouldn't have cooked for me when you didn't feel well. You're feeling better?"

"For now. I don't know what will happen in the morning."

She finally had had to simply tell him. Then he gave her that look, and she bundled him out the door before he could think of how to explain.

*

The shells of the first three subjects shattered when struck by the tracking device. The tranquilizer gun had to be reduced in power by a factor of two before successful implantation was possible. Time and location data for three subjects were successfully collected for three lunar cycles. Figure 2 shows movements of all three subjects, superimposed on a high-resolution digital elevation model.

*

Gordon could not sit still. He walked, trying to believe his son or daughter would be normal. After all, the gastrothrope gene was recessive, so unless Rachel had snail blood, their children would look fully human. He pulled out his cell phone.

"Hello!"

"Rachel, listen. I was just so shocked, but I want..." Then Gordon paused, bathed in moonlight.

"Me too, and.... This morning you looked...terrified. You don't feel that way now, do you? Gordon?"

His cell phone shattered on the sidewalk as Gordon underwent a painful transformation made excruciating by the salty meltwater that covered the sidewalk and street.

*

Unfortunately for this study, an unseasonable snowfall and aggressive salt distribution by county road crews resulted in destruction of all remaining experimental subjects.