avoid the shadows...
be silent...
hold back the fear...
he cannot see you...
these are things you tell yourself.
you know they are not true.
although he does not have eyes,
and he does not have ears...
he can still see you.
he can still hear you.
he lurks in the darkness,
always watching.
do not go to the window!
do not go outside!
you are safe here...
all lies.
he knows what you're thinking.
he knows you fear him.
but yet, he still hides.
waiting for the right moment,
waiting for the first unsuspecting soul
that shows no fear,
to seek him out.
he is ever patient.
quietly stalking through the eerie fog.
awaiting the moment he can strike...
your feet carry you on.
you cannot stop.
something moves ahead of you,
and your heart begins to race.
no! stop!
turn and go back!
your commands go unheard.
your eyes scan the darkness.
you see nothing.
but you know he's there...
you know he's waiting.
just for you.
finally.
he senses someone nearby.
long tentacles portrude from his back and arms,
and claw-like fingers clench in anticipation.
he watches closely.
drifting silently through the trees.
he is hungry.
you grow weary.
your palms are sweaty.
you hear twigs snap.
finally, you are able to stop.
you twist your body to look around you.
oh no!
this can't be happening!
you try to scream,
but no sound escapes your dry throat.
you realize it's too late.
you are hopelessly lost.
but you run anyway...
he hisses in anger.
he sees you retreating.
how fun this chase will be!
you look behind you.
he's not there.
you slow to a jog.
in your haste to escape,
you've only made him angry.
you start to panic again.
you look left.
nothing.
you look right.
again, nothing.
but you know you're already caught.
he's right in front of you now,
towering above you.
claws reach out towards you.
you scream, but you're frozen with fear.
run, you idiot!
but you cannot move.
tears run down your face.
he runs a claw down your cheek.
he feeds off your fear.
it only makes him stronger.
he is so close now.
thick, black tentacles wrap around your body,
draining the life from you.
this faceless creature pulls you closer.
then he changes.
the place where his mouth should be...
slowly splits apart.
thick, red-black liquid drips down his chin.
you struggle against him.
but it's no use.
he has you in his grasp.
he grins, opening his 'mouth' wider,
as if he is laughing.
but no sound comes out.
he digs his claws into your shoulders.
the sight of your blood makes him hiss with excitement.
black tentacles squeeze your body tighter,
causing your skin to split apart.
the pain is unbearable...
you continue to struggle.
but it's no use.
blood drips to the ground.
he slides a hand to your neck,
and lifts you off the ground.
you close your eyes.
your scream echoes through the night as darkness surrounds you...
