Fear....

I walk down the dark road alone,

Stepping over fallen limbs of

Dead trees.

In the distance, a wolf howls.

I dread the beast’s hunger and

The pack it follows.

Footsteps.

My face grows warm and

My heart pumps harder as

Terror fills my soul.

As my stride grows faster

So does his and

I feel the stranger coming closer.

I trip over one limb I did not see

And my mind races;

Thinking of all the goblins and ghouls

Lurking in the brush following this dark road.

Of the wolf pack, now insane with hunger,

Hunting down an innocent and unsuspecting

Victim.

Of the snow white mouse running in fright

From the talons

Of an evil owl.

As the footsteps halt just an inch behind me,

My heart gives an audible reaction

As it is aware this is the end.

A cool hand on my shoulder pulls me to my feet.

My legs are like jelly

 and I shiver as the shadowy figure pulls me towards him.

And, in that moment,

As I look him in his cold, dead eyes,

I know just what true fear is.

For this stranger is a true stranger to me;

This stranger

Is myself.