The lightning flashes bright,
giving a moment of illuminated sight.

I catch a brief glimpse,
of the creature stalking me.

An ebony dog,
larger than any bear,
with eyes ablaze,
and a dead-end stare.

Robbed of vision in pitch black,
I hear it's heavy panting,
and smell it's necrotic breath.

I know this creature well.
It is the embodiment of all my fears,
Drunk from imbibing,
my frightened tears.

I tremble with terror and quicken my pace,
as I imagine a grin on it's ethereal face.

I can see up ahead, a sliver of light.
The lampost at the crossroads,
A traveller's sanctuary in the night.

Yet I still must pass the Hangman's Tree,
A place where the holy and righteous,
do away with miscreants like me.

I wish to run,
yet find my feet stuck fast.

The step that got me here,
shall be my last.

My heart races,
as I look in my wake...

There is nothing there....

Have I made a mistake?

.

..

...

A moment passes,
and I sigh with agonized relief.
A hot sulphurous wind engulfs me,
whisking away my breath.

My life-force devoured,
by a dreadful soul-thief.
This is my end, and truthfully,
I have scared myself to death.