Branches snap—
A whisper of a shadow
Darting from the corner
Of my unseeing eye.
I freeze in place
Praying I have gone unnoticed.
But in my heart of hearts
I sense the monster
Watching and waiting.
I can almost feel the claws
Scraping against the back
Of my neck.
Will I leave this world
A nameless snack
For a ravenous creature?
Or will I be spared
For one more night?