Eyes of the Beast

A crash of thunder wakened me as I slept cradled in a tree. There was fierce growling on the ground. Something wicked circled around. I saw the eyes of a beastie. Its howling was a gruesome sound Had a dog escaped from a pound or from quarantine by a vet? Its canine fangs became a threat for this creature was a hellhound! I quaked in fear and broke a sweat. Deep despair, I began to fret when deftly he started to climb. From his drool, it must be mealtime. Peed on myself; pants soaking wet! Too young to die; not in my prime, A ticking clock began to chime. Can I be saved or tis my fate to quench its thirst, its hunger sate? I'm quickly running out of time! He stares at me as if I'm bait. My heart races with each pulsate, hoping this is just a nightmare. Open my eyes? I do not dare! His snarling sounds much too irate. I whispered in fervent prayer, and slowly, I became aware of something clawing at the beast, and on his carcass he would feast. 'Twas the stench of a grizzly bear! The sun was rising in the East My brows, deeply furrowed and creased, pondering the thought that remained, one I have not yet ascertained... what should matter the most, not least. No answer that can be explained, and no sense of it have I gained as to why I slept in an oak, and why my lips have never spoke of the tree trunk that was bloodstained. June 15, 2022 Tall Tales 3: Quintilla Fantasy Fiction Contest Sponsored by Jeff Kyser
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

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Goldsmith Avatar
July 5, 2022 at 12:53 PM
Congratulations on your win. WOW!!! What a "Creative" write/story. Have a blessed day................
Logan Avatar
July 6, 2022 at 4:21 AM
Hi Paula. Thank you very much.
Peck Avatar
July 5, 2022 at 9:09 AM
Great poem, Jenna! Best to not sleep in trees :) Congratulations!
Logan Avatar
July 6, 2022 at 4:20 AM
I agree! Thanks, Ann.
Kyser Avatar
July 5, 2022 at 4:23 AM
Jenna, thanks for your fourth place entry in Tall Tales 3 - a suspense-filled story from beginning to end!
Logan Avatar
July 5, 2022 at 5:18 AM
Jeff, thank you for considering my entry worthy of a placement in your contest.
Koplin Avatar
June 16, 2022 at 3:53 AM
Now that’s a dark tale! Awesome ink Jenna! I wonder if hell hounds like biscuits?
Logan Avatar
June 16, 2022 at 6:08 AM
Gee, Mark. I didn’t have any on me to offer him. I think this one wanted something more fleshly. Nice to see you here. You’ve been missed.
Kavanagh  Avatar
June 15, 2022 at 2:04 PM
Hey you went into the dark world today, and here’s me painting flowers, A tall tale, or maybe a bad trip down the rabbit hole, it’s quite menacing and effective in gripping the reaper, I mean reader, all the best for contest, cheers David
Logan Avatar
June 15, 2022 at 2:06 PM
On any given day our writing genres would be reversed. I have no idea what led me down such a dark path. Thanks, David.
Cunningham Avatar
June 15, 2022 at 10:29 AM
A terrifying experience Jenna, the stuff of nightmares, best of luck and no cheese before bed. Tom
Logan Avatar
June 15, 2022 at 10:36 AM
Did it sufficiently scare you, Tom? lol ok, but I'm still not convinced it was a nightmare. That bloodstained tree is kind of tell-tale. Thanks for reading me and leaving great remarks.
Hankins Avatar
June 15, 2022 at 10:04 AM
Fantastic, Jenna. I see this in the winner's circle. I found it chillingly authentic, which is a mark of exceptional writing and story-telling. I'm still nursing goosebumps!
Logan Avatar
June 15, 2022 at 10:35 AM
Oh, how glad I am to know it affected you to the point of goosebumps! This was one of those writes that nearly took me there with it. I wanted to continue with more hair-raising verses, but entries are limited to 8. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this one, Milt.
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