Her Lover's Garden

She walked amongst the garden pews, to smell the rose and honeydew. She walked under the waning moon, milky white with sweet perfume. The restless chirped and sang their songs, and cold wind kissed her hair and skin. Although alone, well she was not, for in her heart she still held him. The one who left and disappeared, or maybe died for all she knew. But he was there inside her mind, the night she walked under the pews. A somber feeling enveloped her, keeping one safe on a mission’s stead. She turned to see that dark shadow, first pricks of fear inside her head. The yew it wasn’t far away, and in its bark, carved both their names. Something kept her feet at bay, instinct or hate she could not say. Hate for him or for the dark, though that was what had brought her here. She leaned to gain a better look, then felt the warmth upon her ear. Jump and gasp, too scared to scream. Then turned to see, the source of breath. But only there, the roses gleamed, Underneath what moon was left. A thousand drums rang in her ears, In such silence, the heart’s so loud. And only then did she realize, as it began to ebb, there was no sound. The crickets and beetles and buzzing flies, or whatever at this hour kept. Had stopped singing their lullabies, she never felt more by herself. That’s by herself, but not alone. Because something else was in this place. She turned to look towards her home, but felt she’d never win that race. She would be caught or her path blocked, far too late to scream and shout. A horror dawned about this garden, with one way in and one way out. A strength then tried to flicker to life, but despair had long ago pulled her down. If only her love had never left, she thought, just when she heard the sound. A ghost appeared both small and low, slinking bright out the dark shadow. And as it walked she realized, it was to a cat, this fear she owed. Heart beat again and cheeks brought to red, as she pet the purring by her feet. But then she touched on something wet, the cat no longer seemed so sweet. Her nervous giggling stopped at once, and the beast looked up into her eyes. She jumped again, though this time ran. Straight into the arms of her demise, He kissed her lips and held her tight. She recognized her lover’s taste, Then found she could not breathe again, and when she looked he had no face.