Malevolence In the Dark

Malevolence frolicks. A silohoutte unclear pursues, distantly viewed. Damp muskiness arises from the woodland floor. Fear and intrigue comingle with curiosity. A srceech owl obliviates the silence. Bravery bursts my terror, cautiously. Slow silent breaths accompany every step. Sweat trickles downward to my tongue. Salty and sanguine reminiscent of that last bite. My chest pounding, pounding, pounding. Afraid, but compelled to know. Indistinctly, in the distant woods, darkness waits. Entwined amid the twisted limbs stretching forth, Groping for a flash of light to make clear the path, Density disallows brightness amid the shadows. Forest trees, bent, bowed and gnarled, embracing, Hidden in the womb of darkness, pain – All of a sudden, I am frozen in my tracks. Leaves crunch behind me, footsteps! I feel a hand on my shoulder…invisible. This can’t be real, but it seems so. Unexpectedly, someone jumps torward me. Reaching out with a horrendous yell. My throat tightens and no sound escapes. Then, comes the relief. It was only my brother Playing a joke in the dark! Ó November 22, 2011 Dane Smith-Johnsen