Sit alone in darkness-

Listen!

Who is that behind the door?

A motor revving just outside-

Be still-

A boot upon the floor.

Clomping, heavy, up the steps,

Metal clinking with each step-

Closer, closer-

Sneak and hide.

Make no noise, you might survive.

A deadbolt’s thump,

A creaking door-

Dead silence in the shadows thrive.

You take a breath- too loud,

He heard you.

Faster, now, the feet approaching-

A darkness halts before your hold.

A knee bends down-

A face appears, smiles slow:

“I see you there”

He whispers, low.