HE

By: Dominic Dyes

Genre: Horror

Don't fear, though death is near. For if HE snatches you, you cease to appear...

It was a night filled with stars, surrounded by black on the deepest river.
My retina locked on the mysteries above,
The chilling wind giving tumultuous shivers.
This place, unearthly quivers, a mirror of who I am,
Unknowing of the horror undaunted that is haunting this weary land.

Yet, at hand was a night that was slowly aging older.
Upon many other things, the dark forest bringing lack of a waging shoulder.

"Go home and rest," the night seemingly told her,
"For it is late, and the greatness of the day is over."

Nonetheless, roaming the forest like a rover, I find,
On a Hollow Street, wandering to my vehicle,
Feeling evil near, every step feeling meaningful.
Silence of trees surrounding, my feet pounding, watch sounding.
As I make it to the car, open the door, jump in, tension astounding.
For no thought could wander, no feeling could ponder, the kind of monster
That could scare a human being to the brink of plunder.

Yet, from afar, through the wind, I felt a heat,
Like death was watching, trying to be discreet.
A feeling of dread bled through my body,
As I fled home, beat from the tread of the winding road, foggy.

Out of breath, my mind racing in all different directions,
Attempting to keep my eyes on the road ahead of me, yet nothing but a searing reflection
Of a self caught up in a wicked connection between HE and I,
Avoiding detection.

I can't let him see me, for he stalks his prey, awaiting with a blissful glee.
Or at least... that's what I've heard about "He."

Are the legends true? Are the rumors real?
Maybe the answers to these questions are, for a reason, sealed.

Though, I knew I must get to a place where my heart can feel rest.
My home, overall things, was the greatest nurturer of that guest.
Though I couldn't get there fast enough, driving as fast as I can.

Though, something did feel off.

The soft whispers of the wind bought paranoia, turning lost cause into a game of toss,
Fearing for my life, swing and miss.
Is it so difficult to ask, for it was only peace I sought?

Yet, I go home with a fear in my heart,
Feeling my property creating a barrier from the start.
As a sigh of relief permeates my car,
Yet the darkness of the night felt odd,
Feeling less of freedom and more behind bars,

Exactly where HE wanted me.

I step onto the gravel,
Keys in hand, prepared to fend,
Walking to the entranceway, feeling my reality begin to bend.
Staying calm, sweaty palms, trying to sing to myself steady psalms.
Keys in lock, turn and stop, get too nervous, and keys might drop.
Focus on what you're doing,
Trying to be as quiet as a rock.

No noise...

Shhh.

THE DOOR OPENS!

Ecstatic, to say the least.

And I step into my humble abode,
Only for me to see,
Everything was... normal.

But not in the slightest of ease.

My body recognizing something
That my mind was only beginning to see.

Everything had been... moved,
Loaned to another area.
Really in the ever so slightest tone.

Am I crazy? Is this hysteria?

A couch too far to the left,
A table too shifted right,
And the curtains had a different kind of heft.
A kinda shape that just didn't feel right.

Yet suddenly, the silence felt odd,
A presence I felt near, like a heat coming off a cast iron rod.

I scope around my home, taking it in that "I might not be alone."

When out of nowhere,
Darkness plunges my house,
And an alert come to life on my phone.

"This woman is missing, details unknown."

For a second, I thought, this woman must be my clone.
She looks exactly like me,
Same teeth and white T.

Could this woman be me? Because it very well might be.

Until I realized, it was.

My phone lit up with a new buzz.

Another alert.

Could this be any worse?

A chill ran down my spine as I read what was on the phone.
My eyes began to water as I realized I wasn't alone.

"HE's in your home."

"Act normal, and whatever you do,

Don't look behind you."

For from the dirt you came and to the dirt you shall return.

(Floorboard creek)