By Rishi Chousalkar, 11A

In the quiet desolate lane,

That consumes all light,

I first learned the meaning of sheer, pure fright!

The stranger behind me walked,

As if he had nothing to fear;

But his pace changed when the demon called,

For he held his life dear.

Like a wounded animal it moaned!

The shadow danced awake,

The wind howled at the forest,

The trees threatened to break!

When the escaping footsteps came,

I ran, scared out of my mind,

But the poor stranger, fat and old,

Was too slow; he was left behind.

I encountered a monster that day,

One he could fight,

In the quiet, desolate lane

That came alive by night.