Watching by Hallie Bigman
Art by Maria Granger

My eyes dart side to side.
Peering wearily from the ground.
Spotted anger in the curves of its form.
The devil's hour lingers near.
Rising blood red embers silently surround me.
Numbing my spine to the bitter bone.
Chilling breath stings the crisp brick shadow.
Startling at a glow in a dark window.
Jumping high enough to touch luminous sharp clouds.
Dusty and meek curtains disguising evil.
Feeling a hate so pure.
Staring back a face full of rage trapped forever.
The figure is clear yet jagged.
Turning and seeing nothing but a crooked sideways smirk.
Running away into the bitter cold.
Solid steps follow with a resilient force.
No escaping what’s been seen.
Shadow looming till…