Something Different - In the Dark of Night

In the light of day hope is restored.
In the dark of night, fears take hold.
 
Her lungs burn, her chest heaves.
She slows, bends to hold her knees and gasps for breath
Before running again.
 
Surely, she is be safe now.
How far has she run?
He can’t possibly follow after drinking all the rum.
 
Alert to every sound, she looks around
Expecting to see him around every bend
Behind every tree.
 
Has she really gotten free?
 
Light catches her eye at the edge of the woods.
A house.
Is it a refuge? A step in her quest to be free of him?
To be safe?
 
Heart pounding, she approaches the door
Carefully, cautiously.
And raises a trembling hand to knock.
 
The door creaks open just a crack.
Bloodshot eyes peer out.
An evil grin shows rotting teeth.
“I knew you’d be back.
Come in and meet your fate.”