When things get still,
Your heartbeat races.
A peaceful evening,
But not for you.

Work all day,
Fear at night.
Exhaustion creeps,
But your eyes stay open.

Your body stays rigid,
The glow of the light,
Grows steadily wider,
Until a figure blocks its entrance.

Pretend you’re asleep.
The creature senses movement.
Breath flutters your hair.
Its stench fills your lungs.

If it wants you, it’s over.
The monster always wins.
No guardian to protect you,
From all that stalk the night.

In the sunlight,
Your father.
In the moonlight,
Your terror.