As the Mask falls

Old, house nestled among Colossal mountains.

Soft lights from within shine onto
A jungle of Grass, constellation of dandelions.

Silken starlight silhouettes ponderosa and Japanese Maple.
Trees sigh in the wind, soft ruffle of owls flight.

Headlights eliminates twilight grazers,
Swiftly fleeing into the night.

Crunching gravel, squeaky brakes, purring car now sleeps.

Crunch. Scrunch. Crunch.
Dull thump of boots on weathered porch.

Ding. Dong. Ding.
Strangers in the night.

Book left, recliner rocks to a stop.

Her Bare feet treading across hardwood floor.
Rugs soften footsteps

Wondering, asking, and opening the door.
Confusion.

Sudden motion,
His Strong arm pulls her in close;
Massive hand stifles screams.

Terror wide eyes look upon;
Painted Mask; black, white and red;
Unholy hunger shines from behind.

Heart thundering in ears and throat;
Almost misses His muffled, “RUN!”

Thump

Shoved to the floor.

Legs frantically scramble;
Arms push the floor, and away She goes.

Running through her house,
Her body screams.

His slow, easy smile goes unseen.

Crashing through the house he follows,
Escaping to the yard,
She stumbles.

Dashing across the yard;
He tackles Her.

Lungs scream, stars twinkle in close.

A mass of flailing limbs,
Waves of Terror wash over Them.

Her final scream echoes across the night,
As the Mask falls.