Fear

It crept up stealthily
Like the black alley cat
Foraging for food
In the street bins

It pounced
The prey winced
Sinking its claws further
It purred in anticipation

It lapped up the blood
Satiated its hunger
The victim looked around wildly
Searching for an escape

The door to escape and freedom
Was conspicuous by its absence
The eyeballs grew weary
With all the rotating they did

Vitality was fast slipping away
Yet the heart continued to beat
Its resilience bothered both
The predator and the prey

Darkness was all around
An ally of the murderer
Allowing it to complete its work
Anonymously

No light illuminated the darkness
No star twinkled bright
The clouds provided cover
It made a decision

No more of this slow murder
It bared its fangs completely
One swipe was all that was needed
To finish the victim off

Its work over, it left
Melting into the darkness whence it came
Day broke and hope arrived
It was already too late