Drip. Drip. Drop.

It was cold and rainy as I awaited my bus' arrival. I remained seated at the stop, below a flickering street light, bobbing my head up and down to the next song in my playlist.

I reclined against the glass wall behind the bench, pulling my hoodie over my head as my gaze remained fixed on the pavement.

Music turned into an uncompromising static.

I glanced around, unsettled.

In the distance, a tall shadow emerged from beyond the corner.

I tilted my head, squinting to make out some characteristics.

I wondered if they experienced something similar.

I got up from the bench and then noticed the shade approaching me.

Upon crossing into the light, they disappeared entirely.

Reappearing a few metres later as though it materialised merely in the dark.

The ghastly sight took me aback. 

I froze, both in utter terror and disbelief.

I made out its lanky, misshapen features. Its arms grew to unnatural lengths, with claw-like nails dragging across the pavement. Its body was a pale white as bleach, with thin black lips and torn flesh forming an elongated smile from ear to ear, revealing knives for teeth.

Regaining my bearing, I sprinted away as fast as my legs would take me.

I ran, and I ran, and I ran.

Each step was rigorously pursued by a ghoulish screech. My head was spinning around, and I was panicked out of my mind. I scurried down several backstreet alleys. Only moments later, my heart skipped a beat—a dead end. 

Thankfully, there were various light sources around.

I turned around, my breath shallow and ragged. A black fog hung over my vision, and I stepped backwards, pushing my back against the wall.

There was nothing.

I let out a sigh of relief right; my body eased up.

I sank down to my knees, my back firmly against the wobbly wall.

Closed my eyes briefly, then saw the haunting visage of a skeletal creature right up in my face. I began to scream, crying out loud, yet no sound escaped my throat. Twas mere static across the deep of night.