I never heard the footsteps
I never saw his face
I never had any reason to think
That I wasn't safe in that place

I'd walked that path a hundred times
And probably a hundred more
To think I had only a few more feet
Till I reached grandma's door

It was cold on that day
And I wore my red hood
As I wandered out
Into the wood

It happened fast
My memory's unclear
There was a flash movement
A rush of fear

My clothes were torn
My mind was weak
My mouth was covered
Lest I try to speak

Then darkness fell
My body grew still
My hood was useless
Against that chill

*

I never made it to grandma's house
And I was never found
But, still, though they can't see me
I've decided to stick around

I pace the trails when it gets late
Lest some other girl meet my fate

So if you're walking in the wood
And see a flash of red
You'd best heed my warning
There's danger up ahead