In the dark of night, as the moon did shine

A shadowy figure approached from behind

With a cloak of black and a face unseen
This stranger in the night was quite the fiend
A creeping sensation, a chill in the air

The hairs on my neck stood up in despair
My heart did race, my breath did stall
As the figure drew closer, I felt quite small

I turned to run, but my feet were frozen I tried to scream, but my voice was broken
The figure reached out, and with a cruel grin
Revealed the face that was hidden within
It was not a face that I knew or recognized
But one that filled me with fear and despise
The eyes were cold and the smile so twisted
This encounter was not something I had wished for or listed

The stranger spoke not, but with a swift motion
Revealed a dagger, my heart filled with emotion
My thoughts raced, my mind went blank
As I realized I was about to face my end, a terrible fate

But just as the blade was about to strike
A sudden noise startled the fiend, and it took flight I fell to the ground, trembling and weak
Grateful to be alive, but still unable to speak
The night passed on, and the sun did rise
But the memory of that encounter never dies
For in my mind, I see that face once more
And wonder what could have happened, what was in store

So beware, dear reader, of the strangers in the night
For you never know when you might come face to face with fright
And when that time comes, may you be strong and swift
Or else you too may face a terrible gift.