Hurry dear it’s fast darkening
We must be home before evening
So saying she looked at her
The walk was long home was far.

She glanced at her daughter’s face
Then held her tight in sweet embrace
Knowing the child’s little feet
Couldn't do much to achieve the feat.

When she started she thought it best
To take the shortcut through the forest
But shadows here quickly descend
Daylight fades with each bend.

She quickened pace strained her ears
The silence spoke in many whispers
She heard something that scared her wit
Sound behind her of some dragging feet.

Someone was following her in that wild
She heard its footsteps didn’t tell her child
Paused awhile and picked up her daughter
Kissed her soft cheek put her on shoulder.

Mummy there’s someone coming behind
When I look for it none I find
Don’t be scared dear just the birds' wings
I can see it clear behind us is nothing.

She kept walking as fast she could
To escape the something lurking in the wood
The footsteps behind seemed to keep them in watch
Quickened its pace any moment could catch.

The forest thinned out their home came to sight
The small white cottage shone in moonlight
At the gate was her husband waiting in worried face
She told him we're safely back by kind God's grace.

The little child was still scared she too had heard the sound
Of someone coming behind footsteps on the ground
Though wearied out by the travel it kept haunting her head
After end of dinner when mummy put her on bed.

When the house fell quiet she heard her mother say
Darling I'm terribly scared I had a horrible day
In the forest was someone behind us it did follow

*I saw a figure with no head but a hollow!