Caws in the Night

Scurrying down the street, I couldn’t wait to be home. I imagined the toasty fireplace smell while in this desolate darkness. Night had become nightmare. The street lanterns swayed around me, creating patchy light on the cobblestone. Shivering, I stared into the eyes of the deepest depths of darkness. A raven was vomited out of the night, creating startling shapes of shadows as it moved. Another raven appeared, then another, then ten, then twenty. All of whom were choking out the light. The darkness following them felt unnatural, almost extending outwards, as my heart began throbbing. Overwhelming fluttering took over the lanterns as I quickened my pace, racing forwards. Waves of ravens kept appearing from the void. The light around me was desperately gasping for air.

Turning the corner, I could make out the shadow of my house. I would be safe from this armada soon. SMASH! The street lantern had shattered into fragments extinguishing the light. Running with my hand overhead, I could see the pecking of lanterns. Like a domino effect, the lanterns were disintegrating one by one.

My determination roared on. I wanted to vomit up my lungs as I kept pushing onward. Ravens were now maliciously gazing towards my lantern. Several ravens swooshed and tried to devour the light, but I scurried away, swaying my lantern too fast. The cawing got louder as if I angered them immensely. Shattered glass was still raining, and only one last street lantern on the corner remained. I was close, although the ravens made quick work of the last street lantern. My yellow aura was the only thing left.

The ravens were perched up high and peering downwards. Unmoved. I saw glimpses of the beasts as their shapes merged with the darkness. Their forms were almost shifting. Darkness now reigned over this land. My lantern led me to my door, and hastily I found my keys. Desperately, I swung the door open and slammed it, locking it behind me. I dared not look outside.

I hid from them all night. All I could hear was the fluttering of feathers.