Pheobe stepped closer.  She leaned forward and squinted, but the darkness was too thick. 

"Look closer..."

Pheobe froze, wrapped in a blanket of fear.  Her heart beat against her chest like a fist.

"I can hear your heart..."

Pheobe shuddered as sweat rolled down the side of her face.  In her mind she saw a long, outstreched finger tracing the path of the sweat.

"You fear me...  Good.  I need fear..."

The lump in the dust began to rise, like an old man struggling to stand.  Legs emerged, then arms.  Pheobe didn't wait to see the rest.  She spun and ran, but her legs moved as if they were buried in mud.

"I have an offer for you."

RATE THIS BRANCH!