Beast

The beast, they said, stood on two legs, was covered in hair, and had long claws that could hollow a man. A few swore it growled people’s names and somehow knew their most awful secrets. After hearing about the beast, the man runs when in the woods to avoid it. He thinks the creature’s on his trail and escape is always on the other side. But he sees the sweat on his hairy limbs and his large, cupped hands; he hears his own gruff breath heaving. He tries not to notice even as dark memories return. He feels recognition is nearing.