The Gentlemen's Name, He Did Not Say

The gentleman's name, he did not say
Nor ever again, from ever that black day
A morning one spring, with mist on the lake
To row out this hour, a leisure i would take.

I made haste and with great cheer
Made a sprint towards the lake water clear
Upon my closing of the distance
A strange man caught my eye in an instance.

He had a smile yes, but did not seemed the right sort
No, now it seemed more like a sneer of poor malicious sport
I knew not what to make of bonny John Stranger
He did not threaten, nor perceived as a danger.

I stopped, so curious and naive was I
Ignorantly lured by the stranger who caught my eye
He smiled still, his eyes did not leave mine
I kept my distance though, I was sure I'd be fine.

The gentleman's name, he did not say
But I did not offer mine any sort of way
He seemed to know me, as he moved with a lurch
Possibly, school? Work? Maybe the church?

Yes, perhaps the church, the way he was dressed
Too fancy for the lake, yet still looked soiled and messed
He took a step, his grin did grow and gape
From a smile to a scowl, to a blood lipped maul with gums raw scraped.

I stumbled back and far, far from this man
He beckoned me with lax command, a weak wave of his pale hand
I furthered my retreat, taking moves back
This he did not like, he moved for the attack!

I turned and ran, as I heard him give chase
I screamed for help, as I felt his cold dead hands on my face
He was laughing now, a sick rasping cackle of despair
I fell on my back and flung my arms into the air....

To be continued.