Twas a dark and bitter night
My breath froze in front of me
Droplets scarring the snow below
Just a little further to go

With each step, I paused
Only to hear footfalls behind
Slowly I turned, but no one was there
A cold breeze circled and raised every hair

Suddenly the moon grew eerily bright
A silhouette drifted from its silver strands
As it weaved throughout the trees
I held my breath, hoping it wouldn't see

Slowly it approached, donning a star pelt
Glittering, its tail embraced.me, pulling me close
I felt its dead breath, cold and rank
Claws running curiously down my flank

I opened my mouth to speak
But it silenced me, as it changed
Now before me stood a man
Holding out his hand

Entranced, I accepted his invite
And to the star clad sky we went
I saw the world through colorless eyes
His rise, fall and catastrophic demise

Once upon a time, he had been somebody
Now trapped in an unfamiliar world
When we were done, he returned me
I wondered if he would now let me be

Very gently, he leaned forward
And grazed my cheek
Then he turned and let out a howl
Before fading away

For a moment, I was paralyzed
Wondering why he chose to share with me
I hadnt asked his name, though I wished I had
Then very softly, something whispered, 'Alstatian'