Tom Berry wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, and when he told his mates he was taking Hill Road that evening, they smiled and said. “Been a pleasure, mate.”
“I may not be an educated man, but I know when folks be pulling my leg,” said Tom as he headed over to see his gal.
As he was leaving the square, the town’s crier asked his destination. “I’m heading to the mill by way of Hill Road,” replied Tom.
The crier shook his head, but instead of mocking him, offered a bit of advice.
“If you should hear the breathing of a beast behind you, do not turn around,” the crier told Tom.
Tom wanted to smart off, but something about the way the crier had spoken stayed his tongue.
“You take the low road, and I’ll take the high, and I’ll be to Sally’s before you,” Tom sang as he walked over Hill Road.
Without a care in the world, Tom failed to notice the dark shape slinking off to his right.
“I’ll show those cheeky buggers who’s afraid of fairy stories,” muttered Tom as his journey neared its end.
With the mill in sight, Tom slowed his pace. He began to think about how impressed Sally would be to learn he had taken Hill Road after dark.
“I hope she’ll even give me a,” Tom’s words froze in his throat as the sound of breathing came from behind.
Out of habit, the man began to turn, but he remembered the crier’s words. “If you should hear the breathing of a beast behind you, do not turn around.”
Swallowing hard, Tom continued, keeping his eyes fixed on the mill’s water wheel.
“You take the low road, and I’ll take,” Tom stopped singing when he felt the breath of something enormous on the back of his neck.
“Five paces, four paces, three paces, two, and one,” said Tom as he cleared Hill Road and stood on the mill’s lane.
For an instant, he thought about turning around. His newfound wisdom kept his eyes fixed on Sally’s home.
The following day, as Tom walked to the pub, his eye caught sight of the crier. The two nodded and locked eyes. In that instant, each recognized the look of someone who had had death breathing down the back of his neck.
As for Tom, he married Sally and took over the mill. Tom never told of his encounter when death wore the skin of a Berghest and almost claimed his soul.
Folksburywoods 
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