Showing results for "The Beast in the Cave" in Science Fiction

Howard Phillips Lovecraft (1890-1937), more commonly known as H. P. Lovecraft, was an American writer renowned for his highly influential works of horror fiction. "The Beast in the Cave" is a typical example of Lovecraft's mastery and descriptive genius. A man is lost in an extensive cavern with his light about to run out. He has already given up hope of ever finding his way out. As he is plunged into darkness, he hears the sound of weird padding steps approaching....

A man touring Mammoth Cave separates from his guide and becomes lost. His torch expires and he is giving up hope of finding a way out in the pitch dark, when he hears strange non-human footsteps approaching him. Thinking it to be a lost mountain lion or other such beast, he picks up a stone and throws it toward the source of the sound. The beast is hit and crumples to the floor. The guide finds the protagonist back, and together they examine the fallen creature with the guide's torchlight.

In this story by H.P. Lovecraft, the line between man and beast is blurred. The Beast in the Cave follows the story of a man who gets separated from his group of tourists. They’ve all come to see the mammoth cave, but the man fears that it might be the last wonder he sees as he continues to wander further from his group. Eventually, his torch runs out of fuel and he is left with no other choice but to fend off approaching inhuman footsteps with the toss of a rock.