Creative Writing: An Exercise

This piece was done during an editing exercise in one of the modules I've selected and thought that I'd get people's views on it and consider expanding it into a short novella or something of that sort. Please read it and give feedback. I welcome all comments.

In the midst of the woods it stood in defiance of nature's attempt to rule the land. Trees had fallen around it like a medieval barricade and plants had sprouted up around the building. From a distance, it would have appeared ordinary. From this proximity, the tired and weathered look was obvious.

A mix of green and brown moss grew on the shackled roof and leaves cluttered the drain pipe. There were two broken, dirtied windows and several planks of wood led to the door and into the darkness where stairs would have once existed. It was impossible to see how far the building stretched into the darkness, only the moonlight reflecting on the front gave an indication of its existence.

Inside, metal and rusted chains hung from the wooden beams and rustled as you walked past. Paint cans and tools were all over the floor. Noises came from every corners, corners that had been claimed by spiders years ago. Their webs clung to the walls like a trapped beast making its last stand. It was dark but spots of light shone through the broken window.

Someone came outside. His expression screamed anger and pain, eyes darting into the darkness like a predator. His first few steps were timid before an air of confidence surrounded him. As he stepped into the moonlight, he revealed his grotesque and misshapen form. His hands shook violently and his body swayed and hunched. Noises startled him, making his head dart this way and that.

He stood there for a few seconds as if waiting for something...someone...a sign. He moved cautiously at first and then rushed from the building, darting through the trees. His eyes were wide and he shouted his joy as he stood examining one of his traps.

A woman's body lay in the decay of leaves and soil, her chest pierced with an arrow. He lifted the corspe onto his back and pulled the bloodied arrow from her chest, revealing the fatal wound before he rushed to his shed once more.