The fearsome touch of death

"The Fearsome Touch of Death" by Robert E. Howard is a chilling short story that grips readers with its exploration of dread, mortality, and the mental toll of isolation. Young Falred is given the unsettling task of watching over the corpse of the long dead Adam Farrel overnight. As the hours creep by, Falred’s mind conjures frightening visions, enhanced by the suffocating stillness and the looming presence of the deceased. Sleep offers no escape, as he wakes up in a frenzy, believing Farrel has defied death. The narrative builds suspense as Falred battles his growing terror, capped off by a shocking conclusion where his overwhelming fear tricks him, leading to a fatal mistake. The tale vividly portrays the innate human terror of death and the unseen, amplified by the horrifying twist at the very end.