(Storytelling Focus, Dark) Beneath the flicker of the shelter lights, Cages rattling like bones in the night, I heard a whimper, low and thin, Like something ancient starving under skin. Mangy pup with coal-black eyes, Three faint scars that refused to hide, Worker whispered, “That mutt ain’t right…” I just smirked and signed away my life. Chorus Now there’s scratching at the gates of Hell, Rusty chains drag where the dead things dwell, I brought home a puppy, sweet but damn near dead Now Cerberus sleeps at the foot of my bed. First month he chewed through plaster and dreams, Neighbors’ cats left nothing but screams. Second month his growl grew graveyard deep, Like the Earth itself stirred from its sleep. By winter a second head had split the skin, Snarling beside me with a devilish grin. Vet took one look, crossed himself in fear, Grabbed his Bible and vanished from here. Spring brought the third head, fully grown, Whispering secrets I’d buried alone. It spoke in my mother’s voice, then mine, Reciting every sin in perfect time. Three mouths foaming with liquid tar, Eyes like dying stars from afar. Every bark shattered mirrors and bone, Every howl dragged lost souls home. He no longer needed food from my hand He fed on the fear that poisoned the land. I’d wake to bloody paw prints on the floor, Nightly news report ... “Town Mourns Seven More.” I tried to run once, got as far as the gate, Three heads laughing as they sealed my fate. Now I’m just the keeper of the beast I made, A willing slave in the mess I’ve laid. Chorus Now there’s scratching at the gates of Hell, Heaven changed the locks and wished us well. I brought home a puppy from the county pound Now Cerberus runs this whole damn town. Kids disappear from Ponderosa Street, Preachers reroute through fields of wheat. Sirens wail .. then choke, and die, Even the law won’t look him in the eye. He guards the cellar, guards the flame, Guards the choir that screams my name. One head hungers, one head turns, The third head giggles while the whole world burns. Bridge I fed him bones, I fed him rage, Fed him every wound that time won’t age. Now the moon hangs swollen, sick, and red, And the graveyards vomit up their dead. Tried the chains, tried holy water, Tried the priest, tried the slaughter. He licked the blade clean, tail wagging slow, Like he knew I’d never really let him go. Final Chorus Now there’s scratching at the gates of Hell, And something answers from beyond the pale. I brought home a puppy, tail wagging then Now Cerberus rules this godforsaken den. Outro (low, half-spoken over fading howls) So if you hear a puppy crying In a shelter late at night… Don’t look too long into those eyes. Some strays were never meant for human lives.
