I learned punctuation as a raggedy-ass white-trash grammar-school upstart in the 1950s, & subsequently taught it in an FE; ergo, I am shit-hot at it. But also, hey – a bit of a rebel. In fact I'm a great fan of the comma splice: I use it, enjoy it, revel in it, dismiss the snivelling complaints of the jerks who don't. The Oxford comma? Only in emergencies.

And don't get me started on the diacriticals!

Down the cold, dark steps I padded fearfully –
had I dreamt those soul-destroying howls?
But then, again, the pleading echoed tearfully
from somewhere deep within the castle’s bowels.

Though terrified, I crept involuntarily
down towards the source of this lament.
An owl shrieked! I halted momentarily,
then, shivering, continued my descent.

In my hand, the candle flickered hazily,
casting ghastly shadows on the wall.
Down and down again I tiptoed crazily,
unable to resist the anguished call.

The dungeon door! I gazed upon it woodenly,
then drew the bolt with deep metallic clang.
The candle snuffed. I stepped inside, then suddenly,
from deep within the fetid cell, there sprang...

Bravo, Peter! Really suspenseful!

Peter, that's powerful stuff! Very entertaining.

It seems mean to nitpick, but I was given pause by 'hazily'. In what sense is that applicable to the N (who seems pretty focussed and determined :) )?

I wonder whether hazily and crazily could swap over between the candle and N to suit better (the candle though bright is flickering and might appear hazy through cobwebs or mist; it seems crazy of the N to keep advancing - as far as we are told, alone and unarmed - into potential mortal peril).
Just a suggestion!

Thanks Graham. It makes sense!