The Beast in the Cave by H. P. Lovecraft

A man becomes separated from his group while touring a vast underground cave and is plunged into total darkness. As he attempts to find his way back, he hears a strange, shuffling creature nearby and prepares for a desperate fight. When help finally arrives and the beast is killed, its identity is revealed in a chilling twist. The story explores isolation, fear of the unknown, and the monstrous potential within man. It’s an early but effective Lovecraft tale with a powerful ending.