"A Prophet of Evil" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1893. The story follows a man named John Horton, who has been wrongfully accused of murder and sentenced to death. While on death row, Horton becomes obsessed with the idea that he is being punished for a crime he did not commit, and he begins to see visions of a mysterious figure known only as "The Prophet of Evil." As Horton's execution approaches, he becomes increasingly unhinged, convinced that The Prophet of Evil will soon reveal the truth about his innocence. Despite the efforts of his cellmate and a young woman who visits him, Horton remains convinced of his own guilt and the prophesied doom that awaits him. The story ends with Horton's execution, leaving the reader to ponder the nature of justice and the reliability of human perception.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1897 · Genre: Horror, Short Stories, Supernatural