Fear

Announces its presence in the middle of the night,
Hides in the impenetrable silence, waking you on the darkest nights,
Takes hold in an instant, its icy tendrils curling all around you.

Reaching inwards, twisting, pulling, searching… 
Finding your weaknesses, your thoughts scrambling searching for safety.
Your mouth goes dry, the taste of copper pennies rushing in.

You try to move but it paralyses you.
It grows violent the longer it stays, invading your every nerve. 
You try with all your will to slow your mind.

Eventually after what could be seconds, minutes or hours, it slowly recedes.
Remnants linger on and you still feel it trying to provoke.
It inhibits you.
It is never truly gone.