9:30 a.m.
My head is aching with vivid memories of the incident last night. I can still smell fresh blood. The face of that man just before collapsing is flashing before my eyes. I have wondered what it is like to be afraid? What triggers fear? Is it the pain or the threat of pain? And how different is it from anxiety?
One thing is certain. It is based on illusion and future thinking. “What if there is someone behind that curtain?” “What if his threat is real?” Some cry with desperation and some beg for mercy with a choking voice. Actions can never be predicted in such situations.
There’s only one thing in common - they are all afraid.