You Take Pride In My Fear?

My heart quickened its pace, pounding in my chest as if trying to escape the confines of my ribcage. Each breath felt shallow, and a lump formed in my throat, making it difficult to find my voice.

The sudden arrival of the person filled the room with an aura of mystery, their intentions hidden behind the mask of a closed door. My mind raced with questions, and the fear of the unknown gripped me tightly. I felt like a vulnerable prey, aware that any wrong move could invite danger.

"You could at least show yourself! Hiding in the shadows wouldn't make you any scarier than you already are," I said, getting fed up with the fear eating me up.

At that moment, the door became a barrier—a thin veil that separated me from whoever was at the other end and yet, it felt like a barricade protecting me.

As the seconds turned into minutes, the tension in the air grew thicker, almost palpable. I felt like a deer caught in headlights, unable to move, speak, or discern the person's true intentions.

In