staring back at her in the cracked mirror was a face she had not seen in 20 years.
This face was fear
real fear
fear you can see in someone’s eyes
hear in their voice
see in their stance and presence
she had been afraid in the past
but never like this
she felt hollow
vulnerable
empty
frightened of her own stare
consumed by her internal fear
there in the bathroom she shivered
determined not to look back
for fear of what she would see when she turned
goose bumps appeared on her thin arms
her face was numb
her eyes were glassy
she tried to speak but her words were strained
she saw her tendons popping out of her neck
her fear had reached a breaking point
strange images began materializing
her life was flashing before her
a child was being pushed down a flight of stairs
a teenager was being held under a police light
a successful, powerful adult was in her room alone crying
The room was cold
Her face frozen
Her tears icicles against her pale skin