no sound
but I am wrenched out of dreamland, heart racing, eyes wide open to the sable darkness
a terrified wild creature crouching among the leaves on the forest floor
the predator approaching

no sound
but senses blazing red alert, I feel the door opening, slowly, slowly
blacker against black, a figure glides inside, knife blade a sullen beacon
looming over me

no sound
but sour stench of fear gags my whimpering moans
my body clamped helpless to its bed by the iron bounds of instinct
I lie frozen, my booming heart making wild music with my silent screams for help

no sound
but panic-sharpened vision marks the eerie shadow slink lupine
through the open door and vanish in the gloom
leaving its stink behind

SOUNDS! LIGHTS!
keen eyed detectives, barking dogs, protective family and friends fill the ransacked house
calmly, wits collected, I watch as the police take away a small, thin man in handcuffs
he seemed so much bigger in the darkness, swollen with evil intent

no sound
but for months I wake, dry-mouthed with fear, at the darkest hour of the night