DREAD

DREAD

Sight

• Dim, flickering lights casting long, eerie shadows
• Dark, ominous clouds gathering on the horizon
• Abandoned, decrepit buildings with boarded-up windows
• Figures or shapes lurking in the periphery of vision
• Flickers of movement just at the edge of sight

Sound

• The low, ominous rumble of thunder in the distance
• An eerie silence, where even the usual background noise is absent
• The sudden, sharp creak of a floorboard or door hinge
• Whispers or indistinct murmurs that seem to come from nowhere
• The pounding of one’s own heartbeat in their ears

Smell

• The musty, stale odor of a long-forgotten place
• The sharp, metallic scent of fear-induced sweat
• The faint smell of something burning or acrid in the air
• Damp earth and decaying leaves in a dark forest
• The sour tang of spoiled food or garbage

Taste

• A dry mouth, as if all moisture has been drained away
• The bitter taste of bile rising in the throat
• The metallic tang of blood from biting one’s own lip
• A sour, queasy feeling in the stomach
• The unpleasant aftertaste of fear-induced nausea

Touch

• A cold, clammy sensation on the skin
• Goosebumps or the hair standing up on the back of the neck
• A tightening in the chest or a knot in the stomach
• Trembling hands or legs
• The sensation of being watched or a prickling at the back of the neck

Internal Sensations

1. Anxiety and Fear: A pervasive sense of unease and fear about an upcoming event or potential outcome.
2. Tension: Muscular tension, especially in the shoulders, neck, or stomach.
3. Gastrointestinal Distress: Nausea, stomach aches, or a feeling of butterflies in the stomach.
4. Heart Palpitations: A rapid, irregular, or forcefully beating heart.
5. Breathing Changes: Shallow, rapid breathing or a feeling of being unable to breathe deeply.
6. Mental Strain: Racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, or obsessive thinking about the source of dread.
7. Emotional Overwhelm: Feelings of helplessness or despair, sometimes leading to emotional numbness.

External Sensations

1. Sweating: Increased perspiration, often cold sweats, which may be noticeable without physical exertion.
2. Chills or Flushing: Feeling cold or experiencing chills, or alternatively, flushing and feeling overheated.
3. Trembling or Shaking: Noticeable trembling or shaking of the hands, legs, or entire body.
4. Facial Expressions: Frowning, a furrowed brow, or a tense expression.
5. Avoidance Behaviors: Procrastination on decisions or actions related to the source of dread, or physical avoidance of places, people, or activities.
6. Vocal Changes: Changes in tone or pitch, perhaps speaking more quietly or hesitantly than usual.