Scared Stiff

Pen gliding smoothly over paper felt gratifying to Victor. His strokes seemed to sail, as though the pen willed it. Victor paused to marvel at his work. They began as doodles, but as Victor became absorbed in the moment they evolved.

A twitch in his thumb broke the spell, and the moment evaporated. Slumping into his chair Victor reached for a walnut. As he squeezed the nutcracker, Victor’s thumb lost purchase, and the nut clattered on the floor. Grunting, he tried again. His fingers felt heavy. In moments his arms refused to comply, his hands utterly unresponsive.

Victor gaped soundlessly.