True fear. I haven't experienced that for a long while. I have been startled by something or someone, but normally that ends up in a laugh, and the feeling is over. However, when something really truly frightens you, the effects last much longer.

Tonight, I was on my way home from a friends house, travelling the same route I always take. The speed limit on the road is 25 miles per hour. No one that I know of, ever goes that slow on this road. It has been one of the places that police can set up a speed trap and nail a lot of people. I am cruising along between 40 and 45 mph. I go past the one intersection that has a street light on the corner. I just catch a glimpse of the light bar on top of the car . I attempt to slow down before I pass in front of him, but I didn't see him quick enough.

I am continue on, closely eyeing my rear view. I see him pull out from the intersection, turn my way, and flip on the lights. My heart jumps automatically, and then starts racing in my chest. I curse loudly, and my passenger asks me what's wrong. I tell her I'm being pulled over, and she asks, "for what?" I say for going too fast. I brake, and start pulling the car over to the side of the road. By this time, my palms get sweaty, my hands begin to shake, and I can feel my heart bouncing off the inside of my chest.

Again, I eye the rear view, and he's getting closer. I reach over inconspicuously to pull the seatbelt across me, that I had forgotten to put on, and I look up again. I notice that he's not slowing down, and I stare in the rear view. Closer he comes, closer, then zooms right past. I sat there for a few seconds, taking deep breaths. I squeeze the steering wheel under my fingers, and shake my head. I look over at my passenger and say, "I so much thought I was going to get pulled over."

The whole situation probably lasted all but 30 seconds or so. Here it is 3 hours later, yet I am still feeling the affects of it. I was honestly scared out of my mind, even though nothing really happened. However, that split second caused more fear than a lot of other situations that should have.

Even though this great fear was put into me, and I don't want it to happen again, I honestly don't think it will make me not go as fast on that road. This is probably the 1st time out of more than 100 times on that road that I have seen a cop. Most of the time I have an eye for them, and I see them in plenty of time to slow down. Still young... still think I am invincible...

---