...of shock

The ensuing silence seemed indeterminable, as though the night had stopped dead. I wanted to run but couldn't move. I was trembling, I think, with cold and shock. I told myself I had to act quickly, nut I felt an irresistible weakness flood through my body. I forget what I thought at that moment. "Too late, too far away..." or something like that. I kept on listening, not moving. Then, slowly, I walked away through the rain. I reported the incident to no one.

[The Fall, Camut, A.]