In "On Fortune's Wheel" by Cynthia Voigt, the protagonist experiences an overwhelming sense of fear that envelops her completely, akin to a dark cloud pressing down on her. This intense emotion prevents her from taking action, leaving her in a state of helplessness as she braces for an unseen threat. The suffocating nature of her fear is depicted vividly as it tries to invade her thoughts and expressions, leaving her immobilized with anxiety.
As she drifts in a small boat through a foggy landscape, the girl clings to the hope that the danger surrounding her might overlook her vulnerability. The scene captures her profound isolation and the tension between her fear and the uncertainty of her fate. Ultimately, it illustrates a poignant moment of waiting and longing for safety against an ambiguous peril.