> "The silence is a fat, juicy bug that I want to squash. It is a spider web that catches my breath and chokes me. It is a dark, deep well that I am falling into."
Here, Melinda gives human-like qualities to the silence she experiences. It's not just quiet; it's a physical entity that actively suffocates and traps her. This personification emphasizes the overwhelming nature of her isolation and the way it feels like a tangible force against her.