He jerked his arm back, and for a single terrible instant thought his hand was gone.

In that terrible instant, he crossed the line into distrust.

Perhaps he shrieked aloud - but the terrible instant was already past.

Then, for one miraculous but terrible instant, they seemed to dive through a hole.

For one terrible instant their eyes locked on each other.

I was almost certain she died in that terrible instant of impact.

For a terrible instant they had to work to keep each other on their feet.

For a terrible instant, he thought the message wouldn't pass between them.

But much of my family was taken from me in one terrible instant, a long time ago.

After that one terrible instant of realization, they were fighting for their lives.