Sudden death

It's never sudden death.
Never.
It's a slow, cancerous death.
Sneaking up uninvited.
Manipulative.
Blending itself casually as if it is exactly where it belongs.
Hissing eerily every once in a while, like a snake does before it attacks its prey.
Retreating only right before it is exposed.
Taking cover.
Reappearing wearing a different skin.
Venomous.
Striking when it's most powerful.
Causing death.
Creating an illusion.
Of sudden death.
But it is never sudden death.