Fears

I'm quite fortunate that I have only one crippling fear, and until this morning when it forced me to go to the gym instead of my usual run along the river I had never really seen it as one that dominated my life in any way. After all, there is only one season a year when this fear becomes a real problem. What am I afraid of? Magpies. From where I stand I can't understand not being afraid of them.
I thought I was doing alright in the scope of irrational fears until this morning, all dressed in my jogging attire, I stepped out my front door only to be faced with the meanest looking magpie you've ever seen. "It's more afraid of you than you are of it," I told myself as I fumbled with my mp3 player, too scared to avert my eyes from my nemesis. Then it happened, as if to prove me wrong the magpie walked right up to me, it's beak sharp as a razor and it's eyes drilling into the very core of my being, there was no way I was the lesser afraid in this situation. Rationally I told myself that everything was okay, magpies only attacked when protecting a nest and it was unlikely that a nest had been built in a tree amongst college buildings.
I must have jumped two feet into the air when the tortling war cry of the magpie sounded from behind me. I was outnumbered. Panicked I looked from one to the other and back again. I was surrounded. The volume of their taunting grew louder and I knew they meant business. I don't know how long I stood there gazing from one to the other, my heart beating up around my throat. I was frozen in fear.
As soon as my legs were able to carry me again I backed into the dorm, keeping my eyes glued to my enemies. Safe inside the safety of my room I could hear their victorious song. They had beaten me. For the first time in quite a while my fear had got the better of me. Was it rational? I'm probably not the one to say.