Literary Reference

I remember reading a passage in a novel. I'm fairly sure it was a science fiction and/or fantasy narrative. I can't remember the details, I can't remember the setting, I can only remember an exchange that took place between two characters.

One of the character looked up at the other.

"I am afraid."

That's all that they said. I am afraid. One simple statement, with no embellishment. There is power in those words.

Right now?

I am afraid.

I turned in a paper. The professor wanted us to use a different structural format then we usually work with; I tried to research it, but I was buried beneath other, longer essays and couldn't find any pertinent references or examples. I took a guess at what he wanted and turned it in.

I am afraid. Afraid that I didn't do well, that I did the wrong thing entirely - it's a petty reason. But I am afraid.