Onerous - Oppressively heavy or troublesome, often involving responsibility or duty.

lurk - (of a person or animal) be or remain hidden so as to wait in ambush for someone or something

brinkmanship - The art or practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, typically in politics

Crack - To break or cause to break without complete separation of parts, often with a sharp sound.

ominous - Giving the impression that something bad, unpleasant or threatening is going to happen.

Crack - A line on the surface of something where it has split without breaking apart.

plight - A dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation

Deadline - A specific time or date by which something must be completed.

dilemma - A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones

pernicious - Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.

Flammable - Easily set on fire; capable of catching fire quickly.

fester - For negative feelings to get worse because they are not being dealt with