It is hard to do therapy when your cat can't talk!

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When we got Russell from the shelter almost a year ago, we were warned that he had been abused. He had a slight limp: plus, his tail had been broken and cut with shears and had to be amputated because of a serious infection. But, he is such a sweetie; that, we didn't mind the extra work, making him feel secure and safe with us. We though we had made real progress. He is still skittish about things that "flap" and he jumps at sudden sounds; but last night we had a major setback. My son and I were in the kitchen and Russell was in the bathroom off the kitchen (doing what ever kitties do when they are alone in a bathroom). Suddenly, a "sun spider" came running across the floor straight at me! 1) Suns spiders look like a cross between a spider and a scorpion - very "ugly" unless YOU are also a sun spider. 2) I am allergic to ANY spider bite. Needless to say, I screamed! My son stomped; and Russell came crashing out of the bathroom, jumped up on the coounter and sent things flying across the room, and dashed off! He was a very fast moving orange blur! As soon as we calmed down, we went to look for him calling softly; but, he was not in his usual hiding places, did not come out, and we didn't look real hard. Almost 20 minutes later, we were getting worried and started REALLY LOOKING and we found him hiding under the sofa; eyes very wide and dilated and as flat as he could get to the floor as possible. He would NOT come out or even move. I reached under and pulled him out and he was fighting to go back under the sofa; but, I would not let him. Once he was out, it took less than a minute to reassure him that he was OK, safe, and not in any trouble or danger. But, I really wish he could talk, so we could get him to open up about his past and help him get past the abuse he suffered. I have no idea why my scream upset him so badly; but, it must have triggered some really bad memories for him to react the way he did.