Sharing thoughts

While using the word "hooks" in a dark metaphor, what do you think the most suitable verb to use?

Hmm.. I don't know

but this come to mind: pierce, perforate, penetrate?

what do you want to say?

Stab, slash, eviscerate, puncture

or

catch, snare, capture

Let's say I will use the verb "snare" later on, but before that I want to say that : the hooks are "waiting" for the demons .... Any alternative for the verb "waiting" ?

Waiting- coming up, in the making, in the offing, in store, to come.

To use the word hook in a dark metaphor-well all that popped into my head was torture, nightmare, pained, stretching...digging into the flesh!

Salivating hooks