Afraid of the Unseen

I can’t watch scary movies. It doesn’t matter how unrealistic or far-fetched the premise—they freak me out.

The Origin of My Fear

It all started when I was a small child. I heard the story called “People Can Lick Too.” The story goes like this: One night, a woman heard a constant dripping noise. She got up to check the faucet—no drips. When she got back into bed, she hung her hand over the side. Her faithful dog licked her hand reassuringly. The next morning, she woke to find her dog dead, dripping blood in the shower. A small note beside the bed read, “people can lick too.”

Childhood Bedtime Rituals 

As a child, when I went to bed, I would always pull the covers up to my chin. I kept my hands and feet covered. If—by some unfortunate series of events—I needed to get out of bed, I would leap from the bed. This way, no one underneath would be able to grab me.

Now, I sleep with my limbs all exposed to the night. I laugh at my children’s escapades to elude “spooks.”

But…Spooky Things Still Linger

When my boys were small, we would occasionally ask one of them to go downstairs to get a jar of pickles or a roll of paper towels. They would never argue or complain but would always get the other brother to go downstairs with him. I know that spooky things still live in our house to this day.

The Shower Curtain Dilemma

There is a shower curtain in the bathroom upstairs. I like it extended fully across the opening to conceal the tub and the accompanying toiletries that the kids keep on the surrounding ledge. But because this curtain could conceal an intruder or some other unwanted visitor, it is always pulled to one side. So, shampoo bottles, conditioning treatments, facial scrubs, and body wash are all exposed to the world.

A Lasting Impression

I understand this problem with the shower area. Many years ago, probably in 8th grade, I watched my first “Halloween” movie. For years after, I would wash my face as quickly as possible. I didn’t want to be watched by some sinister maniac trying to murder me.

So, while I may laugh now at my children’s antics and sleep with my limbs daringly exposed, the spooky tales of my past still have their hold on my imagination. Just don’t ask me to watch a horror movie anytime soon—you never know what might be lurking in the shadows!

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