Confessing my biggest fear isn't a problem – choosing just one is the issue. Snakes, the dark, an assailant in the dark, birds (specifically pet birds that are allowed out of their cages), big fish and heights. It's amazing I leave the house every day, come to think of it.
Since Halloween is coming up, we Insiders decided to confess our fears, and we made you do it, too, readers. We also followed up on a rumor that the library was haunted (see related links). We might have doctored the photos a bit for dramatic effect, but rest assured, it was a creepy experience.
If you're not too creeped out, check out our Halloween events spectacular. There's plenty going on to keep you busy this weekend, whether you're looking for a frightful night or not.
Okay, readers . . . fess up!
1.) Letting a shade up at night and finding a face in the window staring back at me.
2.) Having a shade suddenly fly up when I’m alone in the house at night.
3.) Noticing the cat going suddenly alert late at night, ears standing up straight and looking bug-eyed, then shooting under the couch to hide. Last time she did this we had a bear in the yard.
4.) A “Twilight Zone” episode involving a monster on a plane wing peeking in at a passenger but disappearing when the stewardess looked out. He pulls the shade down but when he opens it again the monster is staring it at him. (See No. 1.)
I haven’t face my fears. I try very hard not to raise the shades until daylight. We kept the cat. I don’t watch “Twilight Zone” much anymore.
Maralyn Doyle, Newbury
Definitely spiders. Not the ones with legs you can barely see, like daddy long legs, but the ones with the thick legs that look like they’re about to jump. They move really fast and it’s freaky the way their legs move (shudder). I face them frequently – every time I venture into the basement or one crawls up the vents into my bedroom. Yikes!
Kate Marcille
Rats. I hate rats. Any kind of rats, even the lab rats. Hate them with a passion. Rats, that is. Or mice – rats are just mice on steroids.
Kevin Trottier, Concord
When I was a teenager, I was babysitting and there was a little mouse that came walking across the floor in the living room where we were sitting. I couldn’t panic because I had to look brave in front of the two kids I was watching. So I swallowed my fear and had one kid fetch a broom and dustpan, and the other kid stand ready to open the door outside. I corralled the mouse in the dustpan and quickly let it out the door to the yard, trying not to shriek. The mouse probably ran right back to whatever hole it used to get in the house in the first place, but I made myself a hero in the eyes of the kids!
Heather Barrett, Concord
I am constantly afraid that my teeth could fall out or be knocked out. I have frequent nightmares about it! The dreams usually don’t involve any trauma. I just bite down too hard, and my front tooth just pops right out. I just really don’t want to end up with a toothless grin.
Tricia Maunsell Pappathan, Methuen, Mass.
The only frightening thing about Halloween to me is the sight of about 100, 2-foot gremlins appearing on my doorstep each year and shouting TRICK or TREAT!!!
Um . . . I give ’em some treats.
The Wicked Witch of West,
Ruth Lassonde, Concord
Horses and clowns freak me out. A clown riding a horse – forget it!
Angie Lane
I fear snakes, horror flicks, and dishonest people
Roseanne Cota, Concord
I am about to buy my first home. The previous owner died in the living room from a major heart attack at 60. From what I understand, he was the nicest guy ever, but a little piece of me is concerned about a haunting in my new home.
Corey Garland, Concord
My biggest fear is there is going to be this horrific storm that will creep up in the middle of the night and trees will come crashing down and fall in and it will be like armageddon.
Marilyn Anne Fraser, Concord
Okay, here’s my fear, but you have to promise not to mention my name. This could wreck my world – I am a 6-foot-1, 390-pound “dude” and I am scared apocalypsely (if that is a word) of the dentist. I am the one you read about who has to be heavily sedated for whatever it is that they do – extractions, root canals, routine cleanings, etc. PLEASE do not use my name. I have a rep to protect . . . (Ed. – Normally we’d protest, but since you’re story is so funny, we’re granting you anonymity. It’s our gift to you on Halloween.)
Wishes to remain nameless
This is a fun topic, albeit a little embarrassing. I love rodents, amphibians and the likes, but I have a visceral fear of daddy long legs. Also drive thrus and walking on frozen ponds.
Sarah Earle, Loudon
No, it’s not clowns, it’s those G&*%@*n flying monkeys from the, “Wizard of Oz” that kept me up as a kid. Now, it’s tax season. Ahh, now you’ve got me longing for the flying monkeys.
Cary Gladstone, Concord
My biggest fear? I would have to say it’s spiders and bugs!! Ever since I was little, I have been terrified of them, especially spiders!! And everyone in my family knows it, even to this day. I remember when I was little my mother would take spiders and come towards me with them, knowing I was afraid of them.
Bonnie Littlefield, Concord
