Five freaky photos and the truly terrifying fears they represent

1. Face in the mirror

Have you ever had to muster the courage to look at your reflection? Ever seen something move behind your shoulder? Even worse, have you caught a glimpse of a face other than yours? Even if you haven't, do you ever worry you will?

I do, frequently.

2. Being followed up the stairs

Time for bed. You check the front door, switch off the lights downstairs and switch on the lights upstairs. In front of you as you climb, bright lights and bed. Behind you... shadows and- something else?

I've been known to climb stairs sideways, keeping my back to the wall, in order to keep watch for- something.

 

 

3. Shadow People

Like many others, I know shadow people to be very real. Normally, only a glimpse is caught before they disappear, but they have been known to linger long enough to scare the living daylights out of witnesses. They say that the more you know about them, the closer they come.

I used to share a house with one who regularly stood at the bottom of the stairs, and often climbed them- but that's a story for another time...

4. Stranger in the back seat

We've all heard this story, right? Driving alone at night, glancing into the rearview mirror and seeing a pair of eyes that shouldn't be there. Spooky... This has many incarnations, from woman in white-types to avenging spirits. I even used it in Late: a ghostly tale (which, incidentally, is free next week). 

When leaving work after dark, I have to reverse towards a pitch-black field in order to turn my car around. I always expect to see someone looking back at me but, so far, there never has been. So far...

5. Unseen prowler

Anyone with pets will know what I'm talking about here. You're sat on the sofa, relaxed, when suddenly your dog or cat sits bolt upright, hackles raised, and growls (or hisses)  at something outside that you can't see.

Alfie, my border terrier, often growls at the window when I've forgotten to close the curtains. It's incredibly eerie, even though I tell myself he's just growling at his own reflection, or a cat, or branches waving in the wind. What if he's not?

What else frightens you? Send your scariest pictures to louisewestwriter@gmail.com and I'll include them in a blog post next week.

Until then, sweet dreams- and don't forget to close the curtains...