Did you ever notice that the scariest words start with S? Take S-s-s-spooky. Just the word sends shivers down my spine. So I took that idea and made a list I find scary.
10. Spook is another name for a ghost, but where ghost conjures up cute images like Casper, in my mind spook is the sheet-clad figure shifting through shadows.
9. Swamp is the site for slithery, slimy, sucking muck. The victim always stumbles into the swamp, tries to escape and sinks.
8. Sarcophagus is more frightening than a simple tomb or crypt. Picture the stone lid sliding aside for Dracula to ease out in his nightly hunt for blood.
7. Shadows move and shift in the darkness. Shadows conceal the evil things we strain to see. Shadows appear in places they don’t belong. Shadows dog our steps.
6. Shape-shifters are more terrifying than werewolves since they can assume any form.
5. Skeletons are a Halloween favorite to hang outside. They rattle in the wind. Or make a click-click-clicking noise as they sneak along the hallway of the old mansion.
4. Skulls are skinless, eyeless, sometimes toothless shapes, all that remain of the place considered strong enough to protect our brains. Skulls remind us of their past humanity.
3. Snakes are slithery and slippery. Asps hiss.
2. Stake is not exactly scary until you put it in the context of killing Dracula or staking out your enemy on an anthill.
1. Samhain (pronounced Sow-een) is the Druid or witch celebration of the holiday we renamed Halloween. Samhain is the time when the curtain between worlds is thinnest and allows the creatures from the other side to come into our world. Souls, demons, incubi, ghosts can roam freely and do. Fear they will not return is the reason for November 1st to be called All Souls Day and a day of prayer in many religions.
I’m sure you can think of more s’s. You’re welcome to add them to my list.
Barbara Edwards writes paranormal romance.
Ancient Blood, Book Two Finding Rhodes End Series-blurb
Lily Alban escapes a murderous stalker, but his vicious attack leaves her with the ability to see auras. She finds safety in the tiny hamlet of Rhodes End where a stranger stands out like a red light. Try as she might to deny her growing desire for Cole, she seeks his help but soon discovers the man she loves is not a man at all.
Werewolf Cole Benedict resists his attraction to Lily. A botanist researching the healing herbs to find a cure for Lycanthropy, he’s determined to protect Lily from her stalker as well as himself even in human form, but instinct takes over when he changes to his inner beast.
Together they must use their extraordinary gifts to catch Lily’s stalker before he attacks again, but revealing their secrets to one another could destroy their growing love or save them both.
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8 comments:
Interesting list of "S" words. I'd never thought of this, but I do agree--all those words are creepy and scary.
Signed: The Biggest Scaredy Cat in the World--Celia
Fantastic list, Barbara! Besides being fun to read, all that sibilance is a great demonstration of the power of language.
SCRAM!
SLITHER Can't you just see the long grass rustling as the slippery, slidy creature slithers closer...
Fun blog, Barbara!
Well done, Barb. Loved the list and the alliteration. I learned something from your #1. I do love learning something new. Thanks!
I love you, Barbara. I never think of these things.
I can't think of any to add, but then you have a top notch list without any help from me. Thanks for making the ordinary seem...scary, Barb.
Hi Barbara,
No, I can't come up with anything to add to your list, but that was so interesting.
Regards
Margaret
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