title: PHOBIAS: STORIES OF YOUR DEEPEST FEARS
author: Wendy Webb
description: This gripping anthology of original stories about people tangled in terror will leave readers wondering if their own fears could one day grow into paralyzing phobias. Kathryn Ptacek presents a professional woman with a burgeoning fear of body hair: what begins as a compulsion to shave her legs and underarms eventually has Maggie plucking and shaving her entire body, then even the golden locks of her young daughter. Jerry and Sharon Ahern's tale features a man obsessed with a fear of dying in his sleep. He kidnaps a hypnotherapist, whom he plans to kill after he forces her to treat him; in revenge for her imminent death, she plants an even more dangerous phobia in his mind. In Nancy Collins's story, sinister incidents unfold behind closed doors: Mrs. Meredith, the narrator's neighbor, refuses to leave her house for years after her son is born; the situation deteriorates until Mr. Meredith finally leaves town. After years of seclusion with his mother, the son comes to the narrator's family for help, and they find Mrs. Meredith has died in childbirth. Greenberg and Gilliam are veteran anthology editors; Kramer is a writer and psychiatric consultant; Webb is a writer and nurse. <br />Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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  THE SCUM OF ALL FEARS
  
  
  By Christy Barritt
  
  
  
  
  
  The Scum of All Fears: A Novel
  
  
  Copyright 2013 by Christy Barritt
  
  
  
  
  
  Published by River Heights Press
  
  
  
  
  
  Cover design by The Killion Group
  
  
  
  
  
  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be
  re-sold or given away to other people. Thank you for respecting the hard work
  of this author.
  
  
  
  
  
  The persons and events portrayed in this work are the creation of the author,
  and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## CHAPTER 1
  
  
  “You really think your niece Clarice can handle cleaning crime scenes?” As I
  waited for my friend Sharon’s answer, I leaned against the cool, granite
  counter of my favorite hang out, The Grounds coffeehouse, and took a sip of my
  iced latte. Warm drinks were my preference, but today was sweltering. Besides,
  the sugary, dairy delight was free, so who was I to complain?
  
  
  Sharon averted her gaze from me and c