Walking the dog down a suburban neighborhood. Late at night. Deep in contemplation. Before I could figure out what my body was doing, I jumped. I thought that perhaps I had come across a raccoon. Maybe a New York City rat who crossed the city limits. Maybe even a cayote. There are such things out here. As I noted further movement, I pulled the dog toward me. Then I figured 5 what was lurking in the shadows. It was me, myself, and I. My very own shadow scared me to the core. I had never before been scared of my shadow. But there it was. Or rather, there it had happened. Chills ran up and down my arm. I breathed out and kept walking. I was fine. I had bern scared by me. What elae was there thereafter?