Captured by Horror at the Early Age of Seven

by Chris Perea
(Austin, TX)

I was an innocent impressionable young mind caught up in the "fads" of the 80's, watching American Gladiators with my family. When a clip flashed across the T.V., 20/20 " A Real Life Exorcism".

My mother refused to let me watch it, my father could care less and I think maybe just wanted to see a reaction out of me. Laying on the bed with my family watching as this girl possessed by powers unknown. Hiding under the covers just listening to her distorted voice kept telling me to look and I finally did, every part of my body wanted to hide again but I couldn't take my eyes off of the T.V.

Being a religious family my parents explained to me what had taken place. In absolute awe I started to wonder what else is out there so I began to sneak watching horror movies when my parents would leave us with the sitter. My fascination with horror spawned into something that had gotten out of control and thats all that crossed my mind. Scaring people became my passion and Halloween quickly became my Christmas.

To this day some of my friends think I'm crazy because my favorite time to watch The Exorcist or American Werewolf in London is in the middle of the night with my lights turned off and alone!! I want to be scared, being scared is the only thing that keeps me sane all the while the harsh reality of the real world continues to terrify everyone else!!!!