Considering this, it occurred to me that there's a common theme here. Apparently, what frightens me the most profoundly? Plague.
The thought that popped into my head immediately after? I should write a book with a plague! Imagine all the emotional agony I'd have to draw on!
I don't know if I ever will write a plague book. But it's a little comforting to know that my creative side isn't so selfish as to stop at torturing my characters. It's clearly quite eager to torture me as well. :P