I am one of those people who find bondage with accompanying peril very erotic. As a child, I used to watch "Batman" episodes purely for its peril and bondage aspects (to this day I enjoy watching reruns of this program). Certain science fiction fantasy stories, cartoons, and horror films with peril also induce erotic reactions.

But these stories almost always end with a last minute rescue that I find unsatisfying. Thus, my fantasies often revolve around peril but end with the hero or heroine meeting the planned horrible fate. Some of these fantasies are quite gruesome.

Frankly, I am at a loss to explain why I find such fantasies erotic. I don't find the real thing erotic at all. I get angry when I read of real life violence. Confronted with real situations similar to my fantasies, I don't think I would find them erotic (and I don't plan to ever find out).

I am looking for some reasonable speculation about why some people (including myself) find such fantasies erotic. I don't claim to be perfectly normal, but from reading newsgroups and other writings, there are others who seem to share the attraction to these kinds of fantasies.

One of the most gruesome and horrible deaths I can imagine is to be boiled alive. There is something truly hideous both psychologically and physically about such a fate. Inexplicably, I find fantasies about this very peril highly erotic. I can't help but wonder why.

For those psychologists and therapists who are reading this missive: no, there are no horrible childhood experiences that can be conveniently blamed for this fetish. I grew up in a exceedingly normal suburban setting with loving parents, no abuse, and two dogs. Further, I can clearly remember finding peril exciting as far back as I can remember (easily back as far as the age of five or six). I would blame genetics but I can't really buy the idea that there are fetish genes. Perhaps you would like to share your views on this topic.