Let talk specters

What is a thing that haunts you that is more of a second or other hand memory/mental impression rather than a direct experience or set of conditions you had to work within? Note: different from ghost which is something that was presen and now is absent)

It didnt originate with or become a part of you, it just left an original-less copy of a compass that seeks to influence you in impossible directions/choices derived from an experience/set of conditions by which you were seemingly affected but never actually objectively experienced?

I guess a concrete example like a 911 near-miss anecdote is good or maybe Im way off but feel free to write. Im feeling pensive