Behind the Scream
By noon on Halloween day, the shops had sold out most of their supply of horror costumes, creepy masks, and artificial blood. The items reappeared in the late afternoon, when the town’s younger generation showed up as giggling ghosts and hopscotching witches. Later in the evening, more serious and experienced mummies and cadavers took to the streets, which turned into an exhibition of frightening characters.
Every now and then, screams were heard, sometimes with the intention to scare and sometimes as signs that the intention had succeeded. Everybody was enjoying the free adrenaline rushes.
Suddenly, a different scream was heard. This scream, however, sounded genuinely desperate and didn’t stop. Like a stubborn fire alarm it kept sounding, causing irritation and anger. When people looked for its source, they saw a person with a tormented face and a twisted mouth, expressing agonizing pain.
It was obvious that that face and that scream didn’t belong in the family friendly celebration of death and terror. Make-up hadn’t painted those hollow eyes or those greenish cheeks. The appearance was simply inappropriately human.
As the scream continued, people started muttering that it was disturbing the peace; that the screamer needed a tranquilizer or a straight jacket. Responsible mothers pulled their children closer and brave fathers considered to shut the screamer up with a good whack.
Before that happened, though, a little boy broke out from the crowd and approached the annoying person. Without a word, he gently wrapped his arms around the screamer in a long, warm, generous hug. Immediately, the irritating sound metamorphosed into soft crying which gradually quieted down. The face turned calm and peaceful, with clear signs of beauty and serene peace.
There was an unspoken agreement that the Halloween celebration now was over; that it was time to return home. A strange thought had come to people’s minds which they needed to ponder alone.
Something told them that outer sights and sounds sometimes are deceptive; that they might hide something invisible but very important, maybe even holy. Reluctantly and secretly, some of them admitted their need for a similar, transformative hug.
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Sweet/Scary RunnerUp: An absolutely beautiful story, and one that speaks to each of us deeply. We all present one face to the world, but within most of us is something invisible, important and indeed holy. A very moving story that warrants many readings.
Powerful story, Christer. Liked that description of a human face as being thought of as totally inappropriate for Halloween. Your story shows the power of unconditional hugs/selfless human contact. (only bit I did wonder was why was the person screaming like this? A true supernatural encounter? The mind boggles!)
I don’t think most of us would have to go far to find a similar scream within ourselves. The supernatural is the least of our challenges! I’ll take a ghost over politicians any day.
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Thank you for your comment, Paul. I would like to look at “The Scream” as a symbolic expression of all the human, natural fears, worries, angers, traumatizing memories and frustrations that we (consciously and unconsciously) carry around and do our best to hide and suppress.
The action of the innocent child in the story could be seen, as you point out, as a symbol for unconditional love, something that reminds us of what we have in common and of what can be gained by joining instead of dividing/comparing/competing/defending/attacking.
Even those of us who are screaming on the inside need the occasional hug. I loved the progression of this story Christer. Very nicely done.
Thanks for your nice words, Carrie! Yes, we do need to give – and receive – hugs. They can be very healing.
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Carrie, I was about to say something similar but I like the way you put it instead. I would say those that scream on the inside need a hug the most.
Great work Christer! I love this story.
This is one of your most beautiful stories, Christer – perhaps the most beautiful. I love the way you bring the reader into the world of Halloween night, where screams are not uncommon, and are mostly for fun. As you said, we delight in the flow of adrenaline. But that one scream is very different. Your last paragraph is so moving. I’ve read it over and over. I wonder if you’ve read the book “Care of the Soul” by Thomas Moore? I think he would understand your story very well and recommend a good scream for many spiritual seekers. As always, your story and your viewpoint is profound.
If you only knew how happy it makes me to read your comment, Fuji! It works as a mental hug for me and, with your own words, “I’ve read it over and over.” Thank you so much!
To me, it is interesting that horror, crime, and death are so popular in literature and film. They have their place, of course, but I think they should be counterbalanced by their opposite, for example by the positive ingredients we have in classical fairy tales. In this story, I see the boy as a reminder of the boy in The Emperors New Clothes. They both break the patterns that adults/the majority/“normal people” are following. They do or say something courageous which is natural and honest to somebody who is not corrupted by his surroundings, as most of us are.
I am familiar with Thomas Moore, but I haven’t read Care of the Soul. Thanks for the tip!
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Hello Christer. Many years ago, as a divorced mother of two young boys, the three things I longed for continuously were a long hot bath, a nap, and a good scream. I was raised by two ministers – we did not scream. We didn’t even complain. We did our duty and smiled. Oh boy was I jealous of your protagonist! Like Fuji, I thought this story was one of your best ever. The picture of course heightened the effect. I’m so glad you used that iconic Munch painting. What mother (or father) couldn’t identify with that, and with your story? Great work, Christer.
Thank you very, very much, Julie, for your wonderful comment! I can vividly identify with your situation and your three needs. With your background and training in “how to behave,” the situation must have been quite a challenge for you. “We did our duty and smiled” is a great way to express how you and many other young people were brought up.
I saw that Edward Munch made the painting after he was informed that his beloved sister had been taken to a mental hospital. That piece of information touched me deeply.
As someone who read your story after most others, I can only agree with all the comments and compliments on your story, Christer. A very thought-provoking piece and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
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Thank you very much, Sandra, for your generous comment. I am happy that you enjoyed it.
Wow, nicely written. Yes, yes, yes…we are all screaming inside at times, behind our masks and costumes. Great theme.
I’m glad you appreciated the idea of the story, Heather. The fact that many of us recognize an inner desperation may be why the Munch painting has become a classic.
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I woke up screaming with terror in the middle of the night after reading your story yesterday. Awesome!
On the one hand, I am happy that my story had an effect on you, Dipayan. On the other, I would prefer it if your sleep is undisturbed, lol. I hope next night will be better. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have never experienced a Halloween celebration like yours, Christer because we have a different way of celebration here in our area than yours. But I am grateful that you share your kind of Halloween with me. I loved it. I think your celebration was fun and a bit creepy because of the horror costumes. Nice story, Christer.
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Hello Lotchie – Your comment made me curious. Could you tell us how you celebrate Halloween or All Hallow’s Eve in the Philippines? It’s so interesting to hear how holidays differ around the world. Christer’s description is very similar to the customs in the United States – dressing up in scary costumes, imitating ghosts and ghouls, trying to terrify friends and family, but all in the spirit of fun.
Thanks for reading my story and for commenting, Lotchie. And thanks Julie for your additional comment and question. I repeat it to Lotchie: tell us how you celebrate Halloween in your country, please.
Thank you for asking, Julie and Christer. Our celebration of Halloween here in our area is very different from yours, particularly here in our province. We just visit our loved ones who have passed away in the cemetery and offer flowers, candles, food, and prayers. And if we have an extra budget, we cook more foods that we take to the cemetery for the whole family to share, such as “BIKO, bisayang chicken soup, and more.” For us, those days are very important for commemorating our loved ones who have passed away. We spend all day in the cemetery to spend time with our loved ones who have passed away.
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