Shernaz recreates the horror of Halloween in this story – exclusively for Different Truths.

The lights had been blinking on and off for a while. Some fault with the power supply, I thought switching off the light after I finished cooking. My husband wouldn’t be home for another hour, so I decided to soak in the tub, with a glass of my favourite wine, soft music and scented candles. In less than ten minutes of having stepped into the bath as I began to give in to the tranquilising effect of music and warm water, I heard it again.

The first time I was in the kitchen, I presumed it was part of the lyrics of a new song on the radio. But when I heard, “I see you,” in the shower, I got the creeps. My instant reaction was to sink further into the tub; it sent a chill through my bones, but I decided to investigate stealthily. Getting hastily out of the bath tub, I nervously threw the bathrobe around my body and ran to my bed. Glancing around, I wore some clothes and tiptoed out warily. I was afraid I would be seen again yet I felt safer with some lights on. Once more the spine-chilling voice, “You can’t hide from me”. I was so terrified it was difficult to determine where the voice came from.

Just then there was a strange sound outside the front door. Mustering every ounce of courage I asked shakily, “Who’s at the door?”

My neighbour answered, so with a sigh of relief I opened it to let her in. Seeing the “non-person” outside, I was petrified. The apparition leered toothlessly; it had a red glimmer where the eyes should have been and suddenly a foul smell hit my nostrils. Before a scream could escape my constricted throat, it was inside my house with a rude shove. A stack of wooden squares in one hand and a rope coiled around the other.

Wetter than when I had stepped out of the bath I quaked; the rope had begun to hiss and only then I realised it was a viper getting ready to strike. Petrified, I next noticed a hideous scorpion slithering out of the stack of wooden squares. It was hairy, fat, of an indescribable colour and slimy; my spine crawled with another wave of the heebie jeebies. An icy sweat began to trickle down my brows.  I tried to shriek but no sound emerged from my drily gasping lips; I quivered like a lone leaf hanging on to the tree for dear life. The apparition moved towards the sitting room. I wanted to rush out of the house but with a banshee’s scream it rooted me to my spot. I slowly sank to the floor in a near faint. 

That’s when a familiar laughter echoed in ears. My neighbour removed her horrifying mask and said, “Ha, ha! I got you there. I didn’t think I could scare the daylights out of you. How did you forget it’s Halloween? I just took advantage of the fluctuating power supply. This viper and scorpion are both battery operated toys. Yoo, hoo!”

For a while I glared angrily at her and almost threw her out of the house. Then, aware of the absurdity of the situation, I also began to laugh. We sat down to relish some ice-cream with a sponge cake.

There again! That eerie voice and the appalling smell!

“How dare you enjoy the ice-cream by yourselves? That too my favourite flavour! You know I can see you,” it said uncannily.

Hilda put down her bowl and glanced around apprehensively.

“Where are you, you creep? Coward, come show yourself to us”, challenged Hilda with feigned fearlessness.

“Don’t you dare me,” snapped that gruesome voice again. It seemed to come from every direction. Dread had made me lose perspective. I wanted Hilda to shut up. But she was not the kind to keep quiet in the face of lurking danger even to life.

“Are you a ghost? The devil himself can’t scare me”. A ghostly laughter drew the last ounce of courage from me.

Ice-creams forgotten, we held tightly on to each other’s arms. Hilda was slightly pale but kept up her show of bravery.

“Into the open, whoever and wherever you are”, she spat out. 

I was glued to the edge of the sofa, stony-eyed and speechless. Eerie silence!    

After a few suspenseful moments something rustled behind the study door. Bit by bit it began to slide open with a squeak that hadn’t been there earlier. Then, one hirsute leg stretched out as if it was dancing to some inaudible jungle drums; a repulsive hand and shoulder followed. We were stupefied now but couldn’t move and make a dash for the front door. Steadily, in slow motion, a masterpiece of horror and repugnance stood in front of us, growling and dancing savagely. I had never felt so revolted or scared even by bloodcurdling creepy-crawlies.  

Darkness! Total darkness engulfed me. I had no idea for how long I had lain sprawled on the floor where I fell when I fainted. When I came to my neighbour was bent over me with great alarm and I noticed my husband too was home. He looked pallid and terribly upset. They had been trying to revive me, sprinkling water on my face, calling out to me. When I came around they eyed each other in a way I could not decipher. I thought I was still too groggy and that’s when I noticed something else… another macabre Halloween costume on the floor near the study door.

The first ray of reality socked me in the face! In a fit of hysteria, I screeched, “So that was what you both were aiming for! I am aghast.  Wanted me dead and out of your way, you varmint, so you could dance over my dead body. I hate you; I hate you. Tonight, itself I will call my father. I’ll ask him to hire me the best lawyer in town. I want a divorce from you, monster…” I went on and on flailing at my husband with clenched fists.

 “And you, you @#$%^, backstabber, betrayer….” I now turned-on Hilda and hit her hard, then back at my husband as they both tried to calm me.        

Shock was etched all over their faces, eyes questioning each other, while they tried to pacify me! They might as well have thrown petrol on raging fire. I went berserk! Ballistic as I spat venom at them, “So you thought you’d get rid of me and call it an accident, eh? But I am still here. Now I’ll show you my true colours and yours to society! Oh God, why did I not die? Why did I live to see the truth?” I gnashed my teeth.

“I want no explanations and excuses you b….! Get out of my house. No, I’ll leave you traitors to have a mushy, cosy night together.”

I had said a lot more not fit to be printed here. Now they were numb with disbelief at my reaction. They stood stock still not knowing what to do and afraid I would explode again like Kilauea.

I was beginning to feel exhausted from the unpredictably eventful evening. It had taken sudden hairpin bends and I had no energy left in me. They were seriously wondering whether they should give me a sedative and put me to bed or should call for some expert advice on how to handle me.

Certain I had given them a scare neither would ever forget I convulsed with uncontrollable laughter as I fell drunkenly into my husband’s arms.

Without a costume, without gadgets, I had evened the score and got the last laugh! That Halloween evening was mine to brag about forever.

Picture design by Anumita Roy, Different Truths

Shernaz Wadia

To Shernaz Wadia, reading and writing poems has been one of the means to embark on an inward journey. She hopes her words will bring peace, hope and light into dark corners. Her poems have been published in many e-journals and anthologies. She has published her own book of poems "Whispers of the Soul" and another titled "Tapestry Poetry - A Fusion of Two Minds" with her poetry partner Avril Meallem.

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