Fear: A Fascinating Lens
It was a dark and stormy night. The rain fell in torrents, except that not a single drop touched the night of TSBC's Spooky Halloween soirée. Members were greeted upon entrance by witches and ghosts in a dimly lit room, setting the eerie tone for the evening. It was fantastic to see the creative costumes everyone had conjured up. For this one night of the year, witches, ghouls, and bloody murderers gathered to discuss books and swap scary stories.
Separated into smaller groups, mine found a spot in the corner of the second floor. We formed a circle in the fashion of pagan rituals, with a single lit candle flickering at the center. The only thing missing was a pentagram or a Ouija board to summon spirits from the beyond—perhaps they would have liked to join the conversation too, who knows? Shrouded in almost complete darkness, save for the candlelight, I could hardly make out the faces around me.
Masks, integral to some costumes, made recognition even more challenging. Someone suggested playing soundtracks from horror movies, which heightened the chilling atmosphere exponentially. Enthralled, we each took turns recounting the tales of terror from our chosen books.
As we immersed ourselves in our discussions, a tall, looming figure with long hair suddenly appeared, ascending the stairs and drifting through the corridors. The combination of darkness and the eerie soundtrack had us all on edge. It turned out to be Hanin in a kebaya ensemble, complete with a long-haired wig—a look that earned him the best costume award, as voted by the members.
Although specific genres had been suggested to help frame the event's overall theme, it was fascinating to see the diverse interpretations of "spooky." What one person finds terrifying is deeply subjective. As we delved into books by Gillian Flynn, Abdullah Harahap, and Agustina Bazterrica, we explored themes ranging from comedic, vengeful ghosts to dystopian depictions of dehumanization.
When dissected, fear becomes a fascinating lens through which we can examine our perceived threats, whether physical or emotional. Yet, as we discovered, the true horrors are often closer to us—grounded in the realm of the living. The supernatural paled in comparison to the harsh and unsettling realities of our everyday lives.