They did it again. If I were an editor, I'd watch out for anything out of the ordinary in my workspace, just a hunch. No threat, I swear! *cough* It's the spooks! Honest. Bloody poltergeists...
Deciding to be a good, little peon um... subordinate writer, I accepted my assignment for another interview and went on my merry way. I sent off Lugh's owl -who was NOT pleased to see me I might add- and coordinated a time and place to meet with our latest Heir of Slytherin -the lovely Alyssa.
Kalina: Good morning, Alyssa! I thank you for agreeing to meet with me during daylight. I've found that weeks of research into the supernatural and undead have left me a bit unnerved. I've been in contact with a few too many spooks and spectres recently for my tastes.
What are your general thoughts on the supernatural and/or the horror genre?
Alyssa: I think the supernatural and/or the horror genre touches everyone's deepest and secret fear. It can be advantageous or disadvantageous for one person depending on how they take, see, or use that genre in their life. For me, it is advantageous because I can bravely expect most of the worst scenarios I can experience, and it makes me more alert to what's happening around me.
Kalina: Oh my! You are certainly far braver than I!
Do you believe in ghosts? If so, have you ever had an encounter with something supernatural?
Alyssa: I do believe in ghosts, even though I don't see them.
I have a lot of experience with it. One of the recent incidents was when I was in my former university around October or November, and I went inside the restroom in one of the oldest buildings of that school, then the door just closed hard as if someone had just pulled a prank on me. What's scary was that the place had no students around that time since they were in their classes and the windows were all closed, so the probability that the air did it was excluded. The next week, a school paper team was granted ghost hunting in the school for the school paper's Halloween special, and they said they saw a dark figure in the restroom I went to, and the door kept closing and opening, so they left that building in a hurry. It made me never go or pass by that floor anymore, even though it was a shortcut to another building.
This was taken from my university's school paper LINK
"The group decides to walk down the hall to get a better inspection of the floor, but before they could, a call from one member makes them look back to see the door of the girls' comfort room ajar, swinging in a repetitive motion, as if shaking.
The group walks closer to the door, wondering why it was moving so rapidly. One member, April, walks a little closer as the others stop; she stares directly at the door waiting for something that would come out. The door still shaking, April's face swiftly changes from calm to greatly fearful, and starts to run away from the door. The aim to inspect any paranormal occurrences fades and the natural instinct to run takes over them. They run to the opposite end of the building; sprinting through the long hallway with screams and camera flashes. Being a group of non-athletic writers, they rest at the end of the hallway. But before they can even catch their breath or think about what just happened, a door slams shut from the boys' comfort room. With yet another shock, the group already in a panic, hastily runs down the stairs and out of the building. The group then makes their way back to their home base inside the office.
After having enough time to rest from the tiring run, April shares that it was a black figure that seemed to be lurking around the girl's restroom. She explains that her trigger to run was when the figure seemed to move out of the door (this was also seen by some of the members) so out of fear that it might come after them, she ran. It is unclear whether it is the same entity that caused the boy's restroom door to shut close before they all ran down the stairs."
Kalina: *adjusts her collar a bit and fidgets* No thank you. We get enough of that here at Hogwarts between Myrtle and Peeves, let alone the new spectres we found beneath the SOUP offices this past month.
Do you enjoy being scared? I know I don't. Do you go to haunted houses or watch scary shows/movies?
Alyssa: I do enjoy being scared as long as I am with someone. If I'm alone, I don't like the feeling that much. I love going to haunted houses or places too and I mostly watch scary shows/movies with my friends and family.
Kalina: You'd fit in perfectly with many of my friends in that case. They just don't understand why I HATE being scared.
Do you have any favorite Halloween/horror movies that you can recommend to readers?
Alyssa: Not really a favorite but Silent Hill movie makes me feel kind of scared, especially whenever I hear that siren sound.
Kalina: That almost makes me want to go listen to it... almost, but not quite. Moving on. *clears throat*
Do you celebrate any holidays like Halloween or the Day of the Dead? If you don't celebrate any holidays, what do you like to do during the fall?
Alyssa: We celebrate All Saints' Day and All Souls Day every November 1 and 2. We usually do our normal routines, but with respect for the dead relatives/family in mind.
Kalina: *stomach growls* Do you have a favorite treat or snack for the spooky season? Have you ever tried any Halloween-type desserts? The Muggles have something quite divine called 'Ghosts in the mud' and it's some sort of marshmallow-y oreo cookie-type mousse thing. Sorry, I guess I'm more hungry than I thought!
Alyssa: I don't have any favorites, sadly. I also haven't tried any Halloween-type desserts, but I would love to.
Kalina: I'll send you a box sometime! Lugh Hughes' mom is always sending us stuff to share.
Time for something a bit different... What is something that scares YOU but isn't necessarily something many find scary? For example, I am legit terrified of super fancy ball gowns. All that taffeta and lace will strangle me for sure.
Alyssa: I am not sure about this one, but I am scared of flying cockroaches haha! As for something supernatural-related, I am scared to sleep in other places that are not my home or one of our houses because I usually have scary experiences when I do like sleep paralysis.
Kalina: Wow. Thank you for sharing that with us, not everyone would have. I appreciate it. I'm with you on the flying cockroaches, though, after an unfortunate trip to visit Muggles in the southern United States.
Any last thoughts or wisdom to share about Spectres and/or Spooks?
Alyssa: Be mindful and respectful of everything around you, whether you believe that supernatural stuff exists or not. It is better to be safe than be sorry later.
Kalina: Absolutely agree! That's awesome advice from your beloved Heir of Slytherin, dear readers. Make sure that you take that to heart.
I think that's enough from me for this month. Keep your eyes peeled this spooky season -you never know what'll pop up next!