My tryst with fear

By Harsh Kedawat

“Did you know? Phobos, the Greek god of personal fear and panic, made a surprise appearance in my life. It all began during a summer camp at school, where each day unfolded a new chapter of mythology – Greek, Roman, Norse, and Egyptian, among others. On this particular day, the class delved into the tales of Ares, the god of war, and his companions Deimos and Phobos.

Upon returning home, a peculiar incident occurred. The bathroom door hinges flickered with a bright yellow light, and as I turned the knob, I found myself transported to a mysterious island surrounded by dense forests. A glow emanated from one end, drawing me closer. There, I encountered a person sporting slim jeans, a red T-shirt with flames, and a belt carrying a knife. His eyes, the colour of flames, revealed his identity when he turned – Phobos.

Startled, I retreated, and he casually inquired, “Hey man, where are you going?” Trembling, I managed to ask, “Who…who are you?” With a sneer, he replied, “Oh, I’m Phobos, Greek for Timor. They say, ‘Nothing to fear but fear itself.'”

Suddenly, my surroundings shifted, and I found myself in a dark room with no apparent exit. To my horror, spiders – my ultimate fear – crawled everywhere, targeting me. As I grappled with the terrifying scenario, I realised Phobos possessed the ability to manifest individuals’ worst fears through eye contact. Summoning all my willpower, I resolved to break free from this illusion.

The vision slowly dissipated, and I found myself back in my room. A lingering voice echoed, ‘You were brave enough,’ Phobos’ parting words.”