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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/4619-The-Face-of-Terror.html
Horror/Scary: September 21, 2011 Issue [#4619]

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Horror/Scary


 This week: The Face of Terror
  Edited by: W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

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Letter from the editor

THE FACE OF TERROR


A good study of horror would be to watch the news reels from 9-11-01. If you ever want to see what people look like, or how they react to utter and complete horror, then gaze upon the faces of the New Yorkers fleeing from ground zero.

I watched the whole thing unfold once again, knowing the ending, but transfixed-no, mesmerized-by the plight of the witnesses as they fled. Their faces were slack-jawed, filled with dread, shock, and disbelief.

If Godzilla himself had stepped out of the ocean and walked downtown, I don't think these people could have been more surprised, stunned, or terror-stricken. The whole thing was inconceivable, monstrous; it just didn't seem real.

Being a writer I like to watch people-take note of their habitual tics-but I've never really been able to catch a glimpse of how people really look when they are experiencing something totally unexpected. So as heart-wrenching as this was, I began to watch with different eyes-listen with different ears.

There is an explosion: smoke, fire, the brittle, unmelodic music of broken glass, and then startled screams. "No . . . no . . . please . . . Jesus, no . . . oh, my God, my God, no . . . this can't be happening."

On a deep, instinctual level, those people knew something terrible was going down, but their conscious mind could not-or would not-put a name to it. And that is why they fled in a blind panic, as wide-eyed and spooked as a dumb animal reacting to a bolt of lightning.

Now, something struck the other tower, and the screams of those who hadn't fled--the lookie-loos who had turned to watch what was unfolding--began to take on a whole new meaning. They suddenly lumbered backwards, tripping over their own feet in disbelief, and then ran.

The shocked looks on the TV screen said it all: This can't be happening. Not here.

I saw the face of terror that day, and for most of us it was like we had just stepped into the Twilight Zone; but for those who had gone to work in the Twin Towers, and for those that had been there, it was more like they had taken a giant leap into Hell.

God Bless America,

billwilcox



Editor's Picks

And They All Fall Down . . .


New York City Calling Open in new Window. (13+)
Vision of 9/11--an attack on all senses. Robyn was helpless, but now in NYC, remembering.
#772162 by Beth Barnett Author IconMail Icon

  LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP Open in new Window. (13+)
A short story dedicated to 9/11 and the families after it.
#1155193 by Larone Mckinley Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#947099 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#796229 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1379581 by Not Available.

 TRAPED IN 9-11 Open in new Window. (XGC)
a story of life inside the wtc on 9-11
#1759407 by primetime Author IconMail Icon

 No Amount of Love Open in new Window. (13+)
A woman and her child try to survive a terrorist attack.
#1070342 by W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ask & Answer

DEAD LETTERS


Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥmas Author Icon
Shrieks:
You've hit the nail right on the bloody head, here, Bill!
Great Newsletter and advice.
Thanks for the highlight, I appreciate it!
Ta,
-WW


atreidesmouse
Leaves a bloody handprint:
I was thinking it'd be "What will happen next?" Same thing, I suppose. Good advice. It's important to make the reader keep reading, or . . . well, they won't keep reading. That would be bad. *Laugh*


ChrisDaltro-Chasing Moonbeams Author Icon
Chortles:
Dear, Dear W. D. Wilcox,
Thank you for selecting my short story The Demon-Possessed Deliverer as your Editor's Pick for August - The Four Magic Words: And then what happened?
I am honored and... tickled pink! Much love,
-Christina Daltro






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