The Screaming Banshee
by Purry
"
Chet how many times have you seen that movie?""I don't know, what's it to you?" Chet said as he looked up at Johnny.
"It's nothing to me, I was just making conversation," Johnny said, his voice rising.
"It's a Saint Patrick's Day classic."
"Darby O'Gill and the Little People, I can see why you'd like it so well." Johnny smirked. "It has two elements that would appeal to you, it's Irish like you and has little people like...."
Johnny was interrupted by Chet before he could finish his statement. "Don't even go there Gage."
"Ok, I'm sorry." Johnny said not really meaning it.
"Gage, this story has it all."
"Really?" Johnny asked raising an eye.
"Yes, really. It has action, romance, fantasy, and it's scary."
"Scary!" Johnny snorted.
"Yes, scary!" Chet threw back at him.
"What is so scary about Leprechauns and fairies?"
Chet sighed in exasperation, "Gage, I'm not talking about Leprechauns and fairies, I'm talking about Banshees."
"Banshees, what's a Banshee?" Johnny asked.
Just then the rest of A-shift came into the dayroom and was promptly being entertained with a Johnny/Chet discussion.
Gathered around the table, the rest of the crew waited for the answer.
Chet saw he had an audience and thought it would be a good time to tell a story. The story of the Banshee.
"Johnny have a seat, and I will tell you guys about the Banshee."
Johnny was curious about this Banshee but didn't want Chet to think he was too interested. He sat down in the chair next to Roy, gave him a look that said what have I done, then turned his attention back to Chet. "Ok Chet, tell us your story."
Chet turned off the TV and dimmed the lights to set the mood. He then cleared his throat and started his tale.
"It's the scream that scares you. When you hear the wail of a Banshee, it always announces a death is about to happen. She is a tall, very thin, pale figure with silver hair that drags the ground, she wears a dark flowing material that looks like it has been shredded. Her eyes are sunken in and blood red from constantly crying. If you hear her scream, you know she is coming for you or someone you love. It's been told that she comes to get you in a horse drawn carriage all of black. Once she has you, death is your only fate."
Just then, the klaxons sounded calling the engine out to a rubbish fire. The occupants around the table jumped not because of the tones but because of the tale Chet had been weaving.
"Some story, huh!" Roy said
"Yeah." replied Johnny.
"Johnny, you're not go to let this story get to you, are you?"
"No, of course not."
"Un huh?"
Johnny put his hand on his chest, "Roy, would I let a silly story bother me? Don't think so."
Roy rolled his eyes, "If you say so."
"I say so, so lets, drop it." Johnny responded as he let out a sigh.
"Ok, we'll drop it." Just hope it stays dropped, Roy mumbled under his breath.
Later that evening after an uneventful day for both the squad and engine, the guys sat around watching an episode of "Starsky & Hutch." When the show ended, Cap called for lights out.
The dorm was filled with sleeping firemen, with the exception of Johnny, his sleep interrupted by something unknown. On his back, arm thrown over his eyes, he lay waiting for sleep to reclaim him. Just as he started to drift off, he heard a sharp, shrill scream. Jumping, he sat up in his bunk and looked around at what could have caused the noise.
Glancing over at Roy, he noticed that he was still asleep. "How did that not wake him or any of the other guys?" Johnny wondered. "Maybe I was having a dream," he decided settling back down into his bed. After getting comfortable, he started to shut his eyes when he noticed a shadow on the brick wall next to him. Turning his head to get a better look, it appeared to be a woman with long flowing hair in tattered clothing, her arms outstretched, reaching for him.
Knowing this was no dream, he let out a yell for Roy to wake up. Again, Roy didn't respond. The piercing scream that filled the air scared the heebie-jeebies out of Johnny. Now petrified, not knowing what to do as the shadow became three dimensional, the woman started toward him, her fingers waving 'come to me.' Johnny backed up against the wall at the head of his bunk, trying to keep her from touching him. She let out another scream. Unadulterated panic coursed through Johnny's body. Wondering why he couldn't move, why no one was awake to help him, he yelled, "Who are you? What do you want?"
The form shrieked in a high pitched voice the word, "You."
Now dry mouthed, Johnny questioned, "Me? What do you mean?"
Again, in the same voice "I have come for You, you are the chosen one. Now you must come with me."
Again, Johnny tried to move but couldn't. He looked into the sunken eyes and whispered "Are you a banshee?"
She only nodded.
"Why me?" Johnny queried in a quivering voice.
"It's time, you have tempted fate far too long. You are the chosen one." the woman squealed.
"I won't go!" Johnny yelled.
"Then someone else will take your place." she shrieked.
"Who?"
"Him!" the banshee pointed in Roy's direction.
"NO", screamed Johnny, "You can't! You can't take him! I won't let you! Take me!"
"You decided his fate. He will die, die in your place." she screamed, as she moved toward Roy's bunk.
"Get away from him, I said stay away from him, no, no, no nooooooooooooooooooo.."
"Johnny, Johnny wake up." Roy said while shaking him, trying to rouse him out of his nightmare.
Opening his eyes, Johnny stared at the faces of his shift mates. Getting his breathing under control, Johnny mumbled "sorry" as he jumped out of bed and ran to the latrine. Once there, he splashed water on his face, trying to calm himself.\
Just then, Roy came in and asked, "Are you ok?"
"I will be."
Handing Johnny a towel he asked, "You want to talk about it?"
"NO!"
"Ok, but if you do, you know where to find me."
"Thanks!" Johnny replied.
Roy gave him a small smile, then headed to the door. Just before he opened it, he turned to Johnny and said "The Banshee?"
Johnny's eyes just about popped out of his head, "Yeah, how did you know?" he stammered.
"I know you. I could see the look on your face when Chet told that story this afternoon. I knew it bothered you. So I put two and two together. Chet's story and your overactive imagination, equals one hell of a nightmare."
Johnny just hung his head. When he looked back up, his crooked smile was in place, "Thanks Roy."
"You're welcome, Pally."
The End
Footnote: The Banshee info was taken from many websites. The descriptions and behaviors were similar but different. Also, from the movie mentioned in the story. I took liberty.
Thanks to Jean for the time and help she took to beta this story.
*Click on the Pot of Gold to send Purry feedback
