The Answer

"The Answer" by Emil Petaja is a psychological horror story written in the early 1950s. This dark tale explores themes of obsession, guilt, and the haunting nature of unresolved emotions, particularly as they pertain to love and loss. The narrative centers on John Reeve, a man tormented by recurring dreams that blend his past relationship with his wife, Lisa, and a sense of impending doom. In the story, John Reeve frequently finds himself in a dream where he strangles his wife, Lisa, followed by the persistent ringing of a telephone that he feels compelled to answer. The dream sequence highlights his deep inner conflict and unresolved feelings about their turbulent relationship, filled with jealousy and abandonment. As the plot unfolds, John grapples with the consequences of Lisa's sudden departure from his life, leading him to engage in these violent fantasies. In a climactic moment, he finally answers the ringing phone in his dream, only to be met with a sinister revelation when the voice on the other end identifies itself as "Satan." This twist leaves readers contemplating the themes of guilt and the darker aspects of human desire. (This is an automatically generated summary.)