We all count the hours. We all look for completion, even if we fear it. We long to be consumed. I long to be consumed

We all count the hours. We all look for completion, even if we fear it. We long to be consumed. I long to be consumed

Clive Barker, the renowned horror writer and filmmaker, is no stranger to exploring themes of desire, fear, and the human experience in his work. In his stories, he often delves into the darker aspects of human nature, pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable or taboo. The quote, “We all count the hours. We all look for completion, even if we fear it. We long to be consumed. I long to be consumed,” perfectly encapsulates the complex and often contradictory emotions that Barker’s characters grapple with.

In Barker’s universe, time is a constant presence, ticking away relentlessly as his characters navigate through their own personal hells. The idea of counting the hours speaks to the characters’ awareness of their mortality and the fleeting nature of life. They are constantly searching for completion, for some sense of fulfillment or resolution in their lives, even if they are afraid of what that completion may entail. This fear of the unknown, of what lies beyond the boundaries of their understanding, drives them to seek out experiences that push them to their limits.

The longing to be consumed is a recurring theme in Barker’s work, as his characters often find themselves drawn to forces that threaten to consume them entirely. Whether it be a literal consumption by a monstrous entity or a metaphorical consumption by their own desires and fears, Barker’s characters are constantly teetering on the edge of oblivion. This desire for annihilation, for a release from the constraints of their own existence, is a powerful and alluring force that drives them to make choices that are often self-destructive.