My name is Sam, and this whole thing started when Megan came up
with a wild idea. She's always been the
adventurous 1, dragging Rachel and me along on her crazy trips.
This time, she wanted us to dive at Ridley Creek State Park.
It's this weird hidden place in Pennsylvania with underwater
caves and ancient ruins that not many people know about.
Megan said it would be fun, something different to get our
minds off things. I wasn't so sure, but she was
excited and Rachel seemed to need the distraction.
We spent the morning getting ready, double checking our gear,
and making sure we had everything we needed.
I'm the most experienced diver of the three of us, so I always
make sure we have backups just in case.
I brought my knives, flashlights, and even a
magnesium torch. It's an old school piece of
equipment, but I always carry it in case the flashlights fail.
Rachel kept looking at the water like she was having second
thoughts, but Megan was bouncing around going on about how cool
this place was supposed to be. The Cave itself was pretty
amazing. I have to admit.
When we got there it was like stepping into another world.
There were these huge rock columns at the entrance that
made the place look like it had teeth.
We couldn't bring our boat inside because of those rocks,
so we had to swim in. The sunlight was shining down
through openings in The Cave roof and everything was glowing,
kind of like a scene from a movie.
The water was crystal clear and I could see a forest of kelp
swaying back and forth. It was beautiful, but also a
little eerie. We swam further into The Cave
and I could see the ruins below us.
They were carved into the side of the rock and it looked like
they were really old, covered in seaweed and kelp.
I knew this was going to be a tricky dive, especially if we
went into the caves. Megan, of course, was already
moving ahead, eager to explore. I felt a knot of worry in my
stomach, but I pushed it down. We'd done dives before, and we
were always careful. Megan swam toward the ruins, and
Rachel and I followed her. We'd agreed to stick together
and not go too deep into the caves.
As we got closer, I noticed something strange.
There was a sign near one of The Cave entrances.
It was a warning sign showing a grim Reaper standing over the
skeletons of divers. It warned us about the dangers
of cave diving and how many people had died doing it.
I felt a chill run down my spine.
Megan just laughed it off, saying it was meant to scare
people away. We started our descent into The
Cave and everything around us got dark.
The light from the opening above faded, and I had to turn on my
flashlight to see anything. The walls were covered in
strange carvings that made me feel uneasy, like they were
telling a story I couldn't understand.
Megan was ahead of us, her flashlight bouncing off the
walls. Rachel was right behind me,
moving slowly and carefully. I glanced around, trying to
shake off the creepy feeling that was settling in my gut.
Then, just for a second, I thought I saw something move in
the shadows. My heart skipped a beat.
I turned my head, trying to get a better look, but there was
nothing there, just the darkness pressing in on all sides.
I tried to tell myself it was just my imagination, but
something didn't feel right. I wanted to turn back, but Megan
was still swimming ahead and I couldn't just leave her.
So I took a deep breath and kept going, trying to ignore the fear
creeping up inside me. The deeper we went into The
Cave, the darker it got. I could barely see anything
outside the narrow beam of my flashlight.
The carvings on the walls were still there, but they seemed
even stranger now, almost like they were moving in the shadows.
I felt a shiver run down my spine, but I kept pushing
forward. Megan was up ahead, her
flashlight flickering as she swam further into the darkness.
Rachel was right behind me, and I could tell she was getting
nervous too. We swam into a large, open
chamber, and I finally caught up to Megan.
She was staring at something in the water, her flashlight aimed
at a shape in the darkness. I squinted, trying to make out
what it was. At first I thought it was just a
rock or a weird shadow, but then it moved.
I blinked and looked again. It was a woman.
At least she looked like a woman from the waist up.
Her skin was pale, almost glowing in the dark water.
She had long, flowing hair that drifted around her like seaweed,
and her eyes were this icy blue color that sent chills down my
spine. But then I noticed her lower
half. Instead of legs, she had a long,
shimmering tail. It was like something out of a
fairy tale, except not beautiful and magical.
This was something else, something dangerous.
I glanced back at Rachel and her eyes were wide with fear.
She was shaking her head like she was trying to tell me
something. But before I could figure it
out, I saw more of them. Two, maybe three more, drifting
out of the shadows, watching us with those cold eyes.
They didn't move, didn't make a sound.
They just stared at us like we were intruders in their home.
Megan didn't seem scared at first.
She was always the brave one, the one who wanted to explore
everything, but even she seemed to hesitate now.
She turned to look at me, her eyes wide, and I knew she was
finally realizing that we were in serious trouble.
Then, all of a sudden, one of the creatures lunged forward.
It moved so fast I barely had time to react.
It grabbed Rachel by the arm and started pulling her toward the
back of the chamber. She screamed, but it came out as
a garbled sound through her regulator.
I saw her fumbling for her knife, but another one of those
things grabbed her other arm, holding her tight.
I wanted to help her to do something, but I was frozen in
place. I watched in horror as one of
the creatures pulled at Rachel's arm, and there was this awful
ripping sound. Blood clouded the water and I
felt like I was going to throw up.
They pulled her deeper into The Cave, and I could still hear her
muffled screams as they disappeared into the darkness.
I snapped out of it, my heart pounding in my chest.
I had to get out of there. I turned and swam as fast as I
could toward the entrance of the chamber, but one of the mermaids
was already there, blocking the way.
It reached out to grab me and I panicked.
I grabbed the knife from my belt and slashed at it wildly.
I must have cut it because it let out this high pitched scream
that made my head feel like it was going to split open.
I swam past it, kicking as hard as I could.
I didn't look back. I just kept swimming, trying to
get away from those things. My lungs were burning and my
arms felt like they were going to give out, but I didn't stop.
I had to get out of there, had to get back to the surface.
I could see the faint light from the opening up above, and I swam
toward it with everything I had, praying I would make it in time.
I broke through the surface of the water, gasping for air, and
pulled myself onto the rocky ledge of the hidden beach.
My heart was racing, and my whole body was shaking.
I looked back at the water, expecting those creatures to
follow me, but they didn't. They just stayed there, just
below the surface, watching me with those cold eyes.
I scrambled further onto the beach, not daring to take my
eyes off the water. I tried to calm down, to think
straight. I had to get help.
I needed to tell someone what had happened.
My hands were shaking so badly it took me a few tries to get
the radio out of my dive bag. I managed to call for help, my
voice trembling as I tried to explain what I'd seen.
I didn't even know if they believed me, but I didn't care.
I just wanted to get out of there.
After what felt like hours, I finally saw a rescue boat coming
toward The Cave. I could see the rescue team on
board, looking around with confused expressions.
I waved my arms and shouted, and they quickly pulled me onto the
boat. I tried to tell them about Megan
and Rachel, but the words got stuck in my throat.
How could I explain what I'd seen?
How could anyone believe me? They took me to shore and the
authorities questioned me. I told them everything, but I
could tell they thought I was crazy.
They kept saying things about dangerous currents and unstable
caves. They acted like I'd just
imagined it all, like it was some kind of trick of the mind.
But I knew what I saw. I knew those things were real.
Weeks went by, but I couldn't stop thinking about what had
happened. I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw those mermaids with their
cold, dead eyes. I tried to find out more about
Ridley Creek State Park, but there wasn't much information,
just old stories and legends about sea creatures and hidden
dangers. It seemed like no one really
knew what was down there. Then one night I heard it.
A soft, haunting melody coming from outside my apartment.
At first I thought I was imagining it, but it got louder
and I knew it was real. My heart started pounding in my
chest as I moved to the window, looking out into the darkness
far below, near the shore, I saw something.
A figure standing at the water's edge, looking up at me.
It was one of the mermaids. I could see her long hair
glistening in the moonlight, her eyes glowing with that eerie
blue light. She raised a hand slowly, almost
like she was waving or maybe beckoning me to come closer.
I stepped back from the window, my heart racing.
How did she find me? Why was she here?
I pressed my back against the wall, trying to block out the
song that seemed to fill my mind.
It was like it was calling to me, telling me to come back to
The Cave, to the place where I barely escaped with my life.
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to drown out the sound, but it
was no use. The melody was everywhere,
wrapping around me, pulling at me.
I felt an overwhelming urge to go back, to return to the water.
I clutched my head, fighting against it, but the song kept
playing, growing louder and louder.
I knew then that I'd never be free of them.
They'd let me go, but not really.
They were still watching, still waiting, and no matter where I
went, I'd always hear that song. That terrible, haunting song.
It would never stop. They wouldn't stop.
Not until they had me back in the depths with them forever.
My name is Daniel Hayes and I'm really into hiking and exploring
caves. Living near Redwood National
Park is awesome because there are so many trails and hidden
spots to discover. Last week I found something
strange on one of my usual hikes.
It was a cave, but not just any cave, It was hidden behind some
branches and overgrown bushes, almost like someone didn't want
it to be found. I decided right then that I had
to come back with my gear and check it out.
The next morning I woke up super early, packed all my stuff, and
told my sister Emily where I was going.
She always makes me do that just in case something happens.
I got to The Cave around 6:00 AM, just as the sun was coming
up. The place looked exactly the
same as before, hidden and creepy.
I cleared away the branches and vines that covered the entrance
and took a deep breath. My flashlight cut through the
darkness as I stepped inside. The Cave was narrow at first,
but as I walked further in, it opened up into a wider space.
That's when I saw it. A deep crevice leading down into
the earth. I got excited and a little
nervous at the same time. I strapped on my harness and
double checked all my gear. As I leaned over the edge and
shined my flashlight down, I saw how far it went, probably around
80 feet. It was a long way down, but I
was ready. I began my descent, my heart
pounding with every step. The deeper I went, the more I
noticed something odd. There were small lanterns lining
the walls, giving off a dim light.
It was weird because usually caves like this are pitch black.
Who put these here and why? I didn't have answers, but I was
too curious to turn back now. When I reached the bottom, I
felt the ground beneath my feet was unusually smooth and flat.
It was like I was in some kind of tunnel.
I took a few cautious steps forward, and then I heard it.
A distant, echoing scream. My blood ran cold.
It didn't sound like an animal. It sounded like a person.
I moved forward, my flashlight shaking in my hand as I turned a
corner. The tunnel opened up into a huge
cavern, and what I saw made my stomach drop.
There were cages, dozens of them, and inside were people.
Men, women, even kids. They were crying and screaming,
some of them just staring blankly ahead.
And then I saw them. The soldiers, they were guarding
the cages, armed with rifles. I felt like I was in a
nightmare. This couldn't be real.
Before I could even think, I pulled out my phone to take a
picture, but in my panic, I forgot to turn off the flash.
The bright light lit up the whole cavern and the soldiers
turned to look right at me. My heart stopped, I knew I had
to get out of there. I ran back to the crevice and
grabbed the rope. My hands were shaking so badly
that I almost dropped it. I heard shouting behind me, and
I climbed as fast as I could, not daring to look back.
As I reached the top, I crawled out of The Cave and ran, not
stopping until I reached my car. My mind was racing, trying to
make sense of what I'd just seen.
I called Emily on the way home, but she didn't believe me.
Who would? I didn't even believe it myself,
but I had the photo as proof. Even if it was blurry, I knew
one thing for sure. I had found something I was
never meant to see, and now I was in serious trouble.
The next morning I couldn't stop thinking about what I had seen.
I called Emily and told her everything again.
This time she agreed to help me figure out what was going on.
We decided to go back to The Cave, but we would be careful.
Instead of going inside, we'd use her drone to look around
from a distance. I didn't want to get too close
again, not after what happened yesterday.
We drove out to the park and parked on the side of the road.
My heart was pounding as we set up the drone.
I showed Emily where The Cave was on the map, and she guided
the drone toward it. We watched the screen nervously,
waiting to see if the entrance was still there.
But when the drone got close, we both gasped.
The Cave entrance was gone. It looked like the whole thing
had collapsed or been sealed up with rocks and dirt.
It was like it had never even been there.
What the heck? Emily whispered, staring at the
screen. Are you sure this is the right
place? Yeah.
I said, my voice shaking. It was right there, I swear.
She nodded and flew the drone around a bit more, but there was
nothing else unusual. Then, suddenly, the screen went
black and the drone lost signal. We both jumped back in surprise.
What happened? I asked, my voice cracking.
Emily fiddled with the controls, but nothing worked.
I don't know. She said, her face pale.
It's like something just took it out.
We sat there in silence for a moment, trying to process what
just happened. If The Cave entrance was sealed
and something took out the drone, that meant someone or
something didn't want us finding that place again.
I felt a shiver run down my spine.
We need to get out of here. I said, looking around
nervously. Emily nodded and we quickly
packed up the drone and drove away.
On the drive home, we kept checking the rear view mirror,
half expecting someone to be following us.
Back at home, I tried to calm down, but I was more freaked out
than ever. I kept feeling like someone was
watching me. Then, as evening came, I saw a
black car parked across the street from my house.
It wasn't just any car, it was the same one I'd seen earlier,
and there were two people inside.
They were just sitting there, not moving, not doing anything.
My heart started racing again. I closed the blinds and tried to
ignore it, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was
very wrong. I called Emily to tell her about
the car, but she said maybe it was just a coincidence.
I wasn't so sure. Something told me these guys
were here because of what I saw in The Cave.
The next day at work, things got even weirder.
Around lunchtime, the receptionist, Kelly, came into
my office. She looked nervous and kept
glancing around like she didn't want anyone to hear Daniel.
She said quietly. Some men came by this morning
asking for you. I felt my stomach drop.
What did they look like? I asked.
They were tall, dressed in black suits, and they looked weird,
like they could be twins or something.
They gave me the creeps. I quickly pulled up the security
camera footage from the front desk.
Sure enough, there they were, Two tall men in black suits,
looking almost identical. They talked to Kelly for a few
minutes, then left. I couldn't see their faces
clearly, but there was something off about them.
It was like they weren't real people, like they were copies or
something. I started to feel sick.
Whoever they were, they knew who I was, and they were looking for
me. I left work early, telling Kelly
I had a headache. As I drove home, I saw the black
car again, this time right behind me.
My hands were shaking as I gripped the steering wheel.
I turned down a side street, hoping to lose them, but they
followed. Just when I thought they were
going to catch up to me, they suddenly turned off and
disappeared. When I got home, I felt a chill
run through me. I went inside and locked all the
doors, but something felt off. I walked into the dining room
and stopped dead in my tracks. There on the table was a small
envelope. My hands trembled as I picked it
up and opened it. Inside were photos, Photos of me
taken inside The Cave. I dropped the envelope and
backed away, my mind racing. They knew.
They knew everything. I felt trapped and scared and
for the first time in my life, I had no idea what to do.
All I knew was that I had to stay hidden and find a way out
of this mess or I might not make it out alive.
I was freaking out. The envelope with those photos
meant they knew everything. What I saw in The Cave, what I
did. They were watching me.
And now I was trapped. I didn't go into work the next
day. I was too scared.
I spent the whole day locked inside my house, peeking through
the blinds every few minutes to see if that black car was back.
By the time it got dark, I was a nervous wreck.
I couldn't sit still. Every little noise made me jump.
I checked all the locks on the doors and windows, making sure
everything was secure, but deep down I knew if they really
wanted to get in they would find a way.
I thought about calling the police, but what could I tell
them that some men in black suits were stalking me because I
found a hidden cave? They'd think I was crazy.
Then just as I was starting to calm down, I heard it.
A car engine outside. I rushed to the window and
peeked through the blinds. My heart sank.
It was the black car parked right in front of my house. 2
doors opened and the same two men in black suits got out.
They started walking toward my front door, moving slowly like
they had all the time in the world.
I backed away from the window, my mind racing.
What should I do? Hide.
Run. I could hear my heart pounding
in my ears as I grabbed a chair and pushed it under the door
knob to block it. Then I went to the back door and
did the same thing. I didn't have much time, they
were here and I knew they weren't going to just knock and
leave. Three loud bangs on the front
door made me jump. I covered my mouth to keep from
making a sound. The house was dead silent except
for the pounding of my heart. I crouched behind the couch,
trying to think. My phone was in my pocket, but
who could I call? Emily, The police?
It didn't matter, nobody could help me now.
The knocking stopped, and for a moment, everything was quiet.
Too quiet. I held my breath, straining to
hear any noise. Then the lights flickered and
went out. I was plunged into complete
darkness. My heart raced as I fumble for
my flashlight. I turned it on and pointed it
toward the front door, but I didn't see anything.
The silence was crushing, and I felt like something was watching
me, just waiting for me to make a move.
I heard a creak from the back of the house, followed by another
footsteps. They were inside.
My skin prickled with fear. How did they get in?
I hadn't heard the doors open. The footsteps grew louder,
echoing through the hallway. I shined my flashlight around,
but the beam only cut through a small part of the darkness.
I had to move. I couldn't just stay here.
I got up and crept toward the hallway, keeping the flashlight
aimed in front of me. The air felt cold, and I could
see my breath even though it wasn't winter.
The footsteps stopped, and then I heard it whispering.
It was like they were speaking another language, something I
couldn't understand. The whispers surrounded me,
coming from every direction. My skin crawled, and I could
barely keep my hands from shaking.
I needed to get out of the house.
I turned toward the back door, but as soon as I took a step, I
heard a loud crash behind me. I spun around, my flashlight
catching a glimpse of something moving, something not human.
My blood ran cold. It was tall and shadowy, with
glowing eyes that seemed to Pierce through the darkness.
I stumbled back, my mind screaming at me to run.
I turned and bolted for the front door, yanking the chair
away and flinging the door open. But instead of my front yard, I
saw darkness, an endless, empty void.
I stopped in my tracks, my heart hammering in my chest.
The whispers grew louder, turning into eerie laughter that
echoed all around me. I backed away from the door, but
before I could react, I felt a cold hand grab my arm.
I screamed, dropping the flashlight as I was yanked back
toward the darkness. I fought and kicked, but it was
no use. The last thing I saw before
everything went black was the two men in black suits standing
in my living room, their faces blank and expressionless,
watching as I was pulled into the void.
And then there was nothing. Just darkness and the feeling of
falling. Falling into an endless pit.
The whispers turned into roars and I realized with a sinking
dread that whatever was waiting for me down there was far worse
than anything I had ever imagined.
My name is Jack Anderson and my life is pretty simple.
I work as a project manager at a tech company.
Nothing too exciting, but it pays the bills.
My apartment is in this old building on the edge of the
city. It's got some character, like
creaky pipes and windows that led in the cold air.
I actually like it, though. It's quiet, and that's exactly
what I need after a long day at work.
There's this old lady who lives down the hall from me, Misses
Whitaker. She's kind of strange.
She's always standing in the hallway, staring out the little
window at the end like she's waiting for someone.
She's got this way of looking at you that makes you feel like she
knows something you don't. When I first moved in, she gave
me this weird warning. Be careful in there, she said,
her voice all serious. I just laughed it off and
thought she was being a bit dramatic.
One day at work, I was talking with my friend Daniel about some
project we were working on. Daniel's a good guy, always
trying to keep things light even when we're buried under
deadlines. While we were chatting, I
noticed something strange. There was this dark shape at the
far end of the office, behind the glass wall near the
conference room. It looked like a person, but
they were just standing there, not moving at all.
I squinted, trying to get a better look, but when I turned
my head, it was gone. What's up?
Daniel asked, noticing my confused expression.
Nothing. I said, shaking it off.
Thought I saw someone over there.
Long week, huh? He said, laughing.
We definitely need to grab a drink after work.
I nodded, but I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling.
All day I kept glancing around the office, half expecting to
see that shadowy figure again, but it never showed up.
By the time I left work, I had convinced myself it was just a
trick of the light, or maybe my imagination playing games on me.
That night, things got even weirder.
I was sitting on my couch, trying to relax and watch some
TV, when I saw it again. This time it was in my
apartment, standing just outside my bedroom door.
My heart skipped a beat. It was barely visible in the dim
light, more like a smudge or a shadow just on the edge of my
vision. I turned my head slowly to get a
better look, but as soon as I did, it vanished.
I sat there for a long time, staring at the empty hallway.
I tried to tell myself I was just tired, that it was nothing.
But deep down I knew I had seen something.
Something that shouldn't have been there.
The next morning, I was more tired than usual.
My sleep had been restless, filled with strange dreams I
couldn't quite remember. At work, I kept glancing at the
corners of the office, expecting to see the shadow again.
It didn't show up, but the uneasy feeling lingered.
I couldn't focus, couldn't shake the sense that I was being
watched. Daniel noticed I was distracted.
You are right, man. He asked.
Yeah, I lied. Just didn't sleep well.
I wanted to believe that everything was fine, that there
was a logical explanation for what I'd seen, but the truth was
I couldn't get rid of the feeling that something was very,
very wrong. The days after that first
sighting were rough. The shadows kept showing up more
often and closer than before. It wasn't just at work anymore.
They were everywhere I went at home, I'd catch glimpses of them
standing in the corners of my apartment or sometimes right
outside my window. Every time I turned to look
directly at them, they would disappear, like they were
playing some twisted game with me.
My sleep got worse. Every night I had the same kind
of nightmares. I was walking through dark
hallways and the shadows were always there, creeping closer
and closer. When I'd wake up, my heart would
be pounding and I'd be drenched in sweat.
I started feeling exhausted all the time, like these shadows
were sucking the life out of me. I tried to focus on work, but it
was almost impossible. My mind kept wandering, and I
felt like I couldn't concentrate on anything.
I kept glancing over my shoulder, waiting to see a
shadow lurking behind me. Daniel noticed I wasn't myself
and asked if everything was OK. I just told him I hadn't been
sleeping well, which was true, but I couldn't bring myself to
tell him about the shadows, how could I?
It sounded crazy. Then one night, Missus Whitaker
knocked on my door. I almost didn't answer because
it was late and I didn't feel like talking to anyone, but
something in the way she knocked made me get up and open the
door. She stood there, looking more
serious than usual. You've seen them, haven't you?
She asked. Her voice was soft, but there
was something about it that made my skin crawl.
I stared at her, not sure what to say.
Seen who? The shadows, She whispered.
They've been following you. I felt a chill run down my
spine. How could she know that?
I hadn't told anyone about the shadows, but somehow she knew.
I've seen them before, she continued.
They start small, just at the edges of your vision, but they
get closer. They always get closer.
What are they? I asked, my voice shaky.
She shook her head slowly. I don't know, but they're
dangerous. If you let them, they'll drain
you piece by piece until there's nothing left.
I felt like I couldn't breathe. What can I do?
Don't acknowledge them, she said firmly.
Don't try to confront them. That only makes them stronger.
After she left, I didn't know what to think.
I was scared, more scared than I'd ever been.
I spent the next day looking up everything I could about shadows
and ghosts and any other creepy things people believed in.
Most of what I found was just stories or legends, nothing that
really helped. But some people talked about
shadow figures that could drain a person's energy, slowly taking
over their life until there was nothing left.
It sounded exactly like what was happening to me.
By the time I got back to my apartment, it was dark and the
shadows were already there, waiting.
I tried to ignore them like Misses Whitaker said, but it was
hard. I could feel them pressing in on
me from all sides, sucking the warmth and the light out of the
room. I didn't know what to do.
I was scared to sleep, scared to be alone in the dark, but I
couldn't talk to anyone about it either.
Who would believe me. It felt like I was fighting a
losing battle, and I wasn't sure how much longer I could hold on.
A week had passed and I felt like I was losing it.
The shadows were always there, lurking in every corner.
Every night they seemed to get bolder, closer.
I could hardly sleep or eat, and my mind was constantly racing
with thoughts about what they wanted and why they were here.
I couldn't go on like this. Something had to change.
That night I decided I wasn't going to just sit around and let
these things take over my life. I had spent hours reading about
ways to get rid of spirits and shadows.
Some people said that showing strength, not being afraid was
the key. Others talked about rituals or
symbols that could protect you. I wasn't sure if any of it would
work, but I had to try. I gathered some things that I'd
read might help. A salt circle, a candle, and a
symbol I had drawn on a piece of paper.
I didn't know if I believed in any of it, but at this point I
was willing to try anything. I set everything up in the
middle of my living room, took a deep breath, and waited.
Midnight came, and the air in my apartment grew colder.
The shadows were more solid now, like they were tired of hiding.
One of them stepped out from the hallway, its shape more defined
than ever. It was tall, its form blurry at
the edges, but still human like. It didn't move, just stood
there, almost daring me to do something.
I felt a wave of fear wash over me, but I fought it down.
I couldn't let them see. I was scared, not this time.
I stepped forward, clutching the symbol in my hand.
My voice shook, but I forced the words out.
You don't get to take me, I said.
I'm not afraid of you. For a moment, the shadow seemed
to waver, like it was surprised. I took another step forward,
feeling a tiny spark of hope. Maybe this was working.
Maybe I could get rid of them after all.
But then something changed. The shadow didn't retreat.
Instead, it began to move toward me slowly, each step deliberate.
I felt a cold rush of terror as I realized it wasn't backing
down. It was coming closer, and the
other shadows in the room were closing in too, surrounding me.
I tried to hold my ground, to keep my eyes fixed on it and
show No Fear, but it was impossible.
They were too many, and their presence was crushing.
I could feel them pressing on me, draining the strength from
my body. The room felt like it was
spinning, and I couldn't catch my breath.
The shadows whispered, a soft, unintelligible murmur that
filled my mind with a sense of doom.
I wanted to scream, to run, but I couldn't move.
I was trapped, surrounded on all sides by darkness.
The shadows were right in front of me now, so close I could feel
their coldness on my skin. My heart pounded in my chest,
and I realized with horror that I had made a terrible mistake.
They weren't afraid of me. They had been toying with me all
along, waiting for me to slip up, and now they were going to
take me. Just when I thought it was over,
the shadow in front of me suddenly lurched forward.
I stumbled back, falling to the floor, and as I looked up, I saw
its form bending over me, its shape changing into something
even more terrifying. It wasn't just a shadow anymore.
It was alive, and it was hungry. I tried to scream, but the sound
died in my throat as the shadows closed in around me, plunging me
into complete darkness. The last thing I heard was the
sound of whispering echoing all around me before everything went
black. When I woke up, the shadows were
gone, but the apartment was ice cold and the air felt heavy,
like it was filled with something invisible and awful.
I knew they weren't really gone. They were still there, just out
of sight, waiting for the right moment to come back.
And I was more scared than ever, because now I knew the truth.
There was no escaping them, the shadows would always be
watching, and next time I might not be so lucky.
We had been looking forward to this camping trip for weeks.
My wife Lily and I, along with our best friends Mike and Sarah,
needed a break. Life had been hectic lately and
a weekend out in nature seemed like the perfect way to unwind.
Our campsite was near Serenity Lake, a beautiful spot that Mike
had heard about. The only catch was that it was
way off the beaten path. We had to drive an hour and a
half down a dusty dirt Rd. just to get there, far away from any
main roads or towns. The place was amazing when we
finally arrived. Tall trees surrounded us and
there was a peaceful quiet feeling in the air.
It was just what we needed. The campsite was also pretty
secluded, which we thought was a good thing at first.
No neighbors on one side, just a thick forest and no one else
around. We set up our tents and got a
campfire going. We spent the first day hiking
around, taking in the sights and just relaxing.
It was one of those days where everything feels right and you
don't have a care in the world. That first evening we made a
huge meal over the campfire and laughed until our sides hurt.
We talked about how lucky we were to get this spot all to
ourselves. It was so quiet and we felt like
we had the whole forest to ourselves.
As the sun went down, we sat around the fire toasting
marshmallows and telling funny stories.
I felt a deep sense of peace, the kind you only get when
you're far away from all the noise of everyday life.
When it was time to sleep, I climbed into my tent feeling
completely relaxed. The next day started off just as
great. After breakfast, we hiked down
to Serenity Lake, which was about a 20 minute walk from our
campsite. The water was cool and
refreshing, and we spent hours just splashing around and
enjoying the summer sun. It felt like we were kids again
without a single worry in the world.
But things changed when we got back to our campsite that
afternoon. We noticed a silver car parked
at the site next to ours. It was weird because that spot
had been empty when we left, and now it wasn't.
We didn't think much of it at first, figuring someone else had
just shown up to camp. But then we saw him, the guy who
was staying there. He was sitting at the picnic
table looking at us. He was just an average looking
man, maybe in his 40s, but there was something about him that
made me uneasy. He didn't wave or say hello, he
just watched us, his eyes following us as we went about
our business. I tried to ignore it.
After all, he was probably just some guy on his own, maybe not
very good at socializing. Mike nudged me and whispered.
You notice how that guy keeps staring at us?
I nodded but shrugged it off, not wanting to make a big deal
out of nothing. We spent the rest of the day
trying to pretend like everything was normal, but that
guy's constant staring was starting to get under my skin.
I felt a bit paranoid, like he was watching our every move, but
I told myself it was nothing, just some awkward guy who didn't
know how to act around other people.
Little did we know this was only the beginning of the strange and
creepy things that would happen during our so-called perfect
getaway. As the day went on, things got
weirder. That guy next to us just
wouldn't stop staring. I tried to ignore him, but every
time I looked over there he was just watching us with this blank
expression. It was seriously creeping me
out. Mike and I talked about it
quietly, and we both agreed it was strange, but we didn't
really know what to do. What were we supposed to say?
Hey, stop looking at us? It just felt awkward, so we left
it alone. Later, while we were setting up
for dinner, something even stranger happened.
This young woman, probably around our age, walked by the
guy's campsite. She seemed really nervous and
kept looking around like she was making sure no one was watching
her. Then, out of nowhere, she
snapped a picture of his license plate.
We saw it clear as day. Mike called out to her asking if
she needed help, but she just mumbled something we couldn't
hear and hurried off. We exchanged looks, both of us
thinking the same thing. What was that all about?
Not long after, the camp host showed up to check everyone in.
She was this older lady with a friendly smile, making sure
everything was in order. When she got to the guy's sight,
we all tried to listen in on their conversation without being
too obvious. It was hard to hear, but we
caught bits and pieces. The guy was asking all these
weird questions about the bath house.
Where is it? How long is it open?
Is it private? It seemed odd that he was so
interested in it. Honestly, we didn't even know
there was a bath house here. The sun started to set and we
tried to go back to having a good time.
We made dinner, played some music, and tried to ignore our
strange neighbor, but the feeling of unease was hard to
shake. Around this time, we noticed the
guy doing something really bizarre.
He was sitting at his campsite, eating beans straight out of a
can with a spoon, just staring at us.
He didn't have a fire going or anything, just one small Lantern
lighting him up. The way he ate those beans, it
was almost aggressive, like he was mad about something.
Mike and I glanced at each other, trying not to laugh at
how weird it all was, but inside I felt a nod of worry forming.
After dinner, we decided to go for a short walk to clear our
heads. We needed a break from the
creepy vibes. We wandered through the
campground, trying to enjoy the night, but it was hard not to
think about that guy. As we looped back around, we saw
him again, this time near what we assumed was the bath house.
He was snooping around, shining a flashlight on the doors and
windows. It was super sketchy, but we
were too far away to see exactly what he was doing.
We all agreed he was acting really creepy, but still we
didn't confront him. I guess we just hoped he would
leave us alone if we left him alone.
By the time we got back to our campsite, it was dark.
We sat around the fire for a while, but none of us felt like
talking much. The whole atmosphere had
changed. What was supposed to be a fun
and relaxing trip now felt tense and uncomfortable.
I kept telling myself that he was just some awkward guy who
didn't know how to behave around people, but deep down I knew
something was wrong. We all did.
We finally decided to call it a night.
As we climbed into our tents, I couldn't shake the feeling that
we were being watched. I laughed it off with Mike
saying better not wake up to that dude looking in our window.
But as I lay there trying to sleep, I couldn't help but feel
a growing sense of dread. Something was very wrong, and I
had a terrible feeling that this night was far from over.
I woke up suddenly, my heart pounding in my chest.
For a second, I couldn't remember where I was.
Then the events of the day came flooding back.
The creepy guy, his constant staring, the weird questions
about the bath house. I took a deep breath and tried
to calm down, telling myself it was just a bad dream.
But then I heard it, a sound that made my blood run cold.
It was a scream, a high pitched, blood curdling scream, like a
woman in danger. Lily was already awake, sitting
up beside me. Did you hear that?
She whispered, her voice shaky. I nodded, trying to figure out
what to do. We listened for a few minutes,
but everything was silent again. Maybe it was just some people
messing around, I thought. After all, there were other
campers here. But it didn't sound like a joke.
It sounded real, and it scared me more than I wanted to admit.
I was about to get out of the car to look around when I heard
something else whispering. It was coming from the camper
shell of Mike and Sarah's truck just a few feet away.
I cracked the car door open, trying to be as quiet as
possible. I leaned out, straining to hear
what they were saying. Then I caught it.
Ian, start the car. It was Mike.
His voice was low and urgent. I froze, trying to understand
what was going on. Why would he want me to start
the car? What's happening?
I whispered back, but there was no answer, just that same urgent
whisper. Start the car now.
My heart was racing as I climbed back inside and turned the key.
The engine roared to life, and in an instant, Mike and Sarah
burst out of the camper, running toward us.
They jumped into the back seat, slamming the door behind them.
Drive. Mike gasped, looking more scared
than I had ever seen him. I didn't ask questions, I just
hit the gas and drove away from the campsite as fast as I could.
After what felt like forever, I finally pulled over on the side
of the road. What happened?
I asked, turning around to look at them.
Sarah was shaking, her eyes wide with terror.
Mike took a deep breath and started to explain.
We woke up to a light coming from the guy's campsite.
He said he was standing there, completely naked, shining a
flashlight in our direction. I felt a chill go down my spine.
That's not all. Sarah added, her voice barely a
whisper. He was doing something
disgusting, and he was looking right at our cars while he did
it. But that's not even the worst
part. She paused, taking a shaky
breath. He started signaling with the
flashlight, like he was doing Morse code or something.
And then across the ravine, this old RV started flashing its
headlights back at him. I couldn't believe what I was
hearing. This wasn't just some creepy guy
being weird. There was more to it.
Something dark and sinister. They were working together,
signaling to each other in the middle of the night.
I felt my stomach turn as the realization hit me.
We weren't just dealing with one strange person, we were caught
up in something much worse. And then Mike continued.
We heard footsteps around the truck.
Someone tapped on our window. That's when Sarah screamed and
we woke you up. My mind was racing.
Who was in the RV? What did they want?
Why were they watching us? We decided we needed help.
We drove until we found the camp hosts trailer and woke her up.
She called the police on her satellite phone, but they said
they couldn't get out here until morning because of a wildfire
nearby. We were on our own for the rest
of the night. The camp host advised us to stay
in our car and keep the doors locked.
As we sat in the car waiting for the sun to rise, I felt a dread
like I had never known. Every shadow looked like a
person. Every rustle of leaves sounded
like footsteps. Suddenly, a man in a hood
appeared right at my window. I flipped on the headlights and
he bolted into the trees, disappearing into the darkness.
We stayed awake until morning, too scared to sleep.
When the sun finally came up, we packed up as fast as we could.
The man's car was still there, but now it had blankets hung
over the windows, like he was hiding something.
We didn't stick around to find out what it was.
We just got out of there, driving away as fast as we
could. Hours later, the police called.
They said they questioned the guy, but he claimed he was just
showering. The people in the RV denied
everything. The police said there was
nothing they could do. It was our word against his.
As I hung up the phone, I felt a shiver run down my spine.
We might have escaped that night, but it felt like the end
of something much darker. Later, my phone buzzed with a
message from an unknown number. I opened it and my heart
stopped. It was a photo of our campsite
from the night before, taken from the darkness of the forest
beneath it. A single message.
We'll be watching. It was a bright, sunny Saturday
morning, and I couldn't have been more excited.
After months of planning, my road trip was finally happening.
I was headed to Seabrookhaven, a small coastal town where I plan
to spend the week relaxing on the beach and soaking up the
sun. With my favorite songs queued up
on my playlist and a cooler packed full of snacks, I felt
like I was ready for an adventure.
The first few hours of driving were perfect.
I rolled the windows down and let the wind mess up my hair as
I sang along to every song on the radio.
The highway stretched out in front of me, surrounded by green
fields and hills that seemed to go on forever.
Every so often, I'd pass through a small town and stop for gas.
The people were friendly, and I'd pick up a few extra snacks
to keep me going. Everything felt great, and I
couldn't wait to get to Seabrookhaven.
As the day went on, the scenery began to change.
The flat field slowly turned into dense forests, with trees
so tall they seemed to touch the sky.
The road became twisty, winding through the woods in a way that
made it feel like I was driving through a tunnel of leaves.
I loved how quiet it was, just me and the sounds of nature.
After driving for a while, I remembered reading about a
scenic overlook somewhere in this area.
It was supposed to have an amazing view of the forest, so I
decided to take a detour to check it out.
I followed a smaller Rd. that led deeper into the woods, eager
to see what I would find. Sunlight filtered through the
branches, making everything look magical, like something out of a
fairy tale. Eventually, I reached the
overlook, and it was even better than I had imagined.
I parked my car and stepped out, taking a deep breath of the
fresh, crisp air. The view was incredible.
Below me, a valley stretched out, covered in a patchwork of
green trees and brownfields. A river wound through it,
glistening in the sunlight. I stood there for a long time,
just taking it all in and feeling lucky to have found this
spot. But then something caught my
eye. There was a narrow, overgrown
path leading into the woods off to the side of the overlook.
It wasn't marked, and it looked like hardly anyone ever used it.
My curiosity kicked in and I thought, why not explore it a
bit? I had time to kill, and who knew
what other cool things I might find.
I started down the path, enjoying the sound of leaves
crunching under my feet. Birds chirped somewhere above,
and the wind rustled through the branches.
But as I walked, a strange feeling began to creep over me.
It was like the trees were closing in, and I couldn't shake
the sense that I was being watched.
I stopped a few times to look around, but all I saw were trees
and shadows. The path twisted and turned,
getting narrower with each step. Just when I thought about
turning back, I stumbled into a small clearing.
In the center stood an old, creepy cabin.
It's wood was grey and weathered, and it looked like it
hadn't been touched in years. A shiver ran down my spine.
What was this place doing here, in the middle of the woods?
Despite the uneasy feeling growing in my chest, I stepped
closer. The floorboards creaked as I
made my way onto the porch, and the door hung slightly open.
I peered inside, and what I saw made me freeze in place.
I finally arrived in Seabrookhaven, trying my best to
forget the creepy cabin in the woods.
The town was exactly as I imagined, small, quiet, and
right by the ocean. Little shops and cafes line the
streets, and the salty sea breeze made me feel like I was
in some kind of postcard. For a moment I felt relieved.
Maybe I could just put the whole weird experience behind me and
enjoy my vacation. I checked into a small motel
near the beach. The owner was friendly enough,
but I couldn't shake this odd feeling like something was off.
Maybe it was just my imagination running wild after what happened
in the woods. I decided to spend the day
exploring, hoping that getting out would help me relax.
Walking through town, I tried to enjoy the sights and sounds.
I stopped at a Cafe for lunch and chatted with some of the
locals. They seemed nice, but I noticed
some of them gave me strange looks, like they knew something
I didn't. I brushed it off, figuring I was
just being paranoid. After all, I was a stranger
here. That night, I went back to the
motel, feeling a little more at ease.
I was exhausted from the long drive and all the excitement, so
I fell asleep almost immediately.
But my sleep wasn't peaceful. I had nightmares about the
cabin, about the symbols carved into the walls and shadowy
figures lurking in the forest. In my dreams, I heard whispers
in a language I couldn't understand, and the growl I had
heard before echoed in my mind. I woke up drenched in sweat, my
heart pounding. It took me a minute to realize
where I was. I kept telling myself it was
just a dream, but it felt so real.
I sat up in bed, trying to calm down.
After a while, I convinced myself that my brain was just
playing tricks on me. I decided to get up and get on
with my day. I spent the morning wandering
around Seabrookhaven trying to distract myself.
I checked out some local shops and bought a few souvenirs.
But everywhere I went, I couldn't help but notice strange
carvings. Symbols similar to the ones I
had seen in the cabin. They were on door frames etched
into sidewalks, even on the door of my motel room.
A chill ran down my spine. Was it just a coincidence?
As evening came, I decided to take a walk on the beach to
clear my head. The sunset was beautiful,
casting shades of pink and orange across the sky.
For a while, I felt at peace. The sound of the waves and the
cool sand beneath my feet made me feel safe, like everything
was going to be OK. But as the sky grew darker, I
started to feel uneasy again. The beach was almost empty now,
and the air felt heavy, like a storm was coming.
I decided it was time to head back to the motel.
As I walked, I heard a sound that made my blood run cold, the
same low growl I had heard in the woods.
My heart raced and I quickened my pace, glancing around.
The beach was empty, but I felt like something was following me,
watching me from the shadows. I practically ran back to my
motel room and locked the door behind me, trying to convince
myself I was safe. I turned on the lights and tried
to calm down, but the room felt different.
The shadows in the corners seem to move, and I couldn't shake
the feeling that I wasn't alone. Then there was a knock on the
door, a soft, gentle tap that made me freeze.
Hello. I called out, my voice
trembling. There was no answer, just
another knock, this time a little louder.
My heart pounded in my chest. I grabbed my phone, ready to
call for help, but before I could do anything, I heard it.
A whisper, cold and low. Let me in.
A chill ran down my spine. It was the same voice from my
nightmare. I backed away from the door, my
breath coming in quick gasps. Go away.
I shouted, trying to sound brave, but my voice cracked.
Silence. And then the knocking returned,
louder and more aggressive. Let me in, The voice demanded,
sending a wave of terror through me.
I had to get out. With shaking hands, I grabbed my
bag and quietly slipped out the back door, hoping I could make
it to my car without being seen. The night air was cold and sent
shivers through me, but I didn't care.
I just needed to escape. I ran toward my car, my heart
pounding in my chest. I could feel something behind
me, like a pair of eyes burning into my back.
I didn't dare look over my shoulder.
I just focused on getting to my car, fumbling in my pocket for
my keys. My hands were shaking so badly
that I almost dropped them. Finally, I reached the car and
jammed the key into the lock. I glanced around, but the
parking lot was empty, just shadows and the dark, quiet
night. I opened the door and jumped in,
locking it as fast as I could. I tried to catch my breath, but
it felt like the air was thick, pressing down on me.
OK, OK, it's fine, I whispered to myself, trying to calm down.
I shoved the key into the ignition and turned it.
The engine roared to life and I felt a small wave of relief.
I was about to throw the car into drive when something caught
my eye in the rear view mirror. There, in the darkness behind
the car, was a figure. My heart skipped a beat.
It was the same gaunt figure from the woods, the one with the
hollow eyes and twisted smile. Only now it was closer, and I
could see its face more clearly. Its eyes were glowing with a
sickly yellow light, and it was grinning at me, a grin that sent
shivers down my spine. Where do you think you're going?
The figure said, it's voice a low, mocking whisper that seemed
to echo inside my head. I felt like I was going to be
sick. How did it get here?
What did it want with me? I didn't wait to find out.
I slammed my foot on the gas pedal and speed out of the
parking lot, the tires screeching against the asphalt.
I glanced back in the mirror and the figure was still there,
standing in the same spot, watching me with that horrible
grin. I drove as fast as I could, not
caring where I was going, just wanting to get as far away as
possible. The roads twisted and turned
through the forest, and every shadow seemed to move like it
was reaching out for me. My mind was racing.
How could this be happening? Was I going crazy?
Then my phone buzzed on the passenger seat.
I picked it up, my hands shaking.
There was a new message on the screen.
I opened it and my blood turned to ice.
It was from an unknown number and it simply said you can't
escape. Below the text were the same
symbols I'd seen in the cabin and around town.
I dropped the phone like it was burning hot.
My heart was beating so fast I thought it might burst out of my
chest. I pressed the gas pedal even
harder, but it felt like I was driving in circles.
The trees around me seem to close in and the darkness grew
thicker, like it was swallowing me whole.
Then, without warning, the car sputtered and stalled.
I tried turning the key again, but the engine just made a
pathetic clicking sound. No, no, no, I yelled, slamming
my hands on the steering wheel. I was in the middle of nowhere,
the road deserted and surrounded by forest.
I tried the key again and again, but it was no use.
The car was dead. The growl came back, louder this
time, rumbling from all around me.
My breath caught in my throat. I looked in the rear view mirror
and the figure was there, right behind the car.
It wasn't standing still anymore.
It was moving toward me, its form shifting and distorting in
the darkness. I locked the car doors, even
though I knew it wouldn't help. The figure came closer, its face
pressed up against the back window, now staring at me with
those hollow eyes. It reached out and touched the
glass, and I watched in horror as a symbol appeared where its
finger traced a twisted, ancient mark that made my skin crawl.
You entered my domain, It hissed, its voice Slytherin into
my mind. And now you belong to me.
I screamed, but the sound barely left my throat.
The figure started to phase through the car door, it's
twisted face inches from mine. I tried to move, to do
something, anything, but I was frozen in place, paralyzed with
fear. Darkness closed in around the
car, swallowing everything. The last thing I saw was its
twisted smile, and the last thing I heard was its chilling
laughter. Then everything went black.
And just like that, I was gone.