True Scary Stories Told to the Sound of Rain | Relax and Fall Asleep Quickly Vol. 146 l Black Screen

hello everyone I am the Storyteller and I am here to help you today I know you use this video to fall asleep so before that like the video and subscribe to the channel also where are you from and what time are you watching now get comfortable and relax I got to the old Inn around 7 in the evening feeling stiff and hungry the place stood alone on a stretch of Dusty Road leaning to one side with a crooked sign that Maplewood in the paint on the sign was chipped and the front porch lights flickered I

was tired from driving all day and all I wanted was a warm meal and a place to sleep the owner a thin woman with tired eyes and a tight gray bun greeted me at the front desk she ran my credit card through a squeaky machine and handed me a heavy brass key her voice was calm but low when she said the basement's off limits don't go down there she said it with a serious a stare that made me pause I tucked the key in my jacket pocket and asked why mention it at all she just

shook her head and waved a hand I figured it might be some storage area or something she didn't want guests messing with it didn't feel like much of a warning to me at first I just nodded and gathered my small bag from the floor I went up the worn wooden stairs each step creaked under my weight the place smelled like old wallpaper Dusty carpet and something something stale in the air the door to my room stuck a little so I had to shove it open with my shoulder inside the room felt simple and outdated there

was a single bed with a thin gray blanket a wooden dresser with chipped corners and a small lamp on a nightstand I could see the road through a narrow window the overhead light gave off a weak yellow glow that flickered occasionally I dropped my bag on the bed and let out a sigh a few minutes later I made my way to the dining are area it was a dim space with a low ceiling and a row of tables covered in plastic cloths the owner appeared again served me a plate of meatloaf with mashed potatoes and

offered a cup of coffee she kept glancing at the floorboards it was hard not to notice once in a while I thought I heard a soft thump but it could have been pipes or just the old building settling I tried to ignore it when I finished eating I asked her if she had any dessert she shook her head and told me the kitchen was closed for the night she gave me a strange smile I heard another dull thump this time a bit louder I said what is that she pretended not to understand and started clearing

dishes from the table I didn't press her her shoulders were tense and her eyes darted around as if she expected something else to happen I went upstairs and changed into a T-shirt and sweatpants I washed my face in the small bathroom attached to my room the hot water took a while to come out and the faucet sputtered I could see my reflection in the stained mirror and I noticed how tired I looked my eyes had dark circles and I felt the tension in my neck I decided to turn in early as soon as I lay

on the bed I heard faint bumps coming from somewhere below it sounded like a soft knocking then what could have been a whisper I couldn't make out words but it made my skin crawl I tried to ignore it rolling over and burying my head in the pillow for about an hour I tossed and turned half asleep then the noises grew louder they echoed in a steady Rhythm like someone trying to get attention I sat up heartbeat picking up speed I listened carefully convinced it had to be pipes or the old structure shifting but then I

Heard a Voice Low and strained it was impossible to tell what it said but it sounded pleading I got out of bed and pressed my ear to the floor my pulse pounded in my ears I remembered the owner warning don't go down there but my curiosity was spiking I tried to push the thought away it was late and I had a full day of work ahead I climbed back under the blanket and forced my eyes shut eventually I drifted into a Restless sleep not long after I dreamed I was walking down the in hallway it

looked darker and smelled musty I heard knocking Behind the Walls and with every step I took the floor shook my mouth was dry and my Palms were sweat the dream felt too real like I was actually there I tried to speak but my voice stuck in my throat suddenly I came to a door at the end of the hall it was locked but I heard scratching on the other side my hand reached for the doorknob and the metal felt ice cold I woke up in a cold sweat heart pounding the same knocking noise lingered in

my ears even after I opened my eyes I stared at the ceiling breathing fast my room was silent my chest felt tight but I told myself it was just a dream still I couldn't shake the sense that something was off I got out of bed and walked to the door in the hallway the lights were even dimmer than before everything looked tinted yellow my footsteps echoed on the worn carpet when I reached the top of the stairs I hesitated the downstairs was Pitch Black I could just make out the faint outline of the re I

desk I flicked the wall switch but nothing happened no lights came on my heart gave a quick jolt I thought about returning to my room but my legs moved on their own I started creeping down the steps the wooden boards groaned with each movement at the bottom I heard a faint hum like an electrical current or an old freezer I followed the sound along a short Corridor that led to a closed door the door had a heavy padlock and I realized it must lead to the basement M I placed my hand on the wood it

was cold almost like metal I felt a slow steady pulse as if something on the other side was alive my heart thumped so loudly that I worried it would wake the owner my hands shook I stepped back forcing myself to return upstairs I didn't want to get thrown out in the middle of the night for trespassing and I had no idea what I was dealing with once in my room I locked the door and stood there in the the dark I couldn't sleep for hours when morning came I felt like a zombie at breakfast the

owner was nowhere in sight a small sign by the dining area said self-service I found some cold cereal and milk in the fridge while I ate I listened carefully for anything unusual the place was quiet the morning sunlight made the lobby look less frightening but I still felt on edge I decided I wouldn't think about the basement I had a busy day of meetings and presentations I left my key at the front desk and headed out all day my focus drifted I pictured that locked door felt that cold pulsing sensation against my palm my head

started to ache during a lunch break I rubbed the back of my neck and stared at my notes but the words swam in front of me by late afternoon I had an intense urge to go back to the inn and figure out what was going on I got back around 600 and saw the owner in the lobby she stood behind the desk counting out some bills I walked up and said everything okay here she gave me a stiff nod avoiding eye contact I took the key and went to my room I set my briefcase on

the dresser and lay down on the bed trying to rest my eyes for a bit a deep slow tapping sound started up again it was fainter now but it still made my nerves hum each tap felt like a question and I could feel it under my ribs I forced myself up and headed downstairs determined to ask the owner straight out she was standing by the front door flipping the open sign to closed I said look I'm not trying to pry but I keep hearing noises I know there's something going on in the basement you warned

me not to go down but I need to know what's happening I'm losing sleep she put a hand on my arm and her grip was tense she muttered it's locked for a reason it's been locked for years please don't mess with it then she turned away and disappeared into the back office I hovered there unsure of what to do the basement door was right down that short Corridor the padlock had probably been there for decades if it was so important why not add a chain or something else why only one lock my hands felt clammy

my stomach was twisting I went went back to my room and paced for a while around 9:00 I heard the owner's door downstairs close and I guessed she had turned in for the night the place felt deserted I grabbed a small flashlight from my travel bag my hands were shaking so badly that I almost dropped it I slipped out of my room and crept down the hall my heart raced as I descended the stairs the corridor leading to the basement was dark the overhead bulb was out again I switched on my flashlight light aiming it

at the door the padlock looked old and Rusty I tested it gently and it rattled but it stayed firmly in place I felt that cool vibration again as if something behind the door was aware of my presence I tried to calm myself by taking slow breaths I told myself I was acting ridiculous but I couldn't stop I pointed the flashlight around the corridor and saw a small closet nearby inside there were some cleaning supplies a few Dusty boxes and a set of old tools a hammer pliers some screwdrivers and a small crowbar my eyes locked

onto the Crowbar I grabbed it without letting myself think too much I lined up the Crowbar tip against the edge of the lock my hands were sweaty and the metal felt slippery I took a deep breath and applied pressure the lock screeched against the wood I paused listening for footsteps upstairs the place stayed quiet I tried again pressing harder the lock groaned and then the hasp gave way the padlock fell to the floor with a Clank my heart felt like it was hammering out of my chest I swallowed took another breath and tried the doorknob

it turned when I opened the door a smell hit me like a wave of stale damp air it was freezing down there my flashlight beam caught a set of cement steps leading Into Darkness the walls were rough and covered in patches of mold I forced myself to move one step at a time each step echoed at the bottom I found a small Corridor with a low ceiling my flashlight revealed a single door at the end of the passage this door was wooden painted gray and looked warped from moisture there was no padlock on it but

the handle seemed old and discolored I approached it carefully shining the light around the walls had deep cracks and I caught a glimpse of something that looked like scratched markings near the bottom of the door my breath came out in fast bursts I touched the door knob and it felt colder than ice my fingers went numb for a second there was a faint hum from behind that door like a low drone I pressed my ear to the wood but all I could hear was that deep humming and what sounded like a faint throb I turned

the knob it didn't open I tried harder but it stayed locked my mind raced I remembered the nightmares I remembered that sense of something behind the door part of me wanted to run upstairs pack my bag and leave but I couldn't stop now I used the Crowbar again wedging it between the frame and the door my arms shook with the effort the door made a cracking sound my heart thumped then the door popped open sending me stumbling forward I caught myself shining the flashlight inside the room was small with concrete walls and no windows it

was empty except for a large metal cabinet in the corner the air was colder than anywhere else in the basement and I saw my breath in front of me my teeth chattered I walked slowly toward the cabinet my pulse hammered so hard I felt lightheaded the cabinet door was slightly ajar and I could see something glinting in the beam of light I braced myself and pulled the door open a metal cylinder sat on the bottom shelf about the size of a gallon paint can with wires wrapped around it it gave off a gentle vibration I

reached out and felt the surface it was ice cold and pulsed under my palm the wires led to a small battery device that blinked with a red light I noticed it was locked in place by a clamp my mind jumped to all sorts of explanations but none of them made sense was it some old experiment some weird generator I had no clue I grabbed the cylinder carefully it was heavier than I expected and seemed to tug at my hand like a magnet the pulsing got stronger the longer I held it my vision blurred for a

second I felt dizzy and lost my balance dropping to one knee my flashlight clattered on the floor and the beam flickered across the walls my ears started ringing I forced myself to release the cylinder and The Sensation faded I gasped for air heart pounding I backed away from the cabinet I picked up the flashlight my hand trembling the object in that cabinet felt alive in some strange way my mind was spinning something about it matched the weird dreams I'd been having like it was the source of the knocking and Whispering without really thinking I slammed

the cabinet door shut I stumbled out of the room back through the corridor and climbed the steps two at a time once I reached the top I pushed the basement door shut and jammed the padlock broken piece back in place my breath came in frantic bursts my skin was damp with sweat I felt a pounding headache behind my eyes I made my way to my room as fast as possible I locked the door sank onto the bed and tried to slow my breathing my head was spinning with questions I rubbed my eyes trying to clear

my thoughts my pulse kept racing at some point I dozed off only to wake up to that same dull knocking it felt like it was right inside my head my chest tightened and my stomach churned now every time I hear that knocking I think of that metal cylinder pulsing in my hand my ears still ring when I remember the vibration I can't figure out what it is or why it's down there the owner never explained I'm not even sure she knows exactly what she's hiding but each night I lie here and stare at the ceiling

listening for the next thump the next whisper sometimes I catch myself turning off the lamp and walking into the hallway as if I'm drawn to it without meaning to be the nightmares haven't stopped in them I see that small room that metal cabinet and the cylinders glow I see my own hand wrapped around it unable to let go tonight is my last night at this in I'm not sure if I can make it until morning the knock is starting again slow and steady my skin prickles and I feel my pulse hammering I keep telling myself

to ignore it but my body feels on high alert like I'm in a constant state of panic I don't know if I'll ever sleep properly again even if I leave tomorrow I'll carry this feeling with me part of me wants to run out of here right now but another part of me is thinking about going back down just to see if the door is still open and if the cylinder is still there I can't decide my hands won't stop shaking I can hear the owner pacing around downstairs every so often her footsteps stop and I

wonder if she she's listening to that sound too maybe she's known about this for a long time maybe she's tried to destroy it but couldn't I don't know and I don't think she'll tell me all I know is that I feel trapped in this place even though I can walk out anytime I sit here on the bed listening to my ragged breathing and the faint bumps under the floor it's cold my body feels stiff and my heart won't settle down the flashlight is on the nightstand pointed at the door I'm scared to turn it off

my mouth is dry and I keep rubbing my arms trying to warm up the sound from below won't stop it's like a heartbeat that's just out of sync with mine I'm counting the minutes until dawn hoping I don't lose my nerve if the door to the basement stays closed maybe I can slip away at first light but I'm not sure if I'll ever really leave this place behind I never believed in haunted houses but I also never spent much time alone in a place with a bad reputation when I first showed up at that old

mansion I was just looking for a quiet spot to stay for a month a friend of mine had given me the key he told me it belonged to an old family in town and that nobody lived there anymore he didn't say much else and I didn't bother asking I just wanted a roof over my head while I took care of a job in in the area I pulled up in my truck on a cloudy afternoon the driveway was a strip of gravel that crunched under my tires the house stood at the end of the property

tall Windows chipped paint on the walls and a front door that looked warped from age I remember the sky was gray and the wind was cold enough that I felt it in my bones the moment I stepped out I carried my bag up the front steps the boards creaked under my boots there was a feeling in the air that made me uneasy like the house was holding its breath waiting to see who had arrived I tried the key and it turned easily inside the foyer was dark I saw old wooden floors Dusty portraits on the

walls and a wide staircase ahead of me the place smelled like old furniture and stale air it wasn't pleasant but I kept telling myself I would only be here a few weeks I flipped a few light switches near the door but only one worked a dim light bulb and a hanging fixture flickered overhead it didn't do much to chase away the shadows in the corners I dragged my bag into a room on the ground floor that looked like a sitting room there were two large armchairs facing each other and a small table between them everything

was coated in dust my eyes stung from it when I breathed in I felt like I was inhaling Decades of neglect I coughed a few times and decided to open a window the window slid open with a groan and a blast of cold air rushed in making me shiver as I looked outside I noticed the yard was pretty overgrown Tall Grass an old tree with Twisted branches no sign of life I tried not to think about how run down everything looked I spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the ground floor looking for the kitchen

a bathroom and the circuit breaker the hallways felt chilly and I couldn't figure out if the heating system was broken or if the place just retained a permanent and cold whenever I paused I had the strange sense that something was moving nearby I checked over my shoulder a few times but I never saw anything the furniture seemed to be where I left it though I did notice an old coat rack that hadn't been in one corner the first time I walked by I told myself I must have just missed it later I found the breaker

box in a laundry room I flicked a few switches but the wiring seemed ancient and only a few lights came on around the house I decided to to keep my flashlight and a few spare batteries with me just in case I also found a Dusty bedroom upstairs it wasn't much but it had a bed and a dresser I put my clothes away and set up a small lamp the bed creaked when I sat down to test the mattress at least it was better than sleeping on the floor that first night I had trouble sleeping around

midnight I heard something in the hallway it sounded like soft footsteps my heart thumped in my chest I sat up in bed listening the steps seemed to move slowly like someone was pacing back and forth I got out of bed and walked to the door I opened at a crack the hallway was dark and the only light came from my lamp behind me I stepped out holding my breath but the hallway was empty the floor felt cold under my bare feet my hands were shaking a bit from the tension after a minute the footsteps stopped

I waited another few seconds then I went back to bed telling myself the house was old and probably settling I didn't believe it but it was the only explanation I had the next day I woke up stiff and tired I decided to clean up a bit try to make the place more livable I spent the morning dusting some of the furniture and sweeping the floors every so often I thought I saw something move in the corner of my vision a shift in the shadows near a chair or a curtain that flickered when the windows were

closed I told myself it was just my imagination playing tricks on me still it made me uneasy and I rushed through my chores with sweat forming on my forehead by late afternoon I needed a break I sat in the foyer on one of those old chairs drinking water from a plastic bottle that's when I heard a faint whisper I looked around thinking maybe a draft of wind was blowing through a crack in the wall the whisper seemed to come from the direction of the staircase it was too soft for me to make out words but

I felt my skin break out in Goosebumps my stomach got tight and I stood up determined to figure out the source I approached the stairs slowly stepping on each creaky step until I reached the second floor there was no one there the hallway was quiet and I didn't hear that whisper again I exhaled and realized my throat was dry that night I tried to relax in the living room the electricity in that room was working so I turned on a low watt lamp by the couch the old couch smelled like mildew but it was better

than sitting in the dark I was flipping through an old magazine I found in a drawer when I heard a thump above me it sounded like it came from the attic I hadn't been up there yet the idea of going into the attic in this house made my heart race I tried to ignore it but then I heard another thump it was louder this time like something heavy dropped onto the floor I grabbed my flashlight and headed upstairs again adrenaline pushing me forward there was a narrow door at the end of the second floor hallway

it led to the attic steps the door stuck a bit when I pulled on it but it finally gave way dust filled the air and the attic stairs creaked under my weight the space was lit by a single weak bulb hanging from the rafters I aimed my flashlight around there were old trunks crates cobwebs everywhere and a large mirror leaning against the wall near some boxes I Saw My Reflection In The Dirty Glass my face looked tense and I could see sweat on my forehead even though the temperature was cold I glanced around for anything

that might have made the thump but everything was still nothing was on the floor and no boxes looked like they had fallen I felt a wave of confusion then I spotted a weird shape in the mirror out of the corner of my eye I turned but it was gone I shined my flashlight onto the mirror and I only saw my myself standing there my pulse pounded and my eyes darted around the attic no sign of anyone else I left the attic as fast as I could I closed that door behind me hoping I wouldn't hear

any more noises in the early hours of the morning I woke up drenched in sweat my bedroom was freezing the blankets barely did anything to keep me warm I could hear a faint creaking sound in the hallway like someone was gently rocking on a loose floorboard my chest tightened and I sat up holding my breath the the door to my room was closed but the noise was just on the other side it moved from one end of the hallway to the other I felt paralyzed I stared at the doorknob half expecting it to turn on

its own after a few minutes the noise stopped I sat there in the dark my heart thuing I waited but it didn't come back eventually I drifted back to sleep though it was restless and filled with unease over the next few days I started to notice strange changes around the Mansion chairs were a few inches away from where I left them a small table in the foyer looked like it had shifted closer to the wall one morning I found my flashlight on the stairs when I was sure I had left it on the kitchen counter

every time I tried to push these things out of my mind something else happened I heard faint Whispers at odd times I felt cold drafts in Corners where there were no windows or vents my heart raced almost constantly and I kept glancing over my shoulders convinced I would see someone standing behind me but there was never anyone there on the fifth night the footsteps returned this time they moved toward the attic door I decided I couldn't ignore it anymore I grabbed my flashlight and a heavy wrench from the kitchen thinking I might need to defend

myself if this was some Intruder I climbed the stairs each step shaking under my feet and I turned the knob to the attic door it opened without a sound I stepped in shining my flashlight ahead the single bulb still hung from the ceiling casting weak light on the piles of boxes the mirror was still leaning against the wall I moved closer to it shining the flashlight on the glass my reflection stared back tired and anxious my hair was messed up and my eyes looked bloodshot from lack of sleep then I noticed a dark shape to

the side just behind me in the reflection it was disfigured like it couldn't keep a solid form my breath caught in my throat and I turned around fast wrench raised there was nobody there when I looked back at the mirror the shape was gone I felt a wave of dizziness like my head was spinning I swallowed hard trying to keep my hands steady I moved around the attic checking behind boxes looking under old chairs but I found nothing the mirror stayed where it was leaning in the same position I stood in front of it again

waiting but the shape didn't appear the only thing I heard was my own breathing I flicked off the attic light and headed back downstairs my mind racing with questions I couldn't stop thinking about what I saw over the following nights I kept waking up at odd times each time I heard Whispers or footsteps my entire body would tense up and my heart would pound my mouth went dry and I could barely swallow I also noticed the mansion's corridors were always cold as if some unseen presence was sucking the warmth out of the air I started

to sleep during the day just so I could keep watch at night my eyes stung from exhaustion but I couldn't rest properly anymore this situation was becoming an obsession I wanted to figure out what that shape was why I only saw it in the mirror and why it vanished when I turned around I spent hours in the Attic sitting on a Dusty stool staring at the mirror sometimes I felt a rush of air behind me but I never saw anything when I turned if I kept my eyes on the reflection I would catch a flicker

of that shape like a blurred silhouette in the corner it gave me chills every time my stomach would clench and I'd break out into a sweat it was always gone by the time I turned my head after a while I realized it seemed to appear when I was facing away as though it only existed in the reflection I tried different angles different lights even different times of night a few times I whispered who are you and waited I never got a response I could understand there were only faint sounds like distant footsteps or the scrape

of something against the floorboards my chest felt tight and my breathing would speed up whenever I tried to talk to it sometimes I questioned my own sanity but the physical reality of the cold air and the shifting Furniture kept me convinced there was something real happening after 2 weeks the tension in the house started to wear me down my hands shook when I tried to drink coffee in the mornings I jumped at every small sound at one point I watched the coat rack in the foyer tilt as if someone pushed it there was no draft

and I hadn't touched it it just shifted then settled back in place my heart almost burst out of my chest I rushed over to it looking for wires or anything else but I found nothing at night the footsteps got louder and The Whispers were closer to my room sometimes they sounded right behind the door I sat in bed gripping my sheet struggling to keep my breathing steady my muscles were always tense and I woke up with cramps in my shoulders and neck I tried calling my friend who gave me the key but he didn't answer

I felt isolated like the Mansion itself was cutting me off from the outside world on the 20th night I decided I had to confront whatever was in that mirror I waited until I heard the footsteps pacing in the corridor I grabbed my flashlight and walked up to the attic again my heart hammered in my chest and my throat felt dry I entered the attic turned on the light and stood in front of the mirror I forced myself to look directly into it my breath came in short gasps I whispered show yourself for a few seconds

nothing happened then I saw the shape appear behind me in the reflection it was tall hunched and out of focus my breath caught in my throat the wrench slipped from my hand and clattered on the floor I felt a rush of cold air around my shoulders my skin prickled and my eyes watered it felt like every nerve in my body was on high alert I forced myself not to turn around my heart felt like it was going to explode the shape seemed to shift its edges wavered I clenched my fists and tried to speak again

but I couldn't get the words out my mouth was too dry then the shape moved closer in the reflection coming right up behind me until it was only a few inches away from my back my legs trembled and my stomach lurched my pulse pounded in my ears and I could feel cold sweat dripping down my face the overhead bulb flickered I could see its movement in the glass but I still couldn't turn a wave of nausea hit me and I near collapsed suddenly the shape melted away like it had never been there my reflection was

alone again I dropped to my knees breathing hard my chest felt tight and I pressed a hand against the floor to steady myself my heart was racing so fast that I thought it would never slow down after a while I managed to stand up grab my wrench and leave the attic I locked the attic door behind me though I knew that wouldn't keep anything out I spent the rest of that night in the living room with every light on I stared at the doorway half expecting to see that shape standing there by morning I felt

too drained to think straight but I knew I had to figure out what it wanted there was no way I could go on living like this I searched the Mansion looking for old letters or anything that might explain the presence in the attic I found a few Dusty documents in a desk drawer mostly receipts and deeds nothing mentioned a spirit Spirit or a hidden occupant I wanted to find a simpler explanation but I couldn't on my last night in the Mansion I heard the steps again and I knew they were heading to the attic I

followed them my legs feeling shaky I stood at the bottom of the attic stairs and I heard a whisper that sounded like it was calling me up my heart fluttered but I forced myself to go when I entered the attic the light was already on the mirror stood in the corner my reflection waited in the glass I approached it my hands were sweating and my breath came in Shallow bursts I didn't speak I just stared after a moment the shape appeared behind me again it moved in the same slow uncertain way I watched it raise

what looked like an arm my stomach churned I could feel an iciness on my neck like something was right behind me I stood there refusing to turn around my body trembled then it vanished the overhead bulb popped and went dark leaving me in the glow of my flashlight I stumbled out of the attic and slammed the door I felt a surge of relief just being out of that space I hurried down the stairs packed my bag and left that old mansion I didn't care about finishing my stay I felt like I was escaping with my

sanity barely intact I never went back to that place I still don't know what that disfigured shape was or what it wanted sometimes I wonder if it followed me but I haven't heard Whispers or footsteps since I left all I know is that Mansion had something in it that I could see in the mirror but never faced directly even now I get chills thinking about it I don't tell this story to many people because most don't believe me that's fine I know what I heard and what I saw and I know I'm never stepping foot

in that house again I got this clock last month it came to me when my grandfather's lawyer sent me a letter saying there was an item in his estate that belonged to me I expected some old piece of furniture or maybe a family photograph instead I found a tall pendulum clock with a wornout finish on its wooden case a faded face and a heavy metal pendulum inside I set it up in my hallway because I thought it looked kind of impressive I even if it gave me a strange feeling I noticed right away that it

never seemed to stop no matter how long I left it running I didn't need to wind it as often as other clocks it just kept going ticking in a steady Rhythm that filled the house at night on the first evening I went to bed around 11:00 I could hear the clock chime the usual times 1 2 3 all the way until midnight at midnight it chimed 12 times but I heard an extra chime right after the 12th like a 13th strike the sound was low and a bit off key I sat up in bed confused

I reached for my phone checked the time and saw it was 12:00 on the dot still the clock had given one extra ring that didn't make sense I didn't think much of it right then I thought maybe the gears were old and something misfired I eventually drifted back to sleep the rest of the night felt calm and I didn't hear anything else the next night it happened again but this time right after the 13th chime I heard a light creaking outside my bedroom it was almost like someone brushing against the wall my bedroom door was

closed I got up turned on the lamp and walked carefully toward the door I listened for anything I heard the faint swish of curtains in the living room it was a soft sound like fabric moving against the window frame I wondered if a draft came through the old window but I felt no Breeze in the hallway I went into the living room the curtains were swaying but the windows were shut nothing else seemed out of place I felt uneasy like someone else was in there with me on the third night I watched the clock around

midnight I wanted to see if that extra chime would happen again at first the minute hand approached 12 and the clock chimed normally then it delivered that 13th chime I was right there staring staring at it the sound felt heavier than the other notes right after it echoed through the hallway I heard something scrape against the floor in the living room I rushed to check I saw one of the chairs next to the dining table had moved maybe a foot from where it usually sat I looked around to see if I had left it like

that but I knew I hadn't I felt my heart pounding I checked all the windows again they were closed I didn't see a reason for that chair to move on the fourth night I tried to stay awake past midnight but I ended up nodding off at exactly midnight I heard the clock's Chimes wake me up by the time it finished I was wide awake in bed right after the 13th chime I heard a louder sound a dragging noise like a heavy piece of furniture scraping across the floor I jumped out of bed and grabbed my

phone for light my hands were shaking and my throat felt tight I followed the sound to the living room again this time a larger cabinet near the wall seemed to have shifted it wasn't in the same spot I reached out and touched it and it was a bit crooked I felt a cold sensation on my arms like a drop in the temperature my heart was beating so hard that I had trouble focusing on anything else I realized I couldn't ignore this anymore something was moving around my house after that 13th chime I decided to examine

the clock the next morning in daylight I got up early made some coffee and pulled the clock away from the wall to check its back panel the wooden surface looked old and was covered in small symbols they were carved in a way that suggested someone took a lot of time to etch them they looked like circles lines and shapes that I couldn't recognize I ran my fingers over them and felt grooves the wood was smooth except for those carved spots which were rough some of the lines formed a pattern that looked deliberate I didn't know

what it meant but I got an uneasy feeling again like I shouldn't be looking at them I tried to see if there was any brand name or maker Mark but all I saw were these odd symbols I decided to check the inside of the clock so I opened the case the pendulum swung back and forth in a steady Rhythm it made a soft ticking sound that never stopped I reached in and gently touched the pendulum the metal was cool to The Touch Above It the gears turned in a slow constant cycle I noticed more simp

on the inner panel they looked similar to the ones on the back this was no ordinary design something about the arrangement felt old and honestly a bit Sinister but I still didn't know what I was dealing with that night I felt Restless I watched TV to distract myself but I kept glancing at the clock I heard the regular Chimes every hour until midnight the moment midnight struck the clock chimed 12 times as always then it gave that strange 13th ring right after that I heard Footsteps in the hallway they weren't loud but they were distinct

my entire body tensed up I got up from the couch walked slowly into the hallway and tried to see who might be there I saw nobody but I felt this pressure in my chest like the air was heavier the curtains in the front window swished back and forth as if someone walked by them I rushed over and looked outside there was nothing there when I turned around one of the dining chair slid a few inches across the floor right in front of me I backed away until I bumped into the wall my breathing was shallow

and my hands felt sweaty that was the first time I was certain something unseen was actually walking around the following day I tried to research the clock I wanted to see if I could find any reference to a clock that chimed 13 times I didn't find much I looked through some old local antiques forums but nothing seemed relevant I considered calling an antiques dealer but I was too embarrassed to mention the strange occurrences instead I studied the symbols I had seen on the clock I even tried sketching them I typed keywords into search engines but

the results were random I didn't find any direct information on these carvings or any mention of a 13th chime I started to feel paranoid I kept looking over my shoulder as if someone stood behind me that even evening I stayed in the living room with the lights on I set up my phone to record video around midnight I wanted proof that something happened the clock chimed 12 times then gave the extra chime again right on Q the temperature felt colder the air on my arms felt like it dropped 10° my phone still pointed at the

dining area at first I only heard a soft swish then a scraping noise I tried to hold still and focus on every Det detail the chairs moved the curtains fluttered and I heard faint footsteps I couldn't see anything or anyone after a few seconds I got so uncomfortable that I stood up and turned on every light in the house the noises stopped everything settled I walked over to my phone to stop the recording my hands were shaking when I played it back I heard the scraping the Swish and the footsteps but I saw no figure

the furniture seemed to shift with without any visible cause I didn't know what to do with that the next few days I spent time carefully inspecting every part of the house I checked the locks on the doors I tried to see if there was some hidden mechanism that could explain the movement I found nothing I even put tape on the floor around the furniture to see if I could measure how far it moved each night the next night after that 13th chime the chairs moved past the tape line by at least 6 in I felt

a rush of fear each time it happened like like an electric jolt in my stomach my breathing got tight and my forehead broke out in sweat I lost a lot of sleep my mind was constantly on edge every small noise during the day made me jump a week later I noticed I sometimes felt a presence during the day as well it was weaker but I sensed it I'd walk into the living room and feel a slight chill the curtains would sway even though the windows were locked the clock kept ticking always in that steady rhythm

them I tried once to remove the pendulum and stop it but the clock wouldn't halt the second I let go of the pendulum it kept swinging on its own that freaked me out more than anything else I felt this surge of panic and my heart pounded against my rib cage I slammed the clock case shut and left the house to clear my head for a while when I came back later that afternoon I could swear the clock's ticking sounded louder I stood there feeling like the thing was looking at me somehow my phone rang and

I nearly dropped it it was just a neighbor asking if everything was okay because they heard odd noises at night I lied and said I might be rearranging Furniture I didn't want them to think I was losing my mind after that call I went to the clock and looked at the symbols again I ran my finger across the carvings some lines had a repetitive pattern like a loop with points around it I had no clue what they meant but they looked ancient my body felt tense and I started breathing harder night time came again I

felt more anxious than usual I left the TV on for background noise but I paced around the living room watching the clock at midnight it chimed 12 times and then there was that extra note I waited nothing happened right away I kept pacing feeling my palm sweat then out of nowhere I felt a cold touch on my upper arm like an icy hand pressing against my shirt I froze my chest tightened and I had trouble inhaling my heart banged inside my chest I jerked my arm away but the feeling stayed for another second before disappearing

I stumbled backward nearly tripping over the coffee table then I saw the curtain sway again and one of the chairs twitched almost like it was about to move I ran out of the room and shut myself in the bathroom to catch my breath I stood there with my hands braced on the sink trying to calm down I couldn't ignore it anymore whatever energy was tied to that clock was getting stronger it was touching me now or at least coming close enough that I felt it against my body I sat on my bed staring at the

hallway through the open door the clock's ticking reached my ears steady and unending I felt like I was on edge every second waiting for something else to happen I tried to recall if my grandfather had ever mentioned mentioned this clock or warned me about it but I didn't remember anything it was just there a piece of old family property now it was mine and I had no clue how to handle it the next morning I pulled the back panel of the clock off again I grabbed my phone took detailed photos of every symbol and decided

to contact someone who might know about weird artifacts I found a local collector's shop online it specialized in odd antiques I sent an email with the pictures attached I wrote that I had an old clock with carvings I couldn't identify I left out the haunting details a few hours later I got a reply the owner said the symbols might be part of an old ritual design possibly linked to certain esoteric beliefs she asked me if there were any unusual occurrences or if the clock had come from a known collector I didn't respond right away I

felt a chill reading her words at least I confirmed the carvings were some type of ritual markings that day passed slowly I kept glancing at the clock I tried to ignore the ticking but it seemed to fill every quiet moment I wanted to smash the thing to Pieces but I was afraid of what might happen if I did I thought about taking it outside but I had no place to store it I was also worried that the presence might Follow Me Anyway by the time night fell I felt exhausted I turned on all the lights

again and sat on the couch couch telling myself I had to be calm midnight arrived and the clock chimed 12 times then came the 13th my body tensed I gripped the edge of the couch I heard a faint Creek on the hardwood floor behind me my neck and shoulders got tight I spun around and pointed my flashlight app from my phone at the hallway there was nothing there but I heard Movement Like a soft Shuffle the hairs on the back of my neck stood up then I felt it again that cold sensation on the side

of my face I jerked away stumbling to stand up my phone fell from my hand and clattered on the floor I picked it up breathing hard the living room curtains were moving in slow waves and one of the chairs slid out from the table I yelled at it to stop feeling a bit ridiculous my voice came out shaky and I got Goosebumps all over my arms the presence lingered for a few more seconds dragging the the chair a few inches farther then everything went quiet again I hardly slept that night I felt watched every minute

in the morning I decided to take that clock to the collector's shop I called ahead but the line just rang I left a message I didn't want to wait any longer so I wrapped the clock in a thick blanket trying to avoid looking at those symbols again I got it into the back seat of my car even with it sitting behind me I felt a prickling along along my neck like someone was staring at me I drove to the store but there was a sign on the door that said they were closed for the day

I stayed in the parking lot for a few minutes feeling desperate I tried to call again but no one answered I finally gave up and drove home the clock kept ticking in the back seat as if it was mocking me when I got home I brought the clock back inside my heart sank when I placed it in the hallway again it felt like I was inviting that presence back into my living space I stared at the clock face for a while watching the second hand sweep around that steady ticking sounded louder than ever at Times

it felt like I could hear other noises under the ticking but I couldn't be sure I placed the clock down took a deep breath and stepped away it started chiming on the hour as usual the normal Chimes didn't scare me anymore but I dreaded midnight I didn't want to hear that extra ring again did want to feel that cold touch or see chairs drag across the floor but I knew it would happen and I wasn't sure how to end it that's where I am now sitting here with the clock nearby it's late evening and I

can see the hour hand inching toward the 12 I have all the lights on I've pushed the furniture against the walls hoping it won't move as much I'm just waiting my heart pounding and my skin prickling with Dread that 13th chime is coming I don't know know how to stop it all I know is this clock never stops ticking and whatever rides along with that 13th note is getting Bolder each night I keep looking at the carved symbols on the wood and I feel like they're staring back at me waiting I'm trying not to panic

but my stomach is in knots the pendulum is swinging counting down the seconds any minute now it will be midnight and that presence will move through my house again I'm too scared to run and too scared to stay the clock is about to strike I can hear the gears shifting I can feel that chill growing in the air I'm gripping the edge of the table I can't look away this clock is mine and there's no one else here to see what happens next I started my first night in the library feeling confident the building was

massive with endless rows of shelves the ceilings were high and the lights hung in neat rows overhead my shift began at midnight and I walked in expecting a peaceful job I figured I would just mop the floors dust off tables and keep an eye on the place until morning on that first night the air felt cool and everything smelled like old paper and leather I liked it at first it reminded me of quiet afternoons in small bookstores but this wasn't a small bookstore it was a giant Historical Library with locked sections and hidden Corners despite

the size nothing seemed strange at the time I finished cleaning around 4:00 a.m. and sat in the staff room until the shift ended at 6:00 a.m. the second night was similar I swept the Halls checked that the doors were secure and left without a problem by the third night I started to notice little details that made me uneasy I remember walking down the oldest wing of the library near the back shelves where few people go the floor creaked under my feet the lights above flickered for no obvious reason and a faint Breeze touched my skin

it was odd because there were no open windows in that part of the building I looked around saw nothing and kept moving I Shrugged off the chill telling myself the old wiring probably caused the lights to flicker as I dusted the edges of the books I heard what sounded like a slow scrape along the floor I paused I didn't see anyone but I felt like I was being watched I stood there my broom in hand trying to hear it again the sound didn't repeat I shook my head and continued working around 3:00 a.m. that same

night I heard a soft thud in the stacks I followed the noise and found three books on the ground they were heavy volumes probably centuries old they had been on a high shelf so it surprised me that they fell out without me touching them I picked them up placed them back and checked if the Shelf was loose it didn't seem loose I pressed the spines gave the Shelf a little Shake everything stayed in place still I chocked it up to bad luck old libraries have quirks I had no reason to suspect anything else at that

moment but the next night I caught a glimpse of something that changed my perspective I was standing near a corner desk when I looked down a long aisle I saw two faint red lights at the far end close to the floor they looked like eyes reflecting light but not like cat eyes or anything familiar they were just small red dots I froze and stared for a few seconds trying to make sense of them then they disappeared the hair on my arm stood up and I felt a jolt of adrenaline I blinked several times but the

aisle was empty I told myself it must have been some Reflection from a distant exit sign but my gut told me otherwise I decided to check that aisle I walked over shining my flashlight along the shelves in the floor I didn't see any animals or anything that could reflect like that the temperature felt colder in that section my breath felt tight and I shivered a bit after a minute I left the aisle and returned to my routine hoping it was my imagination over the next few shifts that feeling of being watched grew stronger I would

be cleaning and I'd sense movement at the edge of my vision I'd look over and see a dark shape vanish behind a shelf I never got a clear look it happened at least twice a night then the odd noises started to increase sometimes I heard a soft click like nails on the floor other times I heard a faint Shuffle that made me picture someone dragging their feet whenever I tried to investigate the lights would Flicker and I'd smell something damp and musty like wet leaves in a basement the smell hit my nostrils and lingered I'd

hold my breath shining my flashlight around but I never found a wet spot or source of the smell it just appeared then faded after a few seconds one night around 2:00 a.m. I decided to walk to the far back Corridor there was a sealed off door that led to an older storage area I never had a reason to go there before but I felt pulled in that direction the corridor was dark because the overhead lights in that section were out I used my flashlight to see my footsteps echoed on the tiled floor and the air

felt colder with each step halfway down the corridor the lights farther behind me went out for a few seconds I stopped in my tracks when they flickered back on I saw what looked like footprints on the floor leading toward the sealed door they were shaped like wet Footprints but the size looked a bit off like they were too long or the toes were too pointed my stomach clenched I moved closer shining the flashlight on them seeing they glistened under the beam the footprints ended at the door I reached out and touched the door's handle it

felt cold almost like metal that had been in a freezer I tried to open it but it was locked I stood there my breathing shallow feeling my heartbeat in my ears a soft scraping sound came from behind the door and I jumped back I stood there for a moment listening the noise stopped I hurried away from that Corridor deciding I'd had enough for the night after that I started to dread coming to work I needed the job so I had to keep going on my next shift I came prepared with a heavier flashlight I wore

an extra jacket because that cold feeling was getting worse every night right after midnight I began to sense that same presence I was cleaning near a reference desk when a sudden gust of cold air made the papers on the desk flutter there were were no windows or open doors nearby so I clenched my jaw uneasy then I saw those red Reflections again this time behind a row of old shelves on my left I Stood Still focusing on them they didn't vanish immediately they stayed there like they were observing me I took a few steps closer

and the overhead lights flickered off my heart pounded and I gripped my flashlight tighter when the lights came back on a second later the red Reflections were gone I felt my arms shaking and sweat ran down my back the air smelled musty again like rotting wood I swallowed hard and tried to keep calm around 3:00 a.m. I found more books on the floor this time a whole row of them had slid out they formed a messy pile on the aisle I tried to pick them up quickly but as I grabbed the first one I heard

slow breathing behind me almost like a soft hiss I whipped around shining my flashlight but I saw nothing my hand shook and my chest felt tight I forced myself to focus on the job I stacked the books on a cart to return them to the Shelf as I slid one back into place I noticed droplets of water on the spine they were small but they smelled stale like pond water I wiped them away with my sleeve and felt a lump in my throat I kept looking around expecting something to jump out but all I saw

were shelves and desks by the time my shift was half over I decided to do a quick round of the entire building I wanted to make sure all doors were locked hoping to rule out trespassers I checked every entrance tested every lock and found nothing unusual the exterior windows were secure the place was sealed up just like it always was I walked back toward the older section my mind was filled with questions was I going crazy was something messing with me each step felt heavier than the last my Palms were sweaty and I kept swallowing

to steady my nerves then as I turned a corner I saw the shape of a tall figure at the far end of the hall I stopped dead in my tracks the figure was hunched with long limbs standing near the shelves two red glints appeared where the eyes should have been I gripped my flashlight and tried to say something my throat was so tight no sound came out the figure Twisted its head toward me then the overhead lights flickered again in that Split Second of Darkness I heard a soft scraping sound and when the lights came

back on it was gone my stomach lurched I turned around and walked away fast scanning the aisles no sign of it the corridor felt empty the only thing left was that stale moldy smell for the rest of the night I paced the main reading Hall too nervous to check the deeper sections alone every few minutes I looked over my my shoulder checking for any movement my body was tensed up like a coiled spring around 5:00 a.m. I heard another noise from the back corridors but I ignored it I wasn't going to chase that thing by

myself I counted the hours until sunrise feeling my pulse throb in my neck as soon as my shift ended I turned off the main lights locked up and got out of there on the following night I decided to record any strange sounds on my phone I arrived at midnight trembling Ling inside but I tried to hide it I walked through the main hall phone in hand the recording app open I spoke quietly logging the time then I headed toward the older wings I turned a corner near the far shelves and I saw those red eyes

again they flickered like distant Embers my flashlight beam shook in my hand the air was cold my teeth started chattering I took a few steps forward trying to fight the urge to run the lights flickered but this time they stayed off for a few seconds longer in that darkness my flashlight illuminated a shape moving across the row hunched and slow it made a slithering noise on the floor my phone's recording should have picked it up I felt my breath catch in my throat when the lights came on the shape was gone and I spotted wet

Footprints trailing around the corner my heart hammered so hard that my chest hurt I followed the footprints step by step with my flashlight aimed low they LED deeper into a side passage that was usually closed off the door there was slightly a jar I had never seen it unlocked my phone kept recording capturing my shaky breathing and the echo of my footsteps I pushed the door open shining my light inside the room smelled damp a few broken shelves leaned against the walls and there were crat stacked in the corner I saw Footprints leading to the

back of the room then stopping at a blank wall wall the wall had patches of mold on it my eyes darted around searching for any sign of movement my heart pounded in my chest and sweat dripped down my forehead I took a few steps into the room the door slammed shut behind me I nearly dropped my flashlight I turned grabbed the handle and yanked it open again I hurried out not bothering to look back I didn't want to be trapped in there with something I didn't understand my hands shook for the rest of the shift

over the next few nights similar events happened more books fell more cold winds whipped through the halls and those red eyes appeared at random spots each time the smell of mold and wet Earth followed my body was on constant alert I found myself jumping at small sounds like the hum of the vending machine or the ticking of a clock my stomach churned my legs felt weak when the Shadows seemed to lengthen I found myself clenching my fist s prepared for some kind of Confrontation but the creature always vanished it never attacked me or made a

direct move toward me it just watched it felt like it was guarding something or maybe warning me I had no idea what it wanted last night I reached a new level of fear around 2: a.m. a sudden gust of air whipped through the reading Hall scattering papers and shifting chairs the overhead lights flickered in unison and I felt a pressure in my ears like a low hum I pressed my Palms to the sides of my head then I saw it again standing by the reference section those red eyes fixed on me it lifted a hand

with long fingers and I felt a burst of Cold against my face my eyes watered my lungs felt tight then the lights flickered off for a few seconds leaving me in total darkness my flashlight failed probably from the intense flicker when the overhead lights came back the creature was gone a single thick book lay open on the floor Pages fluttering in the aftermath of the gust I leaned down to look at it the text was in a language I couldn't read the pages were damp to the touch and smelled foul I pushed the book shut

noticing my fingers were trembling uncontrollably now I stand here at the end of another shift my hands are still shaking I'm trying to process everything that's happened but I don't have answers the Library hidees something and I feel like it's getting Bolder I see the red eyes more often I smell the damp odor before I even walk into the old section I feel that cold wind even in the staff room it's like the entire building is wrapped in something I can't fight my uniform shirt clings to my back with sweat and my throat is dry

I think about quitting but I need the paycheck besides part of me wants to understand what's happening I know that might be stupid but but I can't help it every night I walk these aisles waiting to see if the redyed shape will appear again my flashlight is always ready my heart pounds like a drum in my ears I don't know how long I can keep this up the library has its secrets and now I feel like one of them I just wish I could finish a night without shaking without stumbling over Fallen books or catching

a glimpse of those eyes but every time I step through the doors at midnight the cold Breeze seems to greet me and I know it's there watching waiting leaving footprints on the floor and I know that with each turn I'm more vulnerable than before I never cared about ghost stories I used to think they were just make believe then I started traveling to the interior for work and everything changed one night I was driving along a deserted Road after a long day of meetings the road was dark and empty my headlights lit up short sections

of asphalt and there were no other cars in sight I was used to that route but something felt off that night my shoulders were tense and I couldn't shake the feeling that someone or something was out there I had been on the same road many times before it's an old two-lane highway without many signs or gas stations the only light came from my car's high beams and The Pale Moon overhead I was tired and my eyelids felt heavy but I pushed forward because I wanted to get home then I saw a shape on the shoulder

at first it looked like a person standing still facing the road as I got closer I could make out a suit that looked out of fashion it reminded me of old photos of my grandfather in a rigid suit and tie the man didn't move he stood at the edge of the road with his arms at his sides I rolled down my window a bit thinking maybe he needed help but as soon as I did that a chill ran across my arms my scalp prickled I kept my foot on the gas but I slowed down something

about him felt wrong he looked like he had no face there was a hat and under that hat there was no color or shape of eyes nose or mouth it was just blank I thought maybe my eyes were tired and playing tricks on me but he was there standing absolutely still not even glancing in my direction when I passed him I felt pressure in my chest it was like a tightness I couldn't explain I quickly rolled the window up I didn't see any headlights behind me or in front of me so I was alone with

this silent figure on the shoulder I drove away but my neck tingled it felt as if he wanted me to stop my entire body felt restless and I kept looking in my rearview mirror my hands gripped the steering wheel and my Knuckles turned white my heart was pounding but there was nothing else on the road I tried to push the memory aside maybe it was some hitchhiker maybe it was someone messing around it looked too strange though the next few times I had to travel for work I took the same route I hated that road

but there was no faster way to my destination during the day it felt normal enough the sun lit up the fields around the highway and I saw C fences and old barns at night everything changed the darkness seemed thicker out there and the quiet was absolute I would sometimes hear a distant echo of my own engine bouncing off the trees each trip became more nerve-wracking than the last I remembered that faceless figure often his suit looked worn and the cut was from another era his posture was rigid like he had been waiting for years I

told myself it must have been a tired illusion I told myself that seeing his face was impossible because of the angle or the poor lighting but none of that convinced me deep down I knew what I saw that knowledge gwed at me then about a week later I had to drive back on a late Friday night work ran longer than expected so it was around midnight when I got back on that lonely road I drank coffee to stay alert I turned up the radio to fill the silence the air was cold and the windows started

fogging slightly my mind kept drifting back to that night with the strange man my shoulders stayed tense as I drove and I kept checking the mirrors I didn't see anything behind me the radio signal got weaker the farther I went into the countryside static crackled and I had to fiddle with the dial then I saw flickering headlights up ahead another driver was on the opposite side of the road flashing the high beams like they wanted to warn me of something I slowed down my Palms felt clammy on the wheel the other car passed me I

caught a glimpse of the driver's face through their window but they looked stressed eyes wide it was just for an instant but it made me uneasy I kept going the road dipped and Rose the headlights illuminated fences and dead trees that's when I felt it it was a feeling like someone was behind me in the car I glanced at the rearview mirror there was nothing I let out a shaky breath and gripped the wheel tighter my mouth went dry I tried to tell myself that my mind was playing tricks on me again but the feeling

stayed heavy and cold I kept checking the mirror every few seconds then a low static noise filled the car I looked down at the radio the station had gone to Pure White Noise but I could still hear a faint rustling I reached over and turned the volume knob the static lowered but in that side silence I heard my own breathing my chest felt tight again I couldn't concentrate on anything else suddenly I noticed movement in my peripheral vision like a brief Shadow my heart thumped I jerked the car a little to the right nearly hitting

the rumble strip I slowed down panicking I checked the back seat again for a split second I thought I saw the outline of a person my brain told me it was a reflection of something my eyes told me something else I pressed the gas and kept my attention on the road my pulse hammered I tried to keep both hands steady but they trembled every time I passed a reflector post by the side of the highway the light flickered my anxiety kept Rising I felt corners of my vision blur from time to time as if I

was about to see that faceless man again right inside my car I clenched my jaw and forced myself to focus the rest of the drive was tense by the time I reached home my legs felt weak over the next month I had more trips I couldn't avoid the route my boss gave me instructions and the job paid well so I swallowed my fear and kept driving each time I tried to leave earlier in the day but sometimes it was impossible I ended up Crossing that lonely Highway close to midnight I would feel a presence behind

me sometimes I even heard soft sounds that might have been fabric shifting in the back seat it was was never clear or obvious but it made my heart thud I would look back see nothing then feel the seat behind me vibrate or move slightly my imagination or something worse one night I decided to test my courage I pulled over at a small rest stop around halfway through the route the rest stop was a small patch of concrete with a single vending machine and a flickering light there was no one around I got out of the

car to stretch my breath came in quick burst s and I felt the night air on my face my hands still shook I peered into the back seat from outside using the overhead dome light there was nothing there just my jacket and some old receipts I sighed and leaned against the car I listened to the wind blow through the trees it sounded Hollow after a few minutes I got back in the seat felt colder than before and the steering wheel felt damp under my Palms I hated that feeling I started the engine again the headlights

cut through the darkness but the beam seemed weak to me like it wasn't enough to chase away what lurked in the corners of my eyes I went back on the road keeping the radio off this time the tension in my chest stayed my mind kept wandering to that one night I saw the faceless figure he had stood there in silence like he was waiting for me now it felt like he was hitching a ride in my car every time I passed about a week later I was heading home on that same stretch well past midnight

I noticed a faint glow in the distance then I saw a pair of headlights moving slowly ahead of me in the same direction I approached the vehicle it was an old pickup truck moving at a crawl I thought maybe the driver had engine trouble I flicked my high beams gently to signal I was about to pass as I went around I looked at the driver's side my heart jolted the driver looked like he was wearing the same style of suit hat everything I couldn't see his face just a blank space under the brim of the

Hat I nearly slammed on the brakes but I was too afraid to stop in the middle of the highway I pressed the gas and surged past my chest felt ready to explode I checked the rear view mirror the truck was still behind me moving slowly my scalp felt like it was crawling I stared at the truck for a few seconds it drifted behind me eventually Vanishing in the darkness I kept driving sweat rolling down the sides of my face my clothes felt sticky by the time I reached the next town I pulled over at a

gas station I got out and paced around the parking lot my breathing was shallow and I had trouble focusing the station attendant gave me a strange look but I didn't explain anything eventually I got back in my car and drove the final stretch home for the rest of the night I couldn't sleep well every time I closed my eyes I saw that blank face I woke up in a sweat and paced around my apartment turning on lights and checking the doors my hands were shaking I felt my pulse beating in my neck I pressed a

cold water bottle against my forehead and tried to calm down in the following days I tried to speak to a coworker about that highway I asked if they had ever seen anything strange at night they just Shrugged and said sometimes you see random Drifters or maybe a weird local nobody else seemed bothered I thought maybe I was alone in this maybe it was all in my head but then I remembered how real the figure looked how certain I was about that missing face I started to dread every trip the fear began to dominate my thoughts

even during the day if I saw an old suit in a store or on someone my stomach would tighten I tried changing my driving routine thinking if I left extra early I'd never face that road at night but sometimes schedules shift and I found myself there in the dark again the moment I turned onto that stretch of highway I felt the hairs on my neck stand up my posture got rigid I gripped the wheel I checked my mirrors constantly half expecting to see a shape in the back seat my thighs felt tense against the seat

my jaw locked I could almost feel a faint breath on my neck which made me jerk forward I remember one night when I actually heard heard a whisper it was so soft I almost convinced myself it was the wind but it felt too close my heart pounded and my eyes darted to the rearview mirror my hands shook so hard I could barely keep the car straight I flipped on the overhead light and looked back empty seats no one there just that cold stale feeling that made me want to get out and run but there was

nowhere to go it was the middle of nowhere and the road stretched out for miles sometimes other cars would pass by flashing headlights at me each flash made me clench my teeth I'd brace myself waiting for something to appear in my mirror my mind screamed at me to keep looking forward to ignore the reflection but curiosity and fear forced me to look I never saw him there but the sensation never left by the time I got home my legs were always shaky I'm still traveling on that road I can't avoid it it's the main route

to the interior for my work every time night comes and I'm behind the wheel my heart rate speeds up my throat goes dry my eyes Dart to every shadow on the shoulder occasionally I think I spot a lone figure far off but then it's gone my rational side says it's just a tree or a sign my instincts say otherwise I keep driving because I have no choice but I feel him back there I feel his gaze even without a face I feel his Pres presence behind me in the car in the seat that should be

empty now whenever I enter that Highway my stomach tightens my thoughts race my hands turn clammy on the wheel the hum of the engine gets louder in my ears I hear every bump in the road each passing reflector startles me my eyes flick to the rearview mirror over and over I imagine a shape materializing in the back seat at any second I try to focus on the next mile marker the next gas station the next turnoff anything to keep my mind from drifting back to that silent man in the old suit with no face but

in my gut I know I'll see him again and when I do I know that Chill Will Spike through my body and my breath will catch in my throat it's the same feeling every time and I can't shake it I don't know who he is I don't know if he's even human all I know is that he appeared once and now I can't stop feeling like he never really left I got to the old Inn around 7 in the evening feeling stiff and hungry the place stood alone on a stretch of Dusty Road leaning to

one side with a crooked sign that read Maplewood in the paint on the sign was chipped and the front porch lights flickered I was tired from driving all day and all I wanted was a warm meal and a place to sleep the owner a thin woman with tired eyes and a tight gray bun greeted me at the front desk she ran my credit card through a squeaky machine and handed me a heavy brass key her voice was calm but low and she said the basement's off limits don't go down there she said it with a

serious stare that made me pause I tucked the key in my jacket pocket and asked why mention it at all she just shook her head and waved a hand I figured it might be some storage area or something she didn't want guests messing with it didn't feel like much of a warning to me at first I just nodded and gathered my small bag from the floor I went up the worn wooden stairs each step creaked under my weight the place smelled like old wallpaper Dusty carpet and something stale in the air the door to my

room stuck a little so I had to shove it open with my shoulder inside inside the room felt simple and outdated there was a single bed with a thin gray blanket a wooden dresser with chipped corners and a small lamp on a nightstand I could see the road through a narrow window the overhead light gave off a weak yellow glow that flickered occasionally I dropped my bag on the bed and let out a sigh a few minutes later I made my way to the dining area it was a dim space with a low ceiling and

a row of tables covered in plastic cloths the owner appeared again in served me a plate of meatloaf with mashed potatoes and offered a cup of coffee she kept glancing at the floorboards it was hard not to notice once in a while I thought I heard a soft thump but it could have been pipes or just the old building settling I tried to ignore it when I finished eating I asked her if she had any dessert she shook her head and told me the kitchen was closed for the night she gave me a strange smile

I heard another dull thump this time a bit louder I said what is that she pretended not to understand and started clearing dishes from the table I didn't press her her shoulders were tense and her eyes darted around as if she expected something else to happen I went upstairs and changed into a T-shirt and sweatpants I washed my face in the small bathroom attached to my room the hot water took a while to come out and the faucet sputtered I could see my reflection in the stained mirror and I noticed how tired I looked my

eyes had dark circles and I felt the tension in my neck I decided to turn in early as soon as I lay on the bed I heard faint bumps coming from somewhere below it sounded like a soft knocking then what could have been a whisper I couldn't make out words but it made my skin crawl I tried to ignore it rolling over and Burying my head in the pillow for about an hour I tossed and turned half asleep then the noises grew louder they echoed in a steady rhythm like someone trying to get attention I

sat up heartbeat picking up speed I listened carefully convinced it had to be pipes or the old structure shifting but then I Heard a Voice Low and strained it was impossible to tell what it said but it sounded pleading I got out of bed and pressed my ear to the floor my pulse pounded in my ears I remembered the owner's warning don't go down there but my curiosity was spiking I tried to push the thought away it was late and I had a full day of work ahead I climbed back under the blanket and forced

my eyes shut eventually I drifted into a Restless sleep not long after I dreamed I was walking down the Inn's hallway it looked darker and smelled musty I heard knocking Behind the Walls and with every step I took the floor shook my mouth was dry and my Palms were sweaty the dream felt too real like I was actually there I tried to speak but my voice stuck in my throat suddenly I came to a door at the end of the hall it was locked but I heard scratching on the other side my hand reached for

the doorknob and the metal felt ice cold I woke up in a cold sweat heart pounding the same knocking noise lingered in my ears even after I opened my eyes I stared at the ceiling breathing fast my room was silent my chest felt tight but I told myself it was just a dream still I couldn't shake the sense that something was off I got out of bed and walked to the door in the hallway the lights were even dimmer than before everything looked tinted yellow my footsteps echoed on the worn carpet when I reached the

top of the stairs I hesitated the downstairs was Pitch Black I could just make out the faint outline of the reception desk I flicked the wall switch but nothing happened no lights came on my heart gave a quick jolt I thought about returning to my room but my legs moved on their own I started creeping down the steps the wooden boards groaned with each movement at the bottom I heard a faint hum like an electrical current or an old freezer I followed the sound along a short Corridor that led to a closed door the door

had a heavy padlock and I realized it must lead to the basement I placed my hand on the wood it was cold almost like metal I felt a slow steady pulse as if something on the other side was alive my heart thumped so loudly that I worried it would wake the owner my hands shook I stepped back forcing myself to return upstairs I didn't want to get thrown out in the middle of the night for trespassing and I had no idea what I was dealing with once in my room I locked the door and stood

there in the dark I couldn't sleep for hours when morning came I felt like a zombie at breakfast the owner was nowhere in sight a small sign by the dining area said self-service I found some cold cereal and milk in the fridge while I ate I listened carefully for anything unusual the place was quiet the morning sunlight made the lobby look less frightening but I still felt on edge I decided I wouldn't think about the basement I had a busy day of meetings and presentations I left my key at the front desk and headed out

all day my Focus drifted I pictured that locked door felt that cold pulsing sensation against my palm my head started to ache during a lunch break I rubbed the back of my neck and stared at my notes but the words swam in front of me by late afternoon I had an intense urge to go back to the inn and figure out what was going on I got back around 600 and saw the owner in the lobby she stood behind the desk counting out some bills I walked up and said everything okay here she gave me

a stiff nod avoiding eye contact I took the key and went to my room I set my briefcase on the dresser and lay down on the bed trying to rest my eyes for a bit a deep slow tapping sound started up again it was fainter now but it still made my nerves hum each tap felt like a question and I could feel it under my ribs I forced myself up and headed downstairs determined to ask the owner straight out she was standing by the front door flipping the open sign to closed I said look I'm

not trying to pry but I keep hearing noises I know there's something going on in the basement you warned me not to go down but I need to know what's happening I'm losing sleep she put a hand on my arm and her grip was tense she muttered it's locked for a reason it's been locked for years please don't mess with it then she turned away and disappeared into the back office I hovered there unsure of what to do the basement door was right down that short Corridor the padlock had probably been there for decades if

it was so important why not add a chain or something else why only one lock my hands felt clammy my stomach was twisting I went back to my room and paced for a while around 9: I heard the owner's door downstairs close and I guessed she had turned in for the night the place felt deserted I grabbed a small flashlight from my travel bag my hands were shaking so badly that I almost dropped it I slipped out of my room and crept down the hall my heart raced as I descended the stairs the corridor leading

to the basement was dark the overhead bulb was out again I switched on my flashlight aiming at at the door the padlock looked old and Rusty I tested it gently and it rattled but it stayed firmly in place I felt that cool vibration again as if something behind the door was aware of my presence I tried to calm myself by taking slow breaths I told myself I was acting ridiculous but I couldn't stop I pointed the flashlight around the corridor and saw a small closet nearby inside there were some cleaning supplies a few Dusty boxes

and a set of old tools a hammer pliers some screwdrivers and a small crowbar my eyes locked onto the Crowbar I grabbed it without letting myself think too much I lined up the Crowbar tip against the edge of the lock my hands were sweaty and the metal felt slippery I took a deep breath and applied pressure the lock screeched against the wood I paused listening for footsteps upstairs the place stayed quiet I tried again pressing harder the lock groaned and then the hasp gave way the padlock fell fell to the floor with a Clank my

heart felt like it was hammering out of my chest I swallowed took another breath and tried the door knob it turned when I opened the door a smell hit me like a wave of stale damp air it was freezing down there my flashlight beam caught a set of cement steps leading Into Darkness the walls were rough and covered in patches of mold I forced myself to move one step at a time each step echoed at the bottom I found a small Corridor with a low ceiling my flashlight revealed a single door at the end of

the passage this door was wooden painted gray and looked warped from moisture there was no padlock on it but the handle seemed old and discolored I approached it carefully shining the light around the walls had deep cracks and I caught a glimpse of something that looked like scratched markings near the bottom of the door my breath came out in fast bursts I touched the door knob and it felt colder than ice my fingers went numb for a second there was a faint hum from behind that door like a low drone I pressed my ear to

the wood but all I could hear was that deep humming and what sounded like a faint throb I turned the knob it didn't open I tried harder but it stayed locked my mind raced I remembered the nightmares I remembered that sense of something behind the door part of me wanted to run up stairs pack my bag and leave but I couldn't stop now I used the Crowbar again wedging it between the frame and the door my arms shook with the effort the door made a cracking sound my heart thumped then the door popped open sending

me stumbling forward I caught myself shining the flashlight inside the room was small with concrete walls and no windows it was empty except for a large metal cabinet in the corner the air was colder than anywhere else in the the basement and I saw my breath in front of me my teeth chattered I walked slowly toward the cabinet my pulse hammered so hard I felt light-headed the cabinet door was slightly ajar and I could see something glinting in the beam of light I braced myself and pulled the door open a metal cylinder sat on the

bottom shelf about the size of a gallon paint can with wires wrapped around it it gave off a gentle vibration I reached out and felt the surface it was ice cold and pulsed under my palm the wires led to a small battery device that blinked with a red light I noticed it was locked in place by a clamp my mind jumped to all sorts of explanations but none of them made sense was it some old experiment some weird generator I had no clue I grabbed the cylinder carefully it was heavier than I expected and seemed

to tug at my hand like a maget the pulsing got stronger the longer I held it my vision blurred for a second I felt dizzy and lost my balance dropping to one knee my flashlight clattered on the floor and the beam flickered across the walls my ears started ringing I forced myself to release the cylinder and The Sensation faded I gasped for air heart pounding I backed away from the cabinet I picked up the flashlight my hand trembling the object in that cabinet it felt alive in some strange way my mind was spinning something about

it matched the weird dreams I'd been having like it was the source of the knocking and Whispering without really thinking I slammed the cabinet door shut I stumbled out of the room back through the corridor and climbed the steps two at a time once I reached the top I pushed the basement door shut and jammed the padlocks broken piece back in place my breath came in frantic bursts my skin was damp with sweat I felt a pounding headache behind my eyes I made my way to my room as fast as possible I locked the door

sank onto the bed and tried to slow my breathing my head was spinning with questions I rubbed my eyes trying to clear my thoughts my pulse kept racing at some point I dozed off only to wake up to that same dull knocking it felt like it was right inside my head my chest tightened and my stomach churned now every time I hear that knocking I think of that m cylinder pulsing in my hand my ears still ring when I remember the vibration I can't figure out what it is or why it's down there the owner

never explained I'm not even sure she knows exactly what she's hiding but each night I lie here and stare at the ceiling listening for the next thump the next whisper sometimes I catch myself turning off the lamp and walking into the hallway as if I'm drawn to it without meaning to be the nightmares haven't sto stopped in them I see that small room that metal cabinet and the cylinders glow I see my own hand wrapped around it unable to let go tonight is my last night at this Inn I'm not sure if I can make

it until morning the knock is starting again slow and steady my skin prickles and I feel my pulse hammering I keep telling myself to ignore it but my body feels on high alert like I'm in a constant state of panic I don't know if I'll ever sleep properly again even if I leave tomorrow I'll carry this feeling with me part of me wants to run out of here right now but another part of me is thinking about going back down just to see if the door is still open and if the cylinder is still there

I can't decide my hands won't stop shaking I can hear the owner pacing around downstairs every so often her footsteps stop and I wonder if she's listening to that sound too maybe she's known about this for a long time maybe she's tried to destroy it but couldn't I don't know and I don't think she'll tell me all I know is that I feel trapped in this place even though I can walk out any time I sit here on the bed listening to my ragged breathing and the faint bumps under the floor it's cold my body

feels stiff and my heart won't settle down the flashlight is on the nightstand pointed at the door I'm scared to turn it off my mouth is dry and I keep rubbing my arms trying to warm up the sound from below won't stop it's like a heartbeat that's just out of sync with mine I'm counting the minutes until dawn hoping I don't lose my nerve if the door to the basement stays closed maybe I can slip away at first light but I'm not sure if I'll ever really leave this place behind I never believed in haunted

houses but I also never spent much time alone in a place with a bad reputation when I first showed up at that old mansion I was just looking for a quiet spot to stay for a month a friend of mine had given me the key he told me it belonged to an old family in town and that nobody lived there anymore he didn't say much else and I didn't bother asking I just wanted a roof over my head while I took care of a job in the area I pulled up in my truck on a

cloudy afternoon the driveway was a strip of gravel that crunched under my tires the house stood at the end of the property tall Windows chipped paint on the walls and a front door that looked warped from age I remember the sky was gray and the wind was cold enough that I felt it in my bones the moment I stepped out I carried my bag up the front steps the boards creaked under my boots there was a feeling in the air that made me uneasy like the house was holding its breath waiting to see who had

arrived I tried the key key and it turned easily inside the foyer was dark I saw old wooden floors Dusty portraits on the walls and a wide staircase ahead of me the place smelled like old furniture in stale air it wasn't pleasant but I kept telling myself I would only be here a few weeks I flipped a few light switches near the door but only one worked a dim light bulb and a hanging fixture flickered overhead it didn't do much to chase away the shadows in the corners I dragged my bag into a room on

the ground floor that looked like a sitting room there were two large armchairs facing each other and a small table between them everything was coated in dust my eyes stung from it when I breathed in I felt like I was inhaling Decades of neglect I coughed a few times and decided to open a window the window slid open with a groan and a blast of cold air rushed in making me shiver as I looked outside I noticed the yard was pretty overgrown Tall Grass an old tree with Twisted branches no sign of life I tried

not to think about how rund down everything looked I spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the ground floor looking for the kitchen a bathroom and the circuit breaker the hallways felt chilly and I couldn't figure out if the heating system was broken or if the place just retained a permanent cold whenever I paused I had the strange sense that something was moving nearby I checked over my shoulder a few times but I never saw anything the furniture seemed to be where I left it though I did notice an old coat rack that hadn't been

in one corner the first time I walked by I told myself I must have just missed it later I found the breaker box in a laundry room I flicked a few switches but the wiring seemed ancient and only a few lights came on around the house I decided to keep my flashlight and a few spare batteries with me just in case I also found a Dusty bedroom upstairs it wasn't much but it had a bed and a dresser I put my clothes away and set up a small lamp the bed creaked when I sat down

to test the mattress at least it was better than sleeping on the floor that first night I had trouble sleeping around midnight I heard something in the hallway it sounded like soft footsteps my heart thumped in my chest I sat up in bed listening the steps seemed to move slowly like someone was pacing back and forth I got out of bed and walked to the door I opened at a crack the hallway was dark and the only light came from my lamp behind me I stepped out holding my breath but the hallway was empty the

floor felt cold under my bare feet my hands were shaking a bit from the tension after a minute the footsteps stopped I waited another few seconds then I went back to bed telling myself the house was old and probably settling I didn't believe it but it was the only explanation I had the next day I woke up stiff and tired I decided to clean up a bit try to make the place more livable I spent the morning dusting some of the furniture and sweeping the floors every so often I thought I saw something move in

the corner of my vision a shift in the shadows near a chair or a curtain that flickered when the windows were closed I told myself it was just my imagination playing tricks on me still it made me uneasy and I rushed through my chores with sweat forming on my forehead by late afternoon I needed a break I sat in the foyer on one of those old chairs drinking water from a plastic bottle that's when I heard a faint whisper I looked around thinking maybe a draft of wind was blowing through a crack in the wall

The Whisper seemed to come from the direction of the staircase it was too soft for me to make out words but I felt my skin break out in Goose bumps my stomach got tight and I stood up determined to figure out the source I approached the stairs slowly stepping on each creaky step until I reached the second floor there was no one there the hallway was quiet and I didn't hear that whisper again I exhaled and realized my throat was dry that night I tried to relax in the living room the electricity in that room

was working so I turned on a low watt lamp by the couch the old couch smelled like mildew but it was better than sitting in the dark I was flipping through an old magazine I found in a drawer when I heard a thump above me it sounded like it came from the attic I hadn't been up there yet the idea of going into the attic in this house made my heart race I tried to ignore it but then I heard another thump it was louder this time like something heavy dropped onto the floor I grabbed

my flashlight and headed upstairs again adrenaline pushing me forward there was a narrow door the end of the second floor hallway it led to the attic steps the door stuck a bit when I pulled on it but it finally gave way dust filled the air and the attic stairs creaked under my weight the space was lit by a single weak bulb hanging from the rafters I aimed my flashlight around there were old trunks crates cobwebs everywhere and a large mirror leaning against the wall near some boxes I Saw My Reflection In The Dirty Glass my

face looked tense and I could see W on my forehead even though the temperature was cold I glanced around for anything that might have made the thump but everything was still nothing was on the floor and no boxes looked like they had fallen I felt a wave of confusion then I spotted a weird shape in the mirror out of the corner of my eye I turned but it was gone I shined my flashlight onto the mirror and I only saw myself standing there my pulse pounded and my eyes darted around the attic no sign of

anyone else I let left the attic as fast as I could I closed that door behind me hoping I wouldn't hear any more noises in the early hours of the morning I woke up drenched in sweat my bedroom was freezing the blankets barely did anything to keep me warm I could hear a faint creaking sound in the hallway like someone was gently rocking on a loose floorboard my chest tightened and I sat up holding my breath the door to my room was closed but the noise was just on the other side it moved from one

end of the hallway to the other I felt paralyzed I stared at the doorknob half expecting it to turn on its own after a few minutes the noise stopped I sat there in the dark my heart thudding I waited but it didn't come back eventually I drifted back to sleep though it was restless and filled with unease over the next few days I started to notice strange changes around the Mansion chairs were a few inches away from where I left them a small table in the foyer looked like it had shifted closer to the wall

one morning I found my flashlight on the stairs when I was sure I had left it on the kitchen counter every time I tried to push these things out of my mind something else happened I heard faint Whispers at odd times I felt cold drafts in Corners where there were no windows or vents my heart raced almost constantly and I kept glancing over my shoulder convinced I would see someone standing behind me but there was never anyone there on the fifth night the footsteps returned this time they moved toward the attic door I decided I

couldn't ignore it anymore I grabbed my flashlight and a heavy wrench from the kitchen thinking I might need to defend myself if this was some Intruder I climbed the stairs each step shaking under my feet and I turned the knob to the attic door it opened without a sound I stepped in shining my flashlight ahead the single bulb still hung from the ceiling casting weak light on the piles of boxes the mirror was still leaning against the wall I moved closer to it shining the flashlight on the glass my reflection stared back tired and anxious

my hair was messed up and my eyes looked bloodshot from lack of sleep then I noticed a dark shape to the side just behind me in the reflection it was disfigured like it couldn't keep a solid form my breath caught in my throat and I turned around fast wrench raised there was nobody there when I looked back at the mirror the shape was gone I felt a wave of dizziness like my head was spinning I swallowed hard trying to keep my hands steady I moved around the attic checking behind boxes looking under old chairs but

I found nothing the mirror stayed where it was leaning in the same position I stood in front of it again waiting but the shape didn't appear the only thing I heard was my own breathing I flicked off the attic light and headed back downstairs my mind racing with questions I couldn't stop thinking about what I saw over the following nights I kept waking up at odd times each time I heard Whispers or footsteps my entire body would tense up and my heart would pound my mouth went dry and I could barely swallow I also noticed

the mansion's corridors were always cold as if some unseen presence was sucking the warmth out of the air I started to sleep during the day just so I could keep watch at night my eyes stung from exhaustion but I couldn't rest properly anymore this situation was becoming an obsession I wanted to figure out what that shape was why I only saw it in the mirror and why it vanished when I turned around I spent hours in the Attic sitting on a Dusty stool staring at the mirror sometimes I felt a rush of air behind me

but I never saw anything when I turned if I kept my eyes on the reflection I would catch a flicker of that shape like a blurred silhouette in the corner it gave me chills every time my stomach would clench and I'd break out into a sweat it was always gone by the time I turned my head after a while I realized it seemed to appear when I was facing away as though it only existed in the reflection I tried different angles different lights even different times of night a few times I whispered who are you

and waited I never got a response I could understand there were only faint sounds like distant footsteps or the scrape of something against the floorboards my chest felt tight and my breathing would speed up whenever I tried to talk to it sometimes I questioned my own sanity but the physical reality of the cold air and the shifting Furniture kept me convinced there was something real happening after 2 weeks the tension in the house started to wear me down my hands shook when I tried to drink coffee in the mornings I jumped at every small sound

at one point I watched the coat rack in the foyer tilt as if someone pushed it there was no draft and I hadn't touched it it just shifted then settled back in place my heart almost burst out of my chest I rushed over to it looking for wires or anything else but I found nothing at night the footsteps got louder and The Whispers were closer to my room sometimes they sounded right behind the door I sat in bed gripping my sheet struggling to keep my breathing steady my muscles were always tense and I woke up

with cramps in my shoulders and neck I tried calling my friend who gave me the key but he didn't answer I felt isolated like the Mansion itself was cutting me off from the outside world on the 20th night I decided I had to confront whatever was in that mirror I waited until I heard the footsteps pacing in the corridor I grabbed my flashlight and walked up to the attic again my heart hammered in my chest and my throat felt dry I entered the attic turned on the light and stood in front of the mirror I

forced myself to look directly into it my breath came in short gasps I whispered show yourself for a few seconds nothing happened then I saw the shape appear behind me in the reflection it was tall hunched and out of focus my breath caught in my throat the wrench slipped from my hand and clatter on the floor I felt a rush of cold air around my shoulders my skin prickled and my eyes watered it felt like every nerve in my body was on high alert I forced myself not to turn around my heart felt like it

was going to explode the shape seemed to shift its edges wavered I clenched my fists and tried to speak again but I couldn't get the words out my mouth was too dry then the shape moved closer in the reflection coming right up behind me until it was only a few inches away from my back my legs trembled and my stomach lurched my pulse pounded in my ears and I could feel cold sweat dripping down my face the overhead bulb flickered I could see its movement in the glass but I still couldn't turn a wave of

nausea hit me and I nearly collapsed suddenly the shape melted away like it had never been there my reflection C was alone again I dropped to my knees breathing hard my chest felt tight and I pressed a hand against the floor to steady myself my heart was racing so fast that I thought it would never slow down after a while I managed to stand up grab my wrench and leave the attic I locked the attic door behind me though I knew that wouldn't keep anything out I spent the rest of that night in the living

room with every light on I stared at the doorway half expect in to see that shape standing there by morning I felt too drained to think straight but I knew I had to figure out what it wanted there was no way I could go on living like this I searched the Mansion looking for old letters or anything that might explain the presence in the attic I found a few Dusty documents in a desk drawer mostly receipts and deeds nothing mentioned a spirit or a hidden occupant I wanted to find a simpler explanation but I couldn't

on my last night in the man I heard the steps again and I knew they were heading to the attic I followed them my legs feeling shaky I stood at the bottom of the attic stairs and I heard a whisper that sounded like it was calling me up my heart fluttered but I forced myself to go when I entered the attic the light was already on the mirror stood in the corner my reflection waited in the glass I approached it my hands were sweating and my breath came in Shallow bursts I didn't speak I just

stared after a moment the shape appeared behind me again it moved in the same slow uncertain way I watched it raise what looked like an arm my stomach churned I could feel an iciness on my neck like something was right behind me I stood there refusing to turn around my body trembled then it vanished the overhead bulb popped and went dark leaving me in the glow of my flashlight I stumbled out of the attic and slammed the door I felt a surge of relief just being out of that space I hurried down the stairs packed

my bag and left that old mansion I didn't care about finishing my stay I felt like I was escaping with my sanity barely intact I never went back to that place I still don't know what that disfigured shape was or what it wanted sometimes I wonder if it followed me but I haven't heard Whispers or footsteps since I left all I know is that Mansion had something in it that I could see in the mirror but never faced directly even now I get chills thinking about it I don't tell this story to many people because

most don't believe me that's fine I know what I heard and what I saw and I know I'm never stepping foot in that house [Music] again I got this clock last month it came to me when my grandfather's lawyer sent me a letter saying there was an item in his estate that belonged to me I expected some old piece of furniture or maybe a family photograph instead I found a tall pendulum clock with a worn out finish on its wooden case a faded face and a heavy metal pendulum inside I set it up in my

hallway because I thought it looked kind of impressive even if it gave me a strange feeling I noticed right away that it never seemed to stop no matter how long long I left it running I didn't need to wind it as often as other clocks it just kept going ticking in a steady Rhythm that filled the house at night on the first evening I went to bed around 11:00 I could hear the clock chime the usual times 1 2 3 all the way until midnight at midnight it chimed 12 times but I heard an extra

chime right after the 12th like a 13th strike the sound was low and a bit off key I sat up in bed confused I reached for my phone phone checked the time and saw it was 12:00 on the dot still the clock had given one extra ring that didn't make sense I didn't think much of it right then I thought maybe the gears were old and something misfired I eventually drifted back to sleep the rest of the night felt calm and I didn't hear anything else the next night it happened again but this time right

after the 13th chime I heard a light creaking outside my bedroom it was almost like someone brushing against the wall my bedroom door was closed I got up turned on the lamp and walked carefully toward the door I listened for anything I heard the faint swish of curtains in the living room it was a soft sound like fabric moving against the window frame I wondered if a draft came through the old window but I felt no Breeze in the hallway I went into the living room the curtain were swaying but the windows were shut nothing

else seemed out of place I felt uneasy like someone else was in there with me on the third night I watched the clock around midnight I wanted to see if that extra chime would happen again at first the minute hand approached 12 and the clock chimed normally then it delivered that 13th chime I was right there staring at it the sound felt heavier than the other notes right after it echoed through the hallway I heard something something scrape against the floor in the living room I rushed to check I saw one of the chairs next

to the dining table had moved maybe a foot from where it usually sat I looked around to see if I had left it like that but I knew I hadn't I felt my heart pounding I checked all the windows again they were closed I didn't see a reason for that chair to move on the fourth night I tried to stay awake past midnight but I ended up nodding off at exactly midnight I heard the clock's Chimes wake me up by the time it finished I was wide awake in bed right after the 13th chime I

heard a louder sound a dragging noise like a heavy piece of furniture scraping across the floor I jumped out of bed and grabbed my phone for light my hands were shaking and my throat felt tight I followed the sound to the living room again this time a larger cabinet near the wall seemed to have shifted it wasn't in the same spot I reached out and touched it and it was a bit crooked I felt a cold sensation on my arms like a drop in the temperature my heart was beating so hard that I had trouble

focusing on anything else I realized I couldn't ignore this anymore something was moving around my house after that 13th chime I decided to examine the clock the next morning in daylight I got up early made some coffee and pulled the clock away from the wall to check its back panel the wooden surface looked old and was covered in small symbols they were carved in a way that suggested someone took a lot of time to etch them they looked like circles lines and shapes that I couldn't recognize I ran my fingers over them and felt grooves

the wood was smooth except for those carved spots which were rough some of the lines formed a pattern that looked deliberate I didn't know what it meant but I got an uneasy feeling again like I shouldn't be looking at them I tried to see if there was any brand name or maker Mark but all I saw were with these odd symbols I decided to check the inside of the clock so I opened the case the pendulum swung back and forth in a steady Rhythm it made a soft ticking sound that never stopped I reached in

and gently touched the pendulum the metal was cool to The Touch Above It the gears turned in a slow constant cycle I noticed more symbols on the inner panel they looked similar to the ones on the back this was no ordinary design something about the arrangement felt old and honestly a bit Sinister but I still didn't know what I was dealing with that night I felt Restless I watched TV to distract myself but I kept glancing at the clock I heard the regular Chimes every hour until midnight the moment midnight struck the clock chimed 12

times as always then it gave that strange 13th ring right after that I heard Footsteps in the hallway they weren't loud but they were distinct my entire body tensed up I got up from the couch walked slowly into the hallway and tried to see who might be there I saw nobody but I felt this pressure in my chest like the air was heavier the curtains in the front window swished back and forth as if someone walked by them I rushed over and looked outside there was nothing there when I turned around one of the dining

chairs slid a few inches across the floor right in front of me I backed away until I bumped into the wall my breathing was shallow and my hands felt sweaty that was the first time I was certain something unseen was actually walking around the following day I tried to research the clock I wanted to see if I could find any reference to a clock that chimed 13 times I didn't find much I looked through some old local antiques forums but nothing seemed relevant I considered calling an antiques dealer but I was too embarrassed to mention

the strange occurrences instead I studied the symbols I had seen on the clock I even tried sketching them I typed keywords into search engines but the results were random I didn't find any direct information on these carvings or any mention of a 13th chime I started to feel paranoid I kept looking over my shoulder as if someone stood behind me that evening I stayed in the living room with the lights on I set up my phone to record video around midnight I wanted proof that something happened the clock chimed 12 times then gave the extra

chime again right on Q the temperature felt colder the air on my arms felt like it dropped 10° my phone still pointed at the dining area at first I only heard a soft swish then a scraping noise I tried to hold still and focus on every detail the chairs moved the curtains fluttered and I heard faint footsteps I couldn't see anything or anyone after a few seconds I got so uncomfortable that I stood up and turned on every light in the house the noises stopped everything settled I walked over to my phone to stop the

recording my hands were shaking when I played it back I heard the scraping the Swish and the footsteps but I saw no figure the furniture seemed to shift without any visible cause I didn't know what to do with that the next few days I spent time carefully inspecting every part of the the house I checked the locks on the doors I tried to see if there was some hidden mechanism that could explain the movement I found nothing I even put tape on the floor around the furniture to see if I could measure how far it

moved each night the next night after that 13th chime the chairs moved past the tapel line by at least 6 in I felt a rush of fear each time it happened like an electric jolt in my stomach my breathing got tight and my forehead broke out in sweat I lost a lot of sleep my mind was constantly on edge every small noise during the day made me jump a week later I noticed I sometimes felt a presence during the day as well it was weaker but I sensed it I'd walk into the living room and

feel a slight chill the curtains would sway even though the windows were locked the clock kept ticking always in that steady Rhythm I tried once to remove the pendulum and stop it but the clock wouldn't halt the second I let go of the pendulum it kept swinging on its own that freaked me out more than anything else I felt this surge of panic and my heart pounded against my rib cage I slammed the clock case shut and left the house to clear my head for a while when I came back later that afternoon I could

swear the clock's ticking sounded louder I stood there feeling like the thing was looking at me somehow my phone rang and I nearly dropped it it was just a neighbor asking if everything was okay because they heard odd noises at night I lied and said I might be rearranging Furniture I didn't want them to think I was losing my mind after that call I went to the clock and looked at the symbols again I ran my finger across the carvings some lines had a repetitive pattern like a loop with points around it I had no

clue what they meant but they looked ancient my body felt tense and I started breathing harder night time came again I felt more anxious than usual I left the TV on for background noise but I paced around the living room watching the clock at midnight it chimed 12 times and then there was that extra note I waited nothing happened right away I kept pacing feeling my palm sweat then out of nowhere I felt a cold touch on my upper arm like an icy hand pressing against my shirt I froze my chest tightened and I had

trouble inhaling my heart banged inside my chest I jerked my arm away but the feeling stayed for another second before disappearing I stumbled backward nearly tripping over the coffee table then I saw the curtain sway again and one of the chairs twitched almost like it was about to move I ran out of the room and shut myself in the bathroom to catch my breath I stood there with my hands braced on the sink trying to calm down I couldn't ignore it anymore whatever energy was tied to that clock was getting stronger it was touching me

now or at least coming close enough that I felt it against my body I sat on my bed staring at the hallway through the open door the clock's ticking reached my ears steady and unending I felt like I was on edge every second waiting for something else to happen I tried to recall if my grandfather had ever mentioned this clock or warned me about it but I didn't remember anything it was just there a piece of old family property now it was mine and I had no clue how to handle it the next morning I

pulled the back panel of the clock off again I grabbed my phone took detailed photos of every symbol and decided to contact someone who might know about weird artifacts I found a local collector's shop online it specialized in odd antiques I sent an email with the pictures attached I wrote that I had an old clock with carvings I couldn't identify I left out The Haunting details a few hours later I got a reply the owner said the symbols might be part of an old ritual design possibly linked to certain esoteric beliefs she asked me if

there were any unusual occurrences or if the clock had come from a known collector I didn't respond right away I felt a chill reading her words at least I confirmed the carvings were some type of ritual markings that day passed slowly I kept glancing at the clock I tried to ignore the ticking but it seemed to fill every quiet moment I wanted to smash the thing to Pieces but I was afraid of what might happen if I did I thought about taking it outside but I had no place to store it I was also worried

that the presence might Follow Me Anyway by the time night fell I felt exhausted I turned on all the lights again and sat on the couch telling myself I had to be calm midnight arrived and the clock chimed 12 times then came the 13th my body tensed I gripped the edge of the couch I heard a faint Creek on the hardwood floor behind me my neck and shoulders got tight I spun around and pointed my flashlight app from my phone at the hallway there was nothing there but I heard Movement Like a soft Shuffle the

hairs on the back of my neck stood up then I felt it again that cold sensation on the side of my face I jerked away stumbling to stand up up my phone fell from my hand and clattered on the floor I picked it up breathing hard the living room curtains were moving in slow waves and one of the chairs slid out from the table I yelled at it to stop feeling a bit ridiculous my voice came out shaky and I got Goosebumps all over my arms the presence lingered for a few more seconds dragging the

chair a few inches farther then everything went quiet again I hardly slept that night I felt watched every minute in the morning I decided to take that clock to the collector's shop I called ahead but the line just rang I left a message I didn't want to wait any longer so I wrapped the clock in a thick blanket trying to avoid looking at those symbols again I got it into the back seat of my car even with it sitting behind me I felt a prickling along my neck like someone was staring at me I drove

to the store but there was a sign on the door that said they were closed for the day I stayed in the parking lot for a few minutes feeling desperate I tried to call again but no one answered I finally gave up and drove home the clock kept ticking in the back seat as if it was mocking me when I got home I brought the clock back inside my heart sank when I placed it in the hallway again it felt like I was inviting that presence back into my living space I stared at the clock

face for a while watching the second hand sweep around that that steady ticking sounded louder than ever at Times it felt like I could hear other noises under the ticking but I couldn't be sure I placed the clock down took a deep breath and stepped away it started chiming on the hour as usual the normal Chimes didn't scare me anymore but I dreaded midnight I didn't want to hear that extra ring again didn't want to feel that cold touch or see chairs drag across the floor but I knew it would happen and I wasn't sure

how to end it that's where I am now sitting here with the clock nearby it's late evening and I can see the hour hand inching toward the 12 I have all the lights on I've pushed the furniture against the walls hoping it won't move as much I'm just waiting my heart pounding and my skin prickling with Dread that 13th chime is coming I don't know how to stop it all I know is this clock never stops ticking and whatever rides along with that 13th note is getting bolder each night I keep looking at the carved

symbols on the wood and I feel like they're staring back at me waiting I'm trying not to panic but my stomach is in knots the pendulum is swinging counting down the seconds any minute now it will be midnight and that presence will move through my house again I'm too scared to run and too scared to stay the clock is about to strike I can hear the gears shifting I can feel that chill growing in the air I'm gripping the edge of the the table I can't look away this clock is mine and there's no one

else here to see what happens next I started my first night in the library feeling confident the building was massive with endless rows of shelves the ceilings were high and the lights hung in neat rows overhead my shift began at midnight and I walked in expecting a peaceful job I figured I would just mop the floors dust off tables and keep an eye on the place until morning on that first night the air felt cool and everything smelled like old paper and leather I liked it at first it reminded me of quiet afternoons in small

bookstores but this wasn't a small bookstore it was a giant Historical Library with locked sections and hidden Corners despite the size nothing seemed strange at the time I finished cleaning around 4:00 a.m. and sat in the staff room until the shift ended at 6:00 a.m. the second night was similar I swept the Halls checked that the doors were secure and left without a problem by the third night I started to notice little details that made me uneasy I remember walking down the oldest wing of the library near the back shelves where few people go the

floor creaked under my feet the lights above flickered for no obvious reason and a faint Breeze touched my skin it was odd because there were no open windows in that part of the building I looked around saw nothing and kept moving I Shrugged off the chill telling myself the old wiring probably caused the lights to flicker as I dusted the edges of the books I heard what sounded like a slow scrape along the floor I paused I didn't see anyone but I felt like I was being watched I stood there my broom in hand trying

to hear it again the sound didn't repeat I shook my head and continued working around 3:00 a.m. that same night I heard a soft thud in the stacks I followed the noise and found three books on the ground they were heavy volumes probably centuries old they had been on a high shelf so it surprised me that they fell out without me touching them I picked them up placed them back and checked if the Shelf was loose it didn't seem loose I pressed the spines gave the Shelf a little Shake every everything stayed in place still

I chocked it up to bad luck old libraries have quirks I had no reason to suspect anything else at that moment but the next night I caught a glimpse of something that changed my perspective I was standing near a corner desk when I looked down a long aisle I saw two faint red lights at the far end close to the floor they looked like eyes reflecting light but not like cat eyes or anything familiar they were just small red dots I froze and stared for a few seconds trying to make sense of them then they

disappeared the hair on my arm stood up and I felt a jolt of adrenaline I blinked several times but the aisle was empty I told myself it must have been some Reflection from a distant exit sign but my gut told me otherwise I decided to check that aisle I walked over shining my flashlight along the shelves in the floor I didn't see any animals or anything that could reflect like that the temperature felt colder in that section my breath felt tight and I shivered a bit after a minute I left the aisle and returned to

my routine hoping it was my imagination over the next few shifts that feeling of being watched grew stronger I would be cleaning and I'd sense movement at the edge of my vision I'd look over and see a dark shape vanish behind a shelf I never got a clear look it happened at least twice a night then the odd noises started to increase sometimes I heard a soft click like nails on the floor other times I heard a faint Shuffle that made me picture someone dragging their feet whenever I tried to investigate the lights would Flicker

and I'd smell something damp and musty like wet leaves in a basement the smell hit my nostrils and lingered I'd hold my breath shining my flashlight around but I never found a wet spot or source of the smell it just appeared then faded after a few seconds one night around 2: a.m. I decided to walk to the far back Corridor there was a sealed off door that led to an older storage area I never had a reason to go there before but I felt pulled in that direction the corridor was dark because the overhead lights

in that section were out I used my flashlight to see my footsteps echoed on the tiled floor and the air felt colder with each step halfway down the corridor the lights farther behind me went out for a few seconds I stopped in my tracks when they flickered back on I saw what looked like footprints on the floor leading toward the sealed door they were shaped like wet Footprints but the size looked a bit off like they were too long or the toes were too pointed my stomach clenched I moved closer shining the flashlight on them

seeing they glistened under the beam the footprints ended at the door I reached out and touched the door's handle it felt cold almost like metal that had been in a freezer I tried to open it but it was locked I stood there my breathing shallow feeling my heartbeat in my ears a soft scraping sound came from behind the door and I jumped back I stood there for a moment listening the noise stopped I hurried away from that Corridor deciding I'd had enough for the night after that I started to dread coming to to work I

needed the job so I had to keep going on my next shift I came prepared with a heavier flashlight I wore an extra jacket because that cold feeling was getting worse every night right after midnight I began to sense that same presence I was cleaning near a reference desk when a sudden gust of cold air made the papers on the desk flutter there were no windows or open doors nearby so I clenched my jaw uneasy then I saw those red Reflections again this time behind a row of old shelves on my left I Stood Still

focusing on them they didn't vanish immediately they stayed there like they were observing me I took a few steps closer and the overhead lights flickered off my heart pounded and I gripped my flashlight tighter when the lights came back on a second later the red Reflections were gone I felt my arms shaking and sweat ran down my back the air smelled musty again like rotting wood I swallowed hard and tried to keep calm around 3:00 a.m. I found more books on the floor this time a whole row of them had slid out they formed a

messy pile on the aisle I tried to pick them up quickly but as I grabbed the first one I heard slow breathing behind me almost like a soft hiss I whipped around shining my flashlight but I saw nothing my hand Shook and my chest felt tight I forced myself to focus on the job I stacked the books on a cart to return them to the Shelf as I slid one back into place I noticed droplets of water on the spine they were small but they smelled stale like pond water I wiped them away with my

sleeve and felt a lump in my throat I kept looking around expecting something to jump out but all I saw were shelves and desks by the time my shift was half over I decided to do a quick round of the entire building I wanted to make sure all doors were locked hoping to rule out trespassers I checked every entrance tested every lock and found nothing unusual the exterior windows were secure the place was sealed up just like it always was I walked back toward the older section my mind was filled with questions was I going

crazy was something messing with me each step felt heavier than the last my Palms were sweaty and I kept swallowing to steady my nerves then as I turned a corner I saw the shape of a tall figure at the far end of the hall I stopped dead in my tracks the figure was hunched with long limbs standing near the shelves two red glints appeared where the eyes should have been I gripped my flashlight and tried to say something my throat was so tight no sound came out the figure Twisted its head toward me then the

overhead lights flickered again in that Split Second of Darkness I heard a soft scraping sound and when the lights came back back on it was gone my stomach lurched I turned around and walked away fast scanning the aisles no sign of it the corridor felt empty the only thing left was that stale moldy smell for the rest of the night I paced the main reading Hall too nervous to check the deeper sections alone every few minutes I looked over my shoulder checking for any movement my body was tensed up like a coiled spring around 5:00

a.m. I heard another noise from the back corridors but I ignored it I wasn't going to chase that thing by myself I counted the hours until sunrise feeling my pulse throb in my neck as soon as my shift ended I turned off the main lights locked up and got out of there on the following night I decided to record any strange sounds on my phone I arrived at midnight trembling inside but I tried to hide it I walked through the main hall phone in hand the recording app open I spoke quietly logging the time then

I headed toward the older wings I turned a corner near the far shelves and I saw those red eyes again they flickered like distant Embers my flashlight beam shook in my hand the air was cold my teeth started chattering I took a few steps forward trying to fight the urge to run the lights flickered but this time they stayed off for a few seconds longer in that darkness my flashlight illuminated a shape moving AC across the row hunched and slow it made a slithering noise on the floor my phone's recording should have picked it up

I felt my breath catch in my throat when the lights came on the shape was gone and I spotted wet Footprints trailing around the corner my heart hammered so hard that my chest hurt I followed the footprints step by step with my flashlight aimed low they LED deeper into a side passage that was usually closed off the door there was slightly a jar I had never seen it unlocked my phone kept recording capturing my shaky breathing and the echo of my footsteps I pushed the door open shining my light inside the room smelled damp a

few broken shelves leaned against the walls and there were crates stacked in the corner I saw Footprints leading to the back of the room then stopping at a blank wall the wall had patches of mold on it my eyes darted around searching for any sign of movement my heart pounded in my chest and sweat dripped down my forehead I took a few steps into the room the door slammed shut behind me I nearly dropped my flashlight I turned grabbed the handle and yanked it open again I hurried out not bothering to look back I didn't

want to be trapped in there with something I didn't understand my hands shook for the rest of the shift over the next few nights similar events happened more books fell more cold winds whipped through through the halls and those red eyes appeared at random spots each time the smell of mold and wet Earth followed my body was on constant alert I found myself jumping at small sounds like the hum of the vending machine or the ticking of a clock my stomach churned my legs felt weak when the Shadows seemed to lengthen I found myself clenching

my fists prepared for some kind of Confrontation but the creature always vanished it never attacked me or made made a direct move toward me it just watched it felt like it was guarding something or maybe warning me I had no idea what it wanted last night I reached a new level of fear around 2 a.m. a sudden gust of air whipped through the reading Hall scattering papers and shifting chairs the overhead lights flickered in unison and I felt a pressure in my ears like a low hum I pressed my Palms to the sides of my

head then I saw it again standing by the reference section those red eyes fixed on me it lifted a hand with long fingers and I felt a burst of Cold against my face my eyes watered my lungs felt tight then the lights flickered off for a few seconds leaving me in total darkness my flashlight failed probably from the intense flicker when the overhead lights came back the creature was gone a single thick book lay open on the floor Pages fluttering in the aftermath of the gust I leaned down to look at it the text was

in a language I couldn't read the pages were damp to the touch and smelled foul I pushed the book shut noticing my fingers were trembling uncontrollably now I stand here at the end of another shift my hands are still shaking I'm trying to process everything that's happened but I don't have answers the library hides something and I feel like it's getting Bolder I see the red eyes more often I smell the damp odor before I even walk into the old section I feel that cold wind even in the staff room it's like the entire building

is wrapped in something I can't fight my uniform shirt clings to my back with sweat and my throat is dry I think about quitting but I need the paycheck besides part of me wants to understand what's happening I know that might be stupid but I can't help it every night I walk these aisles waiting to see if the redey shape will appear again my flashlight is always ready my heart pounds like a drum in my ears I don't know how long I can keep this up the library has its secrets and now I feel like

one of them I just wish I could finish a night without shaking without stumbling over Fallen books or catching a glimpse of those eyes but every time I step through the doors at midnight the cold breeze seems to greet me and I know it's there watching waiting leaving footprints on the floor and I know that with each turn I'm more vulnerable than before I never cared about ghost stories I used to think they were just make believe then I started traveling to the interior for work and everything changed one night I was driving along a

deserted Road after a long day of meetings the road was dark and empty my headlights lit up short sections of asphalt and there were no other cars in sight I was used to that route but something felt off that night my shoulders were tense and I couldn't shake the feeling that someone or something was out there I had been on the same road many times before it's an old two-lane highway without many signs or gas stations the only light came from my car's high beams and The Pale Moon overhead I was tired and my eye

Lids felt heavy but I pushed forward because I wanted to get home then I saw a shape on the shoulder at first it looked like a person standing still facing the road as I got closer I could make out a suit that looked out of fashion it reminded me of old photos of my grandfather in a rigid suit and tie the man didn't move he stood at the edge of the road with his arms at his sides I rolled down my window a bit thinking maybe he needed help but as soon as I as I

did that a chill ran across my arms my scalp prickled I kept my foot on the gas but I slowed down something about him felt wrong he looked like he had no face there was a hat and under that hat there was no color or shape of eyes nose or mouth it was just blank I thought maybe my eyes were tired and playing tricks on me but he was there standing absolutely still not even glancing in my direction when I passed him I felt pressure in my chest it was like a tightness I couldn't explain

I quickly rolled the window up I didn't see any headlights behind me or in front of me so I was alone with this silent figure on the shoulder I drove away but my neck tingled it felt as if he wanted me to stop my entire body felt restless and I kept looking in my rear view mirror my hands gripped the steering wheel and my Knuckles turned white my heart was pounding but there was nothing else on the Road I tried to push the memory aside maybe it was some hitchhiker maybe it was someone messing around

it looked too strange though the next few times I had to travel for work I took the same route I hated that road but there was no faster way to my destination during the day it felt normal enough the sun lit up the fields around the highway and I saw cows fences and old barns at night everything changed the darkness seemed thicker out there and the quiet was absolute I would sometimes hear a distant echo of my own engine bouncing off the trees each trip became more nerve-racking than the last I remembered that faceless figure

often his suit looked worn and the cut was from another era his posture was rigid like he had been waiting for years I told myself it must have been a tired illusion I told myself that seeing his face was impossible because of the angle or the poor lighting but none of that convinced me deep down I knew what I saw that knowledge gwed at me then about a week later I had to drive back on a late Friday night work ran longer than expected so it was around midnight when I got back on that lonely

road I drank coffee to stay alert I turned up the radio to fill the silence the air was cold and the windows started fogging slightly my mind kept drifting back to that night with the strange man my shoulders stayed tense as I drove when I kept checking the mirrors I didn't see anything behind me the radio signal got weaker the farther I went into the countryside static crackled and I had to fiddle with the dial then I saw flickering headlights up ahead another driver was on the opposite side of the road flashing the high beams

like they wanted to warn me of something I slowed down my Palms felt clammy on the wheel the other car passed me I caught a glimpse of the driver's face through their window window but they looked stressed eyes wide it was just for an instant but it made me uneasy I kept going the road dipped and Rose the headlights illuminated fences and dead trees that's when I felt it it was a feeling like someone was behind me in the car I glanced at the rearview mirror there was nothing I let out a shaky breath and

gripped the wheel tighter my mouth went dry I tried to tell myself that my mind was playing tricks on me again but the feeling stayed heavy and cold I kept checking the mirror every few seconds then a low static noise filled the car I looked down at the radio the station had gone to Pure White Noise but I could still hear a faint rustling I reached over and turned the volume knob the static lowered but in that silence I heard my own breathing my chest felt tight again I couldn't concentrate on anything else suddenly I

noticed movement in my peripheral vision like a brief Shadow my heart thumped I jerked the car a little to the right nearly hitting the rumble strip I slowed down panicking I checked the back seat again for a split second I thought I saw the outline of a person my brain told me it was a reflection of something my eyes told me something else I pressed the gas and kept my attention on the road my pulse hammered I tried to to keep both hands steady but they trembled every time I passed a reflector post by the

side of the highway the light flickered my anxiety kept Rising I felt corners of my vision blur from time to time as if I was about to see that faceless man again right inside my car I clenched my jaw and forced myself to focus the rest of the drive was tense by the time I reached home my legs felt weak over the next month I had more trip I couldn't avoid the route my boss gave me instructions and the job paid well so I swallowed my fear and kept driving each time I tried to leave

earlier in the day but sometimes it was impossible I ended up Crossing that lonely Highway close to midnight I would feel a presence behind me sometimes I even heard soft sounds that might have been fabric shifting in the back seat it was never clear or obvious but it made my heart thud I would look back see nothing then feel the SE behind me vibrate or move slightly my imagination or something worse one night I decided to test my courage I pulled over at a small rest stop around halfway through the route the rest stop was

a small patch of concrete with a single vending machine and a flickering light there was no one around I got out of the car to stretch my breath came in quick bursts and I felt the night air on my face my hands still shook I peered into the back seat from outside using the overhead dome light there was nothing there just my jacket and some old receipts I sigh and leaned against the car I listened to the wind blow through the trees it sounded Hollow after a few minutes I got back in the seat felt

colder than before and the steering wheel felt damp under my Palms I hated that feeling I started the engine again the headlights cut through the darkness but the beam seemed weak to me like it wasn't enough to chase away what lurked in the corners of my eyes I went back on the road keeping the radio off this time the tension in my chest stayed my mind kept wandering to that one night I saw the faceless figure he had stood there in silence like he was waiting for me now it felt like he was hitching a

ride in my car every time I passed about a week later I was heading home on that same stretch well past midnight I noticed a faint glow in the distance then I saw a pair of headlights moving slowly ahead of me in the same direction I approached the vehicle it was an old pickup truck moving at a crawl I thought maybe the driver had engine trouble I flicked my high beams gently to signal I was about to pass as I went around I looked at the driver's side my heart jolted the driver looked like he

was wearing the same style of suit hat everything I couldn't see his face just a blank space on under the brim of the Hat I nearly slammed on the brakes but I was too afraid to stop in the middle of the highway I pressed the gas and surged past my chest felt ready to explode I checked the rear view mirror the truck was still behind me moving slowly my scalp felt like it was crawling I stared at the truck for a few seconds it drifted behind me eventually Vanishing in the darkness I kept driving sweat

rolling down the sides of my face my clothes felt sticky by the time I reached the next town I pulled over at a gas station I got out and paced around the parking lot my breathing was shallow and I had trouble focusing the station attendant gave me a strange look but I didn't explain anything eventually I got back in my car and drove the final stretch home for the rest of the night I couldn't sleep well every time I closed my eyes I saw that blank face I woke up in a sweat and paced around

my apartment turning on lights and checking the door my hands were shaking I felt my pulse beating in my neck I pressed a cold water bottle against my forehead and tried to calm down in the following days I tried to speak to a cooworker about that highway I asked if they had ever seen anything strange at night they just Shrugged and said sometimes you see random Drifters or maybe a weird local nobody else seemed bothered I thought maybe I was alone in this maybe it was all in my head but then I remembered remembered how

real the figure looked how certain I was about that missing face I started to dread every trip the fear began to dominate my thoughts even during the day if I saw an old suit in a store or on someone my stomach would tighten I tried changing my driving routine thinking if I left extra early I'd never face that road at night but sometimes schedules shift and I found myself there in the dark again the moment I turned onto that stretch of highway I felt the hairs on my neck stand up my posture got rigid I

gripped the wheel I checked my mirrors constantly half expecting to see a shape in the back seat my thighs felt tense against the seat my jaw locked I could almost feel a faint breath on my neck which made me jerk forward I remember one night when I actually heard a whisper it was so soft I almost convinced myself it was the wind but it felt too close my heart pounded and my eyes darted to the rearview mirror my hands shook so hard I could barely keep the car straight I flipped on the overhead light and

looked back empty seats no one there just that cold stale feeling that made me want to get out and run but there was nowhere to go it was the middle of nowhere and the road stretched out for Miles sometimes other cars would pass by flashing headlights at me each flash made me clench my teeth I'd brace myself waiting for something to appear in my mirror my mind screamed at me to keep looking forward to ignore the reflection but curiosity and fear forced me to look I never saw him there but the sensation never left by

the time I got home my legs were always shaky I'm still traveling on that road I can't avoid it it's the main route to the interior for my work every time night comes and I'm behind the wheel my heart rate speeds up my throat goes dry my eyes dark to every shadow on the shoulder occasionally I think I spot a lone figure far off but then it's gone my rational side says it's just a tree or a sign my instincts say otherwise I keep driving because I have no choice but I feel him back there

I feel his gaze even without a face I feel his presence behind me in the car in the seat that should be empty now whenever I enter that Highway my stomach tightens my thoughts race my hands turn clammy on the wheel the hum of the engine gets louder in my ears I hear every bump in the road each passing reflector startles me my eyes flick to the rearview mirror over and over I imagine a shape materializing in the back seat at any second I try to focus on the next mile marker the next gas station

the next turnoff anything to keep my mind from drifting back to that silent man in the old suit with no face but in my gut I know I'll see him again and when I do I know that Chill Will Spike through my body and my breath will catch in my throat it's the same feeling every time and I can't shake it I don't know who he is I don't know if he's even human all I know is that he appeared once and now I can't stop feeling like he never really left I decided to rent

a cabin in the middle of a dense forest because I needed a break from my routine I couldn't handle the phone calls the emails and the constant noise of the city anymore I thought a weekend alone would help me calm down the listing promised a secluded spot with no immediate neighbors no busy roads and plenty of trees around that sounded perfect I drove out on a Friday evening by the time I arrived the sun was low but I could still see enough to get my bearings the dirt road leading to the cabin was rough full

of potholes and Fallen branches my car jolted and rattled but I eventually reached the cabin entrance it was a small single story wooden structure with a simple front porch there was a small clearing around it and beyond that Tall Pines blocked most of the sky when I stepped inside I noticed right away that the air was stale I opened some windows to let in a breeze hoping to clear out the musty smell the place had a single bedroom a tiny living area and a small kitchen the bathroom was off to the left near a back

door that led outside I tossed my duffel bag onto the couch everything felt quiet which is what I wanted at first but after a few minutes of silence a feeling of unease crept over me I told myself it was just nerves from the long drive I walked back outside to stretch my legs the sun was setting and the forest around me was getting darker the listing never mentioned how thick these Woods were the pine seemed to press in from every angle in the fading light I noticed a slight Mist forming between the trees it wasn't

too thick but I had a weird feeling about it something about how it spread so quickly across the ground made me uncomfortable I took a few steps down a narrow foot path that led deeper into the woods the undergrowth rustled and I heard small animals Scurry away the air felt colder than I expected for that time of day I decided not to wander too far and turn back to the cabin inside I flipped on the lights and looked for any sign of something off but it all seemed normal I cooked a quick meal using some

groceries I'd brought while I was eating I glanced out the window the Mist had grown thicker I could barely see the tree line it felt like a wall of white slowly pressing in on every side I walked to the front door and opened it the porch light lit up the first few feet but past that everything was swallowed by fog the air smelled damp and cold like early morning dew except it was already nighttime I stood there for a minute listening at first I heard nothing just my own breathing then I caught a faint sound

of movement leaves crunching maybe it was just a small creature wandering around but my heart rate jumped and I stepped back inside closing the door door behind me I tried to shake off the tension I told myself it was just nerves again I kept repeating that I was here to relax to clear my head but the heavy silence and that thick fog didn't feel relaxing I decided to distract myself by watching something on my phone the internet signal was weak but I managed to load a simple video the muffled noise filled the cabin and made

me feel less isolated after a while my eyes got heavy and I considered going to bed but before I turned off the lights I looked out the window one more time the fog was so dense now that I couldn't see more than a few feet beyond the porch I felt a chill crawl up my spine I locked the door and went to the bedroom I slept a few hours but something made me jerk awake at first I thought it was a nightmare my heart was pounding and I was breathing hard the room was dark except

for a small amount of moonlight coming through the window I forced myself to breathe slow lower telling myself it was just a bad dream but I noticed how quiet everything was no chirping insects no wind rustling the trees I got out of bed and walked to the window through the Mist I could make out vague shapes that seemed to appear and vanish in the yard I squinted thinking maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me but then I heard a faint movement on the porch like light footsteps I grabbed my flashlight from the nightstand and

crept through the cab into the front door my Palms were sweaty and I felt a tightness in my chest I opened the door slowly cold wet air rushed in and my flashlight beam cut through the fog I tried to scan the area but everything was just swirling white then in the corner of my vision I saw a silhouette it was there for a second then gone my heart thudded so hard I could hear it in my ears I stepped forward shining the light to the left and right but I saw nothing just the the fog

drifting as I stood there I felt something brush against my shoulder from behind it was an icy Touch that made my hair stand on end I spun around shining the flashlight around me but there was no one there my breath caught in my throat and I could feel my legs shaking I wanted to go back inside but I also felt a strange pull to step off the porch and walk into the woods my instincts told me to stay put yet I found myself moving down the steps my flashlight beam flickered across the ground revealing the

wet grass and muddy Footprints I didn't remember leaving Footprints like that when I came in earlier I took a few steps toward the tree line the fog felt thicker with each foot of distance I heard my heartbeat pounding in my ears and I could feel a cold sweat on my forehead I smelled damp Earth and Old Pine Needles I kept looking around for any sign of a person or an animal but I saw nothing then I heard a whisper it wasn't a voice I recognized just a soft sound that seemed to come from all directions

my breathing sped up and I gripped the flashlight tighter a few more steps in and another silhouette flickered at the edge of my vision it looked like a person but I couldn't make out any details the figure disappeared again swallowed by the fog I tried to speak but my words came out shaky and quiet I asked if anyone was there but I got no reply instead I felt that icy Touch again this time on my left arm I jerked away shining the beam across the trees but I still saw nothing my legs felt stiff and

I realized I was trembling part of me screamed to go back inside lock the door and wait until morning Another Part Of Me felt a strange curiosity I remembered hearing rumors about this region about how people who followed strange shapes in the woods would come back different I had to dismissed those stories as nonsense but standing there I could almost believe them I took another step forward my foot sank into the soft ground and I nearly lost my balance I caught myself on a low hanging branch which dripped cold water onto my hand I stood

still listening hard the silence pressed on my ears and then I heard movement behind me again it sounded like light footsteps moving in a circle around me I spun around shining the Flash like wildly my mouth was dry and I felt a tight knot in my stomach another silhouette crossed my field of vision it moved without sound like a shadow that wasn't attached to anything then it vanished I wanted to shout but I was too scared my mind raced with thoughts of running back of hiding inside until daylight I backed up a step then another

trying to reach the porch but the Silhouettes seemed to be all around me now they flickered in and out of view sometimes close sometimes farther away they didn't make any clear sounds yet I felt their presence my heart hammered in my chest I felt a strong compulsion to follow them as if they were guiding me deeper into the woods I took a few more steps backward and realized I had lost sight of the cabin lights Panic surged through me I spun around searching for the warm glow of the porch light but everything was white I

heard the Silhouettes moving again that same rustling or shuffling noise my hands shook so badly that the flashlight beam jittered across the trees the swirling fog made it hard to keep track of anything I tried to get my bearings by looking at the ground thinking maybe I could follow my own Footprints back but the footprints were half covered by The Damp soil and the next ones faded into the fog I felt another cold brush against the back of my neck it was like an ice cold fingertip I flinched and stumbled forward my chest tightening I

tried to calm myself enough to think I told myself to slow down to breathe I needed to find the cabin I turned in the direction I thought I had come from and started walking carefully each step was uncertain and I kept sweeping the flashlight side to side the shapes appeared again drifting through the fog they stayed just Out Of Reach like they were teasing me to follow my fear grew every time I saw one my legs felt heavier and my throat felt tight I pushed through some low branches hearing them crackle under my boots I

tripped on a route and nearly fell catching myself on a tree trunk my flashlight smacked against it and flickered out for a second that moment of darkness hit me like a punch I fumbled to switch it back on when the light came back I saw a silhouette standing a few steps away it seemed tall and thin but its edges were blurred by the fog I stood Frozen unable to say or do anything the Fig figure didn't move it just remained there as if waiting my heartbeat thundered in my chest and I heard my pulse whooshing

in my ears then the figure turned and drifted deeper into the woods I felt that strange pull again a kind of urge to follow it like it was expecting me to join it my hands trembled and my breath came in short bursts for a moment I considered following I wondered if that's where all these Silhouettes wanted me to go I'd heard people never return turned the same from that place that they changed or disappeared for a while some came back quieter withdrawn or just different in some undefinable way but another wave of fear washed over

me I couldn't ignore the cold sweat covering my skin my gut told me to get out of there I turned in the opposite direction and pushed through the undergrowth I tripped again my knee hitting the ground hard pain shot through my leg and I had to clench my teeth I forced myself to stand ignoring the throbbing in my knee I tried to keep moving determined to find the cabin after a few minutes of stumbling I saw a faint glow in the distance I recognized my porch light relief flooded me and I hurried forward practically throwing

myself into the clearing around the cabin I looked back shining the flashlight into the woods the Silhouettes lingered at the edge just beyond the light shifting and fading I felt another chill run through me but I kept going until I reached the porch steps I locked the door behind me and pressed my back against it breathing hard my heart thumped so fast I thought I might pass out I stood there for a long time staring at the windows and listening I didn't hear anything from outside eventually my heartbeat slowed I limped to the couch collapsing

onto the cushions my knee achd and my head felt like it was spinning the rest of the night passed without much sleep every time I closed my eyes I pictured those Silhouettes or felt that icy Touch I lay there gripping the flashlight in one hand waiting for mning I kept thinking about what almost happened how I almost followed those shapes I didn't understand what they were or what they wanted all I knew was that it felt dangerous to go wherever they were leading when the Sun finally came up I looked outside the fog had lifted

at least partially and I could see the tree line again I walked onto the porch feeling shaky and tired I didn't see any figures among the trees just The Damp branches and the muddy ground my footprints from the night were there scattered and erratic I stood there for a few minutes trying to gather my thoughts I decided to pack up I tossed my things into the car not bothering with breakfast or any morning routine my mind was set on leaving that cabin I got into my car started the engine and drove away steering around the

potholes as best I could as the cabin faded in the rearview mirror I realized my shoulders still felt tense my hands Shook on the steering wheel I didn't feel the same as when I arrived something in that Forest had changed the way I looked at my own fears I wasn't sure what to believe about the rumors anymore but I knew I never wanted to see that fog or those Silhouettes again my plan was to forget it all to block out of my mind but as I drove on to the main road I couldn't shake the

cold sensation on my arm or the memory of shapes drifting through the fog inviting me to follow them somewhere I probably shouldn't ever go I moved into this old rental house a few weeks ago because I wanted peace and quiet I didn't expect strange noises in the middle of the night I didn't expect an attic filled with old masks and ancient robes and I definitely didn't expect the feeling that something was lurking in the shadows up there waiting for me to poke around but that's exactly what happened when I first arrived I brought only a

couple of suitcases and a few boxes I didn't plan on decorating I just needed a space to clear my head the house sat at the end of a gravel road isolated from the main strip of town I like the quiet the landlord told me the place was old and a little run down but I didn't mind I noticed right away that the floorboards creaked with every step the paint on the walls was chipped the windows looked smudged like somebody had tried wiping them down but lost interest halfway through none of that bothered me I just

wanted to be alone I found the attic on the second day the landlord hadn't mentioned it so I assumed it was just another storage space with Dusty boxes and maybe a few spiders the attic door was a small hatch in the hallway ceiling I had to get a folding chair to reach it when I opened that hatch I felt a gust of stale air blow down into the hallway it smelled like old clothes and something else I couldn't name maybe mold or inscense I figured I'd take a quick look so I grabbed a flashlight and

climbed the rickety pull down ladder inside I saw thick wooden beams overhead and a few old trunks stacked in the corners the place wasn't huge but it felt crowded because of all the boxes crates and random junk piled around I started poking around shining the flashlight on everything that's when I spotted these masks there were five of them all hung on a row of nails hammered into a support beam they looked handmade some had sharp features others had markings that looked more like scribbles they gave me a weird feeling next to them I noticed long

robes and some sort of ceremonial clothing like outfits from another time time or culture they were made of heavy Fabric and had patterns that I couldn't identify I Shrugged it off at first I've seen weird antiques before in thrift stores and estate sales people collect all sorts of strange things but then I saw an old wooden chest in the corner it was locked but not very securely so I fiddled with the latch until it popped open inside I found letters a whole bunch of them bundled with twine and neat Stacks the writing wasn't in English

it wasn't in any language I recognized the characters looked Jagged like symbols carved with a shaky hand every page had rows of these symbols some pages had drawings of masks shapes or patterns it seemed like someone's private archive I flipped through a few letters trying to see if I could spot anything familiar I saw the same set of symbols repeated like a name or a common phrase nothing made sense the pages felt old and smelled like the inside of a church kind of a mix of dust and candle wax I started feeling uncomfortable my flashlight

beam kept moving across the masks on the wall and every time the light passed over them I got a prickling sensation at the back of my neck I closed the chest latched it and decided I'd had enough exploring for the day that night I tried to sleep around midnight I heard something above my room it sounded like footsteps not light footsteps but heavy thuds that made the ceiling Creek I froze in bed listening I thought maybe an animal had gotten into the attic but the footstep sounded too deliberate after a few seconds they stopped my

heart pounded in my ears I forced myself to relax thinking it was probably just the old house settling eventually I fell asleep the next morning I went up to the attic again I felt silly about being so jumpy I wanted to see if there were any signs of animals like droppings or a nest I pushed open the hatch and climbed up shining the flashlight around the air felt heavier I noticed a faint smell of incense mixed with old wax the masks on the beam were all facing forward the same as before but something about them

felt off I couldn't tell if they were tilted differently or if I was just being paranoid I stepped closer and looked at the floor for scratches or droppings I found none then on the side of one crate I noticed a small burnt patch it looked recent there was a bit of melted wax around it it reminded me of a candle burn I touched the spot and felt a greasy residue it smelled like burnt incense I looked around for the source but I didn't see any candles lying around I took a few more steps checking Corners

lifting old blankets off boxes and looking behind stacks of crates everything seemed normal but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching me I backed away and decided to go downstairs the rest of the day felt tense I tried to keep myself busy I reorganized the kitchen cabinets swept the living room floor and took out some old trash the landlord had left behind but my mind kept going back to the attic the footsteps The Masks the letters in that strange language every Creek of the house made me stop and listen my nerves were on

edge by evening I felt exhausted I sat on the couch and tried to watch TV the local stations were static so I turned off the set and scrolled through my phone then around 11: I heard a dull thump above me again I got up heart racing and waited another thump echoed from the attic I grabbed a flashlight from the coffee table and went to the hallway I stood under the attic hatch staring at it for a moment I felt stupid for even considering going up there again at night but my curiosity got the better of

me I pulled down the ladder and climbed up slowly trying not to make too much noise the second my head cleared the floor of the attic I caught a whiff of that same incense smell stronger than before the beam of my flashlight swept across the room my chest tightened when I saw that the masks weren't on the beam anymore they were on the floor arranged in a semicircle all facing the hatch I held my breath breath I couldn't think straight my legs felt heavy but I forced myself to climb up the rest of the way

I Shone the light around checking for anyone else up there I saw nobody I felt sweat drip down my temples I breathed in short shallow bursts I walked toward the masks one step at a time my eyes flicked from corner to corner expecting someone to LEAP out nothing happened when I reached the masks I crouched down and picked one up it felt smooth smooth on the outside but rough on the inside the nose of the Mask was chipped I set it back down and scanned the attic for any sign of forced entry the windows were

closed the only entrance or exit was the hatch I gathered the masks and hung them back on the nails I tried to ignore how my hands were shaking then I heard a soft creaking in the corner behind me I whipped around with the flashlight the corner was dark piled with junk I took a few steps forward shining the light under a sheet that covered a few boxes there was nothing I spun around scanning the rest of the attic a gust of cold air brushed past me but the windows were shut the hair on my arms

stood up I backed away toward the hatch I climbed down pulled the ladder up behind me and shut the attic door I didn't want to sleep but I forced myself to lie in bed I kept the flashlight next to me my mind replayed that scene of the masks on the floor I couldn't explain it I couldn't think of a rational reason for why they'd be removed from the wall like that I told myself it had to be some trick of my mind maybe I left them on a different hook maybe they fell but deep down

I didn't believe that over the next few days I tried to avoid going up there I focused on chores short walks and some freelance work on my laptop but during the night the thumping sounds came back sometimes it was just one or two thuds other times I heard A Long series of footsteps pacing back and forth my stomach churned every time my Palms got clammy I wanted to call someone but I didn't know who the landlord would probably think I was losing it the police wouldn't do much without proof of an intruder finally late one

afternoon I worked up the courage to investigate again the daylight made me feel braver I went up with a bright LED Lantern not just a flashlight the attic looked the same as before but the smell of incense and wax was Stronger The Masks hung on the nails except now one was turned slightly as if looking toward the hatch I walked over and straightened it then I noticed the wooden chest was open I was sure I had latched it before the letters were scattered across the floor a few had footprints on them but the footprints didn't

look like boots or shoes they were just smudges shaped almost like bare feet but wider in some spots I crouched down and picked up a page the symbols stared back at me my head felt light and I exhaled in a shaky breath I put the letters back into the chest then I looked around for any sign of who might have been up there I saw no tools no rope no signs of a Breakin the windows were still sealed I felt a knot in my gut I decided to leave the attic and lock it but I

realized I didn't have a proper lock for the hatch I improvised by dragging a heavy Wardrobe from a spare bedroom and shoving it under the hatch hoping it would keep the door from opening if someone tried to push it from above that night I lay awake waiting for footsteps around midnight I heard a single loud thud then silence my heart pounded but I didn't move the Wardrobe was still in place I was scared but I felt a small bit of relief that maybe the Wardrobe would stop whatever was making those noises in the morning I

checked the hallway the Wardrobe hadn't moved I climbed up on a chair and tapped the attic hatch it was still shut I dared to push it open just to crack and peek in the Attic was dark and quiet nothing seemed out of place from that angle the smell of incense still drifted down but no fresh noises I slid the hatch back down and stepped off the chair for the rest of the day I left the attic alone I tried to keep myself busy but I couldn't escape a dull tension that settled in my stomach I

drank coffee paced around the living room tried to read a book and scrolled on my phone for hours by Sunset I felt drained that evening as I sat in the living room the power flickered for a second the lights dimmed and then came back it startled me enough to send a jolt of adrenaline through my body I felt my breathing speed up I hated how jumpy I had become around 9:00 I heard a scratching sound from the ceiling I turned off the TV and listened it sounded like something dragging across the attic floor I stood

up walked to the hallway and stared at the Wardrobe it didn't move but the scratching continued slow and deliberate I pressed my ear to the ceiling my pulse raced the air felt Cold against my skin I thought about opening the hatch and confronting whatever was up there but I just couldn't do it I slept on the couch that night with the TV on hoping the noise would cover any more sounds I woke up around Dawn with the TV still running my back achd from the couch cushions I walked to the hallway and felt my stomach

twist when I saw the Wardrobe was slightly shifted to the side it wasn't a lot just a few inches but enough that the hatch could have been opened if someone pushed hard I checked the attic door with a trembling hand it was closed I tugged on it gently and it pulled down without resistance I swallowed hard then pushed it back up I left the hallway and tried to calm myself with a hot shower for the next 2 days I avoided the attic the noises continued at random times sometimes a heavy thud other times a faint

scraping I kept the Wardrobe under the hatch but it kept moving each time it was just a little out of place I considered leaving the house but I didn't want to run away like a coward plus I paid rent for the whole month I told myself I'd see it through I made sure to keep the doors locked and windows secured I checked them every night on the final night before I decided to pack up I heard the heaviest footsteps yet they stomped back and forth above me shaking the ceiling I turned on every light in

the house I grabbed my flashlight and stood at the bottom of the attic ladder the Wardrobe was no longer enough to keep me from wanting to see what was going on I slid it aside and opened the hatch the stench of incense and burnt wax hit me in the face my lungs felt tight I climbed up with my flashlight my hands sweating the attic was dim my flashlights beam revealed The Masks scattered across the floor again the chest was open letters thrown everywhere the footprints showed up on the dusty floor they circled around in a

frantic pattern my heart hammered my breath came in gasps I backed away toward the hatch I heard a loud knock on the far side of the attic I spun around shining the light but only saw old crates and tattered cloth I didn't wait any longer I scrambled back down the ladder nearly tripping on the last step I slammed the hatch and dragged the Wardrobe over it again my arms trembled my throat felt tight I needed to get out of the house the next morning I started packing my things I wasn't interested in being brave anymore

the footsteps The Masks the incense and those unreadable letters were too much there was something in that attic and I didn't want to face it alone I piled my suitcases in my car locked the front door and called the landlord to let him know I was leaving the key under the mat I didn't go into detail I just said I had an urgent reason to cut the lease short as I drove away I glanced at the Attic Window in my rearview mirror it looked dark I couldn't see anything moving behind the glass but I swear

I could still smell that faint scent of burning wax and incense clinging to my clothes I gripped the steering wheel and kept driving until the house disappeared in the distance I didn't look back [Music] again I never thought I'd end up locked in a white room for days at a time but I felt desperate to escape the dull feeling in my mind I was tired of staring at a blank canvas in my apartment so when I got an offer to use a small small empty Gallery space I jumped on it the curator said I could

stay overnight if I wanted I brought a few supplies a simple cut some blankets my paints my brushes and a few snacks I didn't think much about the room itself other than it was perfect for isolating myself from distractions it had bright overhead lights smooth White Walls and a polished concrete floor that felt cold under my shoes I like the silence and I like the idea that this Place existed outside my normal world I was sure I could make something new here on my first evening I set up my small workstation in the corner the

walls looked impossibly clean my eyes had trouble adjusting to the uniform brightness so I turned off one of the overhead lights to reduce the glare I could hear the buzzing of the remaining bulbs it sounded a bit like electricity surging but I found it comforting I spread out my paints on a little table and placed a few blank canvases along the wall I painted a few basic sketches but nothing inspired me I tried to close my eyes and wait for ideas but I felt impatient the silence got heavier I heard the hum of the ventilation

system or maybe it was the lights it all Blended together eventually I lay down on the cot to clear my head but I couldn't sleep well that night the next morning I woke up with an odd pressure in my forehead my mouth was dry and I noticed the overhead lights were flickering in a quick faint paint Rhythm I stood up and walked around the room to stretch I wanted a clearer look at the walls so I pressed my hand against one the white paint felt smooth and cool I could see faint smudges from my own

fingerprints but nothing else the entire space looked blank and sterile I tried painting again I started with broad Strokes of black on a small canvas my brush glided across but I didn't like anything I produced everything felt dull I ended up throwing away two small canvases my frustration kept building and I had nowhere to put that anger except into the walls or my own head I kicked one of the trash cans and the sound echoed I noticed my heart beating harder than usual my hand felt Twitchy I walked around in circles until I calmed down

that evening I sat down on my cot and stared at the far wall I caught a glimpse of something dark near the ceiling it looked like a Mark or a slight stain I walked closer I couldn't see it anymore I checked the entire surface but everything looked white I told myself it was nothing maybe my eyes were tired I heard a faint crackle from the overhead lights again the buzzing felt stronger I rubbed my eyes and tried to focus on my sketches at around midnight I heard a soft scratching sound above me it was like

a gentle scrape against plaster I froze for a moment but it stopped I glanced up saw nothing I went back to painting but my concentration was shot the next day I noticed a definite shift in the air there was an electric charge that made the hairs on my arms stand on end the room felt dry and I kept licking my lips I decided to walk outside for a moment but the main Gallery space was empty and all the lights were off I didn't see any staff around I felt uneasy so I turned around and went

back to my small room that was when I saw a dark smudge in the corner near the ceiling it looked like a brownish black patch about the size of my hand I walked over and stood right below it but by the time I looked up it was gone I blinked several times thinking my vision was messing with me the overhead lights flickered again I checked every inch of that corner but there was no stain it really startled me I tried to distract myself by painting a new piece on a larger canvas I used more aggressive

Strokes darker colors and heavier textures I felt an odd sense of urgency like something was pushing me to paint faster my wrist hurt from the speed of my movements but I couldn't slow down I kept feeling that electrical buzz in the air like static it made me sweat when I stepped back from the painting I saw these Twisted shapes that looked like they were all pressed together in a tight space they had strange outlines almost like limbs but I couldn't identify what they were the sight of it Disturbed me but I couldn't stop staring it

wasn't something I planned it felt like something else guided my hand later that night I lay down exhausted but I couldn't sleep I heard a scraping sound near the ceiling again my chest tightened I felt cold sweat under my arms my eyes darted around the dark corners of the room the overhead lights were off but I had a small lamp on my table its light spread across the floor leaving most of the walls in Shadow I caught a glimpse of a moving shape along the far wall it looked like a smear of Darkness that crawled

a few inches I held my breath when I turned my head to look at it directly it froze it blended into the white my heartbeat pounded in my ears I felt dizzy but I forced myself to stand I took a couple of steps forward holding my breath the shape vanished my eyes saw only the blank wall I slowly backed away to my cot the next morning I woke up to a faint sizzling sound in my ears my entire body felt tense I looked at my new painting in daylight it made me queasy it showed these

ugly forms pressed against each other parts of them looked melted I felt ashamed for painting it I decided to do something different so I set up a fresh canvas but my brush kept drifting to dark hues my hands gravitated toward black deep red muddy Grays I hated it but I couldn't stop I painted for hours until my back achd when I finally stopped I had another horrifying image it looked like a row of crouching figures bending over something I felt my stomach tighten I shoved the canvas against the wall face turned so I didn't have

to see it that night I made myself sit in the corner with the lamp on I tried to see if the smudges would appear again I felt so tired but my mind was on high alert my breath came in Shallow bursts after a while I saw a stain near the ceiling it pulsed once like it was alive and then it slid an inch to the right I jumped up nearly knocking over the lamp when I aimed the lamp directly at it there was nothing there my spine tingled my skin felt clammy I wanted to scream

at the walls but I didn't want anyone to hear me and think I'd lost my mind I just stared at the blank space where the stain had been my left hand shook I couldn't calm it eventually I grabbed my Sketchbook and started scribbling my lines came out harsh and uneven I ended up drawing shapes that looked like the smudges I ripped out the pages and threw them aside at around 3:00 a.m. I heard scratching again this time louder it came from the ceiling near my cot I slowly moved my lamp upward the beam of light

showed a smooth surface no damage but the sound kept going like nails scraping I shouted who's there and stepped back but no one answered I grabbed a small stool and climbed on it I touched the ceiling it felt cold and slightly damp a wave of static washed over me I could feel it in my fingertips my heart thed in my chest I climbed down turned off the lamp and tried to sleep I didn't rest much by the next morning I felt completely on edge my eyes achd and my back felt stiff I convinced myself I

needed to get out of the room for at least a few minutes I walked into the main Gallery area but it looked dark and empty none of the usual staff seemed to be around I found a small bathroom splashed water on my face and looked in the mirror I had dark circles under my eyes my hair was matted my skin felt clammy I realized I hadn't eaten a proper meal in a while I looked for a vending machine or something but the place seemed deserted I returned to my room with a feeling of dread when

I stepped inside I saw several black patches on the walls they looked uneven some the size of a fist others no larger than a coin they rested high on the walls near the ceiling my heart hammered I froze at the doorway eyes locked on these shapes they didn't move while I looked at them but when I glanced away I sensed them shift like a slight Ripple I felt breathless the air smelled stale my arms tingled again with static I forced myself to walk forward I kept my eyes on them determined not to Blink my neck

started to cramp I thought I saw one patch tremble for half a second my legs wanted to run but I held my ground finally I exhaled and walked to my workstation the shapes stayed there near the ceiling like clusters of mold or so I tried to paint something bright to counter the Gloom I felt I set out yellow paint pastel colors anything that might break this cycle of dark images but every time I lifted my brush the lines curved into Sinister forms I felt sweat on my forehead I realized my mind was locked in some

weird State my breath became rapid I tried to stop painting but my hand seemed to move on its own a sense of panic Rose in my chest my canvas ended up filled with these long limed figures that looked hunched I couldn't make sense of their structure but they all seemed to stare at me with blank faces I dropped my brush and backed away I felt my stomach clench and I bent over dry heaving nothing came out but I tasted acid in my mouth when I glanced up I saw the dark patches again they looked larger

now some had grown long edges that curved inward the overhead lights buzzed with a stronger hum my ears rang I stumbled to my cot and sat down my entire body shook I gripped the edges of the cot to steady myself my brain felt like it was boiling the scratching started again this time it came from a corner near the floor I stared at that corner the faint scraping continued it felt like something was Behind the Walls clawing at the plaster I pressed my Palms against my ears and rocked back and forth my breathing fast and

uneven after a few minutes I forced myself to stand I stared at my half finished painting The Twisted shapes glaring back at me I grabbed the canvas and hurled it across the room it hit the floor with a loud thud I could see fresh black patches behind where it had been leaning against the wall they looked moist almost glistening in the fluorescent light I reached out to touch one my fingertips felt a sticky residue and I jerked my hand back the sticky stuff made me gag my chest felt tight I tried to wipe my hand

on a rag but the feeling stayed my skin prickled like a mild electric shock I stumbled to the sink in the corner which had a small drain for cleaning brushes I scrubbed my fingers with soap until they went red the sticky sensation stayed for a while even though I couldn't see it anymore I turned toward the door thinking I needed to leave right away the patches seemed to cover large portions of the walls near the ceiling it was like they were creeping downward inch by inch my pulse raced my throat felt tight I wanted to

yank the door open and run but I hesitated a part of me felt drawn to keep painting like I was under a spell I shook my head trying to clear it I told myself this was insane I snatched up my brushes my supplies and started shoving them into my bag I glanced around for anything important my eyes kept landing on the black patches which seemed to tremble whenever I looked away the scraping noise returned louder now it sounded like something was dragging across the ceiling I felt Goosebumps on my arms my scalp tingled the overhead

lights flickered and for a split second the entire room dimmed when the lights came back on I thought I saw movement on the walls like the black stains were alive the air smelled harsh like Oz I coughed covered my mouth and sprinted toward the door I paused at the threshold I looked back at the paintings I'd created they all showed these disgusting warped figures I hated them my heart pounded so hard that I felt faint my gaze flickered to the far wall and I thought I saw a large stain shift downward my knees almost buckled

I turned away and shoved the door open the hallway outside felt just as cold and empty as before but at least it was free of those crawling shapes my mind felt scrambled and my only goal was to get out of that building I moved quickly carrying my bag against my chest ignoring the squeak of my sneakers on the floor I didn't care that I left behind the paintings I couldn't stand to look at them anymore I finally reached the lobby it was dark and vacant I didn't see any security guard or curator I left the

building stepped onto the street and breathed in in fresh air my heart rate stayed high for a while my skin still felt charged I kept seeing flickers of black shapes out of the corner of my eye but whenever I turned there was nothing I stood there shaking unsure what had happened in that room I had no answers only the memory of those dark patches the scratching sounds and the sense that my own Creations had turned on me I decided then that I'd never go back to that place no matter what promises it held for my

art I crossed the street trying to calm down and I realized I couldn't wipe away the feeling that those patches were following me but I left anyway I had to I didn't want to see what they might become if I stayed I arrived at the old Inn on a rainy afternoon the wind was strong and the sign above the front door door creaked every time a gust passed through the place looked worn out the paint on the shutters had peeled away revealing patches of raw wood I stepped inside and the lobby smelled like damp floorboards

and old leather I expected a rustic getaway but I didn't expect the constant tension that would fill my nights I felt a tightness in my chest the moment I set my bags down it wasn't just the weather or the creaking boards it was something else I couldn't name and I felt it grow more intense with each hour I spent there I introduced myself to the owner a wiry man with gray hair and lines around his eyes he spoke quietly and didn't hold eye contact for long he gave me a key to a small room at

the end of the second floor Corridor the hallway leading to my room was lit by a single low watt bulb It cast a weak glow across walls covered with faded wallpaper I heard my footsteps echo on the wooden floor each step creaked so loud it sounded like the building was protesting my presence my room had a bed a small wardrobe and a narrow window that looked out at the driveway there was a single chair in the corner the radiator hissed and clanked when I dropped my suitcase on the bed I felt the frame jolt the

mattress sagged under the weight the entire room smelled like dust in stale sheets I was tired from the trip so I decided to unpack then walk around before dinner maybe stretch my legs see if the rest of the in was any more inviting I wandered down the corridor toward the stairs the hallway felt darker than it should have the overhead lights flickered a little as I walked I noticed a large ornamental Tapestry on the right wall it was thick and the pattern was impossible to make out clearly in the dim light I approached it and

brushed my fingertips against the fabric it felt rough and old I turned to see if anyone was around I I didn't see anyone then I spotted the outline of a door behind the tapestry it was wooden and it had intricate carvings around the edges there was no door knob or handle just an empty hole where one might have been the wood looked warped and dry but I could tell it was solid I leaned in and pressed my ear against the door I heard nothing except the faint sound of the wind outside I gently tried pushing

it but it didn't budge I pulled at the spot where I expected a handle but my fingers just slipped on the wood the door stayed shut I glanced around again feeling a slight Rush of adrenaline I didn't know why I felt nervous it was just a door but something about the locked handleless design put me on edge I went back downstairs to the lobby the owner stood behind a desk flipping through a worn Ledger I asked about the Tapestry on the second floor he Shrugged and said it had been there for decades maybe longer he

didn't say anything about a door behind it so I asked if there was some kind of storage closet up there he paused for a second then said he didn't know his answer felt evasive he changed the subject by pointing me to the dining area I decided not to push it I grabbed a quick meal then returned to my room to rest that night I woke up to a loud rhythmic knocking at first I thought it was someone at my door but when I got up and crossed the room the sound seemed to come from the

hallway I opened the door to the Corridor and stuck my head out the hallway was dark except for the small bulb near the stairwell my heart beat faster I listened the knocking continued but it sounded muffled like it came from behind something thick I walked slowly down the hall each step making the floor groan when I got to the tapestry I realized the knocking was coming from behind it right where that carved wooden door was I stood there with my ear close to the fabric the knocking was steady three Taps then a pause then three

more Taps my throat felt dry I glanced around no one else was in the hallway I pulled the tapestry aside the door was still closed and the hole where the handle should be looked dark I placed my palm on the wood a chill ran up my arm then the knocking stopped I stayed there breathing hard trying to calm down after after a few seconds of Silence I heard a weak voice calling out from behind the door I couldn't make out the words it sounded like a hushed whisper like someone was trying to speak through a

wall a nervous sweat broke out on my forehead I whispered who's there no response I waited but I heard only faint wheezing or maybe soft breathing then it went quiet again I felt shaky I let the tapestry fall back and I returned to my room locking my door behind me I didn't sleep well I kept seeing that door every time I closed my eyes I had nightmares about a long Corridor stretching out behind it in the dream I would stand on the threshold and the door would swing open without a sound the air on the

other side was cold I would step forward but the corridor had no end the walls were rough and the ceiling felt low everything was dark I would walk for what felt like hours and the door behind me would slam shut then I would wake up with sweat on my neck and a tightness in my stomach the next morning I got up and splashed cold water on my face my eyes were bloodshot I felt wired and tired at the same time I went downstairs and found the owner in the dining room setting out some bread and

coffee I tried to ask him again about the door he stared at me then told me not to worry about old locked doors he said the building was full of unused rooms and strange Corners he acted like it was normal but his voice had an edge I didn't feel satisfied with his answers I decided to spend part of the day exploring the town I walked around took a few pictures of the scenery and ate lunch in a small Cafe the place was empty and the waitress barely said a word to me I tried to push

thoughts of the door out of my head but they kept creeping Back That Knocking and that weak voice had felt Too Real by the time I returned to the Inn in the late afternoon the sky was gray and the wind was picking up again I went straight to the second floor Corridor I wanted to get a better look at that door in daylight the tapestry was in the same place the hallway smelled musty like wet wood and old cloth I lifted the tapestry and examined the door the carvings were more elaborate than I'd realized there

were shapes along the edges that looked like swirls or maybe Vines I pressed my fingers against them the wood felt rough splintery I tried pushing again hoping it might open it stayed locked in place I leaned in and looked through the hole where the knob should be I saw Darkness nothing else no movement no light that evening I ate alone in my room the dining room was empty and I didn't want to sit at a table by myself with that uneasy feeling in my gut I had a sandwich and some water the radiator hissed and

the wind outside wrapped battled the window I kept thinking about the voice I replayed it in my head trying to decipher the words but I only remembered the tone it sounded desperate I tried to go to bed early I pulled the sheets over me but my mind wouldn't shut off I stared at the ceiling until my eyes grew heavy at some point I drifted off when I opened my eyes again everything was dark I heard that knocking three Taps a pause three Taps again it was louder this time I jumped up my heart pounding I

stood in the middle of the room listening sweat trickled down my forehead my hands were shaky I could feel the vibration in the floor I left my room without turning on the light the corridor was dimly lit by the bulb near the stairs again I felt pulled toward the tapestry my legs felt tense and my breath sounded loud in my ears the knocking was constant I reached the tapestry and lifted it the door looked the same but the sound was so strong I could feel it in my chest then the knocking stopped I heard the

voice again speaking faster I could barely make out a few words it sounded like it was calling my name but the pronunciation was distorted I whispered I'm here I can hear you my mouth felt dry and my throat tightened The Voice paused then resumed in a soft pleading tone I couldn't understand most of it but I caught something that sounded like help I placed both hands on the door and pressed the wood felt colder than before I leaned all my weight into it pushing until my arms shook the door refused to open I felt a

surge of panic my chest tightened and my breath came in short bursts I stood there for a while hoping it would open or that the voice would explain itself my skin felt clammy The Voice stopped abruptly and the corridor felt even colder I heard a soft scraping sound on the other side like fingernails dragging along wood I lost my nerve I let the tapestry drop and hurried back to my room I locked the door then pushed the chair against it I collapsed on the bed my mind racing the wind outside howled and the building groaned

in response the nightmares got worse after that in my dreams I saw the door open the corridor behind it looked infinite there was a flickering light on the walls but I couldn't see any source for that light I could hear footsteps echoing but I never saw who made them I walked forward feeling damp air on my skin my head spun with a mix of fear and Fascination then without warning I would hear a whisper behind me it always said something that I couldn't quite catch but the tone was urgent I'd spin around and the corridor

was empty then I'd wake up drenched in sweat my heart thumping like it might burst in the mornings I would wander the Inn looking for Clues I checked every door in the hall most rooms were locked or just basic storage closets with spare Linens the owner avoided me he never spoke to me unless I asked him something directly and even then he gave short answers I caught him glancing at me once from across the lobby but he quickly looked away on my third night I decided I couldn't handle the knocking anymore I needed to know

what was behind that door around midnight I heard the tapping again I grabbed a small flashlight from my suitcase and left my room I walked toward the tapestry my pulse hammering in my ears the hallway was empty I pulled the tapestry aside shining the light on the wooden surface the carvings seemed more pronounced under the beam I ran my fingers across the edge and felt a slight Gap it wasn't much but it suggested the door might move with the right pressure I tried wedging my fingertips into the Gap and pulling the wood scraped against the

frame I put my shoulder into it bracing my feet I felt a small give the knocking on the other side sped up the voice spoke again just a short phrase I still couldn't understand it I pushed harder my arm muscles burned the door shifted another inch then it stuck I held my breath pressing my weight into it until my body shook with effort it wouldn't budge anymore my flashlight flickered the batteries were dying I felt Panic rising in my chest again I tried one more shove but the door stayed where it was the voice grew

faint like it was retreating into the distance the knocking slowed then stopped completely I stood there panting I tried to shine the flashlight through the small Gap but I only saw Darkness no movement no shapes just an empty space I started to call out can you hear me but before I finished the corridor lights flickered and I heard the floor Creak behind me I whipped around shining the flashlight no one was there my stomach churned I let the tapestry fall back into place and I headed toward the stairs wanting to put as much distance as

possible between me and that door I packed my bags the next morning I couldn't stay any longer my face looked pale in the bathroom mirror my hands trembled when I tried to zip my suitcase every time I closed my eyes I saw that Corridor every time I took a step I half expected to hear that knocking behind me I walked downstairs and placed my room key on the front desk the owner didn't ask any questions he looked at me with a blank expression like he already knew I wanted to leave I stepped outside into the

rain I felt a sense of Rel relief as I walked away from the Inn but the relief was mixed with Dread I kept thinking about that voice behind the door and those steady knocks in the night even with the wind blowing in my face I could still feel the cold sensation on my Palms where I had pressed against that carved wood I don't know what was on the other side of that door I only know it wanted to come out and I wasn't brave enough or strong enough to open it I left it behind that

tapestry knocking in the dark and I haven't stopped thinking about it since I got this assignment last week from my editor he slid a note across my desk and told me to check out an old well on an abandoned lot outside of town he said local rumors suggested that anyone who leaned in close and listened could hear something calling their name I thought it sounded like nonsense but I didn't have a choice I needed a story and my editor insisted so I drove out there on a quiet afternoon half expecting to find nothing but rocks

and muddy water I ended up getting more than I bargained for I heard my own voice echoing from the darkness and it sounded wrong since then I felt this pull inside my chest whenever I think about that place it's like a quiet magnet and it won't let me go now I'm back here standing in front of the well again and my hands won't stop shaking I first arrived at the Lock lot around 4: in the afternoon on a Thursday the sun was still up but the sky was turning a dull gray I parked my car

near a rusted gate that hung off a broken hinge the lot was surrounded by a chainlink fence with plenty of holes weeds poked through cracks in the concrete there were no real structures left except for a small shed with a collapsed roof the ground was uneven and covered in scattered debris old tires cracked cinder blocks and bent pieces of metal I noticed a few plastic chairs that looked like they'd been scorched by the sun everything felt deserted I walked around taking quick notes on my phone I was just looking for a hook for my article

maybe I'd focus on the local Legends or how the area used to belong to a defunct company but I kept thinking about that well I didn't see it at first then I spotted a Roundstone Rim near the back corner of the property the stones looked chipped some had Moss or mold clinging to them the well was maybe 3 ft across with a heavy wooden cover that had been pushed aside dirt filled the gaps in the stones and there was a jagged hole at the top a few wooden boards lay on the ground next to it

splintered some local kids must have tried to cover it or maybe it was done by the previous owner I wasn't sure all I knew was that it smelled damp the air around it felt colder than anywhere else on the lot there was a thin Mist drifting out even in daylight light I approached it and felt a chill on my arms like a breeze that came from below the rumor popped back into my head put your ear near the edge and you'll hear voices I figured I'd at least test it out I bent down I placed

my hands on the stone Rim it felt rough and wet leaving a gritty residue on my Palms I leaned in at first all I heard was the rush of my own blood pounding in my ears then there was the faint sound like a distant hum I thought it might be the wind I tilted my head closer my right ear almost touched the rim suddenly I heard something that made my skin crawl a voice it said my name it wasn't loud and it wasn't clear but it was there it sounded like me but twisted like it

came from the bottom of my throat my heart started pounding and I nearly fell backward I scrambled to get away while wiping my hands on my jeans I felt a tingling on my neck and every hair on my arms stood up I listened again but I didn't want to get too close that was enough to send my pulse racing I decided to head back to my car but I couldn't stop glancing over my shoulder expecting to see someone behind me there was nothing except that well and the cold air around it I drove home and

told my editor I needed more time I didn't mention the voice I just said I wanted to do a deeper investigation but I couldn't stop thinking about it every time the well crossed my mind my stomach tightened my chest felt like something was tugging at it telling me to go back it was an uncomfortable feeling like anxiety that settles under your ribs and won't go away by the next morning I couldn't focus on anything else my editor asked for an update and I said I had to do a follow-up visit he seemed pleased probably assuming

I was taking the assignment seriously he had no idea that I was practically obsessing over the place I packed my bag with a small flashlight a recorder and my camera I wanted to document everything I told myself I was just being thorough I returned to the lot around noon the sun was high and the day was muggy sweat clung to my shirt as I walked through the gate again the lot looked the same but my perspective felt different I noticed more details the weeds swaying in a slight breeze the faint odor of something rotten near

the broken shed the way the air near the well felt thicker I made my way to that Stone Circle not even bothering to check the rest of the property first I crouched beside the rim and took a few photos when I looked at the pictures the well seemed ordinary it was just stones and darkness inside but I felt that pull in my chest again and my breath grew shallow I decided to use the recorder I turned it on crouched down and held it near the edge I asked basic questions is anyone there can you speak

I felt foolish like a wannabe Ghost Hunter nothing happened at first so I got braver I brought my face closer my ear just a few inches from the opening the temperature near the hole felt cooler then I heard the voice again it was low it said my name drawn out in a shaky tone I froze I couldn't speak my heart raced and my chest felt tight I forced myself to speak into the recorder I hear something I whispered my voice sounded unsteady I felt my heart thudding in my ears my hand was trembling so much

that the recorder shook against the stone I pulled away and clicked it off my Palms were sweaty and my forehead felt clammy I didn't want to run this time but every muscle in my body told me to leave instead I decided to drop the flashlight inside the well to see how deep it went I tied a thin cord around the handle of my flashlight and lowered it slowly the beam showed damp stones on the inside walls dripping with water I couldn't see the bottom at first then the light revealed stale water about 20 ft down

the reflection shimmered for a moment and I heard a faint Echo it was like a muffled version of my own breath my pulse quickened I felt a prickle on the back of my neck neck I pulled the flashlight up quickly fumbling with the cord almost dropping it I stood up and stepped back inhaling the thick air I felt slightly dizzy like the ground was unsteady under my feet I told myself I had enough footage and notes for one day but as I walked back to the car I kept glancing over my shoulder again that well

was just a round hole in the ground but I felt like it was watching me the hairs on my arm stayed up until I slid back into the driver's seat that night I listened to my recordings at home my apartment was quiet except for the hum of the refrigerator I played the audio on my laptop straining to hear any trace of that strange voice at first I heard my own questions then a faint noise like a hiss when I boosted the volume I caught a soft whisper it called my name my breath caught in my

throat I was certain it was my own voice but it was layered with something else it sounded older somehow I felt a wave of nausea and had to shut my laptop the tug in my chest felt stronger I paced around my living room feeling restless my arms tingled with goosebumps I tried to sleep but kept thinking about that voice my mind raced through possibilities an echo a trick of Acoustics maybe water dripping and forming weird sounds none of that explained why it sounded exactly like me I got up twice twice during the night to splash

water on my face each time I looked in the mirror I expected something else to stare back I know that's irrational but my nerves were frayed by morning I decided I needed more information I rummaged through old newspapers at the local library searching for any articles about this property I found a few clippings about a small Factory that once operated there but nothing about the well I dug deeper scanning for any mention of Supernatural events or local Legends I got nothing it felt like a dead end still the pull in my chest wouldn't go away

by late afternoon I headed back to the lot this time I walked right up to the well and stared down at it the boards on the ground hadn't moved the stones looked darker maybe because of the recent humidity I felt moisture on my forehead my heartbeat thumped in my ears I told myself I was going to do a thorough inspection get some water samples and then leave I tied the cord to a small plastic container and lowered it down my hands shook the container hit the water and I pulled it back up sealing the lid

it smelled stagnant like old leaves rotting I set it aside I wasn't sure what I'd do with it but it felt like the right step for an investigation as I crouched there The Voice came again it didn't say my name this time instead I heard old Echoes of my own words things IID said months ago maybe even years ago it was like listening to a warped recording of my voice talking about mistakes I'd made regrets I'd buried my muscles tightened I felt short of breath my mind raced how does it know this stuff I remember

thinking my pulse pounded so hard that my vision blurred for a second I gripped the edge of the well the stones digging into my fingertips I felt an urge to clim inside like I needed to go down there and see where those Echoes were coming from my stomach twisted my brain screamed at me to back away so I did I stepped back nearly tripping over a metal pipe on the ground I let out a gasp and steadied myself pressing my hand to my chest that internal pull was intense like an invisible chain tugging me forward

my breath came in Shallow bursts I forced myself to leave I walked slowly to my car my legs shaking I kept my eyes on the well until I slid into the driver's seat I slammed the door and turned the key in the ignition my Knuckles turned white on the steering wheel as I pulled away I felt my shoulders relax slightly but my thoughts stayed stuck on that place back home I reviewed my recordings again and found more fragments of my past comments they were muffled but definitely in my voice I felt my hands sweat my

forehead felt hot my heart thumped in a steady anxious Rhythm I couldn't figure out how the well was doing this I considered that I might be hallucinating or that I was letting rumors get to me but it didn't feel like a simple trick of the Mind the physical reactions were too strong I didn't want to write my article yet because I didn't have any solid explanation at the same time I knew I had enough to file a piece about a strange phenomenon but the well kept calling me back back this morning I woke up with

my head pounding I looked at the clock I realized I'd been dreaming about the well all night I couldn't remember details only a dark space and the sound of dripping water I decided to go back one more time I needed closure or I'd never be able to finish this story I planed to visit in daylight do a quick check and then walk away for good now I'm standing here again hands shaking staring at the dark opening my throat feels dry and there's a knot in my stomach the air around me is still the smell is

damp I can see small rivulets of water seeping from the stones forming slimy Trails down into the darkness I can't bring myself to lean in again my chest tightens when I think about it but the pull is there stronger than ever my mind is screaming for me to leave but my body is frozen I feel feel the well wants something like it's holding pieces of my past inside I don't know if it's an echo chamber or something else I just know I can't deny what I've heard I grip the edge and peer down letting out

a shaky breath my eyes adjust but I only see Shadows moving against the stone I hear my own breathing reflected back at me I start to step away and then I pause I realize I can't let this place control me I pull out my recorder one last time and hit record I speak into it my voice trembling describing the stones the water The Echoes I've heard I don't leave anything out my heart is racing and I can feel sweat trickling down the sides of my face the smell of mildew drifts Up From Below I keep

talking until my breath hitches I can't say more I click it off then I force my feet to move I walk back to my car each step feeling heavier than the last once I reach the driver's seat I throw my recorder onto the passenger side my hands grip the steering wheel my body trembles I finally drive off the lot not looking back at the well my eyes stay locked on the road ahead but my mind is still stuck on that dark circle of stone I feel the pull but I'm choosing to leave this time I'm

not sure if I'll ever return but for now I just need to breathe for for for