Real Encounters

*An Unexpected Guest Turned A Visit To My Friend's House Into A Nightmare*

A year ago, I went to visit an old friend of mine from college named Chris. He lives in Connecticut with his wife Susan and their son Todd. The plan was for us to hang out for a few days, so they had promised to prepare a guest room for me.

When I arrived, Chris took me aside.

“I know we promised you the guest room,” he said quietly, “but something’s come up. Susan’s Uncle John just got divorced and she offered him a place to stay until he can find an apartment. He won’t be in our way, but I had to let him have the guest room.”

“No problem,” I said, “where am I sleeping then?”

“It’s going to sound creepy, but I’ve set you up in the attic. There’s a small room up there which we’re planning to turn into a playroom for when Todd’s older. It’s got a futon that turns into a bed. You just have to watch your step coming down the stairs at night if you do that.”

I shrugged. “That sounds fine with me.”

That night I woke up to the sounds of the house settling. There was a creaking coming from just outside my bedroom door like someone pacing slowly back and forth. I lay there with my blankets pulled up to my chin, staring out into the darkness of the attic and feeling very vulnerable. The only way out was through that door and down the stairs.

As is often the case when one wakes up in the middle of the night, I felt the sudden need to use the bathroom. I tried holding it for what seemed like an hour, but eventually my fear of that strange creaking noise was overpowered by my bladder’s need to empty itself.

“I wish I’d brought a flashlight.” I mumbled to myself, stepping carefully to the door. I put my ear to the wood to listen to that creaking sound, but as I approached the door, it stopped. I halted a moment, my ears prickling trying to hear the slightest sound above the silence that had suddenly enveloped me. Finally, desperately needing to pee, I stepped back and opened the door.

Nothing.

Feeling foolish, I crept along the attic to where the stairs down were, trying to make sure not to fall down them. I made it down the stairs, found my way to the bathroom thanks to a nightlight, then headed back up the stairs to the attic.

As I got up into the darkened landing, I realized the creaking sound had returned. With it, I could hear some sort of swishing sound, like someone dragging their feet and a muffled sort of sobbing. I held my breath, frightened but not wanting to show it, in case it was just Chris playing a prank on me.

“Hello?” I said in my bravest voice.

The shuffling and sobbing stopped.

“Who is that?” Came back a very quiet voice.

“It’s Wil. Who is that that’s ‘who is that’ing?”

“Oh, you’re Chris’ friend.” Someone moved forward. I couldn’t quite see him in the dark, but I could make out a white shirt covered with dark stains and striped pajama pants.

“I’m John, Susan’s Uncle. I’m sorry if I woke you.”

“You didn’t,” I lied, “I just had to use the bathroom.”

“Why are you up here?” he asked.

“They’ve set me up in the attic room.”

He sniffed. “Oh, I see. I’m in the way again.”

“No, nonono.” I wasn’t sure if he meant he was in the way at that moment, or in the way by claiming the guest room, but it didn’t matter. Really I just wanted to get back to bed. I felt a strange sense of unease and dread standing there in the dark with this vague form of a man.