Latest / Shallow Nights: Scary Bedtime Stories / Unveiling Hidden Horrors: Dark Secrets Behind Everyday Encounters

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Unveiling Hidden Horrors: Dark Secrets Behind Everyday Encounters · Shallow Nights: Scary Bedtime Stories

0:04
I've always loved finding unique pieces of furniture and
0:08
Craigslist has been my go to place for bargains. 1 evening as
0:13
I was scrolling through listings, I came across an
0:15
antique dresser that caught my eye.
0:18
It was beautiful, ornate carvings, solid wood, and it was
0:22
priced unbelievably low. I couldn't resist.
0:27
I contacted the seller immediately.
0:30
Her name was Misses Whitley and she seemed friendly enough.
0:34
Over the phone, she explained that she was downsizing and
0:38
needed to sell some old furniture quickly.
0:41
We arranged for me to come over the next day to see the dresser
0:44
in person. The following afternoon, I drove
0:48
to her apartment in an older part of town.
0:51
The building was a bit rundown, but it had a certain charm.
0:56
I buzzed her apartment and she greeted me with a warm smile
1:00
when I arrived at her door. Misses Whitley was an elderly
1:04
woman, small and frail, but her eyes were sharp and alert.
1:08
Come in, dear. She said, stepping aside to let
1:12
me in. The dresser is right this way.
1:16
I followed her down a narrow hallway lined with old
1:19
photographs and paintings. The apartment smelled of
1:23
mothballs and dust, adding to the sense of stepping back in
1:26
time. The living room was cluttered
1:29
with furniture and Knick knacks, giving it a cozy but slightly
1:33
eerie feel. There it is, she said, pointing
1:37
to the dresser in the corner. It was even more beautiful in
1:41
person. I walked over to inspect it,
1:44
running my hand over the smooth wood as I opened the drawers.
1:48
They moved effortlessly, revealing velvet lined
1:51
interiors, but when I reached the bottom drawer it felt
1:56
unusually heavy and jammed. Let me help you with that,
2:00
Misses. Whitley offered, coming over.
2:03
She tugged on the drawer and it finally slid open.
2:07
What I saw inside made my blood run cold.
2:11
They're Nestled among some old linens was a small, mummified
2:15
figure. It looked like a child, its skin
2:18
shriveled and darkened with age. I stumbled back, my heart
2:23
pounding in my chest. What?
2:26
What is that? I stammered, pointing at the
2:29
horrifying sight. Missus Whitley's expression
2:33
shifted slightly, but she maintained her composure.
2:37
Oh, that. It's just an old doll, dear.
2:42
It's been in the family for years, but something about the
2:46
way she said it didn't sit right with me.
2:49
The figure looked too real, too human.
2:52
I felt a wave of nausea and fear.
2:55
I, I don't think I can take the dresser.
2:58
I managed to say, backing towards the door.
3:01
I'm sorry, I have to go. As I turned to leave, Missus
3:06
Whitley's demeanor changed completely.
3:09
Her warm smile vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating
3:13
look. You've seen too much, she said,
3:17
her voice low and menacing. I bolted for the door,
3:21
adrenaline pumping through my veins.
3:24
I could hear her footsteps behind me, but I didn't dare
3:27
look back. I flung the door open and race
3:30
down the hallway, out of the apartment, and into the safety
3:34
of my car. I drove straight home, my mind
3:37
racing with fear and confusion. What had I just seen and why was
3:43
she so desperate to keep me from leaving?
3:46
When I got home, I called the police and reported everything.
3:50
The officers took my statement seriously and went to
3:53
investigate Missus Whitley's apartment.
3:57
What they found confirmed my worst fears.
4:00
The mummified figure was indeed a child and it had been hidden
4:03
in that dresser for decades. Missus Whitley was taken into
4:08
custody and a full investigation was launched.
4:12
It turned out that Misses Whitley had a dark past.
4:16
Decades ago, her young child had gone missing under mysterious
4:19
circumstances. The case had gone cold and she
4:23
had moved on, or so everyone thought.
4:27
But she had been hiding the truth all along, keeping the
4:30
mummified remains of her child hidden in that dresser.
4:34
The news shocked the community, and it left me shaken to my
4:37
core. I couldn't stop thinking about
4:40
how close I had come to buying that dresser, about the secrets
4:44
it held. The experience left me with a
4:47
deep sense of unease and a new appreciation for the hidden
4:50
dangers that can lurk behind seemingly harmless interactions.
4:55
For weeks after, I couldn't shake the image of that
4:58
mummified child. I had nightmares about Missus
5:01
Whitley chasing me through her cluttered apartment, her eyes
5:05
cold and menacing. I stopped using Craigslist for a
5:08
while, too fearful of what other horrors might be lurking behind
5:12
innocent listings. I tried to move on, to put the
5:16
incident behind me, but it wasn't easy.
5:20
Every time I passed a piece of antique furniture, I felt the
5:23
chill run down my spine. I started researching similar
5:27
cases, trying to understand how something so horrific could go
5:31
unnoticed for so long. The more I learned, the more I
5:35
realized how many dark secrets could be hidden in plain sight.
5:40
One day, I received a call from the detective handling the case.
5:44
He thanked me for coming forward and told me that Misses Whitley
5:48
had confessed to everything. She had been living with the
5:52
guilt and the horror of what she had done for years, but she had
5:55
never been able to let go of her child's remains.
5:59
The detective assured me that justice would be served, but his
6:03
words did little to ease my mind.
6:06
The experience had changed me, leaving a permanent mark on my
6:09
soul. I had looked into the eyes of
6:12
pure evil, and it had stared back at me with a calm, almost
6:16
serene expression. Driving for a rideshare service
6:24
had always been an easy way for me to make some extra money.
6:29
I enjoyed the freedom of choosing my hours and the
6:31
interesting people I met along the way.
6:34
But one night, I had an experience that still haunts me.
6:39
It was a chilly autumn evening, and I had been driving around
6:42
for a few hours. The streets were quieter than
6:45
usual, and I decided to check Craigslist for any rideshare
6:49
requests. That's when I saw an ad from
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someone needing a ride to a remote location about an hour
6:56
away. The payment offered was generous
6:59
and I figured it would be an easy trip.
7:02
I replied to the ad and soon received a response from someone
7:06
named Tom. He seemed normal enough in his
7:09
messages and we arranged for me to pick him up at a nearby park.
7:14
It was late, but I needed the extra cash, so I agreed.
7:18
When I arrived at the park, it was deserted.
7:22
The only light came from a flickering St. lamp near the
7:25
entrance. I felt a twinge of unease but
7:28
brushed it off. I texted Tom to let him know I
7:32
was there. In a few moments later, a figure
7:35
emerged from the shadows. Tom was tall and thin, wearing a
7:39
long coat and carrying a large old duffel bag.
7:43
He approached the car slowly, his face partially obscured by
7:47
the collar of his coat. I rolled down the window and
7:51
greeted him. Hey, you must be Tom.
7:55
Need a lift? I said, trying to sound
7:59
friendly. He nodded and gave a tight
8:01
smile. Yes, thank you.
8:05
It's quite a distance, so I appreciate it.
8:09
Tom got into the back seat, placing the duffel bag on the
8:12
seat beside him. As we started driving, I tried
8:16
to make small talk, but he was mostly unresponsive, giving only
8:21
short, vague answers. The silence in the car became
8:25
increasingly uncomfortable, and I noticed a strange smell coming
8:29
from his back. It was faint but unpleasant,
8:32
like something rotting. I decided to ignore it and focus
8:36
on the road. As we drove further out of town,
8:40
the streets became darker and more desolate.
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The GPS directed us onto a narrow, winding Rd. surrounded
8:47
by dense woods. The sense of isolation grew
8:51
stronger and I felt a creeping sense of dread.
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After about 30 minutes of driving, Tom finally spoke up.
9:00
You must meet a lot of interesting people doing this
9:02
job. He said, his voice oddly
9:05
distant. Yeah, you could say that.
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I replied, trying to keep the conversation light.
9:12
But it's mostly just regular folks needing a ride.
9:16
He chuckled softly, but there was no warmth in it.
9:20
You never know who you might be picking up, though, do you?
9:24
The statement hung in the air, and I felt a shiver run down my
9:27
spine. I glanced at him in the rearview
9:30
mirror and saw him staring out the window, his face
9:33
expressionless. I tried to focus on driving, but
9:37
my mind raced with uneasy thoughts.
9:40
As we continued, the strange smell from the duffel bag grew
9:44
stronger. I couldn't ignore it any longer.
9:48
What's in the back? I asked, trying to sound casual.
9:53
Tom's eyes flipped towards me in the mirror, and for a moment I
9:57
thought he wouldn't answer. Just some old things.
10:01
He finally said nothing to worry about, but I was worried.
10:07
The smell was overpowering, and his evasive answer only
10:10
heightened my anxiety. I decided to stop at a gas
10:14
station up ahead, hoping to get some fresh air and clear my
10:18
head. We need to make a quick stop.
10:21
I said, pulling into the gas station.
10:24
Tom didn't respond, just stared at me with a blank expression.
10:29
I parked the car and got out, taking deep breaths of the cool
10:32
night air. As I stood there, I saw the gas
10:36
station attendant inside the store, and I considered going in
10:40
to ask for help. Gathering my courage, I walked
10:43
back to the car and opened the back door.
10:47
I need to see what's in the back.
10:49
I said firmly. Tom's demeanor changed
10:52
instantly. His eyes narrowed, and he
10:55
clutched the bag protectively. No, you don't, He said, his
11:00
voice low and threatening. The tension in the ear was
11:04
palpable. I took a step back, my heart
11:07
pounding. If you don't let me see it, I'm
11:10
calling the police. For a moment, we stared at each
11:14
other in a standoff. Then, with a sudden burst of
11:19
movement, Tom lunged at me, knocking me to the ground.
11:23
I struggled to get up, but he was stronger than he looked.
11:27
He grabbed the bag and started running towards the woods.
11:31
I scrambled to my feet and ran into the gas station, shouting
11:35
for help. The attendant called the police
11:38
and within minutes a patrol car arrived.
11:42
I explained everything to the officers and they immediately
11:45
began searching the area. After what felt like an
11:49
eternity, they found Tom hiding in the woods, clutching the
11:53
duffel back. When they opened it, the smell
11:56
that had been haunting me was explained.
11:59
Inside the bag were human remains carefully wrapped in
12:02
plastic. Tom was arrested and the police
12:06
investigation revealed the disturbing truth.
12:10
He had been using Craigslist to find rides and dispose of the
12:13
remains of his victims. He was a serial killer, and I
12:18
had narrowly escaped becoming his next target.
12:21
The experience left me traumatized for weeks.
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I couldn't sleep, haunted by nightmares of Tom's blank stare
12:29
and the horrible smell of the back.
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I stopped driving for the rideshare service, too fearful
12:35
of what other dangers might be lurking behind innocent
12:38
requests. When I first moved to the small
12:46
town for a new job, I was excited about the fresh start.
12:51
Finding an affordable place to live was my top priority, and I
12:55
quickly turned to Craigslist. After a few days of searching, I
12:59
found a room for rent that seemed perfect.
13:03
The price was right, and the ad mentioned a charming old house
13:06
owned by a sweet elderly woman. I contacted the landlady, Misses
13:12
Wilkins, and she responded almost immediately.
13:16
Her voice on the phone was warm and welcoming, and she invited
13:19
me to come over that weekend to see the room.
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She even offered to make tea and show me around the property.
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I accepted. Feeling relieved that my house
13:30
in search might be over. That Saturday I drove to Missus
13:34
Wilkins house. It was a quaint 2 story home
13:38
tucked away on a quiet St. The front yard was well kept
13:43
with blooming flowers and a neatly trimmed hedge.
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As I walked up to the door, I couldn't help but feel a sense
13:50
of calm. Missus Wilkins greeted me at the
13:53
door with a smile. She was a petite woman with
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silver hair neatly tied back in a bun.
14:00
Her kind eyes and gentle demeanor put me at ease
14:03
instantly. Welcome dear, come in, come in.
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She said, ushering me inside. The interior of the house was
14:13
just as charming as the outside. It was filled with antique
14:17
furniture, lace curtains, and the smell of freshly baked
14:21
cookies. Missus Wilkins led me to the
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kitchen where she had laid out a plate of cookies and a pot of
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tea. We chatted for a while and she
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told me stories about the town and the history of the house.
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Eventually, she showed me the room I would be renting.
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It was cozy and well furnished with a large window that led in
14:43
plenty of light. I felt comfortable and decided
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to take the room. The first few weeks went by
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smoothly. Missus Wilkins was an excellent
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host, always offering homemade meals and asking about my day.
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I settled into my new job and started to feel at home.
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But slowly things began to change.
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One night I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep when I
15:09
heard a faint creaking sound. At first I thought it was just
15:14
the old house settling, but the noise continued, growing louder.
15:19
It sounded like someone was walking around upstairs.
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I brushed it off, telling myself it was just Missus Wilkins
15:27
moving about. But the next night the noises
15:30
returned, this time accompanied by soft, unintelligible murmurs.
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I couldn't make out the words, but it sounded like a
15:38
conversation. My curiosity got the better of
15:42
me, and I decided to investigate.
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I tiptoed out of my room and up the stairs, careful not to make
15:49
any noise. As I reached the top of the
15:52
stairs, the murmurs stopped abruptly.
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The hallway was dark, and the only light came from a faint
15:59
glow under Missus Wilkins bedroom door.
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I stood there, heart pounding, trying to decide whether to
16:06
knock or retreat to my room. Suddenly the door creaked open
16:11
and Missus Wilkins appeared, her face pale and her eyes wide.
16:15
Oh dear, did I wake you? She asked, her voice trembling
16:19
slightly. No, I just heard some noises and
16:23
got curious. I replied, feeling a bit
16:26
embarrassed. She smiled weakly and said.
16:30
I'm sorry. Sometimes I talk to myself when
16:34
I can't sleep, it's an old habit.
16:37
I nodded and returned to my room, but I couldn't shake the
16:40
uneasy feeling. Over the next few days the
16:44
strange occurrences escalated. I would find doors slightly ajar
16:49
that I was sure I had closed, and items in my room seem to
16:53
move on their own. Misses Wilkins behavior also
16:57
became more erratic. She would often appear in the
17:00
hallway outside my room watching me with a strange intensity. 1
17:05
evening, I came home to find the front door unlocked.
17:09
I walked in cautiously, calling out for Misses Wilkins.
17:14
There was no answer. I searched the house, growing
17:17
more anxious with each empty room I checked.
17:21
Finally, I reached the basement door, which was slightly open.
17:26
A chill ran down my spine. I descended the creaky wooden
17:30
steps, the basement growing colder and darker with each
17:33
step. The air was damp and musty, and
17:37
a single bare light bulb hung from the ceiling.
17:40
In the corner, I saw Missus Wilkins hunched over something
17:44
on the floor. She was muttering to herself,
17:47
her back turned to me. Missus Wilkins?
17:52
I called out softly. She didn't respond.
17:56
I took a step closer and saw that she was kneeling beside a
17:59
small chest. Inside the chest were various
18:03
items, including old blood stained clothing and what looked
18:07
like a small rusted knife. My heart raced as I realized the
18:12
gravity of what I was seeing. Suddenly, Missus Wilkins turned
18:16
to face me, her eyes wild. You shouldn't be down here.
18:21
She said, her voice low and menacing.
18:24
Fear surged through me and I backed away slowly.
18:28
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude, I stammered.
18:33
She stood up, clutching the knife.
18:36
You need to leave now, She said, taking a step toward me.
18:40
I turned and bolted up the stairs, my heart pounding in my
18:43
chest. I ran out of the house and
18:46
jumped into my car, fumbling with the keys in my panic.
18:50
Finally, I started the engine and speed away, my mind racing
18:55
with fear and disbelief. I drove straight to the nearest
18:59
police station and reported everything.
19:02
The officers took me seriously and followed me back to the
19:05
house. When we arrived, Missus Wilkins
19:09
was gone. The house was eerily silent and
19:12
the basement door was closed. The police searched the house
19:16
and found the chest just as I had described.
19:20
They launched an investigation, and it turned out that Missus
19:23
Wilkins had a dark past. She had been involved in several
19:28
suspicious disappearances over the years, but no one had ever
19:32
connected the dots until now. Missus Wilkins was eventually
19:36
found and arrested. The news of her arrest shocked
19:40
the small town, and many people came forward with their own
19:43
unsettling encounters with her. I moved out immediately and
19:48
found a new place to live, but the experience left me deeply
19:51
shaken. For months, I couldn't sleep
19:55
properly. Every Creek and Russell in my
19:58
new apartment sent waves of anxiety through me.
20:02
I kept thinking about how close I had come to becoming another
20:05
one of Missus Wilkins victims. The fear lingered, a constant
20:09
reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk behind seemingly
20:13
harmless interactions. Finding a job had become an
20:21
urgent necessity for me. I had bills piling up and no
20:25
steady income, so when I stumbled upon a job listing on
20:30
Craigslist offering great pay for minimal work with flexible
20:34
hours, I jumped at the opportunity.
20:37
The job was advertised as a clerical position at a small
20:40
company. The ad mentioned the need for
20:43
someone who could start immediately, and I figured it
20:46
was worth a shot. I responded to the ad and
20:50
received a prompt reply from a man named Mr. Harris.
20:54
He seemed professional in his emails and asked me to come in
20:57
for an interview the following day.
21:00
He mentioned the office was located in an older building on
21:03
the outskirts of town, but reassured me that it was safe
21:07
and easy to find. The next day, I dressed in my
21:11
best interview outfit and drove to the location.
21:15
The building was isolated, surrounded by overgrown trees
21:18
and weeds. It looked like it had seen
21:21
better days, with its cracked windows and faded paint.
21:26
My honeys grew, but I was determined to get the job.
21:30
I walked up to the door, which had a small plaque with the
21:33
company's name on it. Harris Enterprises.
21:36
I knocked in a moment later. Mr. Harris open the door.
21:41
He was a tall man in his 40s, with a neatly trimmed beard and
21:45
an overly enthusiastic smile. Welcome, you must be Thomas.
21:51
He said, extending his hand. I shook his hand and nodded.
21:56
Yes, thank you for seeing me. He led me inside, and I couldn't
22:01
help but notice how empty the building felt.
22:05
The air was cool and stale, and the fluorescent lights flickered
22:08
overhead. We walked down a long hallway
22:12
lined with closed doors until we reached a small office.
22:16
Mr. Harris gestured for me to sit.
22:19
Let's get started. He said, taking a seat behind
22:22
his desk. The interview began normally
22:25
enough. He asked about my previous work
22:29
experience, my skills, and why I was interested in the job.
22:34
But as we talked, I couldn't shake the feeling that something
22:37
was off. His questions started to become
22:40
more personal, probing into my life outside of work.
22:44
Do you live alone? He asked casually, leaning back
22:48
in his chair. I hesitated.
22:51
Yes, I do. He smiled, but there was
22:55
something unsettling about it. That's good, it means you can
23:00
dedicate more time to the job. I nodded, feeling increasingly
23:05
uncomfortable. After about 30 minutes, he stood
23:09
up and extended his hand again. Congratulations, you're hired.
23:15
Can you start tomorrow? I agreed, partly out of
23:19
desperation and partly because I didn't want to be rude.
23:23
He handed me a set of keys and gave me a brief rundown of my
23:27
duties, which included organizing old documents and
23:30
cleaning out storage rooms. The next day I arrived early,
23:35
determined to make a good impression.
23:38
Mr. Harris wasn't there when I arrived, but he had left a note
23:41
on the desk with instructions for the day.
23:45
I began sorting through the documents, which were old and
23:48
dusty. It was tedious work, but I was
23:51
grateful for the opportunity. As the hours passed, I started
23:56
to notice odd things about the office.
23:59
There were rooms filled with bizarre items, antique dolls,
24:03
rusted tools, and old photographs that seemed out of
24:06
place. The whole place had an eerie
24:09
atmosphere that made me feel uneasy.
24:12
Around midday, I took a break and decided to explore the
24:16
building a bit more. I opened one of the closed doors
24:20
and found a small storage room inside.
24:23
There were boxes stacked high and the smell of mold was
24:27
overpowering. As I rummaged through the boxes,
24:31
I found something that made my blood run cold.
24:33
A collection of photographs showing various people, all with
24:37
expressions of terror on their faces.
24:40
I quickly put the photos back and closed the door, my heart
24:44
racing. I wanted to leave, but I needed
24:47
this job. I decided to keep working and
24:50
avoid that room. A few days later, Mr. Harris
24:54
gave me a new task. He handed me a box of old
24:58
letters and told me to organize them by date.
25:02
As I sorted through the letters, I began to notice a pattern.
25:06
Many of them were written by people who had worked for Mr.
25:09
Harris, detailing their experiences and expressing fear
25:13
for their safety. One letter in particular caught
25:17
my attention. It was from a woman named Linda,
25:21
who had worked in the same position I was now in.
25:24
She described feeling watched and finding disturbing items
25:28
hidden around the office. Her letter ended abruptly, and I
25:32
couldn't find any other documents about her.
25:35
My anxiety grew with each passing day.
25:39
Mr. Harris became more secretive and started giving me odd tasks,
25:43
like cleaning out old rooms that hadn't been used in years.
25:47
One evening, I was alone in the building when I heard footsteps
25:51
in the hallway. I called out, but there was no
25:54
answer. The footsteps grew louder, and I
25:58
felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead.
26:02
I grabbed a heavy book from the desk and slowly walked towards
26:05
the door. As I peeped out, I saw a shadowy
26:09
figure at the end of the hallway.
26:12
The figure was standing still, watching me.
26:15
Fear surged through me, and I ran back to the office, locking
26:19
the door behind me. I tried to call Mr. Harris, but
26:23
there was no signal. I sat in the corner of the room,
26:27
clutching the book, my mind racing with fear and confusion.
26:32
After what felt like an eternity, the footsteps stopped.
26:36
I waited a few more minutes before unlocking the door and
26:39
making a run for it. I didn't stop until I was
26:42
outside, breathing in the cool night air.
26:46
I got into my car and drove home, my hands shaking.
26:50
The next day, I didn't go to work.
26:53
I couldn't bring myself to return to that place.
26:57
I called Mr. Harris and told him I was quitting.
27:01
He tried to convince me to stay, but I hung up and blocked his
27:04
number. I reported everything to the
27:07
police, but they found no evidence of any wrongdoing.
27:11
The building was abandoned by the time they arrived, and Mr.
27:15
Harris had disappeared. The experience left me
27:19
traumatized, and I couldn't stop thinking about the photographs
27:22
and the letters. Months later, I received a
27:26
package in the mail with no return address.
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Inside was a single photograph of me taken from outside my
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apartment. On the back there was a note.
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We're always watching.