As young adults, many of us fantasize about living alone. Imagine it: eating whatever you want, leaving your dirty socks by the door, tossing a wet towel on the bed without anyone scolding you… Pure freedom, right?
Well, not quite. Turns out, living solo isn’t always as glamorous as it sounds. People online have been sharing their creepiest experiences while home alone—think strange noises, eerie shadows, and moments that feel like they’ve been pulled straight out of a horror movie. These chilling stories might just make you think twice before switching off the lights at night. Keep scrolling…if you dare.
#1
This happened in the 70's in Australia. I was about 14. Mum and dad and the other kids had gone somewhere and I was alone in the house, out in the suburbs surrounded by bushland, at night.
I was reading books in my bedroom when I noticed a bit of noise. I could only just barely hear it but there was definitely a noise. Sounded like it was coming from inside the house. But the TV was off and we didn't have a radio.
Suddenly everything was scary. A moment ago I was having a good time, now everything felt wrong. I put my book down and crept as silently as I could out into the hallway (Lucky my door was open because the bloody thing creaked.)
Once out in the hallway the noise became clearer - I still couldn't quite figure out what it was but it was definitely not my imagination. Sounded like it was coming from the the kitchen, and the only way there was through the living room.
So I took a breath and crept round the corner of the hallway and into the living room. I'm on the b***s of my feet and trying to avoid making any noise. Now I'm here I can see the living room is empty - but the noise is louder still. It's definitely coming from the kitchen, and even worse, I can now tell what the noise is. It's two voices, and they are having a whispered argument.
Now I am seriously scared. The only explanation I can think of is robbers. I spend about 5 minutes just standing stock still in the living room before deciding to try and peek around the corner into the kitchen.
So as quietly as I can I creep towards the corner. I'm moving very slowly. I've even got my mouth open in case my breath gives me away.
I reach the corner and juuussst stick one eye around - and the kitchen is empty. But I can still hear the voices. And they're louder than ever. I can almost make out what they are arguing about now.
Again I stand there. This time I am telling myself I don't believe in ghosts. And I didn't. And yet how the [heck] can two invisible men be having an argument in the kitchen?
In the end I start to move again - because I know if I don't do this I won't be sleeping tonight.
I creep into the kitchen - and realize the voices are coming from the stove. Now this was in the 70's before stoves had those solid tops you have nowadays - instead they had a steel coil.
I bend down and put my ear close and discover the voices are coming from where the metal coil joins some electrical plug before going back inside the stove.
The voices are indeed two people arguing; they're on some kind of radio talk show.
When my parents came home I showed the other kids how if you put your ear down real close to the stove top you could hear radio.
I'm 55 now and this is still the most frightened I've been in my life.
I was reading books in my bedroom when I noticed a bit of noise. I could only just barely hear it but there was definitely a noise. Sounded like it was coming from inside the house. But the TV was off and we didn't have a radio.
Suddenly everything was scary. A moment ago I was having a good time, now everything felt wrong. I put my book down and crept as silently as I could out into the hallway (Lucky my door was open because the bloody thing creaked.)
Once out in the hallway the noise became clearer - I still couldn't quite figure out what it was but it was definitely not my imagination. Sounded like it was coming from the the kitchen, and the only way there was through the living room.
So I took a breath and crept round the corner of the hallway and into the living room. I'm on the b***s of my feet and trying to avoid making any noise. Now I'm here I can see the living room is empty - but the noise is louder still. It's definitely coming from the kitchen, and even worse, I can now tell what the noise is. It's two voices, and they are having a whispered argument.
Now I am seriously scared. The only explanation I can think of is robbers. I spend about 5 minutes just standing stock still in the living room before deciding to try and peek around the corner into the kitchen.
So as quietly as I can I creep towards the corner. I'm moving very slowly. I've even got my mouth open in case my breath gives me away.
I reach the corner and juuussst stick one eye around - and the kitchen is empty. But I can still hear the voices. And they're louder than ever. I can almost make out what they are arguing about now.
Again I stand there. This time I am telling myself I don't believe in ghosts. And I didn't. And yet how the [heck] can two invisible men be having an argument in the kitchen?
In the end I start to move again - because I know if I don't do this I won't be sleeping tonight.
I creep into the kitchen - and realize the voices are coming from the stove. Now this was in the 70's before stoves had those solid tops you have nowadays - instead they had a steel coil.
I bend down and put my ear close and discover the voices are coming from where the metal coil joins some electrical plug before going back inside the stove.
The voices are indeed two people arguing; they're on some kind of radio talk show.
When my parents came home I showed the other kids how if you put your ear down real close to the stove top you could hear radio.
I'm 55 now and this is still the most frightened I've been in my life.
45points
#2
I was looking after my mother's house for a week while she was on holiday. She had two cats that come in and out the house via a cat flap, very nice animals. Always cuddly and playful even when they were old.
So I get woken up in the middle of the night by loud meows from downstairs. I thought maybe the cat flap was stuck and they wanted to get out. I go downstairs to check and open the hallway door and there are at least 15 black cats sitting in the hallway staring back at me.
Then I see my mother's cats sat amongst them just chilling and meowing happily. I left them all too it and they were gone in the morning.
So I get woken up in the middle of the night by loud meows from downstairs. I thought maybe the cat flap was stuck and they wanted to get out. I go downstairs to check and open the hallway door and there are at least 15 black cats sitting in the hallway staring back at me.
Then I see my mother's cats sat amongst them just chilling and meowing happily. I left them all too it and they were gone in the morning.
36points
#3
My kids were spending the night at my mother's so I was home alone. Whilst standing in the kitchen, eating a t.v. dinner over the sink like a savage, I started choking. I set the food down, my swallow reflex stuck on infinite loop and remember thinking, "well why not?" I pounded on my chest a few times to no avail and slowly darkness started working its way in from my peripheral vision and I felt myself falling forward.
I woke up on the tile floor, face-down in a puddle of drool/vomit. The only thing I can figure, is the force of falling face first onto the hard floor acted as the Heimlich maneuver and saved my life.
Tl;dr saved by a faceplant.
I woke up on the tile floor, face-down in a puddle of drool/vomit. The only thing I can figure, is the force of falling face first onto the hard floor acted as the Heimlich maneuver and saved my life.
Tl;dr saved by a faceplant.
33points
Living alone can be exciting. It gives you independence, privacy, and the freedom to shape your space however you want. You get to decide what’s for dinner, decorate however you like, and set your own schedule without compromise. But with this freedom also comes responsibility, especially when it comes to your safety. Whether it’s your first time living solo or you’ve been doing it for years, it’s important to remember that taking a few precautions can make a big difference. Independence is wonderful, but peace of mind is priceless.
#4
My fiancé and I purchased a foreclosed home in a not so great neighborhood a few years back. We ignored the area because of the great price but now realize we were idiots because of things like this:
I'm lying in bed, barely awake while watching tv. Fiancé is still at work so I can't sleep. It's two am and I'm barely dozing to the crime show that was on when I hear scratching at the window. The window that was one foot away from me while lying in bed.
I remember thinking "damned squirrels" when I heard the squirrels start cursing and mumbling. Then the sound of a s***w driver lifting the window frame starts up.
I start screaming bloody m****r that I have a gun and I'm calling the cops. The scratching noises stopped and by the time the cops got to my door and searched the yard, there was no one there.
Thinking "oh great, they think I'm crazy," I thank them and as they're walking back to their cruisers, their radios all started going off at once that there was another break in reported in my neighborhood.
The officers go scrambling off and I slam the door and lock it; once again, *freaking* out.
I go get back in the bed to wait for fiancé to get home. He calls on his way and wants me to stay on the phone with him until he gets here.
I hear loud food steps on the wooden shed ramp in our back yard and say, "oh good, you're home" and hang up, walking to the backdoor. He called me straight back and told me he still wasn't even in the neighborhood so once again, I'm calling 911 and losing my [mind].
He and the cops got there at the same time and searched the yard again. Apparently, they'd been getting calls all night about some [guy] trying to break into the same few houses all night with a screwdriver. They'd been one step behind him the whole night and had cruisers everywhere.
Oh, and the cursing at the window? One of the officers went to the bedroom window and saw the screen removed. Methwiz had disturbed a huge wasp nest when he took the screen off and my tiny little wasp defenders saved the day.
I'm lying in bed, barely awake while watching tv. Fiancé is still at work so I can't sleep. It's two am and I'm barely dozing to the crime show that was on when I hear scratching at the window. The window that was one foot away from me while lying in bed.
I remember thinking "damned squirrels" when I heard the squirrels start cursing and mumbling. Then the sound of a s***w driver lifting the window frame starts up.
I start screaming bloody m****r that I have a gun and I'm calling the cops. The scratching noises stopped and by the time the cops got to my door and searched the yard, there was no one there.
Thinking "oh great, they think I'm crazy," I thank them and as they're walking back to their cruisers, their radios all started going off at once that there was another break in reported in my neighborhood.
The officers go scrambling off and I slam the door and lock it; once again, *freaking* out.
I go get back in the bed to wait for fiancé to get home. He calls on his way and wants me to stay on the phone with him until he gets here.
I hear loud food steps on the wooden shed ramp in our back yard and say, "oh good, you're home" and hang up, walking to the backdoor. He called me straight back and told me he still wasn't even in the neighborhood so once again, I'm calling 911 and losing my [mind].
He and the cops got there at the same time and searched the yard again. Apparently, they'd been getting calls all night about some [guy] trying to break into the same few houses all night with a screwdriver. They'd been one step behind him the whole night and had cruisers everywhere.
Oh, and the cursing at the window? One of the officers went to the bedroom window and saw the screen removed. Methwiz had disturbed a huge wasp nest when he took the screen off and my tiny little wasp defenders saved the day.
31points
#5
I rescued a dog from a family member who wasn’t doing well taking care of herself or the dog. This dog was petrified of everyone, especially men, as she had been through some [stuff]. Anyways, my husband was working nights at the time and one morning the dog started barking. Not super unusual because the house was close to the sidewalk and she would bark at people walking by. This time she didn’t stop. I yelled out to her to be quiet but she still wouldn’t stop. So I came out of my bedroom and there she was looking into the bathroom which was directly to the left of my bedroom. I look in there and wouldn’t ya know it the bathroom window was wide open, the screen was out and there were footprints on my garbage bin outside. She definitely scared whoever it was off. She was a good girl and I’m so glad we had her at the time.
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31points
#6
Last year I was renting a house in a small, economically depressed old mining town in Appalachia. I lived alone.
On one of the first warm nights of spring, I awoke at around 4 AM to the sound of my doorknob turning. I figured someone must have the wrong address... but it kept turning, persistently.
I didn't have a peephole or window to see who was outside, so I just approached the door from inside and yelled "Wrong place, buddy!"
Then the door started shaking violently, and a hand began punching it.
I tried one last time: "Wrong place! Go away, man!"
Someone on the other side growled at me and started making horrifying noises like a wild animal.
I grabbed a kitchen knife and called the police, then waited inside.
About ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. I opened it cautiously to see an officer who questioned me about the incident. Then he asked me to close it again and remain inside.
Again, I couldn't see what was happening out there, so I just turned out the lights and waited quietly with the knife in my hand. For about 20 minutes, there was just silence.
Then, out of nowhere, my living room window screen started to get pushed inside and the curtain started to move. The guy was pushing out the screen and trying to climb inside.
I held up the knife and yelled "I'm gonna [to attack] you!" in my most threatening voice possible.
Thankfully, I immediately heard "Get on the ground! Show me those hands!"
Heard another horrible wail from outside as the guy was presumably tackled and taken to a police car.
A few minutes later, another knock at the door. The officer was back to tell me that the suspect had been captured. This guy was a uniformed cop, but he was visibly trembling and super pale. I still hadn't seen what the intruder looked like.
The next day, I ran into the officer while he was off duty (small town) and he told me that the suspect had told them his name was Jason Voorhees.
Probably an [illegal substance user]. Those habits don't go well with delusions involving slasher film characters.
On one of the first warm nights of spring, I awoke at around 4 AM to the sound of my doorknob turning. I figured someone must have the wrong address... but it kept turning, persistently.
I didn't have a peephole or window to see who was outside, so I just approached the door from inside and yelled "Wrong place, buddy!"
Then the door started shaking violently, and a hand began punching it.
I tried one last time: "Wrong place! Go away, man!"
Someone on the other side growled at me and started making horrifying noises like a wild animal.
I grabbed a kitchen knife and called the police, then waited inside.
About ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. I opened it cautiously to see an officer who questioned me about the incident. Then he asked me to close it again and remain inside.
Again, I couldn't see what was happening out there, so I just turned out the lights and waited quietly with the knife in my hand. For about 20 minutes, there was just silence.
Then, out of nowhere, my living room window screen started to get pushed inside and the curtain started to move. The guy was pushing out the screen and trying to climb inside.
I held up the knife and yelled "I'm gonna [to attack] you!" in my most threatening voice possible.
Thankfully, I immediately heard "Get on the ground! Show me those hands!"
Heard another horrible wail from outside as the guy was presumably tackled and taken to a police car.
A few minutes later, another knock at the door. The officer was back to tell me that the suspect had been captured. This guy was a uniformed cop, but he was visibly trembling and super pale. I still hadn't seen what the intruder looked like.
The next day, I ran into the officer while he was off duty (small town) and he told me that the suspect had told them his name was Jason Voorhees.
Probably an [illegal substance user]. Those habits don't go well with delusions involving slasher film characters.
29points
One of the first things to focus on is home security. Always make sure your doors and windows are locked, especially at night or when you’re away. It sounds simple, but many people forget to check, and those small lapses can make you vulnerable. If possible, consider upgrading to stronger locks or adding a deadbolt for extra protection. You might also want to invest in window locks or even security bars if you’re on a ground floor. Small steps like these can go a long way in keeping your space safe.
#7
When I was nine, my batshit crazy mom married my awesome step-dad. He worked a swing shift in a factory and this week it was 2nd shifts turn. We didn't have a lot of money so we didn't have a phone and my mom was afraid of her own shadow. It didn't help that we lived 12 miles from town with no close neighbors. So, dad was at work and mom let me stay up to keep her company until dad got home. We were in the kitchen playing cards when the back doorknob started turning violently.
Mom grabs a butcher knife and yells out that she's armed and whoever's out there better run. She yells for me to call the police and mouths to me to pretend. Geez. The rattling doorknob stops and we sit in the dark room for an hour before dad gets home. Finally he's there and mom's recapping the incident when the doorknob starts turning again. Dad starts laughing and opens the door. Our cat has his front claws embedded in the wood door and his little hind feet are trying to balance on the knob. Mom near had a heart attack over a "cat" burglar.
Mom grabs a butcher knife and yells out that she's armed and whoever's out there better run. She yells for me to call the police and mouths to me to pretend. Geez. The rattling doorknob stops and we sit in the dark room for an hour before dad gets home. Finally he's there and mom's recapping the incident when the doorknob starts turning again. Dad starts laughing and opens the door. Our cat has his front claws embedded in the wood door and his little hind feet are trying to balance on the knob. Mom near had a heart attack over a "cat" burglar.
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27points
#8
I was slapped *hard* while I was asleep. Woke up with my cheek hurting and ears ringing. I lived alone at that time.
Another less creepy (after the fact) story I remember was when I was crashing at my uncle's for a couple months in summer. While he was at work, and sometimes at night, I would hear a woman yelling, "Hey, you there?". At first I was very freaked out, but a couple times during day time, I'd look for the source and try and talk to her. And she never replied. I asked my uncle after a few days and it turns out it was the pet parrot of the guy who lived across the hall. I had heard him before making weird noises and screeching, but never had I ever imagined it could replicate a woman's voice like that. But yeah I did see him do that in person sometime later, so nothing paranormal there at least.
Another less creepy (after the fact) story I remember was when I was crashing at my uncle's for a couple months in summer. While he was at work, and sometimes at night, I would hear a woman yelling, "Hey, you there?". At first I was very freaked out, but a couple times during day time, I'd look for the source and try and talk to her. And she never replied. I asked my uncle after a few days and it turns out it was the pet parrot of the guy who lived across the hall. I had heard him before making weird noises and screeching, but never had I ever imagined it could replicate a woman's voice like that. But yeah I did see him do that in person sometime later, so nothing paranormal there at least.
25points
#9
My dad build me a room in the basement as a kid, it was awesome to have privacy. When I was young it was scary but the usual stuff:
* hum / glow of the furnace
* hearing creaks in the ceiling above
* the occasional spider that haunted my dreams
But normal stuff I got over.
Fast forward to university, still had the room and would sleep in it when I went home weekends, holidays or whenever.
Started to experience the craziest [stuff] when I’d be home.
What I’d recognized as creaks when I was a kid sounded like full on footsteps upstairs when I was sure no one else was home, I’d investigate and nothing. But I’d go back and they’d return so I was sure I wasn’t alone but could never find anyone home.
But, I’d find random things sometimes, like soup cooking/boiling over on the stove.
Then I started to notice [stuff] moving around my room without me noticing, I’d be playing video games, put the controller down, turn to answer message on the computer, turn back and the controller would be gone from where I put it and the game turned off.
I seriously believed in ghosts for a bit.
Then comes the thing I really had to be scared about - it was that the furnace was broken and spewing carbon monoxide. If it’d been now I would have recognized the famous Reddit story, but back then no idea.
I could have died, that’s the scary part.
* hum / glow of the furnace
* hearing creaks in the ceiling above
* the occasional spider that haunted my dreams
But normal stuff I got over.
Fast forward to university, still had the room and would sleep in it when I went home weekends, holidays or whenever.
Started to experience the craziest [stuff] when I’d be home.
What I’d recognized as creaks when I was a kid sounded like full on footsteps upstairs when I was sure no one else was home, I’d investigate and nothing. But I’d go back and they’d return so I was sure I wasn’t alone but could never find anyone home.
But, I’d find random things sometimes, like soup cooking/boiling over on the stove.
Then I started to notice [stuff] moving around my room without me noticing, I’d be playing video games, put the controller down, turn to answer message on the computer, turn back and the controller would be gone from where I put it and the game turned off.
I seriously believed in ghosts for a bit.
Then comes the thing I really had to be scared about - it was that the furnace was broken and spewing carbon monoxide. If it’d been now I would have recognized the famous Reddit story, but back then no idea.
I could have died, that’s the scary part.
23points
Before moving into a new area, it’s smart to research local crime rates. Knowing what kind of incidents are common, whether it’s burglary, car theft, or even scams, helps you prepare better. You don’t have to obsess over it, but having a general idea gives you the awareness you need to stay cautious.
Sites and apps often share safety ratings for neighborhoods, which can be really helpful when making your decision. The more informed you are, the more confident you’ll feel in your new environment.
#10
I used to rent a room in a basement apartment. My friend's family lived in the real house upstairs, which is how I ended up there. They have a lot of family parties (They're first generation Filipino, family parties are a frequent thing).
One day I was dong some homework in my room, the other two tenants weren't home, so I had "apartment B" to myself. But they were being so loud upstairs, I was having trouble focusing. So much chatter and feet moving around. Sounded like dancing was going on.
I texted my friend: "you guys sound like you're really having a good time up there. I'm not really getting anything done, can I come up?"
He texts back: "No one is home, we went to Wisconsin for the weekend"
I went outside, saw that no one's car was there, and no lights were on in the house. And then I just went for a walk until someone else got home.
One day I was dong some homework in my room, the other two tenants weren't home, so I had "apartment B" to myself. But they were being so loud upstairs, I was having trouble focusing. So much chatter and feet moving around. Sounded like dancing was going on.
I texted my friend: "you guys sound like you're really having a good time up there. I'm not really getting anything done, can I come up?"
He texts back: "No one is home, we went to Wisconsin for the weekend"
I went outside, saw that no one's car was there, and no lights were on in the house. And then I just went for a walk until someone else got home.
22points
#11
About two weeks ago my depression was kicking my butt so I decided to cancel my evening plans and just lie down for a nap. Shortly after sunset I heard loud pounding on the front door alternating with rapid doorbell ringing. In the back of my head I though ups was being aggressive, but I still felt [bad] so I ignored the noise.
About ten minutes later I heard a loud thump in the kitchen and assumed my cat had knocked something over. I got up from bed and was about to open the door to the bedroom when I saw beams from a flashlight underneath the door. I called out, “Hello?” and the light disappeared. I walked into the kitchen and noticed the door was still locked but ajar and my cat was standing at the top of the basement steps looking down into the darkness.
At that point I received notification from my partner (who was out of state for work) that something had tripped the motion sensor camera in the kitchen. Two men had broken into the house and it was unclear where they had gone once they went back out the kitchen door.
I called 911 and five officers and a canine unit were at the house within minutes. They sent the dog into the basement and it didn’t find anybody. The would be burglars hadn’t had enough time to take anything but my sense of security, but it wasn’t until I was telling my coworkers the story the next day that it started to hit me how much worse it could have been.
November sucked this year, l am so grateful it is finally a new month.
About ten minutes later I heard a loud thump in the kitchen and assumed my cat had knocked something over. I got up from bed and was about to open the door to the bedroom when I saw beams from a flashlight underneath the door. I called out, “Hello?” and the light disappeared. I walked into the kitchen and noticed the door was still locked but ajar and my cat was standing at the top of the basement steps looking down into the darkness.
At that point I received notification from my partner (who was out of state for work) that something had tripped the motion sensor camera in the kitchen. Two men had broken into the house and it was unclear where they had gone once they went back out the kitchen door.
I called 911 and five officers and a canine unit were at the house within minutes. They sent the dog into the basement and it didn’t find anybody. The would be burglars hadn’t had enough time to take anything but my sense of security, but it wasn’t until I was telling my coworkers the story the next day that it started to hit me how much worse it could have been.
November sucked this year, l am so grateful it is finally a new month.
22points
#12
I was 15 and my parents and I just move into a house in a brand new development. My parents were at work so I was doing what almost every teenagers do when schools out: sleeping late. It was maybe 11 when I woke up. I was on my way to the bathroom when I came face-to-face with a guy. Surprised he ran out.
A couple of minutes later, a knock on the door. It was the Contractor apologizing for his guy. Apparently he was using our restroom and he didn't know someone had moved in. (The furniture should have been a clue) My parents were furious and they changed the locks.
A couple of minutes later, a knock on the door. It was the Contractor apologizing for his guy. Apparently he was using our restroom and he didn't know someone had moved in. (The furniture should have been a clue) My parents were furious and they changed the locks.
21points
Getting to know your neighbors is another underrated safety measure. When you have people nearby who recognize you and care about your well-being, you automatically gain an extra layer of protection.
A simple hello, a friendly wave, or even swapping phone numbers with trusted neighbors can build a small community of support. They can keep an eye out when you’re not home or alert you if something suspicious is happening nearby. In turn, you can do the same for them.
#13
When I was 12 my bedroom was across the hall from my Dad's office. I had a habit of staying up late reading at that time. One night I was reading while everyone else was asleep, and I suddenly heard this bizarre sound coming from Dad's office. It sounded like the window in his office sliding back and forth. At 12, when you're reading fantasy books, the first assumption you'll likely make is robbers.
I had a dowel rod in my room, so I grabbed that and cautiously began creeping towards Dad's office. Now, I was properly freaking out. My heart is at full throttle, and I can barely hear past the thumping, but I can still hear that weird sound. Just as I began reaching for the door knob to charge in, there's a hand on my shoulder. It was Dad. His bedroom was downstairs and he heard me walking around, came up to investigate.
Turns out the sound was his printer. He was working on a report downstairs, and printed it out from his laptop. He was proud that I was ready to deal with whatever was in his office, but found it extremely funny that I was going to run at his printer with a wooden dowel.
I had a dowel rod in my room, so I grabbed that and cautiously began creeping towards Dad's office. Now, I was properly freaking out. My heart is at full throttle, and I can barely hear past the thumping, but I can still hear that weird sound. Just as I began reaching for the door knob to charge in, there's a hand on my shoulder. It was Dad. His bedroom was downstairs and he heard me walking around, came up to investigate.
Turns out the sound was his printer. He was working on a report downstairs, and printed it out from his laptop. He was proud that I was ready to deal with whatever was in his office, but found it extremely funny that I was going to run at his printer with a wooden dowel.
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18points
#14
When I was a teenager, I was staying at home alone for a night while my parents were at a wedding somewhere. This was a very remote house, up in the mountains where I'd have to hike for half a mile to get to the closest neighbor.
I was on the computer around midnight when I thought I heard a noise outside, so I got up, turned on the outside lights and peered out through the window, and as I looked around I suddenly spotted a face just far enough for the light reached, staring right back at me.
I jumped and ran, only to realize I had just jumped at my own, very faint reflection in the window. I made sure there was nothing outside, but my heart was still pounding and I was still on edge so I decided that was enough computer for the night and it was time to go to bed.
I went around the house turning off all the lights and everything, and just as I'm about to go up the stairs, I hear an absolutely horrendous noise right behind me. I'm not even sure how to describe it. Imagine if someone with the dryest throat in history tried to scream at the top of his lungs, overlaid with the dying roar of a lion and you might get close. If there are monsters in the world, this was the sound they make.
Well, it turns out my mom had left this water feature running, and whenever someone turns it off, like I just had, it makes that sound about thirty seconds later, just long enough that a poor scared kid like me can't make the connection of where the noise came from. I survived, but it was a while until I was willing to stay home alone again.
I was on the computer around midnight when I thought I heard a noise outside, so I got up, turned on the outside lights and peered out through the window, and as I looked around I suddenly spotted a face just far enough for the light reached, staring right back at me.
I jumped and ran, only to realize I had just jumped at my own, very faint reflection in the window. I made sure there was nothing outside, but my heart was still pounding and I was still on edge so I decided that was enough computer for the night and it was time to go to bed.
I went around the house turning off all the lights and everything, and just as I'm about to go up the stairs, I hear an absolutely horrendous noise right behind me. I'm not even sure how to describe it. Imagine if someone with the dryest throat in history tried to scream at the top of his lungs, overlaid with the dying roar of a lion and you might get close. If there are monsters in the world, this was the sound they make.
Well, it turns out my mom had left this water feature running, and whenever someone turns it off, like I just had, it makes that sound about thirty seconds later, just long enough that a poor scared kid like me can't make the connection of where the noise came from. I survived, but it was a while until I was willing to stay home alone again.
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18points
#15
When I was 6 years old or so I used to share my room with my brother and one morning I woke up and he wasnt in his bed. It was barely dawn so the room was dark and I was obviously scared. I went to check in my parents room to see if he climbed into bed with them and they werent there. Nobody was home so I went outside because i couldnt stand being alone in the house by myself. It was soo foggy i could barely see my driveway. There was no car and It was just so silent that it was freaking me out. I ran to my backyard where I knew my dog would be but it wasnt there. I was completely alone in my home in this fog. I fell asleep under my bed and woke up to chatter from the kitchen. Apparently my brother had some Ear/Gum affection and was running a h**h fever throwing up and such so they took him to the hospital. My little brother was 4 and he turned out to be alright. My Dog was just out and about somewhere in the neighborhood and just wasnt close to my house when I was out there. In southern Louisiana we dont have fences in alot of the neighborhoods and we lived a little distant from the next house over so this was common.
It was the silence that made it so creepy and scary at the time. Waking up alone in the morning not knowing where you’re family is and having an eerie fog complement the frightening morning just seemed so [messed up] at the time. laying under my bed trying to fall back asleep seemed like it took hours.
It was the silence that made it so creepy and scary at the time. Waking up alone in the morning not knowing where you’re family is and having an eerie fog complement the frightening morning just seemed so [messed up] at the time. laying under my bed trying to fall back asleep seemed like it took hours.
16points
As much as possible, avoid walking alone late at night. If you have to, stick to well-lit areas, busier streets, and places with cameras or open businesses. Keep your phone handy but avoid being too distracted by it, since awareness is your best defense. Trust your instincts; if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Taking small precautions like calling a friend while walking or sharing your location temporarily can give you extra security.
#16
This happened about 8 years ago.
I was about 14 and was playing COD with my best friends at the time. My parents, who are usually quite adamant about me not staying home alone, had to go pick up my grandparents from the airport. My brother, who usually is home with me, had a party to go to.
So here I was home alone, with my playstation and pizza I ordered... score!
My friend and I were still playing at 2am when I hear the doorbell go off.
I think "Oh, must be my parents, they must've forgotten the garage remote"
I walk to open the door but a gut feeling stops me.
That's when this dude goes berserk. He begins to pound on the door and screams to let him in. I, in my panic, have frozen in place but I managed to get the house phone to call 000 (our equivalent to 911)
I also call my parents, because I'm 14 and I'm freaking out. The friend I was playing COD with can hear this entire thing through my headset and I haven't responded to him yet. So I'm juggling my phone call to the emergency services as well as my parents.
I hang up with my parents and that's when the banging stops. I think, "Thank god maybe he's moved on"
As I continue to talk to the phone operator I begin to hear the loudest bangs I've ever heard. He's trying to break a window to get in. He's still screaming to let him in.
By now, I've called police and I was ready to accept my fate, when I hear a commotion and my older brother opening the door.
Turns out the dude grabbed a statue and was banging on the window with that. It still blows my mind that the window did not break.
My brother and his friends threw him down our stairs. Coincidentally, that's when the police also showed up.
Turns out the guy was a shirtless 20 year old that was h**h on a hallucinogenic [substances] and he bolted from a party down the road after being caught having [intercourse] with the birthday girl by the parents.
The paramedics were called and by this time we had given him a blanket and warm water.
The paramedics told us if he were outside for another hour he would've died of hypothermia.
We declined to press charges, his parents came and apologized profusely.
They've never bothered us again.
I was about 14 and was playing COD with my best friends at the time. My parents, who are usually quite adamant about me not staying home alone, had to go pick up my grandparents from the airport. My brother, who usually is home with me, had a party to go to.
So here I was home alone, with my playstation and pizza I ordered... score!
My friend and I were still playing at 2am when I hear the doorbell go off.
I think "Oh, must be my parents, they must've forgotten the garage remote"
I walk to open the door but a gut feeling stops me.
That's when this dude goes berserk. He begins to pound on the door and screams to let him in. I, in my panic, have frozen in place but I managed to get the house phone to call 000 (our equivalent to 911)
I also call my parents, because I'm 14 and I'm freaking out. The friend I was playing COD with can hear this entire thing through my headset and I haven't responded to him yet. So I'm juggling my phone call to the emergency services as well as my parents.
I hang up with my parents and that's when the banging stops. I think, "Thank god maybe he's moved on"
As I continue to talk to the phone operator I begin to hear the loudest bangs I've ever heard. He's trying to break a window to get in. He's still screaming to let him in.
By now, I've called police and I was ready to accept my fate, when I hear a commotion and my older brother opening the door.
Turns out the dude grabbed a statue and was banging on the window with that. It still blows my mind that the window did not break.
My brother and his friends threw him down our stairs. Coincidentally, that's when the police also showed up.
Turns out the guy was a shirtless 20 year old that was h**h on a hallucinogenic [substances] and he bolted from a party down the road after being caught having [intercourse] with the birthday girl by the parents.
The paramedics were called and by this time we had given him a blanket and warm water.
The paramedics told us if he were outside for another hour he would've died of hypothermia.
We declined to press charges, his parents came and apologized profusely.
They've never bothered us again.
15points
#17
Once, when I was around 12, I was home alone and taking a bath. I was rinsing my hair underwater and when I lifted my head and I realised I could suddenly hear what sounded like footsteps walking across the landing.
Both my parents were at work, and I knew it was far too early for them to be home, so I was entirely freaked out and convinced that someone had broken into the house and was walking around stealing or whatever.
I had no idea what to do at all, I was so freaked out. I was sat in the bath, naked, with no phone or any method of calling for help, freaking out that surely the intruders were going to find me - or even worse, they already knew I was there, because surely they would've heard the noise of the water from me moving in the bath??
I essentially froze, and sat there and panicked for who knows how long, before I decided to have a moment of bravery. I figured that they knew I was there anyway, so I waited for a gap in the noise, that to me signaled they had gone into a room, and opened the bathroom door a crack so I could see what was actually happening.
I opened it and waited. Soon, the noise of the footsteps began again on the landing, and from my vantage point I could see the entire landing. There was no one there. No one had broken in to the house.
Later, when my parents got home, I asked them about it. It turns out, after they looked into it, it was a problem with the pipes, causing them to make a banging noise that sounded like footsteps.
Both my parents were at work, and I knew it was far too early for them to be home, so I was entirely freaked out and convinced that someone had broken into the house and was walking around stealing or whatever.
I had no idea what to do at all, I was so freaked out. I was sat in the bath, naked, with no phone or any method of calling for help, freaking out that surely the intruders were going to find me - or even worse, they already knew I was there, because surely they would've heard the noise of the water from me moving in the bath??
I essentially froze, and sat there and panicked for who knows how long, before I decided to have a moment of bravery. I figured that they knew I was there anyway, so I waited for a gap in the noise, that to me signaled they had gone into a room, and opened the bathroom door a crack so I could see what was actually happening.
I opened it and waited. Soon, the noise of the footsteps began again on the landing, and from my vantage point I could see the entire landing. There was no one there. No one had broken in to the house.
Later, when my parents got home, I asked them about it. It turns out, after they looked into it, it was a problem with the pipes, causing them to make a banging noise that sounded like footsteps.
14points
#18
When I was around 7 or 8 I would be home alone for about 2 hours every morning. I walked down stairs, and I went down on the ground hard. I was sitting there in a daze when the cops showed up, and they went through the house room to room. This of course freaked me out.
What happened is my Dad decided to set the house alarm for some reason (he almost never leaves after my mom.... the fact is he probably always sets it off by my mom turns it off when she leaves...). The alarm got set off by the dog. The dog got scared and [peed] on the floor. I slipped on the [pee]. Then the police got called over by the alarm company. Luckily this was the 90's, if that happened today my folks would probably get in trouble for something stupid.
What happened is my Dad decided to set the house alarm for some reason (he almost never leaves after my mom.... the fact is he probably always sets it off by my mom turns it off when she leaves...). The alarm got set off by the dog. The dog got scared and [peed] on the floor. I slipped on the [pee]. Then the police got called over by the alarm company. Luckily this was the 90's, if that happened today my folks would probably get in trouble for something stupid.
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14points
It’s also important to be careful with what you share online. Oversharing personal details or posting photos that reveal too much about your home can put you at risk. Even simple things like posting vacation updates in real-time can let others know your place is empty. Instead, wait until you’re back to share photos or keep your posts limited to close friends. Protecting your privacy online directly contributes to your safety offline.
#19
So the backstory is that I work at 24x7 roster and I (obviously) am single and live alone.
I finished my night shift at 7am and went home. I was meeting my mum for brunch so I laid down in bed but set an alarm every 5 minutes so i didn't crash and miss her knock on the door. I laid on my side, facing the closed concertina sliding door that separates my bedroom and living room. This is Australia in summer so ~8am means full daylight streaming in, door has to be shut or it's blinding.
I hear the clink of keys then the grinding of one entering the keyhole of the front door. First thought is "but mum doesn't have a set of keys", then I realise I can't sit up, or move at all. I hear footsteps on the kitchen lino, the key coming out, the door shutting, then footsteps on the carpet and the thud of a handbag being dropped.
Then a voice says "I'm home, hun." don't know to explain the accent. I call it restrained Aussie - you imagine an Aussie accent as 'Yeah howzitgarn maaaaaate' but restrained is Aussie reduces emphasis on vowels. Says "can't" as "carnt". Alexarnder. Vase is Varze. Anyway it's clearly a woman's voice and I hear her plop onto the chaise of the couch and slowly remove her boots. Then a few more steps on the carpet and the concertina door slides open.
There stands the spitting image of what I perceive to be attractive. A gal, ~5'5, 5'6. Homely looking - long straight hair, chubby but not overweight. Her face and tones are kind of a blur, except her smile radiates and the daylight shines around her. She says "I'm just gonna crash", kisses me on the forehead then walks around the bed, behind me. I feel the weight if the bed shift as she lazily plops onto the mattress and adjust herself. As soon as she stops I feel my paralysis lift and I roll over.
Obviously, no one there. But a few things are really unsettling about this - at no point did my eyes open. Meaning this was a hallucination, not a dream. Knowing that, it means my brain was actively blocking information. For one, the concertina door was always open, so my mind was both blocking the light that was hitting my eyes from the other room AND created a memory of me shutting the door. The other is that it was pre-compensating my body weight on the mattress to adjust to normal when the dream gal sat on the bed behind me.
TL DR my brain is creepier than any neighbour, shadow or supernatural force.
I finished my night shift at 7am and went home. I was meeting my mum for brunch so I laid down in bed but set an alarm every 5 minutes so i didn't crash and miss her knock on the door. I laid on my side, facing the closed concertina sliding door that separates my bedroom and living room. This is Australia in summer so ~8am means full daylight streaming in, door has to be shut or it's blinding.
I hear the clink of keys then the grinding of one entering the keyhole of the front door. First thought is "but mum doesn't have a set of keys", then I realise I can't sit up, or move at all. I hear footsteps on the kitchen lino, the key coming out, the door shutting, then footsteps on the carpet and the thud of a handbag being dropped.
Then a voice says "I'm home, hun." don't know to explain the accent. I call it restrained Aussie - you imagine an Aussie accent as 'Yeah howzitgarn maaaaaate' but restrained is Aussie reduces emphasis on vowels. Says "can't" as "carnt". Alexarnder. Vase is Varze. Anyway it's clearly a woman's voice and I hear her plop onto the chaise of the couch and slowly remove her boots. Then a few more steps on the carpet and the concertina door slides open.
There stands the spitting image of what I perceive to be attractive. A gal, ~5'5, 5'6. Homely looking - long straight hair, chubby but not overweight. Her face and tones are kind of a blur, except her smile radiates and the daylight shines around her. She says "I'm just gonna crash", kisses me on the forehead then walks around the bed, behind me. I feel the weight if the bed shift as she lazily plops onto the mattress and adjust herself. As soon as she stops I feel my paralysis lift and I roll over.
Obviously, no one there. But a few things are really unsettling about this - at no point did my eyes open. Meaning this was a hallucination, not a dream. Knowing that, it means my brain was actively blocking information. For one, the concertina door was always open, so my mind was both blocking the light that was hitting my eyes from the other room AND created a memory of me shutting the door. The other is that it was pre-compensating my body weight on the mattress to adjust to normal when the dream gal sat on the bed behind me.
TL DR my brain is creepier than any neighbour, shadow or supernatural force.
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14points
#20
Not alone but; when my sister and I were young, still in grade school my mom was doing laundry. This was in the 70's when scary low budget movies were pretty common on tv and we loved watching them. So the washer/dryer was in a utility room off the kitchen. Suddenly this horrendous banging/rattling sound came from the utility room. My sister was petrified. I opened the door and the dryer was literally shaking across the floor like it was coming alive and banging like 100 sneakers were inside. I was so scared I couldnt move. I thought the devil was in the house! My mom came running thru past us and pulled the dryer door opened and just like that, the noise stopped.
A dryer belt had broken and the tumbler was rolling loose inside like crazy.
A dryer belt had broken and the tumbler was rolling loose inside like crazy.
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13points