Paranormal Story Archives
July 1999

The Rocking Chair Ghost by Darrell B.
About eight years ago, I was sharing a two-story apartment in Thousand Oaks, California with my 75-year-old father. I was newly divorced at the time and my two young sons, (then eight and six) came to visit me every other weekend. One weekend, I was alone in the apartment with the boys. My father was away visiting relatives in Canada. On the last night of this particular weekend, my eight-year-old son came running downstairs in a panic. It was about 10 p.m. He claimed that he opened the door to my father's bedroom and was startled to see an old man sitting in his grandpa's rocking chair. My son said that when he looked at the man, the man turned and looked at him. My son explained he was so afraid that he quickly closed the door in shock. Then, after a moment or so he opened the door again, but now the old man was gone. I didn't believe him, thinking his eyes were playing tricks on him. I half laughingly said he probably had a memory of his grandpa sitting there, but my son insisted the man didn't look at all like my father. Despite my son's insistence, I casually brushed aside the story. About three nights later, at approximately 9 p.m., I happened to open my father's bedroom door planning to retrieve something from his bathroom when I too was startled to see an old man sitting in my dad's rocking chair. I couldn't take my eyes of this man. He was old and appeared to be in his nineties, and was wearing glasses. He was very thin. While staring at this man in disbelief, he suddenly turned and looked at me. Like my son, I quickly closed the door in a panic. Then after a moment or two, I threw the door open, but he was gone. I have to tell you, it scared the you-know-what out of me. The next day, without telling him what had occurred, the manager of the apartments told me that an elderly man had passed away in my apartment some years before. I believe the ghost was probably of that man. Two weeks later, I compared notes with my son. I knew he had told me the truth and I told him I believed him. Both of us now know for certain there really are ghosts.

Sailor Ghosts by cltaylor
When my husband and I were first married, we lived in a little house in a nice little subdivision. My husband worked the night shift and would leave the house about 2 a.m. One night after my husband had left, I woke up drenched in sweat and stiff with fear. I had had the most realistic dream. In my dream, I walked through the house to look out the door by the kitchen. There, sitting on the railing were two sailors drinking beer. One was blonde, the other dark haired. Seeing the blonde sailor, I became terrified. I knew I couldn't let him look at me. When I woke from this dream, I was relieved to hear my husband walking back through the house towards our bedroom. The cats who were sleeping with me also heard him and turned towards the door. At what seemed almost the same instant, I realized that the footsteps I presumed were my husband's, were walking across hard floors - but our house was carpeted. I lay frozen with terror in bed until dawn. At first, I only mentioned it to my husband, but then the same thing happened to three different people staying at different times in our house. When it happened to my sister-in-law, the cats stood on her bed and hissed at the approaching footsteps. My sister-in-law promptly got up and drove home that night. A few years after we moved, I found out by accident that the area where our subdivision had been built, had many years ago been a very bad part of town. My family has come to believe that our little house must have been built on an area where something bad had happened.

Terrible Premonitions by Gary
I have long been a believer in the paranormal, but never personally encountered anything out of the ordinary until a tragic event in 1995 made me begin to consider the possibility that I may have some latent psychic ability. In Sept. 1995, my wife and I were expecting our first child. We were approximately one month from delivering what seemed to be a healthy, baby boy. On Sept. 14, my wife and I got ready for a routine checkup at the doctors. As we were getting ready, she commented to me that she had an upset stomach, which was not abnormal considering she had suffered from terrible morning sickness. As she told me this, however, an image - almost like a waking dream - popped into my head. I saw my wife and I dressed in black, both of us crying, seated at a funeral home. I shook the image out of my head, we both left and I went on to work while she went to the doctor. As I drove to work something kept telling me I should have called in late and went with her to the doctor. A short time later, the pager went off and the number on the display was that of our obstetrician. While it could have been anything, I knew immediately that our child was dead. I drove there and discovered that indeed, the doctor had found that the baby was stillborn. The doctor did not confirm, but said it was possible my wife had felt ill that morning because the baby had been dead a few days and may have been releasing toxins into her system.

Out-of-Body Birth Experience by Sandee
During labor of my first child on May 19, 1972, I was lying in the bed... I was alone in the room, as my husband left to have a cigarette. I remember having a contraction, it stopped, and I slumped in exhaustion. Then I sat up and looked at the door to the corridor, turned to see my body or shell lying in the bed. I was aware that I was suspended and I had a misty, transparent shape. I did not speak, but I could hear my thoughts as though they were spoken. I turned to look at my body... and I knew if I left to get them... she would not go on... not without me. My concern was for the body in the bed, but it did not seem as though it was me. She needed me. Soon I turned to sit on the bed and laid back into my body.

The Phantom Horse by Richard L.
This is a tale my older brother told me a few years back. My brother and his wife lived on a property in Queensland, Australia. One night, he and his wife heard at the back of their acre block property, a neighbor's six or so horses all going a bit wild in their enclosure. They had a look outside to investigate when they saw a white horse grazing in the vacant block next to them. At first they thought one of their neighbor's horses had escaped, so they went back inside the house to think about calling the neighbor or finding something to put round its neck to lead it back. Less than a minute passed and they when back outside. The horse was nowhere to be seen, on this wide open area. That freaked them a bit, because they realized it did not have time to leave. They then both agreed that the horse did not look solid when they stopped and thought about it. The next day, without any prompting at all, my brother was talking to one of his neighbors. The neighbor was driving down my brothers street that night and said a white horse had run from nowhere across the road in front of him and his car drove straight through it.

Key Bending by Anne B.
In the past three months, I have had a very unusual occurrence, which has happened to me on two occasions. I have had my car keys in my hand, once at work whilst waiting to go home, and the second time I popped into a shop for some wine. On both occasions when I got to my car my ignition key was bent and twisted. The first time that this occurred, the tip of the key was at right angles. My husband needed to use a hammer to straighten the keys. Do you have any explanation for this? I have tried to bend the keys on purpose and it is impossible.

Ghost in the Barracks by Sam K.
I was stationed at Ft Drum, N.Y. in the late 1980's. I had been assigned to an artillery battery to replace a young soldier (we'll call him Carl) who had been killed in a car accident. His tragic death hit everyone in the battalion hard. A few years after Carl's death, when the members of the battery were getting ready to go our separate ways, we had a get together. While swapping 'war stories', we shared reminiscences of Carl. I was shocked to discover that many of the people who knew Carl had strange things happen to them: lights going on and off, feelings of having someone in the room with you, etc. Nearly everyone who was close to Carl had some strange event to share. On several nights, my roommate and I were awakened at the same instance as if by a loud sound, with the echoes of some disturbance quickly fading. We dismissed it as the noises of rowdy barracks mates. One morning, our section (consisting of five people, all of whom who had gone through basic and advanced training with Carl) was cleaning the day room. Before we had finished our assigned cleaning task, we ran out of cleaning supplies. One of my buddies volunteered to go down to my room to get some more. When he grabbed the knob to open the door, he discovered it was locked. He knocked. A voice shouted, "Go away!" It sounded like my roomie with a bad cold, raspy and mean. My friend knocked louder, saying stuff like, "Open up. We know you're in there." Still the door remained locked and the voice kept yelling, "Go away!" The few people in their rooms at the time came out of their rooms to see what the commotion was about and asking why my roommate was being such a jerk. My friend came back to the day room to get my keys, noting that he would kick my roommate's butt as a courtesy to me once he got in the room. Before I even had a chance to dig my keys out of my pocket, my roommate came up the stairs. He had been in the bathroom for the last ten minutes. We all went into my locked room to discover it empty and exactly as we left it. No explanation for the voice was ever found.

Fireballs by Elisha B.
I live on Maui, Hawaii. I've lived here since 1976. In 1977, I was living on Front Street in Lahaina and lying on my bed in the shack I lived in, in which one half of the wall above my bed was screen. I was lying facing the opposite wall with my three-year-old, and it sounded like all the noise on Front street was outside my window. I looked up and there was a melon-sized ball of fire floating in the sky right outside my screen. First I pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming, then thought about waking up my son, but since they can cause harm, I'd been told, I choose not to. I stared in amazement for a bit then sent it away the way I heard you should - I swore at it and it left with a tail like a comet! Years later I was told by a student of Hawaiiana that the sound fireballs carry is the sound of chaos.

Angels Prevent a Suicide by Anonymous
My childhood with my biological mother was physically, emotionally, and sexually abusive. This of course lead to a lot of emotional problems. So when a man, told me that he loved me and wanted me to move in with him, I believed him. So I moved in thinking I had found Mr. Right. A few months down the line, he told me that he was engaged to a girl in another state, and it was over between us. The next day while he was at work, the phone rang. It was him, he said that he was talking to a friend of his, and told him how nice I was, and his friend said I could move in with him, and have the same kind of arrangement I had with him. I couldn't believe it, he was trying to pass me around like a piece of furniture. I uttered a firm NO, and hung up. I stood there reeling, wondering what I had done to deserve this. Knowing in my heart that I could not take any more. I felt that if this was what life had to offer, I wanted out. The only answer was death, as soon as the thought entered my mind, there was not other answer, it was perfect. I went upstairs and got the razor blade, then to the refrigerator, and got out the wine. Holding my wrist over the kitchen sink, I soon thought, what do I care if he has to clean up blood off his kitchen floor, the kitchen floor was soon a mess with my blood, then, so what if he has to clean his carpet, I deserve to be comfortable while I'm dying. Feeling very weak, I started to walk into the living room, to sit on the couch. I never made it. The loss of blood caused me to pass out. I came to after being slapped in the face, I looked up, and a bearded man knelt over me on my left, and a women was standing to my right. He said, we have to get her to a hospital, then he picked me up, I passed out again, and came to only for a few seconds while I was being put in the car. When I next awoke, it was to hear a doctor say, "This looks like raw hamburger." I asked about the people that had brought me, only to be told that the hospital didn't know how I got there, I was just found at the emergency entrance. My next thought was it must have been his parents. How else would they have been able to enter a locked apartment? A few days later, I went back to the apartment to pick up my belongings, he was there. I told him to thank his parents for me. He said what for? For taking me to the hospital the other night, I replied. Then he told me that his parents couldn't have done it, cause they lived in a different state. So I asked him who it was that had taken me to the hospital, he answered that he had no idea who it was. What do I think? I think they were angels, sent by God to let me know that there is someone that loves me.

The Bearded Ghost by Kate
I have always thought my room was haunted. Strange incidents like things rubbing against my hands in the night, heavy breathing, strange noises, and the heads of my toys being turned backwards when I wake up happen in there. It wasn't till last year that I realized that it was the whole house. My bedroom was being decorated and I was sleeping in our study. There was a man standing next to the bookcase near my bed. His eyes were staring at me, but not really looking at me; they were blank. He was dressed in a brown suit with brown hair and a brown beard. For some reason, when I was looking at him I thought of my great grand dad on my mums side who died before I was born. I never saw a photo and and wouldn't recognize him If it had been him. I wasn't frightened. Since then the heavy breathing in my room has got louder and now occurs nearly every night. I think who ever it is is just looking out for me.

Mr. Spencer Returns by plumber 2
I purchased a travel trailer from a friend of my father who bought it with her husband almost twenty years ago. As well as serving as a temporary home for them through the years, it was also her husbands favorite refuge when he wanted to either take a nap or be alone after they moved into a permanent house. It was in the bedroom that he passed away from a heart attack 10 years ago. One evening, I was laying on my makeshift bed and noticed the door handle move a half a turn and then turn back. Since the door was locked, it did not open, which prompted me to get up and look outside to see if it was my dad or someone else wanting to come in. Nobody was outside or even in the yard. After a day or so, I noticed my small Chihuahua barking madly and yelping as if someone was picking at him by grabbing his tail. He would run in circles and growl towards the door and bedroom. A couple of nights later I was fast asleep when I heard someone talking to him saying, "Ralph, I won't hurt you." He growled profusely and I remember saying in my sleepy state, "He doesn't like to be bothered." The voice said, "I'm sorry, Ralph," and we were not bothered again. Occasionally I still sense the presence of Mr. Spencer, but never threatening - usually just coming in to take a nap.

Meeting with Sasquatch by Ron M.
My folks and I were cruising the waters of Howe Sound during a week day. We were out to catch the ever-elusive salmon, but little did we know we would get more than we bargained for. At the south end of Gambier Island there are three bays. One of these is Center Bay and at the north end of it is a wharf owned by an exclusive yacht club in Vancouver. We tied up, intending to explore the property and sleep overnight before bugging out first thing in the morning. Dad went up to check out the property, and within a few minutes I followed. I went inside the house and found it in total ruins. Heading outside to check the rear of the house, I heard three ape-like noises behind me. Figuring it was dad, I told him to give it a rest. But a few minutes later I saw dad on the wharf, talking to mom. Knowing something didn't add up, I wanted to quiz dad on his whereabouts, but refrained. Later, I took a hike beyond the house and found a trail that led to a number of fruit trees in an abandoned orchard. Wondering if any fruit was on the trees, I got in among the trees. Reacting to a feeling of being watched, I turned and saw something that took two or three seconds to register. Standing about 50 to 60 yards away was a creature standing about seven feet high and weighing several hundred pounds. It was a sasquatch. This spooked me. We looked at each other for a few moments before the sasquatch moved into the deeper forest. He was just interested in keeping an eye on me. After sunset, I called dad out to the back of the boat. I had heard the same ape noises from earlier in the day on a nearby rocky slope. For several minutes, dad and I heard sasquatch splashing in the water, and it was having a great time in doing so. Just in case of further contact, I slept with one eye open that entire night.

Woman in the Rocker by Tobi L.
Seven years ago, when we moved to my present home, my mother sat me down and said that I was old enough to learn of the happenings that occurred at the house that we had just moved from. At first, she only explained the history of the house. An old couple had lived there for many years, and loved the home. But despite their longing and continuous praying, they were always unable to have children. When the man got into his early eighties, he suffered from a massive heart attack while resting in the living room. The old woman, no matter how hard, could not move past grieving for her dear husband and, as my mother told me, she died from a "broken heart" almost exactly one year later. What freaked me out most, however, was where my mother told me that she died: in my old bedroom! My parents and I moved to the house when I was only three, before my little brother and sister were born. According to my mom, a couple of weeks after we arrived in our new home, I would come into my parents' room at night complaining of an old woman rocking in a chair by my bed, watching me. My parents immediately remembered how the couple had wanted children so badly, and where the woman had died, and figured that her spirit must be pleased that a child was living in her home.

Dead Motorcycle Guy by Anonymous
I moved into an apartment not knowing anything about the previous tenant. One night I woke up, but couldn't move any part of my body. (This used to happen infrequently.) I opened my eyes and saw this male standing in the doorway of my bedroom staring into the mirror over my dresser, which was right in front of the doorway. I can still see him. I was frightened and closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. After a few minutes, I opened my eyes again and he was gone. I did tell this to my friend who lived next door and she said that I had just described the guy who had lived in my apartment and was killed in a motorcycle accident. I had to move. I was too frightened to sleep in the bedroom at night.

Vision of Australia by Ben S.
When 15, I met a girl, an exchange student from Australia, on the school bus. She was attractive, and immediately upon meeting her, I had a detailed vision of a typically Australian scene: of a border collie chasing a brown on white Rambler down a long dusty drive way towards a frame house with double-deck wraparound porches. By the side of the drive was a lone, tall tree; on the upper porch, a man waved a straw hat at the coming car. He was baldish; what hair he had was silver. Also, he was stout, and in blue jean coveralls. My perspective was from the road, from some advantageous altitude, like a hovering bird might have had. In short, I described all these details to her on the spot, and it was an exact depiction of her home, farm, car, dog, and father, there in Australia. Go figure.

Not of This Earth? by Anonymous
I have always felt that I do not belong on Earth. I find myself always looking up at the sky, as if to find my home and I feel homesick. When I was approximately six years old, a great swirling vortex came toward me from the sky, and my mother whisked me into the house. Years later, I find that I am followed by pinpoints of light, and once I was awakened by a bright light in the center of my bedroom. It moved to the wall and went to all four corners before moving back to the center of the room and "bursting" then disappearing. I heard what sounded like a helicopter taking off from the roof of the house and when I got up to investigate, I could hear it moving away, but could not see anything. My parents and my brother were not awakened by any of this. I am constantly having headaches, and the other day I envisioned myself in a hospital. The doctors wanted to remove a foreign object from my head, but they were told by another "doctor" that if they removed it, I would die. I don't know what all this means and maybe I should see a hypnotist to find out what is going on.

Protective Nanny by TutUncomn2
When I was twelve years old, my "Nanny" (my dad's mother) died of a massive stroke. My Nanny was my hero, my confidante, my mentor, and my best friend. I was devastated. My home life was horrible with parents who fought all the time and I spent most of my time in fears or tears. One night, after a particularly gruesome quarrel and a nasty belt-whipping from my Dad, I went to bed crying and very sad. It was dark in my room. Suddenly, a mist formed that was shapeless, yet darker than the room. It hovered over me, and I was frightened for a minute. Then this peaceful feeling came over me and I just watched this shape floating around over me. Finally, I said out loud, "Nanny?" And my troubles seemed to dissipate and I became sleepy and relaxed. The shape seemed to just dissipate also, and finally was gone and I went to sleep feeling as though my Nanny was watching over me and would always be there to care for me. Yes, I am certain that my Nanny is my guardian angel - 37 years after I saw her in my bedroom. Nanny, if you're reading this, I love you!

Powerful Ouija by Amanda
My friend and I live in a very small town in Tennessee by the Appalachian mountains. One night we decided to mess with the Ouija board. My name is Amanda and my friend is Laina. We turned off the lights, lit the candle, and sat down on the floor. We asked if we were sisters in another life, and if we were reincarnated. It said yes. We asked if it was a evil spirit. It did not answer us. We asked if it can blow out the candle or let us know by physical surprise. It did not blow out the candle, but it threatened to kill me by smothering me with a pillow. Two weeks later, myself and my friends took the board to the empty house of my deceased friend. She had drown and was murdered behind that very same house. We went in and lit the candles we all sat down in a circle and Peiecilla said, "Frances, if you are here, give us a sign." The candles blew out. We asked, "Were you murdered behind your house?" There was this foul smell, and the room got cold as ice, and this horrid, deep breath I have never heard until that night. Suddenly, the Ouija curser flew off the board. We took the board and went running to Conley's house, then he walked me home before my parents came home. I put the Ouija board under my bed. To this day, my brother, sister, and myself still hear violent voices under my bed and have nightmares.

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