All Episodes

August 10, 2025 • 21 mins
Embark on a chilling journey into the heart of darkness with "Echoes of the Unseen: Tales from the Haunted Trail." What starts as a simple night hike with friends under the moonlit canopy of a dense forest quickly spirals into a terrifying adventure, as whispers in the shadows lead to encounters with ominous figures and sinister locations. In this gripping episode, experience the tension of a race against unseen forces in the woods, the spine-tingling exploration of a haunted house filled with echoing whispers, and the unnerving stay at a motel where eerie warnings are scrawled in condensation. Each story unravels the boundary between thrill and terror, drawing you into a world where curiosity teeters on the edge of caution. Join us as we recount these unforgettable mysteries, leaving you questioning what truly lies beyond the trail.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nighttime-scary-tales--6704938/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
It was supposed to be an adventure. My friends and
I had been planning a night hike for weeks. Eager
to experience the thrill of trekking through the forest under
the cover of darkness, we chose a trail that was
known for its scenic views and relatively easy path, perfect
for our first night hike. Little did we know the

(00:25):
night would turn into a nightmare we'd never forget. We
arrived at the trailhead just as the sun was setting,
casting long shadows through the trees. The forest seemed to
come alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures. We strapped
on our headlamps, checked our gear, and set off. Our
excitement palpable. The first part of the hike was uneventful.

(00:50):
We laughed, joked, and marveled at the way the forest
looked under the light of the moon. As we ventured
deeper into the woods, the trail grew narrower and the
trees thicker. The light from our headlamps danced off the foliage,
creating eerie patterns. We talked less and less, our focus
shifting to navigating the dark, uneven path. The night was

(01:14):
cool and the air was filled with the scent of
pine and damp earth. About an hour into our hike,
we reached a small clearing. We decided to take a break,
drink some water, and rest our legs. We sat in
a circle, the beam of our headlamps illuminating our faces.
That's when we first heard it, a faint rustling in

(01:35):
the bushes nearby. We froze, listening intently. The rustling stopped,
and we brushed it off as a small animal. Feeling rejuvenated,
we continued our hike. The path became more challenging, with
roots and rocks jutting out, threatening to trip us up.

(01:56):
We moved cautiously, our laughter replaced by nervous chatter. The
forest was silent, save for the crunch of our boots
on the ground and the occasional hoot of an owl.
Then we heard the rustling again, louder this time. We
stopped shining our lights in the direction of the sound.
There was nothing there, just trees and undergrowth. My heart

(02:20):
began to pound, but I told myself it was just
an animal, nothing to worry about. We pressed on, trying
to ignore the growing sense of unease. A few minutes later,
I caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner
of my eye. I turned quickly, shining my light into
the trees again nothing. But I wasn't the only one

(02:43):
who saw it. My friend Sam whispered that he saw
something too, a shadow darting between the trees. We huddled together,
our backs to each other, scanning the darkness. Maybe we
should turn back, Jess suggested, her voice trembling. We all agreed,
the excitement of the hike now replaced by a creeping dread.

(03:06):
We started back down the trail, moving faster than before.
The rustling followed us, growing louder and more persistent. It
was as if something was stalking us, keeping pace with
our every step. We broke into a run, our breaths
coming in ragged gasps. The path was treacherous, and more

(03:27):
than once we stumbled, barely catching ourselves. Panic set in
and I could feel the fear radiating from my friends.
We just needed to get back to the car to safety.
Suddenly Sam tripped and fell, his head lamp, flying off
into the bushes. He let out a cry of pain,
clutching his ankle. We stopped trying to help him up.

(03:52):
The rustling was louder, now coming from all around us.
I felt a chill run down my spine as I
realized we were surround. Did get up, Sam, We have
to go, I shouted, trying to keep the panic out
of my voice. Jess and I helped him to his feet,
supporting him as he hobbled along. The forest seemed to

(04:15):
close in on us, the darkness oppressive. I could feel
Ie watching us, following our every move. We finally reached
the clearing where we had taken our break earlier. It
felt like a small haven in the sea of darkness.
We paused to catch our breath, our eyes darting around,
trying to pierce the inky blackness. That's when we saw it,

(04:39):
A figure standing at the edge of the clearing, just
beyond the reach of our lights. It was tall and slender,
its features obscured by the shadows. It didn't move, just
stood there watching us. My blood ran cold and my
mouth went dry. Who's there, I called out, wavering. There

(05:02):
was no response, only the oppressive silence of the forest.
The figure took a step forward and we bolted. We
didn't look back, didn't stop running until we burst out
of the forest and onto the trailhead. We piled into
the car slamming the doors and locking them. Sam's ankle

(05:22):
was swollen and he was in pain, but we didn't care.
We just needed to get out of there. We didn't
speak on the drive home, each lost in our thoughts.
The terror of the night had left us terrified, and
we vowed never to go on a night hike again.
It was an experience we'll never forget. The fear, the panic,

(05:44):
the sense of being haunted. It still haunts us. When
my friends and I heard about the old, abandoned house
at the edge of town, we were immediately intrigued. Stories
of its haunted reputation had circulated for years, but it

(06:04):
wasn't until a cool autumn evening that we decided to
see for ourselves. The house, they said had been the
scene of unspeakable horrors and was now a hot spot
for paranormal activity. We set out just before dusk, the
sky painted in hues of orange and pink. The house
stood alone on a hill, its silhouette stark against the

(06:26):
fading light. As we approached, the air grew colder, and
an eerie silence enveloped us. The trees that line the
driveways seemed to lean in, as if they were whispering
secrets about the house. The house itself was a crumbling
relic of the past. Its once grand facade was now
covered in ivy and moss, the windows shattered and the

(06:49):
doors hanging off their hinges. We paused at the entrance,
a sense of unease settling over us, but curiosity won
out and we stepped inside. The air was thick with
the smell of decay and dampness. Dust motes floated in
the beams of our flashlights, and the floor creaked under

(07:09):
our weight. We walked through the foyer, our footsteps echoing
in the empty rooms. The walls were lined with peeling
wallpaper and old furniture lay scattered and broken. We moved
through the house, exploring room after room. There was a strange,
oppressive atmosphere, as if the house itself was watching us.

(07:31):
We found an old grand staircase leading to the upper floors.
As we climbed, the feeling of being watched intensified. Every
shadow seemed to move, every sound scened amplified. At the
top of the stairs, we found ourselves in a long
hallway lined with closed doors. We decided to split up

(07:52):
and explore the rooms individually. I took the room at
the end of the hall. The door creaked open, revealing
a bedroom frozen in time. An old iron framed bed
stood in the center, covered in a thick layer of dust.
The walls were adorned with faded photographs and paintings. I

(08:13):
walked over to the bed, brushing away the dust. The
room fell colder than the rest of the house, and
I couldn't shake the feeling that I was not alone.
I turned to leave when I heard a faint whisper,
so quiet I wasn't sure if I had imagined it.
I froze, straining to listen. The whisper came again, clearer,

(08:34):
this time sending a chill down my spine. I backed
out of the room and hurried down the hall, meeting
up with my friends. Their faces were pale, their eyes wide.
They had heard the whispers too, and one of them
swore they saw a shadow move across the wall. We
decided it was time to leave, but as we made

(08:55):
our way back to the stairs, the house seemed to
come alive. The doors slammed shut, and the whispers grew louder,
more insistent. We ran down the stairs, our flash lights flickering.
The house seemed to groan and shudder around us. As
we reached the front door, it slammed shut, trapping us inside.

(09:17):
Panics set in and we scrambled to open it. Finally,
the door gave way and we tumbled outside. The air
was colder than before, and the night was eerily quiet.
We ran to our cars, not stopping until we were
miles away from the house. None of us spoke on
the drive back, each lost in our thoughts. That night,

(09:41):
we couldn't sleep. Every creak of the house, every rustle
of the wind, set our nerves on edge. We couldn't
shake the feeling that something had followed us. Over the
next few days, strange things began to happen. Lights flickered,
objects moved on their own, and we heard whispers in
the dead of night. We discovered that the house had

(10:04):
once been the home of a family who died under
mysterious circumstances. Over the years, subsequent residents reported strange occurrences
and paranormal activity. Eventually, the house was abandoned, left to decay.
Sometimes late at night, when my house is quiet and
the shadows are long, I hear the whispers again. They

(10:28):
remind me of that night, of the feeling of being
watched of the oppressive cold. Camping trips had always been
a tradition for me and my friends. This time, we
chose a dense forest far from the city to enjoy
a weekend away from the hustle and bustle. The sun

(10:51):
was beginning to set as we arrived, casting long shadows
through the trees. We quickly set up our tents, built
a fire, and settled in for a night of storytelling
and laughter. The forest was beautiful, with towering trees and
a thick canopy that blocked out most of the sky.
Birds chirped in the distance, and the smell of pine

(11:13):
filled the air. As darkness fell, we gathered around the campfire,
roasting marshmallows and sharing ghost stories. The flickering flames cast
airy shadows, and every rustle in the underbrush made us jump.
As the night wore on, we decided to play a
game of hide and seek in the forest. It seemed

(11:35):
like a fun idea at the time, a way to
relive our childhood. I was chosen to be the seeker,
and after giving my friends a few minutes to hide,
I ventured into the dark woods, armed with only a flashlight.
The beam of my flashlight cut through the darkness, illuminating
patches of trees and underbrush. I called out to my friends,

(11:58):
trying to sound confident, but my voice echoed strangely in
the silence. The deeper I went, the more the forest
seemed to close in around me. The trees loomed overhead,
their branches intertwining like skeletal fingers. I found the first
friend hiding behind a large tree, and we both laughed,

(12:18):
relieved to find each other. We continued searching for the others,
our laughter echoing in the stillness, but as we ventured
deeper into the forest, the atmosphere changed. The air grew colder,
and an unsettling silence fell over the woods. It was
as if the forest itself was holding its breath. We

(12:40):
found another friend hiding in a thicket, and the three
of us continued the search together, but something felt off.
We started hearing strange noises, soft whispers, and distant footsteps
that didn't belong to any of us. The laughter died down,
replaced by a growing sense of unease. The forest, which

(13:01):
had seemed so inviting, now felt menacing. Suddenly, we heard
a blood curdling scream. It was one of our friends.
We ran towards the sound, our hearts pounding. The scream
had come from a small clearing, and when we arrived
we found our friends standing in the middle, pale and trembling.

(13:24):
He pointed towards the trees. Unable to speak, I shone
my flashlight in the direction he was pointing and saw
it a figure standing just beyond the reach of the light.
It was tall and thin, with long limbs and glowing
eyes that reflected the light. The figure moved silently, its
eyes never leaving us. We stood frozen in fear, unable

(13:47):
to look away. Suddenly, the figure darted towards us. We
screamed and ran, our footsteps pounding against the forest floor.
We didn't stop until we reached our camps. Gasping for breath,
we huddled together, our eyes darting around the darkness, waiting
for the figure to reappear. But it didn't. The night

(14:11):
was silent once more, the only sound our ragged breathing.
We decided to stay together for the rest of the night.
Too scared to venture into the forest again, we took
turns keeping watch, but the figure never returned. The next morning,
we packed up our camp site and left as quickly
as we could. The forest, which had seemed so beautiful,

(14:34):
now felt sinister and unwelcoming. As we drove away, we
couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. Weeks
passed and we tried to forget about that night, but
the memories lingered, haunting our dreams. I did some research
and found that the forest had a dark history. There

(14:55):
had been reports of strange sightings and disappearances over the years,
but no one could explain them. To this day, we
don't know what we saw that night. Some of my
friends believe it was a ghost, while others think it
was some kind of forest spirit. All I know is
that it was real, and it was watching us. Whenever

(15:16):
I think about that night, I can't help but feel
a chill run down my spine. The forest, with its
towering trees and thick canopy, now feels like a place
of nightmares. And though we've gone on many camping trips
since then, we've never returned to that forest. I had

(15:40):
been driving for hours when I spotted the flickering neon
sign of a motel in the distance. My eyes were heavy,
and the thought of a bed, no matter how lumpy
or musty was irresistible. The place looked like it hadn't
been renovated since the seventies, with its peeling paint and
a half lit vacancy sign. I pulled into the gravel lot,

(16:02):
my tires crunching wildly in the silence of the night.
The lobby was dimly lit, with a single bulb casting
eerie shadows on the wood paneled walls. A bell sat
on the counter, and I hesitated for a moment before
ringing it. The sharp thing echoed, and I heard shuffling
from the back room. An older man with a gaunt

(16:24):
face and sunken eyes emerged, wiping his hands on a
stained apron. Can I help you, he asked, in a
gravelly voice that sent a shiver down my spine. I
need a room for the night, I replied, trying to
ignore the unsettling feeling growing in my gut. He handed
me a key with a tarnished brass tack. Room twelve

(16:46):
down the hall. Enjoy your stay, he said, though his
tone suggested anything but hospitality. The hallway was narrow, with
faded floral wallpaper and a threadbare carpet that muffled my
footsteps lips as I reached Room twelve. I couldn't shake
the feeling that I was being watched. The door creaked

(17:07):
loudly as I opened it, revealing a small, dimly lit
room with a single bed, a night stand, and a chair.
The air was stale and the faint smell of mildew
hung in the air. I tossed my bag on the
bed and sat down, feeling the springs creak beneath me.
The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional distant

(17:29):
thud or scrape. I decided to take a quick shower
to shake off the road crime. The bathroom was tiny,
with crack tiles and a rust stained sink. The water
was lukewarm at best, but it was enough to refresh
me slightly. As I tried off, I noticed something odd.

(17:49):
There was a small door in the corner of the bathroom,
partially obscured by the shower curtain. It was a marked
and curiosity got the better of me. I tried the handle,
and to my surprise, it opened. The door led to
a narrow passageway dimly lit by a single flickering bulb.

(18:10):
My heart raced as I stepped into the passageway, the
air growing colder with each step. The walls were lined
with old photographs and faded newspaper clippings, but it was
too dark to make out the details. I followed the
passage until it opened into a larger room. My breath
caught in my throat. The room was filled with dusty,

(18:32):
old furniture, mannikins dressed in outdated clothing, and a large
mirror covered with a dirty sheet. The air was thick
with the smell of decay. As I explored, I found
a table with an assortment of odd objects, an old
pocket watch, a tarnished locket, and a stack of yellowed letters.

(18:52):
Each item felt heavy with a history I couldn't begin
to comprehend. I heard a noise behind me and spun around,
my heart pounding. The mannequins seemed to have shifted, their
lifeless eyes now facing me. Panic surged through me, and
I backed towards the passage, desperate to return to the
safety of my room. But as I turned to leave,

(19:15):
I saw the reflection in the mirror. A figure stood
behind me, too real to be a Mannikin. I fled
back down the passageway, my footsteps echoing in a confined space.
The door to the bathroom slammed shut behind me, and
I locked it my hands trembling. I pressed my ear
to the door, listening for any signs of pursuit, but

(19:37):
there was only silence. Gathering my courage, I opened the
bathroom door and stumbled into my room, slamming the door
behind me. I sat on the edge of the bed,
trying to calm my racing heart. It must have been
a trick of the light, I told myself, or my
imagination running wild. But I couldn't shake the feeling that

(20:00):
if something was terribly wrong. I decided to leave, even
if it meant sleeping in my car. As I grabbed
my back, the lights flickered and I heard a soft
tapping at the window. I froze, my breath catching in
my throat. The tapping grew louder, more insistent. Slowly, I

(20:21):
turned to face the window. The curtains were drawn, but
I could see a faint silhouette behind them. Summoning all
my courage, I approached the window and yanked the curtains open. Nothing.
The parking lot was empty and the night was still.
I let out a shaky breath. My nerves frayed. I

(20:43):
was just about to turn away when I noticed it.
Written in the condensation on the window were the words
leave now. I didn't need to be told twice. I
grabbed my bag and bolted from the room, not caring
if I woke anyone up. The hallway seemed longer, the
shadows deeper, but I kept moving. The lobby was empty,

(21:05):
the old man nowhere to be seen. I threw the
key on the counter and ran to my car. As
I sped away from the motel, I glanced in the
rear view mirror. For a split second I saw the
figure standing in the doorway of Room twelve, watching me leave.
I didn't stop until I reached the next town, my

(21:26):
heart still racing. I found a well lit diner and parked,
finally allowing myself to breathe. I never found out what
haunted that motel, and I didn't want to. The experience
left me shaken. As I sat in the diner, sipping
coffee to calm my nerves, I resolved never to stop
at another run down motel again. Some warnings are meant

(21:50):
to be heated.
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.

The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience

The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.