When No One's Watching

Summary

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Full Body Chills: “When No One’s Watching”

Podcast: Full Body Chills
Host/Narrator: Nicole (read by Leanne Gatto)
Episode Date: October 1, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on a chilling childhood memory—Nicole’s harrowing night at her friend Chrissy’s house—where an innocent game in a dark basement spirals into a haunting encounter. Through atmospheric storytelling, the episode explores fear, guilt, denial, and the supernatural, leaving listeners with the unsettling impression that some nightmares never truly end.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

1. The Unwanted Playdate

[03:07 - 07:30]

• Nicole’s parents attend a work event, leaving Nicole reluctantly in the care of her odd classmate, Chrissy.
• The story establishes unease: “As we neared Chrissy’s house, I had this awful feeling in my stomach.” – Nicole [06:00]
• The encounter with Chrissy and her mother is strange; Chrissy’s mother is supposedly asleep, house is dark, and the atmosphere is unwelcoming.

2. The Game in the Basement

[07:30 - 11:45]

• Chrissy brings Nicole to a cluttered, dimly lit basement dominated by a bizarre, childlike sun painting with haunting dark eyes.
• “The only thing that stood out amongst the blanket white clutter was a rather large painting… The sun was painted a vibrant red, but its eyes were dark blue, almost black.” – Nicole [08:18]
• Chrissy introduces her homemade game: “It’s called when no one’s watching. I made it up myself.” – Chrissy [10:15]

3. The Rules: When No One’s Watching

[11:45 - 15:39]

• The goal: in total darkness, players move to surprise or scare each other—“You can only move when no one is watching.” – Chrissy [10:34]
• Nicole’s intense discomfort grows with every round; Chrissy displays uncanny movement, always appearing closer when the light returns.
• A memorable moment of fear: “Pulled the string for one final round, waited only a second, then pulled again. I jumped back. Chrissy’s face was right on mine.” – Nicole [13:43]

4. Boundaries Crossed and Growing Horror

[15:47 - 19:17]

• Nicole tries to play along for politeness, planning to inch toward the stairs, but the physics of space feel distorted, and Chrissy bends the rules.
• The game turns terrifying when something grabs Nicole’s hand in the darkness: “At first just a brush, a graze, and then the tip of cold fingers interlocking with mine. I screamed and tried yanking my hand back, but they were holding on too tight...” – Nicole [17:10]
• Stark physical evidence: “I had red burn marks on both my palms.” – Nicole [18:03]

5. Escape and Aftermath

[19:17 - 26:01]

• Nicole flees but finds the door locked and is taunted by Chrissy or something else as it ascends the stairs: “But it wasn’t just Chrissy laughing. That voice that came from below me…it was heavy. Gutter hole and it was coming up the stairs.” – Nicole [20:25]
• Nicole escapes with supernatural help—the door opening only when icy fingers assist her.

Reality Fractures

• Nicole’s traumatic shock upon returning home: “The memory is wired with so much fear that I swear I was screaming…But according to my parents, I was catatonic.” [22:00]
• Chrissy is now missing; police and parents are baffled.

6. The Unsettling Conclusion

[24:30 - 26:01]

• No evidence of Chrissy or the sun painting remains.
• Nicole, haunted and ostracized, believes Chrissy “is still down there, still in that basement. …Only moving when no one’s watching.” [25:45]

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “What mom didn’t know is evil, awful things can take place in just two hours.”
  – Nicole [06:43]

• “You can only move in the dark. You can only move when no one is watching. Got it?”
  – Chrissy [10:34]

• “I’m not sure what to say, so I smiled instead. Chrissy grinned. ‘I come down here a lot…Almost every day. It’s my favorite place.’”
  – Nicole and Chrissy [09:32-09:42]

• “I had red burn marks on both my palms. Just then, Chrissy said, ‘you weren’t supposed to touch it.’ Touch it? Touch what?”
  – Nicole and Chrissy [18:03-18:33]

• “It wasn’t just Chrissy laughing. That voice that came below me behind me. It was heavy. Gutter hole and it was coming up the stairs.”
  – Nicole [20:25]

• “While I’m too afraid to check, I think Chrissy’s still down there, still in that basement. I think Chrissy’s hiding between the shadows and waiting in the dark. And I think she’s only moving when no one’s watching.”
  – Nicole [25:40]

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Important Timestamps

• [01:22] – Story Introduction
• [06:00] – Dread while approaching Chrissy’s house
• [08:18] – The disturbing sun painting
• [10:34] – Rules of the game explained
• [13:43] – Chrissy’s frightening proximity
• [17:10] – Nicole is grabbed by something cold in the dark
• [18:03] – Real injury: red burn marks
• [20:25] – Unnatural laughter and the terrifying presence
• [25:40] – Final chilling reflection by Nicole

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Tone & Atmosphere

• The storytelling blends an innocent sleepover vibe with mounting supernatural horror.
• Nicole’s hesitant, increasingly frightened narration draws the listener into her spiraling fear and self-doubt.
• Chrissy’s unnerving behavior and the shifting rules of her game build a sense of inevitable doom and ambiguity.

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Final Thoughts

This episode of Full Body Chills is a quintessentially creepy tale that captures the unease of childhood, isolation, and the unknown. The simple premise—a game that can only be played "when no one’s watching"—becomes a terrifying metaphor for things that lurk just outside perception, and for the stories children tell themselves to understand the unexplainable.

If you want a story that lingers uncomfortably after the lights are out, this episode delivers.

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Transcript

[Narrator/Advertiser]

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[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

Max hi listeners. I have a story I want to tell you.

[Chrissy]

There was this doctor over at St. Augury's who would kill his patients. Oh yes, it was madness.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

Aren't you afraid the light taker might get you? I'm sorry I didn't listen to you.

[Chrissy]

That adrenaline. I want more of it.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

I snapped. Totally lost it. He had no idea what was on those tapes. It was like a song.

[Chrissy]

Ollie and the Outcast.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

So gather around and listen. It was just a game Christy had made. Looking back, I wish I never went into her basement. Wish I never saw that painting on the wall. Looking back, I wish I never played her game at all. But mom and dad had a work party to go to. So last Friday night they walked me next door to Chrissy's house. I remember it being cold outside. So cold. I ran back into my house to grab a warmer coat. It was dark too, and only the street lamps dotting the sidewalk offered any kind of light. I'd never been to Chrissy's house, even though she lived just four streets down. Our personalities were worlds apart. She was awkward, flip flopping between shy and too in your face. The only reason we were friends was because we shared the same recess. Every time she invited me to play after school, I made up an excuse to say no. But this time I asked her. My mom and dad were going to a work conference and they needed someone to watch me, and since none of my other friends were free, I had to ask Chrissy to check with her mom. To my regret, she said it was okay. As we neared Chrissy's house, I had this awful feeling in my stomach. I turned to mom, telling her I didn't feel well, and she laughed. She ran her hand through my hair and told me it would pass and that she and dad would be back in just two hours. Just two hours. What mom didn't know is evil, awful things can take place in just two hours. We stood in front of Chrissy's house and dad rang the doorbell. We waited. No answer. Dad knocked on the front door. We waited. No answer. I was beginning to think I'd run into a bit of luck, that maybe Chrissy's mother had forgotten about me and I wouldn't have to stay here with this strange girl. Then the porch light flickered on and the front door creaked open just ajar. A pair of dark brown eyes peered through and a small, timid voice accompanied them.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

Yes?

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

Dad leaned forward.

[Chrissy]

Hi, Helen, it's Greg, Nicole's father. We're here to drop her off. I just want to thank you for watching her and we should be back around 7:30.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

The door opened just a bit more. The small, timid voice continued.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

Hi, Mr. Keller. My mother is asleep right now. She had a long shift, but I. I can go wake her if you want.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

Dad shook his head.

[Chrissy]

No, that won't be necessary, Nick. Call us if you need anything and we'll be back soon.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

Dad was already bounding down the front porch steps, but mom turned to me, knelt down, and gave me a hug. Just two hours, pumpkin. Hang in there. And then she turned two, leaving me alone at the mouth of a house I did not want to enter. Once my parents were out of sight, Chrissy opened the door all the way. Chrissy was a tall, thin, pale girl with long, stringy black hair that nearly hid her eyes. As usual, Chrissy wore long sleeves and torn jeans. Without saying a word, she stepped aside, motioning for me to come in. The inside of her house was like a closet, dark and suffocating. All the curtains were pulled and not a single light was on. I thought it was odd, but then again, Chrissy did say her mother was asleep. I followed Chrissy deeper into the house, where the darkness seemed only slightly thinner. Just ahead, a thin line of light shone beneath a door. We reached it and Chrissy turned to me, pressed a finger to her lips. I held my breath as she slowly turned the handle. Before me lay a long wooden staircase with a rickety railing that dipped straight down. This must be her basement. Chrissy started away two steps at a time, but. But I froze, not going any further. This didn't feel right. Chrissy turned back to me.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

Come on, we have to be down here. My mother's sleeping on the couch.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

I didn't question her. I didn't think quick enough to ask why we couldn't be in her bedroom. I just followed her, not wanting any trouble, and descended the wooden staircase. With each step I gained a deeper and wider view of the basement. It was huge, though, for how much space there was. It was mostly packed, cloaked in sheets. Faceless figures of all shapes and sizes lined the walls. Knickknacks and bric a brax were thrown about, littering the floor. Dust hung heavy in the air and I stifled a sneeze. The only thing that stood out amongst the blanket white clutter was a rather large painting. It was drawn on the wall with some kind of crayon or chalk, scrawled as though by a child's hand. It was a picture of the sun with a large round face, red rosy cheeks, and a long toothy grin. The sun was painted a vibrant red, but its eyes were dark blue, almost black. Even halfway up the stairs, those eyes seemed right in front of me, set on me. Or at least that's what it seemed like. When I reached the bottom of the staircase, I noticed a single light bulb hanging above my head with a knotted pull string next to it. This light, this lonely source of light, was barely enough to light up the stairs, let alone the entire room. Chrissy took my hand and led me to the center of the room, right in front of the sun painting.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

Well, what do you think?

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

I swallowed, not sure what to say, so I smiled instead. Chrissy grinned. I come down here a lot.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

Almost every day. It's my favorite place. I am glad I can share it with you.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

Chrissy giggled, and I eyed Mr. Sun still glaring at me. I wanted very badly to be anywhere but here.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

How about a game? I have one I think you'll like.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

I nodded, murmured sure, and asked what kind of game it was. Chrissy's grin grew even wider.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

It's called when no one's watching. I made it up myself. Here, I'll show you how to play.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

Chrissy left me standing in the middle of the basement and walked back to the foot of the stairs. She reached up, her hand holding the pull string.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

On the count of three, I'M going to turn off the light and you have to move into a different spot by the time I turn it on. You should try to scare me or make me laugh, but you can only move in the dark. You can only move when no one is watching. Got it?

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

I shook my head, staring at Chrissy. She wanted to turn the lights off down here, but before I could object, she whispered, 1, 2, 3. The room went dark. I stood there frozen, too scared to even move. After a few seconds the light flicked on and Chrissy was standing there, frowning. She didn't speak for quite some time, just stood there glaring at me. Her gaze made me so uncomfortable I hunched my shoulders and crossed my arms. Finally she broke the silence.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

Nicole, you have to move. Or at least make a face or something.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

Look, I'll show you.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

It's my turn now.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

Chrissy motioned for me to take her place. I did, glad to. I held onto the pull string with two hands and watched as Chrissy moved to the far side of the room. When she got to the wall, the one beneath the sun, she said, oh.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

And Nicole, you can turn the light on and off a few times. It's more fun that way.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

I nodded, thinking this couldn't be fun any which way. I looked over her head at the glaring red sun, its smile stretched wide, its eyes on me. I swallowed, then said in a shaky voice, ready? Chrissy nodded. I spoke, 1, 2, 3, and then I pulled down. I didn't like being in the dark for long, so after a second I switched it back on. Chrissy was closer now and standing by the left wall, one hand held in a frozen wave. She was smiling at me, a wide smile, and her head was cocked to the side, her hair falling into her face. I pulled the light switch again. I could hear nothing in the darkness. No footsteps, no shuffling. I counted to four in my head, then pulled. This time Chrissy was only a few feet away and standing on the right side of the room. She was down in a low crouch, almost like a cat ready to pounce. Unmoving. She was still eyeing me. I pulled the string for one final round, waited only a second, then pulled again. I jumped back. Chrissy's face was right on mine. No smile, no sound. She just stared down at me, unflinching. Then her face broke and she giggled.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

Got you good.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

I let out a sigh. Sitting down on the last staircase. You sure did. Chrissy. I don't really like this game. Can we go upstairs? Chrissy's smile drained from her face. She didn't answer. Then A few seconds later, she said.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

Nicole, I think it's rude of you to not give this game a real try. You asked to come over. You asked to be my guest, so playing this game is the right thing to do.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

Christy was right. I wasn't being very polite. And so, even though I didn't want to keep playing, I stood up and moved to the far side of the room.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

Now that's more like it. Okay, get ready.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

I leaned against the far wall, taking in the distance between me and her. Or rather, me and the staircase that led out of here. I would just move forward each time she switched the light and get closer to that door.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

All right, Nicole. On the count of three. One, two, three.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

Chrissy pulled the string, and everything went dark. I took one cautious step forward, my hands stretched out, ready to steady myself in case I bumped into something. I was about to take another step forward when I heard something, a footstep, move right next to me. I spun towards the sound. Then the light switched on. Blinking eyes adjusting, I turned towards Chrissy. This couldn't be right. I was standing on the other side of the room, closer to Chrissy. But how? I only took one step forward, maybe two. How did I. But before I could say anything, Chrissy switched the light off again, and I was consumed by darkness. I held my hands out, taking one step forward, then another. And another. Suddenly, a rush of cold air ran across my face. I froze, shaking, too afraid to move. Chrissy. Then I felt it. At first just a brush, a graze, and then the tip of cold fingers interlocking with mine. I screamed and tried yanking my hand back, but they were holding on too tight, squeezing my hand hard. Pain shot up my arm and I screamed again. Let go. Let go. Suddenly, the light flickered on, and I was now standing on the opposite side of the room, right below the sun, painting. Those eyes. Those dark blue eyes bore down on mine. I looked at both my hands, turning them over. I had red burn marks on both my palms. Just then, Chrissy said, you weren't supposed to touch it. Touch it? Touch what? Then the light went out again. I couldn't stay in this room any longer, so I turned and made a beeline for the staircase. I was running now, toppling anything that got in my way. When I felt like I was close, I reached up, waiting for my fingers to find the string. And once they did, I pulled hard, but the light wouldn't work. I pulled again. Nothing. I was yanking the string with all my might, again and again and again. Still, it wouldn't Turn on. Chrissy. The light. It won't work. Chrissy. Chrissy. Panicking, I gave up and made a blind dash towards what I hoped was the stairs. I was done with the basement and done with Chrissy's game. I climbed crawling up the stairs and made it to the top when I heard a click behind me. The light came on. I turned around. Chrissy was standing at the bottom of the staircase, one hand on the pull string.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

Works fine. See?

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

She switched it off and on again, the light obeying like it should. I shook my head. Chrissy, I don't want to play this game anymore. Something. Something is down there. Chrissy nodded.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

Okay, we don't have to play anymore. We can go back up. But first let me get the light.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

Chrissy smiled and winked. Then she pulled the string one last time and everything went black again. I didn't hear her footsteps on the staircase and I wasn't going to wait for her. So I turned back towards the door and twisted the handle. It wouldn't budge. I twisted again, tugging and lifting as much as I could. Garble. Nothing. Door was locked. From behind me I heard someone giggle and I heard a loud creak. A footstep on the bottom of the stairs. Chrissy. The door. It won't open. The giggling morphed into fits of laughter. But it wasn't just Chrissy laughing. That voice that came below me behind me. It was heavy. Gutter hole and it was coming up the stairs. Help.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

Help.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

Please stop it. I started beating at the door with my fists. I wanted out. I wanted to wake up Chrissy's mom. I wanted my mom and dad to save me. I shook the doorknob again and wrenched it hard as I could. The creaking cracking of the stair steps grew closer and louder until the air went cold and a cool breath tickled my neck. I froze, shaking and silent as icy fingers wrapped around mine. They held my hand between the doorknob and gently they twisted to the right. The door creaked open and I ran. When I got home, I ran to my room. I wrapped myself in every blanket and pillow, but I wasn't going to sleep. Closing my eyes felt like a risk. I kept the lights on. Eventually I heard the front door. Mom and dad were home, I remember. I cut straight to mom, hugged her like I was drowning and wouldn't let go. But it was weird. The memory is wired with so much fear that I swear I was screaming. Screaming about Chrissy's game. About a monster in the shadows and burning cold hands. But according to my Parents. I was catatonic. I was silent and in shock. They called Chrissy's mother. But any hope for answers were flipped with more concerns. Her mother picked up on the second call. She was just as confused as they were. She knew nothing of the playdate. In fact, she was at work. She hadn't been home all day. They rushed to the house, searched it up and down. Then they called the police. Chrissy was missing. Eventually, I told them the whole story. About the game we played in the dark, about the hand that grabbed me. I told them about that terrible voice, the one I heard on the stairs, the one that couldn't belong to any child. They suspect some sort of predator, a kidnapping. They turned the basement inside out. They scoured the house, dusted for prints, collected anything they thought showed foul play. But they never found Chrissy or anything to support their theory. And they couldn't find the sun painting. To this day, the police think I suffered a traumatic episode. They think I'm wrong, that I'm only imagining what I remember because my mind was too young to process the truth. At least they don't think I lied. Chrissy's mother blames me. She thinks I'm guilty, or at the very least, hiding what really happened. Unfortunately, the media has turned on her. They picked up on her drinking after Chrissy disappeared and have since profiled her as a negligent, alcoholic mother. But she says, I was the last one to see her daughter, so I must know where she is. And she's right. I think I do know. While I'm too afraid to check, I think Chrissy's still down there, still in that basement. I think Chrissy's hiding between the shadows and waiting in the dark. And I think she's only moving when no one's watching. Full Body Chills is an Audio Chuck production. This episode was written by Amanda Wisdom and read by Leanne Gatto. This story was modified slightly for audio retelling, but you can find the original in full on our website. I think Chuck would approve.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

If your small business has a problem, you could say, just my luck. But you should say, like a good.

[Nicole (Main storyteller)]

Neighbor, State Farm is there.

[Chrissy]

And we'll help get you back in business.

[Chrissy (dialogue)]

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

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