Monsters Among Us - Season 19, Episode 36: Fast Shadow Figures, an Old Hag, and a Keystone Gargoyle

Release Date: August 14, 2025
Host: Derek Hayes
Description: Monsters Among Us brings you true paranormal stories directly from the witnesses themselves. In this gripping episode, Derek Hayes delves into a variety of chilling encounters ranging from mysterious shadow figures and eerie hags to legendary gargoyles. Prepare yourself for a night of spine-tingling narratives and deep explorations into the supernatural.

1. Metallic Shadows in Palm Springs

Caller: Matt from LA County, Palm Springs, California
Timestamp: [02:13] - [03:49]

Summary:
Matt recounts an unsettling experience from 2019 while attending the Stagecoach festival in Palm Springs. After leaving the pool at around 3 PM, he and his friends observed unusual metallic objects forming a ring around the sun. These entities resembled the liquid metal of the T-1000 from the Terminator movies, exhibiting behavior that Matt couldn't rationalize as conventional skydivers. The sighting lasted approximately an hour, leaving Matt puzzled and seeking explanations.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt: "The best way I can describe it is how the T1000 from the Terminator movies would go. Like liquid metal." [02:20]
• Matt: "I've never seen anything like it. I haven't seen anything since then." [02:45]

Host's Commentary:
Derek Hayes explores the possibility of these entities being plasmoids—mysterious, plasma-based entities that defy conventional science. Although Hayes admits initial unfamiliarity with plasmoids, he references Delaney’s research, hinting at the enigmatic nature of these phenomena. He teases future discussions on plasmoids, maintaining a balance between skepticism and open-mindedness.

2. The Silent Shadow in Virginia

Caller: Jackson from Virginia
Timestamp: [08:35] - [09:28]

Summary:
Jackson shares a haunting encounter from his countryside home in Virginia. Around midnight, he observed the silhouette of a little girl through his window. The figure remained motionless, staring at him for several minutes before abruptly darting into the woods. Despite the initial optical illusion possibilities, Jackson insists on the figure's autonomous movement, reminiscent of cinematic horror.

Notable Quotes:

• Jackson: "It was a couple years, like five years back in the summertime at night, like 11 to 12." [08:40]
• Jackson: "It was a little girl, probably 11 to 12 was my height. She just stepped in and stared at each other for like three, five minutes before I saw her dart and disappear into the woods." [08:55]

Host's Commentary:
Derek discusses the human brain’s tendency to recognize familiar shapes, acknowledging that while many might mistake objects for shadows, the figure’s deliberate movement suggests something beyond mere optical illusion. He likens the experience to scenes from M. Night Shyamalan’s movies, emphasizing the eerie nature of such sightings.

3. The Old Hag in Kansas

Caller: Cheryl from Kansas
Timestamp: [12:28] - [15:06]

Summary:
Cheryl narrates a terrifying encounter during her college years when she lived in a dormitory. Alone one night, she observed a disturbing figure atop a shelf between two closets. Described as a combination of "Gollum" and the "Ring Girl," the entity had stringy hair, elongated arms, and emanated a haunting presence. Cheryl felt an intense urge to hide, ultimately pulling her head under the covers to escape what she feared might be a malevolent spirit.

Notable Quotes:

• Cheryl: “It was kind of like the old hag, the night hag, or the mare, as in nightmare or mer.” [14:50]
• Cheryl: “That was probably the most terrifying thing that's ever happened to me in my life.” [15:00]

Host's Commentary:
Derek introduces the concept of the "old hag," a creature often associated with sleep paralysis but acknowledges the possibility of a more sinister presence. He muses about the nature of these entities, suggesting that if a ghost were to induce sleep paralysis, it might go unchecked for centuries, as people typically attribute such experiences to natural causes. Cheryl’s story underscores the thin veil between the perceived natural and the supernatural.

4. Sleep Paralysis or Something More? Tacoma, Washington

Caller: Anonymous from Southeast Arkansas
Timestamp: [29:45] - [33:07]

Summary:
An anonymous caller from southeast Arkansas shares a harrowing experience from the late 1980s in Tacoma, Washington. He describes waking up with the suffocating sensation of being pinned down, feeling an ominous presence mere centimeters from his face. Unlike typical sleep paralysis, he maintained consciousness but was immobilized by sheer terror. Unable to see anything, he eventually muster the will to escape the bedridden state, waking his wife in the process. This episode left a lasting impression, making him wary of experiencing something similar again.

Notable Quotes:

• Caller: “I could not move and I was in that fight or flight sensation but I was terrified and I finally willed myself to get the hell out of the room.” [18:45]
• Caller: “The sheer terror that I was feeling. I do not wish to go through that again.” [19:00]

Host's Commentary:
Derek examines the distinction between sleep paralysis and true paranormal phenomena. While acknowledging the physiological basis of sleep paralysis, he entertains the possibility that such experiences might sometimes involve actual supernatural entities exerting influence. He appreciates the caller's detailed account and underscores the profound fear associated with such encounters.

5. Fast Shadow Figures in Illinois

Caller: Vince from Chicago, Illinois
Timestamp: [20:12] - [23:12]

Summary:
Vince discusses his difficulty with visualizing images, experiencing what he refers to as "Shadowrunners." These shadowy figures appear as nondescript silhouettes moving rapidly alongside vehicles, reminiscent of characters from the mobile game Temple Run. He questions whether these shadows are manifestations of his imagination or something more tangible, seeking insights from the podcast community.

Notable Quotes:

• Vince: “You'd be a passenger in a vehicle just staring out the window and see a nondescript shadowy figure running along the side of the road.” [21:00]
• Vince: “What am I really seeing? What are they?” [22:30]

Host's Commentary:
Derek reflects on similar personal experiences from his youth, where he imagined figures running beside vehicles that existed only in his mind. He differentiates these from genuine sightings, such as the painted Native Americans reported in Western areas, suggesting a range of possibilities from psychological phenomena to actual paranormal entities.

6. Haunting in Massachusetts: Family House Stories

Caller: Kyle from Massachusetts
Timestamp: [23:12] - [33:07]

Summary:
Kyle, a mailman from Massachusetts, shares multiple eerie stories centered around his best friend’s ancestral home. The narratives include:

1. Unexplained Odors: Smells of cigarettes, coffee, and alcohol persistently emanating from the kitchen, even after hours.
2. Physical Manifestations: Objects like a tote bag inexplicably move from the top of the stairs to the front door, bypassing structural barriers.
3. Auditory Experiences: Hearing his name called out without anyone physically present.
4. Visual Phenomena: Observing shadows moving under closed doors despite no one being inside.
5. Interconnected Ghostly Sightings: A neighbor's ghostly apparition matches a deceased relative's photo.
6. Dog Behavior: A dog remains unresponsive when startled, contrary to typical canine reactions.

Notable Quotes:

• Kyle: “His ashes are in the kitchen on a stand with a Playboy centerfold draped over it.” [25:00]
• Kyle: “I saw a ghost last night. And his friend explained what the ghost looked like. And my buddy went and picked out a family photo album and found a picture of a woman.” [27:00]
• Kyle: “The dog didn’t even move, which is really unusual because they react to everything.” [28:00]

Host's Commentary:
Derek delves into Massachusetts' storied reputation for hauntings, expressing a desire to visit Salem to uncover more. He appreciates Kyle’s detailed accounts, which paint a vivid picture of a haunted residence where spirits of ancestors and past inhabitants linger. Derek’s analysis ties these stories to broader themes of residual hauntings and protective spirits, emphasizing the deep cultural ties to the supernatural in Massachusetts.

7. Unusual Lights in Arkansas Pasture

Caller: Anonymous from Southeast Arkansas
Timestamp: [29:45] - [33:07]

Summary:
Another anonymous caller from southeast Arkansas describes an incident around 2019-2020 near his home’s pasture. While sitting in the driveway, he and a friend observed flashing green and clear white lights emanating from the trees and dirt fields. The lights flickered multiple times and spawned a sighting of a UFO-like speck that changed directions unpredictably. The caller later shared videos documenting these sightings, which occurred in various locations and were never recreated, leaving him both fascinated and frightened.

Notable Quotes:

• Caller: “I saw it as a UFO... literally like a UFO.” [31:00]
• Caller: “It looked like a ufo... changing directions because it'd be turning around.” [32:00]

Host's Commentary:
Derek explores the possibility that the lights might stem from "predator lights"—tools used by hunters to spot animals like coyotes and foxes. He suggests that a hunter might have been operating in the area, explaining the green and white light patterns. However, he remains open to alternative explanations, tapping into the 1980s nostalgia that many listeners might find relatable. He also references the National UFO Reporting Center’s database, highlighting similar sightings and encouraging listeners to consider both natural and unexplained causes.

8. Silver Orbs Over Michigan

Caller: Austin from Southern Kalamazoo County, Michigan
Timestamp: [34:31] - [39:49]

Summary:
Austin shares his observation of numerous small silver orbs in the sky a few months prior to his call. While relaxing on his trampoline near Kalamazoo City, he noticed these orbs descending from the horizon, changing directions, and moving rapidly across the sky. Over twenty orbits were sighted in quick succession, leading him to believe they were anomalous. He recorded multiple videos capturing these phenomena but admits to being both fascinated and fearful about what they might represent.

Notable Quotes:

• Austin: “I think we had counted 30 or 40 before it got to the point where it was just.” [35:20]
• Austin: “It was the weirdest thing, seeing so many of them coming in rapid succession like that.” [36:08]

Host's Commentary:
Derek leverages his knowledge of avian patterns, specifically the Mississippi Flyway, to propose that Austin’s orbs were likely migrating birds such as sandhill cranes. He explains how light pollution can cause these birds to appear as metallic orbs flying at high altitudes. Although this offers a logical explanation, Derek acknowledges the possibility of paranormal interpretations, noting similar reports in UFO databases. This duality invites listeners to ponder the boundary between natural phenomena and the unexplained.

9. Doppelganger on the London Train

Caller: Daniel from Brooklyn, New York
Timestamp: [40:12] - [42:06]

Summary:
Daniel narrates a perplexing experience from his time living in Hastings, UK. While disembarking a train at Sevenoaks station, he observed a woman and her son exit the train. Moments later, he noticed the same woman and child approaching from the opposite direction on the platform, defying the physical possibility of their rapid turnaround. This eerie duplication left Daniel questioning whether he encountered a doppelganger, a ghostly apparition, or a mere coincidence.

Notable Quotes:

• Daniel: “I see the same woman and son walking up from the opposite end of the platform. How did they get there?” [40:30]
• Daniel: “It was so peculiar and strange.” [41:20]

Host's Commentary:
Derek muses over the possibility of doppelgangers or mirrored spirits, as well as the unsettling nature of such encounters. He empathizes with Daniel’s confusion and highlights the psychological impact of witnessing something inexplicable, noting that such experiences often leave lasting impressions and unresolved questions.

10. Whispering Spirits in New Zealand and Illinois

Caller: Ivy from New Zealand and Reese from Illinois
Timestamp: [42:51] - [49:08]

Summary:
Ivy from New Zealand:
Ivy describes paranormal happenings in her new two-story home, including hearing footsteps upstairs and hearing a haunting woman's voice in her left ear. Despite initial skepticism, these occurrences intensified, encompassing loud sounds resembling dishwashing without any visible source. Ivy’s partner attributes the noises to psychological causes, but she remains convinced of an external presence. Fortunately, the disturbances have ceased since her moving in.

Notable Quotes:

• Ivy: “She just said 'off' really loud in my ear and like here.” [43:08]
• Ivy: “I froze. I remember thinking, did I actually just hear that?” [43:20]

Host's Commentary:
Derek reflects on common explanations such as earworms or neurological phenomena like exploding head syndrome but concedes that repeated and convincing experiences suggest something beyond the natural. He welcomes international stories, emphasizing the global nature of paranormal encounters.

Reese from Illinois:
Reese shares a chilling story from Alton, Illinois, where he encountered a silent, tall male figure walking along River Road at 3:40 AM. Concerned, he offered assistance, only to later discover that the individual had tragically drowned, validating his eerie premonition.

Notable Quotes:

• Reese: “I believe in everything, and I guess everything kind of happens for a reason.” [48:00]
• Reese: “I knew what I saw and what I seen after it really shocked me.” [48:30]

Host's Commentary:
Derek attempted to verify Reese’s story by seeking out the referenced obituary but couldn’t locate it, leaving room for skepticism. He underscores the emotional impact of such experiences and the often unverifiable nature of paranormal claims, yet respects Reese’s conviction about the encounter’s authenticity.

11. Mysterious Visitations in Georgia

Caller: Missy from South Georgia
Timestamp: [60:15] - [61:16]

Summary:
Missy relates a vivid dream from her teenage years where three hooded humanoid beings attempted to enter her home through a sliding glass door. The beings were faceless, dark, and exuded an aura of anger, tapping incessantly on the window. Missy felt an intense need to protect her home from these entities, evident through her fear and desperation in the dream.

Notable Quotes:

• Missy: “They were trying to get into my house... and they were darker than the dark.” [60:45]
• Missy: “They never said a word to me. They never made a sound. But in my head I could feel how angry they were.” [61:10]

Host's Commentary:
Derek connects Missy’s account to Philippine legends of hooded beings and considers the possibility of culturally diverse mythological influences on modern paranormal sightings. He emphasizes the personal impact these experiences have on individuals, especially when intertwined with cultural folklore.

12. The Butler County Gargoyle in Pennsylvania

Caller: Otto from Pennsylvania
Timestamp: [52:58] - [56:01]

Summary:
Otto recounts sightings from his youth where he and his cousins observed a winged, humanoid creature with leathery skin and short arms perched in a tree. Decades later, one of his cousins confirmed similar sightings during a cookout, describing the creature’s wings and grayish skin in greater detail. Otto connects these descriptions to the legendary Butler County Gargoyle, a cryptid reported in Pennsylvania with similar characteristics to the infamous Mothman.

Notable Quotes:

• Otto: “It had wings. Definitely had short arms. The face looked more flat, almost human.” [53:30]
• Otto: “She knew what I was talking about because she saw it later in life. She remembers seeing something like that moving through the trees.” [54:45]

Host's Commentary:
Derek identifies Otto’s description with the Butler County Gargoyle, comparing it to the Mothman. He highlights the recurring nature of such sightings and their impact on local folklore, suggesting that these creatures might be more integrated into regional mythologies than previously thought. He emphasizes the enigmatic presence and recurring reports that deepen the mystery surrounding such cryptids.

Conclusion

In this episode of Monsters Among Us, Derek Hayes masterfully weaves together a tapestry of paranormal encounters from across the globe. From metallic shadows and silent hags to mysterious shadow figures and cryptid sightings, each story adds a unique thread to the rich fabric of supernatural folklore. Derek’s insightful commentary bridges the gap between skeptics and believers, offering plausible explanations while honoring the profound experiences of the callers. Whether it's the ethereal presence of the old hag in Kansas or the enigmatic Butler County Gargoyle in Pennsylvania, this episode underscores the persistent allure and mystery of the unknown.

For those fascinated by the paranormal, this episode provides a compelling mix of personal testimonies and thoughtful analysis, inviting listeners to ponder the thin line between reality and the supernatural. Tune in, keep it spooky, and join the conversation on the many unexplained phenomena that continue to captivate our imaginations.

Credits:
Written and produced by Derek Hayes, with additional support from Sarah Carter Hayes, Delaney Bowers, and Connor Ryan. Special thanks to Iron Cthulhu, Apocalypse Co AG Music, and Carl Casey at Whitebat Audio for providing episode scores.

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Prepare yourself for the next episode, where Derek explores Demons, a twist on Winnie the Pooh, and a mysterious entry on Mirrored Men from Georgia. Until then, keep your ears open and your senses sharp—monsters truly are among us.