MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories Episode: "You Can't Run From This" (Podcast Exclusive) Release Date: February 11, 2025

Introduction

In this exclusive episode of the MrBallen Podcast, host Ballen Studios delves into two spine-chilling true stories that intertwine haunting legends with tragic realities. Both narratives explore the perilous consequences of encountering the supernatural, emphasizing that crossing paths with ghosts can be deadly. Presented with captivating detail, the episode promises to enthrall fans of the strange, dark, and mysterious.

Story 1: The Bastian Bridge Ghost Train Incident

Timestamp: [00:10] - [10:26]

The first story transports listeners to the remote Baschin Bridge in North Carolina on August 27, 2010. Christopher Kaiser, a 29-year-old man, and his girlfriend Emily, both avid ghost hunters, venture out at 2:30 AM to witness the legendary ghost train that is said to appear annually on the bridge's anniversary of a tragic derailment in 1891.

• Setting the Scene: The bridge, constructed in the 1850s, spans a 100-foot deep ravine and is rarely visited due to its secluded location and the danger of trespassing. According to local legend, the ghost train reappears precisely at the time of the original accident, accompanied by eerie sounds of brakes screeching and passengers screaming.

• The Encounter: As the group anticipates the ghost train's arrival, their excitement turns to terror when a bright light floods the bridge, and a freight train, mistaken for the ghostly apparition, hurtles toward them. In a harrowing moment, Christopher makes a split-second decision to save Emily by pushing her off the bridge to prevent her from being hit. Tragically, Christopher is unable to escape in time and loses his life, while Emily survives with severe injuries.

  Narrator [06:15]: "Christopher could tell the train was going too fast and there was no way it could stop in time."

• Aftermath: Police and paramedics arrive swiftly, discovering Emily alive but critically injured and Christopher deceased. Investigations reveal that the supposed ghost train was a misidentified freight train, leading to profound reflections on the dangers of ghost hunting.

• Heroism and Legacy: Christopher is posthumously hailed as a hero for his selfless act, embodying the ultimate sacrifice to save a loved one. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the thin line between thrill-seeking and peril.

Story 2: The Haunting of Carl Pruitt in Eastern Kentucky

Timestamp: [12:27] - [28:27]

The second narrative shifts to early 1940s Eastern Kentucky, focusing on Arthur Lewis, a respected townsperson who decides to vandalize the grave of Carl Pruitt, a man notorious for murdering his wife and subsequently taking his own life in 1938. Carl's legacy of violence casts a long shadow over the town, with a series of unexplained strangulations fueling fear and superstition.

• Arthur's Mission: Driven by a desire to debunk the ghostly legends surrounding Carl Pruitt, Arthur armed with a hammer and chisel, attempts to deface Carl's gravestone on a secluded hill. His actions are meant to prove that Carl's spirit no longer poses a threat.

• Supernatural Retribution: As Arthur works on the gravestone, he experiences unsettling shadows and hears footsteps, which escalate his fear. Despite his efforts to remain unseen, the tension peaks when Arthur is confronted by an invisible force, leading him to flee in terror. Moments later, his body is found with a metal chain around his neck, resembling the weapon used by Carl in his wife’s murder.

  Narrator [20:47]: "The instant Arthur began to deface that headstone, someone or something strangled him to death."

• Carl Pruitt's Dark Legacy: The story delves into Carl's violent past—his murder of his wife after discovering her infidelity, followed by his suicide. The town swiftly forgot Carl's existence until a series of strangulations began, all mirroring the method Carl used. These deaths coincided with attempts to vandalize Carl's grave, suggesting a vengeful spirit at work.

• Final Demise of the Curse: Despite multiple attempts to damage the gravestone, it remained mysteriously intact, reinforcing the belief in Carl's supernatural influence. It wasn't until 1958, when a strip mining company destroyed the hill's cemetery, that the curse was believed to be lifted, bringing an uneasy peace to the town.

  Narrator [27:05]: "The curse was said to have finally been lifted."

Conclusion and Insights

Both stories in this episode illustrate the perilous allure of the supernatural and the tragic outcomes that can result from meddling with forces beyond understanding. Whether it's the mistaken encounter with a freight train mistaken for a ghostly apparition or the fatal repercussions of challenging a vengeful spirit, the narratives underscore a cautionary tale: some mysteries are better left undisturbed.

Ballen Studios masterfully weaves these tales with suspense and emotional depth, providing listeners with not only eerie entertainment but also profound reflections on courage, sacrifice, and the human desire to confront the unknown.

Notable Quotes:

• Narrator [12:27]: "Arthur wasn't doing it out of anger or some vendetta against Carl or Adair. He was actually doing it to prove to the rest of the townspeople that there was no such thing as ghosts."

• Narrator [20:47]: "The instant Arthur began to deface that headstone, someone or something strangled him to death."

• Narrator [27:05]: "The curse was said to have finally been lifted."

This episode of the MrBallen Podcast offers a gripping exploration of haunted locales and the dark histories that make them legendary. For those captivated by true stories of the supernatural, "You Can't Run From This" delivers an unforgettable listening experience that resonates long after the final word.