Podcast Summary: Scary Stories and Rain
Episode: "Scary Stories For A Rainy Night - Ep. 157 - He Was Watching Me Sleep"
Host: Being Scared
Release Date: March 28, 2025

Overview

In Episode 157 of Scary Stories and Rain, host Being Scared delves into a collection of chilling true stories that intertwine personal experiences with paranormal encounters. Set against the backdrop of ambient rain sounds, this episode offers listeners a spine-tingling journey through sleep paralysis, haunted locations, eerie abductions, and unsettling roommate encounters. Each story is meticulously narrated, capturing the essence of fear and the unknown.

1. Sleep Paralysis and the Haunting Figure

Timestamp: 00:00 - 15:17

The episode opens with the host sharing a deeply personal account of enduring sleep paralysis from a young age. He recounts his first experience at five or six years old, describing the vulnerability and terror of being unable to move while feeling watched.

• Notable Quote:
  “There's something super unsettling about waking up and not being able to move any part of your body. You feel entirely and utterly vulnerable to everything.”
  (00:30)

As he grows older, the episodes intensify, leading to a particularly haunting night at age 15. On a cold winter evening, he describes a horrifying encounter where a completely black, skeletal figure breaks into his room. The figure's disproportionate smile and the bone-cracking movements heighten the fear, culminating in a terrifying chase that jolts him awake soaked in sweat.

• Notable Quote:
  “He stepped into the light of another lamp post that was only about 10ft away. He was a very large man dressed in olden day clothes, holding what looked like to be a noose in one hand and a sword in the other.”
  (68:26)

This experience left lasting scars, with the figure recurring in his dreams even a decade later, symbolizing the persistent nature of his fear.

2. Family Paranormal Experiences

Timestamp: 15:17 - 23:34

The narrative shifts to the host's mother recounting her own eerie experiences during her youth in the 1980s. Living in a beach apartment with his father, she and her sister encountered unexplained apparitions.

• Notable Quote:
  “I had never seen or experienced something like this from him. Her first instinct was to ask my aunt... I know he jumped a fence.”
  (15:17)

Two significant events are highlighted:

• First Incident:
  At around 2 AM, his mother sees his father standing in front of their sliding door, glaring silently. Despite waking up, they find him sound asleep downstairs.

• Second Incident:
  During the day, his mother observes his father through a mirror appearing to lie on the sofa before discovering him asleep, with no explanation for the apparition.

These experiences lead her to believe in phenomena like astral projection or out-of-body experiences, leaving the family grappling with the unknown.

3. Listener's Scary Video and Power Outages

Timestamp: 23:34 - 26:56

A listener shares a terrifying experience triggered by watching a horror video featuring animatronics speaking eerily. While alone in bed, the lights begin to flicker and go out repeatedly, accompanied by a pervasive feeling of being watched.

• Notable Quote:
  “Someone was watching me. The entire house was engulfed in silence.”
  (24:47)

As the power outages persist, the listener employs practical measures like taping the fuse box switches and using scissors for protection. Despite these efforts, unsettling noises and a disembodied girl's voice escalate the fear, leading to a climactic moment where footsteps and pleading voices intensify the horror, leaving the listener in a state of panic.

4. Haunted Restaurant Renovation

Timestamp: 26:56 - 47:02

Another gripping tale involves the host's experience working at a small, privately owned restaurant undergoing renovations. The establishment, formerly a beloved Chinese restaurant, becomes the epicenter of supernatural disturbances.

• Notable Quote:
  “At one point, a few years back, I did in-home care for the county... he would do basic handyman fix-it duties.”
  (32:28)

Key events include:

• Unexplained Incidents:
  Doors opening and closing mysteriously, objects moving without explanation, and unexplainedvoices creating an atmosphere of dread.

• Climactic Encounter:
  During a critical moment, the cook line falls eerily silent despite all appliances running, followed by the boss's urgent request for paranormal artifacts like an abalone shell and sage to cleanse the space. This culminates in a nightmarish scenario where the host's roommate, Daryl, is brutally assaulted by unseen forces within the restaurant, leaving lasting trauma and physical scars.

5. 911 Call and Kidnapping Rescue

Timestamp: 47:02 - 50:44

The episode transitions to a harrowing true story about a 911 dispatcher in Detroit who receives distressing calls from a kidnapped victim. The call is filled with fear, threats, and pleas for help, exposing the critical role of surveillance technology in the rescue.

• Notable Quote:
  “A female voice screamed. Hello? Is there anyone there?... So you're gonna kill us and then put us in the trunk?”
  (47:02)

Through quick coordination and leveraging technology to trace the call, the police are dispatched to a location where they apprehend the kidnapper, Derek Smith, just in time to save the lives of two sisters who had been abducted. This story underscores the importance of prompt action and technological advancements in law enforcement.

6. Roommate Horror and Home Invasion

Timestamp: 50:44 - 64:37

A listener recounts a terrifying ordeal involving a deceitful roommate named Darryl. Initially appearing friendly and affluent, Darryl's true nature is revealed through suspicious behavior and unsettling encounters.

• Notable Quote:
  “I should have seen it coming and I feel like such an idiot for not knowing what I was headed for.”
  (58:16)

Key elements of the story include:

• Suspicious Activity:
  Unexplained visitors, strange noises, and eerie footprints around the home raise red flags about Darryl's integrity.

• Home Invasion:
  The situation escalates when masked intruders forcibly enter the apartment, leading to a violent confrontation where Darryl is assaulted. This horrifying event leaves both the listener and Darryl traumatized, highlighting the dangers of trusting the wrong individuals.

7. Paranormal Encounter at Whaley House

Timestamp: 64:37 - End

The episode concludes with a vivid account of a paranormal experience at the historic Whaley House in Old Town, San Diego. Known for its haunted reputation, the Whaley House becomes the setting for a night filled with supernatural terror.

• Notable Quote:
  “He started walking slowly toward us. I was paralyzed and in disbelief.”
  (68:26)

Highlights of the encounter include:

• Initial Calm:
  Friends gather in the courtyard to drink and share scary stories, setting a suspenseful mood.

• Supernatural Manifestation:
  The sudden appearance of a large, menacing figure wielding a noose and a sword, accompanied by a blood-curdling scream and a forceful gust of wind, triggers a frantic escape.

• Chase Sequence:
  The apparition pursues the group, culminating in a narrow escape as they dash back to their vehicle, leaving the listener with lingering fear and reluctance to revisit the haunted location.

Conclusion

Episode 157 of Scary Stories and Rain masterfully intertwines personal anecdotes and listener-submitted tales to create an immersive experience of fear and suspense. From sleep paralysis horrors to real-life abductions and haunted hauntings, each story is delivered with palpable tension and vivid detail. The inclusion of notable quotes with precise timestamps enhances the storytelling, allowing listeners to connect deeply with each narrative thread. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast of the paranormal or a curious newcomer, this episode promises to keep you on the edge of your seat, especially on a rainy night.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “There's something super unsettling about waking up and not being able to move any part of your body.”
  (00:30)

• “He stepped into the light of another lamp post that was only about 10ft away.”
  (68:26)

• “Someone was watching me. The entire house was engulfed in silence.”
  (24:47)

• “At one point, a few years back, I did in-home care for the county...”
  (32:28)

• “A female voice screamed. Hello? Is there anyone there?”
  (47:02)

• “I should have seen it coming and I feel like such an idiot for not knowing what I was headed for.”
  (58:16)

• “He started walking slowly toward us. I was paralyzed and in disbelief.”
  (68:26)

Final Thoughts

Scary Stories and Rain continues to deliver compelling and spine-chilling narratives that resonate with listeners seeking true horror stories. Episode 157 stands out with its diverse range of tales, each meticulously crafted to evoke fear and curiosity. Whether you're winding down on a rainy night or seeking thrills, this episode is a must-listen for any horror aficionado.