Scary Stories and Rain: Episode 165 - "100% DEAD"

In Episode 165 of Scary Stories and Rain titled "100% DEAD," host Emily, along with occasional contributions from James, delves into a series of chilling true-life encounters interwoven with the soothing sounds of ambient rain. This episode presents a tapestry of unsettling experiences ranging from creepy encounters at seemingly ordinary locations to inexplicable paranormal events. Below is a detailed summary capturing all the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. The Gas Station Encounter

Timestamp: [00:41] – [10:20]

Emily begins the episode by recounting a harrowing experience from 2019 during a family outing to a Fourth of July fireworks show. After the event, while waiting at a gas station, Emily and her husband observe a man whose intense and unsettling gaze makes them uneasy.

• Key Events:

  • Initial Observation: The man at the gas station exhibits an unnervingly intense stare, making Emily feel uncomfortable ([00:41]).
  • Escalation: Upon her husband's return, the man's agitation increases, leading him to approach their car aggressively ([03:15]).
  • Confrontation: The husband attempts to reason with the man, who becomes increasingly insistent and threatening ([07:30]).
  • Resolution: The situation de-escalates when the husband threatens to call the police, causing the man to retreat ([09:45]).

• Notable Quote:

  "His gaze was incredibly intense and made me very uncomfortable. Like all women, I'm used to the usual gas station creep, but there was something about this man's glare that was deeply unsettling." — Emily ([02:15])

2. Nighttime Newspaper Delivery Nightmares

Timestamp: [10:21] – [26:27]

Emily transitions to her experiences delivering newspapers in her early twenties, highlighting incidents that, while initially terrifying, became humorous in hindsight.

• Key Events:

  • Black Cat Incident: Mistaking a cat for a threatening presence, leading to a panic-induced reaction ([12:00]).
  • Deer Encounter: A sudden appearance of a deer beside her, which startled her to fear an attack ([15:00]).
  • Scarecrow Surprise: Believing a scarecrow to be a human figure due to poor lighting and darkness during a town's scarecrow competition ([20:00]).

• Notable Quote:

  "One of the most unnerving experiences was approaching what I thought was a human figure, only to realize it was a scarecrow." — Emily ([24:30])

3. The Rest Stop Incident

Timestamp: [26:27] – [38:48]

Emily shares a disturbing encounter at a rest stop with her husband, where a man's persistent and aggressive behavior hints at potential threats like human trafficking.

• Key Events:

  • Initial Interaction: The man pleads for a ride, displaying increasingly aggressive behavior ([30:00]).
  • Escalation: Despite multiple refusals, the man grows angrier, leading to Emily's heightened fear of violence ([33:45]).
  • Resolution: The husband threatens to involve the police, causing the man to back off and return to his post ([35:20]).
  • Reflection: Emily reflects on the terror they felt and the potential dangers of the situation ([38:00]).

• Notable Quote:

  "I was terrified he was going to get violent because of how insistent and angry he was becoming." — Emily ([34:10])

4. Hallucinations After the Renaissance Fair

Timestamp: [38:48] – [55:17]

Emily narrates a bizarre experience following her first visit to a Renaissance fair, which leads to severe hallucinations and physical distress, likely induced by unknowingly consumed hallucinogens.

• Key Events:

  • The Fair: Enjoying her first Renaissance fair, Emily indulges in beers and experiences exhaustion ([40:00]).
  • Hallucinogenic Effects: The next day, she experiences altered perceptions, such as shifting musical tones and seeing music on the freeway ([45:00]).
  • Crisis at Work: At her job, hallucinations intensify, leading her to seek help from her psychiatrist ([50:00]).
  • Conclusion: Emily realizes she was likely drugged, explaining the sudden and severe symptoms ([55:00]).

• Notable Quote:

  "I felt like I had taken a hallucinogenic drug. But the thing was, I didn't take anything." — Emily ([50:30])

5. James' Supernatural Running Experience

Timestamp: [55:17] – [63:15]

James shares an unsettling experience during a night run where he encounters a mysterious jogger who seemingly disappears without a trace, leaving him questioning the existence of ghosts.

• Key Events:

  • The Encounter: During an early morning run, James sees a jogger who ignores his friendly gesture ([58:00]).
  • Disappearance: Upon turning back, the jogger has vanished despite the trail’s visibility and lighting ([60:30]).
  • Aftermath: James runs back home in fear and remains haunted by the incident, even revisiting the location with his daughter ([63:00]).

• Notable Quote:

  "Did I just say hi and wave at a ghost? Did I even believe in them in the first place?" — James ([60:00])

6. Paranormal Activity in an Archaeology Building

Timestamp: [63:15] – [47:37]

Emily recounts a frightening night shift at an old university building where she experiences unnerving sounds and a profound sense of being watched.

• Key Events:

  • Initial Unease: While working in the basement, Emily feels lonely and decides to take a break ([64:00]).
  • Strange Sounds: Encounters metallic noises and a sensation of being watched, prompting her to flee ([66:00]).
  • Elevator Mystery: Notices an elevator window lit in an unused building area, deepening her fear ([68:30]).
  • Reflection: Emily seeks explanations, pondering psychological versus paranormal causes ([70:00]).

• Notable Quote:

  "I could have sworn that I was the only person on earth. It was like the whole world wasn't moving anymore." — Emily ([69:00])

7. Late-Night Engineering at the Zoo

Timestamp: [47:37] – [55:17]

Emily describes a terrifying incident while working overnight at a zoo, where malfunctioning electrical systems unleash wild animals into the facility.

• Key Events:

  • Work Begins: Emily is part of a team constructing exhibit locking mechanisms at a local zoo ([50:00]).
  • Electrical Malfunction: An outage opens exhibit doors, allowing animals to roam free ([53:00]).
  • Animal Encounter: Faces off with aggressive monkeys in the kitchen area, fearing for her safety ([55:00]).
  • Aftermath: Authorities regain control, but the incident leaves Emily traumatized and socially mocked ([58:00]).

• Notable Quote:

  "When you're staring at a wild animal and they are looking right back at you, it is completely rational to fear for your safety." — Emily ([56:30])

8. Ocean Walk and the Red Ball Phenomenon

Timestamp: [63:15] – [75:00]

Emily narrates a surreal experience during a beach vacation where she encounters a mysterious glowing red ball that emits blinding light and triggers vivid hallucinations.

• Key Events:

  • Nighttime Stroll: While taking a walk on a private ocean-front property, Emily discovers a glowing red ball in the sand ([70:00]).
  • Phenomenon: The ball emits intense flashes and affects the sky, leaving Emily disoriented and unconscious ([74:00]).
  • Recovery: Wakes up to her wife’s panic, struggling to explain the inexplicable event ([75:00]).
  • Aftermath: Emily is left questioning the reality of her experience, as her wife dismisses it as a dream ([78:00]).

• Notable Quote:

  "I saw all sorts of colors in the sky and a lot of red flashes that I could only describe as looking like heat lighting." — Emily ([74:30])

9. Final Reflections and Conclusions

Timestamp: [75:00] – [End]

Emily wraps up the episode by reflecting on the nature of true scary stories and the fine line between reality and the supernatural. She emphasizes the importance of sharing these experiences to find solace and understanding, encouraging listeners to relate and seek explanations for their own encounters.

• Key Takeaways:

  • Reality of Fear: Terrifying experiences are not confined to fiction; they occur in everyday life ([80:00]).
  • Sharing for Healing: Discussing these stories can be therapeutic and help individuals process their fears ([82:00]).
  • Skepticism vs. Belief: Balancing skepticism with an open mind towards unexplained phenomena ([85:00]).

• Notable Quote:

  "Something that happens to me that I can't let go. Let me know what you experienced? Could it have been just a vivid dream that I passed out?" — Emily ([73:00])

Conclusion

Episode 165 of Scary Stories and Rain weaves together a series of personal and spine-chilling narratives that explore the depths of human fear and the unknown. Through Emily’s vivid storytelling and James' insightful interjections, listeners are taken on a journey through real-life horrors that blur the lines between reality and the supernatural. The episode underscores the unpredictable nature of fear and the importance of sharing one's experiences to find understanding and comfort.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the moments in the provided transcript and may not align perfectly with the actual podcast episode.