Podcast Summary: "Scary Stories For A Rainy Night - Ep. 184 - The Sea Is Red"

Podcast Title: Scary Stories and Rain
Host: Being Scared
Episode: Scary Stories For A Rainy Night - Ep. 184 - The Sea Is Red
Release Date: August 1, 2025

Introduction

In this chilling episode of "Scary Stories and Rain," host Being Scared narrates a collection of true eerie tales intertwined with ambient rain sounds, perfect for a spooky, rainy night. The episode delves into unsettling encounters, mysterious disappearances, and paranormal activities that leave lasting impressions on those who experience them.

1. The Dead Neighbor

Timestamp: [01:47]

Summary: The episode opens with an unsettling personal account of a homeowner who begins noticing a foul smell emanating from his neighbor's property. Initially suspecting the neighbor's missing dog, his concern grows as the odor intensifies, permeating his entire backyard and even his car. Driven by worry and empathy for his elderly neighbors, he decides to investigate by hopping the neighbor's fence.

Key Events:

• Discovery of a decaying corpse behind the neighbor's shed.
• Description of the deceased man: "a fully grown man slumped over, grey skin, grey eyes staring back at me. He was wearing a red flannel shirt tucked into his blue jeans and work shoes, flies coming out of his mouth, his nose and his ears." ([03:15])
• Immediate distress and subsequent involvement of the police.
• Community's initial disbelief followed by official confirmation of the dead body.
• Lasting psychological impact on the narrator, who continues to be haunted by the memory and lingering smell.

Notable Quotes:

• "The image is stuck in my head and plagues my dreams." ([07:30])
• "I can't look in my backyard without thinking about him." ([08:10])

Insights: The story underscores the unexpected horrors that can lurk next door and the profound effects such discoveries can have on one's mental well-being. It also touches on the challenges of dealing with law enforcement and the lingering trauma of witnessing death firsthand.

2. Encounter at Traverse City Psychiatric Hospital

Timestamp: [15:00]

Summary: The narrative shifts to a haunted tale set in Traverse City, Michigan, where the host recounts his youthful adventures breaking into the now-abandoned Traverse City Regional Psychiatric Hospital. Once a bustling institution, the hospital comprised numerous buildings connected by an extensive tunnel system used for patient transport during harsh winters.

Key Events:

• Description of the hospital's eerie interior: "old stained and broken equipment and furniture, crumbling floors and walls, vandalism, strange old building noises, and complete and utter darkness in the tunnels."
• Final trip inside, where the host and his friend Jason are lured by an unexplainable smoky odor to a room glowing red.
• Discovery of an occult setup: "a large ring of red votive candles and burning incense circling a drawing of a pentagram with a sigil of Baphomet."
• Terrifying encounter with two ominous men dressed nicely but looking frazzled, leading to a frantic escape.
• Subsequent decision never to return, leaving a lasting scar on their friendship.

Notable Quotes:

• "I couldn't resist the urge to walk closer and investigate." ([17:45])
• "Jason and I sprinted past the two and I felt someone's fingers grab the back of my shirt." ([20:10])

Insights: This story highlights the allure and danger of exploring abandoned places, especially those with dark histories. It delves into themes of curiosity versus safety and the psychological impact of confronting the unknown.

3. The Mysterious Hair Salon

Timestamp: [28:45]

Summary: The episode continues with a disquieting experience at a seemingly trendy hair salon. The narrator frequents a quaint salon on Main Street, only to notice odd behaviors and unsettling noises that escalate into a frightening encounter.

Key Events:

• Description of the salon's ambiance: "trendy with an antique vibe" and the frequent need for stylists to retrieve items from a storage room downstairs.
• Noticing commotion outside: "someone making a case to ask for money" accompanied by "a loud yip or bark noise."
• Ignoring initial concerns leads to an encounter with a man wearing a grotesque, taxidermied wolf-like headpiece.
• The man's menacing approach triggers a panic response, forcing a hasty escape through the parking lot.
• Reflection on the psychological aftermath, including lingering fears and a resolved decision to avoid being alone in the town after dark.

Notable Quotes:

• "There was something unsettling about this since every now and then I would hear a loud yip or bark noise." ([30:20])
• "My instincts kicked in and I just ran for the back door." ([34:00])

Insights: This story emphasizes the unpredictability of encounters in everyday settings and the importance of trusting one's instincts. It also explores the lasting effects of traumatic experiences and the measures taken to regain a sense of safety.

4. Anthonette's Disappearance

Timestamp: [43:25]

Summary: One of the most haunting tales in this episode revolves around the mysterious disappearance of Anthonette Christine Cadito from Gallup, New Mexico. The story details the events leading up to her vanishing, the investigation that followed, and the lingering questions that remain unresolved.

Key Events:

• Background on Anthonette: Born in 1976, described as smart and caring, living with her mother and sisters after her parents' divorce.
• The night of April 5, 1986: Babysitter leaves after midnight, Anthonette is missing by 7 AM.
• Initial police response deemed the case not urgent, shifting the burden to the family to seek help.
• Reese alcidiscoveries: A 911 call from Anthonette claiming to be in Albuquerque, which conflicted with her actual location.
• Subsequent sightings in Carson City, Nevada, and the final disappearance.
• Introduction of Wendy's testimony, claiming to have seen Anthonette being abducted by men posing as "Uncle Joe."
• Various theories including family involvement, mental health issues of abductors, and possible ties to human trafficking.

Notable Quotes:

• "Anthonette was carried into a brown van." ([46:50])
• "I still have no idea what the man's true intentions were." ([54:10])

Insights: Anthonette's case underscores the complexities and challenges in investigating child abductions, especially when initial police response is inadequate. It also highlights the role of family dynamics, potential systemic failures, and the lasting impact on those left behind.

5. Hotel Horror and Child Trafficking Bust

Timestamp: [62:24]

Summary: The host narrates a harrowing experience at a hotel during a weekend getaway for Comic Con. What begins as an ordinary trip turns into a nightmare involving suspicious activities in adjacent rooms, leading to an unexpected intervention by authorities.

Key Events:

• Arrival at the hotel and assignment to a room near areas with persistent smells and unexplained noises.
• Hearing a "blood-curdling scream" outside the room, reminiscent of child abuse or distress.
• Attempts to alert the front desk are met with vague responses, heightening anxiety.
• Decision to wait, leading to increased fear as sirens approach the hotel.
• Revelation that authorities were already conducting a welfare check prompted by similar complaints.
• Discovery that a mother was attempting to flee with her infant, leading to her arrest and the rescue of children from a trafficking situation.

Notable Quotes:

• "The blood-curdling scream that still sends chills through my body to this day." ([69:30])
• "I will never know. All I knew in that moment was sweet relief knowing that the children were safe." ([80:45])

Insights: This story illustrates the pervasive threat of human trafficking and the importance of vigilance and reporting suspicious activities. It also touches on themes of anxiety, the fear of inaction, and the relief that comes from positive intervention, even if indirectly influenced.

6. Apartment Cleaner Finds Horror

Timestamp: [77:12]

Summary: Adding to the tapestry of terrifying narratives, the host shares an account from an apartment cleaner who encounters horrifying signs of neglect and possible foul play in a client's home.

Key Events:

• Regular cleaning job for a family with two young daughters, initially straightforward due to the home's pre-cleaned state.
• One day, the cleaner arrives to find the house in disarray: strewn clothes, moldy food, and pervasive insect infestations.
• Deeply unsettling discovery in the bathroom: "flies everywhere," with evidence that the room was sealed and untouched.
• Attempts to contact the homeowners go unanswered, leaving the cleaner in a state of confusion and fear.
• Contemplation of reporting the situation but ultimately left with unresolved anxiety about the occupants' fate.

Notable Quotes:

• "I have never had to do before on this job, getting rid of all the moldy food, taking the trash out till it was out of the house." ([80:00])
• "I just can't seem to explain it, no matter how hard I try, and I know that I'll never get an answer." ([83:20])

Insights: This story highlights the hidden horrors that can exist behind the walls of seemingly normal households. It emphasizes the importance of community awareness and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals when encountering potential abuse or neglect.

7. Paranormal Encounters in Northern California

Timestamp: [89:27]

Summary: Concluding the episode, the host delves into supernatural experiences shared by family members in a secluded community in Northern California. These encounters blur the lines between reality and the paranormal, leaving lasting impressions on those who witness them.

Key Events:

• Family discussions about paranormal activities, including sightings of ghosts and unexplained noises.
• Specific incidents: shadows resembling the host's late grandfather, dogs walking on rooftops, and a bulky black entity near a light post.
• Description of the entity's transformation: "it started to turn almost translucent... then turned back into a solid black shape and took quick, long, abnormal strides towards the forest."
• Emotional impact on the host, leading to curiosity mixed with fear and a lasting sense of unease.

Notable Quotes:

• "It feels like its energy still lingers around me." ([92:45])
• "I have had many more strange encounters that probably deserve their own separate stories." ([95:10])

Insights: Paranormal encounters continue to captivate and terrify, often leaving individuals questioning their perceptions and the nature of reality. These stories explore the human fascination with the unknown and the psychological effects of unexplainable phenomena.

Conclusion

Episode 184 of "Scary Stories and Rain" masterfully weaves together a series of true and disturbing tales that range from personal encounters with death and the occult to unsettling experiences with potential human trafficking and paranormal phenomena. Each story is meticulously detailed, providing listeners with vivid descriptions and emotional depth that make these accounts both terrifying and unforgettable. Through these narratives, the podcast invites listeners to confront the darker aspects of human experience and the mysteries that lie just beneath the surface of everyday life.

Notable Quotes Recap:

• "The image is stuck in my head and plagues my dreams." ([07:30])
• "I couldn't resist the urge to walk closer and investigate." ([17:45])
• "There was something unsettling about this since every now and then I would hear a loud yip or bark noise." ([30:20])
• "Anthonette was carried into a brown van." ([46:50])

These poignant moments encapsulate the essence of the fear and suspense that permeate the episode, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.