The Halloween Episode

Summary

---

Sightings: Halloween Listener Story Spooktacular

Podcast: Sightings
Host: McLeod Andrews & Brian Sigley
Episode: Halloween Listener Story Spooktacular
Release Date: October 27, 2025

---

Episode Overview

In this milestone 50th episode of Sightings, the hosts celebrate Halloween with a chilling “Listener Story Spooktacular.” Trading their usual investigative deep-dives for first-person horror, McLeod and Brian read and unpack three of the creepiest true supernatural encounters submitted by listeners. Each story ramps up the suspense, from small-town hauntings to unexplainable confrontations in the woods, underscoring the episode's central theme: Halloween is as much a warning as it is a celebration. The hosts’ reactions, thoughtful analysis, and moments of comic relief add depth, making the episode both entertaining and unsettling.

---

Key Discussion Points & Story Summaries

1. Welcome & Episode Introduction

[01:46]

• McLeod sets the Halloween mood, noting, “Halloween is the one night we invite fear in...but the truth is, the strange and the terrifying often don’t wait for October 31st.”
• The hosts reveal it’s a special occasion: last Monday of the month (Listener Story day), their 50th episode, and Halloween.
• Brian teases the format: “We should read three of the creepiest listener stories that you, our listeners, have sent to us.”
• Light banter about nerves and setting the scene (“I assume you’re in bed while listening to this—make sure your doors are locked.”)

---

2. Story One: The Spider Woman

Submitted by Colton from Pennsylvania
[04:28 – 08:17]
Summary:

• Colton recounts an eerie childhood experience at his grandmother’s old apartment near Gettysburg.
• The second floor is always off-limits; the place feels heavy, particularly at night.
• As Colton watches TV one evening, noises escalate—scratching, screeching—culminating in a terrifying sight: a spindly, spider-like woman scaling the exterior wall, resembling a younger version of his mother.
• Paralyzed by fear, Colton flees to his grandmother, who dismisses his experience, yet seems oddly familiar with it.

Notable Quotes:

• “Her limbs were long and spindly, bent the wrong way like a spider...but the most terrifying part—she looked like a younger version of my mother.” (Colton’s letter, 06:02)
• “This should be a movie. Are you kidding me? There’s incredible thematic structure going on here.” (McLeod, 08:29)

Host Discussion & Analysis:

• Hosts theorize deeper connections: is the mother tied to the second floor mystery? Is it a werewolf-like or doppelgänger entity?
• “Are you glad this is not what was crawling on the outside of your sound booth?” (Brian, 08:17)
• They reflect on the primal terror of seeing a loved one’s face on something monstrous.

Segment timestamp: 04:28–10:26

---

3. Story Two: The Friendly Ghost Turns

Submitted Anonymously from Indiana
[13:14 – 21:47]
Summary:

• The anonymous listener describes growing up in a noisy, haunted house alongside five siblings and a single mom.
• The “friendly ghost” is a presence in their lives: footsteps, pacing, and movement sounds are familiar, even comforting—until the haunting turns sinister.
• Key Moments:
  • A boyfriend flees after encountering the ghost’s noisy charge down the stairs.
  • The family dog reacts violently one night, growling at an unseen presence; thunderous knocks come from beneath their feet.
  • The haunting escalates: the ghost is seen as a shimmering, heatwave-like distortion; it sits on beds, paralyzes sleepers, and later follows the brother even after moving out.
  • The entity manifests for other siblings and their children—culminating in a chilling warning shouted into the mother’s ear: “Get out.”

Notable Quotes:

• “That house was always talking. What a good way of putting that.” (McLeod, 13:27)
• “The friendly ghost isn’t so friendly...not anymore.” (Anonymous, 18:41)
• “She still visits me...she followed me.” (Brother, 20:40)

Host Discussion & Analysis:

• The hosts note the uniquely dark tone—this haunting moves from bothersome to outright traumatizing, with lasting psychological scars.
• Brian: “This one went a little darker...It went from, ‘it’s just the ghost that makes sounds upstairs’ to ‘it’s tormenting us.’”
• “Why didn’t they move sooner?” they ask, marveling at the persistence of the family.

Segment timestamp: 13:14–23:08

---

4. Story Three: The Shadow in the North Carolina Woods

Submitted by Justin from North Carolina
[25:49 – 32:55]
Summary:

• Justin details a terrifying solo camping experience near Table Rock in the North Carolina mountains.
• After typical forest sounds fade, he hears a “wet clicking noise,” followed by unsettling glimpses and footsteps.
• The shadowy entity circles his tent and speaks his name in a “low, rasping” voice.
• At dawn, Justin flees, only to encounter the being again in daylight—a shifting, reality-bending silhouette blocking his path.
• At a local gas station, an elderly clerk hints this ancient thing is part of local lore: “You’re not the first to see it.”

Notable Quotes:

• “Its outline was wrong, blurred somehow, like it didn’t belong in the world.” (Justin, 27:25)
• “Then it spoke...but it knew my name.” (Justin, 28:17)
• “There’s this entity that I wanted to do an episode on called a Hide-Behind...it originated in the Pacific Northwest.” (Brian, 33:00)

Host Discussion & Analysis:

• The entity conjures parallels to the “Hide-Behind” of logger folklore and the Hat Man—shadow figures that haunt the periphery.
• “So you’re not safe anywhere is the moral of this story,” jokes Brian.
• McLeod admits: “I’m not ready for it. This was too spooky for me.”

Segment timestamp: 25:49–34:31

---

Memorable Host Moments

[Throughout]

• McLeod’s opening line: “Halloween isn’t just a holiday, it’s a warning.” (01:46)
• Lighthearted banter about “monster cats” and “iron bars for your windows,” offering comic relief between terrifying tales.
• Recurrent reflection: “Ye Halloween—it’s a warning, right?” (Brian, 23:08)
• Closing gratitude for 50 episodes and encouragement for listeners to submit their own stories.

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |------------------------------------------|---------|---------| | Halloween Setup & Host Banter | 01:46 | 03:36 | | Story 1: The Spider Woman | 04:28 | 10:26 | | Story 2: The Friendly Ghost Turns | 13:14 | 23:08 | | Story 3: The Shadow in North Carolina | 25:49 | 34:31 | | Closing Reflections & Next Episode Tease | 34:31 | 36:28 |

---

Tone & Style

Maintaining their signature mix of eerie storytelling and conversational humor, McLeod and Brian invite listeners to suspend disbelief and confront uncanny possibilities. Their tone is playful but genuine—balancing skepticism, empathy, and genuine fright, particularly as the stories grow increasingly unnerving.

---

Final Thoughts & Next Episode Preview

[34:44 – 36:28]

• The hosts express gratitude for 50 episodes and the show’s community spirit.
• Reminder: Listener stories are central to future shows and can be submitted via email or social media.
• Tease for next week: “We’re going to leave the realm of spooky stories for at least a week and dive into probably the craziest story that I have ever encountered when it comes to aliens...heading to New Mexico.”

---

Notable Quotes Recap

• “Halloween isn’t just a holiday, it’s a warning.” (McLeod, 01:46)
• ”Her limbs were long and spindly, bent the wrong way like a spider…” (Colton’s story, 06:02)
• "I want some follow-up...Did your mom start having monthly I-need-to-go-out nights?" (Brian, 10:05)
• “That house was always talking.” (McLeod, 13:27)
• "The friendly ghost isn't so friendly, he said. Not anymore." (Anonymous, 18:41)
• "Its outline was wrong, blurred somehow, like it didn’t belong in the world." (Justin, 27:25)
• "You're not safe anywhere is the moral of this story." (Brian, 33:53)
• “I’m not ready for it. This was too spooky for me.” (McLeod, 34:17)

---

This episode stands as a perfect Halloween treat (or trick): a high-tension anthology of real-world supernatural tales, elevated by the hosts’ immersive storytelling and thoughtful, unnerved commentary. Listeners are left with chills and the comforting community of Sightings—until the next story finds its way into the dark.

Transcript

[Brian Sigley]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. You chose to hit play on this podcast today. Smart Choice make another smart choice with Auto Quote Explorer to compare rates from multiple car insurance companies all at once. Try it at progressive.com, progressive Casualty Insurance and affiliates not available in all states and situations. Prices may vary on how you buy.

[Ad Voice]

@Blinds.Com, it's not just about window treatments.

[Brian Sigley]

It's about you.

[Ad Voice]

Your style, your space, your way. Whether you DIY or want the pros to handle it all, you'll have the confidence of knowing it's done.

[McLeod Andrews]

Done right.

[Ad Voice]

From free expert design help to our 100% satisfaction guarantee, everything we do is made to fit your life and your windows. [e-mail] the only thing we treat better than windows is you. Visit blinds.com now for up to 50% off with minimum purchase plus a professional measure at no cost. Rules and restrictions apply.

[Drew Grimm]

Some stories keep you awake at night, others follow you into your dreams. Scary Shorties is your weekly dose of bite sized horror. Hosted by Drew Grimm. Each episode of Scary Shorties is under 30 minutes. Perfect to listen to on the way to or home from work, but don't let the length fool you. These tales pack enough chills to haunt you for days. From twisted original nightmares to terrifying fan submitted stories, every word is crafted to sink into your mind and stay there. Quick scares, lasting nightmares, and the kind of stories you can't shake no matter how many lights you leave on. Think you can handle it? Then press play. Scary Shorties is waiting for you. New episodes drop every week on Spotify and Apple Podcast. Tune in now. Now, before your courage runs out.

[McLeod Andrews]

Halloween is the one night we invite fear in when we tell ghost stories and laugh in the dark, pretending the monsters aren't real. But the truth is, the strange and the terrifying often don't wait for October 31st. They can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time and remind us that Halloween isn't just a holiday, it's a warning. Welcome to Sightings, the series that takes you inside the world's most mysterious supernatural events. Each episode brings you a thrilling story that puts you at the center of the action, followed by a discussion that dives into the accounts that inspired the story and our takes on them. I'm McLeod.

[Brian Sigley]

And I'm Brian. And it's not only the last Monday of the month, so it is listener story time. McLeod, your favorite. It's also Halloween episode and it is our 50th episode, so I'm ready to.

[McLeod Andrews]

Be spooked this time. Yep and our 50th episode. What should we do to celebrate?

[Brian Sigley]

I think to celebrate, we should read three of the creepiest listener stories that you, our listeners, have sent to us.

[McLeod Andrews]

So pull those covers tight because I assume that you're in bed while listening to this. Make sure your doors are locked. And if you have some candy, unwrap it now before the lights go down. Seriously, I don't want to be distracted while I'm reading these creepy stories. And I can hear you. I'm listening. Then ask yourself, can you survive Halloween with sightings?

[Ad Voice]

All right.

[McLeod Andrews]

And away we go down the dark tunnel of Halloween listener stories. Will we escape out the other side? I don't know. Let's find out. And my cat is clawing at my booth.

[Brian Sigley]

Are you sure it's a cat and not a monster?

[McLeod Andrews]

I don't know for sure. It's been scaling the wall because my booth is covered in carpeting. And so it's literally been climbing up, like, just straight up the wall. And I'm like, where is it? Where's it coming from? And then I look up and I'm like, oh, gosh, it's above me, and it's just peering out over.

[Brian Sigley]

I think these stories are going to be a little scarier than the question of whether or not it's a cat or a monster climbing on your sound booth. But our first story is from Colton from Pennsylvania. Okay, I'm not going to tell you anything more than that other than this is a spooky one. All right, and let's get some music going like we always do.

[McLeod Andrews]

I lived in a small town in Pennsylvania, about 25 minutes from Gettysburg, and I was about 8 years old when this happened. It was a cold fall night, one of those nights where the wind whistles through the trees and everything feels just a little bit off. My mother was a hard working single mom, and she needed a night off for once. So she dropped me off at my grandmother's house, gave me a hug, said she'd be back late, and drove off. My grandmother lived in a very old apartment building, the kind built back in the 1920s. It had that permanent, musty smell, Faded wallpaper peeling at the corners and floors that groaned with every step. I visited her about twice a month, and even though I loved her, her place always creeped me out a little. Something about it just felt heavy and still, especially the second floor. She never let me go up there, not alone. Sometimes she'd just glance at the stairs and quietly change the subject. I always wondered if she knew something was up there. Or maybe she just didn't want a hyper kid knocking things over. That night I was in the living room watching tv. My grandmother was in the kitchen cooking dinner, humming quietly to herself. Everything was calm. Until suddenly it wasn't. I started hearing noises. Soft at first. A strange scratching noise, like something dragging its nails across the inside of the walls. Sorry. Just got creeped out a little bit. Then came this weird screeching sound, like metal twisting or a cat in pain. Oh, no. Even to my 8 year old mind it didn't make sense. And I tried to tell myself it was just the wind, or maybe something outside. But the sound kept getting louder, closer. And it quickly became clear it was crawling toward me. I went to the window to check, but everything looked normal, empty, silent. Until I heard that scratching again and looked down. And then I saw her. This thing was climbing up the wall outside. A woman, but twisted. Her limbs were long and spindly, bent the wrong way like a spider. She moved fast, almost too fast, her fingers clawing into the brick. Her face was locked in a permanent snarl, like she was frozen in the middle of a scream. But the most terrifying part. She looked like a younger version of my mother. For five seconds, long, terrible seconds, I stared at her in disbelief. My whole body locked up. My heart was pounding so hard it hurt. Then instinct kicked in and I ran. I ran straight to the kitchen, tears streaming down my face, covered in sweat, stammering to my grandmother about what I'd just seen. She told me it was just my imagination and to go back to watching tv. But the way she said was like she'd heard it before. Still shaking, I crept back to the living room window, part of me hoping I'd imagined the whole thing. I peeked through the curtain. She was gone. I still think about that night. I still wonder what that thing was. Why it looked like my mother. Why it chose that night to show itself. I don't know if it was something that mimics people you love or something worse. I've never seen it again. But I've never forgotten it either. Okay, first question. How is your relationship with your mom now?

[Brian Sigley]

Good. First question. My first question. Nikloud for you. Are you glad this is not what was crawling on the outside of your sound booth?

[McLeod Andrews]

Yes, absolutely. Kittens are much nicer.

[Brian Sigley]

Yes, indeed.

[McLeod Andrews]

Oh boy.

[Brian Sigley]

Yeah, this one creeped me out.

[McLeod Andrews]

I mean, this should be a movie. Are you kidding me? Because there's actually some incredible thematic structures here going on that are a great jumping off point for my imagination. And a bigger story which is first you have this establishment of the second floor and the mystery of the second floor and what's on the second floor, which he doesn't really address here, but that leads me to the fact that the two are kind of vaguely tied together. Makes me feel like, okay, well, wait. The mom needed a break. She dropped her off at grandma's. Grandma was like, hey, don't go up to the second floor. And then later, mom is like, demon spider woman crawling up your wall, out your window. It like, gives me like werewolf vibes.

[Brian Sigley]

I was just thinking the same thing.

[McLeod Andrews]

Of like, your mom is going out for a drink. But no, she's going up to the second floor to transform and sort of like exercise. Like exercise not with an O but actually exorcise her demon.

[Brian Sigley]

Oh, my gosh. I hadn't thought of it like that. Now that made it just so much scarier for me. Right?

[McLeod Andrews]

It's pretty compelling. There's some pretty compelling layers going on there.

[Brian Sigley]

And it is unique. I've never heard that a story like this where there's an entity or some creature that looks like a family member like that, it's like, yeah, I feel like your brain would just kind of shut down and be like, what is happening when you see this?

[McLeod Andrews]

Yeah, I again, I want some follow up. I want, like, I want to know how are things with your ma? Like, did you tell your mom about this?

[Brian Sigley]

You didn't see this ever again. But did your mom start having monthly, I need to go have nights with the girls, night out or something like that.

[McLeod Andrews]

Yeah.

[Brian Sigley]

So Colton, Colton from Pennsylvania. You know who you are. Please email us and let us know what happened since this, because I'm gonna have nightmares and it didn't even happen to me.

[McLeod Andrews]

Yeah, that's some good Halloween.

[Brian Sigley]

That's why I picked it.

[McLeod Andrews]

Spooky story right there. Oh, my goodness.

[Brian Sigley]

We'll give everyone a breather. We're going to jump to an ad break. I guess they're gonna sell you some blankets or some locks for your windows. Enjoy.

[McLeod Andrews]

And Doug, here we have the Limu.

[Ad Voice]

Emu in its natural habitat, helping people.

[McLeod Andrews]

Customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug Limu.

[Drew Grimm]

Is that guy with the binoculars watching us?

[McLeod Andrews]

Cut the camera. They see us.

[Ad Voice]

Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty, Liberty.

[McLeod Andrews]

Liberty Savings Ferry.

[Ad Voice]

Underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts. It's okay not to be perfect with finances. Experian is your big financial friend. And here to help. Did you know you can get matched with credit cards on the app? Some cards are labeled no Ding Decline, which means if you're not approved, they won't hurt your credit scores. Download the Experian app for free today. Applying for no Ding Decline cards won't hurt your credit scores. If you aren't initially approved, initial approval will result in a hard inquiry which may impact your credit scores.

[Ad Voice 2]

Experian Eczema isn't always obvious, but it's real. And so is the relief from Ebglis. After an initial dosing phase, about 4 in 10 people taking EBGLIS achieved itch relief and clear or almost clear skin at 16 weeks, and most of those people maintained skin that's still more clear at one year with monthly dosing.

[Ad Voice]

EBGLIS Librekizumab LBKZ a 250mg 2ml injection is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds or 40 kilograms with moderate to severe eczema, also called atopic dermatitis that is not well conditioned, controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin or topicals, or who cannot use topical therapies. Ebglis can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. Don't use if you're allergic to Epglis. Allergic reactions can occur that can be severe. Eye problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening eye problems. You should not receive a live vaccine when treated with Epglis. Before starting Epglis, tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection searching for real relief?

[Ad Voice 2]

Ask your doctor about epgliss and visit epgliss.lily.com or call 1-800-lilyrx or 1-800-545-5979.

[McLeod Andrews]

Welcome back to this episode of Sightings, brought to you by Iron Bars. Have you ever tried iron bars for your windows?

[Brian Sigley]

Well, this second story here is no less creepy. I think. In fact, the person did not want to have their name associated with this story. So this is from Anonymous.

[McLeod Andrews]

Oh, okay.

[Brian Sigley]

From Indiana.

[McLeod Andrews]

That doesn't bode well.

[Brian Sigley]

No. So yeah, okay, let's get some music going.

[McLeod Andrews]

I grew up in a small town in Indiana, in a creaky old house with five kids, one tired mom and a ghost we all just casually referred to as the friendly ghost because you.

[Brian Sigley]

Know it's not going to be friendly, right?

[McLeod Andrews]

Oh no, that house was always talking. What a good way of putting that. Footsteps in the attic Slow pacing on the stairs. The faint sound of someone, something moving through the upstairs hallway. When no one was home. But we were kids, we never felt scared. Not really. It was more like living with a quiet roommate who kept their distance. It wasn't until I was older that things shifted. I was in high school, dating the boy who had become my husband. My mom and younger brother were out of town, and he and I were curled up on the couch watching a movie. The back of the couch faced the stairwell, and somewhere in the middle of the film, I heard it. The unmistakable sound of someone sprinting across the upstairs hallway and then pounding down the stairs toward us. I didn't even flinch, but my boyfriend leapt to his feet, ready to defend me from whoever was about to round the corner. And then. Nothing. No one came down the stairs. He turned to me, panicked. What was that? Who's here? I shrugged. That's just the ghost. He stared at me, white as a sheet. What ghost? Where's your brother? I reminded him. They were gone. We were alone. He didn't take it well. In fact, he left me there. Just walked out, freaked beyond words. But I stayed. I wasn't scared. That was just how the house was. For a while, anyway. There was another night also. In high school. Mom was working late and it was just me and my little brother home. We were both in bed on opposite ends of the upstairs hallway. I always slept with my door open, my dog by my side, facing the hall. She was my furry guardian, silent, alert, always calm. But this night, something set her off. She stiffened. Her hackles rose. A low, menacing growl rumbled from her throat. Something I'd never heard from her before. She crept to the top of the stairs and stared down, teeth bared. My brother poked his head out, wide eyed. Are you seeing this? Yeah, I whispered. Something's down there. We started down the stairs together, side by side, my brother gripping a BB gun like it was a bazooka. The house was dead silent except for the dog's growl echoing down the stairwell. And then. Boom. Boom. Boom. Three thunderous knocks slammed directly beneath our feet from the ceiling of the bathroom under the stairs. We jumped, screamed, ran back upstairs and called our mom. In pure panic, she sent the neighbor over. He checked everything. No footprints in the snow, no broken locks, no signs of anyone outside. He searched the entire house. There was no one. Nothing. No thing. And yet we knew something had made those knocks. Something inside. Time passed. I graduated, moved out, got married. But every weekend, without failing, my younger brother came to stay with us. At first I thought he just missed me. But eventually he admitted the truth. He didn't want to be alone in that house anymore. The friendly ghost isn't so friendly, he said. Not anymore. I didn't want to believe him, but he asked me to come to the house. I want to show you something. I met him in my old bedroom he'd moved into after I left. Sit on the bed, he said. Watch the hallway. I'll tell you when she's coming. She? I asked. When did the ghost become a she? Just wait, he said. You'll see. I sat. Daylight streamed through the windows. It was late morning. Not spooky, not eerie. And then he whispered, okay. She's coming. I turned my head slowly toward the hallway. At first I saw nothing, but then it shimmered into view, like heat waves rising off hot asphalt. A distorted ripple of air moved down the hall, closer, closer, until it entered the room. It paused in front of me, a thick, invisible mass of vibrating presence. What am I looking at? I whispered. That's her, he said. That's what I deal with every day. She circled me once, inspecting me, and then vanished. He told me everything. It started with her walking the hallway at night. Then sitting on the edge of his waterbed. He could feel the mattress shift. Then came the pressure on his foot. Then his leg moving slowly up his body. He'd lie frozen, unable to move, paralyzed. That was why he started coming to stay with us. Because the ghost wasn't just playful anymore. It had become something else. But the story didn't end there. Years later, after he was married and had a home of his own, he told me something I'll never forget. She still visits me, he said. She followed me. But it didn't stop with him. My sister moved back into the old house years later with her teenage son, and he, without telling her, started playing with a Ouija board. One night, his quiet, gentle friend suddenly lost it during a session. He ran out of the house, never returned. My nephew vowed never to touch the board again. Then one afternoon, while my sister was alone in the house working upstairs, she heard the front door open. Hey, mom. Called her son's voice. She smiled. Hey, I'll be down in a sec. She shut down the computer and walked downstairs, excited to see him. But he wasn't there. No car, no footprints in the fresh snow outside. Nothing. She called me, shaken. As she was telling me what happened, she stopped mid sentence. Oh my God, she whispered. Something, just screamed get out. In my ear. She ran outside, shaking, phone in hand, begging for my husband to come. Calling the police. They searched the house Top to bottom. Nothing. After that, she shut off the upstairs completely, Moved all her things to the downstairs front rooms, and lived like a squatter in her own home. She even let a friend sleep over one night. A friend who brushed off the haunting stories until the middle of the night. When she felt a heavy presence climb onto the bed and lean over her. She turned her head and saw a dark figure inches from her face. It darted away through the wall. She ran from the house and never came back. Eventually, my mom sold the house, but it's changed hands over and over again since then. I always wonder, did they feel it too? Because the friendly ghost we grew up with was never supposed to be scary, never supposed to hurt anyone. But something changed. Maybe it was always darker than we knew. Maybe we just didn't know how to listen.

[Brian Sigley]

This one went a little darker, I feel like, than a lot of the stories we do, because there's just a lot going on in this house. And what was really interesting to me was that shift that happened at some point, I guess, where it went from, oh, it's just the ghost that makes sounds upstairs to, oh, this is the ghost that is tormenting us and crawling into our bed and terrifying visitors and things like that, you know?

[McLeod Andrews]

Yeah. I mean, I think this might be the first listener story we've had that went beyond just kind of the, like, unexplainable kind of potentiality of something supernatural to, like, know it was, like, traumatizing us.

[Brian Sigley]

Yeah. It went beyond creepy, I think, too. This scarred us for life kind of situation.

[McLeod Andrews]

Yeah, it was very, very scary.

[Brian Sigley]

Oh, it was. And I think another thing that stuck with me on this one is there was a whole SC where you could see the ghost in broad daylight. You know, it definitely elevated the horror in a way that stuck with me in a way that.

[McLeod Andrews]

Yeah.

[Brian Sigley]

Yeah.

[McLeod Andrews]

It wasn't about mood. Like, that wasn't part of it. It was just, like, middle of the day.

[Brian Sigley]

And again, you know, I know this comes up in a lot of our haunted house stories, but why didn't they move sooner? This sounds.

[McLeod Andrews]

It sounds like they put up with a lot.

[Brian Sigley]

Great story. Not great situation, though. But this one was creepy and unnerving, and that's why I wanted to feature it here on this episode.

[McLeod Andrews]

So ye Halloween. It's a warning. Right?

[Brian Sigley]

So I will say our third episode's gonna be a little bit equally scary, but a little bit more back to the kind of, like, fun scary that we kind of normally highlight. But we should come back after another break this time. I think we Just need to advertise ghostbusting services. Yes, that's right. So we'll be right back, listeners.

[McLeod Andrews]

When did making plans get this complicated? It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans. Send event invites and pin messages so no one forgets mom 60th and never miss a meme or milestone. All protected with end to end encryption. It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone. Learn [e-mail] the holidays have arrived at the Home Depot and we're here to help bring the excitement with decor for every part of your home. Check out our wide assortment of easy to assemble pre lit trees so you can spend less time setting up and more time celebrating. And bring your holiday spirit outdoors with unique decor like one of our Santa inflatables. Whatever your style, find the right pieces at the right prices this holiday season at the Home Depot.

[Ad Voice 2]

At New Balance, we believe if you run, you're a runner, however you choose to do it. Because when you're not worried about doing anything things the right way.

[Brian Sigley]

You'Re free.

[Ad Voice 2]

To discover your way. And that's what running is all about. Run your [e-mail] running.

[McLeod Andrews]

And welcome back to that exciting commercial for cricket chips.

[Brian Sigley]

What made you think of that?

[McLeod Andrews]

I don't know. I looked down into the story and saw the word crickets.

[Brian Sigley]

Well, the crickets are in the story. We're heading to rural North Carolina for story number three. This one came in from Justin just.

[McLeod Andrews]

In time for Halloween.

[Brian Sigley]

Just in time. Yep. Yep.

[McLeod Andrews]

We should give each of these people's stories. We should give them a pseudonym of like, you know how there's those gravestones in Halloween that you see in people's yards that have, like, puns, like will be doomed.

[Brian Sigley]

Love it. So let's get some music going on this one.

[McLeod Andrews]

All right.

[Brian Sigley]

And we're heading to North Carolina with Justin.

[McLeod Andrews]

The chill of the western North Carolina mountains had always felt like home to me. My name is Justin, and I've lived in these parts my whole life. The towering peaks, the dense forests, the way the fog clings to the valleys in the early morning. There's a kind of magic here, but not all of it is good. It started last October during a camping trip up near Table Rock, not far from Spruce Pine. My friends had all bailed last minute, leaving me alone to enjoy a weekend of solitude under the stars. I didn't mind. I'd always preferred the quiet anyway. I set up camp At a small clearing off a lesser used trail, far enough from the main path that I wouldn't hear the occasional hiker, but close enough to not get lost. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the forest came alive with the usual symphony of nocturnal sounds. Crickets chirped, owls hooted, and the distant rustle of leaves hinted at deer moving through the underbrush. I settled into my camp chair, a cup of coffee in hand, and stared up at the blanket of stars above. Around midnight, the forest went quiet. It was the kind of silence that presses on your ears, makes you aware of every breath and heartbeat. Then, faintly, I heard it. A sound that made my skin crawl. It was a soft, wet clicking noise, like teeth chattering, but unnervingly deliberate. It wasn't close, but it was distinct. I froze, straining my ears to catch it again. When the sound didn't repeat, I convinced myself it was a branch creaking, or maybe a small animal, and went back to my coffee. Minutes later, there was a faint rustling behind me. I turned, shining my flashlight into the darkness, but the beam revealed nothing but trees. The sound had stopped. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end, and my gut told me something wasn't right. I stoked the fire higher, the flames casting long shadows across the clearing. As the night dragged on, the unease grew. Around 2 in the morning, just as I was considering retreating to my tent, I heard it again. That wet clicking noise, this time much closer. My flashlight swept the tree line, and for a split second, I saw movement. Something pale darted between the trees, too quick to make out clearly. My stomach dropped. It wasn't an animal. It moved too fast, too silently. Gripping my knife tightly, I tried to tell myself it was just a trick of the light, but deep down, I knew better. I retreated to my tent, zipping it up tightly and placing my knife within arm's reach. Lying there in the dark, I strained to hear any sound, every nerve on edge. For a while, there was nothing. Then, just as I began to relax, I heard soft, deliberate footsteps circling the tent. They were light, but purposeful, and they paused directly in front of the entrance. My breath caught in my throat as I saw the silhouette of something crouched just outside. It was tall, even hunched over, but the details were impossible to make out. Its outline was wrong, blurred somehow, like it didn't belong in the world. I knew it didn't move, but I could hear its breathing, shallow and ragged, as though it was testing the air. Then it spoke, just Then the voice was low and rasping, barely more than a whisper. But it knew my name. How could it know my name? Summoning every ounce of courage, I grabbed my flashlight and flicked it on, aiming the beam at the shadow. There was a blur of movement as it darted away, faster than anything I'd ever seen. The forest erupted in noise, branches snapping, leaves rustling, and then fell deathly silent once more. I didn't sleep that night. At the first light of dawn, I packed up my camp and started back toward the trailhead. The forest felt oppressive, the trees crowding in around me as if trying to keep me there. Every few minutes, I would catch glimpses of movement in my peripheral vision, but when I turned to look, there was nothing. The final stretch of the trail was the worst. The air grew colder, and the forest darkened unnaturally despite the rising sun. Then, as I rounded a bend, I saw it again. It stood in the middle of the trail, blocking my path. In the light of day, it was even more unsettling. Its outline was indistinct, like a shadow given form, and its features seemed to shift and blur. When I tried to focus on them, its presence felt wrong, as though it was bending reality around it. I took a step back, and it mirrored the movement, tilting its head in a slow, deliberate motion. My instincts screamed at me to run, but my legs felt like lead. Then, without warning, it lunged toward the trees and vanished. I didn't wait to see if it would come back. I ran as fast as I could, my chest burning and my legs threatening to give out. When I finally reached my truck, I collapsed into the driver's seat, my hands shaking so badly I could barely get the keys into the ignition. As I sped down the mountain road towards Spruce Pine, I kept glancing in the rearview mirror, half expecting to see it chasing me. But the road behind me remained empty. Back in town, I pulled into the gas station and stumbled inside. The clerk, a man in his 60s who'd been working there as long as I could remember, took one look at me and asked what had happened. When I told him, his face darkened. He leaned in close and whispered, you're not the first to see it. Folks around here say it's something ancient. Nobody knows what it really is. Some say it's not even alive. I left the gas station with more questions than answers. Even now, weeks later, I can't escape the memory of its shifting outline and the way it spoke my name. At night, when the wind howls through the hollers, I swear I can hear that wet clicking noise outside my Window. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of something at the edge of my vision, but when I turn to look, it's gone. The mountains have always held their secrets, but now I know some of them are darker than I ever imagined. Whatever I encountered that night, it hasn't forgotten me. And I don't think it ever will. A couple weeks ago.

[Brian Sigley]

Hot off the presses, guys.

[McLeod Andrews]

Whoa.

[Brian Sigley]

Yeah.

[Ad Voice]

Wow.

[Brian Sigley]

There's this entity that I wanted to do an episode on called a hide behind. Have you ever heard of this?

[McLeod Andrews]

I've not heard of a hide behind.

[Brian Sigley]

So it's this thing that originated in the Pacific Northwest from, like, loggers, apparently, who constantly would see something out of the corner of their eye and, like, turn to look, and it wouldn't be there. And, like, they think it was. It's something that was, like, hiding behind the trees and following them, basically. And I was getting that vibe a lot on this until he finally saw what it was. And it's like this weird, creepy, shadowy thing that I would not want to encounter something like this. I don't know if it's like a Wendigo situation or a.

[McLeod Andrews]

It reminded me a little bit of a few episodes back. The Hat man and that kind of shadow figure.

[Brian Sigley]

That shadow figure vibe. Yeah. So, yeah, I guess they aren't confined to bedrooms, guys. So you're not safe anywhere is the moral of this story.

[McLeod Andrews]

Hide behind. Wow, guys. Listeners, I hope you're all okay. These are real scary stories. I wish this stuff hadn't happened to you.

[Brian Sigley]

I think that's what makes it all the more terrifying, is that this apparently happened to everyone who submitted these stories. So.

[McLeod Andrews]

Oh, yeah, you know what? I came out full of bravado, saying, it's Halloween. I'm ready for it. I'm not ready for it. Not ready for it. This was too spooky for me.

[Brian Sigley]

Well, 50 episodes in McLeod and you're still.

[McLeod Andrews]

I know. Still a wuss. I thought I was getting. I thought I was building up my tolerance, but apparently I was incorrect.

[Brian Sigley]

But, yeah, as we've said before, you know, this is number 50 for us, everyone. Thank you so much for being here with us for all these episodes. If you're new to the show, we hope you'll join us for a lot more. But we're just so grateful that we can spend every week or every other week, depending on the season, with you right here on sightings. But again, if you have a listener story of your own, do send them to us. We love doing these listener stories episodes. Our email is storiesightingspodcast.com or find us on Instagram, send us a message there with your story or just send us a comment. Let us know what you think of the show. You can do the same on Spotify. They have a great comments feature on there that a lot of people are using.

[McLeod Andrews]

And everybody out there, enjoy your Halloween. Say hello to your neighbors, share a good smile as well as some candy. Be safe, take care of each other. And Brian, after we come out on the other side of this Halloween portal, where will we be? In Sightings World, we're gonna leave the.

[Brian Sigley]

Realm of spooky stories for at least a week and dive into probably the craziest story that I have ever encountered when it comes to aliens. Oh, okay, so we're heading to New Mexico.

[McLeod Andrews]

New Mexico.

[Brian Sigley]

This one is wild. It reads like an action movie. If it's true, it is the most insane thing I think I've ever heard. And if it's not true, then kudos to whoever made this up because it's a really cool story.

[McLeod Andrews]

So right.

[Brian Sigley]

Going to New Mexico, and I hope you're ready for it because it's gonna be a really fun episode to do.

[McLeod Andrews]

I'm excited. Happy Halloween, everybody, and thank you for the terrifying stories. But also, no, thank you for your terrifying stories.

[Brian Sigley]

Thanks again, everyone. See y' all, same time, same place, next week right here on Sightings.

[McLeod Andrews]

They did the mash. It was the monster mash. They did the mash. Do do. It was a graveyard smash. They did the mash.

[Brian Sigley]

Sightings is hosted by McLeod Andrews and Brian Sigley. Produced by Brian Sigley, chase Kinzer and McLeod Andrews. Series music by Mitch Bain. Mixing and mastering by Pat Kickleiter of Sundial Media. Artwork by Nuno Cernatos. Sightings is presented by Reverb and Q Code. If you like the show, be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you're first to hear new episodes every week. And if you know other Supernatural fans, tell them about us. We'd really appreciate it.