Spooked: Episode Summary – "Room 10E"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Spooked
• Host/Author: KQED and Snap Studios
• Description: Spooked features true-life supernatural stories, told firsthand by people who can barely believe it happened themselves. Hosted by Glynn Washington, episodes drop every Friday and are available for free on all podcast platforms.
• Episode: Room 10E
• Release Date: April 11, 2025

1. Introduction

In the "Room 10E" episode of Spooked, host Glynn Washington introduces Rebecca's chilling experience living in dorm room 10E at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. The episode delves into Rebecca's encounters with unexplained phenomena, her quest for answers, and the eventual revelation of a tragic past linked to her dormitory.

2. Early Experiences in Room 10E

Rebecca begins by describing her move into Alumni Hall, an 18-story dormitory at FIT. Assigned to room 10E on the 10th floor, she initially feels intimidated but appreciates the suite-like setup.

Rebecca [06:45]: "It's just a new place, kind of scary, intimidating, all new people. But the moment I walked in, I was like, this is actually very nice for a college dorm."

Initially, Rebecca bonds with her roommates, who are fashion enthusiasts, helping her come out of her shy, punk-emo shell. However, subtle disturbances start occurring, such as missing clothing items.

3. Paranormal Events Escalate

The disturbances intensify when Rebecca begins sensing an ominous presence. She recounts a particularly unsettling night:

Rebecca [Timestamp Not Available]: "One night, I'm just looking for one of my favorite sleep T shirts, and I can't find it anywhere... Over the course of the week, everyone started missing something."

The missing items range from trendy clothes to personal garments, leading to growing tensions and suspicions among the roommates. Although initially dismissed as anxiety or simple theft, the situation hints at a deeper, unexplainable force.

4. Seeking Help and Discovering Family Connections

Late one night, while working alone, Rebecca experiences a terrifying encounter where the shower in the bathroom turns on by itself, plunging her into temporary blindness. Panicked, she seeks help from a neighbor, who assists her until her vision returns.

Following this ordeal, Rebecca confides in her mother, who suggests contacting her aunt. Her aunt shares her own supernatural experience, witnessing an angelic figure urging a restless spirit to move on.

Rebecca [Timestamp Not Available]: "I said out loud, 'You don't belong here anymore. This isn't where you should be. It's time for you to move on.' And in that moment, I felt a breeze in the room... It immediately felt lighter."

This interaction empowers Rebecca to confront the lingering spirit in her dorm room.

5. Confronting the Spirit

Taking her aunt's advice to heart, Rebecca vocally addresses the presence in her room, encouraging it to move on. This act seems to have an immediate effect, lifting the oppressive atmosphere and dissipating her exhaustion.

Rebecca [Timestamp Not Available]: "I felt a weight lifted off my chest, and it immediately felt lighter in the room."

6. Uncovering the Dorm's Dark History

Two months later, during a visit to her childhood home, Rebecca meets her high school photography teacher who reveals a shocking connection to Alumni Hall.

Rebecca [Timestamp Not Available]: "She was like, 'There was a girl who died in that room. She was a partier... did some drugs and unfortunately overdosed in that room and died. It's believed that she passed in the bathroom.'"

This revelation aligns with Rebecca's experiences, suggesting that the spirit she encountered was the same girl who tragically lost her life in room 10E.

7. Aftermath and Reflections

Rebecca reflects on her experiences, believing that her actions helped the spirit find peace. She moved to a different dorm the following year, distancing herself physically but still mentally connected to the events in Alumni Hall.

Rebecca [Timestamp Not Available]: "I'm hopeful that I helped her to move on. I hope that she's in a different place now and is more at peace."

8. Conclusion

"Room 10E" is a compelling narrative that intertwines personal experiences with haunting supernatural events. Rebecca's journey from fear and confusion to empowerment and resolution offers listeners a profound exploration of encountering and addressing restless spirits. The episode underscores the importance of confronting one's fears and seeking connections to understand and resolve the unexplained.

Notable Quotes:

• Rebecca [06:45]: "It's just a new place, kind of scary, intimidating, all new people. But the moment I walked in, I was like, this is actually very nice for a college dorm."

• Rebecca [No Timestamp]: "I just feel my stomach drop and I'm in complete disbelief of what I'm hearing."

• Rebecca [No Timestamp]: "I didn't want to assume just speaking out loud would work."

• Rebecca [No Timestamp]: "I hope that she's in a different place now and is more at peace."

Insights and Themes:

• Isolation and Adaptation: Rebecca's initial struggle with adjusting to a new environment highlights the vulnerability one might feel when isolated, especially in a bustling city like New York.

• Supernatural Persistence: The recurring phenomena symbolize unresolved issues or lingering emotions, emphasizing the idea that some spirits cannot move on without acknowledgment.

• Empowerment through Knowledge: Learning about her aunt's experiences and the dorm's history provided Rebecca with the tools to confront and ultimately resolve the haunting.

• Interconnectedness of Stories: The episode illustrates how personal and historical narratives intertwine, revealing that places carry the echoes of past events and emotions.

Conclusion:

The "Room 10E" episode of Spooked masterfully combines storytelling with eerie supernatural elements, presenting a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Rebecca's experience serves as a testament to the enduring impact of unresolved spirits and the power of confronting the unknown to achieve closure.