"The White Hand" - Spooked Episode Summary

Podcast: Spooked
Host: Glynn Washington
Episode Title: The White Hand
Release Date: November 22, 2024

Introduction

In this chilling episode of Spooked, Glynn Washington introduces listeners to "The White Hand," a true-life supernatural story that delves into the unsettling experiences of Katya de Pena and her family as they move into a seemingly idyllic house in Stratford, Ontario. The narrative explores themes of displacement, fear, and the lingering presence of the past.

Moving Shadows: A Childhood Mirror

Glynn Washington begins the episode with a poignant reflection on childhood upheaval and the emotional scars left by constant moving. He recounts his own experiences of relocating thirteen times before the age of thirteen, emphasizing the deep sense of loss and detachment that accompanies such instability.

Glynn Washington [03:40]:
"Almost 13 years old, I've moved homes 13 different times, 13 different addresses, eight different schools. The truth is, sitting in the passenger seat of a U Haul next to Pops on the interstate, this is my happy place."

This personal anecdote sets the stage for Katya's story, highlighting the universal fear of losing one's sense of home and community.

Entering the Haunted House

Katya de Pena and her husband Jim find what appears to be the perfect rental home: a charming house with character, a wood stove, and a fenced backyard for their daughter, Aurora. Despite initial reservations about the quirky 1950s wallpaper and mismatched decor, Katya hopes to create a loving home.

Katya de Pena [10:18]:
"We were alone a lot in the house, Aurora and I. My husband, I would have liked him to have been there more, but he couldn't."

However, unsettling occurrences soon disrupt their tranquility. From inexplicable feelings of being watched to Aurora's vivid nightmares involving a mysterious figure named "Sakes," the family's sense of safety begins to erode.

Supernatural Encounters

The strange phenomena intensify with Aurora reporting encounters with "the white hands" that pat and scratch at her, disrupting her sleep. Katya attempts to reassure her daughter by staying by her side, but the disturbances persist.

Aurora [02:14]:
"The white hands are bothering me. I can't sleep."

One day, a neighbor arrives seeking the previous owners of the house and reveals a chilling detail: the man who owned the property had an artificial white hand, an artifact left behind that seems to anchor his restless spirit to the home.

Neighbor [Timestamp Unavailable]:
"We found the guy's old artificial hand. It was ceramic, it wasn't flexible, it wasn't something that you could do things with. And it was white, absolutely white, like a white dinner plate."

This revelation deepens the mystery, suggesting that the malevolent presence in the house may be tied to the deceased owner's unresolved ties to the property.

Confronting the Haunting

Determined to reclaim their home, Katya embarks on what she describes as her own version of an exorcism. She confronts the spirit in every room, asserting ownership and demanding the entity to leave.

Katya de Pena [28:33]:
"I say, you have to leave. This is not your home. You have to move on. This is my house."

Initially, these confrontations seem to lessen the disturbances. However, the presence of the white hand persists, culminating in a climactic encounter where the spirit manifestly responds by rocking an old wooden chair, signaling that it remains entrenched in the household.

Katya de Pena [36:38]:
"That's his answer, that he's here. Maybe it's my house, but it's his house too. I'm afraid and I don't know what to do, but I know I will protect her with my life."

Faced with escalating fear and an inability to coexist peacefully with the spirit, Katya and her family decide to move once more, seeking solace in a new, more welcoming home. The final move brings relief, as Aurora no longer mentions "Sakes," and the supernatural disturbances cease.

Katya de Pena [40:23]:
"She's running around and I ask her how she feels about the house. And she just says, this is a nice house. I like this house."

Conclusion

Glynn Washington wraps up the episode by drawing parallels between personal turmoil and supernatural disturbances. He underscores the idea that unresolved emotions and past traumas can manifest in unexpected and eerie ways, much like the persistent spirit of the white hand.

Glynn Washington [39:37]:
"We seek balance to cage it, to control it, to harness it so that it does not destroy us."

The episode leaves listeners contemplating the thin veil between the living and the dead, and how deeply our environments are intertwined with our emotional well-being.

Notable Quotes

• Glynn Washington [03:40]:
  "Almost 13 years old, I've moved homes 13 different times, 13 different addresses, eight different schools."

• Katya de Pena [10:18]:
  "We were alone a lot in the house, Aurora and I."

• Aurora [02:14]:
  "The white hands are bothering me. I can't sleep."

• Katya de Pena [28:33]:
  "I say, you have to leave. This is not your home. You have to move on. This is my house."

• Glynn Washington [39:37]:
  "We seek balance to cage it, to control it, to harness it so that it does not destroy us."

Final Thoughts

"The White Hand" is a compelling exploration of how lingering spirits and unresolved emotions can haunt not just physical spaces but also the hearts and minds of those who inhabit them. Katya de Pena's ordeal serves as a haunting reminder of the profound impact our environments have on our sense of security and belonging.

Produced by: Zoe Frigno
Original Score by: Yari Bundy
Narrator: Glen Washington
Theme Song: Pat Mesini Miller

For more stories like "The White Hand," subscribe to Spooked on your favorite podcast platform and follow Snap Judgment Studios for weekly tales that blend the supernatural with the deeply human.