NoSleep Podcast Halloween 2024 Hiatus 01

Summary

The NoSleep Podcast: Halloween 2024 Hiatus 01 – Detailed Summary

Release Date: November 3, 2024

Introduction

"The NoSleep Podcast" celebrates its multi-award-winning status by delivering spine-chilling original horror stories enhanced with atmospheric music. In the episode titled "Halloween 2024 Hiatus 01," hosted by David Cummings of Creative Reason Media Inc., listeners are treated to two gripping tales from the podcast’s 21st season premium episodes. These stories, previously exclusive to Sleepless Sanctuary members, are now freely available, offering fans a taste of the premium content. The episode seamlessly blends intricate storytelling with moments of intense horror, ensuring an immersive experience for both long-time followers and newcomers.

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First Tale: "Box of Screams"

Author: Lacelle Jones
Performed by: David Alt, Ash Millman, James Cleveland, Penny Scott Andrews

Overview

"Box of Screams" delves into the terrifying consequences of dabbling with obscure supernatural artifacts. The story revolves around a group of friends grappling with guilt, grief, and the malevolent forces unleashed by a haunted board game known as the "Box of Screams."

Plot Summary

The narrative begins with the aftermath of a tragic accident involving Nadia, whose death profoundly affects Mack, one of the central characters. Mack's grief drives him to seek solace with his old friends—Ash, Kim, and Penny—despite their strained relationships. Persistently haunted by the traumatic event, Mack introduces the friends to the "Box of Screams," a seemingly innocuous game from their past that promises to unveil one's last words.

As the friends reminisce about their youth and the eerie game, Mack reveals disturbing coincidences linking the game's predictions to real-life tragedies. He shares stories of others who faced similar fates after interacting with the box, suggesting a sinister, possibly supernatural connection.

Determined to break the curse, the group decides to confront the malevolent force by attempting to "beat" the game. Despite initial setbacks, including physical injuries and psychological torment, Ash manages to suppress the predicted scream by sheer willpower. However, the relief is short-lived as the box exhibits increasingly violent and inexplicable behaviors, leading to Penny’s tragic demise.

In a climactic confrontation, Ash battles the box's influence, enduring harrowing visions and physical pain. His relentless effort eventually neutralizes the box's power, but not without significant personal loss. The story concludes with the lingering fear that the forces unleashed may not be entirely vanquished, leaving Ash to ponder the inevitability of fate and the haunting echoes of past actions.

Notable Quotes

• Ash Millman [05:50]: "I'm not sure I could live with something like that, so it wasn't a surprise he wanted our company."

• Penny Scott Andrews [08:09]: "It was just bad luck, Ma. Could have happened anytime. Don't put yourself down." (Timestamped at [08:09])

• James Cleveland [10:37]: "That was only part of it. The point was that if you screamed, the box would play your last words. The last thing you'll say before you die."

• Ash Millman [23:44]: "How could that happen if it wasn't supernatural?"

• James Cleveland [19:56]: "The people who claim to be in the know say this type of thing goes back to the original talking boards in the 19th century."

Themes and Insights

"Box of Screams" explores themes of guilt, the human psyche’s fragility, and the allure of confronting fate. The haunted board game serves as a metaphor for the inescapable nature of past actions and the struggle to change one’s destiny. The story also touches upon the psychological impacts of grief and trauma, illustrating how individuals cope differently with loss and the lengths they might go to seek redemption or closure.

The narrative underscores the terror of the unknown and the consequences of tampering with forces beyond human comprehension. It challenges the characters’ resilience and morality, pushing them to their physical and emotional limits. The gradual escalation of horror elements maintains a gripping tension, culminating in a harrowing finale that leaves listeners contemplating the precarious balance between destiny and free will.

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Second Tale: "Haunted Friends"

Author: Chris Evangelista
Performed by: Graham Rowett

Overview

"Haunted Friends" presents a modern twist on paranormal investigations, blending nostalgia with supernatural horror. The story follows a paranormal investigator who uncovers unsettling and unexplained phenomena linked to vintage television tapes of the iconic sitcom "Friends."

Plot Summary

The tale centers on Mr. Gordes, a paranormal investigator, who receives a series of bootleg VHS tapes purportedly containing lost episodes of "Friends." Initially dismissive, Mr. Gordes' curiosity leads him to investigate the tapes, only to uncover horrifying deviations from the beloved sitcom.

Each tape features episodes that deviate grotesquely from the original content, introducing supernatural and violent elements that unsettle both Mr. Gordes and his wife. As he delves deeper, Mr. Gordes discovers that the tapes contain episodes that never aired, featuring realistic portrayals of infamous serial killer Ted Bundy and other disturbing themes, such as empty apartments engulfed in flames, dismembered characters, and torture scenes inflicted upon beloved characters.

The investigator's obsession with unraveling the mystery intensifies as he experiences physical and psychological distress, including severe headaches and terrifying nightmares. His research reveals connections between the "Box of Screams" from the first tale and the tapes, suggesting a broader, more malevolent force at play.

As Mr. Gordes continues his examination, the tapes become increasingly invasive, merging the boundary between fiction and reality. The final tape features graphic scenes set in his own home, blurring the lines between his investigation and personal life. Overwhelmed by the horror, Mr. Gordes faces a psychological breakdown, haunted by visions and the terrifying realization that the malevolent forces may be asserting control over his reality.

Notable Quotes

• Mr. Gordes [46:39]: "I've been trying to tell you. Sorry." (Timestamped at [73:27])

• Ash Millman [35:03]: "So you've done it. You didn't scream."

• Graham Rowett [39:53]: "For once in your life, try Mac."

• Ash Millman [37:28]: "I can't see ahead. I'm still going Blank."

Themes and Insights

"Haunted Friends" examines the intersection of nostalgia and horror, using the familiar setting of a beloved sitcom to heighten the sense of dread and uncanny terror. The story delves into themes of obsession, the thin veil between reality and fiction, and the psychological impact of confronting distorted versions of cherished memories.

The incorporation of real-life horror figures like Ted Bundy within the context of "Friends" episodes serves to amplify the unsettling atmosphere, creating a juxtaposition that disorients and frightens both the characters and the audience. The protagonist's descent into madness underscores the dangers of delving too deeply into the supernatural and the loss of self amidst relentless horror.

The narrative also explores the concept of cursed or haunted media, where entertainment becomes a vessel for malevolent forces. This idea taps into contemporary fears surrounding the consumption of media and the potential hidden dangers lurking within seemingly innocuous content.

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Conclusion

"Halloween 2024 Hiatus 01" of "The NoSleep Podcast" masterfully intertwines two separate yet thematically connected horror tales, each exploring the dark consequences of interacting with malevolent supernatural elements. Through "Box of Screams" and "Haunted Friends," listeners are immersed in narratives that challenge the boundaries of reality, fate, and the human psyche's resilience against overwhelming terror. The episode not only delivers spine-chilling stories but also invites listeners to ponder deeper questions about destiny, guilt, and the invisible forces that may govern our lives.

Notable Quotes Recap

• Ash Millman [05:50]: "I'm not sure I could live with something like that, so it wasn't a surprise he wanted our company."
• Penny Scott Andrews [08:09]: "It was just bad luck, Ma. Could have happened anytime. Don't put yourself down."
• James Cleveland [10:37]: "That was only part of it. The point was that if you screamed, the box would play your last words. The last thing you'll say before you die."
• Ash Millman [23:44]: "How could that happen if it wasn't supernatural?"
• James Cleveland [19:56]: "The people who claim to be in the know say this type of thing goes back to the original talking boards in the 19th century."
• Mr. Gordes [46:39]: "I've been trying to tell you. Sorry."
• Ash Millman [35:03]: "So you've done it. You didn't scream."
• Graham Rowett [39:53]: "For once in your life, try Mac."
• Ash Millman [37:28]: "I can't see ahead. I'm still going Blank."

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Final Thoughts

This hiatus episode serves as a testament to "The NoSleep Podcast's" ability to consistently deliver high-quality, original horror content that resonates deeply with its audience. By repurposing premium episodes for free, the podcast not only rewards loyal listeners but also attracts new fans eager to experience its rich, atmospheric storytelling. As Halloween fades into the post-season period, "The NoSleep Podcast" ensures that horror aficionados remain engaged and eager for what the future holds in its expansive universe.

Transcript

[David Cummings]

Brace yourself for the no Sleep Podcast Greetings Sleepless Friends. Has the Halloween month of October passed us by already? Are your pumpkins rotting? Is your ghoulish makeup worn out and faded? Are those skeletons decaying in your yard? I mean, hopefully just the plastic, decorative kind of skeletons. Yes, the post Halloween period can be a rough one for us horror fans. Thoughts turn to the days of Thanksgiving and Christmas, leaving the creatures of Halloween to be forgotten until next October. But fear not. Or should I say be fearful because we do horror and Halloween year round in the no Sleep Podcast universe. And while the team and I are technically taking a bit of a hiatus after the busy Halloween season, as we always do, there are Sleepless Tales ready and waiting for your ears. For this week and next, we'll have stories from our season 21 premium episodes. Tales which until now only our Sleepless Sanctuary members have heard. So consider these tales to be like full sized candy bars being dropped into your trick or treat buckets. And since we are most grateful for the sponsors who allow us to give you all this free content, I want to give a big shout out to CB Distillery for making this episode possible. And while we love being sleepless around here, not being able to sleep can be a real problem, one most of us deal with from time to time. Your medicine cabinet is probably crammed with stuff that doesn't work. You still aren't sleeping, you still hurt and you're stressed out. That's how it was for me. That's why I'm glad I reset my health with CBD from CB Distillery. I've noticed a real change. CB Distillery's targeted formulations are made from the highest quality clean ingredients. No fluff, no fillers, just pure, effective CBD solutions designed to help support your health. In two non clinical surveys, 81% of customers experienced more calm, 80% said CBD helped with pain after physical activity and an impressive 90% said they slept better with CBD. So if you struggle with a health concern and haven't found relief, make the change like I did to CB Distillery. And with over 2 million customers and a solid 100% money back guarantee, CB Distillery is the source to trust. I have a 20% discount. To get you started, visit CBDistillery.com and use code NOSleep for 20% off. That's CBDistillery.com code no sleep. Really? That simple? CBDistillery.com thanks to CB Distillery for making this episode possible. Now let's get the show started. Are you ready? Then let's keep Halloween rolling deep into November. And for that, you'd better brace yourself. In our first tale, we ask, would you like to play a game? No, no. None of those fancy new video games and apps. Grab some friends and sit around bringing back fun memories while playing an old, dusty board game. And in this tale shared with us by author Lacelle Jones, a group of friends recall a certain game with some bad memories, ones that shouldn't be brought up again. Performing this tale are David Alt, Ash Millman, James Cleveland, and Penny Scott Andrews. So stick to Monopoly or Scrabble. Anything is better than playing Box O Screams.

[Ash Millman]

Nadia's death hit Mack hardest. He was with her when it happened, after all. He was the one who watched her struggle in the mangled car seat, the one who listened to her final pleas as the flames spread. The one who couldn't pull her out in time. I'm not sure I could live with something like that, so it wasn't a surprise he wanted our company. After the funeral, me and Kim agreed to go back to his place, even though none of us were really close friends anymore. Mac and Nadia had stuck around in our little hometown whilst us two had left years ago to start our careers. No looking back, but we still felt a sense of duty, I guess, a thin but abiding bond that stretched back to our school days. As I pulled up to the rundown block that housed Mac's apartment, I spotted Kim waiting in her convertible. She stepped out to greet me.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Thought it'd be best if we went in together. Don't mean to be mean, but I'd feel a bit uncomfortable being alone with him.

[Ash Millman]

I gave her a reassuring grin. Mac had always been the weird one in our group, and it looked like he hadn't completely outgrown that. I pressed the buzzer and Mac answered immediately.

[James Cleveland]

Come on down, guys.

[Ash Millman]

His apartment was on the ground floor, but the dark, overcrowded decor gave it a subterranean vibe. Posters of the gloomy bands and movies Mac apparently still loved plastered the walls. The smell of greasy food and an earthy vape mixed unappetizingly in the air.

[James Cleveland]

Can I get you a drink?

[Ash Millman]

Kim shook her head firmly. Would do, but I'm driving.

[James Cleveland]

Of course, Dr. Sensible.

[Ash Millman]

Mac lifted his glass awkwardly with a bandaged hand.

[James Cleveland]

Anyway, sit down. Make yourselves comfortable. In my lovely little hovel.

[Ash Millman]

Kim and I perched ourselves on his sagging couch. So, how you doing? Sorry, that's a stupid question. I guess we're all cut up. Nadia was such a lovely person. I always regretted breaking up with her. If I'm honest, you were lucky that you two were still close. Mac flopped down in a chair.

[James Cleveland]

We weren't really that close. Only met up once. Twice a year, tops. It was like she was keeping tabs on me, you know, making sure that poor guy she knew from school was okay. Like she felt sorry for me or something.

[Ash Millman]

I exchanged an awkward glance with Kim. I'm sure it wasn't like that. Nadia genuinely cared about people. I patted his shoulder. Mac pulled away.

[James Cleveland]

It made it so much worse that we saw each other so rarely. And it had to happen when I was with her.

[Ash Millman]

Kim leaned forwards.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

It was just bad luck, Ma. Could have happened anytime. Don't put yourself down.

[James Cleveland]

But I am responsible.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

What? What do you mean?

[Ash Millman]

He planted his head in his hands. I held back from reaching out again. Nadia was driving her own car, wasn't she? And you hadn't been drinking.

[James Cleveland]

Just coffee.

[Ash Millman]

There you go. So what is it, then? Did you argue? Or do you feel guilty that you weren't able to get her out? Psychology isn't my specialism, but I can tell you that's a perfectly normal response.

[James Cleveland]

It's nothing like that.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Tell us, then. It'll help.

[James Cleveland]

I do need to tell you two about it, and that's why I asked you back here. But it's not what you think.

[Ash Millman]

Kim frowned.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Go on.

[Ash Millman]

Mac reached for his E cig and fumbled to flick it on.

[James Cleveland]

You're gonna think I'm nuts.

[Ash Millman]

We've always thought that, dude. So don't worry about it, okay?

[James Cleveland]

Okay. Do you remember that party around Halloween when we were 17?

[Ash Millman]

Kim grinned.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

You need to be more specific. Things tended to get hazy.

[James Cleveland]

How about that box of screams we messed with?

[Penny Scott Andrews]

You always bought weird shit to show us what an edge Lord you were. Banned indie shooter games, obscured jump scare and gore videos.

[James Cleveland]

Guilty as charged. But boxer screams was different. Made Ouija boards look like toys. Which technically they are.

[Ash Millman]

I remember the toy coffin that made us yell into it.

[James Cleveland]

It really wasn't a toy. I realized that too late.

[Ash Millman]

Kim rolled her eyes.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

You're losing me.

[Ash Millman]

You must remember it. It had a creepy skeleton inside that you held up to your mouth. You turned a handle and it gave you an electric shock to make you scream. A tide of disgust washed over her face.

[Graham Rowett]

Ugh.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Got it. That's one memory I'd have been happier keeping repressed forever.

[Ash Millman]

Mac blew out a mouthful of vapor.

[James Cleveland]

That was only part of it. The point was that if you screamed, the box would play your last words. The last thing you'll say before you die.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Seriously. So what's that got to do with Nadia? You're not going to tell us some stupid speaking box predicted what was going to happen to her?

[James Cleveland]

I've never forgotten the things it said, just like I'll never forget what Nadia said before she burned exactly the same words.

[Ash Millman]

Kim moved to stand up, but I touched her arm and mouthed, please. Something told me Mac needed more help than we thought. Get me out of this thing.

[James Cleveland]

That's right. You remember, don't you?

[Ash Millman]

Mac leaned towards me.

[James Cleveland]

That's what Nadia said in the car. And that's what the box predicted she'd say. Get me out of this thing.

[Ash Millman]

Yeah, I remember my own supposed last words, too. They've kind of haunted me for years.

[James Cleveland]

How about you, Kim?

[Ash Millman]

She shrugged.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

I guess I can now we're talking about it. It was something like I want this to stop or I want this to end. That kind of thing.

[Ash Millman]

Weird how it had an impact on us after all this time. Kim frowned.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Okay, even if we accept that Nadia might have said something similar at the accident scene, then, so what? There were pretty generic lines.

[James Cleveland]

Mine weren't.

[Ash Millman]

I shuddered as a faint memory trickled down my backbone.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

But like I said, what does it matter? Just put it down as weird coincidence.

[Ash Millman]

Mac took another draw.

[James Cleveland]

That's what I thought, but it kept bugging me. And I did some research.

[Ash Millman]

Kim sighed.

[James Cleveland]

You need to see it.

[Ash Millman]

He pulled out a laptop from under the couch and set it on a battered chest in front of us.

[James Cleveland]

Nadja's not the only one who had this type of coincidence after playing with a box of screams. There's other weird things, too.

[Ash Millman]

Mack opened several bookmarked sites on his browser. He tapped a finger on a childhood toy nostalgia forum. On the screen, a thread titled Eye of Voice of the Mummy and Other Creepy Vintage Rarities.

[James Cleveland]

It goes back decades. This guy says one of his friends had one in the 80s. My mate Jim Robson owned a box of Screams. Never tried it myself because his parents took it away because it gave him nightmares. He couldn't stop thinking about what it told him his last words would be. I can't hold on, Marty. We didn't know anyone called that, and Jim kept away from guys with a similar name. We took the piss out of him about it at school, but it helped him go over his Marty phobia. We lost contact, but here's the weird thing. Jim died young, only 24. He was a builder and tripped over a cable high up on some scaffolding. He apparently clung on for a while, but his fingers slipped. The last person he spoke to was his foreman who ran over to try to help. His name was Martin Howell.

[Ash Millman]

Kim scowled.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Sounds like bullshit to me.

[James Cleveland]

You're not the only one who thought that. So the guy posted a link to a newspaper report of Jim's death. Look, all the details match up.

[Ash Millman]

Kim scanned the article.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Ok, but what's to say the poster didn't make the whole thing up after reading the report? Or twisted his story to match the facts?

[James Cleveland]

He could have. But there are people all over the world with similar stories, all on different forums, different social media ranging from the 1970s to the 2010s, some with undeniably specific phrases and circumstances. I found almost 30 of them completely unconnected, apart from the fact that they knew one or more people who died young saying the same words that came out of the box of screams.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

I'm not convinced. Could be mythology building to promote an ARG or something.

[Ash Millman]

She's got a point. And okay, it is odd and something could be going on, but at the end of the day, so what? What does it matter if some obscure toy predicted what could be our last words? Max stood up.

[James Cleveland]

You wouldn't feel so relaxed about it if yours were as terrifying as mine.

[Ash Millman]

You just need to try to get it out of your mind. And what the Kim had been browsing the sites Mack had left open. Her face was pale. What is it?

[Penny Scott Andrews]

You better not be messing with us, Mac. Some of these people, they're talking about what their friends were like before they died.

[James Cleveland]

You mean the future blanking effect?

[Ash Millman]

She nodded. The what?

[James Cleveland]

There are some detailed reports that say at some point before the person died, they stopped being able to visualize the future. Like they'd go blank if they tried to make plans that fell after what turned out to be their death day. Some weren't able to picture themselves going on vacation that summer. Others couldn't even imagine what they'd be doing next week. It was like black emptiness filled their heads when they wanted to think about it.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

And that's. That's exactly what I've been experiencing. Shit, it gets worse. I didn't want to bring us down even more after Nadia, so wasn't going to mention it. But a few weeks ago I started getting these skull crushing headaches. Fainted a few times too. I waited to see if it had passed, but it got worse and I went to see a doctor. I've got an appointment for a brain scan next Thursday.

[Ash Millman]

I'm sorry to hear that. But it could be any number of things that aren't serious.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Yeah, I know. But it could be something horrible too, couldn't it? Dr. Ray?

[Ash Millman]

I'd suggest you just wait to find.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Yeah, yeah, I've been trying to look at the bright side too, but now I find this future blanking shit is a thing that happens when people are about to die. Fuck. Only last night Sandy asked me if I was going to Mom's birthday party. I couldn't answer her. It was like this thick black curtain had fallen in front of my face. The birthday is only two months away. Two fucking months. Is that all I've got?

[Ash Millman]

She started sobbing.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

It's not gonna be quick, is it? What did the box say would be my last words? I just want this to stop. Sounds like agony to me and there's nothing anyone can do.

[Ash Millman]

I put my arm around her and grasped for something soothing. My medical training should have taught me.

[James Cleveland]

Maybe there is something we can do.

[Ash Millman]

We looked at him.

[James Cleveland]

Okay, there aren't much details about the boxer screams out there, but what there is suggests there's more to it than I thought. I just found mine at Oxfam and the label had faded, but I've seen photos online of ones with instructions. It turns out it's a kind of game, not just a toy. Seems the aims to turn the handle to its end point without giving in and screaming. If you can manage that, then maybe it doesn't play your last words. I'm not sure, but maybe if we can beat it, then maybe it'll change what happens to us.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

That's a lot of maybes.

[James Cleveland]

Yeah, but maybe it's worth a try.

[Ash Millman]

So have you still got the box? He shook his head.

[James Cleveland]

My folks threw it out after they threw me out.

[Ash Millman]

Kim sobbed. Oh please.

[James Cleveland]

Maybe not. The theory is that all boxer screams are connected. It's the same spirit or whatever inhabiting all of them.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Spirit?

[James Cleveland]

Look, I've done a lot of research. You can dismiss it as a cult BS if you want, but it's all we've got.

[Ash Millman]

Go on.

[James Cleveland]

The people who claim to be in the know say this type of thing goes back to the original talking boards in the 19th century. Weird games aimed at kids that corrupt them. It's a powerful phenomenon. Apparently they think it was unintentional in the early days, but later occultists with bad intentions realized the potential and created stuff like Box of Screams. Nobody's sure who it was. Probably just a small private production run. Likely sold them through small ads in old horror comics or donated them to junk shops. Some would fall into curious hands and give them the results they wanted. And those results are again Nobody sure to collect souls, destroy lives. All that evil cliche shit's apparently way more real than most of us want to believe.

[Ash Millman]

Kim sat up.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

All right, I'll go along. Gotta be worth a try. So where can we get one?

[Ash Millman]

Max smiled.

[James Cleveland]

I'm ahead of you for once.

[Ash Millman]

He moved his laptop off the chest, opened it and pulled out an object wrapped in a black cloth.

[James Cleveland]

There was one available on ebay, a seller called SC Cheap Imports, although it was anything but cheap.

[Ash Millman]

Mac closed the chest and pulled off the cloth. A weird deja vu sensation raked the back of my neck as the object was revealed. A black coffin shaped box about a foot long with boxer screams printed on its lid in jagged orange text. A pair of curled skeletal hands protruded out the sides and its surfaces were decorated with moon and star shapes and the phrase Hear your last words. Kim shuddered.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Oh, that thing still gives me the creeps.

[Ash Millman]

Mac turned it upside down to show the silver label underneath and read out the instructions.

[James Cleveland]

Can you beat the box of screams? Seek and turn the hand further than it seems. If you cry and it catches your breath, it'll own the last words you speak before death.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Gonna show us it in action?

[James Cleveland]

No point me doing it again. Must have tried and failed at least 10 times. That's why I need you. You've both always been more determined, more hard headed than me.

[Ash Millman]

I wouldn't say that.

[James Cleveland]

Really. It's always been pretty clear to everyone that you two would go on to big things whilst I'd end up bumming around here.

[Ash Millman]

I changed the subject. So the box still works okay?

[James Cleveland]

Yeah, but it's worse than I remember. Can't stop myself screaming. Still get the same last words too. Exactly the same after all these years. How could that happen if it wasn't supernatural?

[Ash Millman]

He placed the box on the chest. The area next to its left hand was marked with three words. Sleep, seek, and Speak. With a shaky finger, Mac clicked the hand from the sleep position to speak. There was a moment's pause before words started looping out of the box, crackly and distant like an old turntable.

[Unknown]

Please.

[James Cleveland]

No, I don't want to burn.

[Unknown]

Please.

[James Cleveland]

No, I don't want to burn.

[Unknown]

Please.

[Ash Millman]

Mac winced and shifted the plastic hand back to sleep. Kim shivered.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Creepy ass.

[Ash Millman]

How does it do that? Does it need batteries? Mac shook his head.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Could be a dynamo or something powering it when you turn the handle. Maybe there's a mini cassette in there, like an old answer phone. No idea how something that age could generate different phrases though. I'm a software girl not an engineer. Sorry.

[Ash Millman]

So you or me first.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Remember how we decided who got the last beer in the old days?

[Ash Millman]

I nodded and we leaned back on the sofa. 3, 2, 1. We launched ourselves towards the box, but Kim was faster and whooped as she grabbed it.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Woo. Yes.

[Ash Millman]

Mac looked away as she twisted the skeletal hand to the seek position. The coffin clicked and its lid creaked open. A miniature skeleton with an oversized head lay inside, arms outstretched with its hands outside. The jaw of its enlarged skull was fitted with thick lips made from grayish foam. It reminded me of a sensory homunculus we'd laughed at in a basic biology class.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Gross.

[Ash Millman]

Kim rubbed her fingertip over the mouth.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Okay, here goes.

[Ash Millman]

She pushed her face towards the skull and fumbled for its right hand. She found it and began to turn. Kim's face blinked and twitched as she clutched the box, nails digging into its surface. Her eyes closed and guttural noises rumbled in her throat. She wrenched and the mumbling became frantic, louder. She stamped her foot on the floor, desperately trying not to give in. The room lights blinked and the posters on the wall fluttered and rippled as if something shadowy was circling, closing in. Blood started to drip from K as she strained to turn the handle. She couldn't take anymore. With a muffled shriek, she hurled the box to the floor. The lights stopped flickering.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Fucking. Fucking filthy thing.

[Ash Millman]

She glared at the box of screams as I put my arm around her. You okay?

[Penny Scott Andrews]

What the hell is that, Mac?

[Graham Rowett]

How does it.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

How does it do those things?

[James Cleveland]

Let me get something for your hand.

[Ash Millman]

Mac turned to a drawer.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

What the.

[Ash Millman]

Kim looked down at her sliced fingers and thumb. She sucked her hand before looking back at Mac.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

You knew this would happen, didn't you?

[Ash Millman]

He silently handed her a tube of antiseptic and addressing what did it do? She looked away.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

It was disgusting.

[Ash Millman]

What's going on, Mac? I remember the box gave electric shocks, but it looks like there's more to it now.

[James Cleveland]

I'm sorry. I wanted to warn you, but I was worried that you wouldn't try it if I did. I'm getting pretty desperate here.

[Ash Millman]

You should have said something. I applied the dressing. Kim's fingers were torn with jagged cuts. Looked like she'd need stitches, but should be okay for a while.

[James Cleveland]

I don't know why it's different. Maybe because it's a different box. Maybe because time's passed.

[Ash Millman]

I gestured at his bandaged hand. So it cut you too? He nodded and slowly pulled down his dressing. His hand was grayish, almost black. The deep, ragged cuts in his fingers were raw, red and pulsed, luminously I'd never seen anything like it. You need to get that looked at right away. How long has it been like that? He shrugged.

[James Cleveland]

A few days. I'm hoping it'll clear up if one of you beats a box.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Oh great. So my hand's going to be wrecked too. I need it for work, you know. Mac, we've got a major project coming up. We need to finish by she stopped.

[Ash Millman]

And stared into space. Kim? She blinked and rocked her head.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

I can't see it. I've gone blank. It's only a few weeks away. What's this fucking thing done to me? What have you done to us?

[Ash Millman]

She snatched the box of screams off the floor and drew her arm back, taking aim at Mac. Kim, wait. Let's try to no.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

I just want this to stop.

[Ash Millman]

I reached over, but she was too fast. Again the box flew towards Mac's face. He sidestepped it, sliced past him and hit a shelf. The box bounced back towards Kim and struck her forehead with a sickening crack. Her mouth slackened and she slumped to the floor. Kim. I rushed over and brushed her dyed hair away from the blooming gash on her head. No. I followed procedure but knew it was too late.

[James Cleveland]

Is she gone?

[Ash Millman]

Max eyes were watering. I nodded.

[James Cleveland]

What should we do?

[Ash Millman]

Why do you always expect me to know everything? He edged closer to tears. I'm sorry. I'm as stressed out as you.

[Graham Rowett]

We'll.

[Ash Millman]

We'll attend to formalities later, but right now I need to find out. I picked up the box of screams and pushed its left hand from seek to speak. A distorted voice crackled out of the speaker.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

I just want this to stop. I just want this to stop. I just want this to stop.

[Ash Millman]

I shut it off and looked at Mac. I just want this to so it's real.

[James Cleveland]

I've been trying to tell you. Sorry.

[Ash Millman]

I inhaled and pushed the hand to seek. The lid slowly opened. Okay, let's see what you got. I snarled at the skeleton. I moved my face closer to its skull and started rotating the hand. A weak suction sealed my mouth against the cracked foam lips, a vile sensation still familiar from years ago. As I cranked, something wafer like slipped out and touched the tip of my tongue. An electrical pulse shot down the back of my throat. I recoiled but kept turning. Another shock. Stronger than another. And another, each more painful than the last. I closed my watering eyes and kept going. Rumbling, shifting noises filled my head. Shutting off my surroundings felt like I was trapped in a small, dark space. I pushed on and spun the handle. Its Sharp fingertips digging into mine as if they were gripping me back. I recoiled as something slimy slid out of the skull. It was impossible. How could a cheap looking old toy produce this effect? A cold, wet shape uncoiled in my mouth, pressing against my teeth and the roof of my oral cavity. I fought the urge to cry out and drop the box. Something emerged in the blackness behind my eyelids. It crept towards me. Moist thick lips smacking. Bony fingers clicking and snapping as it pulled its skinless frame closer. I pressed my fingers into the handle to disperse the vision. Then a different sensation began to pour from the skull. An earthy, gritty substance. It filled my mouth but somehow didn't chop, leaving open the option to scream. Rotten tasting stuff, twisted and scratched, pulsed and roiled in my mouth almost unbearably. I wanted nothing more than to rip that fucking box off my face. What kept me going was remembering what the boxer screams had told me years ago. My last words would be. I was too late. Regret and anger fueled my determination. Guilt at losing to Kim so she ended up using the box first. Guilt about being too slow to stop her throwing it. I kept turning that handle. Forced it on and on against the spewing into my mouth. As blood cascaded over my hand. The boxer screams somehow sensed my resolve. The stream of squirming slush stopped. What it was replaced by was a sense of utter despair. Pure negativity. Total hopelessness somehow flowed out of that box and flooded my mind. My grip loosened. The seed of a scream formed in my throat. A sharp pale finger scratched the base of my neck. A damp, repugnant mouth murmured against my ear. I saw a vision of Kim's blood streaked face. I so wanted to apologize. I saw Mac and Nadia too. Their faces scornful, terrified, desperate. My confusion grew as they faded, replaced by the tip of a glinting blade. A scalpel held by a quivering hand. My own hand. Guilt and the urge to apologize overwhelmed me again. Was I foreseeing my own death? My predicted last words echoed as the scalpel edged closer to my jugular vein. I was too late. The strength in my hands faded. The budding cry in my throat strained to erupt. I so wanted to let go. But I didn't. With my last tatters of willpower, I swallowed the stillborn scream. I wasn't too late. I twisted the handle. It clicked and locked. My mouth emptied. The foul taste evaporated. Anguish lifted. Panting, I tested the handle to make sure I'd succeeded. It didn't move. I tentatively opened my eyes and saw Mac cowering against a wall.

[James Cleveland]

Ray?

[Ash Millman]

He clambered to his feet.

[James Cleveland]

You back? You okay?

[Ash Millman]

I pulled the box of screams from my face. Think so. I put down the box and reached for the dressing to wrap my bleeding hand.

[James Cleveland]

So you've done it. You didn't scream.

[Ash Millman]

I nudged the skeleton's right hand to show Mac it couldn't turn any further.

[James Cleveland]

Oh, God. Thank you.

[Ash Millman]

Do you think we're okay now?

[James Cleveland]

There's something we can do to check.

[Ash Millman]

He pointed at the skeleton's left hand.

[James Cleveland]

Probably best if you do it.

[Ash Millman]

I picked up the box. Its lid was jammed open, so I stood it upright on the chest and moved the hand from seek to speak. The skeleton's oversized jaw dropped open. The noise it spouted was deafening, agonizing, like all the screams ever screamed were blasting from that little box, shattering and splintering as they hit the walls. We covered our ears and closed our eyes as the shrieks bombarded us, jarred our bones. Eventually, the cries stopped. Their echoes drained from the room, and I opened my eyes. The coffin had collapsed, leaving behind a pile of what looked like soil. A sprinkling of tiny bone shards gave the impression of a fat, lipped skull grinning on its surface. I ran my fingers over the remains. There's nothing else inside it, Mac. No wires, no mechanical parts.

[James Cleveland]

I knew it.

[Ash Millman]

A moan rose behind us.

[James Cleveland]

K Kim.

[Ash Millman]

I span around. Kim was pushing herself up off the floor. Wait.

[James Cleveland]

Wait.

[Ash Millman]

Don't move. I crouched beside her. If it wasn't for the night's events, I'd have called it miraculous. The wound on her head had vanished. Her frontal bone felt like it had never been broke. I don't get it. I was sure you were gone.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

I guess I didn't just want it to stop after all.

[Ash Millman]

She grinned.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Is that drink still on offer, Mac?

[Ash Millman]

We ended up crashing at Mac's place, mainly reminiscing rather than trying to work out what the hell had happened. Next day we decided we'd all go to pay our respects to Nadir before going our separate ways. It was a bright morning, and other than some construction work interrupting the birdsong, it was pretty pleasant for a graveyard. The grass glistened with dew as we walked to Nadia's freshly filled gray.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Wish you were still here, girl. Miss you.

[Ash Millman]

Me too. More than I realized. We should all make more effort to keep in touch, you know?

[James Cleveland]

How about the last weekend? This month there's this great local band.

[Ash Millman]

What is it? Kim wrapped the side of her head.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

I can't see ahead. I'm still going Blank.

[Ash Millman]

Oh God, no. I thought we'd I stopped. A break in the construction noise uncovered a faint thudding sound and a muffled, panicked voice nearby. What the. Mac tilted his head towards the ground.

[James Cleveland]

Sounds like it's coming from down there.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

Nadia.

[Ash Millman]

Kim threw herself down and began to scrape away the earth. She winced and shook her wounded hand before restarting. Mac dropped down and began digging too. What's happening, Mac? I fell to my knees and joined them.

[James Cleveland]

I don't know. I don't know. But if Kim came back, then maybe.

[Ash Millman]

He drew back. His bleeding hand. Clawing the soil was agony for the three of us. Our wounds teared and stretched as Nadia's cries and strikes got fainter and sparser. Help me.

[Graham Rowett]

There's something in here with me.

[Ash Millman]

This is hopeless. We're too slow.

[Penny Scott Andrews]

I'll go to the construction site and see if I can get some help or tools. Mac, you call 999.

[James Cleveland]

And tell them what?

[Penny Scott Andrews]

For once in your life, try Mac.

[Ash Millman]

Kim ran towards the site. Mac despondently pulled out his phone and I restarted digging. My hand was the least hurt and I should have realized sooner. Should have worked out what was going on. Nadia must have spent all night screaming inside that box whilst we partied. How could I let that happen? I kept pushing through the pain, kept scratching and scooping the dirt, telling myself it wasn't too late. It wasn't too late. But then I heard something that told me it was Nadia's crumbling voice drifted up through the last few inches of earth that covered the head of her coffin. Get me out of this. That day was the last time I saw Mac. The cops eventually turned up, but there was nothing to investigate as far as they were concerned. A dead body in a coffin? Not exactly unusual. They didn't think anything of the little mound of dirt and bones inside that looked like a skeletal grin told us we were lucky they weren't going to arrest us for disturbing a grave. It wasn't the last time Kim saw Mack, though. She confessed all to me in her hospital bed. How she blamed him for everything. How she broke into his apartment. What she did with a can of petrol. Apparently the boxer screams was right about his final words. Please know I don't want to burn. I wasn't with Kim when she died, but I've no doubt her last words were exactly as predicted, too. The pain from her condition, the distress caused by losing her health, her friends, her career, seeing everything she thought she knew about the world fracture to reveal cruel, chaotic, mystifying shit. I know how she felt. I just want this to stop, too. But I'm not gonna give up. I'm gonna keep fighting, overcome my guilt. Would it have been any different if we'd left the box of screams alone? Are we doomed to die saying its words one way or another, whatever we do, I can't shake the feeling that something's getting closer, some small, gaunt, mumbling thing creeping behind me wherever I go, whatever I do. I used to joke that I was the responsible one in our group, the grown up one, the wannabe doctor who cared too much. But my only chance is to change that, to keep telling myself I'm not sorry I wasn't too late. It's still not too late. Please don't let it be too late.

[David Cummings]

Let's close that box for a quick word from our sponsor. For ad free extended horror content, go to sleepless.the no Sleep podcast.com It's never too late to welcome a new sponsor around here. We're excited to introduce you to Quince.

[Unknown]

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[David Cummings]

Step aside? Why? I'm the host.

[Unknown]

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[David Cummings]

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[David Cummings]

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[David Cummings]

Now back to our friendly show. In our final tale, we meet a man who's been sent a series of bootleg VHS tapes from an old TV show. These days we have streaming services which have full episodes of popular old shows. But in this tale shared with us by author Chris Evangelista, we learn that the man is a paranormal investigator and the tapes he's been sent are anything but friendly. Performing this tale is Graham Rowett. So the theme song might tell us, I'll be there for you. But you'll ask yourself, could these tapes be any more bizarre? You know the one with the Haunted Friends episodes?

[Graham Rowett]

The tapes took the kids to her mother's house, Vermont, and that's for the best. Our bickering has gotten out of hand and some time apart will do us good. I haven't been sleeping, and if I'm being honest, my moods have grown erratic. The other night I actually saw fear in her eyes after one of my outbursts, and it made me feel lower than low. That's not who I am. I know who I am, what I'm capable of. Plus, this temporary separation gives me more time to examine the tapes, although I don't know how much more there is to examine. I've rewatched all of them dozens of times at this point. My headaches are getting worse. And the nightmares. Just the other night I turned. Well, never mind. Background on the tapes the tapes came my way, courtesy of Mr. Who discovered them while cleaning out the basement of his late mother's home in upstate New York. The VHS tapes, three in all, were stacked neatly in a small water damaged cardboard box tucked off in a far corner of the unfinished basement. Each tape had one white label announcing a number 1, 2, 3 in red marker. And while Mr. Considered simply tossing them into the trash, he eventually popped the tape labeled one into his mother's ancient video cassette player. He immediately recognized that he was watching Friends, the hit American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kaufman, which ran for 10 seasons on NBC from 1994 to 2004. Mr. Gordes admitted to me that he wasn't exactly well versed on the show. More of a Cheers fan, he confided, so it took him more than a moment to realize something was very wrong. He left the tape running in the background while he continued to clean out his dead mother's home. However, when he turned his attention back to the screen at one point, he was horrified at what he was watching. His wife, Mrs. Stopped by the house later that day to help. Unlike Mr. Go, Mrs. Was very much a fan of Friends, having watched every single episode when it aired and then binge watched them all again several times on Netflix. When shown random clips on the tape, Mrs. Immediately recognized that the footage was not from any episode of Friends that had ever aired. At first blush, Mrs. Gourls thought they had stumbled on some sort of media gold mine lost episodes of a wildly popular show. However, as they continued to watch, they became more disturbed at what they were seeing. Mr. Girls reported that eventually he had to shut the TV off, at which point he and his wife became violently ill. They never made it past the first tape, probably for the best. After Browsing the Internet, Mr. And Mrs. Stumbled upon my personal website and contacted me about the tapes. I agreed to pay for the couple to ship the tapes to me, which they promptly did. I've tried several times since to contact them, but with no luck. The phone number they called me from has been disconnected and the email address Mr. Used is no longer active. Any email I attempted to send bounced back undelivered. The tapes themselves are unremarkable. They're standard black super VHS tapes which gained popularity for consumer level video recording usage. After purchasing a battered and well used VHS player off of ebay, I began to pore over the footage. I try not to make assumptions when I begin an investigation, but I confess that my initial thought was that this was some sort of elaborate hoax if not concocted by Mr. And Mrs. Go than by someone else. Mr. Mother, perhaps? I no longer feel that way. Friends Some Background on Friends Friends is an extremely popular American sitcom. About six friends in their late 20s and early 30s who live in New York, the show is divorced from reality. The New York City the Friends inhabit looks nothing like the real thing, and several of the Friends dwell in apartments the size of grand ballrooms despite working low paying jobs. While not the most nuanced show, it has its charms. The Friends consist of Rachel Green, Jennifer Aniston, Monica Geller, Courteney Cox, Phoebe Buffay, Lisa Kudrow, Joey Tribbiani, Matt LeBlanc, Chandler Bing, Matthew Perry and Ross Geller. David Schwimmer. Fans of the show all have their own individual favorite friend. But one thing seemingly everyone agrees on is that Ross is the worst of the bunch. For 10 seasons and 236 episodes, the Friends fall in and out of love with each other and others, and navigate their daily lives in comical situations. I'll confess that I never watched the show when it aired, but my wife was a fan, and so I showed her some of the footage. I know that this was a mistake. What she saw made her incredibly uneasy, and she ordered the tapes removed from our home. I told her I took them to my office at Walton University, but I confess here that that was a lie. They're still in my home office, locked in my filing cabinet. There are 10 episodes of what appears to be friends stretched throughout the tapes Mr. Gert found, and through my research, I have indeed confirmed they never aired. I tracked down several cast and crew members of the show, including David Schwimmer. While I took care never to mention the existence of the tapes themselves, I was able to confirm through several interviews that their content is unknown to anyone directly involved with the series. Before each episode on the tape starts, a title card of plain white letters appears, announcing the name of the episode about to play, along with a time code and a proclamation that the footage is a work in progress and not final. This itself isn't abnormal. Raw footage that's sent around internally to a TV show's production often has these sorts of markings. It's the footage that follows that's disconcerting. Below, I have done my best to offer a brief recap of the episodes in the order they appear on the tapes. The One Where Joey Gets Lost the first episode is the most normal of the bunch, following out of Work actor Joey as he gets lost in an IKEA store. The name of the store is never actually mentioned, but the layout and furniture within looks distinctly like ikea. Joey and Phoebe head to IKEA to buy a new couch, but at some point during their excursion, the two get separated and Joey wanders the sprawling furniture store, calling out Phoebe's name with no luck. The laugh track on the episode is slightly off, with the audience laughter arriving a few seconds too long after the joke. This is a possible editing glitch, and sometimes it's barely perceptible. The episode ends with Joey still trapped in IKEA after the store has shut down for the night. Here, the footage cuts back to the apartment shared by Rachel and Monica. Phoebe is there too, sitting on the couch and strumming her guitar. Chandler storms into the apartment and asks if anyone has seen Joey today He seems both furious and genuinely concerned. All three women say no, even though Phoebe was clearly with Joey earlier in the episode. Good riddance, chandler suddenly says, at which point the laugh track explodes. The sound of laughter is so loud that the audio becomes fuzzy and continues over the end credits. While there's no doubt a surreal quality to the footage of this episode, it's not altogether abnormal. The same can't be said for the episodes that follow the one with Special Guest Star Ted Bundy. In addition to the title card, this episode also flashes the words Special Guest Star Ted Bundy as himself at the beginning in thick white text. This is, of course, impossible. Bundy, a notorious serial killer, was executed in the electric chair in 1989 at Florida State Prison, Bradford County, Florida, whereas the first episode of Friends didn't premiere until 1994. However, the person meant to be Ted Bundy looks identical to the real man. Is it an actor covered in heavy makeup, or an actor who just genuinely looks like Bundy? He sounds like Bundy, too. I took snippets of the footage completely out of context and edited to remove any hint of the show Friends to several experts in voice and facial recognition, and all told me they were 99.9% certain this was the real Ted Bundy, which again, is impossible. As the episode begins, Rachel has just clocked out of Central Perk, the coffee shop in New York City's Greenwich Village where she works as a waitress. While walking home, she spots a man with a plaster cast on his arm trying to load a box into the back of his yellow 1968 Volkswagen Beetle. Rachel asks if the man needs help, to which he replies yes, with a big, warm grin on his face. It's from this angle we see that the man is Ted Bundy, appearing as he did in the late 1970s. When Rachel moves to help Bundy with the box, he produces a crowbar, seemingly from thin air, and bashes her on the back of her head with it until she's unconscious. It's worth noting this scene is unfolding on what's supposed to be a New York street, although obviously a set on some back lot in broad daylight. Several extras playing New Yorkers walk by the scene of the attack, but none of them acknowledge what's going on. Nor does anyone intervene when Bundy produces a pair of handcuffs from his pocket, cuffs Rachel's hands behind her back, and loads her into his car. A low, barely audible laugh track accompanies this sequence. Bundy drives Rachel to a wooded area somewhere in upstate New York, where he proceeds to strangle her to death. From here, the episode turns into a series of montages with Bundy returning to the secluded spot where Rachel's body lies. Rachel shows signs of decomposition every time Bundy returns, although her famous haircut, dubbed the Rachel by the media, remains pristine. The episode ends with hikers finding Rachel's skeleton. The skeleton still has the Rachel haircut. The One with the empty apartment for 23 minutes, the camera remains in a fixed position in the interior of Rachel and Monica's apartment. The apartment is empty of people, and none of the characters appear during the 23 minutes of runtime. In the background, through the apartment's huge window, New York City can be seen engulfed in towering flames. There's no laugh track, but soft, unsettling sobbing can be heard somewhere off camera. The sobbing lasts the full 23 minutes. The one Where Ross has no Eyes Curiously, this episode is exactly the same as the second episode of season three, titled the One where no One's Ready. The original episode is what is referred to in TV parlance as a bottle episode, in which all the action takes place primarily in one location, the location in this case being the living room of Monica and Rachel's apartment. The episode on the tape unfolds identically to the episode that aired, with one distinct exception. The character of Ross has no eyes. Instead, it appears as if his eyes were recently scooped out of his head, leaving a pair of empty sockets that proceed to leak blood. Throughout the entire episode, none of the characters, including Ross, acknowledge this. The One Where Monica Has To Clean Up Monica is excited to throw a dinner party at the apartment she shares with Rachel. She busies herself cleaning the apartment and pouring over a cookbook to make sure the meal she's making is just right. None of the other friends are around for the first five minutes of the episode, which consists only of Monica moving about her tasks. In the apartment, Monica is interrupted by a knock on the door. The visitor is Richard, her ex boyfriend, played by Tom Selleck. Note I reached out to Selleck's agent multiple times and never received a return call or email. Richard begs Monica to take him back, but she refuses. The scene escalates into a physical altercation, with Richard growing furious, snarling and snapping his teeth at Monica. Just when it appears Richard has the upper hand, Monica grabs a frying pan off the stove and smashes it hard into the man's skull. She does this repeatedly until Richard's skull caves in on the left side at an impossible angle. Alarmed at the mess she's made, Monica rushes to clean up, fastidiously scrubbing the blood from the walls and floor of the kitchen with vigor. A montage unfolds with Monica dismembering Richard's body with an electric carving knife. When done, she tosses the bloody remains off the balcony, although in her frantic hurry, she kicks Richard's head under the couch and does not realize it's not included with the rest of the body parts she has just thrown away. At this point, the rest of the friends arrive, causing the studio audience to roar with applause. I'm starving. Joey bellows as everyone sits down to eat, the friends begin chewing their food loudly to the point where the show's soundtrack is nothing but chomping teeth gnawing at food. It is a feral animal sound and at one point Chandler even growls while chewing, as if he were a wolf tearing apart a fresh kill. Meat juice dribbles down his chin and stains his shirt. While all this happens, Richard's dented, blood drenched, severed head rolls out from under the couch on its own accord. While the friends continue to chew loudly, Richard's bloody head begins to chant. Now we'll see some teeth. Now we'll see some teeth. Now we'll see some teeth. The chanting grows louder and louder, but not loud enough to drown out the sound of all that chewing. As the chewing continues, the teeth in the friends mouths begin to fall out and clatter onto the porcelain plates. They don't seem to notice and continue to eat, biting down on meat and vegetables with bloody gums. Now we'll see some teeth. Richard's head continues to chant before the episode fades to black. The One with the Broken Bones in their shared apartment, Chandler and Joey are having an argument about how dirty the refrigerator has become. Chandler is angrily chastising Joey for letting the situation get out of hand, while Joey is comically trying to downplay it. In the midst of this argument, some sort of unseen force starts breaking Chandler's bones. First, his right arm pops out of its socket and bends the wrong way at the elbow, all of which is accompanied by a wet, crunching sound. Next, the fingers on his right hand begin bending back one by one and then are twisted into corkscrew angles. The velocity of the action is so severe that we can see the fingernails on the hand fall off. While all of this is happening, the argument about the refrigerator continues and Chandler doesn't even seem to notice what's happening. Meanwhile, his left arm snaps backwards with a sudden jolt of force. The action causes a compound fracture with Chandler's radial bone tearing through the flesh of his forearm and glistening beneath the set lights burning overhead. Like Chandler, Joey also seems to ignore or not notice what's happening. And still the crunch and pop and smashing of bones continues. Some of Chandler's ribs begin puncturing through his shirt. Both of his femur bones crack, causing the man to fall to the floor. And still the argument continues. But whatever Chandler and Joey are saying to each other is now drowned out by the sound of all those breaking bones. At this point, I had to stop the tape and run to the bathroom to vomit. I'm not squeamish by nature, but the sounds alone made me feel extremely queasy. It was almost akin to a feeling of seasickness on the floor. More and more of Chandler's bones are shattered and blasted apart within the suit of his flesh. His body has become this malformed, misshapen thing, a bag of loose, bloody skin that continues to writhe even as more broken bones keep stabbing their way out into the light. The floor beneath Chandler is soaked with blood and other bodily fluids. Can I possibly have any more broken bones? Chandler suddenly asks with dry sarcasm. At this point, his jawbone cracks in half and pops completely out of his mouth. It clatters against the tile floor and then suddenly begins to move of its own accord. Several of Chandler's teeth fall out of the broken jawbone immediately after, small bisected legs, like the legs of a spider or a crab, slither out of the holes where the teeth once were, resulting in the jaw scuttling across the floor and up the wall like some sort of bony insect. Chandler is still trying to talk, but as he has no jaw now, all his words are garbled and choked with blood. Joey, inexplicably, can still understand what Chandler is saying, though, and continues the argument. The One where the void is Growing and it still calls to you. In Rachel and Monica's apartment, Phoebe sits on the couch, hugging herself, squeezing her body tight and whispering. You know what you did. You know what you did. You know what you did. The whispering is so low that I had to turn the volume up on my TV to its highest point. Rachel and Ross enter the apartment, at which point Rachel says, hey, Pheebs, what's up? You know what you did? Phoebe continues to whisper. Rachel and Ross either don't hear her or refuse to acknowledge her. The apartment door bangs open and Joey comes in, grinning. How you doing? He asks, then adds, I have something I want to show you guys here. He walks over to Rachel and Monica's TV and turns it on. They're static on the screen at first, but then the image becomes clear. The footage on the TV is the same footage the episode began with with Phoebe rocking on the couch and whispering, you know what you did. You know what you did. You know what you did. Ross and Rachel watch, transfixed. A single tear trickles down Rachel's cheek. Phoebe, still on the couch, remains oblivious to her own visage on the TV screen. While Phoebe, on the couch, continues to chat to herself, the Phoebe on the TV screen looks up and appears to be able to see the friends watching her. The void is growing, tv Phoebe says, and it still calls to you. Turn it off. Rachel suddenly shrieks, clawing at her own face with her fingernails, tearing her flesh, drawing blood. Turn it off. Wait, this is my big break. Joey insists, even though at no point does he appear on the TV screen. He's watching. The void is growing and it still calls to you. Tv Phoebe says again. The room grows dark, as if the lights have been turned down via a dimmer switch. Soon the only light is from the TV screen, which is now pulsating and bulging as if it were made of soft material, flesh meat rather than glass. Note While nothing else happens in this particular episode, this was the point where I had to take a break from my research. Upon my first run through of the tapes, my head was throbbing and I felt chills all over my body, as if I were coming down with a fever. I crawled into bed and slept for 17 hours, at which point my wife finally woke me up, concerned. You were talking in your sleep, she told me. What did I say? I asked, groggy and confused and a little annoyed at having been roused from slumber. The void is growing, she recited, and it still calls to you. The One with the Flies Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler and Joey have filled Rachel and Monica's apartment with raw meat. There's raw meat everywhere, carelessly strewn on the floor, nailed to the wall, covering tables and chairs. The red of the meat is bright to the extreme. It hurts my eyes. The six friends stand directly in the middle of the room and look straight into the camera, saying nothing. They never blink. They never move. They don't even seem to breathe. After a long, silent beat, the raw meat begins to quiver and split apart, at which point hordes of buzzing flies come exploding out, filling the room, creating a thick, black, pulsating cloud. The friends do not react to the flies, even as the insects begin to swarm about, their bodies, covering them, making it appear as if the friends are wearing suits made of flies. The first time I watched this episode. I started weeping uncontrollably and I can't say why. I couldn't control myself. I doubled over with something akin to grief or heartbreak. I fell onto the floor sobbing and biting my fist to keep the sounds of my sobs away from my wife and children. They heard them anyway. They came into my office. They asked what was wrong. I started screaming at them, screaming that they should get the fuck out of my office. Don't ever come in here while I'm working. I screamed from the floor. My wife ushered the children out. I continued to sob. I sobbed so hard I vomited all over myself. The flies on the TV buzzed and buzzed and buzzed. I could not stop crying. I'm crying as I type this. I can't seem to stop. The One Where I Cook My Family this episode is different now. This wasn't here before. I swear it wasn't. I swear. The footage doesn't feature Rachel and Monica's apartment, nor Joey and Chandler's, nor Central Perk, nor Ross office, nor any location glimpsed throughout the entire run of Friends footages of my house. My kitchen. It's my kitchen, plain as day. There's the self cleaning wall oven which I can see is on. There's the stainless steel range hood. There's the large oval window that casts circular beams of bright light in the afternoon. The rolling kitchen cart overloaded with spices and cookbooks we never really use. The pot rack chandelier with the copper William Sonoma cookware dangling from it like mutated metal fruit. And there simmering on the stovetop is the large artichoke colored enameled steel stock pot. The camera slowly zooms in and we can see. I can see there's a human head floating in the pot surrounded by cut up carrots and celery. The flesh on the head has been boiled away to bone, but the hair is still attached at the scalp, strands of it spilling over the side of the pot. The hair is the pale red of my wife's hair. The camera pans to the oven door and while it's foggy and smeared with blood, I can see the dismembered bodies of my children beyond that stained glass. I can see their little legs with scabby knees, their chubby little fingers, their faces locked in silent screams. I can somehow feel the heat of the oven radiating off the TV screen. Somewhere off camera I can hear someone laughing, then weeping, then screaming, then talking softly to himself. I'd know that voice anywhere. It's my voice. So no one told you life was gonna be this way, I whisper. This isn't real. This can't be real. This is impossible. It's as impossible as everything else on the tapes. My wife and children are fine. They've gone to my mother in law's house. They are there, safe. I called my mother in law just now and even though she claimed they weren't there and that she hadn't heard from them in days, I know she's lying. I know what's real. I know who I am, what I'm capable of. The stock pot starts to bubble over the meaty bloody water within, running down the sides and hitting the flames, causing a sizzling sound. The one where something is at your door. One last tape. Its location is familiar. Your home. And there you are at the center of the screen listening to this. And there's something at the door. It's pounding, shaking the door in its frame. There's mad gibbering laughter on the other side of that door. It's a sound that does not emanate from human vocal cords. Suddenly it starts to sing.

[James Cleveland]

I will live for you.

[Graham Rowett]

It wants to get in. It's hungry. The void is growing and it still calls to you.

[David Cummings]

As the train pulls into the terminal. We ask that you gather what's left of your sanity and depart the train. Thank you for traveling with us on the Sleepless Express. The no Sleep podcast is presented by Creative Reason Media. The musical score was composed by Brandon Boone. Our production team is Phil Michalski, Jeff Clement, and Jesse Cornett. Our editorial team is Jessica McAvoy and Ashley McAnally. To discover how you can get even more sleepless horror stories from us, just visit sleepless.thenosleep podcast.com to learn about the Sleepless Sanctuary ad. Free extended episodes each week and lots of bonus content for the dark hours. All for only one low monthly price. On behalf of everyone at the Know Sleep Podcast, we thank you for traveling the rails with us for our 21st season. This audio program is copyright 2024 by Creative Reason Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The copyrights for each story are held by the respective authors. No duplication or reproduction of this audio program is permitted without the written consent of Creative Reason Media, Inc.

[Graham Rowett]

Lights are going up, Snow is falling down There's a feeling of goodwill around town it could only mean one thing. McRib is here. People throw parties. Ugly sweaters everywhere Stockings hung up by the chimney with care. It could only mean one thing.

[David Cummings]

McRib is here at participating McDonald's for a limited time.

[Unknown]

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[Graham Rowett]

I'm thirsty.

[Unknown]

Watch.

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[Ash Millman]

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[Unknown]

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[Graham Rowett]

Tis the season to be jollier.

[Ash Millman]

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