Scary Horror Stories by Dr. NoSleep - 13 Years of Halloween

Episode Date: October 26, 2026

Still drinking stale, store-bought coffee? Head to⁠ ⁠⁠⁠NoSleepCoffee.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and pick up a bag of fresh, roasted-to-order coffee delivered straight to your door! Use promo code NOSLEEP20 at checkout for 20% off your first order! NoSleep Coffee – The freshest coffee money can buy. Guaranteed. On Halloween night, a father reluctantly takes his ten-year-old son trick-or-treating, hoping to make it home before the storm gets any worse. But as they wander through their familiar neighborhood, the streets begin to feel strangely unfamiliar, and something about the night seems terribly wrong. What should have been an innocent evening of costumes and candy soon becomes a nightmare neither of them could have imagined. Huge thanks to our sponsor: EarnIn: Download EarnIn on the App Store or Google Play. And when you sign up, type in “ScaryHorrorStories” under PODCAST. It really helps support the show. Author: Jake Bible Check out all of Jake’s horror story collections at: https://jakebible.com/short-storiesnovellascollections/ * * * CONTENT DISCLAIMER: This episode contains explicit content not limited to intense themes, strong language, and depictions of violence intended for adults. Parental guidance is strongly advised for children under the age of 18. Listener discretion is advised.  #scarystories #horrorstories #drnosleep #doctornosleep #creepypasta #horror Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 31st, 2013. Jason sits on the living room couch, only sort of paying attention to the game on his old PSP, while his parents fight again in the other room. They are using their, quote, hushed voices. But while the house may be expensive, it's old, and the walls aren't that thick. The character on the screen misses the jump, and Jason sighs, setting the portable gaming device aside, he rolls his eyes and leans his head back. on the couch. Outside, he can hear kids chatting and laughing and screaming as they go house to house, begging for candy by using only three easy words. Drink or treat! Jason is sick of waiting for his parents to get their crap together and figure out who was taking him. It's almost been 30 minutes since their bickering began. He absent-mindedly scratches at his Jack Sparrow pirate beard. Jason didn't exactly like the last movie that came out

two years ago in 2011. But he has always loved. loved Jack Sparrow. So for three years running, that's what he's been. Being 10 now, the costume is getting a little tight. He'll have to upgrade next year to a larger size. But without things are going between his parents, he could still be sitting on the couch in this costume a year from now if they don't hurry up and make a decision.

I know you have a brief due, Stephen. You have made that very clear. Tomorrow. I have to do tomorrow, Jamie. Too freaking tomorrow. If I want to make partner, I have to nail this. I can't go playing out in the mist and rain just to collect some stupid candy.

Jason sighs again and stares up at the ceiling. Can I have some water? The small voice comes from the living room entryway. Jason frowns. I'm thirsty, and mom and dad can't hear me. Jason looks away from the ceiling and at his younger sister, Adeline. Addie, for short. Six, small for her age.

She holds her favorite stuffed bunny and is dressed in her beauty in the beast pajamas. Her face is flushed, and she has beads of sweat on her forehead. Her bright blue eyes are dull, and the whites are bloodshot. She sniffles and lets loose with a harsh barking cough. You need to be in bed. You're sick. I'm thirsty. Jason sighs yet again, but puts some dramatic exasperation into this one.

He shoves up off the couch and walks past Addie, headed to the kitchen. Well, come on. I'm not carrying it upstairs for you. I don't feel good. Yeah, no one feels good with the flu. I want to go trick-or-treating with you. I'm not going. Why not?

The two kids pause as their parents' voices get louder and louder. Addie nods. Oh, right. Jason leads her into the kitchen and pours her a plastic tumbler of water. He's not getting his ass handed to him by his dad for giving her an actual glass. She'd just drop it like last time. Addie gulps at the cold water, finishing the tumbler in seconds. Jason raises an eyebrow and can't help but laugh.

Okay, I guess you were thirsty. Fine! A door slams down the hall. Jason, Jason, get your butt out here. We're going trick-or-treating. Now! Addie's eyes go wide, and her lips start to quiver. Jason pats her on the shoulder and gives her a warm smile. I'll bring you back lots of almond joys.

Those are my favorite. I know. Jason! Coming! Jason fills up Addie's tumbler for her again, then stomps down the hallway to the front door, where his very perturbed father is standing. What took you so long?

You were supposed to wait on the couch. Jason has all kinds of snarky replies ready, but he swallows them and shrugs. Addie was thirsty. I guess she was calling for you and mom, but you didn't hear her. Jason focuses on his dad. The man opens his mouth to say something, then closes it and shakes his head.

He almost says something again, but opens the front door and gestures for Jason to hurry out onto the porch instead. Jason does, not hiding his relief and enthusiasm that he finally gets to do some trick-or-treating. Stephen hurries him down the steps and stops him on the sidewalk. Okay, which way first? The man frowns at the crush of people out on the street. We always go left first because it's easier to loop around if Addy gets tired. But Addy isn't here this time, so... Then let's try right.

But we can't be out too late, okay? I still have work to do. I know, I heard. Stephen gives Jason a stern look, then relaxes and nods. Yeah, sorry about that. Jason shrugs. They turn right and head off to the first house, a tall Victorian, like the house they all live in.

Half the houses on the street are historic Victorians, with the other half being a melange of modern and old school brick ranch houses. Mom's the doctor. Jason and his dad walk up the cement. half to the house's grand front porch. She should stay home with Addie. She knows what to do. And I don't?

You can't argue away the flu, Dad. Before his dad can respond, Jason rushes off and up the porch steps, scooting around a ghost and a minion. Stephen just waits on the walkway, closer to the sidewalk than the porch. He listens to his son shout, Trick and treat!

And his neighbors smile and laugh and drop some extra candy in Jason's bag because they already know that Adi is sick. Stephen waves, and the older couple wave back, as Jason says thank you and bounds down the port steps. How's your Adelid? Still has a fever. Well, she's in good hands. Tell her and Jamie High for us, and we hope Addie gets better soon.

Thanks, Marie. Thanks, Tony. We appreciate it. Jason reaches his dad and smiles at the first loot in his bag. Have a great night. The older couple don't respond, since they are quickly beset upon by a horde of zombies all screaming. Trick or treat! Not a single one moans, the ubiquitous phrase.

And Jason quickly makes a comment about that, as his dad leads him down the sidewalk to the next house. They're younger than you, Jason. So I doubt they've even seen a zombie movie. Everyone knows that zombies moan. Jason makes his youthful indignation very apparent. Then turns to run up the walkway to the next house without waiting for a response from his dad.

Stephen grumbles, shoves his hands in his pockets, and waits. A light rain starts, but it's more of a heavy mist than any threat of a larger storm. His phone dings. It's not Jamie's assigned tone, so he knows that his wife isn't trying to keep their argument going. Although he sort of wishes that she would, it would open up a chance for him to apologize. Stephen takes out his phone, then frowns. It's not Jamie, but it is work, which doesn't help anything. By the time Jason comes running back to the sidewalk, his voice pitched high as he excitedly

He explains that he got not just one, but two full-sized candy bars. Stephen is deep into a text thread with a couple of his associates, and barely even registers Jason's return. Jason notices immediately and sulks, but Stephen is oblivious. So Jason just plods on, going to the next house and the next, while Stephen follows behind. His face buried in his phone. Which way? We're at the end of the block. Which way do we go?

Left or right? Stephen finally looks up from his phone in blanks, seeming surprised that they have finished visiting all the houses on their street. Um, who usually has the best candy? Milton Drive or Bowman Drive? Milton, for sure. Then there's your answer. Jason turns right and quickly hurries to get his treats from the four houses

lining this edge of the block before Milton begins. Stephen goes back to his texting and only mumble some occasional encouragement, with an added perfunctory wave when his name is called by one of the neighbors. Just before they turn onto Milton Drive, lightning flashes, and thunder cracks barely half a second later, making both Jason and Stephen jump. Stephen glances at the sky, frowning at the sudden increase in raindrops. It wasn't supposed to... Oh, what the hell? Where'd the cell service go? He smacks his phone a few times. Jason rolls his eyes. That won't work, Dad. There's nothing that can get loose in a modern cell phone. Stephen raises an eyebrow and smirks

to Jason. A modern cell phone? You watch too many of those YouTube videos. Jason turns onto Milton Drive. Then he stops in his tracks. While his dad still smirks, Jason frowns, confused at what he's seeing. Dad? Stephen keeps smacking his phone. Then he turns the Wi-Fi off and on, just in case it's stuck trying to connect to someone's network. Still no service at all. This is crazy. We have some of the best... Um, Dad? Service in the state. Dad! Stephen looks up, startled. Another crack of thunder makes him jump once more before he focuses on Jason.

What, kiddo? Then he sees it too. Wait. He looks behind him at the corner they just took. They are right where they should be, but the block they are turning on to is not. It should also be behind them. This is our street, right? Stephen narrows his eyes, squinting against the rain and the impossibility of what he's seeing.

Um, yeah. Hmm, yeah, but... He lets the sentence drop as he glances back once more. Okay, we must have gotten turned around, what the wrong way? Jason shakes his head. No, we turned on to Hamlin Avenue to get to Milton Drive. We went the right way, it's just... Jason points.

It's just that we're back on our street, not Milton. Jason nods, looking worried. Maybe we should go back. Nah, you only did half our street, remember? This is the other end. You can trick-or-treat this part. Then we'll move on to Milton. Cool.

Jason does not look like it's cool at all. He looks worried and slightly frightened. And Stephen points, Look, it's Carly and her parents. How about we tag along with them? Jason looks skeptical, but he starts walking toward the small family just coming down a walkway.

The young girl catches sight of Jason and waves enthusiastically. Jason's mood brightens, and he runs up to her while Stephen keeps trying to get his phone to work. Don't bother. Cell Tower must have gotten hit by that lightning. Stephen looks up in blinks, then he smiles. Hey, Jack. How's it going? Rebecca, nice to see you.

Carly's parents, Jack and Rebecca, both shake Stephen's hand. Then they each hold up their useless phone. I can't even connect to the Werther's Wi-Fi, and I have their password because I watched their pets last March. Maybe they changed it. Rebecca laughs. They're both in their 80s. If I didn't help them with their tech, they'd be listening to the radio in the dark. They aren't that bad. Um, yeah, they are.

Stephen watches Jason and Carly talk excitedly to each other while showing off their candy hall so far. No Addy or Jamie? Stephen shrugs. Addie is sick with the flu. So Dr. Mom is on it. Well, if anything goes wrong, you're the lawyer so you can always sue. Stephen frowns in Cox's head. Jack laughs nervously.

She was making a bad malpractice joke. Oh, right. I get it. Sorry. Just got distracted because I have a brief due in the morning. Rebecca and Jack nod knowingly. Then all three watched the kids run up to one of their neighbor's houses. Lightning and thunder explode all around them.

Jack looks up at the sky. Then over to his wife. Rebecca nods. Um, so this may sound weird. Hmm? But did you and Jason already walk our street? We started at the other end and thought we were doing a loop, but... Stephen stops messing with his phone and faces Jack and Rebecca.

You mean you've already taken Carly this way? Jack and Rebecca look at each other, then back to Stephen, and each nods. It sounds crazy, I know. Before any of them can continue, shouting up the street grabs their attention. A family that Stephen doesn't recognize is standing on the Blanchard's porch, arguing with the confused-looking Mrs. Blanchard. It sounds heated and rather hostile. Stephen and Carly's parents hurry that way.

So do several other families. What's going on? They've joined a small group who are standing on the sidewalk outside the Blanchard's house. A guy holding a toddler shakes his head. They're asking to use her phone, but when they try to go inside, they can't. They're blaming that poor old lady. Mrs. Blanchard. Oh?

You must live around here. We're from the east side, but it's gotten lame, so we thought we'd try a new neighborhood. The shouting increases, and the dad of the family tries to force his way into the Blanchard's home. Some folks on the sidewalk shout for him to calm down. Then everyone goes silent, as the man is thrown physically off the Blanchard's porch. He's sent flying through the air and collapses against a small cedar tree in the corner of the Blanchard's front yard. That it's pure chaos. People are hurrying to check on the guy. Some are running up to Mrs. Blanchard, demanding answers.

The throne man's family runs down off the porch to join him in the ground. as he tries to sit up. Stephen looks at Jack and Rebecca. They all share an anxious look, the nod in unison. Jason, let's go. Carly, come on. The kids are three houses ahead already, just standing on the sidewalk with their jaws hanging open as the chaos continues. Stephen runs up to Jason and pats him on the shoulder. We should go home. I don't know what's going on, but it'll be best if we let it calm down before we continue. Oh, Dad, no way. If we go home, then you'll start working and we won't get to go back out. Not true. I promise. I'll send one email, then we can check the street. If it looks calm, we'll go left next time and check out Bowman Avenue, cool.

Jason gives him his not-cool frown, but shrugs anyway. Then trudges melodramatically toward their house. Say goodbye to Carly. Bye, Carly. Bye, Jason. Stephen nods to Jack and Rebecca, and they all go their separate ways. If you're into horror with a heavy dose of sci-fi, classified experiments and things humanity was never meant to understand. Check out my other podcast, The SCP Experience. Each episode pulls you into the hidden world of the SCP Foundation, where dangerous anomalies are studied, contained, and sometimes unleashed. These aren't just scary stories.

They're classified nightmares. Click here to listen now or search for the SCP experience wherever you get your podcasts. Jamie has gotten outy to sleep. After reading three stories and singing six songs, the poor girl's face is slick with fever sweat, and Jamie pushes her bangs out of her face, then leans in and kisses her. That's when the banging on the front door starts.

No, no, no, no! Jamie's face crunches up in anger as she watches Addie's stir, but luckily the girl doesn't wake up. Jamie slides off the small bed and tiptoes out of the room. Then she rushes down the stairs and jerks the front door open. She sees her son and husband standing on the porch, both looking slightly disturbed. What's wrong? Why didn't you come in? It was locked. Jamie glances down at the doorknob. No, it wasn't. See? Stephen goes to step inside to look, then is flung away. His back collides with the porch railing, and he cries out and slumps to the boards.

Before Jamie can run out onto the porch, Addie screams from upstairs. Jamie looks to Jason. Help your dad. I'll be right back. Mom, wait! Jamie has already gone and up the stairs. She hurries down the hallway to Addie's room and throws open the door. Addie is sitting bolt upright in her bed, eyes wide, face white as a sheet. Where did they go? Where did they go?

Where did they go? Then the small girl collapses back onto her pillows and her eyes roll up into her head. She begins to shake. No, no, Addie! Jamie looks over her shoulder and shouts at the top of her lungs. Stephen! Call Addie is having a seat! There's no response, but Jamie barely notices.

She wraps her daughter up in her arms and tries to stabilize her as much as she can. The girl flops madly for several minutes. Then the seizure begins to calm. After a few minutes, Addy blinks and looks up into her mother's face. Mom, where's Dada and Jason? Downstairs, sweetheart. Addie shakes her head. No, they're not.

Jamie frowns, then kisses Addie's forehead. The girl's eyes begin to close, and in seconds she's out like a light. Her body completely relaxed, her breathing even and easy. Jamie wonders what's taking Stephen so long. He had to have heard her shout to call 911. After some serious physical maneuvering, Jamie extracts herself from her daughter's bed and creeps out into the hallway. She hurries to the stairs and heads down, her eyes locked under the open front door.

When she looks out on the porch, neither Stephen nor Jason is, anywhere to be seen. She's about to call for them, then worries that it will wake up Addie again. So she steps out onto the porch, closes the door, and looks up and down the street. There is no sign of her son or husband. In fact, as she studies the street, there is no sign of any trick-or-treaters or their parents. Other than some cackling decorations set up in some of the yards, the street is completely quiet. Stephen! Jason! There's no response. She shouts for her husband and son again, but nothing happens. Going back inside, Jamie pulls out her phone and calls Stephen.

It goes to voicemail three times before she leaves a message. Hey, so where are you guys? Addy just had a seizure, but she's better now. I need you to come home right away. She hangs up and heads back to Addie's room. Jason helps his father stand up, and they both walk toward their open front door. The second they try to go inside, They are flung away from the door.

Jason bounces off the railing. Stephen misses it completely this time and tumbles down the steps into the yard. Wimpering a little, Jason picks himself up and goes to his dad. Why'd that happen? What's going on, Dad? Stephen has to rub his face a few times to get his mind back on track. He sits in the damp yard, staring at the open front door. I, um, I don't know. There's a cry from down the street, and they both whipped their heads of

around to see a man slam back first into the trunk of an old oak. He collapses at the tree's base and doesn't move. A girl in a princess costume stands close to him, crying. The front door of that house opens, and a woman kneels down, holding her arms open. The princess runs to her, but the second she tries to cross the house's threshold, she is tossed out into the street like a bag of the trash. Jason cries out. Stephen shoves up to his feet and runs toward the girl. When he gets there, he gasps. The poor princess's head is not at a healthy angle, and her wide-open eyes are glassy and empty.

Dad? Stay back. Jason skids to a stop, already seeing more than he should, more than he'd like to have seen. Go back home. I'll be there soon. But I can't go home. Stephen whirls around, ready to be stern and lay down the law.

Jason does not need to get closer to a dead princess, but then he sees Jamie stepping out onto the porch. There's your mother. Go tell her what happened and I'll be home soon. Jason wipes his nose, then nods and jogs back home. Jamie is standing on the porch, shouting. Stephen! Jason! Jason shouts for her, but she acts like she doesn't hear him or even see him running her way. Before the boy can reach his mother, she turns and walks back inside, closing the door behind her.

Jason slams into the door, then begins pounding on it over and over and over. Jamie doesn't come back outside. Jason turns to look at his dad. Stephen stares at his son for a moment, then looks up and down the street. Family after family after family wander aimlessly, all looking lost, all looking scared to death. None are able to get back inside their own homes.

Or, for those who are visitors, get anyone inside homes to even acknowledge that they exist. Just like Jamie didn't acknowledge Jason. This is all wrong. Yeah. October 31st, 2014. Stephen studies the faded missing poster on the telephone pole. It has his face and Jason's next to each other.

Jamie's cell phone number is below, along with the Police Task Force hotline number. Below and above the flyer are dozens more, each showing a different missing child or adult. Some even show an entire family. I think I have a cavity, Stephen laughs. Probably.

We've only been eating candy for a year. Why doesn't it run out? Stephen shrugs. Just like I said the last million times you asked, your guess is as good as mine, kiddo. Someone far off is shouting. Stephen realizes that they are shouting his name and running up to him. Hey, Jack, Jason and I were about to...

No, come this way, now! Jack basically grabs Stephen and drags him away from the telephone pole toward the end of their street. Jason, come on! Jason sighs and picks it something in his teeth. He wenses as his first. as his fingernail hits a sensitive spot on a molar. Jack has dragged Stephen almost a quarter of a block before Stephen pulls up and yanks his arm out of Jack's grip. Then he stands there in the street, stunned. The street is filled with trick-or-treaters, which isn't anything new. For the past 12 months,

that's all Stephen or anyone stuck in this nightmare has seen. Trick-or-treaters. They're trick-or-treaters. The same kids and families that could never go home. The same kids and families on the missing posters on the telephone poles. Except what Stephen is now seeing are new kids and families. What night is this? Halloween. Jack Hoots and runs up to the first family he sees. They shy away from him like he's a madman.

And considering that he hasn't shaved or changed his clothes in a year, they aren't too far off. Stephen finds a different family and hurries over to them. What year is it? What's the date? The dad of the family puts himself between Stephen and his wife and kids. Hey man, we're just trying to have a good time, okay? I don't have any cash on me, so why don't you go to a different neighborhood? I don't want money. I want to know what year it is.

Before the man can say anything, Jason goes running by. Jason, wait! But Jason doesn't wait. He's running straight for his house, and is bounding up the porch before Stephen can even get one foot in front of the other. He marvels at how much his son has grown over the year, how fast he's gotten. He knows that all the sugar the kid eats isn't good for him, isn't good for anyone. But that's all there is to eat. Candy, candy, and more candy.

So it's a miracle the boy is healthy enough to run it all. Jack appears and bats Stephen on the shoulder. I'm going to check our house. See if we can get inside. Tell Becca and Carly where I went if you see them, will you? Jack doesn't wait for an answer. He's gone in a flash. Stephen gives the confused and stunned family in front of him an apologetic smile. Then jogs toward his house.

For most of the history of professional sports, there was a wall between the game and gambling. Then suddenly it was everywhere. Ontario is all in on sports betting. Make every moment more with band do. But that wasn't supposed to include the players themselves. For records for, Jonte Porter is under NBA investigation. Athletes are the perfect gamblers.

Understood. The Big Bet. Available now. on Spotify. If you're into horror with a heavy dose of sci-fi, classified experiments, and things humanity was never meant to understand, check out my other podcast, The SCP Experience. Each episode pulls you into the hidden world of the SCP Foundation,

where dangerous anomalies are studied, contained, and sometimes unleashed. These aren't just scary stories. They're classified nightmares. Click here to listen now or search for the SCP experience, wherever you get your podcasts. The wine glass nearly falls from Jamie's sleepy grasp when the first loud knock echoes through the house. She quickly sets the glass on the coffee table

and sits up from the couch, yawning and stretching. She looks over and sees Addie asleep in the recliner, some Halloween movie for kids playing quietly on the TV. The knock comes again, and Jamie stands up, swaying a little for maybe too much wine. Hold on, I'm coming. The knock gets more urgent, and Jamie frowns when she enters the foyer,

looking about for the baseball bat she always keeps at hand ever since. Well, ever since last Halloween. She finds it next to the shoe rack, picks it up, the knees is close to the door. Who is it? I am not doing interviews, so please contact my lawyer if you want a statement. Mom? Jamie tosses the bat aside,

unlocks the door and flings it open. Standing there is Jason. He looks like he's grown an inch. The Jack Sparrow. costume is way too tight on him. Just past him, coming up the walkway as Stephen. Is it? Are you? Mom! He flings himself at Jamie. Then he's flying back. Stephen just barely gets to him in time before he falls down the port steps. Jamie moves like she's going to leave the house. But Stephen holds up a hand as his face goes bright red. No, stay in there! Jamie freezes.

The force of Stephen's voice is like a punch to the stomach. Stephen tries to smile as he strokes Jason's hair and helps him settle on the steps. We can't risk it happening to you, too. He glances past Jamie to the rest of the house. You can't leave Addy alone. Stephen, what's going on? Where have you been? Halloween.

Twelve months of Halloween. Now we're back and... He shrugs and makes a wiggling motion with his whole body. Jason, coming out of his shock from being denied entry into his own house again, laughs a bitter, small laugh. It's Halloween night again. Yay. Stephen points a finger at Jamie. Just stay inside, please.

He looks over his shoulder at the new trick-or-treaters walking the street. It may already be too late for these folks. Jamie glances past him and frowns at the group of trick-or-treaters and their parents. A bunch of ghouls. They're here because everyone went missing last year and they think the street is haunted. Then Jamie looks at Stephen and Jason. Her eyes go wide and she covers her mouth. Oh, God! Are you dead? Are you ghosts?

Someone hears her, and soon a small crowd is walking toward the house. All eyes on Stephen and Jason. The crowd hurries faster. Luckily, everyone stays on the sidewalk, but they still end up trapping Stephen and Jason on their own walkway. Questions are shouted at the two. Someone takes a step forward and throws water on them from a small bottle, while also shouting that the power of Christ shall compel them. Some people laugh, while others just...

Look scared. How about you all get the hell away from my house? More questions pepper them. Come inside. No. Wish we could, Mom. A man dressed as a police officer shoves through the crowd, garnering some curses and dirty looks.

Then everyone realizes that he's not wearing a costume. He stops a few feet in front of Stephen and Jason. He looks up at the house, nods to Jamie, then looks back at Stephen. You live here, sir. That's the theory. Jason laughs. The officer gives him.

A concerned look. Sir, I'm going to ask you to step away from the child. I want you to stand over there by that tree while I talk to him. Um, no, I do not consent to that. Sir, do not make this crazy situation worse. Stephen shakes his head and chuckles. Worse, right. The police officer moves on Stephen and grabs his bicep.

Stephen is up and in the cop's face. Then he shoves the man back into the crowd. People gasp. Many have their phones out now. That's it, sir. I try to be nice about this, but you made it. Stephen throws a heavy right hook and clocks the police officer across the jaw. The man wavers then falls to his knees.

Damn, Dad. Nice shot. Stephen! Jason! Get in here now! Above them, lightning and thunder explode throughout the sky. A clear sky, completely void of clouds or rain or any sign of a storm. Stephen looks up, so does Jason. Then Stephen smiles at Jamie. I wish we could, babe. I wish we could.

The lightning and thunder crash again. Stephen and Jason are gone. So are half the people who had been running up and down the street, all trying to get inside their houses, all trying to contact their loved ones. Jamie, along with the stunned police officer, the folks with their phones out, and the random trick-or-treaters all just stand there, their jaws gaping wide. When nothing happens to any of them, they scatter, each running to where they left their cars, desperate to get away from the cursed street. 2015. Jason shivers as the way too small shirt rides up on his back and belly, exposing skin to the cold October air. Not that he isn't used to it. It's been October air for two years now. He sits on the curb and picks out a pimple on his chin. He has a lot of pimples on his chin. His dad says it's because he's 12 and has all the hormones. Jason is pretty sure it's because he's lived off a diet of Snickers bars and Skittles for 24 months. There's probably truth to both. Off to the side, by the cedar trees and Mrs. Nottingham's yard,

Stephen stands talking quietly with Jack. A few feet away, Rebecca sits on the lawn, huddle together with Carly in her arms. Rebecca starts coughing. Her face is feverish and sweaty. Carly just stares blankly at the street. We have to do something. She's not going to make it another year. Stephen pats jack on the shoulder. I know. We're all. on borrowed time. It's Halloween officially again. Maybe tonight we can get past the doors.

The two men look out at the street and the throngs of trick-or-treaters. Despite a heavy police presence and a failed lawsuit, the city wasn't able to stop visitors from swarming the street. After all the viral videos from last year, interest exploded a millionfold. We have to get past all of them first. Shit, Dad. Watch your language, kiddo. Jason points directly at an approaching police officer, Stephen Kramer, you are under arrest for assault on a police officer last Halloween. Stephen laughs. The police officer doesn't. You are also under arrest for the kidnapping and confinement of a minor. What? Who?

The officer glares at Jason. Do I look confined? Jack steps forward. The officer jabs a finger at him. Stay back unless you want to be arrested as well. Yeah, I do. Take me with you. Some people close by, hanging as far away from the street as they can. can, perk up, and walk toward the officer, all asking to be taken in two. The officer, seeing how outnumbered he suddenly is, places a hand on the butt of his sidearm. I need everyone to

stand back now. They don't. They are on the officer in seconds, grabbing at him, clutching at him, pleading and praying for him to help. He somehow manages to get a hand to his radio and shouts into the handset for backup. Then he's taken down to the ground, piled on by the desperate people. Suddenly, away from the pile and hold something up. He squeezes the trigger and the gun goes off, making everyone freeze where they are. Then the trick-or-treaters become a panicked mob, all running in several directions at once,

until finally, all that's left are those who are trapped and the downed police officer. There has to be a way out! He puts the muzzle under his chin and pulls the trigger. October 31st, 2016. The man with half his head blown off just sits in the middle of the street, Visiting onlookers keep their distance, but everyone has a phone out and is filming the man.

He says nothing, just hangs his chin to his chest, what's left of his chin, and stares with his one eye at the pavement. Someone throws a Kit Kat bar into his bloody lap. Half a block away, Stephen sits on his front porch, smiling at his wife, who was sitting on the floor in the foyer, just inside the house. Seeing you once a year isn't bad. Jamie begins to cry. She's held it in for the last 30 minutes, but she can't any longer. I'm sorry. That was stupid to say.

Jamie just keeps crying, even when Addie, now much taller, walks down the stairs and waves. Hi, Daddy. Hey, beautiful. Look how much you have grown. Where's Jason? Stephen shrugs. He's around. I think he's trying to talk a visitor into giving him their pants.

His costume doesn't fit at all anymore. and, well, he needs clothes. I can get him a blanket. Will that help? Stephen shakes his head. I wish, beautiful, but nothing from inside lasts out here. I think Tony says he has some cover-alls in his tool shed, so we may see if those will work. Jamie stifles her tears and wipes her eyes. The governor called for a state of emergency after last year.

Jamie stares at the crowds filling the street. A lot of good that did. After that officer disappeared with the government, you. The police union is not cooperating with the governor, mayor, or anyone really. They want answers before they lose another one of their own. To serve and protect, right? Someone on the street takes several photos of Steven sitting on his porch. He makes sure to leave at least one middle finger up. Lightning and thunder rage overhead. Stephen sighs. I better go find Jason. He clears his throat and sniffs loudly.

I love you both. Before Jamie can reply. Stephen disappears, just winks away. Both Addy and Jamie starts sobbing. October 31st, 2017. Run! Jason laughs hysterically as he and Carly run naked through the crowd of visitors. Carly is laughing just as hard. Onlookers film it all until Officer Ricky,

the unfortunate police officer trapped with the others, walks through the crowd, informing everyone that Jason and Carly are minors. And unless they want to be arrested for child pornography, They'd better delete those videos immediately. Lightning and thunder shake everything as folks start deleting. October 31st, 2018. I miss my mom.

Maybe she'll come back when this is all over. The two teenagers are wearing new clothing cut and sewn together out of car upholstery. The only material that stays with them when they go away. They watch as children, with hands clutched tightly by wary parents, flow up and down the street, trick-or-treating as if their lives depend on it. Jason pushes out a loose molar with his tongue in size. My mom won't open the door anymore. Carly takes his hand, and they sit and watch and cry.

October 31st, 2019. The man drives his pickup straight through the crowd. People scream and try to get out of the way, but dozens are crushed by the huge vehicle. Then thunder and lightning rip across the sky, and the crowd is gone. Even the bodies that were crushed by the large tires. Nice try, Mark! The driver in the truck flips Stephen off.

Then he pulls the truck into gear and drives away, parking it back in its spot at the end of the street. At precisely 8.23 p.m., Roger Kwan was not waiting for a table outside his favorite restaurant with his girlfriend, so a passing sports coupe did not splash slush all over her, making her question why she was dating him. And a second car did not splash her again, confirming her belief. All because Roger skipped it, stayed in, and with the skip app ordered the best chicken teakama Sala she'd ever had. Confirming Roger might just be the one. Way to go, Raj. Skip to the good part.

If you're into horror with a heavy dose of sci-fi, classified experiments, and things humanity was never meant to understand, check out my other podcast, the SCP experience. Each episode pulls you into the hidden world of the SCP Foundation, where dangerous anomalies are studied, contained, and sometimes unleashed. These aren't just scary stories, they're classified nightmares. Click here to listen now or search for the SCP experience wherever you get your podcasts. October 31st, 2020, the street is almost completely empty. Not a single trick-or-treater is out.

Not a single onlooker or ghost hunter or paranormal podcast expert. The only people around are sitting on lawns or leaning against trees or sleeping on porches. Jason is sitting on the porch swaying at his house. Addie is with him, but inside, talking from an open window. Mom says there will be a vaccine soon, that they already have made it, but it's only for the front lines, wherever those are. Jason just nods. Down at the other end of the porch, Stephen has his face pressed against the screen of one of the dining room windows.

Jason can just make out the shadowed outline of his mom's face on the other side of the screen. I guess with COVID we're all kind of trapped now. Jason snorts. but doesn't argue with his little sister. He scratches under his leather tunic that he made from the upholstery of a Mercedes-Benz. He'd grown out of the fake tweet outfit that Carly had made him from that Subaru last year.

He's hoping this will be his last outfit until, just until, is all he can think. Out in the street, Officer Ricky walks up and down, up and down, always the cop, ready to tell folks to stay inside, that quarantine and curfew are no joke. But there's no one around,

who cares what Officer Ricky says. October 31st, 2021. Masked up, the crowd moves in small pods of six or eight. Kids walk up to porches, where there are bowls of candy set out and notes saying to share with others. Jason and Carly throw small rocks at the pods, making some kids cry,

until Stephen barks for them to stop. Thunder and lightning rumble overhead. This year there's normal rain to go with a noise, so some of the pods don't pay attention despite all the warnings, until half the people around the street suddenly disappear. Most of the pods call it a night and leave quickly. October 31st, 2022. Spitting out two molars into his palm, Jason stares at the rotten teeth,

almost glad they are finally out of his jaw. The pain had been keeping him awake at night. Carly had also been complaining about his breath, not that hers is any better. Stephen walks up and throws an arm around the young man who is now as tall and as he is, nodding at the teeth. I lost one yesterday. He scratches at the mottled and sickly skin on his cheek, digging past the long, scruffy beard.

He smiles at Jason, seeing that the kid's beard is starting to come in, too. We're going to see Mom and Addy this year? I'm 21 now. Maybe Mom will give me a beer. Stephen swallows hard, then shakes his head. Why not? Mom left a note on the door. She took Addie to Graham and Gramp's house this year. Jason nods.

The two men stand there in the street for a few minutes. Then they hurried to the side as Mark, rage drives his pickup to the crowd yet again, which still does absolutely nothing as far as anyone can tell. He's going to do that every year, isn't he? Stephen nods as thunder and lightning split the sky. October 31st, 2023. When he finds her, he doesn't know how long she's been dead. Maybe a couple of days, maybe a week.

Jason isn't sure. Time is a loose concept. Carly? The young woman's eyes are wide open and empty. Jason kneels and checks her pulse. She's definitely dead. And not by her own hand, or she'd be able to speak like all the others

who thought they could find an easy way out. He turns away from the holly bush and walks out from around the Blanchard's house to find his dad. Someone will have to tell Jack, and Jason does not want to be that someone. October 31st, 2024. Stephen is laughing and clapping as Addy throws popcorn kernels into Jason's mouth.

Addie is at the dining room window, and Jason is sitting on the porch. His hands behind his back as part of the game's rules. Six in a row! Going for lucky number seven! I'd rather it was beer since I can drink now and you guys bailed last year. You want me to throw a beer can at your head? I can do that. Yeah, I bet, you little punk. Not so little anymore, jerk boy! It all looks like so much fun. his kids bantering and laughing.

So Stephen keeps up the appearance, even though he knows that while Jason may taste the popcorn now, it won't be in his belly later. It'll go away when they go away, when the thunder and lightning return, which happens only a few minutes later. Stephen stops laughing and focuses on Addie, whose face has fallen and is about to start crying.

I love you, baby girl. Tell your mother that I love. The porch is empty. Addie lets the tears flow as she closes the dining room window. October 31st, 2025. Barricades line each end of the street. Stephen glares at the lines of National Guard troops keeping folks from walking the street.

I finally found Jack. And? Officer Ricky just shakes his head. You don't want to know. Stephen scoffs. You're probably right. He nods at the barricades. All this because of cover.

A couple of rich college kids went missing on Halloween last year, and they think it has something to do with us? The scientists don't know what's going on, so they're throwing guns at the problem now. Officer Ricky shrugs, and one of those kids was a senator's son, so you know how he goes. Stephen nods. Jason wanders up to them. He irps, and both Stephen and Officer Ricky wave hands in front of their noses. Where'd you get the booze? Why aren't you sharing?

Jason's ways. Mr. Blancher gave me a bottle of something. I think I dropped it. There is shouting at the barricades. Officer Ricky groans. I'll go see what's happening. Thanks. Oh, and Ricky?

Officer Ricky pauses before walking away. I'm sorry you got stuck with us, but I'm glad you're here. Took you long enough to say that. Stephen shrugs. F the police. The two men laugh, and Officer Ricky walks toward the barricades. Gunfire erupts. Someone screams.

Stephen tackles Jason to the ground, covering him with his body. Down the street, lying on the pavement, his officer Ricky, he's not moving. I think I'm going to be sick. Me too, son. October 31, 26. Stephen pounds on the door until Jamie yanks it open. Stephen? What are you doing? Stephen waves a handabout, which is almost too much for him to handle,

sending him off balance. Jamie sighs. How drunk are you? Is Jason drunk too? I remember last year. Stephen gives a thumbs up, then a peace sign, then two thumbs up, and almost falls on his ass. But he reaches out instinctively and grabs Jamie's shoulders, pulling their bodies together, inside the house. Jamie almost shoves him away, then looks around.

She looks down and sees Stephen's feet on her side of the threshold. Stephen? What? Get me alone. I already told you I can't do it this year. Your dad is inside the house! Footsteps erupt from the second floor, and the young woman is bounding down the stairs.

She doesn't even slow down, just collides with her mother and father, wrapping her arms around them both. Outside, Jason stumbles up the porch steps. Hey, something weird is happening out here. Then he sees the family hug and blinks several times before he runs inside and grabs everyone. Everyone is laughing and crying as they fall to their knees in a jumble of love and fear and surprise.

Then a crash of thunder above stops the happiness dead in its tracks. Fear quickly replaces the brief joy they all felt. Jamie strokes Stephen's face, then reaches for her son. Outside, people are shouting and laughing and crying. Thunder rumbles again. Maybe it'll be better next year. Maybe the storm won't come back. Lightning flashes and everyone wenses.

But no one disappears. More thunder and lightning. but still Jason and Stephen remain. Stephen slowly pushes away, not sober, but definitely a lot more alert. Is it over? How are we all still together? I don't know, but I'm calling my parents.

We need to call everyone. This is a miracle. Then the shouting outside starts up again. Stephen looks over his shoulder to see folks running down the street, folks he's been trapped with for years, and folks he's only seen once a year. Everyone inside and outside is running. Come on, we should see what it is.

Even this house, ever again. Jamie hugs him tightly. After a moment, someone walks by. Jason waves an arm and extracts himself from the ongoing hug. He lurches out onto the porch and leans against a post. Hey, what happened? What's down there? The guy stops, then slowly looks at Jason.

Nothing. What do you mean? Nothing. We can go inside the houses now, right? That's not nothing, dude. The guy points behind him. Yeah, but that is. Then he keeps on walking, head hanging low.

Jason staggers down the steps. He is soon joined by the rest of his family. And as they stand out in the street with the rest of the neighbors, insiders and outsiders, they all see what the guy meant. There is nothing. Not down the street that way, not down the street the other way. Nothing. Only blackness, a great empty void.

Okay, at least we are together. Jamie nods and buries her face in the crook of his neck as she sobs. Addie takes Jason's hand and holds on for dear life. They stand and stare at the void until the street empties, everyone having gone inside. Stephen turns them all and walks his family back to the house, where they climb up the steps and go inside, locking the door behind them. Then the porch light goes out. Thunder rumbles from the sky above.

Want more? Subscribe and turn on all notifications so you never miss any of our weekly uploads.