Scary Horror Stories by Dr. NoSleep - Mr. Mystery’s Marvelous Magic Set For Aspiring Magicians

Episode Date: June 5, 2026

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Will slumped lower into the driver's seat. His Taco Bell order was going to be late, and there was nothing he could do about it. It was the strangest bout of helplessness, Will had felt recently. Someone 20 minutes away had ordered $47 worth of Taco Bell at 9 p.m. on a Tuesday, and the teenagers behind the counter were taking their sweet time putting it all together. He scrolled through Facebook Marketplace while he waited. He'd been checking it obsessively for about six months. looking for things to flip. It felt, in some small way, like putting his degree to use,

a BA in art history that had cost his parents more than they could afford and given him no career skills whatsoever. Most of the listings were junk. The same Room Essentials bookshelf from Target everyone bought, and everyone eventually tried to sell. But sometimes he'd find something good, and he'd made almost $2,000 flipping marketplace fines alongside Uber Eats, which wasn't enough to live on, but was enough to feel like he wasn't completely useless. Will stopped scrolling. A listing caught his eye. Vintage magic kit, free, left at Curb, first come first served.

The photo showed a wooden box, weathered but intact, with faded gold lettering on the lid that he couldn't quite make out. The description was sparse. Found an attic, don't want it, taking up space. Come get it before trash day. The location was only 10 minutes away. The listing had been posted two hours ago, which meant the kit might already be gone, but then again, it might not. Magic memorabilia had a market. Weirdo niche collectors paid good money for the right stuff. He looked up. The Taco Bell order was finally ready, sitting on the counter inside. Will flipped over to Uber Eats, then back to the listing. The Taco Bell order would pay him $7.32, minus gas, minus wear on his car, minus the 20 minutes

he'd already spent waiting. The Magic Kit was free, and might be worth nothing or might be worth something. Will canceled the order. His acceptance rate dropped another percentage point. His phone buzzed with a warning that canceling too many orders would result in his account being terminated. Will ignored it, and pulled out of the Taco Bell parking lot and headed toward the address. The magic kit was still exactly where the listing promised, on the curb, next to a beat-up

trash can and a recycling bin overflowing with cardboard. Will pulled up, put his park anywhere lights on, and got out. The box was heavier than he'd expected. wood with brass hinges that had turned green with age. The lettering on the lid was faded but legible. Mr. Mystery's marvelous magic set for aspiring magicians. He opened the lid. Inside, nestled in crimson velvet, were three items. A top hat, a black cape with a red satin lining, and a thin wooden wand painted black with white tips. There was also a folded piece of paper, yellowed with age, that looked to be instructions. It was a children's toy,

that much was obvious, but it was old, probably from the 1950s or 60s based on the branding, and in decent condition. He closed the box, put it in his trunk, and got back in his car. Home was Will's parents' basement. It wasn't as pathetic as it sounded, or actually, maybe it was exactly as pathetic as it sounded. The basement had been finished years ago, but when his parents had hoped to rent it out for extra money, it had its own entrance, its own bathroom, a small kitchenette that was really just a mini-fridge, a microwave, and one of those countertop single-burner things. His parents had furnished it with retired pieces from the rest of the house, a couch that had seen better days, a bed with a frame that creaked and groaned when he rolled over, a coffee

table stained with water rings. He'd moved in temporarily four years ago, after the lease on his apartment ran out and his roommate moved to Seattle and he couldn't afford to live alone. His parents said it was fine. Plenty of people his age were living at home. It was a job market thing, not a will thing. Will knew the truth though. It was a will thing, and it felt like it would always be a will thing. He set the magic box on his copy table and opened it. The top hat was collapsible, designed to pop into shape when you tapped it. The mechanism still worked, though the fabric was worn and there was a small tear near the brim. The cape was cheap polyester, but the stitching was solid. The wand was just a painted wooden

dowel. He unfolded the instructions. Congratulations, aspiring magician. You are now the proud owner of Mr. Mystery's marvelous magic set. With practice and dedication, you too can amaze your friends and family with amazing feats of prestidigitation. That's fancy talk for sleight of hand. The sheet was brittle. Will handled it carefully. There were instructions for basic tricks, making a coin disappear, pulling a scarf from your sleeve, the classic cups and balls, and at the bottom, there was a piece of paper with the crude drawing of a rabbit. The iconic rabbit out of the hat trick. Reach into your marvelous magic hat and pull out a rabbit. Note, rabbit is sewn into the interior of the hat. Practice pulling rabbit from hat in one

smooth motion for optimal effect. Will picked up the hat and looked inside. Sure enough, there was a small felt rabbit attached to the interior lining, positioned so a child could reach in, grab it, and pull it out as if by magic. The rabbit was matted and faded. One of its eyes was missing. He could probably get 80 bucks for the set, maybe more if he cleaned it up and took good photos. That was like nine hours of Uber Eats driving. Not bad for something he'd found on a curb. He closed the box and leaned back on the couch, looking at the items spread across his coffee table. He knew he should take photos now, listed tonight, let it run for a week. Instead, he reached for the remote and turned on the TV.

He was halfway through a two-and-a-half-hour YouTube essay about some book he'd never read when he heard it, a soft thump from the coffee table. He looked over. The hat had tipped onto its side. Will stared at it for a moment, trying to figure out how that had happened. He hadn't touched it. There it was, though, lying on its side. the brim facing him like an open mouth. Weird, he whispered. He reached over and set the hat upright again. He looked at it, then at the TV, then back at the hat.

It stayed where he'd put it. Whatever, he muttered to himself and went back to YouTube. Will was woken up later that night by the sound of something moving. It was a scurrying sound, quick and light on the basement floor. Will lay in the dark, listening, his heart beating fast. Mice. The mice had come back. The basement had mice before years ago, before his dad had sealed up the gaps around the foundation.

They must have found a new way in. The sound picked up again, quick, skittering movements, like something was scurrying from one side of the room to the other. Will reached for his phone and turned on the flashlight. The beam cut through the darkness, illuminating the familiar shapes of his furniture, his clothes on the floor, the coffee table with the magic kit still spread across it. He swept the light across the room, checking the corners, the space under his bed, the gap behind the mini-fridge. Nothing. Mice, he told himself.

Just mice. He told Dad in the morning. Will turned off the flashlight and laid back down. The darkness settled around him. He closed his eyes. The scurrying came again. Will didn't move. He didn't open his eyes.

Will just laid there, listening. He was tired, and he didn't want to deal with it. Starting a business always sounds exciting until you realize how many little things you suddenly have to figure out. We've experienced that firsthand with no-sleep coffee. Getting the idea was the fun part, but then came building the website, making it look professional,

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and everything from inventory to payments to built-in. analytics. It's time to turn those what-ifs into with Shopify today. Sign up for your $1 per month trial today at Shopify.com slash DNS. Go to Shopify.com slash DNS at Shopify.com slash DNS. The following morning wasn't exactly Will's idea of a good start. Arnold Shockley was 68 years old, long retired from a career in finance, and increasingly concerned about his only son's inability to thrive. He'd never said that last part out loud, not directly. But it was clear that Will could read it in almost every interaction they had.

The thoughtful questions, the pointed suggestions, the way his father's eyes sometimes lingered on the basement door whenever Will came upstairs. "'Sleep good?' Arnold asked Will, pouring himself a cup of coffee. Yeah, I guess. Heard you moving around down there pretty late. Woke me up all the way upstairs in our room. Will frowned.

Really? Sounded like you were rearranging furniture or something. I wasn't... Will started, then stopped. He remembered what he'd heard in the night. He weighed out, whether or not, now was a time to talk about mice. Yeah, you know, sorry about that. Arnold nodded, but he didn't let it go.

You burning the midnight oil down there working on something? Just... Looking at some stuff I found. For eBay. Ah, the flipping thing. Will bristled at his father's tone. It's not just a thing. It's a legit supplemental income.

Supplemental to what exactly? Will clenched his jaw. He had no words. So what's next for you, bud? His dad asked bluntly. Dad, I just woke up. I just like to know if you've been putting thought to anything. I'm figuring it out, Will said.

I know. It's just been a while. Dad, hey, look, I'm not trying to start anything this early. Arnold held up his hands, trying to keep the peace. I'm just saying, your mom and I, we all know she and I are not going to be around forever. And I know that you know you've got to be. some money coming your way when she and I kicked the bucket. I, I just want to know you're

going to be okay when we're gone. We worry about you. I worry about you. Will scoffed. I'm 31, not 60. That's what I'm getting at, Will. Arnold, set down his coffee cup. You're 31. Will stood there silently, feeling at all too familiar weight crashing down on him. There's no shortcut or trick to this life thing. You just got to figure out how you're going to do it. Will should say something, try to defend himself, explain how he wants to find a more stable future, and that he really has been trying. But Will knew what it looked like. There were no steps or plans. He had his parents' basement and a magic kit he'd saved from the dump. I'm going to go Uber, Will sighed, setting his mug in the kitchen sink. Breakfast rush.

Arnold nodded, eyes moving to his own feet. Drive safe. Will escaped to the basement. He fell into bed and screamed. Fuck! Into his pillow about ten or twenty times. Honey? Will jumped.

He turned to see his mom, Lainey, awkwardly standing in the doorway. She was still in a robe, holding a laundry basket. I washed some of your things. Just got them out of the dryer. Will sighed, feeling you. even more dejected. Mom, you don't have to do my laundry. It's no big deal, she smiled, holding the basket out.

Will stood up and took it. She didn't let go right away. I heard you and your dad. I'm sure you did. He can be an ass sometimes, but you know he means well? Yeah, that's one word for it. Laney released the basket. She looked at him for a moment,

then turned her attention to the shelf of DVDs across the room. room. She smiled. Remember, when you were little, how you take all the videotapes off the shelf in the living room and then set up your own blockbuster on the couch? Mom, I know you've got a good head on your shoulders. I know figuring all this life stuff out is hard, but you've always had something in you. I'm not asking you to be anything in particular. I just need you to find a way to let it out.

She squeezed his arm and walked back upstairs. It was the kindest thing anyone had said to him in months, and it made him feel worse than anything his father had said. When he got himself together, Will made his way to the coffee table. He looked over the magic kit. The hat was still upright. The cape still draped over the box. The wand still across the instructions.

He picked up the instructions and read through them again. They made him smile. The crude illustrations and enthusiastic text. The explanation of how to pull the rabbit from the hat. On impulse, he reached for the hat. He picked it up and turned it over. The felt rabbit was there, sewn to the interior lining, madded and faded and missing one eye, a kid's toy.

Just a cheap trick designed to delight children who didn't know any better. Will stuck his hand into the hat. Something grabbed him. Fingers were wrapping around his wrist with a grip that was cold and strong. He tried to pull back, But the grip tightened, and he felt himself being pulled forward, pulled down. Will struggled, almost losing his balance, but was finally able to yank his hand free with a labored grunt. He threw the hat across the room.

He hit the wall and fell to the floor, landing brim up, innocent and inanimate. Just a hat. Will stood there, breathing hard, staring at it. His wrist throbbed where whatever had grabbed him. When he looked, he could see him. marks, no bruises, but the faint impression of fingers pressed into his skin. What the fuck? he panted. He looked back at the hat. The inside of it was dark from where he stood. Will grabbed his keys and left. Will drove for six hours straight. He took every order

that came in, no matter how far or how poorly it paid. He needed to be moving and doing something. Will needed to not be in the basement thinking about what he'd felt. By the time he got home, it was dark. His parents were in the living room watching TV, and his mother intercepted him before he could escape downstairs. Will, good, you're home. I wanted to tell you before you heard it from somewhere else. Will's mom, Lainey Shockley, was a 63-year-old retired elementary school teacher.

She was the sweeter of his two parents, and she worried about her son. Will knew that. A lot less confrontational and more gentle and caring. Sometimes, though, Will wondered what good that had done him. What's up? Will chirped. Adra's coming this weekend.

So is Armand and Lily. They're going to stay here through Sunday. Will felt his stomach drop. Oh, awesome. Oh, come on now. You mean to tell me you aren't excited to see your baby sister? Mom smiled. Will rolled his eyes. Yeah, Audra's fine, I guess. She's excited to see you, and so is Lily. Will doubted all of that

very much. Audra was two years younger than him and approximately 10,000 years ahead of him. She'd done everything right and done it early. Degree, career, Armin, the house, Lily, not because she was ruthless about it, but because she was competent, and competence, Will had come to understand, was its own kind of cruelty. She didn't rub his face in any of it. The gap between them was so wide and so established that it had stopped requiring acknowledgement from either of them. Well, shucks, I'm just so excited to see Audra. He relented sarcastically. I'll make sure to clean up downstairs. You don't have to do all that. They're not going to mind. No, it's fine, Mom.

I'll make it nice for when Lily eventually gets bored and watches TV down there. Will didn't want to do all that, but he also didn't want to stand here having this conversation. So we turned around and headed downstairs before she could say anything else. The basement was trashed. Will stood at the foot of the stairs, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. His clothes were everywhere, pulled from the closet, scattered across the floor, draped over furniture. The cushions had been pulled from the couch and thrown into corners.

His DVDs were off the shelves. His drawers were open. His mini-fridge door was hanging ajar. It looked like someone had searched the place. Or like something had torn through it in a fury. Will stepped inside, glass crunching under his feet. It was a picture frame, he realized, one that had been on his nightstand. He moved through the chaos slowly.

Looking for anything missing, anything broken beyond repair. His laptop was on the floor but seemed intact. His TV was still on its stand. His... the magic kid. He looked at the coffee table. The box was gone. The hat, the cape, the wand, all gone. Will searched for ten minutes before he found them.

They were under his bed, pushed all the way to the back, nestled against the wall like they were hiding. The hat was collapsed flat. The cape was wrapped around it. The wand lay on top. He just left them there. Whatever was happening, he didn't want to deal with it. He'd handle it tomorrow.

Probably just throw the whole thing in the trash and forget he'd ever found it. Some things weren't worth $80 plus shipping. He cleaned up the basement as best he could, put his clothes back in the closet, and righted his furniture. Then Will got into bed and lay there in the dark. staring at the ceiling, trying not to think about what was under his bed. He hadn't eaten since the cold brew and a nutra grain bar he grabbed around noon, and he'd been added for 12 hours straight now. He closed his eyes and waited for sleep.

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He switched on the flashlight and felt his chest tighten. The cape floated motionlessly in the air at the foot of the bed. like it was being held from the ceiling by a thin wire. Below it was the hat. Will didn't know what to make at the sight. He'd forgotten about the smell. He was trying to comprehend this. Before he could gather his thoughts, the cape slowly crumpled into the hat, swallowed like

water down a drain. Will lay there for a moment, his heart pounding, his breath coming in short gasps. Then he got up, walked over to the hat and picked it up. It was heavier than it should have been. dense. Like something was inside it, packed tight. He should throw it away. He should take it outside right now, dump it in the trash, never think about it again. That was the smart thing to do. But he had to know. He reached inside. A hand grabbed him immediately, not his wrist this time, but his fingers, interlacing with them. The grip was strong. His knuckles cracked.

He felt himself being pulled inward, into an endless sprawl within the hat. Will struggled to break and almost did, until the feeling of hot breath tickled his ear. Like a voice whispering something to him. He barely heard it, but Will felt it. The hand suddenly pulled him even harder and Will tumbled to the floor. Finally, he pulled his hand free with a scream that didn't make it past his throat. He stumbled back hitting the wall. The hat fell to the floor, the cape, spilling out of it like blood from a wound.

He gathered up the kit with shaking hands. Put everything back in the box. box, put the box in his closet all the way in the back, behind his winter coats. Then he got back into bed and pulled the covers over his head like a child hiding for monsters. He didn't sleep. Saturday arrived. The doorbell rang. Audra was here. Will hid out in the basement as long as he could, listening to the footsteps overhead, the muffled voices, the shriek of Lily's laughter. He could picture the scene, Audra hugging their parents, Armin, firmly shaking his father's hand.

Lily running from room to room exploring a house she'd visited a dozen times. He had to go up eventually. His mother called down the stairs, bright and insistent, and he couldn't avoid it any longer. Will slunk into the now-crowded kitchen. Audra was at the counter, helping mom with something on her phone. Armin was sitting at the table with their dad, laughing at each other's jokes. Lily was nowhere to be seen. Will!

Audra spotted him, crossing the room to give him a hug. A noxious cloud of perfume-filled Will's nose upon impact. You look good, Audra said, squeezing her brother tight. How are you doing? Fine, good. You know. Still driving Uber? Kind of, yeah.

With some other stuff, too. Nice. That's cool to hear. It sounded like she meant it. Let me finish helping Mom real quick, and then we should... Oh yeah, for sure. Armin looked up, turning his attention to Will. Big dog!

He said, extending his hand. Good to see you, dude. How are things? Good, man. All good. Great to hear. Armin smiled. Again, it felt genuine.

You know, if you ever wanted a change of scenery, you should come hang with us for a weekend or something. We just redid the backyard. Got the pool going, too. Sounds sick, man. Will feigned enthusiasm. Lily pretty much lives in it. She's basically a fish now. Then Armin leaned in closer and lowered his voice. Seriously, though, you've got an open invite to come by.

Might do you some good to get out of here. We could even, like, work out in the gym in the basement or something. Thanks, man. Will nodded and smiled. He felt himself shrinking inside. This was always how it went. Audra and Armin weren't trying to make him feel bad. They really were kind people. They didn't rub their success in his face because they didn't have to.

Their mere existence was enough. Dinner was pushed back because of rain. No cookout, like his dad planned on. Just a pot of spaghetti and garlic bread now. Will helped where he could, setting plates, filling glasses. The house was full of smiles and chatter. Will tried to keep up with the conversations, but quickly gave up. He was drowning in a sea of questions about work and home renovations and upcoming vacations to other countries.

Suddenly, in all the noise, Will heard his father's voice call out to him. You're 31, Will! His voice echoed in Will's head. He turned to his father, taken back by the solemn and unprompted reminder. What did you say? Will asked him in disbelief. You having fun, Will? His dad smiled.

Oh, yeah, totally. Will sighed. Before he could compose himself, Audra appeared at Will's side. Hey, can you go grab Lily? I parked her downstairs in front of your TV a little while ago. Need a little break with some help from Bluey. Yeah, I got you. Will said, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

He went downstairs, expecting to hear the TV blaring. Hey, hey, Lily, dinner's almost. The basement was quiet. The TV was off. Lily was not on the couch. Will felt a pit grow in his stomach. The magic kid was on the coffee table. The box was open.

The hat sat upright. The cape was spread across the surface. The wand lay beside them. Lily? No answer. Will moved through the room, checking behind the couch under the bed. Nowhere to be found. He was about to go back upstairs when he heard a sound from his closet.

A soft, hiccuping sob. He crossed the room and opened the closet door. Lily was huddled in the back corner. Her knees pulled to her chest. Her face wet with tears. She looked up at him with wide eyes. Whoa! Will said, crouching down.

Whoa, hey. What's wrong? What happened? Lily shook her head. Did you hurt yourself? Will asked. Are you okay? Lily paused.

She whispered, Will felt the blood drained from his face. What? It told me to do it. Her voice was very small. It showed me the trick. Lily. Will stopped. The felt rabbit, the one sewn to the lining.

You mean the toy bunny? That rabbit in the hat? Lily shook her head again. Her eyes were wide, scared. They stared into Will's. It didn't look like a rabbit. He had to figure this out and figure it out fast. Whatever you saw, he said slowly, it was probably just something on TV.

Okay, you were watching TV, and you fell asleep, and you had a bad dream. That's all. But I wasn't sleeping. Dreams can feel super real some... I wasn't sleeping! Lily had gone from fear to anger now. I did the trick, and it came out it wouldn't and wouldn't let me go. Adrenaline rushed over Will. You shouldn't go through people's things. He blurted out, a lot harsher than he meant to.

That's not yours. You shouldn't have even touched it. Lily flinched, curling up in fear again. Will softened his voice. Whoa. Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean... Look, just forget about it, okay?

It was a bad dream. Let's go upstairs. Dinner's almost ready. He helped Lily to her feet. She was still shy. shaking, but she let him lead her out of the closet, through the basement, toward the stairs. She paused at the bottom of the stairs and looked back at the coffee table, at the kit. The trick was mean, she announced unprompted.

Think so? Will asked. Lily paused. Have you done the trick before? Will didn't know how to answer. He just shrugged. That seemed to be good enough for her. They climbed the stairs together. At the top, Will watched Lily make a decision. Her face smoothed out, her shoulders relaxed, and by the time they reached the kitchen, she was smiling again, running to her mother like nothing had happened.

Will watched her go, feeling sick. The 2006 Chevrolet Equinox awarded the most dependable compact SUV in the U.S. by J.D. Power. It's designed for your everyday, and with available all-wheel drive, you can handle your to-do list with total confidence. Start your build at Chevrolet.ca. Details at J.D.power.com. He went back to the basement. The magic kit was still on the coffee table.

He picked up the hat and looked inside. The felt rabbit was there, sewn to the lining, matted and faded and missing one eye. Just a toy, a cheap trick. He reached his hand inside. He felt the lining and the stitching and the interior of a hat that was exactly as it was supposed to be. Will pulled his hand out and stared at his hand.

at his hand. He stood there for a moment, waiting. Then he tossed it back on the table and went upstairs. Lily told me she has something special planned for after we eat, Audra announced, beaming. She's putting on a magic show. Will's fork froze halfway to his mouth. A magic show! His mom clapped her hands together. So she found Uncle Will's magic kit downstairs. Audra continued, now looking at her daughter. and she wants to show us something really cool. Lily smiled, kicking her feet under the table with excitement. Will set down his fork.

His gaze first went to Lily, whose eyes immediately locked with his. Then he looked to his father, who was already looking at Will. Uh, magic kid, huh? Arnold nodded skeptically. Will turned to his sister. Actually, I don't... Uncle Will, come. Come on.

Audra gave him a look. She's six. Let her have fun. No. I just mean... So, magic, huh? Armin asked. When did you start getting into that?

It's not mine. I found it and I was just going to sell it. Well, it sounds like Lily's adopted it. Audra's voice had an edge to it. The one she'd get when she thought her brother was being difficult. One super cool magic show isn't going to hurt anyone. anyone. We can give it back to you after. Will looked around the table. His mother was smiling. His father was focused on his plate. Armin was checking his phone.

Awesome, Will said. Sounds like it'll be fun. Dinner came and went. Will barely tasted the food. He kept thinking about Lily huddled in his closet. He should stop this. Will should take the kit, throw it away, and refuse to let Lily anywhere near it. But how would he explain that? They'd think he was crazy. He was certain they all already thought he was a fuck-up, didn't need to add crazy to the list. Lily disappeared after dinner to get ready.

The rest of the family moved to the living room, arranging themselves on couches and chairs like an audience at a theater. Will sat in the corner, as far from the action as he could get. Is everybody ready? Lily called from the hallway. Ready! His mom called back. Okay.

Lily called back. Here comes the amazing Lily. She entered with a flourish. She was wearing the cape, which dragged on the floor behind her. The hat sat on her head, too big, tilting to one side. The wand was clutched in her small hand, held aloft like a scepter. She looked adorable. Everyone said.

So, Audra was already reaching for her phone to film the show. Will felt far away. For my first trick, Lily announced, I will turn this wand into flowers. She waved the wand in a complicated pattern, then awkwardly flicked it. Cheap, plastic flower suddenly burst from the wand. The family ooed and awed with wonder. Will looked on, and covering his mouth, trying to figure out how Lily did that. The wand, the wand was The pond was a painted wooden dowel before dinner, a thin piece of wood, nowhere for those flowers to hide. Lainey cheered.

Bravo! Arnold added. Lily beamed. For my next trick, I need my magic hat. She took off the hat and held it up, showing the interior to the audience. From where Will sat, he couldn't see inside. I will now pull a rabbit out of my hat. Will's pulse quickened.

He leaned in, quietly terrified by Lily's forthcoming trick. With a flick of her wrist, Lily reached inside. Her face scrunched up with concentration. Suddenly, she gasped. Then, with a dramatic flourish, she pulled out the felt rabbit. The one sewn to the lining, matted and faded and missing one eye. The family applauded again. Lily took a bow.

And now, she began, for my nest trick. I need an assist, an assistant, a volunteer. Something was wrong. This wasn't adding up. He and Lily both agreed the kit was no good. Will looked at the group and realized the entire family was looking at him. He turned to Lily. She was looking at him too.

I'll do it, Will resigned, standing up. Uncle Will volunteers! Lily pointed the wand at him. Come up here, please. He didn't want to go, but Audra was smiling behind the camera, and his mother was clapping her hands together with delight. He walked to where Lily was standing. Please sit down, Uncle Will.

Lily said. You're too tall. Everyone laughed. Will knelt. He and Lily were the same height now. Now, she said, holding up the hat. I will have you reach inside and pull out the rabbit. Will looked at Lily, then do his sister and her husband.

Then his mom and dad. Everyone smiled and looked on with excitement. Well, come on, Uncle Will. Armand said. Pull the rabbit out. Will sighed and turned his attention to the hat. He looked into it. Something looked back.

Eyes. Unblinking yellow eyes looked back at him. Will felt himself begin to shake. The whole family was watching. He could feel their eyes on him and could hear them murmuring with anticipation. He could sense their smiles and their expectations and their complete unawareness of what was happening. He shut his eyes and reached into the hat.

The hand grabbed him. It was gentle this time, almost tender. The fingers interlaced with his, guided his hand deeper into the impossible interior of the hat. Then pressed something cold and metallic into his palm. And now pull it out, Lily said. Her voice was flat. Show everyone. Will pulled his hand out of the hat.

He looked at what he was holding for a moment without understanding it. Then he looked up at his family. Audra's smile hadn't moved. Fixed in place. A half-second passed where it should have shifted. His mother's eyes were bright in a way that wasn't quite joy. Armin had set his phone down and was watching with an attention that didn't match the moment. His father was nodding slowly.

He looked back at what he was holding. A gun. Small and black, heavy in his palm. He looked at his family. They were still smiling, still watching, still waiting for the trick to be completed. No one reacted to the gun. No one screamed. No one moved.

No one did anything at all. They just sat there, looking at him with bright, expectant eyes. Now, Uncle Will, Lily said, Make yourself disappear. Will looked at his father. Arnold was nodding slowly, encouragingly, like this was all part of the show. Like this was what was supposed to happen.

Go on, Will, Arnold said. Make yourself disappear. He looked at his mother. She was clapping softly. Her eyes bright with tears. We love you, and we'll always love you, Will. It's okay. He looked at Audra.

She was still holding her phone, still recording. You got this, brother, she said. We believe in you. He looked at Armin. Then at Lily. Then the gun in his hand. Make yourself disappear. Lily said softly.

Do the trick, please. Will turned to his family once more. Then his eyes went to the hat. The eyes were gone. Make yourself disappear. Lily whispered. Will had spent years trying to figure it out. He couldn't find the answer. It felt like life wouldn't give him one. He had been trying for so long. He tried to make the change happen. He didn't think the trick to it all was this easy. Will raised the gun. Will felt

aloud now. The family leaned forward in anticipation. Will put the barrel in his mouth. He closed his eyes. Will held his breath. He pulled the trigger. Thanks for tuning in. If you enjoyed the story, be sure to follow or subscribe and share the show with a fellow horror fan. I'll see you in the next one.