The Magnus Archives - Feed Drop – The Antiquarium Of Sinister Happenings– Lot 001 : I Was The Hitchhiker

Episode Date: November 21, 2025

Today, we are sharing an episode from a show called The Antiquarium Of Sinister Happenings Step into a mysterious shop, where every relic has a sordid tale to tell! The Antiquarium Of Sinister Happenings is a weekly multi-award winning full cast horror anthology featuring Mike Flanagan,Kate Siegel, David Dastmalchian, Devon Sawa,Jocelin Donahue and more.Immerse yourself as the darkness is brought to life through interactive elements and by uncovering hidden secrets in the stories themselves with the use of a cipher decoder ring! In this episode called Lot 001 : I Was The Hitchhiker which features Kate Siegel and Josh Ruben A mysterious man with a dark secret gets the ride of his life. You can Find The Antiquarium of Sinister Happenings on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts AND at theobsidiancovenant.comIntroduction and outro by Lowri Anne Davies.   Cast Stars Kate Siegel (Hush, The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass) and Josh Ruben (Werewolves Within, A Wounded Fawn)Featuring Stephen Knowles as The Antique Dealer. Written by Moe T.Theme music by The Newton Brothers. Additional music:On Entering The 9th Circle by Brian Holtz MusicFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9269-on-entering-the-9th-circleLicense: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)Lightless Dawn by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3982-lightless-dawnLicense: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)Investigate (Loopable) by Dave DevilleFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10777-investigate-loopableLicense: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)An Evil Wynd by Tim KuligFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9830-an-evil-wyndLicense: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)Ingestion Of Sorrows by Tim KuligFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9828-ingestion-of-sorrowsLicense: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)Carne Arrabiatta by Tim KuligFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9826-carne-arrabiattaLicense: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Content Warnings:Being Hunted Physical Violence Altered reality Immolation Body modification SFX Misophonia, Insects, Squelching. For ad-free episodes, bonus content and the latest news from Rusty Towers, join members.rustyquill.com or our Patreon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi everyone, it's Lowry here. Today we are sharing an episode from a show called The Antiquarium of Sinister Happenings. Step into a mysterious shop where every relic has a sordid tale to tell. The Antiquarium of Sinister Happenings is a weekly multi-award-winning full cast horror anthology featuring Mike Flanagan, Katie Siegel, David Dasmalcian, Devon Sauer, Jocelyn Donahue and more. immerse yourself as the darkness is brought to life through interactive elements and by uncovering hidden secrets in the stories themselves with a use of a cipher decoder ring in this episode called lot zero zero one i was the hitchhiker which features katie seagull and josh reuben a mysterious man with a dark secret gets the ride of his life you can find the antiquarium of sinister happenings on apple spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts and at the Obsidian Covenant.com. Have fun and enjoy the episode.

Why, hello and welcome. We do love visitors here at the Antiquarium. If I may be so bold to ask, what brings you into our cozy establishment this fine evening? Ah, you don't say. I think I've got just the thing. There you go. A genuine leather wallet.

Well worn with a stunning patina. But it also carries with it a dark secret that you are not going to believe. We got this in from the owner of a former historic hostel. Oh, I see. You are a curious one, aren't you? Well, then, sit back and make yourself at home. I call this one, I was the hitchhiker. Welcome to the antiquarium of sinister happenings and odd goings on.

Um, it's awkward to be the hitchhiker, to be the hitchhiker, to be on this side of a hitchhiker, to be on this side of a, scary folk tale. Let's not talk about how I got here. That's not really important. What matters is, I've never looked more disheveled. I've never felt more awkward, just a weird-looking dork sticking my thumb out on an empty road,

sandwiched between two forests. Pitch black. This midnight, I think. I didn't have my watch on me or my phone or anything else that tells the time. My internal clock ain't great either, but let's say it's between 10, 49, 2 a.m., I think, probably. Cargo's past.

It doesn't even think about stopping. I don't blame him. It looked like a couple that were just coming back from a fun camping trip, and they don't need my nonsense right now. I mean, I wouldn't stop for me. It would just be silly, really. I'll hold out hope. Maybe a van failed a capacity,

save for one seat in the back, would stop for me. They could take a chance. After all, if I tried anything funny, I'd be vastly outnumbered. Anyway, about 20 minutes past, no van. Actually, no cars at all. I guess people don't really use this road, or it's late, and hitchhiking on Wednesday night, or Thursday morning.

Isn't really a wise move. Oh, look, a car. They're slowing to stop. Oh, not. It doesn't look like they can take me, but, Uh, they look, uh, apologetic? That's sweet. You're just sort of mumbling, sorry, and shrugging.

Nah, that's fine. I'm too glad you looked at me, really. I'm pacing now, and I wish I had my cigarettes. I hate being in one place for too long. I hate being alone with my brain. I ruminate. I hear sounds coming from the forest, and they creep me out. I think about worst-case scenarios all the time.

You know how your brain can drum up something much scarier and anything real life can throw at you. Yeah, I just need to try to be present. Second thought, maybe I should just stay in my head. It's safer up here. The more mindful I get right now, the more it's clear I'm in the middle of the fucking road with no hope of getting home.

There's a feeling of tension in my chest. It's tight. It aches. I breathe into it. It'll dissipate. I've lived with anxiety long enough. I have my tools. Yes. I did, in fact, notice a car in front of me on the road, slow into a stop.

And no, I'm not going to get my hopes up. Shit, the driver looks professional. Like, she actually has her life in order. Huh, and don't do this. Statistically, this isn't a good move. The odds are not in your favor. She looks like she just straightened her hair. Like, she's come from some sort of tech conference, business, casual.

Like, you could put her in a brochure. Fucking hell, she looks my age. Don't do this. I could be a maniac. I can wait for the van. You look like you've had a rough night. Hey, uh, look. Thank you for the kind gesture.

but um i'm actually kind of waiting for a car with more people in it so that it's well you know less weird uh for everyone get in i'll be okay okay if i'm being honest i'm praying for another car to come by and uh well nope it doesn't so i get in lady i'm gonna give you a lecture about safety once you drop me off. It's not wise to pick up a scruffy hitchhiker like me in the middle of the night. But first I'll just ride.

Whereabouts you're heading? Honestly, two hours in the direction you're already driving. I'm in Morgantown. Anywhere in the city is fine. Cool. I can take you a good chunk of the way there, I think. Depends on how much I like you. I'm kidding.

I'm just grateful for the ride. Thank you. We sit in silence for a bit, you know, and I'm hoping she's putting on the radio or something. You know, usually people are more talkative. I don't want to start ruminating again. And I'm sitting here and I'm just, I'm wondering what she's thinking, you know. Does she regret picking me up?

Is this weird? She's scared for her safety. I mean, she shouldn't be. She shouldn't be. But I get it. This is weird, right? So I do have to ask, it's Thursday morning at 1 a.m., what are you doing in the...

middle of the road. 1 a.m. nailed it. My internal clock's better than I thought. And look, lady, I know you just want to have a conversation, but I really don't want to answer this question. Um, a, uh, it's just a retreat with friends. You know, we do it every year.

It's a bit of a ritual. Right. And does the retreat end with you standing in the middle of the road looking the way you do right now? No offense. Oh, no, no. Um, none taken. And, uh, no.

I left early on not-so-great terms. That's it? That's it. You know, she's shaking her head to me, and then... And then there's this awkward silence. I'm starting to go back into my head, please. Lady, please turn on the radio or something. You know, if you talked more, it would be easier to trust you.

I mean, I did pick you up in the middle of the night. Hey, you're free to drop me off wherever you want. I feel weird about this, too. It's kind of like when you're accidentally walking behind someone at night and you feel weird, but you two are going the same way, you know? And yet you stuck out your thumb and got in the car. Good point. I mean, it was a good point.

It's good to self-reflect sometimes, right? I mean, I could be a hypocrite now. Sure. Okay. I'll tell you something about me. But then you have to tell me more about you. Damn it. She is cute.

Well, I picked you up because I've had benders before in a past life. I mean, come on. I didn't always look this fancy. I had to sort some shit out in my life. For someone who claims to be as grounded and put together as you are, picking me up was pretty silly. Again, statistically, a pretty stupid choice. And so, you know, I've had nights where people would go out of their way to drop me off at home.

I'd literally been in your shoes, you know, disheveled, barely awake, drunk out of my mind, sticking my thumb out on an empty road. And honestly, it was just as scary getting picked up, but I trusted people. And they took care of me and brought me home. So in a way, I guess I'm paying it forward. I have full trust that the universe balance. She said all that with a smile, kind of endearing, you know. I'm not sure if I trust all that, but endearing nonetheless, I begrudgingly nod. Oh, that's actually kind of wholesome. Now you? I sigh. This road runs long. It's kind of scary outside. Maybe if she likes me enough,

She'll take me all the way home. I don't want to be out on the street again. I'll open up just a bit. All right. Okay, yeah. So you ever have that group of friends where you change so much as a person that you probably shouldn't be friends with them anymore, but you also feel obligated to show up when they ask you to come out?

So you end up going to that stupid event you know you shouldn't be going to? And you regret it immediately. Hey, exactly, exactly. So I go because we're all buddies, right? And we go way back, except I don't like the idea to getting trashed at a hostel and having to, you know, give the group of my phone, my keys, my wallet, everything. Play that stupid game we all play. Stupid game? All right, but you have to promise not to judge me.

Um, the game is, uh, so basically, basically what is, is that, um, so each of us has to hit the town and find a, uh, a girl, uh, to bring back to our room. And, um, anyone who doesn't succeed has to sleep outside without any of their, uh, belongings. Wow, you and your friends really are chauvinistic morons, aren't you? Ha ha. Morons. Oh, that's good. Yeah, no, like I said, I, I shouldn't be friends with, with, with, with, them anymore so um oh i'm kidding you shouldn't let your guard down too quickly i haven't finished my story yet so i take a beat and then i continue so i came this time but my my terms were clear i hang out we can drink i'm happy to be a wingman anyone playing that stupid game but beyond that i won't be participating i want to stay at home kickback have a relaxing time but you didn't really think they'd let you not participate did you i did i did

That's why I came. Really? Yeah, yeah, really, really. Moron. Wow, okay, you're almost getting too comfortable with me now. Great diversion. But you didn't tell me the whole story, did you? You know, if I had cigarettes and a light,

I'd be happy to go back onto the street, but I don't. All right, you win, lady. Okay, uh, well, they pulled their bullshit on me, okay? I had a couple of drinks in me And slowly those assholes I grabbed my keys My wallet, my phone My fucking smokes

Little by little Pricks Uh-oh I'm getting heated I'm scaring her Aren't I By the time I knew the jig was up They all got together to try to pick me up

And throw me outside You know force me to play that dumb game with them Force me to bring a girl Back to our room Okay, I'm rambling Let's try to cool it You lost your shit, didn't you? I lost my shit.

I lost my shit. I freaked out. I'm not usually an angry drunk, but some of me snapped this time. You know, Mark, he grabbed me by the legs, and Francesco had my arms. They were trying to drag me outside, and they were laughing. So I started kicking and punching hard. You know, and once I got my footing, I was just straight up swinging at them full force. And I feel like I did some damage, too.

I mean, nothing, like, too severe. But, you know, Mark fell to the floor, and I kept hitting him. You know, everyone eventually tore me off him, but I was still, I was still, like, lashing out. Not physically anymore, but I was like, I was screaming, you know, verbal. It was like emotional abuse. It was, uh, it was weird. God damn it, I need to save this shit for therapy. I, um, anyways.

So they all just looked at me mortified, like I was a freak or something. And so I walked out of the front door, and here I am. took me 15 minutes of walking and I realized I didn't have my phone or my keys or my wallet cigarettes anything I wanted to go back inside to ask my stuff but I just felt weird you know because of my little moment like something was stopping me just just think you know it would have been so awkward no to freak out and punch my friends and come back and say uh I'm sorry by the way I know I'm rambling I kind of I kind of have this habit of getting stuck in my head sometimes I'm sorry

I really wish I had a cigarette right now Oh fucking hell I can't even look at her now You know she's staring at me like I'm a fucking Moron Keep your eyes on the road man Dude you're a fucking moron Yeah I know

What are you gonna do about your stuff I don't know I'll just Call them or something you know later Like in a few days Or to apologize I'll need to borrow someone's phone To do that obviously

Or alternatively I could bring you back To the hostel tonight They let me come back in if I bring a pretty lady, right? She stops the car. Oh, fuck. Now I've done it. I'm sorry. Hey, stupid joke, I say.

And then there's this awkward silence until she slowly starts driving again. You're not making this easy. I know. The road stretches long. Are your friends smokers, too? No, just me. You sure about that? Why would they lift your cigarettes if they don't smoke?

Just to be dicks, I guess. You know, they're just like that. Fuck. This road is long. I guess I really never paid attention to roast before. Huh. That's kind of weird. Why is there an eye on the glove compartment box?

Why is it blinking? What, uh, what is that, I ask? Point? Just decoration. Will you miss that when you got in? Fuck. I'm out of it. Silence.

You think your friends will forgive you? I mean, who knows? We were already drift apart anyway. Maybe it's for the best if they don't forgive me. Right. How does Riley feel about it? Huh? I talked about Riley?

When didn't I mention him? Riley. Yeah. Uh, yeah. I don't really know how he feels about it. Probably the same as the other guys. Um, hey, when did I talk about Riley? Silence.

I never said his name before. Yeah, you did. You've been rambling for a while, repeating yourself over and over again, and then forgetting that you said anything. Fuck. What? I look in front of me. The road stretches long. I look back.

This road stretches long. Oh, fuck. Fuck. How much did I drink? Am I fucked up? And seriously, why is there an eye on the glove compartment? And now you're spiraling. You're in your head, and it's going to be super quiet and awkward for a few minutes.

Oh, shit. Keep it cool, dude. Clearly, my hitchhiker etiquette needs some work. I'm being unseemly. I'm sorry. I just... Weird night. It's fine.

Just take a chill pill, Michael. Breathe in. Relax. It's all good. I never said my name before. You are really forgetting stuff. No. No, I'm not, actually.

and I hate to use a very overused term, but it sort of feels like you're gaslighting me right now. Look, I'm not comfortable with you freaking out at me. Just look out your window, take a breath, and cool it. I'll get you home. Oh, fine. Fucking hell. I'm back in my head with my thoughts.

Back to looking outside. This road stretches long. This road stretches real long. Am I losing it? Take a deep breath in. I'm okay. I'm okay. It's been quiet for a little bit.

I think I can calm down. I think I can calm down. Yes, that fucking eye is still there. It's still looking at me. You know, I think Mark smoked your cigarettes after you left to calm down. All right, she wants to break the tension by theorizing about my friends. Fuck it. I'm here for it.

I think he smoked them indoors. A few of them. I think he tossed them, half-smoked and still lit into a large potted plant, and I don't think he knew any better. I think they caught fire. Right. The road isn't narrow anymore. Why does it feel like we're driving on a large, open field? What are you saying?

I don't think your friends knew what to do. They were probably too fucked up. So the whole place was up in flames quickly. Really, really quickly. I think the fire got them. Fuck Eyes on the road Stop looking at me when you're driving

Hey She's smiling at me Right at me deranged I look away I look in front of me We're in the cosmos But it's not inspiring It looks like hell

Black holes All around us empty space What the fuck is happening And now I don't want to look at her But I can see her in my peripheral vision. She's still smiling at me. I look over just a little bit. Her smile and her teeth are extending beyond her face.

Her face is extending beyond her face. Her whole being is taking up more space. She looks animated, unreal, pitch black. unreasonably happy her smile is so clear it doesn't make sense I feel like I'm prey this feels like nature

her eyes are smiling warm she's looking at me harder than anyone's ever looked at me in my life fuck when did I start looking back at her I don't want to be looked at don't look at me I can't scream But I'm still alive

Maybe if I keep doing what I'm doing I can stay alive If it wasn't a cigarette It would have been something else You shouldn't blame yourself Did she always sound like this? I turn away from her My eyes are back on the road

Sorry, on the cosmos The universe stretches long They were all going to depart tonight She's not using her mouth to talk You wouldn't want to see what's in my mouse. Don't think. Don't think about this. Just look ahead.

Eyes on the universe. Just don't move. Fuck. Wait. Is that my house? Is that my house? Why is my house in the middle of fucking cosmos? Why is it here?

I want to go home. I want to go home. Home. Real home. I can feel your muscles twitching in your arms and legs. I can smell your intestine. I don't know what to do. I need to stop thinking. It'll pass. One way or another, this land.

You never eat carrots. Lying is a casual sport for you. You're happier than you pretend to be. She's in front of me. She's splattered on the windshield. I can feel her face on the head rest against the back of my head. She's speaking into me. You're trying not to. That is correct, ma'am. I hope this fucking car crashes.

No, you don't. You're hoping it will all be okay. You're praying it will all be okay. Stop thinking. Zen. Quiet. Breathe in and breathe out. She's still looking at me.

Breathe in. And breathe out. She's stretching into the cosmos. She's everywhere. In and out. It's okay. That's how anxiety is. You get worse before it gets better.

Breathe in. And out. She's in front of my face. She's even closer when I close my eyes. In. And out. In. And out.

Breathe. Were you supposed to be there tonight, too? Yes. And yet you weren't. No. No, I wasn't. Do you deserve this exit? I'm not sure.

It's coming up soon. I know. I'll ask you again. Fuck. She pierces my hand and my shoulder. Did you change enough before tonight to deserve this exit? Please, bet this. No, no, I didn't.

I think I'm a piece of shit. I think I deserve to die. She makes her right on the exit, and we drive out of the cosmos. Everything returns to form. Like how it all should be. Trees, road, concrete, gravity, sky. And I'm home. That's it? I'm home. This morning, the sun is coming up. Pardon the cliche, but I actually think I hear birds chirping. And she's business casual, professional. all put together.

But I am bleeding from my hand and my shoulder. And that eyeball on the glove compartment box is still there. We're parked on the street right in front of my house. Okay. I've always been particularly

shit at saying goodbye to people who drop me off. I open the car door, I trudge onto the sidewalk, I look back at her. I close the car door and there is a slow trickle of blood onto the sidewalk, a little bit on a car. Sorry about that.

I should go inside and get myself cleaned up. Oh, fuck. No keys. We're looking at each other. You said some really mean stuff about yourself back there. You shouldn't sell yourself short, you know? I believe her. I'd do a half wave, and before I can think of myself,

please god just fucking drive off please she starts driving off down the long road the road that stretches long and long and long and long and she's in view still and smaller and smaller and then she's gone It's kind of nice outside I never realize how pretty this neighborhood is Maybe I should stand here for a little while

Thank you for your patronage Hope you enjoyed your new relic As much as I've enjoyed passing along its sordid history It does come with our usual warning however absolutely no refunds, no exchanges, and we won't be held liable for anything that may or may not occur while the object is in your possession. Oh, you think just because you're only listening to my voice

that you have nothing to be concerned about, let me assure you that your visit to the antiquarium whether in the flesh or in your mind's eye is most certainly not in vain. You are, after all, the architect of this place. I must say you've done a hell of a job. Even the way you have given me a face and carved out the most minute details of my person

in that cerebrum of yours is quite impressive indeed. Therefore, the items you procure within these walls, even on a metaphysical level, are very, very real, and are now and forever part of your subconscious. All part of our standard bill of sale, really? Till next time, we'll be waiting for you whenever you close your eyes. in the space between sleep and dream. During regular business hours, of course, or by appointment, only for you, our best customer. You have a good night now.

The Antiquarium of Sinister Happenings, Lot Zero One, was The Hitchhiker, written by Mo T. Featuring Josh Rubin as the hitchhiker. Kate Siegel as the driver. Stephen Knowles as the antique dealer. Additional music by Kevin McLeod, Brian Holtz, Dave DeVille, and Tim Kulig. Engineering production and sound design by Trevor Shand. The Antiquarium of Sinister Happenings is created and curated by Trevor and Lauren Shand. Theme music by the Newton Brothers. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter at Antiquarium Pod. Call the Antiquarium at 646-481-7-1-797. You can find other episodes of the Antiquarium of Sinister Happenings on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and at theobsidiancovenant.com.

Thanks for listening.