Thursday, April 28, 2016

The Scream

This is a creepy story told by a church mate and friend of mine. He has been my friend for a long time and I know he won't lie such as this.

One morning, weekdays (forgot the exact day), he decided to go to our church to place some newly designed tarpaulin. No one goes to church during weekdays except for meetings, activities and urgent works. That time, he was alone in that place.
He told me that the exact moment he entered the church, he felt gloomy, yet decided to continue otherwise. While busy tending the tarpaulin, he suddenly felt fear for reasons unknown. He told us that the church smelled of liquor or a very strong wine at that time. He has just been there for 10 minutes but decided to go home and not finish the task regardless. The fear of the unknown overcame him.
Before going home he decided to take a pee, yet something stopped him entering the restroom bluntly, something non-explainable happened to him. Someone screamed right at his face. A terrifying shriek from a girl or a young boy, he felt it right on his face. It stopped him for a moment. then after regaining his composure and awareness haste himself down the stairs and went home even without locking the church.


I'm not saying our church is haunted or anything, but it can be a delusion on his side and may be a result of lack of sleep. So far, no other person experienced any other weird things happen inside our church. But one thing I'm rest assured of, my friend wasn't making up this story.

Friday, February 26, 2016

5 One Sentence Horror Stories

1. One night, two of my girl cousins were walking down a farm going home when they saw a headless man skinning a chicken.
2. My uncle was farming sugar cane early morning when he saw a coconut rolling uphill, as if something is playing with it.
3. Grandpa once heard people having a party at a nearby house. No one lives there.
4. My father while climbing the stairs, saw a teenage boy peered through the door inside the bedroom. They stared each other for a while before the boy ran inside and my father can't recognize him.
5. Residents from nearby town sometimes hear babies crying inside an abandoned abortion house.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

The Haunted Church

Many people say that a church or a hospital is much more haunted than a cemetery.
There is a local church in our province that is rumored to be haunted with spirits and strange happenings. What an irony.


The church in our province rumored to be haunted

One night, my aunt is walking along the street to her friend's house. She was alone on that place and the road is very dark, not much streetlights around. When she got near to the road in front of the church, she suddenly heard a laughter. My aunt seem to saw two candlelight on top of the church's roof. She felt fear instantly yet continued to go along to her friend's home.


My aunt's fear continued to grow and all her hairs prickled, then when she was in front of the church, she looked up again to the church roof for the candlelight, but that was not she saw. It isn't a light of two candles, but the eyes of a severed head, on the roof, looking angry at her. At first, she thought it was a statue, but it really seemed alive and looking straight thru her. My aunt then heard soft footsteps, heavy breathing and rattling chains following behind her. She felt the worst fear and run rapidly to her friend's house without looking back. 

She slept at her friend's house and didn't went that road in front of the church alone ever again.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

The Suitcase





“Buendia Station. Arriving Buendia Station. Always watch your belongings as you leave the train. Thank you “.
            It was a clear sunny morning. The whole train were bustling with busy passengers eager to get to their own destinations. Rolando was suddenly awakened by the voice of the woman announcer or rather navigator, or whatever they call that. He must had taken a nap. No wonder for he didn’t slept this whole night. He’s still very nervous for whatever may come.
            This is his first time to ride a train. But instead of enjoying it, he gets more anxious as it goes farther and farther away. It is like his destination was hell and there will never be a way back. He looks for his ticket and found it in his pocket. It’ll be the next station now, where he will get off the train, and as negotiated, the place where he will left the suitcase. A big black suitcase. He grips it harder, wiped his cold sweat in the forehead with his hands, and took a deep breath. He knew he must think and decide fast.
            Rolando is a tall and well-built man, made by once been a soldier and his life today as a farmer, in a town in the province of Quezon. He has brown, sun-bathed skin and a clean shaven head. He now wears a blue polo-shirt which is now soaked front and back with sweat despite of the cold temperature inside the train, a black pants and a black leather shoes. He is holding a big black suitcase, which cause people entering the train to stumble upon it, for Rolando is now at the right side of the door.
            “Excuse me”, a woman in an office attire glares suspiciously at him. He doesn’t look suspicious he thinks. What may attract people’s attention is the case. He positioned it in his right side, away from the door. It’s very heavy and he’s growing curiosity asks what might be inside it. The rebels just said to leave it at the designated station, then run, and never try to open it. Or else, something bad will happen to his daughter.
            He has a lovely daughter named Celsa. Rolando raised her alone for his lovely wife died while delivering her. Rolando’s sorrowful days of his wife passing away was replaced by this happy, energetic and lovely kid. He then retired being a soldier to support his child and proceeded to become a full time farmer back in his hometown. He loved her very much for she is like her mother, in appearance and in personality. Sometimes Celsa wears her mother’s clothes and Rolando will tell her that her mother is always telling him jokes, which she in turn imitates. Rolando will just laugh and laugh and laugh, and remembers. Soon after he made the child sleep, he will go out of their home, and cry, in the middle of the night, below the lonely stars.
            All people in their town is fond of Celsa. They call her “Sisiw” which became her nickname, for the reason that she is very fond of chickens and its chicks. She is frequently seen around chasing chickens and chicks especially her father’s. Roland remembered that in her Fifth birthday, he gives her a chick of her own. She named it “Puppy”, which he laughed at. Then the whole town refers them as duo, “Sisiw and Puppy”. She even convinced him to join a pet show during a fiesta in a nearby town. Unfortunately, she and Puppy just won only the third place resulting her not feeding the chick for a day, which he secretly did for it to live.
            “I’m Sorry”, a man bumps him accidentally in his shoulder and positioned himself nearer the entrance. That means the station is getting nearer. His grip on the suitcase is getting harder and harder and more painful. He still hasn’t decided yet. Rolando closed his eyes and utter some prayers in his mind. In his whole life he didn’t believe in God, unlike his parents and his wife. His faith has gotten worse since his wife died. At that time, it feels like he wants to go to heaven, open its gates, and punch God hard in the face. Yet now, he doesn’t have any other hope, to live, to survive, to save his daughter and to do the right thing, but to his Maker, to the God that he hated for the rest of his life.
            Then the train stopped. He feared the worst. He feared that some police or authority detected what may be inside the suitcase. The technology here in the big city is growing far more advanced than that in the rural. Maybe they have something like that. I am innocent, Rolando shouted to himself, preparing that he may also shout this to the public, anytime sooner or later. I have done nothing wrong, they made me do it, for my daughter, I am innocent. His grip to the suitcase is becoming tighter and more painful. His heart pounding, away from his sweaty chest.
            “We’re sorry passengers for the delay but we had to stop this train for another train has not yet leaved the next station. Sorry for the inconvenience”. A bust of anger from the other passengers, a sigh of relief to Rolando. He has no problem with time. He is afraid of the result, the consequences, to the “what if”.
            He watches another train going to other route pass by. If only Sisiw is with him, he know she would enjoy riding a train. She always dream to go to the big city, live here in a new house, play in an amusement park like what she always see on television. Rolando miss her. She is the only treasure that he has in life, his only reason to live, only reason to survive, only reason to do this damn thing.
            Rolando remembers that she is seven years old by now. It is almost a month after her birthday, a month after all hell broke loose.
            A month ago, it is afternoon, he is walking down the street going back to his home from the market to sell his crops, and to buy a gift for her daughter for it was her birthday tomorrow, a Barbie doll, a thing she really wants that makes her save money in her piggy bank. Rolando will tell her tomorrow that she doesn’t need to save money anymore. He put it in his bag, then suddenly, he heard gunshots, rapid gunshots, and people screaming and shouting from the direction of the plaza. He run, for he knows Sisiw, at this time may be at the plaza playing with the other children. On the street, people were running and shouting, eager to get back to their house. On his way to the plaza, to look for Sisiw, he grabs a man’s shirt running towards him. It was his friend and fellow farmer. He asks what happened and what where those gunshots.
“They killed Tatay Into, even the two officials, Junior, the tall guy, The other one I forgot his name. You know Tatay Into, he's a tough one”, the farmer said, severely catching his breath.
“Tatay Into? Who killed him? Why?” asked Rolando. Tatay Into was their barangay captain. He was a man respected in their town for his honor and charity. That’s why he was called Tatay by everyone.
“The rebels, they are at the town, begged to Tatay Into to give them money. The old man's only money is for the government. He won't give that money whatever they would do to him. I heard his head is beyond repair, too many bullets. Several men, all armed. They didn't profit inside the barangay hall so they might beg money from us. Go home now.”
“Sisiw, have you seen her?”
“Yes, I saw her with Nanang rushing to go home, they went down the back alley. Hurry. I gotta be going.”
When he got home, Sisiw was already there, crying. He embraces her and asks if she’s alright and what was happened. She said that she heard gunshots, some men together with them in the plaza accompany her and her friends to their houses.
Rolando has done closing the door and proceeding to their window when he saw men, armed men walking down the street. Fear consumes him inside out when he realize that they going in the direction of their house. Hurriedly, he get his bolo knife and told Sisiw silently to hide to her room. When suddenly, gunfire, bullets simultaneously struck their wall. Rolando, lie down, saw Sisiw done the same, crying. The door suddenly opened, a tall man appeared, wearing a dirty camouflaged jacket and pants, and slippers at his feet, which too was covered in mud. He smiles, revealing a surprisingly healthy teeth. He has long hair, which is tailed at the back. In his air of confidence, he must be their leader, Rolando suspects. “Stand up”, a silent, yet provoking voice came out of the mysterious man. Knowing better, Rolando stood up. He was just an inch shorter than the man, yet he felt really small in the presence of these armed, hardy men. “Rolando, am I right?”
 “Who are you? What do you need? Why did you shoot us? Do you even know there's a child here?”asked Rolando, finding the willpower to the fact that still this his land.
“Why? Didn't we have to knock? Your old captain didn't gave us any money, so we ask for your cooperation then, since we heard you're the richest in this poor town. I hope your much wiser than your captain. You know much better than decline us.” said the rebel leader, pressing the mouth of his rifle to the chin of Rolando.
Rolando was shocked! Who’s the feeble-minded that told them that he is the richest man in this town? He may had the largest land, he also received some money from the government when he retired from the army, but he spend most of it in his wife’s funeral and buying lands, built a stone house and animals for their living, but it doesn’t mean that he is the richest. In fact no one here is rich enough to have that money that can spare to this worthless dogs. He looked around and didn’t saw Sisiw. She must have been inside her room.
“Who told you that? You were just tricked. I have no money, nor anyone here in this town. I have the largest land here, they mean that way. Just grab anything you want in this house, even my livestocks, or even this small hut, just leave me and my daughter now.” Roland said to the rebel, with a smile on his face.
The leader spit out, punch Rolando hard in his face, in the nose. Rolando felt it. It was very strong that his knees buckled and fall to the ground. The blood that came out from his nose trickled to the ground. He then ordered his men to drag him outside. Rolando is a brave man and a trained soldier, and he knows what the rebels would do to him. Yet, he knows better than to fight back, alone with his bolo knife, facing less than ten armed people. He obliged and two hardy men dragged him outside, to the middle of the street. Rolando is then kneeling, surrounded by the armed rebels.
The street is very quiet. No cars or people can be seen passing by. The windows and doors of every house were closed. Where are they? His fellows, his friends? There were only ten men here against a hundred of villages, yet why can’t they do something to help? To help Tatay Into, to help him, and help his daughter, Sisiw. Where is the government and their soldiers? Are they doing something to eradicate this thugs? Or just like the old days, satisfied with their comfortable situation? He regret the time that when he was still a soldier he didn’t kill them all.
A rebel bondage his wrist and feet, then blindfolded him. He hated the fact that he could do nothing. “Such a fool. Lot? Land? Livestocks? What would we do with that? Sell? Beside the effort of selling it, the money won't be enough. Your land is very small stupid. We need a lot of money for our campaigns”. That same silent, yet provoking voice said.
“I don't have anything to give, please. If you don't want anything from my land, then leave us and find work. You rebel against the government because they're doing something wrong, now what do you think you were doing? Aren't you pricks? You're not following the la- “, a kick in his stomach stopped Rolando.
            Then a sound came, a sound Rolando had been familiar with, the sound of a gun reloading.
            “That's what your foolish captain told me before I make his old head explode. You both will have the same destiny I think. We are wasting time brothers. Finish this stupid guy! “.
            “Stop!”
            It’s Sisiw. Rolando’s world is now falling apart. Great fear, much greater when he heard that his wife passed by. His only treasure. His daughter, will watch him die, or worse will be in the grip of death.
            He continues to hear her voice, sobbing and pleading. There was also a sound of coins as he hear her run towards them. “Please don't kill my father. We have no money to give, we are poor. Have mercy, this piggy bank, take it. This contained a lot of money. Take this, not Papa . .”
            The piggybank, yes the piggybank that Sisiw saves money with for her Barbie doll. It was enough for him to cry behind the blindfold. “Sisiw, my daughter! Why are you here? Didn't I told you to stay at your room? Go away! Please don't hurt my daughter. Do anything you want with me and just leave my daughter, I beg! “
            There is a silence that seems hours, then, a trigger was pulled...

            … A bullet shoots

            … To the ground beside Rolando
Laughter, many voices laughing, yet Rolando seems to hear only one sound, her daughter still crying. A man spoke, the same silent, yet provoking voice. “Girl, stop crying now. We won't hurt your father. Stop crying.”
He felt a close breath beside his right ear. “Be thankful with your cute daughter and we won't kill you, but it doesn't mean we'll overlook what you did. Listen, we have a task for you. Very easy and no sweat. If you didn't do this within our expectation we will kill you and your lovely daughter, much painful for her.”
Something hit him at his nose again, but this time he didn’t make it.  It is very painful at first, then the very few light he can see behind the blindfold disappeared.
            The time he woke up, he didn’t know where he is. It was very dark. He called his daughter’s name but there was no response. He started crying. Fear and hunger consumes him. Fear for what might happen to her daughter, hunger for his daughter’s touch.
            A door opened revealing a blinding light. He can see two silhouettes of men, in which the shorter one is walking towards him. He is carrying a big black suitcase. He told Rolando the details, where to ride, and where to leave the suitcase, and also where to push the button. He tries to ask questions about his daughter but there was no response from the man, except telling him that he must do the job well or else he won’t see her ever again. He also didn’t give details about what’s inside the suitcase
            “Ayala Station. Arriving Ayala Station. Always watch your belongings as you leave the train. Thank you “.
            This is it. He suspects that this suitcase is a bomb, because he had to push a button. Yet he doesn’t know how it doesn’t detected by railway’s security. He looked around the people inside the train. He saw a family. He saw different types of people. He knows them not, but he knows they have different kinds of story. He closed his eyes and taken a deep breath and grips the suitcase much harder. Yes, he has decided finally. I’m sorry my daughter. I’m sorry Sisiw. Don’t worry you won’t die, Papa will be here. The door of the train opened, Rolando walks out of the train, bringing the black suitcase with him.
            He leaves the station, tears falling down his cheeks. He don’t care what others would say to him. He just walks straight, didn’t where he was going. A girl licking a lollipop stares at him. He smiled back. And pray,
           


            BOOM!
            The train who has just leave the station exploded! People were running around, crying and shouting. Some were screaming. He saw a burning human jumped out of the rail dropping with a loud thud to the land below.
            Startled, he check his bag pack. The button was there. The suitcase was still with him. Normal. How can it be? Must there be someone sent together with him by the rebels, also bringing a bomb. The train is full when he leaves, so he is very sure that many people will die from the explosion. He look for a place to hide, and when he does, he laid down the suitcase and tried to open it. It wasn’t locked surprisingly. He feared the suitcase may exploded when he open it. But fortunately it wasn’t.
            However, what revealed inside the suitcase makes him wanting it to explode rather. It momentarily shocked him. It wasn’t a bomb. The smell stinks, it was wrapped in a transparent jacket, so he can see it inside. Blood.


            Something hit him in the back of his head. He stumbled head first to the ground. And before he faints, he saw a man standing in front of him, holding a button. 

Friday, January 29, 2016

The mysterious boy in our apartment


When I was still a young kid, maybe 9 years old, we rented a two-storey apartment house in Quezon City, Philippines.

The first few weeks of our residence had been odd. Our new neighbors frequently ask my parents of why did we rent in that place. Some told us that we should just stay for a year and leave after. My grandpa too got mad with us of our decision to rent that apartment. He just said it's cursed.
The apartment is not that old, cemented at the bottom and made of wood materials at the upper floor. It is quite large and cheap, with windows of Capiz shells, with Spanish Era architecture. We also enjoy a largebackyard with a full-grown Muntingia tree, to store our junks. It is very relaxing overall and we enjoy our first year.
After our first year, that's when we experience the so told "curse" of that house. 
One afternoon, while my mother is drying and folding our clothes upstairs, she glimpsed a head who peeked at her through the door and heard footsteps going down the stairs. She look after it and saw a young boy entered the bathroom. At first she thought it was me, but then, she saw me sleeping safe and sound at the sofa downstairs.
There's also an incident where my uncle, who visited us, saw a boy running down the stairs, hurriedly to the bathroom. He always hear a kid's laughter at midnight before that happened. Me too, can't sleep properly almost every night and always felt that there was someone who's looking at me. I never felt that kind of fear before.



And the worst and strangest thing that happened during our occupancy on that apartment, is when we started to struggle financially. We are in a lot of debts, father's income dwindled and our expenses doubled. Mind you again that the rent is cheap to our standards. It didn't happen previously and my parents are very surprised of what happened. One of our neighbors told us that every family who rented that place got broke after a year of their stay. Our grandpa and other neighbors confirmed of that strange phenomena.
We managed to hold on for another year and left that freaking cursed apartment. Yes, we did try to bless it. yet, many unexplained things really happen in this world.
The next house we rented didn't produce that eerie and strange happenings. Our income also steadily came back to normal. I didn't go back to that house again, even just to visit it.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

The Man on a Carabao

My grandfather had a best friend who died of drowning in the river. This friend was a fellow farmer and always taking his beloved carabao, who drowned too, to bathe in the river everyday. My grandpa had been greatly sad by the loss of his friend, his buddy since they were young.



One day, while fixing his fishnet on the river bank, he saw a man riding on a carabao, on the deep part of the river. It wasn't moving or trying to swim. He look closely then, recognized him as his dead friend, who has just buried that day. He is there, sitting on a carabao, waving his hand to grandpa like saying goodbye, while sinking slowly in the deep river. The carabao wasn't swimming, but gradually sinking deep, with my grandpa's friend. He doesn't stop swaying his arms to my grandfather, who didn't felt fear but happiness and tears of joy to see his old friend again, and giving a good goodbye. Grandpa waved his hand back to the man on the carabao, until it sank deep in the river.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

The haunted bridge

There's a bridge inside the town in our province, which is rumored to be haunted by ghosts.

One night, my uncle is riding with his motorcycle for home. The moment he passed the bridge, he felt an added weight on his back-seat, like someone just sat there. He knew about the stories in the bridge, so he sped up his motorcycle past the end of the bridge. The weight is lifted after that. He then breathes easily and try to look back, but when he did, the headless woman is still there, riding with him.