The night of Halloween 2012 was ending simply enough for Saleen. She had just dropped off her 3 sons with their father after an evening of trick-or-treating. The only thing on her mind was a bubble bath and some wine. After unlocking the front door, she tossed her keys into a bowl on a night stand next to it and bolted the door.

However, the spirits had another plan for her.

It was about 10 pm when the first sounds came from the top floor of this stereotypical, split-level house. At first, it was a single knock. Then, a few minutes later, a louder knock would follow.

Saleen didn’t pay much attention to the sounds. The house was new and probably settling on its foundation. She continued to draw her bath.

As she settled into the tub, a rumbling sound started. This wasn’t the ground shaking like a tremblor. It was above her and it sounded like a police raid running through the top floor’s hallway. It lasted for a couple of minutes, though it seemed longer to her, and stopped.

This panicked her. Nervously, she grabbed her cell phone and called 911 to report intruders. The police answered promptly and said officers would be out to inspect her house in a few minutes.

Saleen, now dressed, went from the bath to the kitchen to grab a knife. As she picked it up, the rumbling from the top level started again. This time, it was deafening, but shorter than before.

With a firm grasp on the knife, she went halfway up the carpeted stairs and paused. She tried to see who would be in the hallway, but it was too dark.

Saleen yelled, “Get out now! I called the police! You don’t need this trouble!”

When she reached the top of the stairs and stood at the beginning of the hallway, she felt vibrations. The rumble began again, just as loud as before. It felt and sounded like a cattle stampede with hammering knocks and bangs echoing down the hall.

When it seemed like it would engulf her, a cool wind blew by and the front door made a slamming sound. She turned and went back downstairs to catch the intruders in her front yard, although she hadn’t seen anyone yet.

As she was about the open the door, she stepped on her keys. They had somehow fallen out of the bowl and onto the floor.

She then tried to open the door. It was still bolted from the inside.

The police arrived at this time and Saleen, while shocked by these events, remained poised and greeted them on her doorsteps. She didn’t want to sound crazy and downplayed the rumbling sounds. The officers went upstairs and turned on the lights. Everything seemed normal: The windows were locked and there were no signs of forced entry on any entrance. Saleen thanked the officers and they asked her to call if the trouble started again. It was now a few minutes past 11 pm.

As she closed the door and locked it, the TV in the living room turned on by itself. Halloween night was not over yet.

Last Updated on March 21, 2024 by Jacob Rice