A Haunting Experience: My Closest Encounter with the Paranormal
Experiencing the paranormal can be both thrilling and terrifying. One such memory from my youth stands out vividly, a night that tested my belief in the unknown. This article recounts a chilling experience with a group of friends and a Ouija board that seemed to cross over into the other side.
The Setup
I was 14 years old, visiting my family home to check on my brother. To my surprise, my parents and brother were away for the weekend, leaving only my older sister, Cathy, in charge. She decided to entertain a few friends, a group of three males (Douglas, John, and Michael) and two females (Loretta and Veronica). Intrigued by what they called harmless fun, I joined in, somewhat suspicious but still curious.
The Ouija Board
John, one of the males, carried a large box. When I inquired about its contents, he revealed it was a Ouija board. They planned to invite a spirit or two and ask how they were doing, clearly thinking it was a joke. Despite my concerns about attracting evil spirits, they proceeded with their game.
The Game Begins
John set the Ouija board up on the kitchen table with a small upturned glass in the middle. Everyone took turns putting their fingers on the glass and asking questions. The glass moved, and my sister grew wary, telling them to stop. Accusations were made among the group, hinting that they were playing a trick on each other.
When John asked the spirit its name, the glass moved towards different letters, forming the word Zeus. My skepticism turned to amusement, but the rest of the group started giggling at the attempt. However, as the letters spelled out Zeus, I watched intently for any signs of truth.
The Turn of Events
Then, in a trance-like state, John asked, Where are you now? Suddenly, the lights went off, and Cathy screamed. We were in pitch darkness. Stop now! she yelled. Douglas, trying to cover his tracks, said it was a blackout. Veronica looked out the window, seeing the neighbor's lights on, but the lights flickered back on after Douglas checked the switch box.
See! John laughed, suggesting they continue. However, Michael seemed less engaged, and Cathy looked even paler. The atmosphere grew tense, and Cathy blurting out the last question, Where are you from... where are you now? didn't sit well with the spirits.
Three violent banging sounds came from the adjacent bedroom door, followed by a low, menacing voice echoing through the house, Judeeeeee. This occurred while the lights flickered and the atmosphere was eerily still. Cathy and Loretta became hysterical, while Douglas locked the bedroom door and tried to calm the group.
The Climax
At this point, I bolted, smashed the glass, gathered the Ouija board, and threw it as far from the house as possible, screaming Go away! The lights flickered back on, but the banging ceased. The house was quiet, and everyone was visibly shaken. The girls were crying, and Cathy and I urged the group to leave.
The experience left me questioning what we had invited into our home and if it had gone. This night convinced me and the others of the presence of something paranormal, and we never spoke of the Ouija board again. It remains a cherished memory, one with a chilling reminder of the unknown.