Don’t open the door. Whatever you do, don’t open the door.

Thanks. Il make sure to have the rent in on time." My new landlord nodded, handing my the keys from her bony hand. I went to take the keys she was handing me when she held my hand so painfully tight. It startled me and then she spoke low. As if someone was listening. "Do not go into the basement. " I had no idea what to say but she continued. "It is off limits. No matter what happens promise you will not go into that basement. It is locked for a reason." "Yes. Yes, I promise." I said quickly. My hand was hurting so bad. She spoke again. "You may do whatever you like but do not go into the basement." "I promise I won't. Really.” The older woman let go of my hand, walking away.

God that was strange.

And kinda terrifying.

I went up the stairs to my new rental house. I had a lot of unpacking to do. While I was unpacking plates and cups I heard it.

A noise. A small thump from the basement, as if something fell. I felt the urge to look but I had to listen.

Do not go into the basement

But as the day went on the thumps continued. Some loud. Some small. Some thunderous.

I ignored it all.

At least until the screaming. I bolted out of bed and grabbed my phone, quickly calling the police on instinct.

"911, what is your emergency?" I paved near the basement door in the small kitchen. "Yes, I've kissed moved into this house I'm renting and I've been told to not go into the basement, under any circumstance." "Man, what does-" "please, I hear screaming. I've been hearing thumps from there all day." "What's your address mam?" I found the paper that had it written on it, since I have yet to live here long enough to memorize it. I read it off to the dispatch. "Thank you, someone is on there way."

About ten minutes later a police cruiser pulled in front of the house. I ran and opend the door. He was larger, a little pudgy but could probably take anyone in a fight. "What's the trouble mam?" I showed him the basement. "Here. I've been hearing thumping all day then while I was sleeping I got woken up by screaming. I would have checked but I was told not to by the landlord." The officer nodded, getting his flashlight out. "I can check it out. Stay here."

He opens the door, starting to go down the stairs, disappearing into the darkness with only his flashlight to guide him.

It felt like hours before he came back up, turning his flash light off. "Sorry mam, I didn't see anything or anyone. Do you have any history of psychiatric problems?" I shook my head, sighing. "No." the officer nodded. "I don't always give this kind of advice but if you think you legitimately heard screaming and thumping, maybe look into a paranormal team to see if they find anything." I nodded. "Thank you, I might do that if it continues." He nodded. "You have a good rest of your night mam."

He left and the thumping continued. I tried to sleep and then I heard growling. Like something was angry. I did my best to ignore it.

The next day I looked into paranormal teams and they came out a few days later and found nothing. No EVPs or pictures. No unusual interference. Nothing.

I didn't know what to do. So finally I decided I'm moving out.

The day before move out I kept looking at the basement, wondering what's in there. I stopped packing a box and went there, opening the door and walking down into the darkness, feeling for a light switch.

I couldn't find one. "Shit." I cursed, getting my phone out and using its flashlight instead. When I suddenly had to move, holding on to the railing because there was no floor.

Where floor should be was an abyss. Dark and threatening to swallow me.

Oh god.

I'm so terrified of heights. And there was almost nothing to hold on to. I turned to run up the stairs, my heart beating so he's it felt like it might burst out of my chest.

I didn't get one step before I felt an invisible presence push me. I swore I felt my heart stop beating, my lungs stopped from the sheer icy terror going though me.

Then I heard screaming and felt cold wind around me. It was the screams from the other night.

They were my screams

_______________

Her parents were sobbing outside the house, watching thee baby girl get escorted out in a body bag. The EMTs asked about her injuries, if she had any disorders that would cause this.

Her mother shook her head, wiping tears away. "No. she was always afraid of heights." The officer next to the EMT nodded sadly. Her body was found as if she fell off the Golden Gate Bridge. Crushed and bruised and broken. And this isn't the only odd death at this house. The first was a drowning. There biggest fear was water and drowning. The second got stung to death by yellow jackets. The biggest fear was insects and bees. The victim lost continues with no leads or explanation.