๐๏ธ conffra ยท 2954 points ยท Posted at 03:24:43 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
I used to live in a small building downtown. One of the reasons I moved out was the bad neighborhood, including this guy in the apartment right over mine. It was a weird looking fella who mostly kept to himself. Around midnight though, there was frequently a strange noise that got on my nerves. It wasn't loud, to be fair, but I have really light sleep so it was hard to get my eyes shut with those little bumping sounds going on and on. It reminded me of high heels walking about, but not as loud, as if the person causing the noise was actually trying to be silent. After a few days, i realized the pattern was always the same, like a recording played over and over with random intervals in between. And that went on for the best part of an year, always the same sequence of bumps, slowly tattooed into my mind, sometimes for hours straight during the night.
It was only several years later, helping my daughter with her homework, that I learned a little bit of morse code. She knocked on the table with her knuckles and a shiver immediately went through my spine as I recognized that exact pattern. When i asked her what it meant, she laughed. "It's the easiest one, daddy" she said. "It's the one to call for help.".
Cinnamonbun9 ยท 287 points ยท Posted at 05:50:31 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
My heart started beating faster when I read that last sentence.
Fiishbait ยท 37 points ยท Posted at 02:40:13 on January 1, 2017 ยท (Permalink)
Listen carefully, what message was it trying to send?
lintpowers ยท 31 points ยท Posted at 17:44:24 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Same
setsewerd ยท 239 points ยท Posted at 13:29:01 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
I love how you used a realistic approach instead of relying on the (IMHO overused) supernatural scares. That, and how it developed at an appropriate pace for the length constraint. Great job.
nichonova ยท 182 points ยท Posted at 11:33:22 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Once late every night, he's tapping.
Short and fast strokes, quick as lightning.
His knuckles somehow keep from breaking;
This faceless, nameless stranger.
On and on he kept on rapping
Upon the walls where I was resting,
Until one night I woke from napping,
Interrupted by his finger.
"Mister, please," I refrained from shouting,
"Stop your nonsense, it's quite disturbing!"
Soon enough, the sounds start stopping,
And my temper did not linger.
Years later, my daughter's studying
Braille: for people hard of seeing,
And then, somehow, she started tapping!
Familiar notes, different singer.
"What's that?" I queried, hands a-trembling,
trying to keep my voice from shaking.
"It's simple, Dad," she laughed, so smiling.
"It's for when you're in danger."
[deleted] ยท 21 points ยท Posted at 12:47:22 on October 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
This is so cool
fraustarrow ยท 101 points ยท Posted at 05:02:29 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
reminds me of that historical video where a torture victim was forced to say he was being treated well by his captors. The entire video he was blinking T O R T U R E in morse
TululaDaydream ยท 19 points ยท Posted at 16:27:22 on August 9, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Oh that's so sad and creepy! Do you have a link for it anywhere?
fraustarrow ยท 35 points ยท Posted at 16:22:08 on August 10, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
I trust that googling "jeremiah denton torture" might turn up more sources if you're interested, but here's the first link I found that talks about it: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/29/us/politics/jeremiah-a-denton-jr-war-hero-and-senator-dies-at-89.html
frustratinbubble ยท 12 points ยท Posted at 06:05:50 on November 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
damn that link reads like a happy ending.
[deleted] ยท 30 points ยท Posted at 14:19:50 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
[deleted]
Pancake2040 ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 18:01:58 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Anything so far?
[deleted] ยท 2 points ยท Posted at 18:14:48 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
[deleted]
HotTyre ยท 19 points ยท Posted at 21:58:13 on August 10, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
She ded
Clamwizard ยท 78 points ยท Posted at 04:21:18 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Great story. Bet this will have a lot more upvotes in the morning.
ydudemqn ยท 15 points ยท Posted at 04:34:05 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
It deserves it but I doubt it because people aren't here like they used to, I love the story by the way
Amateur_Beggar ยท 28 points ยท Posted at 21:22:54 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Guess again
ydudemqn ยท 6 points ยท Posted at 03:29:13 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Wow proved me wrong niice
McCoySmoove ยท 10 points ยท Posted at 09:02:47 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
People stayed but haven't been hitting that 'upvote/like' button like they used to. A lot of the new writers think they came up with something fresh but the submissions were just revised versions of older ones seen here.
C-C-X-V-I ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 17:46:22 on September 2, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
I'm doing my monthly top/month reading and its got double the next one's score
Love_Lurking ยท 17 points ยท Posted at 18:20:15 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Looks like I found a sub to replace /r/nosleep!
[deleted] ยท 29 points ยท Posted at 05:16:57 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Welcome! Although that one can have good stories, it can be annoying filtering through the ridiculous series filled with boring filler just tick enough to keep some people interested until the next in the series or extremely long stories which may end poorly and feel like so much time was wasted on it. I go on there maybe once a month and sort through the best stories of the month. At least here, you can be ok if the story isn't as good because it doesn't take a long time to read.
DieGo2SHAE ยท 35 points ยท Posted at 07:23:51 on August 10, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
That's precisely why, whenever I go on r/nosleep, I ignore all the 'Series' posts and check the length of each post before reading it. Nobody has time for a 15 part encyclopedia about their dead girlfriend going through a time portal in the forest or some other godawful bullcrap.
Cornontheja_cob ยท 9 points ยท Posted at 00:59:12 on August 13, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
I know I'm late here, just started browsing the top of the week. Nosleep has some gold series, although they are rare. The "I dared my best friend to ruin my life" was especially good, one of the best recently. I'm just saying don't count out all the serial stories, but I do agree too many stories have a superfluous amount of entries.
39thversion ยท 5 points ยท Posted at 19:31:14 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
this sub is awesome.
CQSteve ยท 26 points ยท Posted at 05:04:48 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Creepy & subtle.
-supercow101- ยท 10 points ยท Posted at 06:51:24 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Last line gave me goosebumps, well done
DOORSARECOOLISTAKEN ยท 10 points ยท Posted at 23:02:03 on January 21, 2017 ยท (Permalink)
WUBBALUBBADUBDUB
[deleted] ยท 8 points ยท Posted at 07:01:00 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Best one here in a long time.
3lirex ยท 3 points ยท Posted at 10:08:55 on December 10, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Hi.. im an amateur film maker and im wonder if its ok with you if i potentially try to make a short film based on this story
๐๏ธ conffra ยท 5 points ยท Posted at 12:54:46 on December 10, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Hey that's great man. Sure, you can use the story, all I ask is that it be credited to my real name, Gabriel Oro, instead of the reddit tag. Glad you liked it. Cheers.
3lirex ยท 6 points ยท Posted at 00:58:53 on December 11, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Thanks a lot man, i will do .. when or if i actually make it i'll be sure to send you a link!
[deleted] ยท 4 points ยท Posted at 05:57:06 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Oh my gosh, this is really great! Bravo!
PocketOxford ยท 3 points ยท Posted at 15:09:13 on November 4, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
I totally got chills from this! So good!
Cokey20 ยท 5 points ยท Posted at 12:51:24 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Wait why was he asking for help?
shypster ยท 39 points ยท Posted at 12:58:43 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Someone else was.
Cokey20 ยท 10 points ยท Posted at 13:07:23 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Oh shittttt!
confusedThespian ยท 3 points ยท Posted at 05:50:24 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
I actually like the idea that he was the one doing it, in another way.
shypster ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 13:25:54 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Like he was being held there?
TheMeanGirl ยท 4 points ยท Posted at 05:25:26 on September 30, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
His creepy upstairs neighbor was probably holding someone against their will. They were probably tapping SOS in morse code. Three fast, three slow, three fast.
โขโขโข---โขโขโข
confusedThespian ยท 2 points ยท Posted at 13:30:50 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Could be. My first thought was that he experienced near-total sleep paralysis (or maybe actual visits from some kind of spirit or demon?) and tried to get help.
[deleted] ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 01:15:04 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
[deleted]
shypster ยท 3 points ยท Posted at 02:33:18 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
I like the idea of it being one victim. Fucked up in a different way.
Kykeingmcfuckingkyke ยท 2 points ยท Posted at 18:49:59 on October 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
What if it was him asking for help.
kairedfern ยท 2 points ยท Posted at 07:13:41 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Yup this one most certainly gave me the creeps. Very well done
39thversion ยท 2 points ยท Posted at 09:20:36 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
short and sweet. I like stories here that touch a nerve. and then twist it. this is good stuff
rutheronic ยท 2 points ยท Posted at 21:21:55 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Ooh I love stories like this
doctorpotterwho ยท 2 points ยท Posted at 22:40:02 on August 19, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
That was awesome! Thank you for sharing
iDirtyDianaX ยท 2 points ยท Posted at 04:50:30 on August 21, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
This is one of the best stories I've ever read in this subreddit. The feeling I got in my gut reading that last sentence is something I hope to never feel in real life. Amazing story.
[deleted] ยท 2 points ยท Posted at 09:30:43 on August 31, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
This is one of the best stories Iโve read on this subreddit.
TheMightyFishBus ยท 2 points ยท Posted at 01:28:43 on October 11, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
This is my favourite story in the whole subreddit.
oldo7 ยท 2 points ยท Posted at 23:43:40 on October 27, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
I think the best one in this sub. Great job!
Befffy ยท 2 points ยท Posted at 14:14:55 on October 31, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
/r/SketchDaily sent me here
Music2th08 ยท 2 points ยท Posted at 03:29:06 on January 4, 2017 ยท (Permalink)
This is the current top story, I just want to be a part of history before this gets archived. Great story OP
๐๏ธ conffra ยท 3 points ยท Posted at 12:05:43 on January 4, 2017 ยท (Permalink)
Yes I was mesmerized by how popular it got. Thanks a lot, man.
TeamShadowWind ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 07:15:00 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
--- ... ---= SOS
minasituation ยท 24 points ยท Posted at 07:53:23 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
It's the opposite actually.
S = ... O = ---
SOS = ...---...
TeamShadowWind ยท 4 points ยท Posted at 07:09:59 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
I had one job.... :,(
OfficerOppop ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 14:32:33 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
I always get mixed up about that
Sage_Lee ยท 4 points ยท Posted at 16:00:17 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Oh, you fucked up?
Welp, better downvote.
TeamShadowWind ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 07:06:24 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Damn it.
FryGuy9000 ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 09:28:42 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Awesome. I love it
[deleted] ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 12:18:58 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Wow, great story!
xiceknightx ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 19:14:27 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Well, damn.
pbmm1 ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 19:47:39 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Brb learning morse code
mrfulst ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 23:23:12 on August 7, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
My phone locked on the most critical part of the story so I shit myself thinking the boogy man was about to snatch me from under my bed!!!!
Nourn ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 00:02:09 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
If I could make a suggestion? Exchange the morse code reference with a historical war reference, like WW2. The morse code before the daughter's line keys us up for the reveal of its meaning, but if we already know someone's tapping in morse code then it's presumed that they're tapping SOS anyway.
Hulkerz ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 02:59:32 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
I actually tapped sos and i kinda heard the nokia ringtone and i searched , it was SMS. Keyword: kinda
Anyways, great story
Nono2004127 ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 14:50:23 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
wow!
WeAreLegion000 ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 17:54:25 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Awesome title.
cardinalgrad03 ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 18:38:07 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Whaaaaaa?
Excellent piece!
subform ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 20:41:14 on August 8, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Excellent work!
Thismausername ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 04:17:27 on August 9, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Very good, I like, more please?
HiMyNameIsKi ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 22:13:39 on August 14, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
This is really good
everadvancing ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 10:10:21 on August 16, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Is morse code part of any school's curriculum?
Human_Gravy ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 12:56:03 on August 24, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Would you mind if I narrated this for the SSS Narrations channel? Full credit goes to you and I can link to any social media, blog, or website you'd like.
๐๏ธ conffra ยท 2 points ยท Posted at 15:06:35 on August 24, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Not at all, you have my permission :) You can credited it to my real name: Gabriel Oro. Cheers.
iHeartCandicePatton ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 17:37:33 on August 30, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
So did you help the dude before moving out then?
hunnynotfunny ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 08:29:09 on October 19, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
shit.
Carlyndra ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 15:07:07 on November 23, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
I remember this story. Have you posted it anywhere else before?
๐๏ธ conffra ยท 3 points ยท Posted at 15:46:35 on November 23, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
No, it was posted here first, but replicated in a number of places later, some of which with my consent. There are at least three youtube videos, a couple of podcasts and a good number of tumblr posts with the story by now, that i'm aware of.
Carlyndra ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 18:47:54 on November 23, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Ah, excellent. Always a fun time to have your art stolen.
LadyAna ยท 1 points ยท Posted at 10:09:12 on December 21, 2016 ยท (Permalink)
Very well done! Just disturbing enough. Thanks for sharing!