Welcome to Stories Times Online – your go-to place for engaging tales! From short horror story chills to inspiring moral stories, we offer a rich collection of stories for kids and adults alike. Explore exciting Read kids books online and dive into a world of imagination at Stories Times.

Short Horror Story: A Babysitter’s Encounter with a Haunted Room

It was supposed to be a quiet evening.  The kind of night that many babysitters dream of—no disruptions, no tantrums, and a peaceful child tucked safely in bed.  But for Sarah, tonight would turn out to be a terrifying experience that would haunt her for years to come.

The house was still.  It was the kind of stillness that blankets the world around you when the clock strikes midnight.  The soft hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen was the only sound breaking the silence.  Sarah sat on the couch, scrolling through her phone, trying to pass the time while the child, Emma, peacefully slept in her room upstairs.  Everything seemed ordinary.
At first.

The Strange Noises

It started with a soft creak.  At first, Sarah dismissed it as the house settling.  She had been in this home many times before.  The old wooden floors were always prone to groaning, especially in the quiet hours of the night.

But then came another sound.  This time, it was faint, but distinct—footsteps.  Slow, deliberate, like someone was walking up the stairs.  Sarah froze, her heart skipping a beat.  She glanced at the staircase leading to the second floor, but nothing appeared out of the ordinary.  Emma was fast asleep, her room quiet as it had been for the past few hours.

Still, the sounds continued.  Creaks, footsteps, and faint whispers, almost as if someone—or something—was walking around in the dark corners of the house.

Determined to check on Emma and put her mind at ease, Sarah slowly stood up from the couch.  The sounds grew louder as she made her way toward the stairs.  She hesitated at the bottom of the staircase, feeling a chill that she couldn’t explain.  The air around her seemed heavier, as though the house was holding its breath.

 The Mysterious Door

When Sarah reached the top of the stairs, she walked down the hallway toward Emma’s room.  But there was something that made her stop dead in her tracks—a door she had never seen before.

It was at the far end of the hallway, near a closet that had always been there.  The door was old-fashioned, with peeling paint and a rusty doorknob that seemed out of place in the otherwise modern home.  Sarah’s heart raced as she stared at the door.  She had never seen it before.  It wasn’t there when she arrived.

With trembling hands, she walked up to it, instinctively reaching for the doorknob.  It was cold to the touch, and locked.  But there was something strange about it—the door wasn’t part of the house’s original layout.  It shouldn’t have been there.

The Unseen Presence

A cold shiver ran down Sarah’s spine as she stood in front of the locked door.  The sounds had stopped, but the silence that followed felt even more oppressive.  She pressed her ear against the door, listening for any signs of life beyond it.  That’s when she heard it—the faintest whisper.

It was soft, like a distant voice, but unmistakably coming from the other side of the door.  “Help me…”  The voice was a child’s, eerily familiar, but Sarah couldn’t place it.  She knocked softly, hoping it was just her mind playing tricks on her, but no answer came.

She turned back toward Emma’s room.  The little girl was still asleep, undisturbed by the strange noises.  But Sarah couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.  The house felt wrong, as if it had changed in some inexplicable way.

The Unraveling Mystery

In a panic, Sarah rushed back downstairs, trying to make sense of what she had just experienced.  She went to the kitchen and grabbed her phone, her fingers shaking as she dialed the parents’ number.  But as the phone rang, she glanced back up at the staircase—and the door was gone.

It wasn’t there anymore.

Sarah blinked, rubbing her eyes, convinced she was imagining things.  She quickly climbed back upstairs, half expecting to find the door back in place.  But when she reached the hallway, there was nothing.  The wall was bare, as though it had never been there.

Her pulse quickened, and a wave of dread washed over her.  What had she just witnessed?  Was it all just a nightmare?  Or had something supernatural been at play in that house?

A Final Encounter

As Sarah tried to gather her thoughts, she heard a soft tap on the window.  She turned to look—only to find the door back again.  This time, it was wide open.

Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at the now open door, unsure of what she was about to find.  Slowly, she walked toward it, heart pounding in her chest.  The whispers returned, louder this time.  “Come inside,” they seemed to beckon.

But she couldn’t.  Something deep within her knew that stepping through that door would bring her face-to-face with something she wasn’t prepared to confront.

With one final glance toward the now-open door, Sarah made her decision.  She grabbed her bag, rushed to Emma’s room, and gently shook the little girl awake.  “We’re leaving,” Sarah whispered urgently.

As they exited the house, Sarah couldn’t help but look back.  The door was gone again, as though it had never existed in the first place.  But the fear she felt that night would never leave her.

Conclusion

Sarah would never babysit for the family again.  To this day, she’s haunted by what she saw that night—the mysterious door, the eerie whispers, and the feeling that something was lurking just beyond the threshold.  Was it all in her mind?  Or had she stumbled upon something much darker?

Sometimes, the scariest stories are the ones that don’t have clear answers.  The mystery of the locked door remains, leaving Sarah with more questions than she could ever answer.

If you ever find yourself babysitting in a house that feels just a little too quiet, remember this story.  The scariest thing isn’t always the noises you hear—it’s what’s hidden behind the doors you can’t open.

FAQs:

1. What should you do if you hear strange noises while babysitting?

If you hear strange noises, the first thing is to check on the child and ensure they are safe.  It’s essential to stay calm and assess whether the sounds could be caused by everyday things like the house settling or something more unusual.  If you feel unsafe, contact the parents or call for help.

2. How to handle creepy situations when you’re alone in someone else’s house?

Trust your instincts.  If something feels off, it’s important to stay alert.  Check all rooms for safety, lock doors, and keep your phone handy.  If the situation escalates, do not hesitate to leave the house and contact the authorities.

3. Why do haunted house stories often involve locked doors?

Locked doors symbolize mystery and the unknown.  They’re often used in horror stories to build tension and represent a boundary between the known and the unknown.  The idea that something may be hiding behind a locked door creates suspense and fear of what lies beyond.