By Gary Seven
Greetings, dear thrill-seekers as we present ten spine-tingling tales, some steeped in hidden historical fact, some brewed from the cauldron of our untamed imaginations. Can you work out which are real, and which are imagined?
1. The Lady in White
The rustic village of Pluckley in Britain lays claim to being the most haunted. Among its murky secrets is a haunting spectre known as the ‘Red Lady’. Legend has it, she was a newly wedded bride who ended her life out of despair after her husband’s untimely death in the 17th century. It is said her spirit, shrouded in red to resemble her once delightfully crimson attire, continues to wander through the chilling winds, especially close to the churchyard. Her heart-rending wails still echo in the moonlit nights.
2. The Vanishing Hitchhiker
The vanishing hitchhiker tale is a universal legend; however, this specific one takes place on a rural road in the English countryside. Known for her captivating conversations, this ghostly woman in white leaves a indelible impression. Suddenly, she evaporates into thin air, leaving a chilling cold spot on the seat where she sat. Those who experience this are often traumatised, haunted by her uncanny vanishing.
3. The Disappearance of Felix Krull
The convivial Felix Krull was renowned for his sensational vanishing acts. He’d step into a crowded room, lure the attention of everyone present, only to vanish inexplicably. Witnesses report a sudden dip in temperature accompanied by goosebumps, causing bafflement and bewilderment among those who were fortunate (or unfortunate) to witness this chilling act.
4. The Beast of Bodmin Moor
Tales abound of a large, ominous, panther-like creature haunting the Cornish moorland. It’s known for terrorising the locals, preyed on livestock, leaving a trail of mutilated carcasses. Reports of many sightings exist but the absence of concrete proof keeps it a topic of heated debates among the locals.
5. The Phantom of the Chessboard
This tale revolves around a man’s ardent love for chess which did not cease even in death. Those grave enough to visit his burial ground would hear the clickety sounds of a chess match, played in absolute silence. The games allegedly stretched till the first rays of the dawn, leaving a cold aura even after the spectral players had disappeared.
6. The Bird Bus
A spectral public transport vehicle, the entity nicknamed the ‘Bird Bus’ drives down the Cambridge Gardens in the quiet pre-dawn hours. What marks its paranormal nature is its innatural passengers, a sight of ghostly birds. The entity makes no stops and always seems to be in haste to reach an unknown destination.
7. The Mullingar Hound
Mullingar, a tranquil town in Ireland, is haunted by a deadly spectre – a massive ghostly hound wrapped in chains. The town folks talk in hushed whispers about this monstrous apparition, revealing that anyone who crosses paths with this phantom is doomed to a disastrous fate.
8. The Signalman’s Tale
The railway signalman’s tale is a grim story of a man plagued by frequent horrific premonitions of a railway accident. The sight of a ghost appearing beside the tracks, signalling an impending disaster, is a spine-chilling, recurring nightmare of the poor signalman.
9. The Disoriented Phantom of Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, a symbol of dignity and power, is reportedly home to a spectral figure. Disoriented, it roams aimlessly across the grand corridors, its ethereal nature marked by the sudden flickering of lights and the abrupt drop in the room temperature.
10. The Smoking Ghost of Hever Castle
Deep within the historical confines of the 700-year-old Banks’ Room, Hever Castle, a spectral presence savours its afterlife smokes. The overwhelming scent of fresh tobacco smoke filling the air leaves everyone, guests and staff alike, baffled.
The ‘real’ tales from the imagined are as follows:
1. The Lady in White
2. The Beast of Bodmin Moor
3. The Bird Bus
4. The Signalman’s Tale
5. The Smoking Ghost of Hever Castle
The Secret Paranormal Investigator 