S23 Ep10: NoSleep Podcast S23E10

WNSP You're listening to the darkness of the night, WNSP's overnight programming. DC here with you for our third hour on this cool, starless night. During that last break, I stepped outside for some fresh air. I heard a loud barking which startled me until I realized it was Buster, Mildred Potter's German Shepherd. Oh, he's a sweetheart when he knows you. Not gonna lie though, that bark made me panic for a second because I thought the Michigan dogman had migrated to the cryptid valley area. The dogman is a werewolf-like creature, first reported in 1887 in Wexford County, Michigan. I'm told that in 1987, the legend of the Michigan dogman gained popularity, when a disc jockey at WTCM recorded a song about the creature and its reported sightings. Now, I'll be honest, since I've been doing this show in cryptid valley since 1965, I think the idea of a radio DJ making cryptids popular is, well, it's kind of my thing. Ah well, I suppose I don't mind. Maybe I'll write a song about cryptids one day, and if I do, you'll be the first to hear it. And when it comes to hearing things that will rattle your ears with horror, it's time for our regular segment here on The Darkness of the Night, a new episode of the No Sleep Podcast. A rustle of the leaves, a fleeting movement at the edge of your vision. How often have you walked a forest trail at dusk, only to feel the unmistakable sensation that something unseen is watching you? For centuries, humans have populated the darkness with creatures of legend, whose existence remains unproven, yet whose presence is undeniable in the whispered tales of those who dare venture too deep into the wild. Brace yourself for the No Sleep Podcast. Welcome to the No Sleep Podcast. I'm your host, David Cummings. I'm always excited when one of our long-time regular authors releases a new book, and I know many of you are fans of Lyselle Jones. Her stories are often featured on not only our regular episodes, but also on many of our Christmas and Halloween specials. Her new collection is called From the Dark Observatory, and yes, the bleakest terrors can only be seen on Starless Nights from the Dark Observatory. This collection of short stories, micro-fictions, and scripts includes Lyselle's most horrific tales from our podcast in print for the first time, along with new works. Brace yourself because this collection holds only darkness. No horizon, no light, no stars. Check the show notes for a link to where you can learn more about From the Dark Observatory and get your own copy. Highly recommended. Now, if you'll allow me, I'd like to talk to you alone. Just you and me. Alone. No one else around. And while the thought of that might make you feel creeped out, or even possibly aroused, you naughty people, for most people, the thought of being isolated with themselves or one other person might feel like a good thing. We all know how our online connected world these days can make us feel even more alone. There are anxieties which make people want to limit interactions with others. But we humans are social creatures. We're not meant for solitary confinement, are we? So, on this episode, we have tales which present you with the idea of people who find themselves alone or with one other person. And they find themselves in places that aren't exactly ideal. Let's listen to how they deal with situations that aren't quite so social. Alright, I'll release you. It's no longer just you and me alone. Enjoy some time to yourself where you can tune in, turn on, and brace yourself for our sleepless tales. In our first tale, we join a reality TV show. You know the kind where contestants have segments when they're in a confessional, sharing their thoughts and feelings. But in this tale, shared with us by author Liz Argole, the contestant is quite anxious to get out of the booth if only his story editor would allow that. Performing this tale are David Alt, Erica Sanderson, and Andy Cresswell. So gather your thoughts and have something interesting to say when you're in The 10-Minute Confessional. I mean, this is what we got. It was like enormous splinters. I mean, that was like a week four trick, not week 30. It's just so... like really? I guess what I'm really saying is I just can't believe I lost the drinks challenge. Can you say that again? But shorter, fewer ums, more energy. Oh, look, can I go to the bathroom? No. I need to shit. I can't just go in a bottle, my guts are on fire. Then shit yourself. Make it funny or photogenic enough and it might be in tonight's show. I don't want that on the show. Then give me something better and I promise I won't use anything like that if it happens. Yeah, and why should I trust you? I won't even know what's private and what's broadcast. You could break every promise and I'll never know. Reality television can get manipulative. But if I abuse your trust too hard, then when you leave and watch it, you could raise bloody hell. That's assuming I ever leave the show. Look, please, I need to use the bathroom. The confessional is locked from the outside. It's just you, me and my camera for the next 10 minutes. What? Why? Surely a plot twist doesn't surprise you. You're meaner and realer than the last one. Realer? My last story editor was such a pathetic faker. You sound pretty angry. I have every right to be. Their performance is part of my performance and they sabotaged me. Sabotaged you? I literally crawled over broken glass and then my story editor was too upset to give me a good interview. Too upset? Yeah, the producer said my interview footage was unusable. Unusable? My bloody story editor didn't help the actual bloody person create good sound bites. The audio was ruined by their sniffling. Talk about selfish. You sound pretty frustrated. How could they do that to me? I went through all that and most of my challenge footage was cut. How do you know that? Are you watching the show? How could I? The compound has way too much security. The producers told me. I had a right to know that there was no point featuring me without good narration. Putting her in the show was more than she deserved. More than she deserved? Yeah, she got a chance, didn't she? She got a 10 minutes of fame. Is it a chance? If you don't know, you've been turned into a contestant. A challenge is a challenge. She signed the waivers. We're all supposed to be on our toes and ready for plot twists. Were you ready for the plot twist? Shut up. How deeply the plot twisted? It's the choice I had to make, okay? Someone had to throw the first stone. You seem pretty upset. Yeah, I'm upset. It seems to me that some of your anger might be sadness. I didn't want her to die. We were all just so angry. What made you so angry? You know. Tell it to the camera. You already have that footage. You know the importance of narration. I don't want to go over this again. Five minutes until doors open. Five minutes. Hold it, hold it. Five minutes. Five minutes. You can do anything if it's just five minutes. I'm really sorry about this. Don't get sentimental. If you can't hold it, I'll ruin the footage. Put half my head in shot. Bump the camera. You'd do that for me? I would. And if you feel it coming, shake your shirt. Rect the audio. You just gave me a way to protect myself that doesn't depend on you. Yeah, I did. Could you tell me how your story editor made you so angry? Well, we're doing something important and she fucked with it. Fucked with it? She tried to undermine the truth and beauty of what we're doing. Because she got upset after the broken glass challenge. I'm not just that. It was a lot of little things. That made you storm up to the producers. And what did you say? That our story editor was a fake and something needed to be done. The producers say it was your idea to put her in the show. It's true. There was an emergency meeting. We were all so upset. All of you? All the contestants she managed. What were you all so upset about? She kept asking us why we're here over and over again. Why are you here? You know why. Who wouldn't want to be on the show? Yeah, but why are you really here? Are you a fake too? Why are you here? Do you hate how special our project is? Why are you here? I could report you. The producers listen to me. Why are you here? I've won more challenges than anyone else. The host loves me. Why are you here? Stop it. You're just a story editor. I could kill you with a word. A word? Why are you here? Why are you here? Because crucibles create better people and I have never been good enough. Wow. That's a powerful thing you just shared with me. Thank you. Are you happy now? Here. I'm turning the camera off. When you got troubles, they're off the record. You don't have to. I want to. What's going on? I want you to understand. All that questioning? That was me being a real story editor. No, that's not... We'll ask you the same question 50 times if we have to. If we smell a better story or even just better dialogue. You're saying it's not fake to beat someone down? That sounds more like a description of the show. Her questions weren't the same as pain is a necessary part of growth. She was just a person doing her job and asking you to think, really think. About what you were doing and why. When I said she was a fake, the producers did a background check. They said I was right. Take a look at this. We're not allowed to look at phones. Look. What is this? It's behind the scene footage from her old shows. Oh my god, is that? Yep. Said she was one of the best people he ever worked with. Why are you showing me this? Because the producers lied to you and got blood on your hands instead of theirs. They wouldn't lie to us like that. Have the producers lied to you at other times? No. Not about big stuff. Only if they had to. Only if they had to to get what they want. Oh god. Oh god. I need to go. I need to- You're both locked in here. I just, I just, I just don't feel well. I need to go. I have a bucket. Will that help? Yes. Thank you. Even just holding it helps? Oh my god. Your last story editor had 15 years experience in reality TV. More than anyone else on the show. Only someone who is that fake would go on and on about the other shows they've done. You sound like someone trying to convince themselves. You saw the footage. She kept talking about how this show wasn't like other shows. Overcompensating it. Isn't that what liars do? She kept talking about what? About how what we were doing was obscene and inhumane. Obscene and inhumane? You love the show, right? You see what it gives to us. The structure, the mission. I have purpose for once in my miserable life. Purpose? I'm seen. I'm real. I'm winning. And for once I get to feel like somebody. Do you feel like somebody? I feel like someone trying not to shit their pants. You've already taken a dump three times today. Of course you know that. It's like a whole body is revolting. I threw the first stone. Do you think the producers might want you to carry the guilt of something they wanted? I did it. It doesn't matter if I get a villain edit, I did it. I have to live with that. You don't seem happy about it. Well, I'll learn to be. I don't have a choice. Two minutes until doors open. What if you did have a choice? What are you testing me? So I can be stoned next? How could I ever leave now? Because I'm not a hostage negotiator, but I have one talking in my ear. We can get you out. If I leave the show, I'll be charged with murder the moment I break free. They can cut you a deal. You could be a powerful witness. The show is above the law. Everyone knows that. Because they get away with it because they have hostages. Hostages like you. I'm not a hostage. Are you sure about that? I've won 17 challenges. And how did that last win feel? We can get you out. We can cut you a deal. Why should I believe you? You don't have to believe anything. You can think I'm the worst manipulator of scumbag on earth. You can think I helped create an addictive system of abuse and fear, and now I'm desperately trying to write a redemption arc. But please, I just took a leap of faith and risked my life telling you this. Why would you trust me? Of all people? Because I've seen the footage. I can see you're a good person. I'm not. You are. And you've had to face, deeply face, how much this show can cost people. I'm in this deep. I can't go back. And maybe some things can get easier with practice. I know how much your family misses you. They don't miss me. They do. And they're sorry. And if you stay here, you'll never get to hear them apologize. They do that? Yes. That person they hurt is gone. I killed him. I'm better now. Better now? I can't leave. I just can't. I don't think you'll want to stone me to death. I wouldn't. How could you not do that? Eventually they'll get suspicious of the holes in my confessional footage. I just wouldn't. I... 30 seconds. If you get out, you can make sure no one else has to do what you've done. Do you not want a redemption edit? There's no way out. There is. Please trust me. I can get you out, but you know it's only a matter of time before I'm on the block. I'll think about it. My life is in your hands. I... I just really need the toilet. Stay low. A couple of women in their 20s heading up town for brunch, living life to the fullest. All they have to do is jump on the subway and get to the restaurant. But in this tale, shared with us by author Carlos Poe, Michelle and Jane are embarking on a journey that will find them experiencing things that definitely can't be called crowded. Performing this tale are Nicole Goodnight, Catabelle Ansari, Nicole Doolan, Dan Zipula, and Mike Delgaudio. So check the map and make sure you know where to get off. You don't want to wait until the last stop. Yes, yes. I'll be back by two. Love you. Bye. Damn, she sounds mad. What happened? She's still mad I had to cancel our movie date a few days ago. So why is she so pissed? The movie was bad, apparently. Like really bad. Wanda was excited all week to go on a cute date, but I got a really bad panic attack an hour before, so we had to cancel. She didn't say she was mad, but she's been acting colder. Panic attack, huh? Yeah, I felt like if we made it there, I'd explode. I took a benzo. I did find out later that the theater's roof leaked onto the audience the whole day, so it's not all bad. See, you saved both of you the trouble. It's nothing like that. I just get this feeling sometimes that everything's getting worse. The world. And it gets overwhelming and I need to lie down, you know? It's the best time to be alive ever, girly. Modern medicine, HBO, legal weed on every corner. What else do you need? It's the news is what it is. Trying to scare you so you keep watching it. If news is important, you'll hear about it eventually. I guess that makes sense. Maybe I'm overreacting. No, babe. Mental health is real shit. Take care of yourself. And if this Wanda can't understand my Michelle, maybe... Jane, let's not do this now. Okay, okay. I'm just saying I could hook you up. Lots of guys looking for the smart numbers, girl like you, even other girls. Forget I said that. Which line are we taking? The U-Uptown. It's a short ride. We could even just walk. No, let's take the subway. I love the subway. Don't you, babe? It's just so authentic. Like a real slice of the city. All kinds of people. I'm not following. At the end of the day, the janitors and the deli owners take the same train as people with jobs like us. Shit, that sounds bad, doesn't it? Yeah, makes us sound like assholes. Hey, Jane Blackman is many things. A thinker, a stunner, but she's no asshole. Oh man. Everything okay? Yeah, just work. I didn't think it'd be that fast. What's up? Office calling you back in? No, I just got some news. If you need to leave... I'm not supposed to tell you this, but what the hell? 15 million went through to block the David and Port deal. Social media protesters the whole nine yards. They're not getting any construction on the community center done, at least not this year. And as the chief orchestrator, I'm taking a pretty little 20% cut. 15 million? Damn. Imagine what all that money could do. Yeah, get us a three-course meal and a bottle of wine at this place we're heading to. And not the tip, of course. Speaking of which, aren't we late for the brunch reservation? Worried, because I know tables there go fast. I'm sure it's okay if we're a bit late. They'll hold it for like an extra 15 minutes. If anything, I can call. You sure? Yeah, babe, no need to rush. There's the turnstile. Wanna jump it? No. No, no. You didn't hear? They have plain clothes at the stations now. Someone got shot a few months ago for that. You can do that yourself. Boring suit yourself. Hey, that's us. Let's go. Quick. Nice. I'm just hungry. Hmm. Whoa, this is a bumpy one. Balancing is giving my core a workout. Jane, I think something's up. What is it? We've been here for 10 minutes. This train goes from 55th to 61st. It doesn't take that long, like it's faster to walk. Then where have we been going? This stop is 61st Street and 12th Avenue. See? There. Let's get a seat facing the map. There's two seats open there. Huh. They work fast. What? It's nothing. It's just the tiles here were red. They must have renovated since... Monday. So that's why we still have so many potholes. Priorities. Yeah. Fucked up. Michelle? Yeah? The dude behind you is staring at us, just dead ahead. Eyes huge. So maybe he's high or just a creep. Let it go. Babe, we can't keep letting these creeps win. I'm gonna say something. Jane, I don't want to get stabbed. Please don't. Hey, what are you looking at? Huh? Hey, asshole. I'm talking to you. Quit staring at my friend. Jane, everyone's looking at us now. I, uh... Sorry, everyone. She's just... cranky. Huh? Should have just shut up. See? Now everyone's looking at us. What's wrong? Keep staring it out. What? Jane, please. You're so embarrassing. Let's just get off at the next stop. Take the next you. Trains full of fucking weirdos, anyway. Yeah. This stop is 69th Street and 12th Avenue. That was weird. You don't need to do that stuff for me, Jane. No, but like, was everyone on that train high? Was there some kind of crazy secret musical festival we missed? Jane, you should call the rest, though. Let them know we'll be a bit late. Platform's empty anyway, so we're not going to be annoying. Ah, no response. Fuck it. Let's just wait it out. What if they give away our Teeble? Then we'll get a new one. Relax. How can you be so sure? The owner's son is my buddy from Stern. The fuck's gotten into you, babe? The universe will provide. What stops this? 69th. Right here. Just asking cuz this feels weird. I've never gotten off at this stop. Me neither. I'm glad. It's kinda creepy. Hope the train comes on time. Look, Michelle, if you're so eager to get there on time, why don't you ask someone? Like her. She looks like she's here a lot. Jane, don't point. She's looking at you. Hello, ma'am. Excuse me. I'm sorry for my friend over there. Do you know when the next train is coming? Let me give you a word of advice. You're in the subway. There's nothing else to know. What? The subway is such a beautiful thing. It's like the circulatory system of a city. Yes, but... Without a subway? How would the heart of a city pump? A city is the subway. And the subway is the city. The city is also the people. So the people are the subway. Don't you agree? Sure. Thanks, Miss. Anything? Just a weird person. Maybe high two. Yeah, see? Just chill. The universe will provide. To us? Yeah, to us. What about all the people it doesn't provide to, huh? Like all the people sleeping in the station we passed a while ago? We're good people. Not saying they're bad people, but we're good people. Define literally anything you just said. Well, my parents donate a fuck ton of Enviro stuff every year. I give away all my old clothes. I stay fit. And you? You're like the nicest person I know. Maybe too nice, even. What's that mean? Look, I love getting lunch with you. I wanted to do this today to tell you that... I think you need to rethink your relationship with Wanda. What? Why? It just seems I don't know kind of pushy and one-sided. Unhealthy, even. She clearly doesn't get you. And you do? She's good for me and I'm good for her. What do you know about me? We haven't gotten lunch in weeks. There's plenty of fish in the sea, babe. I don't think she's good for you. Get out of this now before it gets worse. Okay. Whatever, I'll try to find a board of arrivals. One of those electronic things. I'm sorry, I should have phrased that better. Don't bother. We'll talk this out over lunch. It's not cause-a-scene. Empty concourse? Huh. Huh. Hello. Jane, no board. Also, the station is totally empty except for us and... Wait, did a train go by? No. Oh, asking because that lady from a while ago is gone. So? Maybe she got on a train we didn't notice. Maybe there's another track? Maybe she went to take a piss. Just sit down and take a deep breath. Ah, signal! Check the train map. I feel like something's wrong. Fine if you chill out a little. Huh, I think my app's broken. Why? The map says there's no 69th stop on the U line. The U runs from 61 to 73. Then where the fuck are we? Jane, where are we? The map's not showing it? Relax. It's probably just a bug. Let's get out of here. Get onto the street and cab it. Cash out me half later. Yeah, let's get out of here. I feel really weird about this place. Look, about what I said, let's drop it for now. I love you, babe. You know, I'm just trying to look out for you. Yeah. Yeah. You see any exit signs? I... nope. Nothing. You're right. This place is creepy as fuck. I don't hear any trains at all. Let's just keep going this way. Wait, look. There's an intercom. What? Like a phone? Those buttons you can press to speak to someone for help? I don't know. Don't want to let everyone know we got lost on the subway. Not very city girly of us. Whatever. I'll do it. Hello? Yes. Hello? Is someone there? Hi. I'm at the 69th Street Station. When's the next uptown you coming? I'm sorry. I don't think the U is running there anymore. It just dropped us off here. Sorry. I don't know what to tell you. Well, what trains do run here? Let me see. Sorry, ma'am, but I don't think any trains run in that direction. What? Then how are we supposed to get out of here? Who says you're getting out, Michelle? Wait, how do you... Um, what was that all about? Jane, we need to get out of here. Let's split up and look for exit signs. Meet back here. Okay. I always trust you with this freaky stuff, babe. This place is huge. Anything? Nothing. You? Nothing. You know, in Paris, tourists sometimes get lost in the underground catacombs and starve to death. We got signal one, so let's just wait here until we get it again. Maybe the clouds are in the way. Yeah. We're not making lunch, so now that we have some time, let's talk. Like, really talk. Okay, fine. Say whatever. Promise you won't get mad? Promise. You are worth so much more than you think, babe. Don't trick yourself into a relationship with the first person who thinks you're attractive. Okay, I take back what I said. Stop talking. Like, what are your plans for the future you need to think about? Stop. Also, no offense, but you're scared of commitment. Stop it. Is it getting any hotter in here? Michelle, chill! Please, I don't want to fight and ruin our brunch! Fuck, how is it so hot? Fighting is gonna get us to nowhere. Let's relax. Sorry, I don't know it came over me. It's okay, I guess. I'm not taking your advice, but when we get out, we're not getting lunch. Ever. Hey, hello? Our father, who art in heaven, hollowed be thy name. Fuck. What's that? Only prayer I remember. Why the sudden religiousness? Honestly, babe, I think we're in hell. We're dead and we're in hell. No, we're not dead. I know what it feels like and it's not this. Uh, do I want to know? When my fish died in fourth grade, I got a feeling. Same feeling when my grandpa passed away. This isn't it. I am getting something, though, like I'm outside the principal's office and not in my stomach. Okay, let's work with that. How do we get out? Exercise the demons? Exercise? Do you mean- No, that's not what we need to do. I don't think so. We should find that lady again. So we followed the laughing. Which tunnel? Uh, that one. Lead the way. You know, I take everything back about it being a shithole. There's some trash here and there, but it doesn't smell like pee. This one is on the cleaner side, too, as far as stations go. No cheesy ads anywhere, either. It's pretty clean here for a train station. Who knew train stations in hell were more tolerable than the ones in New York City? When I get out of here, I'm doing buses only from now on. I'm gonna- Hey, Jane? Yeah? Do you see that poster? Is that you? Huh, let me see. Tired of the children and elderly of Davenport leading happy lives? Call 347- Hey, that's my number! And how do they get that picture? Okay, you have to admit that's kind of funny. What? It is! Look, it's that picture of you the day after the New Year's Eve party on Tim's roof. Hmm. Remember how you puked on the houseplant and it died? No. Of course you don't. Okay, you got me there. That was one hell of a night. Oh, shit. Who are you? I used to be someone. Now I'm just the subway. Jane, she's the lady I saw a while ago? Hey, how do we get out of here? This is the subway. As in, way, way, way down. Be nice to the subway and she'll be nice to you. Uh, what's that supposed to mean? Observe. Hahaha! Whoa, Michelle! You still there? Can you hear me? What's going on? Yeah, I'm still here. It's a pile of trash. This is disgusting. Why is some of this wet? Hello? You and their most subway? Hello, Michelle? I don't believe it. What do we do? I think the subway she wants us to pick up the trash Take care of her Seriously, so this is some kind of more morality exercise Fine, we can play that game Hey miss subway, I'm gonna clean the shit out of the station you here You'll be able to eat off the ground when I'm done This is definitely punishment for the janitor thing you said a while ago. Yeah, that was stupid You better never let me live that down Don't worry. I won't You know what maybe this is what line I need to you know cleanse myself Am I hearing you correctly? Are you possessed by the subway? No, I'm serious. There's something really relaxing about it Michelle could you hand me that pile? I'm gonna go sort it out Can I be honest? Yeah, this is Way more fun than brunch like when was the last time we did something together that wasn't eating and complaining Yeah, yeah, that reminds me there's this art class going on near my place every Thursday We should go I've always wanted to get back into painting I have all the supplies in my closet, but I just never got around to it Who needs to wait for Thursday? Let's stop by an art store and do it ourselves Wine and painting night. Oh my god. That actually sounds so fun If when we get out of here Jane, we're gonna get out of here. We just need to pick up all this trash. Oh Michelle what is it? Oh god, there's a huge dead rotten here lump it in with the compostables, babe Oh Last of that pile That's eleven dead rats two cats and some kind of large fish. I think hey, we're done Hello, we finished sorting the trash so are we cool now? No, no, no Wait Jane don't you say it? I see all of our hard work all over the floor is what I see. I think it's a path the time is Irrelevant an uptown bound you train is approaching the station this stop is 69th Street and 12th Avenue Thank you for riding with us. We hope to see you again soon Jane we did it. Oh shit nice. Let's go Huh this tunnel wasn't here a while ago. Huh? Never mind look. There's the turnstile Never thought I'd be so happy to see one of those since Tim's New Year's Eve party. I guess Wait, something's wrong It's facing the other way You're not supposed to pay with your card to leave the station, huh? Want to jump it? Hell no be my guest. I'm kidding Jane try your card Huh, that's never happened to me before This is a ticket for one ride so you want to try jumping this one I'm good. Let's try the intercom. It was back there Hello Hello, Michelle. Hi, there's a problem. You only gave us one ticket Sorry, ma'am. We're out of tickets for the day. This is the last one we have try again some other time How are we supposed to leave? I suppose one of you could leave. What about the other person? Ma'am here at the subway. We are very strict about our fares No ticket means no entry or exit these trains run on people like you Hey, we played your games picked up and sorted your trash now. Let us out ma'am Please lower your voice or I will call security. You don't want to meet security Have a nice day Fuck Michelle I you keep it What you hold on to it and I'll find another way are you sure you can do that babe? We literally only have this ticket because this place will let us have it Who says they'll be that generous again ever? No, it's fine. I just You just what it's just I don't really feel like leaving anymore What we've been trapped in literal subway hell for hours. Are you serious? Shane you're a great friend You're right about everything You saw how easily I figured this place out. Maybe I'm supposed to be here as a Subway goblin forever. I Sure as hell know there's nothing for me up there Michelle yeah What was that for? Michelle Ramirez, you are the best person. I know you're leaving the station But they were right about Davenport I did an awful thing that's gonna make people's lives worse and I always knew I was just blinded by the commission Maybe staying here is how I can work it off Besides, I know you don't actually believe anything. You just said you're just trying to martyr yourself again Just like you always do See Jane don't worry about me babe. I'll be fine. I'm tough. I'll find a way out eventually Just take care of my houseplant. Okay, it needs water once a week The doorman should know you by now and give you a key. I'll keep mine for when I get out Are you sure about this? I'm not asking you. I'm telling you Now go Make this count, okay, babe Go go don't make me push you Okay, I did it Jane Jane oh god, where did you go to Jane? 11 29 a.m. Wanda hi babe, we need to talk Taxi hey taxi you You You When it comes to being alone Sometimes you have no choice in the matter like when other people are nowhere to be found Practically anywhere like the man in this tale shared with us by author Henryk von Wolfcastle Alone with only his trusty dog Larry to keep him company the man is struggling to remain alive Yet despite the circumstances he seems to remain hopeful Performing this tale is Graham Rowett So if you're hoping for better days grab one side and make a wish while you crack the wishbone Rain patterns against a tin street sign and somewhere in the distance an organ wails a dissonant cord This is cemetery road Even if I can't find it on my map I Walk with a long metal rod its tip sharpened into an effective. I'll be at blunt point The irony is not lost on me that mankind began with such primitive tools and the whole of human history Will be buried with them too The spring rain is cold and heavy as it soaks into my jacket. I Don't mind so long as it doesn't ruin the map There's not much I mind anymore But if it were just a few degrees cooler the ground would have been blanketed in clean virginal snow again And I'd have liked that The browns and reds of earth mixed with organic remains dampens morale over time. I Watch my dogs hind legs as he walks His rear left has a wobble to it that continues to grow more pronounced as the day drags on He lifts it when he steps on a patch of fading snow or wet grass The cold is unkind to his joints He never shows it on his face But I know Huddled together over long frigid nights. I see his breath catch in his stomach The labor of the day yanking at his nerves and streaking echoes And yet we march on Sitting still is not an answer but sometimes I don't really know what we're moving towards The next meal I consider before the hopelessness can take hold. I Raise my hand to the horizon The Sun sits on my index finger about three fingers distance from the ground That gives us about 45 minutes until sundown We should stop here and make our shelter And I know that But I don't want to If this rain ever stops we'll have ourselves a nice little rainbow Larry Larry's ears are peeled back Hearing something in the distance that I should be wary of Probably whatever it was that led them to sound the organ But part of me wonders if he's just waiting for me to signal that we're setting up camp and that he has permission to lie down for the night. I give him that I whistle letting him know we're bringing it in His ears stay glued to the sides of his head Whatever he's following out there has him upset He yawns and studies my face for reassurance I pull a blanket from my bag so he can rest while I get us situated He circles it a few times in that same puzzled way He started doing a few weeks ago where he pauses and starts over again and again Trying to find the right angle to lie down without angering the leg He whines And I tell myself it's because of the threat in the distance Not the one building in his knee Come on big guy I gently pick him up and place him on his side He sniffs the air after me as I leave to hang the totems I can hardly tell you what they are and I can tell you even less about why they work But they do work And that's all that really matters Their symbols painted on patches of leather that you hang from stakes about a foot off the ground I guess when you string them together it makes something like a fence I don't know if they can't cross the barrier or if they just can't see past it But whatever it does it keeps them away It takes me a good half hour to get our tent set and to build a fire Larry watches on anxiously as I finish the process I see him shivering looking at the sides of his mouth trying to comfort himself through his pain I pretend not to see it He gets nervous when I focus too much attention on him But I do see it I take out a small clear orange bottle with one rattling pill in it The label is wrong, but it's clonazepam an anti anxiety drug I don't really know what it'll do for Larry, but I imagine it can help I take my knife and press it into the pill Cutting it in half Then I wrap it in a slice of dried meat Larry's dinner And he seems grateful for it An owl hoots in the distance while the fire crackles I'm thankful the rain stopped I drift off to sleep imagining that we're on a boat Gently rolling over ocean waves A guttural groan jars me awake I turn to find a shadow falling over the side of our tent I dart through the open flap and find a half-rotted corpse stumbling towards us Its dislocated jaw rattles with each staggering step Its eyes lock onto mine Motherfucker I reach for my metal rod, but my hand is coated in sweat making it difficult to grasp I look for Larry and find him still asleep Drugged and snoring loudly The thing moans again as it closes in on our camp and I notice that our talismans are gone Fuck I hoist the metal rod over my shoulder and swing it like a baseball bat Shattering the thing's head Blood sprays back at me and I retreat with my breath still stuck in my neck while it rides on the ground Larry Slowly Larry's eyes open, but he can barely pick his head up to see through the window of the tent I look around and find a solitary trail of footprints faintly pressed into what remains of the snow They lead my eyes out into the darkness where they disappear into the night Back to the church. I'm sure A murderous rage boils in my gut urging me to track down the man who calls himself the reverend I imagine impaling him on my spike Wanting to see the blunted edge of the metal rod leaping through the top of his head But I know I can't leave Larry behind not unguarded Even so I play mental games Calculating the odds that I could follow the footprints and retrieve the totems and return to Larry before sun up But can I do it before another corpse crosses our camp? I can't be sure And so I glare off into the distance biting my lip as Larry's snoring evens out my temper I let Larry sleep through the night while I sit against my backpack and keep watch I'm mindful of the temperature grateful that the footprints should stay visible for at least another day The reverend and his group won't stay close for long I realized it during our trade It wasn't just food for medicine He was sizing me up I looked the other way to get what I needed for Larry A rush of heat turns in my chest that I have to remind myself to maintain my patience But if I'm honest, it feels good to have something to do I awake to the slurping sound of Larry licking his leg That's enough Larry Last spring he licked his paws and legs raw from his allergies and ended up cracking the skin all over his body He wags his tail nervously still groggy from the drugs I suddenly become aware that I'd fallen back asleep despite my better intentions We're lucky to have survived the night But I don't pause to count our blessings We've got plans today The reverend stole our totems And we're gonna get them back Larry shuffles in the tent from his prone position working his way to stand I watch him for a moment before I decide to intervene I gather him from the tent and place him on his feet He hobbles favoring one rear leg and then the other A sharp whistle sings out with his exhalations I pause waiting for him to find his footing But it never really happens Come on handsome. Let's have breakfast I take out a small can of cat food I had stashed as a treat from a house we explored a while back My heart sinks as I consider how long I've held on to that can for him And what it means that I'm giving it to him for breakfast Suddenly I have no interest in food for myself But Larry eats his happily I pack up our tent and fire kit under a blanket of clouds crawling across the sky There's a small hole in their formation where the sun bursts through Highlighting the last patches of snow on the ground Mackerel sky, Mackerel sky Never long what? Never long dry I tie a leash onto Larry's neck He kisses me with a tongue that smells like fish And I grimace in a way that pleases him He wags his tail in a quick circle to show his approval All right, Mr. Cheer up committee. Let's roll out We follow the remnants of footprints over soggy ground Larry does a decent job of keeping his gate steady at the onset of our trek I watch his spine to look for how the asymmetry of his stance might affect the rest of his body But it's not helpful to think about that A gentle drizzle falls from the sky making us both cold again It adds urgency to our pace Whoa, slow down Larry tugs on the leash, but I see it's not the rain that's driving him off track There's a dark and oblong shape out in the distance that he wants to run to Something like a human leg Whatever that is, you can't eat it Larry continues tugging and I watch on with frustration worrying about his legs as they strain to pull me They yank back on the leash with a sharp tug Cut it out fuckhead Finally, he gives it up content to sniff in the direction of the severed leg Work with me When we get going again, the wobble is back and bigger than ever Eventually the trail leads us through a pocket of mud and into a forest Careful I encourage as we make our way over a thin patch of ice Larry's legs skid briefly as I slow him down with tension on the leash He starts panting as we continue Are you nervous? Or are you hurt? He licks his lips and we continue Behind us. I hear the organ cry out another discordant sound Oh, I'm coming for you I hope that they're sounding the alarm for me I'm the threat Larry jerks his head up and freezes. I hold my breath listening with him There's something we're missing A twig snaps behind us and we both whirl our heads around It's a large swollen corpse with yellowed skin and blue veins Its stomach is stretched by bloat and is on the verge of bursting It waddles towards us and Larry begins barking angrily Finally shaking off the grogginess of the drugs I drop my bag and raise my weapon Simultaneously letting go of Larry's leash as I grasp the metal staff with both hands I charge at the thing and drive the rod into its stomach Bursting it like an infected cyst But the corpse's size and weight are too much for me and it crushes me as it collapses forward My head is sandwiched between its breasts Fortunately protecting me from its biting mouth. I squirm and wriggle my way out from beneath it The thing flails its arms slapping at me as it struggles to stand As I get to my feet, I see that it's pinned to the ground like a giant squirming starfish Larry no He's biting the corpse's leg practically ripping it off the body It's done. Let it go Larry's muscled frame convulses as he tugs and heaves at the body trying to kill the thing Finally, I hear a snap like the cracking of a wishbone Larry leaps off the corpse with a howling wine holding his left hind leg in the air as he paces in a circle Fuck My hands grab at my head. My face goes numb. Okay. Okay. Let's see you I approach him slowly tenderly using only the pressure of one finger at a time to examine his leg While the corpse behind us breathlessly pounds at the ground Larry stares off into the distance licking his lips and whistling with every breath as he waits for me to finish my assessment He hobbles forward to get away from me while I try to pull his leg down from beside his body I pick him up and gently place him on his side and he cries out in pain His leg is unmovable and he won't let me touch it Okay, big guy. We're gonna be okay Past him. I see more corpses approaching. There's a whole pack of them shuffling towards us Fuck Larry we have to go I reach for my bag and strap it across my back leaving the rod behind so I can place Larry back on his feet He won't move He looks at me helplessly again looking at the sides of his mouth between panting breaths We have to go Larry There's no point in being quiet now The corpses stand in a wide line preparing to flank our sides All right, let's go I relent hoisting his bulky body up in my arms He wiggles as I lift him into the air and it almost causes me to drop him Come on. We're going We lurch forward stumbling towards the sound of running water. I make my way toward a wooden bridge Let's just get to the other side for now My body bows back and forth between Larry's weight and my backpack until I roll my ankle in a divot and fall God damn it Larry collapses next to me with the wind knocked out of him He glares at me in a panic flopping along the ground trying to find a way to his feet as he breathlessly heaves I rip my backpack off and go to scoop him up again But a searing pain in my ankle sends me sprawling forward collapsing next to him I drop my head next to his It's okay big guy. It's okay Finally he stops flailing against the ground His whimper slows to a soft whistle under his breath We look at each other keeping our eyes fixed on one another as I rise to my knees My ankle is bent in a god-awful direction The pain will set in later For now it's numb Everything is numb Past Larry a gang of wobbling bodies with reaching arms close in on us Part of me stays with him curled up around him Shielding him from their wailing scathing hands and biting mouths But my body's falling backwards crawling scrambling away over the bridge He lifts his head one last time to look at me before he rests it on the ground again Licking his lips the final time From across the bridge I notice a burst of sunlight pouring through the cascade of clouds It highlights a mist of wet humid air There should be a rainbow But instead There's nothing Our tails may be over but they are still out there Be sure to join us next week so you can stay safe stay secure and stay sleepless The no-sleep podcast is presented by creative reason media The musical score was composed by Brandon Boone Our production team is Phil Miculski Jeff Clement Jesse Cornette and Claudius Moore Our editorial team is Jessica McAvoy Ashley McEnally Ollie A. White and Kristen Samedo To discover how you can get even more sleepless horror stories from us Just visit sleepless.thenosleeppodcast.com to learn about the sleepless sanctuary Add free extended episodes each week and lots of bonus content for the dark hours All for one low monthly price On behalf of everyone at the no-sleep podcast We thank you for joining us and seeking safety from the things that stalk us in the night This audio program is copyright 2025 by creative reason media Inc. All rights reserved. The copyrights for each story are held by the respective authors No duplication or reproduction of this audio program is permitted without the written consent of creative reason media Inc.