As I pressed play,I immediately recognized the voice.
My uncle.
As a military man, he never got rattled, never panicked. He sounded truly out of character.
That frightened me as I sat, listening to his tapes in the expanse of forest i found myself within.
"Have the noises started yet? That's how it begins. You hear things. Listen to me, and listen good. If you're listening to this, I... The place is now yours. Go to my bedroom, lift the loose flooring on my side of the bed. I wrote down everything I know on how to help you out, kid. God, I hope this helps."
As per his instructions, I lifted the boards to find an old weathered journal.
Unease gnawing at the pit of my stomach, I opened it and began to read.
"God be with whomever owns this festering pile of wood. I will waste no time because there is none to spare. Follow these rules and maybe you will fare better than I.
When the noises begin, do not investigate. Do not acknowledge them.
Never, and I mean NEVER enter the crawlspace. No matter how human the cries and wails appear to be.
If you see the spectre of a lady dressed in a wedding gown in any of the rooms, apologize and leave the premises immediately.
Sometimes when you are asleep, you may feel a presence above you. Do not open your eyes until day breaks.
Throughout your time here, you may notice bloodstains appear in random places. Clean them immediately.
Do not get any blood on you. If so, you will be marked.
If upon entering any room you hear whispers or hushed voices, leave, shut the door, and knock three times. You may now enter.
You may start sleepwalking. If you awaken to find yourself in the woods, it is to late. She will be upon you in seconds.
If you awaken in the basement, you must stay there until the laughter stops, no matter how close the creature in the corner gets.
If you have read this far, my deepest apologies. She is coming.
You will take my place in the crawlspace with others.
I am so, so sorry.
This was the only way out."
