A horror novelist shared a terrifying memory – and we may never sleep again
Writer Grady Hendrix may be known best for his horror comedy, Horrorstör, but it’s a story from his childhood, which he describes as true, that has us all jumping at the slightest noise right now, and he told it via this terrifying thread on Twitter. Warning: there are genuinely horrifying scenes that could upset the more sensitive amongst you.
Grady felt the Halloween season was a good time to tell his tale, which he set up with the mention of “trauma”. He wasn’t kidding.
Everyone’s telling scary stories for Halloween so I’ll talk about something that happened to me when I was a kid because hey, trauma never gets old.#ScaryStories
— Grady Hendrix (@grady_hendrix) October 30, 2019
It began with some innocent midnight feasting.
When I turned 9 I realized I could sneak downstairs after everyone was asleep and eat anything I wanted in the fridge. No one ever noticed!
— Grady Hendrix (@grady_hendrix) October 30, 2019
I could make a peanut butter, Cheez Whiz, & mayo sandwich, eat leftover pizza, scrape off the icing from birthday cakes – as long as I was careful I could do anything!
— Grady Hendrix (@grady_hendrix) October 30, 2019
This sneaky snacking was undertaken in complete darkness, to avoid discovery.
Creeping down was the hardest part. I had to navigate the pitch dark house all the way downstairs in total darkness like a tiny ninja.
— Grady Hendrix (@grady_hendrix) October 30, 2019
His nightmare started on a night when the scraps were particularly tempting – to a nine-year-old.
One night in May, '81 we ordered from Fish & Shrimp House. I waited until everyone was asleep & crept downstairs to eat the leftover sweet n’sour pork.
— Grady Hendrix (@grady_hendrix) October 30, 2019
It took forever. I finally stepped into the totally dark den & let down my guard. All of a sudden I heard a fork click on the counter. I froze. The microwave clock light showed the outline of a man sitting at our kitchen counter.
— Grady Hendrix (@grady_hendrix) October 30, 2019
He couldn’t see me, but I saw him: a skinny guy, eating our leftovers, and drinking our milk from the carton.
— Grady Hendrix (@grady_hendrix) October 30, 2019
Young Grady did the most sensible thing possible, he snuck away to get help.
I can’t explain how terrifying it is for someone to BE IN YOUR HOUSE. I slooooowly backed away, crept upstairs, and woke up my mom & dad.
— Grady Hendrix (@grady_hendrix) October 30, 2019
Unfortunately, help didn’t come quickly enough.
They made way too much noise & took way too long & by the time they got downstairs the kitchen was empty.
— Grady Hendrix (@grady_hendrix) October 30, 2019
Everyone said I read too many horror comics so they blew off what I said. But no way was I pouring milk on my cereal.
— Grady Hendrix (@grady_hendrix) October 30, 2019