The unseen guest

Halloween is the time for flickering lights, whispered stories, and encounters that make your skin crawl. But some experiences aren’t just tales—they are real, and they leave an imprint you never forget. One such story comes from my parents, an encounter with a shadowy figure that followed my father home.

Years ago, my dad worked for a company that required him to inspect a plant in Laguna. He often went with colleagues, one of whom claimed to have a “third eye.” This colleague insisted that someone—always someone—was present in the rooms they entered, even when no one else was around.

Sometimes my father would visit the plant alone. And each time, he admitted to doing something he probably shouldn’t have—talking to the unseen presence. He would mutter things like, “Ilalagay ko lang ‘to dito ah,” (“I’ll just put this here, okay?”) as if speaking to someone only he could sense.

One evening, after a solitary visit, my parents were fast asleep when my mother felt a sudden unease. Her instincts urged her to pray. She gently held my father’s hand, and together they spoke to God.

It was then that the truth emerged. My father had seen it—a shadow figure near the bedroom cabinet. Somehow, it had followed him home. My mother never knew the details of what he saw, but her intuition told her they needed protection. They played worship songs, prayed, and slowly the oppressive feeling lifted. That night, the house felt calm again.

Prayer, they realized, is not just comfort—it is a shield. Some shadows may follow, but faith can light even the darkest corners.