It all occurred a few years ago in a quiet neighborhood just outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ava had taken on the role of babysitter for her little cousin, Sophia, at her aunt’s cozy house. The evening had begun peacefully, and Ava had successfully tucked Sophia into her snug bedroom.
Ava retreated to the living room, hoping to unwind for a moment. She had barely settled onto the couch when the tranquility was abruptly shattered by Sophia’s anguished screams. An unsettling feeling settled over Ava as she sprang up and rushed to Sophia’s room.
Inside, she discovered Sophia in a state of distress, her small face stained with tears. Ava attempted to calm her, inquiring about the source of her terror. In a shaky voice, Sophia whispered about the “monster” that had invaded her dreams. Ava did her best to reassure her, saying, “There’s no monster, sweetheart. Just close your eyes and go back to sleep.”
Ava left the room, convinced that it was merely a nightmare that had momentarily rattled her young cousin. However, the unsettling events were far from over. Twenty minutes later, Ava was jolted from her own thoughts by Sophia’s cries once more. She hurried back to the room to find Sophia in the same state of fear.
This time, as Ava comforted her, a peculiar sound echoed from within the room—a distinct crash emanating from the closet. Ava’s heart raced as she turned her gaze to the closet door. It was a substantial walk-in closet, complete with a door and filled with various belongings. To her astonishment, the handle of the closet door began to rattle, back and forth, as if manipulated by an invisible hand. With each movement, the door crept open slightly.
Fearing for Sophia’s safety, Ava scooped her up in her arms and fled the room, seeking refuge in her older cousin’s room. Their hearts pounded as they huddled together, awaiting some explanation, some rational justification for the inexplicable events they had just witnessed.
Ultimately, Ava chose not to share the encounter with her aunt, uncertain of how to even begin describing what had transpired. She questioned if she would have told her aunt even if she had the courage, given the eerie and unsettling nature of the experience.
As years passed, Ava finally summoned the courage to recount the story to Sophia, who, now eight years old, dismissed it as an attempt to scare her, unable to recall the traumatic night. The family eventually relocated from their previous home, leaving behind the enigmatic memory of the babysitter’s closet mystery—a riddle that would forever remain unsolved.